POINTER DETECTION APPARATUS AND DETECTION SENSOR
First Claim
1. A pointer detection apparatus capable of detecting a pointed position of and a pressure applied by a pointer, comprising:
- a detection sensor including a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction, and a pressure sensitive material disposed between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic;
a signal supplying circuit configured to supply signals to the plurality of first conductors; and
a signal detection circuit configured to carry out signal detection from the plurality of second conductors;
wherein said detection sensor is configured to supply, when a pointer is positioned in the proximity of said detection sensor or when a pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer in contact with said detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold, signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors to said signal detection circuit, whereas said detection sensor is further configured to supply, when the pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer is higher than the threshold, signals corresponding to variation in resistance characteristic between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors due to the application of the pressure by the pointer to said pressure sensitive material to said signal detection circuit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pointer detection apparatus is provided, which is capable of detecting a pointed position and a pressure applied by a pointer on a detection sensor. The detection sensor includes a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction, and a pressure sensitive material disposed between the first and second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic. When a pointer is positioned in the proximity of (but not in contact with) the detection sensor or when a pressure applied to the detection sensor by the pointer in contact with the detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold, detection signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity between the first and second conductors are supplied. When the pressure applied to the detection sensor is higher than the threshold, detection signals corresponding to variation in resistance characteristic of the pressure sensitive material are supplied.
91 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pointer detection apparatus capable of detecting a pointed position of and a pressure applied by a pointer, comprising:
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a detection sensor including a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction, and a pressure sensitive material disposed between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic; a signal supplying circuit configured to supply signals to the plurality of first conductors; and a signal detection circuit configured to carry out signal detection from the plurality of second conductors; wherein said detection sensor is configured to supply, when a pointer is positioned in the proximity of said detection sensor or when a pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer in contact with said detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold, signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors to said signal detection circuit, whereas said detection sensor is further configured to supply, when the pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer is higher than the threshold, signals corresponding to variation in resistance characteristic between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors due to the application of the pressure by the pointer to said pressure sensitive material to said signal detection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A detection sensor for obtaining a signal corresponding to a pointed position of and a pressure applied by a pointer on the detection sensor, comprising:
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a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction and configured to receive signals; a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction; and a pressure sensitive material disposed between said plurality of first conductors and said plurality of second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic; wherein the detection sensor is configured to output, when a pointer is positioned in the proximity of said detection sensor or when a pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer in contact with said detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold, signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity from said plurality of second conductors, whereas said detection sensor is further configured to output, when the pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer is higher than the threshold, signals corresponding to variation in resistance characteristic from said plurality of second conductors.
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18. A method of detecting a pointed position of and a pressure applied by a pointer on a detection sensor, wherein the detection sensor includes a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction crossing with the first direction, and a pressure sensitive material disposed between said plurality of first conductors and said plurality of second conductors and having a variable resistance characteristic, the method comprising:
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supplying signals to the plurality of first conductors; detecting signals corresponding to variation in electrostatic capacity from said plurality of second conductors when a pointer is positioned in the proximity of said detection sensor or when a pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer in contact with said detection sensor is equal to or lower than a threshold; and detecting signals corresponding to variation in resistance characteristic from said plurality of second conductors when the pressure applied to said detection sensor by the pointer is higher than the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification