JPH08152968A - Handwrite input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To increase the quantity of information to be inputted/displayed onto one detection display unit by overlapping at least one detecting means and plural display means one on another. CONSTITUTION: An electronic notebook as the handwrite input device, is equipped with a plate-shaped device main body 1, and a detection display unit 3 and a cover 4 are provided through a hinge 2 onto one side of that device main body 1 so as to be openable/closable. Besides, first and second tablets 7a and 7b are respectively mounted through a spacer 13 in the shape of a rectangular frame onto liquid crystal displays(LCD) 6a and 6b. These first and second tablets 7a and 7b are transparent pressure sensitive tablets. Further, in the state of facing the LCD 6a and 6b each other and respectively overlapping the tablets 7a and 7b position them oppositely to the side where the LCD 6a and 6b face each other, they are respectively arranged on a frame body 8 equipped with an opening 8a. Then, input and display are performed both the front and rear surfaces of such display detection units 3 and 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handwriting input device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a handwriting input device in which a detection unit that detects the coordinates of an input position such as a tablet and a display unit such as an LCD are superposed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a handwriting input device has been proposed in which a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) and a tablet are superposed on each other to form an integrated type, and characters or figures handwritten with a pen are displayed on the LCD. . Unlike the input device using a keyboard, mouse, etc., this handwriting input device is convenient for the user and can obtain a direct operation interval. It is used as a notebook.

For example, an electronic notebook has a detection display unit in which a pressure-sensitive tablet for detecting the coordinates of an input position and an LCD for displaying the contents corresponding to the detected coordinates are superposed. The detection display unit is provided so as to be openable and closable so that the input / display surface is exposed with respect to the apparatus main body. When the detection / display unit is opened and the input / display surface is exposed, pen input is possible on the surface. However, in this electronic notebook, since there is only one detection display unit, there is a problem that the amount of information that can be input / displayed at one time is limited.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-157517 discloses an electronic notebook in which a plurality of detection display units (input / display units) 52 are connected to a main body 51 of an apparatus so as to be openable and closable, as shown in FIG. It is disclosed. In this electronic notebook, since a plurality of detection display units 52 are provided, a large amount of information can be input and displayed.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned electronic notebook, each detection display unit 52 is composed of one tablet (digitizer) and one LCD. input·
There is only one display surface. Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of information that can be input / displayed for one detection display unit 52 is small.

In the electronic notebook, a tablet controller (drive control section) is provided for each tablet. This tablet controller outputs a control signal including a signal indicating the detected coordinates of the tablet, and performs the same operation for each tablet. However, not all tablets are used at once, and providing a tablet controller for each tablet is not only inefficient, but also increases the number of parts and raises the cost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object thereof is handwriting input capable of increasing the amount of information that can be input / displayed on one detection display unit. To provide a device.

A second object is to provide a handwriting input device in which the control means provided for a plurality of detecting means can be shared.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention is a detection means for detecting the coordinates of an input position, and a display for displaying contents according to the position coordinates detected by the detection means. In a handwriting input device including a means, at least one of the detection means and a plurality of the display means are overlapped with each other. Further, the detection means and the display means may be paired and overlapped. In this case, both display means may face each other, and the detection means may be respectively overlapped so as to be located on the opposite side to the opposite side of the both display means. Further, both detection means may be transparent tablets. Further, the handwriting input device may be superposed so that one detection means is interposed between the two display means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a plurality of detection means for detecting the coordinates of the input position and a plurality of display means for displaying the contents corresponding to the position coordinates detected by the respective detection means are overlapped with each other. Further, a detection display unit provided so as to be openable and closable so that each input / display surface is exposed, a control means for outputting a control signal including a signal of the position coordinate from the detection means, and each input / display surface Which input of
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the display surface is exposed, and based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means, to electrically connect the detecting means and the control means corresponding to the exposed input / display surface, The gist is that it is provided with a switching means for selectively switching.

Further, the detection means for detecting the coordinates of the input position and the display means for displaying the contents corresponding to the position coordinates detected by the detection means are superposed, and the input / display surface is opened / closed so as to be exposed. A plurality of detection display units that are provided, a control unit that outputs a control signal including a signal of the position coordinates from the detection unit, and which input / display surface of each of the detection display units is exposed. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the control means is electrically connected to the detecting means corresponding to the exposed input / display surface based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means. The summary is that Further, the control means may be provided in correspondence with the number of input / display surfaces exposed at the same time. At least one unit of the detection display units may have one detection unit and one display unit overlapped with each other. Further, at least one of the detection display units may have at least one of the detection means and a plurality of the display means overlapped with each other. In this case, the detection display unit
The detection means and the display means may be paired and overlapped with each other, or the two display means may be overlapped with each other via one detection means. Further, each detection display unit has a first detection display unit in which one detection unit and one display unit are superposed, a second detection unit in which at least one detection unit and a plurality of the display units are superposed. A display unit may be included.

[0012]

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 5, by superimposing at least one detection means and a plurality of display means, a table of a detection display unit including the detection means and the display means is provided. Input / display is possible on the back side.
Therefore, the amount of information that can be input / displayed for one detection display unit increases.

According to the invention described in claims 6 to 13, the switching operation is selectively performed by the switching means based on the determination result of the determination means to correspond to the exposed input / display surface. The detection means and the control means are electrically connected. Therefore, the control means provided for the plurality of detection means can be shared.

[0014]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electronic notebook will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic notebook as a handwriting input device is provided with a plate-shaped device body 1, and one side of the device body has a detection display unit 3 and a detection display unit 3 via a hinge 2. The cover 4 is provided so that it can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detection display unit 3
Is a pair of backlights 5a, 5b, LCDs 6a, 6b as a pair of display means, and a first as a pair of detection means.
And second tablets 7a and 7b, and a frame 8. Both the backlights 5a and 5b include diffusion plates 9a and 9b,
Light guide plates 10a and 10b, and a lamp (cold-cathode tube) 11
a and 11b are provided. Both diffusion plates 9a and 9b are mounted on both sides of a spacer 12 having a rectangular frame shape (not shown), and the light guide plate 10 is placed on both diffusion plates 9a and 9b.
a and 10b are attached respectively. Both light guide plates 10
The end surfaces of a and 10b are located inside the end surfaces of the diffusion plates 9a and 9b, and the lamp 11 is in contact with the end surfaces.
a and 11b are housed respectively.

An LCD 6 is provided on both light guide plates 10a and 10b.
a and 6b are mounted respectively. LCD 6a, 6b
Is a TN (Twisted Nematic) type matrix liquid crystal display device. The first and second tablets 7 are formed on the LCDs 6a and 6b via a spacer 13 having a rectangular frame shape (not shown).
a and 7b are attached respectively. This first and second
The tablets 7a and 7b are transparent pressure-sensitive tablets.

The LCDs 6a and 6b are opposed to each other and the tablets 7a and 7b are overlapped with each other so as to be positioned on the opposite side of the LCDs 6a and 6b, respectively, and have the openings 8a. It is arranged on the frame body 8. The detection / display unit 3 has an input / display surface 3a on the front surface and an input / display surface 3b on the back surface. When either of the input / display surfaces 3a, 3b is exposed, the pen P ( It is possible to input by the solid line and the two-dot chain line. Further, limit switches 14a and 14b are provided on both surfaces of the frame body 8 as discriminating means which are always on and are turned off by pushing.

Next, the electrical structure of the electronic notebook will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic notebook includes a microcomputer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a microcomputer) 15, a tablet controller 16 corresponding to the first and second tablets 7a and 7b, and an LCD controller 17a corresponding to the LCDs 6a and 6b. , 17b and lamps 11a, 11b
Drive circuits 18a and 18b respectively corresponding to.

The microcomputer 15 controls the system of each device, displays the input information on the LCD 6a according to the input of the pen P on the input / display surface 3a, and stores it in the memory. Further, the microcomputer 15 performs document creation and document edit processing according to the input of the pen P on the input / display surface 3b, displays the processing result on the LCD 6b, and stores it in the memory.

The LCD controllers 17a and 17b control the LCDs 6a and 6b in accordance with the output signal from the microcomputer 15 to display characters and figures. Drive circuit 18a,
Reference numeral 18b drives the lamps 11a and 11b to light up in response to the output signal from the microcomputer 15, and illuminates the LCDs 6a and 6b from the back side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tablet controller 16 turns on the limit switches 14a and 14b.
It is composed of a switch circuit 19 that performs a switching operation according to turning off and a control unit 20. The switch circuit 19 is
Limit switch 14a is on, limit switch 1
When 4b is off, the first tablet 7a and the control unit 2
The switching operation is performed so that 0 and 0 are electrically connected.
Further, the switch circuit 19 performs a switching operation so that the second tablet 7b and the control unit 20 are electrically connected when the limit switch 14a is off and the limit switch 14b is on. In this way, the switch circuit 19
Is one of the exposed input / display surfaces 3a and 3b.
Either one of the first and second tablets 7a and 7b corresponding to is connected to the control unit 20.

The control unit 20 includes an AD converter 21, a CPU 2
2, RAM 23, ROM 24. The AD converter 21 converts the analog signal of the position coordinates detected by the first and second tablets 7a and 7b into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 operates based on a control program stored in the ROM 24, and outputs a control signal including a signal indicating position coordinates to the microcomputer. RA
M23 is a work area when the CPU 22 operates.

Next, the operation of the electronic notebook constructed as above will be described. Detection display unit 3 with cover 4
Is opened and the input / display surface 3a is opened as shown by the solid line in FIG.
When is exposed, the limit switch 14a is turned on and the limit switch 14b is turned off. Then, the switch circuit 19 electrically connects the first tablet 7a corresponding to the exposed input / display surface 3a and the control unit 20.
At this time, the microcomputer 15 is in a standby (power save) state. Next, when information is input with the pen P on the input / display surface 3a, a control signal including position coordinates is output from the control unit 20, that is, the tablet controller 16. Then, the microcomputer 15 is immediately activated to display the position coordinates on the LCD 6a based on the control signal and store the position coordinates in the memory.

Next, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, when the detection display unit 3 is opened to the opposite side and the input / display surface 3b is exposed, the limit switch 14a is turned off and the limit switch 14b is turned on. It turns on. Then, the switch circuit 19 performs a switching operation to electrically connect the second tablet 7b corresponding to the exposed input / display surface 3b and the control unit 20. Pen P on the input / display surface 3b
When the information is input in, the control unit 20, that is, the tablet controller 16 outputs a control signal including the position coordinates. Then, the microcomputer 15 is activated immediately, creates a document based on the control signal, displays the document data on the LCD 6b, and stores the document data in the memory.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the detection / display unit 3 includes the LCD 6a, the tablet 7a and the LC.
Since the D6b and the tablet 7b are provided to perform input and display on both front and back sides, the amount of information that can be input / displayed on one detection display unit 3 can be increased. Further, since both sides of the detection display unit 3 are used, the usability is improved as compared with the case where only one side is used.

Further, a switching operation is performed in response to ON / OFF of the limit switches 14a and 14b, and the first and second tablets 7a and 7b corresponding to the exposed surface.
A switch circuit 19 for electrically connecting any of the above and the control unit 20 is provided. Therefore, the control unit 20, that is, the tablet controller 16 can be commonly used, and as a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that two detection display units having an input / display surface only on one side are added.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body 1 and the cover 4 are provided with detection display units 30 and 31, respectively, and limit switches 14c and 14d, respectively. The detection display unit 31 includes a pressure-sensitive third tablet 7c, an LCD 6c (both shown by broken lines) and a backlight (not shown), and an input / display surface 31a is arranged inside the main body 1. The detection display unit 30 includes a pressure-sensitive fourth tablet 7d and an LCD.
The input / display surface 30a is provided inside the cover 4 and includes a backlight 6d (both are shown by broken lines) and a backlight (not shown).

The second and fourth tablets 7b and 7d are connected to the first switch circuit 19a, respectively. Then, the first switch circuit 19a includes the limit switch 14a.
A switching operation is performed in accordance with ON / OFF of b and 14d to electrically connect any of the second and fourth tablets 7b and 7d to the control unit 20a. The first and third tablets 7a and 7c are connected to the second switch circuit 19b, respectively. Then, the second switch circuit 19b
Switching operation is performed according to ON / OFF of the limit switches 14a and 14c, and the first and third tablets 7a,
Any of 7c and the controller 20b are electrically connected.

The operation of the electronic organizer configured as described above will be described. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, when the detection display unit 3 is opened and the input / display surfaces 3a and 30a are exposed, the limit switches 14a and 14d are turned on and the limit switches 14b and 14c are turned off. Then the first
The switch circuit 19a includes the fourth tablet 7d and the controller 2
0a is electrically connected to the second switch circuit 19b,
The first tablet 7a and the control unit 20b are electrically connected.

Further, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7, the detection display unit 3 is opened to the opposite side, and the input / display surface 3b,
When 31a is exposed, the limit switch 14a,
14d is off and the limit switches 14b and 14c are on. Then, the first switch circuit 19a performs a switching operation to electrically connect the second tablet 7b and the control unit 20a, and the second switch circuit 19b also performs a switching operation to connect the third tablet 7c and the control unit 20b. To be electrically connected.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even when a plurality of exposed input / display surfaces exist at the same time, the first and second switches are provided. The control unit can be shared by the switching operation of the circuits 19a and 19b.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the structure of the tablet of the detection display unit 3 is different from that of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the backlights 5a, 5
In between b, instead of the spacer 12, the first electromagnetic induction type
The tablet 25 is interposed. The pen P is adapted to generate magnetic lines of force corresponding to the first tablet 25, and the first tablet 25 responds to the input of the pen P by
The input position is detected by the magnetic line of force that has passed through the LCD 6a or LCD 6b. A transparent protective plate 26 is attached to each of the LCDs 6a and 6b via a spacer 13.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first tablet 25
Are connected to the first and second switch circuits 19a and 19b, respectively.
In response to the switching operation of 19b, the control units 20a and 20
It is electrically connected to any one of b. That is, input
When the display surfaces 3a and 20a are exposed, the fourth tablet 7d and the control unit 20a are connected to each other by the first switch circuit 19
The first tablet 25 and the control unit 20b are electrically connected via a, and the second tablet circuit 19b is electrically connected via a second switch circuit 19b. Further, when the input / display surfaces 3b and 21a are exposed, the first tablet 25 and the control unit 20a.
Are electrically connected to each other, and the third tablet 7c and the control unit 2 are connected.
0b is electrically connected.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the two LCDs 6a and 6b of the detection display unit 3 can be set to one.
One tablet 25 can be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be carried out as follows. (1) In the first and second embodiments, the pressure sensitive tablets 7a and 7b are used, but a capacitance type tablet may be used instead.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the backlight 5 is used.
Although a and 5b are provided, a reflector may be provided instead. (3) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the limit switches 14a to 14d are used as the front and back discriminating means, but instead,
Switch means such as a photoelectric switch may be adopted.

(4) In the above embodiments, the control units 20, 20a and 20b of the first to fourth tablets 7a to 7d and 25 are used.
However, similarly, by providing a switch circuit, the LCD controllers connected to the LCDs 6a and 6b may be shared.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, another detection display unit may be foldably connected to the detection display unit 3. By doing so, the amount of information that can be input / displayed can be further increased.

Inventions other than the claims which can be understood from the above-mentioned embodiments will be described below together with their effects. The handwriting input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of detection display units each including a detection unit and a display unit are connected. By doing so, the amount of information that can be input / displayed can be further increased.

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the invention, the amount of information that can be input / displayed for one detection / display unit can be increased.

According to the second invention, the control means provided for the plurality of detection means can be shared.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an electronic notebook according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is also a schematic side view showing an electronic notebook.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a detection display unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a tablet controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic notebook.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an electronic notebook according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing an electronic notebook.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic notebook.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a detection display unit of a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic notebook.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional electronic notebook.

[Explanation of symbols]

3, 30, 31 ... Detection display unit, 6a to 6d ... LCD as display means, 7a to 7d ... First to fourth tablets as detection means, 14a to 14d ... Limit switches as discrimination means, 19, 19a, 19b ... Switch circuit as switching means, 20, 20a, 20b ... Control section as control means. 25 ... The 1st tablet as a detection means.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A detection means for detecting coordinates of an input position,
A handwriting input device comprising display means for displaying contents corresponding to position coordinates detected by the detection means, wherein at least one detection means (7a, 7b) and a plurality of display means (6a, 6b) A handwriting input device characterized by superimposing and. 2. The handwriting input device according to claim 1, wherein the handwriting input device has the detection means (7a, 7b) and the display means (6a, 6b) paired and superposed. Input device. 3. The both display means (6a, 6b) face each other, and the detection means (7a, 7b) are both display means (6).
The handwriting input device according to claim 2, wherein the handwriting input device is overlapped with each other so as to be located on the side opposite to the opposite sides of a and 6b). 4. The handwriting input device according to claim 3, wherein the both detecting means (7a, 7b) are transparent tablets. 5. The handwriting input device comprises one detection means (25) between two display means (6a, 6b).
The handwriting input device according to claim 1, wherein the handwriting input device and the handwriting input device are overlapped with each other. 6. A plurality of detection means (7a, 7b) for detecting the coordinates of the input position, and a plurality of display means (7) for displaying the contents corresponding to the position coordinates detected by the respective detection means (7a, 7b). 6a, 6b) and each input
A detection display unit (3) that is openably and closably provided so that the display surfaces (3a, 3b) are exposed, and a control that outputs a control signal including a signal of the position coordinates from the detection means (7a, 7b). Means (20) and a discrimination means (14) for discriminating which of the input / display surfaces (3a, 3b) is exposed.
a, 14b) and the determination result of the determination means (14a, 14b), the detection means corresponding to the exposed input / display surface and the control means are selectively switched so as to be electrically connected. A handwriting input device comprising a switching means (19). 7. A detection means (7) for detecting coordinates of an input position.
a to 7d) and the display means for displaying the contents corresponding to the position coordinates detected by the detection means (7a to 7d) are overlapped, and the input / display surfaces (3a, 3b, 30a, 3)
0b) is provided so as to be openable and closable, and a control for outputting a control signal including a signal of the position coordinates from the detection means (7a to 7d). Means (20a, 20b)
And determination means (14a to 14d) for determining which input / display surface (3a, 3b, 30a, 30b) of each of the detection display units (3, 30, 31) is exposed.
And to electrically connect the detection means and the control means (20a, 20b) corresponding to the exposed input / display surface based on the determination result of the determination means (14a to 14d),
A handwriting input device comprising switching means (19a, 19b) for selectively switching. 8. The handwriting input device according to claim 7, wherein the control means (20a, 20b) are provided corresponding to the number of simultaneously exposed input / display surfaces. 9. At least one unit (30, 31) of the respective detection display units has one detection means (7c, 7d) and one display means (6c, 6d) superposed on each other. The handwriting input device according to claim 7, wherein the handwriting input device is a handwriting input device. 10. At least one unit (3) of the respective detection display units comprises at least one detection means (7a, 7b) and a plurality of display means (6a, 7a, 7b).
The handwriting input device according to claim 7, wherein the handwriting input device is overlapped with 6b). 11. The detection display unit (3) comprises the detection means (7a, 7b) and the display means (6a, 6).
The handwriting input device according to claim 10, wherein b) and b) are paired and overlapped. 12. The detection / display unit (3) comprises two detection means (2a, 6b).
The handwriting input device according to claim 10, wherein the handwriting input device and the handwriting input device overlap each other. 13. Each of the detection display units comprises one detection means (7c, 7d) and one display means (6c, 6d).
And the first detection display unit (30, 3
1) and at least one of the detection means (7a, 7b)
9. The handwriting input device according to claim 7, further comprising a second detection display unit (3) in which a plurality of the display means (6a, 6b) are overlapped with each other.