POSITION DETECTING DEVICE

• US 20090166100A1
• Filed: 12/29/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Inventors: Matsubara, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,228,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 178/18.60
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means

Abstract

A position detecting device includes a position indicator (2), a first detection section (13) (e.g., an electrostatic capacity type detection section) having a substantially flat shape, and a second detection section (14) (e.g., an electromagnetic induction type detection section). The position indicator (2) has a coil (27). The first detection section (13) has, on one surface thereof, detection electrodes (15) for detecting a capacitance between itself and a human body part. The second detection section (14) is provided with loop coils (24) for detecting a magnetic flux G. Further, each of the detection electrodes (15) has a substantially flat shape, and is provided with at least one slit (19) extending from the outer edge to the inside. With such a configuration, not only can degradation of detection accuracy of the first detection section be prevented or suppressed, but also degradation of detection accuracy of the second detection section can be prevented or suppressed.

Claims

1. A position detecting device comprising:

a position indicator having at least one coil and adapted to generate a magnetic flux from the coil;

a substantially flat first detection section having one surface and the other surface;

at least one detection electrode arranged on the one surface of the first detection section, the at least one detection electrode being adapted to detect a capacitance between itself and a human body part; and

a second detection section arranged on the other surface opposite to the at least one surface of the first detection section and provided with at least one loop coil for detecting the magnetic flux,

wherein the at least one detection electrode is formed as a substantially flat electrode and is provided with at least one slit extending from an outer edge thereof to an inner side thereof.

2. The position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection section has a capacitance measuring circuit for measuring a capacitance change between the at least one detection electrode and the human body part, and the second detection section has an electromagnetic induction detection circuit for detecting a position indicated by the position indicator.

3. The position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection electrode is formed in a quadrangular shape.

4. The position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection section includes a first detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a first direction on substantially the same plane, and a second detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a second direction on the same plane as that of the first detection electrode group, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

5. A position detecting device comprising:

a substantially flat first detection section having one surface and the other surface;

at least one detection electrode arranged on the one surface of the first detection section, the at least one detection electrode being configured to detect a capacitance between itself and a human body part; and

a second detection section arranged on the other surface opposite to the at least one surface of the first detection section and provided with at least one loop coil,

wherein the at least one detection electrode is formed as a substantially flat electrode and is provided with at least one slit.

6. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one slit extends from an outer end of the at least one detection electrode to an inner side thereof.

7. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one slit extends from one edge of the at least one detection electrode to another edge thereof.

8. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one detection electrode is provided with a plurality of slits that are substantially parallel with each other.

9. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one detection electrode is formed in a quadrangular shape.

10. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the first detection section includes a first detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a first direction on substantially the same plane, and a second detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a second direction on the same plane as that of the first detection electrode group, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

11. The position detecting device according to claim 10, wherein the detection electrodes of the first detection electrode group are provided with a plurality of slits that linearly extend in the second direction and the detection electrodes of the second detection electrode group are provided with a plurality of slits that linearly extend in the first direction.

12. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the slit is straight.

13. The position detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the slit serpentines.

14. An electrostatic capacity type detecting section comprising:

a surface; and

at least one detection electrode arranged on the surface, the at least one detection electrode being adapted to detect a capacitance between itself and a human body part;

wherein the at least one detection electrode is formed as a substantially flat electrode and is provided with at least one slit.

15. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 14, wherein the at least one slit extends from an outer end of the at least one detection electrode to an inner side thereof.

16. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 14, wherein the at least one slit extends from one edge of the at least one detection electrode to another edge thereof.

17. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 14, wherein the at least one detection electrode is provided with a plurality of slits that are substantially parallel to each other.

18. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 14, further comprising a capacitance measuring circuit for measuring a capacitance change between the at least one detection electrode and the human body part.

19. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 14, including a first detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a first direction, and a second detection electrode group in which a plurality of detection electrodes are linearly arranged in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.

20. The electrostatic capacity type detecting section according to claim 19, wherein the detection electrodes of the first detection electrode group are provided with a plurality of first slits and the detection electrodes of the second detection electrode group are provided with a plurality of second slits, the plurality of first slits linearly extending in a direction different from the direction in which the plurality of second slits extend.