Apparatus and method for changing an operation mode of a coordinate input apparatus

• US 5,781,181 A
• Filed: 07/16/1996
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hara, Osamu, Ogura, Tsuyoshi, Yanai, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SURACI, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US08/682,057
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/174, 345/173, 345/179, 345/158, 345/175, 395/358
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A coordinate detection system capable of displaying relevant coordinates when operated with only one fingertip or like coordinate designator even during a repeat operation of the latter with no complicated designator manipulations required. The system comprises a coordinate detection apparatus and a coordinate output apparatus. The coordinate detection apparatus includes a sensor substrate to be operated by the coordinate designator, scan driving output units for generating a detection signal in response to the coordinate designator operation, and signal processing units for extracting tap and slide component data from the detection signal and supplying the extracted data to the coordinate output apparatus. The coordinate output apparatus includes a state detecting unit for detecting the state of the tap and slide component data, a measuring unit for measuring the tap component data, a mode changing unit for changing operation modes depending on the result of the measurement, a control unit for controlling the apparatus and a display unit for displaying various kinds of data. Operation modes are changed only if the tap component data is supplied in a predetermined state.

Claims

1. A coordinate input apparatus comprising a coordinate detection device and a coordinate output device, said coordinate detection device comprising:

a sensor substrate operated by a coordinate designator;

a detection signal generating unit for generating a detection signal corresponding to the operation of said coordinate designator within said sensor substrate; and

a signal processing unit for digitally extracting tap component data and slide component data from inside said detection signal and for supplying the extracted data to said coordinate output device, wherein the tap component data is generated by contact between the coordinate designator and a surface of the sensor substrate, and the slide component data is generated by movement of the coordinate designator along the surface of the sensor substrate; and

said coordinate output device comprising;

a data analyzing unit for analyzing the contents of said tap component data and said slide component data;

a measuring unit for measuring a time period associated with said tap component data;

a mode changing unit for changing operation modes in response to the result of the measurement by said measuring unit;

a control unit for controlling said coordinate output device as a whole; and

a display unit for displaying various kinds of data;

wherein after first tap component data having a short period is detected, said mode changing unit changes an operation mode of said coordinate output device to a drag mode only when second tap component data having a relatively long time period is detected, and subsequently changes the operation mode to a drag lock mode only when the relatively long time period is greater than a predetermined time period.

2. A method for changing an operation mode of a coordinate input apparatus including a sensor substrate having a surface, the method comprising:

generating a detection signal in response to contact between a coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

extracting tap component data and slide component data from the detection signal, the tap component data indicating contact of the coordinate designator on the surface of the sensor substrate, and the slide component data indicating movement of the coordinate designator along the surface of the sensor substrate;

measuring time periods during which the tap component data indicates continuous contact between the coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

changing an operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus to a first state only after first tap component data having a relatively short time period is measured and, subsequently, second tap component data having a relatively long time period is measured; and

changing the operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus to a second state only after relatively long time period of the second tap component data is greater than a predetermined period of time.

3. A method for changing an operation mode of a coordinate input apparatus including a sensor substrate having a surface, the method comprising:

generating a detection signal in response to contact between a coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

extracting tap component data and slide component data from the detection signal, the tap component data indicating contact of the coordinate designator on the surface of the sensor substrate, and the slide component data indicating movement of the coordinate designator along the surface of the sensor substrate;

measuring time periods during which the tap component data indicates continuous contact between the coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

changing an operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus to a first state only after first tap component data having a relatively short time period is measured and, subsequently, slide component data and second tap component data having a relatively long time period are simultaneously detected; and

changing the operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus to a second state only if the relatively long time period of the second tap component data and the slide component data is greater than a predetermined period of time.

4. A method for changing an operation mode of a coordinate input apparatus including a sensor substrate having a surface, the method comprising:

generating a detection signal in response to contact between a coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

extracting tap component data and slide component data from the detection signal, the tap component data indicating contact of the coordinate designator on the surface of the sensor substrate, and the slide component data indicating movement of the coordinate designator along the surface of the sensor substrate;

measuring time periods during which the tap component data, indicates continuous contact between the coordinate designator and the surface of the sensor substrate;

changing an operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus to a drag mode in response to first tap component data having a relatively short time period followed by second tap component data having a relatively long time period; and

subsequently changing the operation mode of the coordinate input apparatus from the drag mode to a drag lock mode only when the relatively long time period of the second tap component data is greater than a predetermined period of time.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of changing the operation mode from the drag lock mode to the drag mode when third tap component data having a relatively short time period is measured.