Patent Publication Number: US-2022214755-A1

Title: Electronic pen

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic pen with a built-in battery. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There are various types of electronic pens such as an electromagnetic induction type and a capacitive coupling type. Due to the continued advancement of functions in recent years, more and more electronic pens include various electronic circuits. Therefore, such an electronic pen needs to have a built-in battery that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuits (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5762659). 
     Since an electronic pen of this type consumes higher energy and has a slimmer shape, a battery for such an electronic pen is also required to be small and slim. One example of a battery that is suitable for such an electronic pen is a lithium-ion battery. However, there remain several issues that a small and slim battery such as a lithium-ion battery needs to be handled with care. Moreover, shock resistance and reduction of stress on positive and negative electrode conductors are also required. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is desirable to provide an electronic pen that can solve the issues described above. 
     In order to solve the issues described above, an electronic pen is provided including a tubular casing, a circuit board disposed in a hollow portion of the tubular casing such that an axial direction of the casing is aligned with a longitudinal direction of the circuit board, an electronic circuit disposed on the circuit board, and a battery that has a columnar shape and that is disposed on a side of the circuit board opposite to a pen tip side of the circuit board in the axial direction inside the hollow portion of the casing in a state in which positive and negative electrode conductors protruding from an end surface of the battery on one side in a centerline direction of the columnar shape extend toward the circuit board. The battery is disposed in a state in which a separation space is formed between the end surface of the battery from which the positive and negative electrode conductors protrude and an end portion of the circuit board on one side in the longitudinal direction and in which tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors are in contact with the circuit board. The circuit board and the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors are electrically connected to each other by soldered portions such that a voltage of the battery is supplied to the electronic circuit as a power supply voltage. 
     In the electronic pen having the configuration described above, the positive and negative electrode conductors of the battery are disposed in a state in which the positive and negative electrode conductors extend toward the circuit board from the end surface of the battery on one side in the centerline direction of the columnar shape and in which the tip portions thereof are in contact with the circuit board. Further, in a state in which the separation space is formed between the end surface of the battery from which the positive and negative electrode conductors protrude and the end portion of the circuit board on one side in the longitudinal direction, the battery is electrically connected and fixed to the circuit board by the soldered portions. 
     Therefore, a force from the pen tip side is received not only in the axial direction of the positive and negative electrode conductors of the battery but also in the separation space. With this configuration, the battery can obtain advantageous effects of shock resistance and reduction of stress on the positive and negative electrode conductors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram for describing an example of an electronic device that is used with an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view for describing an internal configuration example of the electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view for describing a configuration example of a pen-pressure detection module of the electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views for describing parts of an internal configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a view for describing parts of an internal configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a view for describing parts of an internal configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a view for describing parts of an internal configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8F  are views illustrating an example of a configuration on a side opposite to a pen tip side of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an example of a configuration on a rear end side of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views for describing an example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are views for describing an example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  is a view for describing an example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. An electronic pen  1  according to the embodiment described below is an electronic pen of an electromagnetic induction type that transmits an indicated position to a position detection device through electromagnetic induction. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an electronic device  200  which is used with the electronic pen  1  according to the present embodiment. In this example, the electronic device  200  is a high-function mobile phone terminal including a display screen  200 D of a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The electronic device  200  also includes a position detection device  202  of an electromagnetic induction type in a lower portion (on the back side) of the display screen  200 D. 
     A casing of the electronic device  200  according to this example includes a housing recessed hole  201  in which the electronic pen  1  can be housed. When needed, a user can take out the electronic pen  1  housed in the housing recessed hole  201  from the electronic device  200  and performs a position indication operation on the display screen  200 D, which serves as an input surface. 
     In the electronic device  200 , when the user performs the position indication operation with the electronic pen  1  on the display screen  200 D, the position detection device  202 , which is disposed on the back side of the display screen  200 D, detects the position indicated by the electronic pen  1  and the pen pressure of the electronic pen  1 , and a microcomputer included in the position detection device  202  of the electronic device  200  performs display processing according to the indicated position and the pen pressure on the display screen  200 D. 
     In the electronic pen  1  according to the present embodiment, a plurality of parts of the electronic pen  1  are aligned in an axial direction and housed in a hollow portion of a tubular case (casing)  2  which is made of, for example, a resin. The tubular case  2  has a tapered shape at one end where an opening (not illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) is formed. Through this opening, a tip portion  32  of a rod-shaped core  3  to be described later is exposed as a pen tip. A rear-end cap  21  is fitted into and closes the other end of the case  2 , which is on the side opposite to the pen tip side of the case  2 , to ensure waterproof and dustproof sealing. 
     In this example, the electronic pen  1  includes a side switch. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a printed circuit board  10  is disposed in the hollow portion inside the case  2 , and a side switch  104  is mounted on the printed circuit board  10 . A through-hole (not illustrated) is bored in a side circumferential surface of the case  2  of the electronic pen  1  at a position corresponding to the side switch  104 , and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a depression operator  22  for the side switch is exposed through this through-hole such that the side switch  104 , which is mounted on the printed circuit board  10 , can be depressed. In this case, the electronic device  200  including the position detection device  202  can allocate and set a predetermined function for a depression operation of the side switch  104  through the depression operator  22 . For example, the electronic device  200  according to this example can allocate and set an operation similar to a click operation in a pointing device such as a mouse, for the depression operation of the side switch  104  through the depression operator  22 . 
     In this example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a pen tip side member, the printed circuit board  10 , and a battery  11  are aligned in this order in the axial direction and housed in the hollow portion inside the tubular case  2  of the electronic pen  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of parts housed in the case  2  of the electronic pen  1 . In  FIG. 2 , the parts are illustrated separately from each other. Although not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the external shape in the direction perpendicular to a central axis of the case  2  (which is equal to the contour shape of a cross section of the case  2 ) is a flat shape. The cross section of the hollow portion inside the case  2  also has a flat shape corresponding to the external shape of the case  2 , and the parts housed inside the case  2  also have a shape corresponding to the flat shape of the hollow portion. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the hollow portion of the case  2 , the core  3 , a front cap  4  which constitutes a sealing member, a coil member  5 , a coil member holder  6 , a pressure member  7 , a pen-pressure detection module  8 , and a board holder  9  are aligned in this order from the pen tip side in the axial direction of the case  2  (hereinafter simply referred to as the axial direction for the ease of description). The core  3 , the front cap  4 , the coil member  5 , the coil member holder  6 , the pressure member  7 , and the pen-pressure detection module  8  constitute the pen tip side member. 
     The board holder  9  is made of an insulating material such as a resin and has a boat-like shape. The board holder  9  includes a board housing portion  91  which is formed in a substantially middle thereof in the axial direction. The board holder  9  also includes a fitting portion  92  and a battery housing portion  93 . The fitting portion  92  is located on the pen tip side of the board housing portion  91  in the axial direction and fitted with the pen tip side member. The battery housing portion  93  is located on the side opposite to the pen tip side of the board housing portion  91  in the axial direction. 
     The board housing portion  91  and the battery housing portion  93  respectively have openings  91   a  and  93   a  in the axial direction. The openings  91   a  and  93   a  are configured such that the printed circuit board  10  and the battery  11  can be respectively housed and locked therein. In the present embodiment, the board housing portion  91  and the battery housing portion  93  are separated from each other in the axial direction by a wall portion  94 . 
     The printed circuit board  10  is an example of a circuit board. In this example, electronic circuit parts and conductive patterns are formed on both an upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  and a lower surface  10   b  of the printed circuit board  10  (see  FIGS. 8A to 8F ). 
     The fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  is formed in a tubular shape such that a holder  84  of a pen-pressure detector  81  of the pen-pressure detection module  8 , which constitutes part of the pen tip side member, is fitted into the fitting portion  92 , as described later. 
     Next, a configuration example of the pen tip side member will be described. In this example, the core  3  is made of a hard non-conductive material, for example, a resin such as polycarbonate, a synthetic resin, or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, and includes a core main body  31  and the tip portion  32  which serves as the pen tip. In the state in which all of the parts described above are housed in the hollow portion of the case  2 , the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted from the opening on the pen tip side of the case  2  and engaged with the pressure member  7 , which is disposed in the pen-pressure detection module  8 , as described later. In this case, the core  3  can be inserted into and removed from the electronic pen  1 . The core  3  transmits the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the tip portion  32  to a pressure sensing portion  83  of the pen-pressure detector  81 . 
     The coil member  5  includes a coil  51  and a magnetic core, in this example, a ferrite core  52 , around which the coil  51  is wound. In this example, the ferrite core  52  of the coil member  5  has a columnar shape having a through-hole  52   a  at the central axis position. The core main body  31  of the rod-shaped core  3  is inserted through the through-hole  52   a . In the present embodiment, the ferrite core  52  has a flat cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion of the case  2  and includes a tapered portion  52   b  which is tapered toward the pen tip. 
     The front cap  4  is disposed on the tapered portion  52   b  side of the ferrite core  52 , which is on the pen tip side of the electronic pen. The front cap  4  is made of an elastic material such as an elastic rubber and has a cap shape so as to cover the pen tip side of the ferrite core  52 . The front cap  4  has an opening (through-hole)  4   a  through which the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted. In this example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the external appearance of the front cap  4  has a flared skirt shape. 
     The coil member holder  6  is positioned on an end portion  52   c  on a side opposite to the tapered portion  52   b  side of the ferrite core  52 . The coil member holder  6  is made of an elastic material such as an elastic rubber. The coil member holder  6  includes a fitting portion  61  into which the end portion  52   c  of the ferrite core  52  is fitted and housed. The coil member holder  6  also includes a protruding portion  62  which is press-fitted into a hollow portion  821   a  of a pen-pressure transmission member  82 , to be described later, of the pen-pressure detection module  8 . 
     The fitting portion  61  of the coil member holder  6  has a recessed hole  61   a  which corresponds to the external shape of the end portion  52   c  around which no coil is wound. A through-hole  62   a  (not illustrated) through which the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted is formed in the protruding portion  62 . The through-hole  62   a  of the protruding portion  62  communicates with the recessed hole  61   a  of the fitting portion  61 . Therefore, in the coil member holder  6 , a hollow space through which the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted is formed through the fitting portion  61  and the protruding portion  62 . 
     The through-hole  52   a  through which the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted is formed in the ferrite core  52 . Therefore, in the state in which the end portion  52   c  of the ferrite core  52  of the coil member  5  is fitted into the fitting portion  61  of the coil member holder  6 , a hollow space through which the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted is formed through the coil member  5  and the coil member holder  6 . 
     The pressure member  7 , which is disposed on the protruding portion  62  side of the coil member holder  6 , includes a fitting recessed hole  7   a  into which an end portion  31   a  of the core main body  31  of the core  3  is press-fitted. The presence of the pressure member  7  prevents the core  3  from falling off. However, if the core  3  is strongly pulled toward the tip portion  32 , the fitting between the end portion  31   a  of the core main body  31  and the fitting recessed hole  7   a  of the pressure member  7  is released, and the core  3  can be pulled out. This allows the core  3  to be replaceable. 
     In the present embodiment, engaging and coupling the pen-pressure detector  81  and the pen-pressure transmission member  82  forms the pen-pressure detection module  8 .  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the pen-pressure detection module  8 . A configuration example of the pen-pressure detection module  8  will be described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of the vicinity of the pen-pressure detection module  8  which is housed in the case  2 .  FIG. 4B  is an external perspective view of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  when viewed from the side where the pen-pressure transmission member  82  is coupled to the pen-pressure detector  81 . 
     The pen-pressure detector  81  according to this example is a pen-pressure detector using a variable-capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes according to the pen pressure applied to the core  3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , in the present embodiment, the pen-pressure detector  81  includes the pressure sensing portion  83  and the holder  84 . The pressure sensing portion  83  includes a dielectric  831 , a spacer  832 , and a conductive elastic body  833 . The holder  84  holds the pressure sensing portion  83  and also has a function of making an electrical connection. The holder  84  is made of an insulating material such as a resin. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the holder  84  integrally includes a holding portion  841  and a connection portion  842 . The holding portion  841  holds the pressure sensing portion  83 . The connection portion  842  electrically connects two electrodes of the pressure sensing portion  83  which is held in the holding portion  841 , to the printed circuit board  10  which is housed in the board holder  9 . 
     The pen-pressure transmission member  82  is engaged with the holding portion  841  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  such that the pressure sensing portion  83  is held by the holding portion  841  of the holder  84 . Further, as described above, the pen-pressure transmission member  82  has the hollow portion  821   a  into which the protruding portion  62  of the coil member holder  6  is press-fitted. By press-fitting the protruding portion  62  of the coil member holder  6  into the hollow portion  821   a  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  which is engaged with and coupled to the pen-pressure detector  81 , the pen-pressure detection module  8  and the coil member  5  are coupled to each other. 
     The pressure sensing portion  83  of the pen-pressure detector  81 , which serves as the variable-capacitance capacitor, includes the dielectric  831 , the spacer  832  which has a ring shape, and the conductive elastic body  833 . A conductor layer is formed on a first surface  831   a  of the dielectric  831 , constituting a first electrode of the variable-capacitance capacitor. The pen pressure from the core  3  is applied to the conductive elastic body  833  via the pressure member  7  and further via the pen-pressure transmission member  82 . Accordingly, the conductive elastic body  833  is pushed and deformed toward a second surface  831   b  of the dielectric  831  via the ring-shaped spacer  832 . This deformation brings the conductive elastic body  833  into contact with the second surface  831   b  of the dielectric  831 . The area of the contact between the conductive elastic body  833  and the second surface  831   b  of the dielectric  831  constitutes a second electrode. 
     Therefore, the area of the contact between the conductive elastic body  833  and the second surface  831   b  of the dielectric  831 , that is, the area of the second electrode of the variable-capacitance capacitor which is constituted by the dielectric  831  sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode, changes according to the magnitude of the pen pressure applied to the core  3 . Accordingly, the capacitance of this variable-capacitance capacitor changes. By detecting the change in the capacitance of the variable-capacitance capacitor, the pen-pressure detector  81  detects the pen pressure. 
     The holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  is, for example, an injection molded product produced by using a resin, and integrally includes the holding portion  841  and the connection portion  842 . The connection portion  842  includes a plate-shaped protruding portion  8421  which protrudes in the axial direction and in the direction parallel to the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . The protruding portion  8421  is disposed so as to come into contact with the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  when the pen-pressure detection module  8  is fitted into the board holder  9  and engaged with the printed circuit board  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, two terminal members  843  and  844  (indicated by diagonal lines in  FIGS. 2 and 3  to facilitate understanding) are formed in the axial direction on the holder  84  as conductive three-dimensional fine patterns from the holding portion  841  to the connection portion  842 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the two terminal members  843  and  844  are formed in the protruding portion  8421  so as to be exposed at opposite edges in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pen pressure is applied. 
     In the present embodiment, when the pressure sensing portion  83  is housed and held in the holding portion  841  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81 , the first and second electrodes of the pressure sensing portion  83  are automatically electrically connected to the two terminal members  843  and  844  of the connection portion  842 . 
     As indicated by diagonal lines in  FIG. 3 , one end portion  844   a  of the terminal member  844  is formed and exposed in a bottom portion of a recess  841   a  of the holding portion  841  of the holder  84  so as to be in contact with and be electrically connected to the first electrode of the pressure sensing portion  83  (the first surface  831   a  of the dielectric  831 ). Similarly, as indicated by diagonal lines in  FIG. 3 , one end portion  843   a  of the terminal member  843  is formed and exposed in the holding portion  841  of the holder  84 , and a protruding portion  833   a  of the conductive elastic body  833  which serves as the second electrode of the pressure sensing portion  83  abuts against the one end portion  843   a  of the terminal member  843  so as to be in contact with and be electrically connected to the one end portion  843   a.    
     In the present embodiment, the two terminal members  843  and  844  of the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  are electrically connected to the conductive patterns formed on the printed circuit board  10  which is housed in the board holder  9 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4B , integrally forming a tubular body portion  821  and a barrier  822  forms the pen-pressure transmission member  82  of the pen-pressure detection module  8 . The tubular body portion  821  includes the hollow portion  821   a  inside. The barrier  822  closes the hollow space of the hollow portion  821   a  of the tubular body portion  821 . 
     In this example, the barrier  822  is formed of a thin plate-like body made of an elastic member such as an elastomer and is configured so as to be elastically displaceable in the direction of the plate thickness thereof. The tubular body portion  821  may be formed of a non-elastic material such as a resin. 
     The hollow portion  821   a  of the tubular body portion  821  has an opening on the side where the barrier  822  is not disposed. From this opening, the protruding portion  62  of the coil member holder  6  is press-fitted into the hollow portion  821   a.    
     When the core main body  31  of the core  3  is inserted through and pushed into the through-hole  52   a  of the ferrite core  52  of the coil member  5 , the recessed hole  61   a  of the fitting portion  61  of the coil member holder  6 , and the through-hole  62   a  of the protruding portion  62  of the coil member holder  6 , the end portion  31   a  of the core main body  31  of the core  3  is press-fitted into the fitting recessed hole  7   a  of the pressure member  7  of the hollow portion  821   a  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
     Accordingly, when pen pressure is applied to the core  3 , the pen pressure is transmitted to the pressure member  7 , and the pressure member  7  presses the barrier  822  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82 . Accordingly, the barrier  822  is elastically displaced in the axial direction according to the applied pen pressure. 
     In the state in which the pressure sensing portion  83  is housed in the holding portion  841  of the holder  84 , the pen-pressure transmission member  82  is coupled to the holder  84  in the axial direction. Since the pen-pressure transmission member  82  and the holder  84  are coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pressure sensing portion  83  is held by the holding portion  841  of the holder  84 . 
     In the state in which the pen-pressure transmission member  82  is engaged with and coupled to the holder  84 , the barrier  822  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  can press the conductive elastic body  833  of the pressure sensing portion  83 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
     As described above, when pen pressure is applied to the core  3 , the pressure member  7  presses the barrier  822  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  according to the applied pen pressure, and the barrier  822  is elastically deviated in the axial direction according to the applied pen pressure. This elastic displacement of the barrier  822  presses the conductive elastic body  833  of the pressure sensing portion  83 . As a result, the conductive elastic body  833  which is separated from the dielectric  831  via the spacer  832  comes into contact with the dielectric  831 , and the area of the contact therebetween changes according to the pen pressure. The capacitance corresponding to the area of the contact between the conductive elastic body  833  and the dielectric  831  is obtained between the first and second electrodes of the pressure sensing portion  83 . In other words, the pen pressure can be detected from the capacitance of the variable-capacitance capacitor as the pressure sensing portion  83 . 
     In such a manner as described above, the coil member  5  is fitted into and coupled to the pen-pressure detection module  8  via the coil member holder  6 , constituting the pen tip side member. Then, the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  of the pen-pressure detection module  8  of the pen tip side member is coupled to the printed circuit board  10  via the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9 . 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  has a tubular shape having a hollow portion into which the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  of the pen-pressure detection module  8  is inserted. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , conductive patterns  101  and  102  are aligned and formed on the printed circuit board  10  so as to be respectively electrically connected to the terminal members  843  and  844  of the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81 . Each of the two terminal members  843  and  844  is connected to the corresponding one of the two electrodes of the pressure sensing portion  83 . 
     In the present embodiment, when the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detection module  8  is inserted into the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9 , the connection portion  842  is engaged so as to come into contact with the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  which is housed in the board housing portion  91  of the board holder  9 . Accordingly, through the two terminal members  843  and  844  of the connection portion  842 , the two electrodes of the pressure sensing portion  83  which is held in the pen-pressure detector  81  are electrically connected to the conductive patterns  101  and  102  which are formed on the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . Each of the conductive patterns  101  and  102  is connected to a corresponding one of opposite ends of a capacitor  103  which is disposed on the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  and which constitutes a resonant circuit together with the coil  51 . 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , notches  92   c  and  92   d  are formed in the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  such that the connection portions (soldered portions) between first and second end portions  51   a  and  51   b  of the coil  51  and the terminal members  843  and  844  do not obstruct the fitting of the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  with the pen-pressure detection module  8 . 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4B, and 5 , the pen-pressure transmission member  82  of the pen-pressure detection module  8  includes recessed grooves  824   a  and  824   b  which are formed in the axial direction. Further, a circumferential side surface of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81  also includes recessed grooves  845   a  and  845   b  which are formed in the axial direction so as to be respectively continuous with the recessed grooves  824   a  and  824   b  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82 . 
     The first end portion  51   a  and the second end portion  51   b  of the coil  51  of the coil member  5  pass through the recessed grooves  824   a  and  824   b  and the recessed grooves  845   a  and  845   b  and are soldered and connected to the terminal member  843  and the terminal member  844  of the connection portion  842  of the holder  84  of the pen-pressure detector  81 , respectively. 
     The terminal member  843  and the terminal member  844  are connected to the capacitor  103  of the printed circuit board  10 . Therefore, respectively electrically connecting the first end portion  51   a  and the second end portion  51   b  of the coil  51  to the terminal member  843  and the terminal member  844  in this way forms the resonant circuit constituted by the coil  51  and the capacitor  103 . Further, the variable-capacitance capacitor constituted by the pressure sensing portion  83  is connected in parallel to the resonant circuit. This configuration eliminates the need to extend the first end portion  51   a  and the second end portion  51   b  of the coil  51  to the printed circuit board  10  and solder them on the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4A , the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  is provided with a sealing member  95  which closes the gap between the board holder  9  and an inner wall portion of the hollow portion of the case  2  when the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  is housed in the case  2 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the external appearance of the sealing member  95 , which is formed of a ring-shaped member made of an elastic body such as a rubber. As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , a ring-shaped recessed groove  92   a  is formed in a circumferential side portion of the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9 , and the sealing member  95  is fixedly housed in the ring-shaped recessed groove  92   a . In the present embodiment, protrusions  95   a  are formed on the sealing member  95  to prevent the sealing member  95  from rotating in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion  92 . In addition, notches  92   b  (see  FIG. 4A ) are formed in part of the ring-shaped recessed groove  92   a  of the fitting portion  92  to house the protrusions  95   a  of the sealing member  95 . 
     The sealing member  95  separates a space where the printed circuit board  10  is disposed in the hollow portion of the case  2 , from a space on an opening  2   a  side (see  FIG. 7 ) in which the pen-pressure detection module  8  is present and from which the core  3  protrudes. 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the front cap  4 , which is made of an elastic rubber, is disposed in the vicinity of the opening  2   a  on the pen tip side of the hollow portion of the case  2  so as to cover the tapered portion  52   b  of the ferrite core  52 , as described above. In this case, when the rear-end cap  21  is fitted to the case  2 , the front cap  4  is pressed toward the opening  2   a  of the case  2 . Therefore, the front cap  4  serves as a sealing member that seals and eliminates the gap between a tip portion of the ferrite core  52  of the coil member  5  and an inner wall surface of the hollow portion of the case  2 . In this example, the front cap  4  has a flared skirt shape, as described above. Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the front cap  4  and the inner wall surface of the case  2  are in close contact with each other at two positions. This configuration enhances dustproof and waterproof effects by the sealing. 
     The sealing by the front cap  4  on the opening  2   a  side of the case  2  separates a space continuous with the through-hole  52   a  of the ferrite core  52 , from a space of the hollow portion inside the case  2  where pen module parts are housed. The space continuous with the through-hole  52   a  of the ferrite core  52  includes the recessed hole  61   a  and the through-hole  62   a  of the coil member holder  6  and the hollow portion  821   a  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  and is closed by the barrier  822  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82 . 
     In the portion in which the protruding portion  62  of the coil member holder  6  is fitted into the pen-pressure transmission member  82 , the coil member holder  6  and the inner wall portion of the hollow portion  821   a  of the pen-pressure transmission member  82  are in close contact with each other without a gap therebetween, thereby ensuring the sealing. Therefore, the space continuous with the through-hole  52   a  of the ferrite core  52  is an independent space that is isolated from the others, except for the opening side of the through-hole  52   a  of the ferrite core  52 . In the electronic pen  1  of the electromagnetic induction type according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , only the core  3  and the pressure member  7  are present in this space, and neither electrical parts nor electrical connection portions are present therein. 
     Next, an example of a configuration on the side opposite to the pen tip side of the board holder  9 , in particular, a configuration example of an electrical connection portion between the printed circuit board  10  and the battery  11 , will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2  and  FIGS. 8A to 8F .  FIGS. 8A to 8F  are views for describing steps for coupling the battery  11  and the printed circuit board  10  to each other. 
     In the present embodiment, the battery  11  is a lithium-ion battery and is rechargeable. The battery  11  may be recharged by employing any of various methods such as a method using electromagnetic induction and a method using electric field coupling. 
     The battery  11  according to this example has a columnar shape, in this example, a cylindrical shape. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2  and  FIGS. 8A to 8F , the battery  11  is housed in the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9  such that positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  led out from an end surface  11   c  which is located on one end side in the centerline direction of the columnar-shaped battery  11  extend toward the printed circuit board  10 . 
     In this case, the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  are led out from the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  such that their centerlines are included in a plane that includes the centerline position of the columnar shape of the battery  11  or in a plane parallel to this plane. 
     However, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 8A, 8C, and 8E , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  do not extend in the direction perpendicular to the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11 , but extend in such a way that the distance between the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  gradually increases as they are away from the end surface  11   c . In other words, the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  extend so as to be oriented in opposite directions from each other by a predetermined acute angle relative to the centerline direction of the columnar-shaped battery  11 , that is, the axial direction of the electronic pen  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2  and  FIGS. 8A to 8F , the wall portion  94 , which is disposed between the board housing portion  91  and the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9 , includes through-holes  94   a  and  94   b  as examples of penetration portions through which the paired electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  penetrate the wall portion  94  and protrude toward the board housing portion  91 . In this example, the through-holes  94   a  and  94   b  are formed at the positions of the wall portion  94  identical to the board surface position of the printed circuit board  10  which is housed in the board housing portion  91 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 8A, 8C, and 8E , tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d  are formed in an end portion of the printed circuit board  10  on the battery  11  side in the longitudinal direction of the printed circuit board  10  and are shaped such that their widths gradually decrease so as to correspond to the extension directions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , in the end portion of the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  on the battery  11  side in the longitudinal direction, a conductor pattern  105  is formed along the tapered side surface  10   c , serving as one power supply terminal, while a conductor pattern  106  is formed along the tapered side surface  10   d , serving as the other power supply terminal. 
     In the present embodiment, with the configuration described above, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2  and  FIGS. 8A to 8F , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively inserted through the through-holes  94   a  and  94   b  of the wall portion  94  so as to extend toward the board housing portion  91 . In this case, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A to 8F , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  respectively come into contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d , which are located between the upper surface  10   a  and the lower surface  10   b  in the end portion of the printed circuit board  10  on the battery  11  side in the longitudinal direction of the printed circuit board  10 . 
     In this case, the battery  11  is not housed in the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9  such that its end surface  11   c  abuts against the wall portion  94 , but is housed in the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9  such that its end surface  11   c  is separated from the wall portion  94  by a predetermined distance d, as illustrated in  FIG. 8A . For this purpose, the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9  includes a step  93   b  against which the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  abuts. Therefore, a separation space  96  having the distance d in the axial direction is formed between the wall portion  94  and the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11 . 
     Next, the steps for coupling the battery  11  and the printed circuit board  10  to each other will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 8F . 
     First, as illustrated in  FIG. 8A , with the printed circuit board  10  housed in the board housing portion  91 , the battery  11  is housed in the battery housing portion  93  by respectively inserting its positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  through the through-holes  94   a  and  94   b  of the wall portion  94 . Then, as described above, the battery  11  is housed in the battery housing portion  93  such that the separation space  96  is formed between the battery  11  and the wall portion  94 . The tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  come into contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d  of the printed circuit board  10 , respectively. 
       FIG. 8B  is a side view illustrating the state of  FIG. 8A  viewed from the side surface direction parallel to the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . For convenience of description, the board holder  9  is omitted in  FIG. 8B . As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , in the present embodiment, electronic parts are mounted not only on the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10  but also on the lower surface  10   b  thereof. For example, a control circuit  107  including an integrated circuit (IC) and a wireless communication unit  108  for performing short-range wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard are mounted on the lower surface  10   b . According to the control by the control circuit  107 , the wireless communication unit  108  transmits, for example, pen-pressure information detected by the pen-pressure detector  81  and identification information of the electronic pen  1  through wireless communication with the position detection device  202 , and also receives an indication signal from the position detection device  202 . 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 8C , in the state in which the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively in contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d  of the printed circuit board  10 , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are, in this example, respectively soldered to the conductor patterns  105  and  106  so as to be electrically connected thereto. The soldering is an example of a method for fixing the electrical connection, and the portions fixed by soldering are examples of electrical connection fixing portions. 
       FIG. 8D  is a side view of the state of  FIG. 8C  viewed from the side surface direction parallel to the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . For convenience of description, the board holder  9  is omitted in  FIG. 8D . In  FIGS. 8C and 8D , the portions fixed by soldering are filled in black. 
     In the present embodiment, after the printed circuit board  10  and the battery  11  are electrically connected to each other as described above, the separation space  96  between the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  in the battery housing portion  93  and the wall portion  94  is filled with a resin, which is then hardened and formed as a resin-filled portion  97  as illustrated in  FIG. 8E . The upper surface  10   a  and the lower surface  10   b  of the printed circuit board  10  in the board housing portion  91  of the board holder  9  are also filled with a resin. In this way, a resin-filled portion  98  and a resin-filled portion  99  are formed so as to respectively cover the upper surface  10   a  and the lower surface  10   b  of the printed circuit board  10 . In this example, an ultraviolet (UV)-curable resin is used as the resin. 
       FIG. 8F  is a side view of the state of  FIG. 8E  viewed from the side surface direction parallel to the upper surface  10   a  of the printed circuit board  10 . For convenience of description, the board holder  9  is omitted in  FIG. 8F . In  FIGS. 8E and 8F , the resin-filled portion  98  and the resin-filled portion  99  are filled with dots. 
     An upper portion of the side switch  104  is entirely covered with the resin in  FIGS. 8E and 8F . In actual implementation, however, the upper surface of the side switch  104 , which performs switching by being depressed by the depression operator  22  of the side switch  104 , is not covered with the resin but is exposed. 
     A pen module which is formed in this way and in which the pen tip side member is coupled to the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  holding the printed circuit board  10  and the battery  11  is housed in the hollow portion of the case  2  from the rear end of the case  2 , and then, the rear end of the case  2  is closed by the rear-end cap  21 . In this way, the electronic pen  1  is produced. 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating a configuration on the rear end side of the case  2  into which the rear-end cap  21  is fitted. However, the battery  11  is not illustrated in the sectional view. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the rear-end cap  21  has a columnar shape corresponding to the shape of the hollow portion of the case  2 . In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , ring-shaped sealing members  24  which are each made of an elastic material such as an elastic rubber are attached to a columnar-shaped portion of the rear-end cap  21 . The sealing members  24  seal and eliminate the gap between the rear-end cap  21  and the inner wall surface of the hollow portion of the case  2 . 
     Therefore, in the present embodiment, the presence of the sealing members  24  can prevent water and dust from entering through the opening on the rear end side of the case  2 , providing the waterproof and dustproof protection. As described above, the opening on the pen tip side of the case  2  can be waterproofed and dustproofed by the front cap  4  and the sealing member  95  of the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9 . Even when an opening for the depression operator  22  of the side switch  104  is formed in the case  2 , the upper surface  10   a  and the lower surface  10   b  of the printed circuit board  10  are respectively covered with the resin-filled portions  98  and  99 , and the separation space  96  between the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  and the wall portion  94  is covered with the resin-filled portion  97 . Accordingly, these portions are configured so as to be waterproofed and dustproofed. 
     In the present embodiment, a force from the pen tip side is received not only in the axial direction of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  but also by the separation space  96 . With this configuration, the battery  11  can obtain advantageous effects of shock resistance and reduction of stress on the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b.    
     In the present embodiment, the wall portion  94  is disposed between the board housing portion  91  and the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9 . An axial force that is generated by the pen pressure or impact load applied to the core  3  is applied to the printed circuit board  10 . The generated axial force is then received by the wall portion  94  against which a rear end portion of the printed circuit board  10  abuts. Accordingly, the axial force is not directly applied to the battery  11 . Even if the axial force is applied to the battery  11 , the applied force is absorbed and reduced by the separation space  96  between the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  and the wall portion  94 . 
     Moreover, since the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  extend in the direction inclined relative to the axial direction, the resistance to the axial force increases. That is, if the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  are led out in the direction perpendicular to the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  and parallel to the axial direction, the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  receive the axial force as it is. On the other hand, if the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  extend in the direction inclined relative to the axial direction, the force received is smaller than that in the case where the entire axial force is received, because the force is divided into the axial force and the force in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction according to the inclination angle. 
     The tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively in contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d  in the rear end portion of the printed circuit board  10 . Moreover, the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11 , which are respectively in contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d , are soldered and fixed thereto for electrical connection. Therefore, the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  are respectively engaged with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d . With this configuration, the battery  11  can obtain greater advantageous effects of shock resistance and reduction of stress on the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b.    
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, the separation space  96  including base portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  between the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  and the wall portion  94  is solidified by the resin-filled portion  97 . This configuration increases the resistance of the battery  11  to the axial force. In addition, as described above, the resin-filled portion  97  exhibits effects of dustproofing and waterproofing the separation space  96  including the base portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11 . 
     Other Embodiments or Modifications 
     In the embodiment described above, the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively in contact with the tapered side surfaces  10   c  and  10   d  in the rear end portion of the printed circuit board  10 . However, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  may be in contact with either an upper surface  10 Aa or a lower surface  10 Ab of a printed circuit board  10 A and fixed thereto for electrical connection. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the tip portions of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are in contact with the upper surface  10 Aa and fixed thereto for electrical connection. Moreover, in this example, a rear end portion of the printed circuit board  10 A has a rectangular shape without having tapered side surfaces, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B . 
       FIG. 10A  is a side view illustrating the vicinity of a portion where the printed circuit board  10 A and the battery  11  are connected and fixed to each other, as in  FIG. 8D . Note that the board holder  9  is omitted in  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 10B  is a view illustrating the state of  FIG. 10A  viewed from the upper surface  10 Aa side of the printed circuit board  10 A, as in  FIG. 8C . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , in this example, the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively inserted through through-holes  94 Aa and  94 Ab of a wall portion  94 A so as to extend toward the board housing portion  91  and to come into contact with the upper surface  10 Aa of the printed circuit board  10 A which is housed in the board housing portion  91 . In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , a conductor pattern  105 A which constitutes one power supply terminal and a conductor pattern  106 A which constitutes the other power supply terminal are formed on the upper surface  10 Aa of the printed circuit board  10 A at the positions in contact with the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b.    
     Then, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11 , which are respectively in contact with the conductor patterns  105 A and  106 A of the printed circuit board  10 A, are soldered (filled in black in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) and fixed thereto for electrical connection. 
     After that, in a similar way to the one illustrated in  FIGS. 8E and 8F , the separation space  96  between the wall portion  94  and the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  is filled with a UV-curable resin, and the upper surface  10 Aa and the lower surface  10 Ab of the printed circuit board  10 A are each covered with a resin. 
     With this example illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , similar effects to those described above can be obtained. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , one of the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  may be in contact with an upper surface  10 Ba of a printed circuit board  10 B and fixed thereto for electrical connection, and the other electrode conductor may be in contact with a lower surface  10 Bb of the printed circuit board  10 B and fixed thereto for electrical connection. As illustrated in  FIG. 11B , in this example, a rear end portion of the printed circuit board  10 B has a rectangular shape without having tapered side surfaces. Further, a conductor pattern  105 B which constitutes one power supply terminal is formed on the upper surface  10 Ba of the printed circuit board  10 B, and a conductor pattern  106 B which constitutes the other power supply terminal is formed on a different surface, that is, the lower surface  10 Bb of the printed circuit board  10 B. 
       FIG. 11A  is a side view illustrating the vicinity of a portion where the printed circuit board  10 B and the battery  11  are connected and fixed to each other, as in  FIG. 8D . Note that the board holder  9  is omitted in  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 11B  is a view illustrating the state of  FIG. 11A  viewed from the upper surface  10 Ba side of the printed circuit board  10 B, as in  FIG. 8C . 
     In this example as well, as illustrated in these  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  are respectively inserted through through-holes  94 Ba and  94 Bb of a wall portion  94 B so as to extend toward the board housing portion  91 . In this case, the through-holes  94 Ba and  94 Bb are not formed in the direction parallel to the upper surface  10 Ba of the printed circuit board  10 B, but are formed at slightly different positions in the height direction of the wall portion  94 B as illustrated in  FIG. 11A . Accordingly, in this example, the tip portion of the positive electrode conductor  11   a  is in contact with the upper surface  10 Ba of the printed circuit board  10 B which is housed in the board housing portion  91 , while the tip portion of the negative electrode conductor  11   b  is in contact with the lower surface  10 Bb of the printed circuit board  10 B which is housed in the board housing portion  91 . 
     In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 11B , the conductor pattern  105 B, which constitutes one power supply terminal, is formed on the upper surface  10 Ba of the printed circuit board  10 B at the position in contact with the tip portion of the positive electrode conductor  11   a , and the conductor pattern  106 B, which constitutes the other power supply terminal, is formed on the lower surface  10 Bb of the printed circuit board  10 B at the position in contact with the tip portion of the negative electrode conductor  11   b.    
     Then, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11 , which are respectively in contact with the conductor patterns  105 B and  106 B of the printed circuit board  10 B, are soldered (filled in black in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ) and fixed thereto for electrical connection. 
     After that, in a similar way to the one illustrated in  FIGS. 8E and 8F , the separation space  96  between the wall portion  94  and the end surface  11   c  of the battery  11  is filled with a UV-curable resin, and the upper surface  10 Ba and the lower surface  10 Bb of the printed circuit board  10 B are each covered with a resin. 
     With this example illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , similar effects to those described above can be obtained. 
     In the embodiments described above, as penetration portions, the through-holes  94   a  and  94   b  are formed in the wall portion  94 , and the through-holes  94 Ba and  94 Bb are formed in the wall portion  94 B. However, the penetration portions formed in the wall portion are not limited to the through-holes, and may be through grooves illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a cross section of the battery housing portion  93  of the board holder  9 . A wall portion  94 C according to this example has through grooves  94 Ca and  94 Cb through which the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b  of the battery  11  penetrate the wall portion  94 C and extend toward the board housing portion  91 . In this example, when the separation space  96  is filled with a resin or the upper surface  10   a  or  10 Ba of the printed circuit board  10  or  10 B is covered with a resin, the resin also enters the through grooves  94 Ca and  94 Cb, covering the positive and negative electrode conductors  11   a  and  11   b.    
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the electronic pen is of an electromagnetic induction type in the embodiment described above, the present disclosure can also be applied to the case where the electronic pen is of an active capacitive type. In other words, in the case where the electronic pen is of the active capacitive type, the pen tip side member includes a conductive core instead of the ferrite core around which the coil is wound, and an electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board includes a signal generation circuit that generates a signal to be transmitted from the conductive core to a position detection sensor of the position detection device. The other configurations of the electronic pen of the active capacitive type are similar to the configurations of the electronic pen of the electromagnetic induction type. 
     The configuration of the electronic pen of the active capacitive type will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The printed circuit board  10  on which an electronic circuit for the electronic pen of the active capacitive type is mounted is housed in the board housing portion  91  of the board holder  9 , and the battery  11  is housed in the battery housing portion  93  such that an electrical connection portion can be formed as described above. Moreover, the pen-pressure detection module  8  can be fitted into the fitting portion  92  of the board holder  9  in a similar way to the configuration of the electronic pen of the electromagnetic induction type. 
     Further, the core  3  may be of a conductive type. In addition, instead of the ferrite core around which the coil is wound, a shielding member such as a metal pipe which allows the core to penetrate therethrough and which capacitively shields the core may be fitted into the pen-pressure detection module. In this case, a tip portion of the shielding member may be covered with the front cap  4 . 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.