CN1243282A - Coordinate input recording pen - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording pen used in a coordinate input system comprises a finger dial wheel that ascertains the degree to which selected image parameters are changed, according to an angle that an user truns. Therefore, an user is capable of changing parameters of an image by only turning, around his finger, a fixed rotary axes of the wheel when he plots. Preferably, the running dialed can lead to rotation of a idler wheel equipped with gear teeth thereon, and then the gear wheel itself can direct a potentiometer to detect the rotating angle of the finger dial wheel. According to the present invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the recording pen instead of the finger wheel.

Description

Coordinate input recording pen

The present invention relates to a kind of recording pointer device, be used for using with digitalizer or other coordinate input systems.More specifically say, the present invention relates to a kind of indication recording pointer, comprise a rotating side wheel, wherein figure of the manipulation of this side wheel and the rotation image that makes the user can change to draw or controlled variable via the coordinate input system (such as, line weight, color, stroke, light and shade, line style etc.).Other possible purposes comprise utilize that the finger thumb wheel is divided a word with a hyphen at the end of a line in text file, the pushing away near and zoom out of navigation on the 3d space third dimension, file or image, and similar applications.In some actual example, touch pad and can replace finger thumb wheel on recording pointer one side.

The various indicators that use together in conjunction with the coordinate input system are being known in the art.Such as, ask for an interview United States Patent (USP) No. 5731807, No. 5028745, No. 5061828, No. 5109141, No. 5055831 and No. 5004871, its content thereby be hereby incorporated by.These indicators use together in conjunction with the coordinate input system, such as digitization system.

United States Patent (USP) has disclosed a kind of Genius mouse No. 5731807, is used for coordinate data is input into the coordinate input system.Regrettably, some user of graphic tablet does not like and sees mouse apparatus and have a preference for the chart pen type device and be used for drawing, because its aesthetic feeling problem.

United States Patent (USP) has disclosed the recording pointer with pressure-sensitive side direction switch No. 5004871, and this switch is outwards outstanding from housing with a certain angle that is transverse to housing.The size that puts on the power (being pressure) of switch has formed the signal of being exported by recording pointer.Regrettably, in No. 5004871 patent, be nonconforming along lateral set switch and switch with respect to laterally moving of housing axis with respect to housing.The lateral extent of switch or the outstanding subject to damage that makes it, secondly, some user is difficult to again accurately regulate horizontal finger pressure writing (such as drawing) with recording pointer when.In general, during the drawing stroke, along with requiring recording pointer side direction switch outstanding in the horizontal, requiring accurately is out of favour and is difficult to adjustable horizontal finger pressure realizes.If these features are eliminated, will cater to the need.

United States Patent (USP) has disclosed a kind of digitized record pen No. 5109141, comprise a switch that can move along the housing side, and wherein this switch can keep the position that it is shifted to after being discharged by the user.Switch among No. the 5109141st, patent can move along the housing side that is parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.These features of No. 5109141 side switch of patent are undesirable.At first, do not wish when drawing a picture, must move switch along the side of housing.Secondly, do not wish to have the side switch that can move along the housing side that is parallel to the housing longitudinal axis, because it is unwelcome requiring this moving during drawing or wieling the pen, and it requires the finger sliding action, these actions are not suitably to have simulated the air-brush purposes, and are often also unwanted during recording pointer is wield the pen.

Should easily and easily see, promptly needing a kind of recording pointer in the art, can simulate the air-brush purposes, wherein this recording pointer comprises a finger input media (such as pointing thumb wheel or touching pad), can during wieling the pen, drawing use easily, and this moment available finger manipulation input media (i) not with respect to the recording pointer housing along laterally projecting, (ii) do not need laterally moving of device, (iii) do not need device to be parallel to the sliding action of recording pointer longitudinal axis, and (iv) do not need device or switch moving along the housing side.

The objective of the invention is, satisfy above-mentioned needs in the art, and some other needs, for those skilled in the art,, will be obviously visible according to the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention.

In general, the way that the present invention satisfies above-mentioned needs in the art is, a kind of recording pointer that is used for the digitizing input system is provided, and this recording pointer comprises:

One housing;

Electronic circuit system is arranged within the housing;

One rotating finger thumb wheel or dial can be made it to rotate around central axis by the user, wherein points angle that thumb wheel is rotated and determined a certain control or the reformed degree of graphic parameter utilized by the digital coordinate input system;

The finger thumb wheel comprises many gear teeth that form on its peripheral part;

One gear, comprise first group of gear tooth, be used to be engaged in the gear teeth of finger thumb wheel, and second group of gear tooth, be used to be engaged in the corresponding gear teeth on the pot, so that this pot can be measured the finger angle θ that is rotated of thumb wheel and causes changing parameter as its function; And

First group of gear teeth on its middle gear form a peripheral part, have different with the peripheral part of second group of gear teeth on the gear or than being little diameter.

The way of the satisfied above-mentioned needs in the art of the present invention also has, and a kind of recording pointer is provided, and comprising:

One housing;

One printed circuit board (PCB) comprises the surface that at least one is smooth basically, is arranged on the housing the inside, and this printed circuit board (PCB) has at least one dress chip thereon, and a flat surfaces of this printed circuit board (PCB) forms a plane;

One button, be arranged on the side of recording pointer, this button can inwardly be depressed towards the recording pointer longitudinal axis along the button line, so that the data that make a certain variation of recording pointer output surface button state, and wherein button axis and recording pointer longitudinal axis are perpendicular to one another basically; And

Wherein the button axis is arranged essentially parallel to the plane of printed circuit board (PCB).

The present invention satisfies in the art, and the way of above-mentioned needs also has, a kind of recording pointer that is used among the coordinate input system is provided, this recording pointer comprises and touches quick zone, expose so that by user operation without any the motion parts, wherein this touches the finger position that quick zone makes that the user may be by changing the user or is applied to a certain graphic parameter that the finger pressure that touches within the quick zone is regulated the image of drawing.In certain embodiments, touching quick zone and can so implement on the recording pointer, promptly it can be determined at the finger position in the zone and/or be applied to finger pressure within the zone.Comprehensive detection is touched in the quick zone finger position and pressure, and the two can make the user to utilize to touch quick zone or side to touch pad to handle two degree of freedom.

The present invention is illustrated now with reference to its some embodiment that shows in the following drawing.

Fig. 1 is the partial side, cross-sectional view that meets one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the analog recording pointer of a kind of air-brush of a finger thumb wheel.

Fig. 2 is the side plan view of the analog recording pointer of Fig. 1 air-brush;

Fig. 3 (a) to 3 (j) be along each corresponding cutting line shown in Fig. 2 get, the front sectional elevation of Fig. 1 recording pointer.

Fig. 4 is the top plan view that meets another embodiment of the present invention, comprises a kind of recording pointer of a finger thumb wheel.

Fig. 5 is the side plan view of the recording pointer of Fig. 4 embodiment.

Fig. 6 is the front view of Fig. 4 recording pointer, shows the finger thumb wheel outstanding a little with respect to the recording pointer housing.

Fig. 7 is the rear view of Fig. 4 recording pointer, shows a common on/off switch outstanding a little with respect to the recording pointer housing.

Fig. 8 is a kind of top plan view of recording pointer, and this comprises that meeting the quick finger coordinate input of touching of another embodiment of the present invention touches pad or zone.

Fig. 9 is the side plan view of Fig. 8 recording pointer.

Figure 10 is the front view of figure recording pointer, shows that the quick finger areas of touching of Fig. 8 recording pointer flushes basically in the recording pointer housing, and is not outstanding therefrom.

Figure 11 (a) is the rear view of Fig. 8 recording pointer.

Figure 11 (b) is a kind of simplified schematic diagram of touching pad, can use in conjunction with Fig. 8 of the present invention-10 embodiment.

Figure 11 (c) is the simplified schematic diagram that another kind touches pad, can use in conjunction with Fig. 8 of the present invention-10 embodiment.

Figure 12 is a simplified schematic diagram, shows a digitizing tablet system, can be in conjunction with the digitizing tablet coordinate input system of Figure 12 at the recording pointer of these all embodiment.

Figure 13 is the electrical schematic diagram that shows wiring, is included in tuned circuit and pot among a kind of recording pointer that meets the arbitrary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is the part side cutaway view of the analog recording pointer of a kind of air-brush, comprises the finger thumb wheel that meets Fig. 1 embodiment of the present invention, than the inside that shows recording pointer in Fig. 1 in more detail.

Figure 15 is that cutting line 15-15 among Figure 14 gets, the front sectional elevation of Figure 14 recording pointer along being shown in.

Figure 16 is that cutting line 16-16 among Figure 14 gets, the front sectional elevation of Figure 14 recording pointer along being shown in.

Figure 17 is that cutting line 17-17 among Figure 14 gets, the front sectional elevation of Figure 14 recording pointer along being shown in.

Figure 18 is the planar rear view of the finger thumb wheel of Figure 14 of the present invention-17 embodiment.

Figure 19 is the side elevation view of the finger thumb wheel of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is the front sectional elevation of Figure 14-19 finger thumb wheel.

More specifically referring to each accompanying drawing, wherein, spread all over some views now, identical represents identical parts with reference to numbering.

Fig. 1-3 shows therecording pointer 1 of simulation one air-brush that meets one embodiment of the present invention.The shape ofrecording pointer 1 is not slender fully, but comprises anoutstanding grip area 3 on the contrary, makes recording pointer can simulate the shape of an air-brush.Recording pointer 1 compriseshollow shell 5; Rotating finger thumb wheel ordial 7 are used to depend on size that thumb wheel is conditioned or degree and import the data of variation; Close/disconnected formuladata input switch 9; Pressuresensitive recording nib 11 is used for the contact pattern tablet; Recording pointerlongitudinal axis 12;Pressure transducer 13 is used to detect the user puts on the pressure of recording pointer against graphic tablet vianib 11 size;Neutral gear 15;Rotary type pot 17 is used to detect the angle thatfinger thumb wheel 7 is conditioned or rotates;Main process chip 19; Printed circuit board (PCB) 21 comprises the surface that at least one is smooth, forms a plane; Eachvernier capacitor 23;Erasing apparatus 25; Erasinghead 27; And wipe pressure transducer 29.As shown in the figure,housing 5 comprises that one forms eyelet or slotted eye thereon, be used to allow the top ofthumb wheel 7 to pass this eyelet or slotted eye is inner outwards outstanding fromhousing 5, thereby cause the outshot ofthumb wheel 7 to expose, so that the user can touch it andthumb wheel 7 is rotated around fixing thumb wheel axis 31.In certain embodiments, 7 of thumb wheels be allowed to from its initial neutral position (that is, from a certain precalculated position) rotates in one direction aroundaxis 31 and also to return its neutral position subsequently, although in other embodiment, be possible with respect to the two-way rotation in a certain precalculated position.

Finger thumb wheel 7 is contained within thehousing 5, so that can rotate around fixing axis 31.The user ofrecording pointer 1 can use his/her finger (such as forefinger)operation thumb wheel 7, rotates aroundaxis 31 so that drawing/making it when writing.The periphery ofthumb wheel 7 also is communicated with (such as contact) rotatinggear 15 in operation.Gear 15 is contained within the housing, so that can rotate around actionless axis 33.Gear 15 in operation, be communicated with (such as, contact)finger thumb wheel 7 andpot 17 the two.How far away theuncertain gears 15 ofrotary type pot 17 rotate (that is, to what degree) also thereby uncertain user operated or turned to what degree.Thereby when the user madefinger thumb wheel 7 rotate (or clockwise or inhour) aroundaxis 31, the rotation ofthumb wheel 7 can causegear 15 to rotate in the opposite direction.But the rotational angle ofpot 17 detection ofgear 15 also thereby can be measured the rotational angle or the size of thefinger thumb wheel 7 that is caused by theuser.Pot 17 combines with other Circuits System in the recording pointer, can make graphic tablet (or computing machine) output one electromagnetic wave signal of recording pointer subsequently, show thumb wheel once be detected be rotated how far away.The size or the angle of rotating can determine how big it is that a certain chosen graphic parameter is changed.

Thereby, the user can rotatefinger thumb wheel 7, so that regulate figure or controlled variable data continuously, analogy such as draw lines/thickness of stroke, draw lines/light and shade of stroke, draw lines/color of stroke, draw lines/density of stroke, and/or the air-brush that draws lines/simulated in the drafting of stroke or the type of recording pointer.In other words,thumb wheel 7 is not that close a kind of pass/disconnection, but a kind of thumb wheel that rotates with changing, can make themany thumb wheels 7 that depend on of recording pointer output center on direction thataxis 31 is rotated and/or unlike signal or the level of angle θ.These unlike signals can be used for writing/and change continuously with different sizes when drawing or regulate among many parameters any one.

Such as, if line weight is the chosen graphic parameter of being regulated byfinger thumb wheel 7, one lines with first thickness can be drawn on the display via graphic tablet by the recording pointer among the coordinate input system, ifthumb wheel 7 is rotated 10 degree clockwise from a certain predetermined initial position aroundaxis 31; One lines with second thickness can draw, ifthumb wheel 7 is rotated 12 degree clockwise aroundaxis 31; One lines with the 3rd thickness can draw, ifthumb wheel 7 is rotated 14 degree clockwise aroundaxis 31, the rest may be inferred.In addition, the lines with change thickness can draw, if user'srotation thumb wheel 7 when drawing this line.

In certain embodiments, remain byfinger thumb wheel 7 changed or the image parameter of regulating (such as, live width, gray scale, color, etc.) linear function asthumb wheel 7 rotational angles on mode/size changes.Such as, by the drawn line thickness ofrecording pointer 1, forthumb wheel 7 from its initial point aroundaxis 31 each rotational angle that rotates, can on corresponding LCD display curtain, increase a certain give sizing (such as, 0.1mm).In some other embodiment of the present invention, remain to be changed with the angle θ thatthumb wheel 7 rotates with nonlinear way by the parameter thatthumb wheel 7 is regulated.In a certain non-linear example, the recruitment of line weight can be: for first angle thatthumb wheel 7 rotates aroundaxis 3, the recruitment of line weight can be a certain first amount (such as, 0.10mm); For next angle thatthumb wheel 7 rotates, be bigger a certain second amount (such as, when total recruitment is 0.225mm, 0.125mm); For the third angle degree that rotates, be a certain the 3rd amount (such as, when the total recruitment of thickness is 0.375mm, 0.150mm); Or the like.

In certain embodiments, thumb wheel/dial 7 is not pushed by the spring or the analog of any kind in any direction, and needs the user to operate so that thumb wheel turns to all turned positions and begin from these positions to rotate.In other embodiment,finger thumb wheel 7 can be towards a neutrality or zero degree position (that is, precalculated position) is subjected to the elastic force pushing.It can be pressed to this position by the power apparatus that returns of a return spring or any kind.Thereby, if the user is from then on initial or neutral position rotates 5 degree aroundaxis 31 inhours, when will loosening (that is release)thumb wheel 7 the user,thumb wheel 7 rotates back into this neutral position owing to returning stresseffect.Thumb wheel 7 is so pushed, and promptly it will rotate back into this neutral position aroundaxis 31 from any position when the user discharges or loosen thumb wheel.Thereby when live width is the parameter that remains to be changed bythumb wheel 7, recording pointer will be exported the signal of a certain live width that an expression remains to be drawn whenthumb wheel 7 is in neutral position.Whenthumb wheel 7 was rotated in one direction aroundaxis 31, live width depended on that rotating program will diminish step by step, so that the user can change live width continuously by the turned position that changes thumb wheel 7.When the user dischargesthumb wheel 7, it will rotate back into neutral position, and live width will turn back to given live width.But, when the user aroundaxis 31 on other direction duringtrackwheel 7, pot will cause signal of recording pointer output, order set should increase live width, and the live width of the image that is just being drawn will depend on degree of rotation and progressively increase.Similarly, when the user dischargedthumb wheel 7, it was pushed, so that rotated back into its initial or neutral position, and live width will thereby be returned to aforesaid " given " width.The user can set " neutrality " position live width or be planned for any in the multiple different thicknesses.In addition,thumb wheel 7 is from its predetermined neutral position, only to rotate in one direction.

In some preferred embodiment of mentioning in the above, the finger thumb wheel does not load or is subjected to the elastic force effect with any direction by spring.In these embodiments, when being rotated so that the protuberate of thumb wheel (such as inhour always in Fig. 1) when being transferred on its position farthest in one direction always, it will provide the signal of a surperficial zero level when being in this precalculated position, and when thumb wheel is rotated in the opposite direction always, it will provide the level of complete quantity.Each rotational position betwixt, the level quantity that has been provided digitization system by recording pointer is with respect to the zero level precalculated position of pointing thumb wheel, a certain function of rotation of finger thumb wheel or radial angle position.

Should be pointed out that in some preferred embodimentsfinger thumb wheel 7 has circular periphery, stretch 360 degree, so that form a complete circle basically around it around axis 31.Should also be pointed out that, in certain embodiments, the thumb wheel epimere that is used to contact user's (respectively) finger can apply rubber 123 (seeing Figure 20) so that improve the effect of the manipulation that (respectively) point, and hypomere (aroundaxis 31 from about 120-130 ° angle) hasgear 101, is used to interact in gear and thereby does not apply rubber.But, need all not this situation at all embodiment.In certain embodiments,thumb wheel 7 can have only the circular periphery of part, stretches less than 360 degree around axis 31.Such as,thumb wheel 7 can be taked the shape of half cake (being semicircle) or 3/4ths cakes (promptly 270 °) in certain embodiments, still is called as " thumb wheel " 7 simultaneously.In addition, the periphery ofthumb wheel 7 centers onaxis 31 and needs not be continuous.

In certain embodiments, thumb wheel/dial 7 is circular, although it can take some other shape, and such as Long Circle, triangle, or the like.In addition, shown in Figure 18-20, it is rotating that thumb wheel/dial 7 only needs aroundcentral axis 31, and and need not be complete circle or have identical thickness everywhere and become " thumb wheel " according to the invention or " dial ".Requirement for " thumb wheel " or " dial " 7 is that it is rotating around an axis (such as 31) in some way, regulates a certain parameter by the drawn image of recording pointer so that import the data of change.

Still referring to Fig. 1-3 embodiment,recording pointer 1 can comprise thecircuit board 21 that is placed within thehousing 5, is used to support a large amount of electronic chips (such as 19) and other Circuits System that recording pointer adopts.Such as, the United States Patent (USP) that is hereby incorporated by discloses for No. 5028745, recording pointer can comprise a tuned circuit of packing into wherein, contains coil and capacitor (seeing Figure 13), so that recording pointer does not need battery and do not need electric wire that recording pointer is connected in graphic tablet.Therebyrecording pointer 1 comprises a tuned circuit in certain embodiments, and is connected in corresponding graphic tablet never in any form.Erasingapparatus 25 also can be arranged among some optional embodiment.Have, common pass/disconnection is closed 9 and also can be provided with so that the analog mouse device " beats " or other functions in certain embodiments again.Thereby, though 9 on switch has two states (promptly close and break) in some is implemented, to pointthumb wheel 7 and have many possible states, its quantity equals the quantity of each possible angle position thatthumb wheel 7 can be formulated into.Thumb wheel 7 also can be settled in certain embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1-3, so thatpivot center 31 is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 12 of recording pointer, also perpendicular to the axis of erasing head 27.But, can imagine thataxis 31 can rotate 90 degree from its shown position, so that it can be arranged essentially parallel to theaxis 12 of recording pointer and the axis of erasinghead 27, and thereforethumb wheel 7 can be made it to rotate by user's a finger, housing laterally before and after action.

Fig. 4-7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, comprises theelongated recording pointer 41 with finger thumbwheel.Recording pointer 41 comprises thin-long casing 43, if having above about described and illustrated each part of Fig. 1 of the present invention-3 embodiment, they with above-mentioned and illustrated the samemanner work.Housing 41 does not comprise air-brush simulation grip 3.This embodiment does not comprise gear yet due to the size of housing.Finger thumb wheel 7 directly is contained on the pivot center of rotary type pot 17.In mechanical aspects, moving about between each wheel gear reduced, and this design allows each parts to fit among the housing.

Fig. 8-11 shows further embodiment of this invention, and whereinrecording pointer 44 comprises elongated housing 45.This embodiment as Fig. 4 embodiment, can comprise or not comprise air-brush simulation grip 3.But, Fig. 8 of the present invention-11 embodiment does not comprise the finger thumb wheel, comprise and touch sensitive surfaces zone 51 (promptly touching pad) and replace, by around its periphery or thechimb 53 of perimeter around or form profile.Fixedlychimb 53 purposes that project upwards are to provide to the user tactile feedback of finger position, so that the user can say his/her finger and dissolves the place with respect to what touch quick zone on recording pointer.In certain embodiments, touch quick zone also can be sensitive to (such as, via pressure sensitive regions orswitch 52, perhaps via with the pressure-responsive device that touchespad 51 relevant any other types) user is applied to regional 51 interior much pressure with his/her (respectively) finger.Therebyzone 51 can be sensitive to the position of the finger of one within the zone and/or be applied to the interior pressure size in zone by (respectively)finger.Touch pad 51 can surveyedarea 51 among a dimension in office (such as, the x dimension) finger position on, perhaps can detect in addition two side direction dimensions (such as, x and y) on finger position, perhaps can detect finger position and pressure or finger position on vertical z dimension on x and y dimension in addition.Each different pressures/position on each dimension among these dimensions can cause recording pointer to send a different detection level back to the graphic tablet system, and each detects level and differently influences or just be adjusted in the parameter that remains to be changed in the image of being write/drawing.This image parameter as the function of finger position and/or pressure, can or be changed linearly or non-linearly.

Touch quick regional 51 lateral positions of finger on it that can detect the user, by known: the capacitance touch detection technique, the surface of touching pad comprises that one can occur and closed thin film switch matrix with the contact couple of conductor via finger; Piezoelectric sensing technique; The optical sensing technology; The surface acoustic wave sensing technology; Resistive touch detects empty membrane technology; Infrared (IR) sensitive technology; What perhaps any other was known touches quick or the temperature-sensitive technology.Such as, be used to detect touching quick zone ortouch pad 51 and can comprising and touch quick and/or pressure sensitive technology of contact on finger or the user's health, among any following United States Patent (USP) that this technology is illustrated in thereby is hereby incorporated by, these patents are: No. 4739299, No. 4489302, No. 4314277, No. 5292837, No. 5543589, No. 5231380, No. 4302011, No. 4430917, No. 4391746, the 4071691st, the No. 5327161 and No. 5666113.But theprocessor 75 among the graphic tablet system or the processor interpretation user among the recording pointer itself finger done to touching the touch of pad, and the interpretation finger is in the position among thezone 51 and/or finger applied pressure among zone 51.The output oftouching pad 51 each sensor generally is the simulating signal of expression finger position and/or pressure amongzone 51, but can be converted to their digital signal of expression soon, and position on thepad 51 is touched in expression and/or the touch input signal of pressure can be sent to graphic tablet from recording pointer or with numeral or with analog form.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, touchingpad 51 surface can be glass, polymkeric substance, rubber or other similar materials, and can apply teflon (TeflonTM) or certain other low friction material, so that it is easy as much as possible to slide from the teeth outwards.Touch sensing device among thezone 51 can be continuous, and perhaps the surface can be divided into each sub-district of playing on-off action, perhaps can make the sensing of finger position by its any combination.

The position of user's finger amongzone 51 detected and definite graphic parameter will be regulated much.Such as, article one, the thickness of the lines that drawing can along with user finger in the position among thezone 51 tip of register and increasing among theaccess areas 51 more, and can point the erasing head of recording pointer among the region ofacceptance 51 more and more attenuate along with the user.Above typical images control that can be changed byzone 51 or graphic parameter comprise about the some other embodiment of the present invention described those.

Touch quick or refer to quick regional 51 outstanding fromrecording pointer 44 not preferably, and need on the recording pointer surface, not have movable part or outstanding from recording pointer around housing 45.In certain embodiments,zone 51smooth housings 45 can be smooth perhaps around the profile on surface in addition in appearance.The circuit of Figure 13 or any other suitable register include circuit can make position and/or its applied pressure of signal surface user finger during touching quick zone of issuing graphic tablet from recording pointer, so that the control of just drawn/image of writing or graphic parameter can be according to the position of finger amongzone 31, and/or according to by finger applied pressure amongzone 31, and regulated.

Figure 11 (b) shows to be used in and touchespad 51 among Fig. 8 of the present invention-10 embodiment, wherein touches the pad surface and makes such as Goop by the resistance material 161 of softness, and configuration Mylor bearing 162.Material 161 bases put on its power or the size of pressure changes its resistance.Figure 11 (b) show this respect a kind of standard apply force measuring method.One known voltage is applied to 163 places, reaches ground wire 165 through resistor 164 and pressure transducer.The resistance of material 161 changes according to the strength that puts on it, and the voltage that records at 166 places can be used for determining the size of the power that once applied subsequently.Like this, is touching among the surperficial x-y two dimensional surface of pad the position of user finger, can be defined as and touch that there is dependence in ohmically variation in the pad surfacing.

Figure 11 (c) shows that meeting touching of another embodiment of the present invention fills up 51, can be used in conjunction with Fig. 8 described herein-10 embodiment.In Figure 11 (c), touch x and y position and applied pressure thatpad 51 can detect user's finger.The sensor of Figure 11 (c) can be used for measuring finger apply the position of power and size thereof the two.In operation, touchingpad 51 can switch to detect the two between position condition sensing and power size sensing mode discontinuously.

Still referring to Figure 11 (c), in finger position sensing mode, a known voltage is applied to 171 places, and the length ofprocess Goop layer 172 reaches ground wire 174.Apply the finger acting force and can between conductive strip on thetop 176 andvaristor layer 172, cause a contact point to flexible touch sensing surface 175.This just makes and touches the voltage that mattress system can be measured 177 places, and this voltage will (that is according betweenelectrode 171 and the point of force application and the relative resistance value of the Goop between point of force application and the electrode 174) changes along the position of sensor length according to acting force.In this embodiment, working sensor must be similar to the standard variohm.The total force that puts on sensor has a little influence (and may be compensated) for measured value.

Still referring to Figure 11 (c), in power sensing mode, a known voltage applies from 178 places, reachesground terminal 171 and 174 throughresistor 179 and sensing device.All-in resistance between power contact point and the ground wire changes according to finger general pressure that applies and the position of being exerted pressure.The voltage of measuring at 177 places can be used for determining putting on any amount of force of sensor, and can be used for using a correction factor for force position from the data of position sensing mode.

Figure 12 shows a kind of digitizing tablet system, arbitrary recording pointer of the arbitrary embodiment of the present invention all can be used in combination with it, although various recording pointer of the present invention also can be used in conjunction with arbitrary other common Aristogrid or some coordinate input systems.According to Figure 12 embodiment of the present invention, recording pointer comprises tuned circuit 61 therein, has such as the capacitor 63 that is associated with inductive coil 65 in operation.The tuned circuit 61 of recording pointer is communicated in each stacked loop inductance coil 67 of graphic tablet, and analogy is as described among No. the 5028745th, the United States Patent (USP), so that make existence and the position that each circuit coil of graphic tablet can the detection record pen.Each circuit coil of graphic tablet can generate electromagnetic wave, is received by the tuned circuit 61 of recording pointer, and this circuit transfers back to graphic tablet to another electromagnetic wave subsequently, is detected by each circuit coil of graphic tablet.That the electromagnetic wave that is sent to each circuit coil of graphic tablet from tuned circuit comprises therein is 17 that detect by pot, the information of expression thumb wheel 7 rotary states or degree (or zone 51).This just makes recording pointer can point out the state of thumb wheel 7 to graphic tablet, and the latter itself is used for changing the graphic parameter that remains to be changed again.In certain embodiments, the tuned circuit among the recording pointer can receive from the electromagnetic wave of one group of circuit coil in the graphic tablet they are sent back to same group of circuit coil, so that same each coil of graphic tablet had not only transmitted but also detected electromagnetic wave.But, in some other embodiment, tuned circuit can send back to one group of circuit coil in the graphic tablet different with sending that the energy supply electromagnetic wave is compared to (respectively) coil of tuned circuit to electromagnetic wave.

The graphic tablet system can comprise receivingcircuit 71,transmission circuit 73 and treating apparatus 75.Each detects the electromagnetic wave that sends from recording pointer and the position of detection record pen eachcircuit coil 67 of graphic tablet, and this information is sent to treatingapparatus 75 subsequently, and the latter is with regard to the position command correspondingdisplay device 74 of recording pointer.

Figure 13 shows the circuit within a kind of arbitrary recording pointer that can be used in aforementioned each embodiment of the present invention.This recording pointer Circuits System comprises the tunedcircuit 61 that containsinductive coil 65 and capacitor 63.Variable condenser 91 can be represented termination pressuresensitive switch 13, because capacitive reactance will be according to the pressure that is put on the graphic tablet surface by recording pointer via termination 11.This tuned circuit has a kind of resonant frequency, and the frequency that can generate from each circuit coil of graphic tablet when supplying with each sensing coil at electric power is engaged in roughly tuning.

In Circuits System, switch 93 representatives are closed/the disconnectedother switch 9 of putting in addition.Such as, tuned circuit can be when switch 93 disconnects transmission frequency A and close the different frequency B of fashionable emissions at switch 93, can be that disconnect or closed and change according to switch 93 mutually perhaps by the signal bits of tuned circuit output.

Pot 17 has comprised power transformation resistance 99 in certain embodiments, changes according to the turned position of finger thumb wheel 7.Thereby resistance 99 will have first numerical value whenthumb wheel 7 is in its predetermined neutral position, whenthumb wheel 7 is rotated a certain set point in the clockwise direction, have second with different resistance, the rest may be inferred.Like this, each possible position ofthumb wheel 7 will be determined a certain given numerical value of potentiometer resistance 99.Recognize in addition, in some additional embodiments of the present invention, can adopt variable capacitive reactance and variable induction reactance to replace potentiometric variable resistor 99.

Figure 14 is the partial enlarged view of Fig. 1 recording pointer, showsfinger thumb wheel 7,gear 15 andpot 17 in more detail.Figure 15-the 17th gets the front sectional elevation of Figure 14 recording pointer along the diagram cutting line.In addition, Figure 18-20 shows thefinger thumb wheel 7 of Figure 14 embodiment.

Referring to Figure 14-20, in certain embodiments of the present invention, finger thumb wheel or dial 7 form the peripheral surface to small part band tooth 101.Such as, shown in Figure 14 and 18-20, thumb wheel 7 external diameter peripheries over half is smooth haply and do not have gear to form in the above.But, many gears 101 (such as 7) are provided with along the bottom of thumb wheel 7 peripheries.Pot wheel 16 is driven by gear 15.Figure 19 clearly illustrates that, comprise that thumb wheel 7 outer peripheries that the gear teeth 101 form thereon partly are to center on the segmental arc of axis 31 from about 80-140 degree, more preferably from about 90-130 degree, and about 108 degree, in this, the center of thumb wheel constitutes the center of this segmental arc equally.The remainder of thumb wheel 7 outer peripheries is anodontia basically.The no toothed portion of the outer periphery of thumb wheel 7 is to be the usefulness of user with his/her (respectively) finger contact, so that trackwheel/dial 7 and change a certain parameter of the image of drawing/writing with recording pointer, and the band toothed portion of thumb wheel 7 does not generally expose the usefulness for manipulation to the user, but with neutral gear 15 (perhaps potentiometric each wheel gear) peripheral part on the corresponding gear teeth that form 103 interact, shown in Figure 14 and 15.

Eachgear teeth 103 ofgear 15 are engaged in and interact in eachgear teeth 101 offinger thumb wheel 7, and eachgear teeth 105 ofgear 15 are engaged in and interact in eachgear teeth 107 of pot dial part 17.In certain embodiments, to respect to its center, about 40 to 180 degree from the periphery of the rotating thumb wheel ofpot 17 or dial comprise eachgear teeth 107 along arc.

Neutral gear 15 comprises diameter periphery first, contains each gear teeth 103, and diameter periphery second portion, contains formation each gear teeth 105 thereon.The periphery of these first and second coaxial parts is the annular around axis 33 basically, and is preferably covered by each gear teeth 103 and 105 respectively around its whole 360 degree.Other way is that gear 15 these peripheral some parts do not need each gear teeth to cover.Outside or the bigger peripheral band toothed portion that comprises each gear teeth 105 has significantly bigger diameter than inside that comprises each gear teeth 103 or less peripheral band toothed portion, and consequently potentiometric rotatable thumb wheel or band toothed portion (being made it to rotate by each gear teeth 105) rotate with the speed that is different from thumb wheel 7.Each gear teeth 101 of finger thumb wheel 7 are engaged in each gear teeth 103 of gear 15, thereby cause gear to rotate with the finger thumb wheel.When gear 15 is caused so rotating, just make its outer periphery that comprises each gear teeth 105 also rotate.Each gear teeth 105 is engaged in each gear teeth 107 of pot thumb wheel or dial and makes it and rotates around its central axis.Pot dial or thumb wheel 109 have been determined potentiometric output around the degree that its axis rotates, and are the functions of finger thumb wheel 7 degree of rotation.

As shown in figure 15,gear 15 can be made for the integrally formed part of plastics or metal, yet and eachgear teeth 103 and 105 form on two coaxial peripheral part that comes that offsets.As shown in figure 15, eachgear teeth 103 each self-forming of eachgear teeth 105 of outer periphery and interior periphery are around one of same axis circle completely.But, eachgear teeth 103 offsets from each gear teeth 105 a little along side direction and comes, and eachgear teeth 101 ofthumb wheel 7 can contact eachgear teeth 103 and not mesh or contact eachgear teeth 105, and eachgear teeth 105 is engaged in just at the same time and cause potentiometric eachgear teeth 107 to rotate, thereby makes pot can detect the degree that thumb wheel ordial 7 have rotated from a certain precalculated position.

Should be pointed out that belt wheel, rope, belt, perhaps any other linkage may be used to replace neutral gear rotatablely moving from pointing pick-up unit, such as pot.

Shown in Figure 18-20,finger thumb wheel 7 can rotate around axis 31.Otch 113 can leave to selectively form on the outer periphery of thumb wheel so that the user can feel thumb wheel a certain give certain portions with respect to the recording pointer housing along arc to where being positioned at.Such as, whenthumb wheel 7 is in its zero-bit or any other precalculated position,otch 113 can be arranged on slotted eye on the recording pointer housing the centre and directly aboveaxis 31, shown in Figure 15 and 19.Want to change the position of thumb wheel ordial 7 as the user, thereby regulate a certain parameter of just drawn image, then, the user can turn to thumb wheel such as the position that is shown in Figure 14 leaving on the rotation direction in precalculated position aroundaxis 31, at this,otch 113 is rotated the θ degree by inhour and reaches a new position.The corner number of degrees θ that thumb wheel/dial 7 is rotated from its precalculated position has determined the reformed size of parameter.Rotational angle θ is detected bypot 17, just like above-mentioned.

Still referring to Figure 18-20, in certain embodiments, dial/thumb wheel 7 can comprise the monolithic molding part 115 of a molded plastics or metal.Integral part 115 has formed the center cavity 117 that surrounds axis 31, make thumb wheel 7 can overlap pipe arrangement angle 119, as shown in figure 15 (that is, the cavity that socket 119 or any other slender member are fitted into annular or other shapes goes for 117 li, so that because socket and thumb wheel are coaxial basically, thumb wheel can rotate around axis 31 with respect to it).Integral part 115 also comprises the circular protrusion 121 of T shape basically in certain embodiments, is used to allow rubber or the peripheral grasping 123 of ameripol to be packed in the outside of thumb wheel 7.In certain embodiments, ameripol grasping material 123 is installed in thumb wheel 7 (respectively not being with the tooth zone such as what, T-connecting piece 121 did not need to be arranged on thumb wheel) in its each periphery office that does not comprise the gear teeth 101.Part 121 and elastomeric material part 123 are the part annular around axis 31 separately at least, owing to all curve a certain angle around thumb wheel central axis 31 is curved at least separately.The integral part 115 of thumb wheel 7 also comprises tooth base section 127, and each gear teeth 101 is formed thereon.Tooth base 127 is the part annular around axis 31 at least, as shown in figure 19, and in certain embodiments, can outwards stretch from part 115 central areas and comprises each gear teeth 101 that is formed on its outer periphery part, shown in Figure 18-20.Tooth base section 127 has formed the same annular segmental arc around axis 31 of angle and each gear teeth 101, perhaps big a little in certain embodiments segmental arc (such as, around axis 31, from about 80 to 140 degree, more preferably, from about 90 to 130 degree).In addition, although ring-type T shape member 121 (with grip 123) and tooth base section 127 in certain embodiments can the unity of possession around the arc space of axis 31, but situation about being shown among the embodiment of Figure 18-20 is really not so, here T shape part 121 is occupied around a certain certain portions of giving of 360 degree of axis 31, and part 127 is occupied all the other segmental arcs that are not provided with T shape part 121 around axis 31 basically.

Still referring to Figure 18-20, the gearteeth supporting part 127 of thumb wheel/dial 7 has first thickness with respect toaxis 31, and thecore 115 of thumb wheel/dial 7 has the second bigger axial width with respect toaxis 31, this moment, the larger axis ofpart 115 made grippingmember 123 can more suitably be installed in dial to thickness, and the thin characteristic ofpart 127 and thereby form thereon eachgear teeth 101 and make eachgear teeth 101 andpart 127 can be fitted into eachgear teeth 103 the inside of gear and do not interfere eachgear teeth 105.

Another unique aspect of the present invention the most clearly is shown in Figure 14 and Figure 16-17, and relates to the supporting structure of switch 9.In this embodiment, thecircuit board 21 on plane forms a plane basically, and its end face is shown in Figure 14.Stretch towards its bottom at top from recording pointer in Figure 14, this plane ofcircuit board 21, and havedress chip 19 thereon.

Switch 9 comprises finger button 137 and pressure sensitive switch pick-up unit 133.Pick-up unit 133 is contained on smooth haply platen or the surface 135.Platen 135 can be that (switch 9 can be that pass/disconnection is closed for the part of switch 9, or any other type, can export pressure-responsive device based on a plurality of signals of pressure size), can be an area supported in addition perhaps, be used to support (respectively) device as the part of switch.In either case, actionless platen 135 is connected in switch 9 and button 131 in operation, and is arranged on button below 131 along button axis 134.As Figure 11 the most clearly shown in, surface 135 is contained between first supporting structure and second supporting structure, the former stretches out from a side that comprises the parallel enclosure interior that respectively supports extension 137 and 139, and the latter stretches out from an other or opposite side that comprises the parallel enclosure interior that respectively supports extension 141 and 143.Supporting extension 137,139,141 and 143 is formed with a plane that is substantially perpendicular to circuit board 21 planes separately.Supporting section 137,139,141 and 143 can be plastics and be integrally formed in hollow recording pointer housing 5, though they can be metal in addition, perhaps also can not be to be integrally formed in housing and to be installed in its inside directly.

As Figure 15-17 the most clearly shown in, (respectively) sidewall sections among the Figure 15-17 of the plane of circuit board 21 substantially parallel (that is the positive and negative 10 degree ground that approximately differ are parallel to), and be substantially perpendicular to the plane of platen 135.In other words, during switching manipulation button 131 along the axis 124 of it be depressed (and discharge) be arranged essentially parallel to (that is, positive and negative differ about 10 degree ground be parallel to) or in certain embodiments in addition coplane in the plane of circuit board 21.Button mobile axis 134 (seeing Figure 16) also is substantially perpendicular to each plane that is formed by supporting member 137,139,141 and 143, and perpendicular to surface 135.Circuit board 21 makes various thumb wheel structures can be fitted in the less housing with respect to this unique location of switchgear and each switch support structure and goes.Though button 131 is that a part of 9 is closed in pass/disconnection in each embodiment of diagram of the present invention, but do not need all is this situation in all embodiments, owing to recognize, it is a variable pressure sensitive switch that switch 9 can replace, and can detect many (such as 5,10,100 or to 1000) are put on button by the user variant pressure rating.

In case make above illustrating, some other characteristic, correction and improvement will become apparent those skilled in the art.Therefore this other feature, correction and improvement is considered to a part of the present invention, and its scope should be determined by the following claim.

Claims (20)

1. a recording pointer is used for a digital coordinate input system, and recording pointer comprises:

One housing;

One electronic circuit system is arranged within the described housing;

One rotating finger thumb wheel or dial can be made it to rotate around a central axis by a user, and the angle θ that wherein said finger thumb wheel is rotated has determined a control or the reformed degree of graphic parameter that the digital coordinate input system is adopted;

Described finger thumb wheel comprises many each gear teeth that is formed on the one peripheral part;

One gear, comprise one first group of gear teeth, be used to be engaged in the described gear teeth of described finger thumb wheel, and one second group of gear teeth, be used to be engaged in the corresponding gear teeth on the pot so that pot and can detect the angle θ that described finger thumb wheel is rotated and described parameter is changed as its function; And

Described first group of gear teeth on the wherein said gear form a peripheral part, and it has different diameters with the peripheral part of described second group of gear teeth on the described gear.

2. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, wherein said finger thumb wheel comprises an integrally formed part, comprises a local at least ring-type T shape part, is used to make a grip can be contained in described finger thumb wheel.

3. according to the described recording pointer of claim 2, wherein said grip comprises a kind of elastomeric material, be installed in described finger thumb wheel less than whole periphery, and wherein said T shape partly enclosed less than 360 degree around the described central axis of described thumb wheel, and described T shape was partly enclosed at least 180 degree around described central axis along hoop.

4. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, the sensing of wherein said thumb wheel axis is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of described recording pointer, and the described gear teeth of wherein said finger thumb wheel center on the segmental arcs of scope of described central axis stretching, extension of described finger thumb wheel from about 80 to 140 degree.

5. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, also comprise a tuned circuit, be used to receive from the electromagnetic wave of each circuit coil of a graphic tablet and be used for electromagnetic wave is sent to each circuit coil of graphic tablet.

6. according to the described recording pointer of claim 5, wherein each circuit coil of therefrom receiving of electromagnetic wave electromagnetic wave biography of being different to come self-tuning circuit to each circuit coil.

7. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, wherein point thumb wheel and be not pressed to arbitrary position, and recording pointer is exported a signal to a corresponding graphic tablet system, show the turned position of finger thumb wheel with respect to a predetermined turned position by spring.

8. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, its middle shell comprises an eyelet formed thereon, and it is outwards outstanding to be used to allow described finger thumb wheel to pass described eyelet.

9. according to the described recording pointer of claim 1, wherein parameter comprises one of following each parameter: line weight, divide a word with a hyphen at the end of a line, guiding, color, light and shade, gray scale and line style.

10. figure coordinate input system comprises the recording pointer of a digitizing tablet and claim 1.

11. a digitized record pen is used among the digitizing tablet system, so that input coordinate information, this recording pointer comprises:

One housing has a given xsect at the specified point place of housing; And

One touches quick zone, comprise and touch sensitive surfaces, can detect the position of finger in touching quick zone, and this movable part of handling for the user that touches that quick zone do not expose wherein, wherein this touches quick zone and makes that the user can be by changing a figure or the controlled variable that the user regulates a figure of drawing at the finger position that touches among the quick zone in addition.

12. according to the described recording pointer of claim 11, wherein touch quick zone can resistance film finger detects by utilizing, the condenser type finger detects and the piezoelectric type finger detect a kind of finger position therein of detecting a user among these several detections.

13., wherein touch quick zone and also can detect by user's the finger applied pressure size and the signal of the pressure that exportable expression detected according to the described recording pointer of claim 11.

14. according to the described recording pointer of claim 11, wherein a ridge rib is at least in part around touching quick zone, and comprises continuous basically projection, each plush copper and each pit etc. one of them, so that provide tactile feedback for the finger position that touches on the sensitive surfaces.

15., wherein touch quick zone and comprise a surface according to the described recording pointer of claim 11, have a kind of surface of surface structure of integral body, be used to the user's finger position that touches on the quick zone that tactile feedback is provided.

16. a digitized record pen is used for a digital coordinate input system, this recording pointer comprises:

One housing;

One printed circuit board (PCB) comprises the surface that at least one is smooth basically, is arranged on the inside of described housing, and described printed circuit board (PCB) has at least one dress chip thereon, and a described flat surfaces of described printed circuit board (PCB) forms a plane;

One button, be arranged on a side of recording pointer, described button can be depressed in the push button shaft alignment of a longitudinal axis of recording pointer along one, so that make the data of the described button state of recording pointer output representative certain variation of aspect, and wherein said button axis and described recording pointer longitudinal axis are perpendicular to one another basically; And

Wherein said button axis is arranged essentially parallel to the described plane of described printed circuit board (PCB).

17. according to the described digitized record pen of claim 16, wherein said button axis extends within the described plane of described printed circuit board (PCB).

18. according to the described digitized record pen of claim 16, also comprise the first and second parallel supporting members, inwardly stretch from an inwall of described housing, and the third and fourth parallel supporting member, inwardly stretch from an opposite inwall of described housing, and the wherein said first and the 3rd supporting member be basically each other coplane and each interval come, wherein each the described first, second, third and the 4th supporting member forms a corresponding plane in addition, is substantially perpendicular to the described plane of described printed circuit board (PCB); And

An actionless platen wherein, in operation, be connected in described button, supported by the described first, second, third and the 4th supporting member, and wherein said actionless platen is below described button axis is arranged on described button and between described first and second supporting member, yet between the described the 3rd and the 4th supporting member.

19. according to the described digitized record pen of claim 18, wherein said button constitutes the part of passs/disconnection pass, and wherein said platen plate supporting one sensing device, is connected in described opening/disconnect pass.

20. according to the described digitized record pen of claim 18, wherein said platen constitutes the part of a switch in conjunction with described button, and wherein said recording pointer also comprises a finger thumb wheel or a dial by user operation, signal of wherein said recording pointer output is represented a certain turned position of described finger thumb wheel with respect to a precalculated position of described thumb wheel.

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