JP2013073322A - Digital pen and digital pen system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink residual amount notification system of a digital pen, capable of notifying/warning a digital pen user that the effect that an ink residual amount becomes small.SOLUTION: The digital pen includes processing means for turning a track into data and generating track information, and storage means for storing the track information. A PC includes processing means for calculating a cumulative track distance from the track information received from the digital pen, comparing the cumulative track distance with a stipulated track distance for notifying a user of ink residual amount shortage, and determining the length, and notification means for notifying the user of the ink residual amount shortage when the cumulative track distance is long as a result of determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital pen and a digital pen system including the digital pen, and more particularly, to a digital pen that is preferably used when it is troublesome to replace a container and a digital pen system including the digital pen.

  There is a digital pen as a writing instrument that instantly converts handwritten handwriting information into digital data. The digital pen has a built-in recording means, and information such as pen tip coordinate information, pen tip trajectory, pen tilt angle, writing speed, writing pressure, and writing date and time are written as handwriting information one by one. To be recorded.

  Such recorded handwriting information is sent to a computer, server, etc. by connecting a digital pen directly via USB, etc., or by wired / wireless transmission, and is managed and processed by the computer or server that received the information. The Management and processing of information and data received from a digital pen are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Documents 1 to 3.

JP 2008-181339 A JP 2008-191845 A JP 2009-282727 A

  However, unlike inexpensive general-purpose ballpoint pens that use transparent plastic as the main body, the digital pen body is often composed of an opaque member, and the ink container is often opaque. In such a case, the remaining amount of ink in the ink container of the digital pen cannot be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, it is easy for the digital pen user to run out of ink using the pen without knowing that the ink level is low, and to accidentally become unable to write during use.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital pen ink remaining amount notification system capable of notifying / warning the user when the ink remaining amount is small for the digital pen user. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a processing unit for determining the amount of ink used in a digital pen in a digital pen system including a digital pen and an information processing apparatus that processes locus information of the digital pen, and the processing And an informing means for urging the replacement of the ink container when the amount of ink used determined by the means is less than a predetermined amount.

  That is, the present invention includes, for example, a processing unit that converts a digital pen locus into data and generates locus information, and a storage unit that stores the locus information. The information processing apparatus receives the digital pen locus from the digital pen. Processing means for comparing the cumulative trajectory distance obtained from the trajectory information with a predetermined threshold to determine the length thereof, and a notification means for notifying the ink shortage when the cumulative trajectory distance is long as a result of the determination. Notification means).

  The processing means may determine the amount of ink used from the digital pen usage history. Specifically, the amount of ink used may be obtained by integrating the cumulative trajectory distance based on the trajectory history of the digital pen.

  Further, the notification unit may be a display unit or a voice output unit attached to the information processing apparatus, or a display unit or a vibration unit provided in the digital pen.

  Further, the digital pen of the present invention prompts replacement of the ink container when the processing unit for determining the amount of ink used in the digital pen body and the amount of ink used determined by the processing unit is less than a predetermined amount. A notification means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital pen system for notifying the remaining ink amount of the digital pen of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 100, which is an information processing apparatus, and a digital pen 200.

  The illustrated example is the simplest configuration example in which the PC 100 and the digital pen 200 are directly connected by wired or wireless communication. For example, the PC 100 and the digital pen 200 may be configured via a network.

  The PC 100 includes a communication unit 110, a recording unit 120, a processing unit 130, a notification unit 140, and a display unit 150, which will be described below. The communication unit 110, the recording unit 120, the processing unit 130, and the notification unit 140 are, for example, cooperation between hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory in the PC 100 and a program that causes the CPU or the like to execute an operation described later. It can be realized by working.

  The PC 100 is directly connected to the digital pen 200 by wire or wireless, or connected via a network. Note that the PC 100 as a connection destination of the digital pen 200 is merely an example of an information processing apparatus, and may be a server as disclosed in the above-described patent document, for example.

  The communication unit 110 receives trajectory information sent from the digital pen 200 connected as described above. Specifically, the communication means 110 corresponds to a portion that realizes a USB (universal serial bus) connection in the case of a wired connection and a Bluetooth connection in the case of a wireless connection.

  The recording unit 120 is a predetermined trajectory distance that is a threshold for notifying the user of the trajectory information received by the communication unit 110, the accumulated result of the accumulative trajectory distance by the processing unit 130, and the ink shortage of the digital pen 200. Is recorded. Examples of the recording unit 120 include a hard disk built in the PC 100 or a so-called external hard disk. Actually, it is conceivable that the trajectory information or the like is made into a database, for example. As an example of recording the trajectory information, for example, data logging in which the trajectory information is organized and recorded in time series can be employed.

  The predetermined trajectory distance as the threshold is determined as a predetermined value from the ink amount of the ink container 210, and is generally, for example, 600 m to 700 m. Recording to the recording unit 120 may be performed manually by a user of the digital pen 200 using, for example, a keyboard connected to the PC 100, or may be read from a CD-ROM or the like in which a device driver of the digital pen 200 is stored. You may go.

  The processing unit 130 controls the operation of the communication unit 110, the recording unit 120, and the notification unit 140, and mainly determines the amount of ink used. Specifically, the processing unit 130 integrates the cumulative trajectory distance of the digital pen 200 based on the trajectory information recorded in the recording unit 120 and compares it with a predetermined trajectory distance recorded in the recording unit 120 or the like. It is determined whether or not the cumulative trajectory distance exceeds a predetermined trajectory distance.

  The notification unit 140 prompts the user of the digital pen 200 to replace the ink container because the remaining amount of ink in the digital pen 200 is insufficient when the cumulative trajectory distance accumulated by the processing unit 130 exceeds the predetermined trajectory distance. Notification information is created.

  The display unit 150 displays the notification information created by the notification unit 140 so that the user of the digital pen 200 can recognize it. Specifically, the display unit 150 corresponds to a built-in or externally connected liquid crystal monitor attached to the PC 110, for example. Note that the notification information is not limited to what is shown to the user through vision, but may be information that is shown to the user through hearing, such as outputting a beep sound from a speaker that is an audio output means.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the digital pen 200 shown in FIG. The digital pen 200 is an electronic writing instrument including an ink container 210, a camera 220, a processing unit 230, a storage unit 240, a communication unit 250, and a battery 260, which will be described below. It is possible to simultaneously realize an application as a normal writing instrument capable of handwriting a drawing and an electronic device capable of acquiring a handwriting locus as digital data.

  The ink container 210 is filled with ink, and here also includes ink refill. The ink refill of the digital pen 200 is the same as that of a ballpoint pen, which is a general writing instrument. The ink is filled in a cylindrical container, and a pen tip is provided at the tip portion. Therefore, it can be detached from the digital pen 200. Thereby, the user of the digital pen 200 can write a line diagram on paper.

  It should be noted that in the case of the digital pen system of the present embodiment, it is necessary that the unused ink container 210 contains a predetermined amount of ink.

  The camera 220 is an imaging unit that captures a trajectory during handwriting and acquires image information. More specifically, both the coordinates and dot pattern drawn on the dedicated paper and the position of the pen tip at the tip of the ink container 210 are used. Are continuously imaged. There are several types of digital pens, and there are some that do not have a camera 220. The digital pen 200 of this embodiment does not necessarily have to be equipped with the camera 220.

  The processing unit 230 is a unit that processes the image information captured by the camera 220 to generate trajectory information. The processing unit 230 typically identifies coordinates and dot patterns drawn on dedicated paper from within the image, determines the position of the tip of the ink container 210, obtains coordinate information, and tracks the coordinate information. This is realized by software that generates identification information by adding identification information such as date and time, locus time, and locus speed, and an arithmetic device such as a CPU that executes the software.

  The storage unit 240 stores the trajectory information generated by the processing unit 230. Specifically, it is realized by a non-volatile memory or the like.

  The communication unit 250 transmits the trajectory information stored in the storage unit 240 to the PC 100 through a USB connection or a Bluetooth connection.

  The battery 260 supplies power to each electronic element constituting the digital pen 200 including the camera 220, the processing unit 230, the storage unit 240, and the communication unit 250.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital pen 200 has been described with respect to a method of acquiring coordinate information from image information continuously captured by the camera 220. For example, infrared rays and ultrasonic waves are simultaneously emitted from the pen tip. Other methods and configurations may be used such as obtaining coordinate information from the time lag of the arrival time at a certain point. That is, in the present invention which is a digital pen ink remaining amount notification system, the other components of the digital pen are not particularly limited as long as the ink container 210 is included.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a recording example of the trajectory information in the recording unit 120 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, as the trajectory information, a “data number” uniquely assigned by the processing unit 130 each time the digital pen 200 and the PC 100 are connected is uniquely assigned to each digital pen 200. "Pen ID", usage information (usage history) of the digital pen 200, "trajectory date", "trajectory coordinates", "trajectory time", "trajectory speed", "trajectory distance" calculated by the processing means 130. "Is prepared.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a relationship between the “pen ID” shown in FIG. 3A and the “integration result” and “default trajectory distance” corresponding to the “pen ID”. The “integration result” here is calculated by the processing means 130. As shown in FIG. 3B, “pen ID”, “integration result”, and “default trajectory distance” are recorded as a set.

  Hereinafter, the information processing procedure of the present embodiment will be described in order along the time series when the digital pen 200 is actually used.

  When a digital pen user uses the digital pen 200 to write on special paper on which a dot pattern composed of coordinates and fine circular dots is drawn in advance, the camera 220 draws the coordinates and dot pattern drawn on the special paper. And the position of the pen tip provided at the tip of the ink container 210 are imaged.

  Imaging by the camera 220 is performed continuously for a certain number of times, for example, about 70 to 80 times per second so that the locus can be reproduced later as a locus. Then, the camera 220 sends the captured image information to the processing unit 230.

  The processing unit 230 identifies the coordinate position from the coordinates and dot pattern drawn on the dedicated paper from the image information received from the camera 220, and obtains the coordinate information by determining the position of the pen tip provided at the tip of the ink container 210. To do. Trajectory information is generated by adding identification information such as trajectory date and time, trajectory time, and trajectory speed to the coordinate information. Then, the processing unit 230 sends the generated trajectory information to the storage unit 240.

  The storage unit 240 receives the trajectory information sent from the processing unit 230 and stores and accumulates it. The stored and accumulated trajectory information is transmitted from the communication unit 250 to the PC 100 when the digital pen 200 and the PC 100 are connected by wired or wireless communication.

  In the PC 100, when the digital pen 200 and the PC 100 are connected by wired or wireless communication, the trajectory information sent from the digital pen 200 is received by the communication unit 110. The received trajectory information is given a “data number” by the processing means 130 and is recorded in the recording means 120 in the manner shown in FIG.

  Next, the processing means 130 first calculates a trajectory distance based on the trajectory information newly recorded in the recording means 120 in order to obtain the amount of ink used, and as shown in FIG. The calculated trajectory distance is recorded in the recording unit 120. Next, the processing means 130 reads the “accumulation result” corresponding to the “pen ID” related to the trajectory distance, adds the trajectory distance calculated this time to this, and accumulates the latest cumulative trajectory distance. The integration result is recorded in the recording means 130 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the processing means 130 compares the latest accumulated trajectory distance with a predetermined trajectory distance as a threshold value. As a result of the comparison, when the cumulative trajectory distance is less than the predetermined trajectory distance, no special processing is performed, but conversely, when the cumulative trajectory distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined trajectory distance, the processing means 130 notifies the notification means 140 of a notification. Is sent out.

  When the notification unit 140 receives a notification instruction from the processing unit 130, the notification unit 140 creates notification information to notify the user that the ink is insufficient. The notification information is displayed on the display unit 150 so that the user of the digital pen 200 can visually recognize.

  Specifically, the notification information can be a message such as “The ink level of the digital pen is insufficient. Please replace the ink container”. It is possible to make the user of the pen 200 recognize the shortage of ink remaining and prompt the user to replace the ink container 210 with a new one.

  When a new ink container 210 is mounted on the digital pen 200, the user may reset the “integration result” in FIG. 3B by manual input using a keyboard, for example. Alternatively, when a switch is provided in the ink container 210 portion of the digital pen 200 and the switch is turned on when the new ink container 210 is mounted, when the digital pen 200 is connected to the PC 100, By transmitting from the digital pen 200 to the PC 100, the “integration result” may be reset.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the cumulative trajectory distance is integrated on the PC 100 side has been described, but the digital pen 200 may be used. In such a case, as an equivalent to the display means 150, the digital pen 200 is provided with, for example, an LED ink remaining amount notification lamp, a display window with a small liquid crystal monitor, and the like. Just ask. Alternatively, for example, a vibrator may be provided in the digital pen 200, and when the accumulated trajectory distance exceeds a predetermined trajectory distance, the user may be prompted to replace the ink container 210 by vibration.

  Although the cumulative trajectory distance is integrated on the PC 100 side, the replacement of the ink container 210 may be prompted through the digital pen 200 by providing the digital pen 200 with an ink remaining amount notification lamp or the like as described above.

It is a block diagram which shows the typical structure of the digital pen system which notifies the ink residual amount of the digital pen of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the typical structure of the digital pen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the recording of the locus | trajectory information in the recording means 120 of FIG. 1, and the relationship between "pen ID" and the "integration result" corresponding to this, and "default locus distance".

100 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 Processing means 140 Notification means 200 Digital pen 210 Ink container 230 Processing means 240 Storage means

Claims (5)

In a digital pen system comprising a digital pen and an information processing device that processes trajectory information of the digital pen,
Processing means for determining the amount of ink used in the digital pen;
A digital pen system comprising: an informing means for prompting replacement of the ink container when the amount of ink used obtained by the processing means is less than a predetermined amount.   The digital pen system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit obtains an ink usage amount from a usage history of the digital pen.   2. The digital pen system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit obtains an ink usage amount by integrating a cumulative trajectory distance based on a trajectory history of the digital pen.   The digital pen system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display unit or a voice output unit attached to the information processing apparatus, or a display unit or a vibration unit provided in the digital pen. Processing means for determining the amount of ink used in the digital pen body;
A digital pen comprising: an informing means for prompting replacement of the ink container when the amount of ink used obtained by the processing means is less than a predetermined amount.

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