JP2011145819A - Input device and mode changeover method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change over a mode of an application without moving a pointing device, and to improve operability when changing over the mode. <P>SOLUTION: An input device 100 uses the pointing device including a double-knock type knock part wherein a first knock is generated when a tip part is pushed into a shaft cylinder and wherein a second knock is generated when the tip part is pulled out from the shaft cylinder after the generation of the first knock. In the input device 100 including a sensor which can detect a load in a contact position with the pointing device, a detection part 106 detects the first knock or the second knock, and a changeover part 108 changes over a first mode to a second mode when detecting the first knock in the first mode, and changes over the second mode to the first mode when detecting the second knock after detecting the first knock, in the application having the first mode and the second mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and a mode switching method.

  In recent years, pen input systems having a touch panel and a pointing device such as a stylus pen have been studied. When using a pen input (handwriting input) application in a pen input system, for example, an operation palette displayed on the screen is used to switch between a plurality of different modes (for example, pencil mode and eraser mode). Select each mode. In such a pen input system, each time the mode is switched, the user must move the pointing device on the touch panel to a position corresponding to the operation palette on the screen, which takes time and effort.

  Thus, for example, a pen input system has been proposed in which a pen, which is a pointing device, is provided with a switch and the mode is switched by pressing the switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, in the pen input system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the frequency of radio waves used for communication between a pen (pointing device) and a tablet (tablet having a touch panel) is changed for each mode. Then, the mode is switched by switching the frequency of the radio wave by pressing a switch provided in the pen.

  Further, for example, an apparatus has been proposed in which a pressure sensor is provided at the pen tip of a pen that is a pointing device, and pressure (that is, writing pressure) applied to the pen tip is detected at a plurality of levels (see, for example, Patent Document 2). . In this apparatus, the detected plurality of levels of pressure and the plurality of modes are associated one to one. And the pressure detected with the pen tip is transmitted to a tablet via a cable, and it switches to the mode corresponding to the detected pressure.

  According to these conventional techniques, it is possible to switch modes without moving the pointing device to the operation pallet.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-200231 JP-A-4-353918

  However, in the above-described prior art, it is necessary to provide a pen as a pointing device with a switch or a pressure sensor at the pen tip. Furthermore, a communication circuit for transmitting information (radio wave or pressure level) from a pointing device to a tablet having a touch panel or the like is required. That is, in order to switch the mode without moving the pointing device, a circuit (switch or pressure sensor) and a communication device necessary for the mode switching process are required, and thus the mode switching process in the pointing device is required. At the same time, pointing devices become more expensive.

  Further, as in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of levels of pressure and a plurality of modes are associated one-to-one, the user does not intend depending on the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the pen tip of the pen as a pointing device. Mode switching may occur. That is, in patent document 2, the subject that the operativity (writing pressure adjustment) at the time of switching a mutually different mode is bad generate | occur | produces.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device and a mode switching method capable of switching modes of an application without moving a pointing device and improving operability at the time of mode switching. .

  In the input device of the present invention, a first knock is generated when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a second knock is generated when the tip portion is pulled out from the shaft cylinder after the first knock is generated. An input device using a pointing device having a double-knock type knock unit, wherein the input device has a sensor capable of detecting a load at a position of contact with the pointing device. A first detection means for detecting the first knock by comparing with a time change pattern of the load at the first knock, a time change of the load at the time of the load and the time change of the load at the second knock. A second detection means for detecting the second knock by comparing the pattern, and an application having a first mode and a second mode. When the first knock is detected in the first mode, the first mode is switched to the second mode, and the second knock is detected after the first knock is detected. In this case, a configuration is provided that includes switching means for switching from the second mode to the first mode.

  In the mode switching method of the present invention, a first knock is generated when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a second knock is generated when the tip portion is pulled out of the shaft cylinder after the first knock is generated. An input device using a pointing device having a double-knock type knock unit, the mode switching method in the input device having a sensor capable of detecting a load at a contact position with the pointing device, A first detection step of detecting the first knock by comparing the time change of the load with the time change pattern of the load in the first knock, the time change of the load and the second A second detection step of detecting the second knock by comparing with a time change pattern of the load at the knock; In the application having the second mode, when the first knock is detected during the first mode, the first mode is switched to the second mode, and the first knock is detected after the first knock is detected. A switching step of switching from the second mode to the first mode when a second knock is detected.

  The mode of the application can be switched without moving the pointing device, and the operability at the time of mode switching can be improved.

The figure which shows knock operation in the double knock-type stylus pen concerning one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the input device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the time change of the load at the time of the knock operation which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the detection algorithm of the knock operation which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the mode switching process in the input device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The pen input system according to the present embodiment includes a pointing device (stylus pen) and the input device according to the present invention. In addition, the input device according to the present invention includes a sensor (for example, a pressure-sensitive touch panel) that can detect a load at a contact position with the pointing device.

  Here, the stylus pen (pointing device) includes a double-knock-type knock portion (also referred to as a knock mechanism, for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-54896).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, the stylus pen includes a shaft tube and a tip portion. The knock portion of the stylus pen shown in FIG. 1A includes a cam and a spring (not shown). When a load is applied to the tip portion, the tip portion is pushed into the shaft tube by the force of the spring. In the stylus pen, when the load applied to the tip portion exceeds a certain threshold value, as shown in FIG. 1B, a first knock occurs. Further, when the tip portion is pulled out from the shaft tube after the first knock shown in FIG. 1B is generated, the second knock is generated as shown in FIG. 1C. That is, the stylus pen is a double knock type in which a first knock is generated when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a second knock is generated when the tip portion is pulled out of the shaft cylinder after the first knock is generated. A knock part is provided.

  And in the pen input system which concerns on this Embodiment, a pen input process is performed by making the front-end | tip part of the stylus pen shown in FIG. 1 contact the touch panel which the input device which concerns on this invention has.

  In the following description, an application using the pen input system has a first mode and a second mode.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input device according to this embodiment. In the input device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the input unit 101 is a touch panel (for example, a pressure-sensitive touch panel), and detects contact between the stylus pen (pointing device) and the touch panel. Here, the touch panel is a sensor capable of detecting a load at a contact position with a stylus pen (pointing device). Then, the input unit 101 outputs information indicating detection of contact between the stylus pen and the touch panel to the acquisition unit 102.

  When information indicating detection of contact between the stylus pen and the touch panel is input from the input unit 101, the acquisition unit 102 acquires a load applied to the tip of the stylus pen (writing pressure applied to the touch panel) from the touch panel. Then, the acquisition unit 102 outputs load data indicating the acquired load to the storage unit 103 and the determination unit 105.

  The storage unit 103 sequentially stores the load data input from the acquisition unit 102 and temporarily holds a history of load data (past load data).

  Whether the management unit 104 is in a state in which the first knock (first event) is detected at the present time using the detection results of the first knock and the second knock in the determination unit 105 described later. Manage. Specifically, when the determination unit 105 detects the first knock (the state in which the tip portion of the stylus pen is pushed in, for example, FIG. 1B), the management unit 104 performs the first knock (first event). The current state (event state) is managed as a state in which is detected (hereinafter referred to as a first event detection state). On the other hand, if the determination unit 105 detects the second knock after the detection of the first knock (the state where the tip of the stylus pen is pulled up, for example, FIG. 1A or FIG. 1C), the management unit 104 The current state (event state) is managed as a state where no knock (first event) has been detected (hereinafter, a first event not detected state).

  The determination unit 105 detects the first knock and the second knock based on the time change of the load applied to the tip portion of the stylus pen detected by the touch panel. Then, the determination unit 105 determines whether to instruct the switching unit 108 to switch the mode according to the event state managed by the management unit 104. The determination unit 105 includes a detection unit 106 and a switching determination unit 107 inside.

  The detection unit 106 of the determination unit 105 uses the load data (latest load) input from the acquisition unit 102 and the load data (past load data) read from the storage unit 103 to determine the load time detected by the touch panel. The first knock (FIG. 1B) is detected by comparing the change with the time change pattern of the load at the first knock. That is, the detection unit 106 performs an operation corresponding to the time change of the load detected by the touch panel when the time change of the load detected by the touch panel matches the time change pattern of the load at the first knock. It is determined that this is the first knock. The detection unit 106 may include a first detection unit (not shown), and the first knock may be detected by the first detection unit.

  In addition, the detection unit 106 uses the load data (latest load) input from the acquisition unit 102 and the load data (past load) read from the storage unit 103 to change the load detected with the touch panel over time, The second knock (FIG. 1C) is detected by comparing with the time change pattern of the load at the second knock. That is, when the time change of the load detected on the touch panel matches the time change pattern of the load on the second knock, the detection unit 106 performs an operation corresponding to the time change of the load detected on the touch panel. It is determined that this is the second knock. The detection unit 106 may include a second detection unit (not shown), and the second detection unit may detect the second knock.

  Then, the detection unit 106 outputs the detection results of the first knock and the second knock to the management unit 104 and the switching determination unit 107.

  Whether the switching determination unit 107 of the determination unit 105 switches between the first mode and the second mode of the application mode based on the event state managed by the management unit 104 and the detection result input from the detection unit 106. Determine whether or not. Specifically, in the application having the first mode and the second mode, the switching determination unit 107 detects the first knock in the first mode (for example, the mode in the first event non-detection state). If it is, the switching unit 108 is instructed to switch from the first mode to the second mode. The switching determination unit 107 switches the switching from the second mode to the first mode when the second knock is detected after the first knock is detected (first event detection state). 108 is instructed.

  The switching unit 108 switches between the first mode and the second mode that the application has in accordance with an instruction from the switching determination unit 107 of the determination unit 105. Specifically, the switching unit 108 switches from the first mode to the second mode when the detection unit 106 detects the first knock in the first mode, and detects the first knock after detection. When the second knock is detected by the unit 106, the mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change with time of the load (writing pressure) at the tip portion of the stylus pen.

  In the following description, a case where a drawing application is used as an example of an application using the input device 100 will be described. Also, the first mode of the drawing application is a pencil mode, and the second mode is an eraser mode. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the state before the first knock is detected (the state where the tip of the stylus pen shown in FIG. 1A is not pushed in), that is, the event state is the first event detection state. The application mode in this case is the first mode (pencil mode).

When the tip portion of the stylus pen is brought into contact with the touch panel provided in the input device 100, the tip portion of the stylus pen is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a load is continuously applied (when the state is changed from the state of FIG. 1A to the state of FIG. 1B), A first knock occurs. At this time, time change of the load to be acquired by the acquisition unit 102, as shown in FIG. 3, from the vicinity of the load Z _l in a state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is not pushed (Fig. 1A), pushed the tip portion so to increase to around a load Z _h in the state (FIG. 1B). However, as shown in FIG. 3, the load drops suddenly in the course of increasing the vicinity of the load Z _l near the load Z _h at the time of the outbreak of the first knock. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first knock occurs, the time change of the load becomes a pulse waveform (pulse waveform in the negative direction).

Further, after the occurrence of the first knock (FIG. 1B), when the tip of the stylus pen is brought into contact with the touch panel and pulled up from the shaft cylinder (when the state transitions from the state of FIG. 1B to the state of FIG. 1C), A second knock occurs. At this time, time change of the load to be acquired by the acquisition unit 102, as shown in FIG. 3, from the vicinity of the load Z _h in a state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is pressed (FIG. 1B), raised tip portion so reduced to near the load Z _l in a state (Fig. 1C). However, as shown in FIG. 3, the load on the way at the time of occurrence of the second knock decreases from the vicinity of the load Z _h around the load Z _l is rapidly increased. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second knock occurs, the time change of the load becomes a pulse waveform (pulse waveform in the positive direction).

  Therefore, the detection unit 106 of the determination unit 105 of the input device 100 matches the time change of the load acquired by the acquisition unit 102 with the time change pattern (writing pressure change pattern) of the load at the time of the first knock shown in FIG. If so, the first knock is detected. Similarly, the detection unit 106 determines the second change when the time change of the load acquired by the acquisition unit 102 matches the time change pattern (writing pressure change pattern) of the load at the time of the second knock shown in FIG. Detect knocks.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the detection unit 106 detects the first knock in the first mode (pencil mode), the switching determination unit 107 changes from the first mode (pencil mode) to the second mode. The switching unit 108 is instructed to switch to the mode (eraser mode). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching determination unit 107 detects the first knock after the first knock is detected, that is, when the detection unit 106 detects the second knock in the second mode (eraser mode). The switching unit 108 is instructed to switch from the second mode (eraser mode) to the first mode (pencil mode).

  In other words, when the input device 100 detects a pushing operation (an operation for generating a first knock) of the tip of the stylus pen in the first mode (pencil mode), the input device 100 changes from the first mode (pencil mode) to the second mode. Switch to mode (eraser mode). When the input device 100 detects a pull-up operation (an operation for generating a second knock) of the stylus pen after the push-in operation (after the generation of the first knock) of the stylus pen is performed, Switching from the second mode (eraser mode) to the first mode is performed. That is, when the input device 100 detects the first knock shown in FIG. 3, the input device 100 switches from the first mode (pencil mode) to the second mode (eraser mode), and the second knock in the state of the second mode. Is detected, the first mode (pencil mode) is restored.

  In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the switching unit 108 of the input device 100 includes a period until the first knock is detected and a period after the second knock is detected in the first mode. (Pencil mode) Period. On the other hand, the switching unit 108 sets a period from when the first knock is detected to when the second knock is detected as a second mode (eraser mode) period.

  That is, in the input device 100, the first knock and the second knock serve as the switching timing (trigger) between the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, the user can reliably recognize the switching timing between the first mode (pencil mode) and the second mode (eraser mode) by recognizing the occurrence of the first knock or the second knock. It becomes possible.

  Next, as an example, a first knock detection algorithm in the detection unit 106 will be described with reference to FIG. However, the detection algorithm of the first knock (or the second knock) in the detection unit 106 is not limited to the detection algorithm described in FIG. That is, the detection algorithm can determine whether the time change of the load acquired by the input device 100 matches the time change pattern of the load at the time of the first knock (or the second knock) shown in FIG. That's fine.

In FIG. 4, the threshold for determining the load drop (decrease amount) at the time of the first knock is ΔZ _down and the return amount (increase) from the load drop at the time of the first knock is determined. The threshold for determining the value is ΔZ _up, and the threshold for determining the lower limit when the load drops when the first knock occurs is ΔZ _low .

Specifically, based on the latest load data acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and past load data stored in the storage unit 103, the detection unit 106 has a load drop amount larger than a threshold ΔZ _down (condition (1)) and the return amount from the drop of the load is larger than the threshold value ΔZ _up (condition (2)), and the lower limit value at the time of the load drop is larger than the threshold value ΔZ _low (condition (3)) ), The time change of the load is determined to be the time change of the load at the time of the first knock. That is, the detection unit 106 detects the first knock when the time change of the load detected by the touch panel satisfies all the above conditions (1) to (3).

For example, in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the difference between the load Z (t−2) at time (t−2) and the load Z (t−1) at time (t−1) is larger than ΔZ _down . That is, the amount of load drop (Z (t−2) −Z (t−1))> ΔZ _down , which satisfies the condition (1).

Further, in FIG. 4, the difference between the load Z (t-1) in the load Z (t) at time (t-1) at time t is greater than [Delta] Z _{Stay up-.} That is, the load return amount (Z (t) −Z (t−1))> ΔZ _up , which satisfies the condition (2).

In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the load Z (t−1) at time (t−1) is larger than ΔZ _low . That is, the lower limit value Z (t−1)> ΔZ _low when the load drops is satisfied, and the condition (3) is satisfied.

  Therefore, in order to satisfy all the conditions (1) to (3) described above, the detection unit 106 has the loads Z (t-2) to Z (t) from time (t-2) to time t shown in FIG. It is determined that the time change is a time change pattern of the load at the time of the first knock. That is, the detection unit 106 detects the first knock at time t shown in FIG.

  The condition (3) is a condition provided in order not to erroneously detect, for example, a double tap operation in which Z (t−1) becomes 0 (a state away from the touch panel) in FIG. 4 as a knock operation. However, in practice, it is almost impossible for the user to perform a double tap operation at the same time as the first knock (the period from time (t-2) to time t in FIG. 4). Therefore, in FIG. 4, even when the conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied and the condition (3) is not satisfied (that is, when the condition (3) is omitted), the detection unit 106 changes the load over time. You may judge that it is a time change of the load at the time of the 1st knock.

  Next, the mode switching process in the input device 100 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows the flow of mode switching processing in the input device 100.

  In FIG. 5, in step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 101, the acquisition unit 102 acquires load data indicating a load (writing pressure) applied to the tip portion of the stylus pen detected by the touch panel. In ST102, the acquisition unit 102 determines whether or not load data has been acquired in ST101, that is, whether or not load data exists. If the acquisition unit 102 has not acquired load data in ST101, that is, if there is no load data acquired in ST101 (ST102: NO), the process returns to ST101.

  On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 102 acquires load data in ST101, that is, when there is load data acquired in ST101 (ST102: YES), the storage unit 103 stores the load data acquired in ST101.

  In ST104, the detection unit 106 of the determination unit 105 reads the past load data stored in the storage unit 103 and the latest load data acquired by the acquisition unit 102. In ST105, the switching determination unit 107 of the determination unit 105 acquires the event state managed by the management unit 104. In ST106, switching determination section 107 determines whether or not the event state acquired in ST105 is the first event detection state (that is, the state where the first knock shown in FIG. 1B has occurred). Here, the first event detection state is the second mode from the detection of the first knock shown in FIG. 3 to the detection of the second knock, and the first event non-detection state is shown in FIG. 3 is the time of the first mode before the first knock shown in FIG. 3 is detected.

  If the event state acquired in ST105 is not the first event detection state (ST106: NO), that is, if it is the first event non-detection state (first mode), in ST107, the detection unit 106 A knock (first event) detection process is performed. In ST108, detection section 106 determines whether or not a first knock (first event) has been detected in ST107. When the first knock is not detected in ST107 (ST108: NO), the process returns to ST101.

  On the other hand, when the first knock is detected in ST107 (ST108: YES), in ST109, management unit 104 updates the managed event state from the first event non-detected state to the first event detected state.

  In ST110, switching determination section 107 instructs switching section 108 to switch from the first mode to the second mode, and switching section 108 switches the mode in the application from the first mode to the second mode. . Then, the process returns to ST101. That is, when the first knock is detected in the first mode corresponding to the first event non-detected state (ST106: NO) (ST108: YES), the input device 100 starts from the first mode to the second. Switch to the mode.

  On the other hand, when the event state acquired in ST105 is the first event detection state (second mode) (ST106: YES), in ST111, the detection unit 106 performs the second knock (second event) detection process. Do. In ST112, detection section 106 determines whether or not a second knock (second event) has been detected in ST111. When the second knock is not detected in ST111 (ST112: NO), the process returns to ST101.

  On the other hand, when the second knock is detected in ST111 (ST112: YES), in ST113, management unit 104 updates the managed event state from the first event detection state to the first event non-detection state.

  In ST114, switching determination section 107 instructs switching section 108 to switch from the second mode to the first mode, and switching section 108 switches the mode in the application from the second mode to the first mode. . Then, the process returns to ST101. That is, when input device 100 detects the second knock in the second mode corresponding to the first event detection state (ST106: YES), which is the state after detection of the first knock (ST112: YES). Is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

  As described above, the input device 100 according to the present embodiment switches the mode of the application by detecting the first knock and the second knock of the stylus pen including the double knock type knock unit. Thereby, for example, the input device 100 can switch between the pencil mode (first mode) and the eraser mode (second mode) of the drawing application simply by performing a knock operation of the stylus pen. That is, in the input device 100, it is not necessary to move the stylus pen to the operation palette, and the drawing efficiency can be improved.

In a drawing application, for example, a pencil mode (input mode) for drawing characters on the screen and an eraser mode (erase mode) for erasing the drawn characters are modes in which processing functions conflict with each other. It is. Further, an operation with a small load (load Z _{l in} FIG. 3) applied to the stylus pen (operation of the stylus pen with the tip portion shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1C pulled up) and a load applied to the stylus pen (FIG. 3, the operation with a large load Z _h (the operation of the stylus pen in a state where the tip portion shown in FIG. 1B is pushed in) is an operation in which the load that the user receives (the magnitude of the writing pressure to be applied by the user) is opposite is there. That is, in the input device 100, two modes in which processing functions are contradictory are associated with two operations in which loads on the user are in conflict. Therefore, the user can intuitively operate the stylus pen by switching the processing in which processing functions are contradictory by distinguishing and switching two operations in which the load received by the user is contradictory, thereby improving user operability. it can.

  Further, in the state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is pushed in (FIG. 1B), the load pressure detected by the input device 100 is larger than in the state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is pulled up (FIG. 1A or 1C). Become. That is, in the state in which the tip portion of the stylus pen is pushed in (FIG. 1B), the load (writing pressure) to be applied by the user is larger than in the state in which the tip portion of the stylus pen is pulled up (FIG. 1A or FIG. 1C). . In other words, in a state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is pulled up (FIG. 1A or FIG. 1C), a load (writing pressure) to be applied by the user is less than in a state where the tip portion of the stylus pen is pushed in (FIG. 1B). .

Therefore, in the input device 100, a mode that is used more frequently is set as the first mode corresponding to FIGS. 1A and 1C, and the second mode corresponding to FIG. 1B is less likely to be used than the first mode. A mode may be set. Thus, in the first mode that is used more frequently, the user can operate the stylus pen without applying extra writing pressure (less load applied to the user), and the second mode that is difficult to use. In the mode, the mode may be switched by applying a higher writing pressure than in the first mode. Thus, it is possible to reduce the physical load on the user (large load (e.g., load Z _h) was added continuously operation shown in FIG. 3). However, as described above, the input device 100 switches between the first mode and the second mode by detecting the first knock and the second knock. In other words, since the user can recognize the first knock or the second knock as a trigger for mode switching, the user can reliably grasp the timing of switching between the first mode and the second mode and switch between the modes. Switching can be performed. Thus, the user can perform an intuitive operation, and the operability of the user can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device can perform the first mode and the second mode of the application based on the time change of the load applied to the double knock stylus pen (pointing device). Switch. That is, in the input device according to the present embodiment, the mode switching is associated with two knock operations with the double knock stylus pen. As a result, the user can perform mode switching only by performing a knock operation (operation for generating knock) on the stylus pen (pointing device). Further, the user can reliably recognize the knock operation (first knock or second knock) as the mode switching timing (trigger). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the mode of the application can be switched without moving the pointing device, and the operability at the time of mode switching can be improved.

  Note that the structure of the double knock stylus pen for generating the first knock and the second knock may be a material other than a spring, such as rubber, for example, and at the time of the first knock shown in FIG. Any shape can be used as long as it has a characteristic of time variation of the load at the time of knocking. Further, not only the stylus pen but also a knock portion provided on the side opposite to the pen tip of a double knock ballpoint pen that is widely used in society may be used as the pointing device in the present embodiment. That is, in the present invention, it is only necessary to use an object having a double knock type knock unit (knock mechanism) as a pointing device, and a circuit or communication device for mode switching is not required. Moreover, in this invention, what is necessary is just to use the thing provided with a double knock type knock part (knock mechanism) as a pointing device, and as a touch panel with which an input device is provided, the conventional pressure sensitive touch panel can be used as it is, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in the drawing application where the first mode is the pencil mode and the second mode is the eraser mode. However, the mode to be switched is not limited to the pencil mode and the eraser mode. For example, in the drawing application, the first mode may be the black pen mode and the second mode may be the red pen mode. Thus, the two-color pen mode can be used without moving the pointing device. Also, the color type in the pen mode is not limited to black and red.

  Alternatively, in the drawing application, the first mode may be the black pen mode and the second mode may be the fluorescent pen mode. For example, even when marking characters entered using the black pen mode in the highlight pen mode, the user switches the mode from the black pen mode to the highlight pen mode without moving the pointing device. Mode can be used.

  Alternatively, in the drawing application, the first mode may be the black pen mode and the second mode may be the seal (seal) mode. For example, even when characters are input using the black pen mode and then stamped in the seal (imprint) mode, the user switches the mode from the black pen mode to the seal (imprint) mode without moving the pointing device. The seal mode can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a drawing application (handwriting input application) is used as an application has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to general operations in any application, not limited to a drawing application. For example, the first mode may be a normal operation (for example, dragging an icon), and the second mode may be a property display (for example, information on a file corresponding to the dragged icon is displayed in a pop-up).

  Alternatively, the first mode may be a normal operation, and the second mode may be a magnifying glass mode (magnifying glass mode). Thereby, it is not necessary to select the magnifying glass mode from the operation palette on the screen, that is, the magnifying glass mode can be used without moving the pointing device.

  In the present invention, the input device is a pointing device having a double-knock type knock unit, and a first event that occurs when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder (first knock in the above embodiment), The first mode and the second mode are detected by detecting a second event (second knock in the above embodiment) that occurs when the tip portion is pulled out of the cylinder after the first event occurs. Can be switched. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the input device compares the time change pattern of the load at the time of the second knock (for example, FIG. 3) with the time change of the actual load, thereby comparing the second event (second The case of detecting (knock of) has been described. However, the input device may detect the second event without using the time change pattern of the load at the time of the second knock. For example, the input device may detect the second event by determining whether or not the load (writing pressure) is lower than a preset threshold value in the second mode shown in FIG. That is, the input device detects an operation in which the load (writing pressure) falls below a certain threshold value as the second event without considering the pulse waveform. Even in this case, the mode of the application can be switched without moving the pointing device, and the operability at the time of mode switching can be improved.

  The present invention is useful, for example, for a pen input system that includes a sensor that can detect a load at a contact position with a pointing device and that switches between different modes of an application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Input device 101 Input part 102 Acquisition part 103 Storage part 104 Management part 105 Determination part 106 Detection part 107 Switching determination part 108 Switching part

Claims (4)

A first knock is generated when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a double knock type knock portion is generated in which a second knock is generated when the tip portion is pulled out of the shaft cylinder after the first knock is generated. An input device using a pointing device comprising: a sensor capable of detecting a load at a position of contact with the pointing device;
A first detection means for detecting the first knock by comparing the time change of the load with the time change pattern of the load in the first knock;
A second detection means for detecting the second knock by comparing the time change of the load with the time change pattern of the load in the second knock;
In the application having the first mode and the second mode, when the first knock is detected during the first mode, the first mode is switched to the second mode, and the first mode is changed. Switching means for switching from the second mode to the first mode when the second knock is detected after the detection of the knock;
An input device comprising: The switching means sets a period until the first knock is detected and a period after the second knock is detected as the first mode period, and after the first knock is detected, The period until the second knock is detected is the second mode period.
The input device according to claim 1. The application is a drawing application;
The first mode is a pencil mode, and the second mode is an eraser mode.
The input device according to claim 1. A first knock is generated when the tip portion is pushed into the shaft cylinder, and a double knock type knock portion is generated in which a second knock is generated when the tip portion is pulled out of the shaft cylinder after the first knock is generated. An input device using a pointing device comprising a mode switching method in the input device having a sensor capable of detecting a load at a contact position with the pointing device,
A first detection step of detecting the first knock by comparing the time change of the load with a time change pattern of the load in the first knock;
A second detection step of detecting the second knock by comparing the time change of the load with the time change pattern of the load in the second knock;
In the application having the first mode and the second mode, when the first knock is detected during the first mode, the first mode is switched to the second mode, and the first mode is changed. A switching step of switching from the second mode to the first mode when the second knock is detected after detection of the knock;
A mode switching method comprising:

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