JP4798212B2 - Pen with writing control and writing control program for pen - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pen with writing control and a writing control program for a pen, and more particularly, to a pen with writing control and a writing control program for a pen that can control writing according to an interval between the pen and a recording medium that is a writing object.

  As for what a user grasps by hand and performs writing etc., what transfers recording materials, such as graphite and ink, to flat recording media, such as paper, such as a pencil, a ballpoint pen, and a pen is common. .

  In addition to such a conventional writing instrument, an ink jet printer, an airbrush using compressed air, and the like are known as electronic or mechanical control of transfer of a recording material such as ink. Patent Document 1 discloses a manually operated printing apparatus equipped with an on-demand ink jet head as one that is gripped by hand. Here, it is disclosed that separately designated writing content or the like can be printed by a printing device that can be held by hand. Further, in Patent Document 2, since the quality of writing with an airbrush greatly depends on the distance to the object, a guide having a predetermined separation distance that provides optimum writing quality and on / off of writing with the airbrush are disclosed. A push button for performing is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a compact optical sensor system that can be mounted on a hard copy device such as an inkjet printer, although it is not an apparatus that can be gripped by hand. Here, it is disclosed that a blue, green, orange, red LED (Light Emission Device) and a photodiode are used to detect a print color of an image formed on a medium by ink ejected from a print head. The

JP-A-9-95014 JP-A-11-276975 JP 2003-179275 A

  Conventional writing instruments can be freely written at the will of the writer, but if this can be controlled electronically, the recording position can be specified, or various colors can be specified, and data processing of writing data becomes possible. It can be expected that convenience such as the above will improve.

  However, the manual operation type printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 only needs to specify the printing position by hand, and cannot write the content that the writer wants to write like a writing instrument. Further, the airbrush of Patent Document 2 is inconvenient because it is necessary to turn on / off the push button. The compact optical sensor of Patent Document 3 can monitor the print color by using this, but does not touch on application to a hand-gripping device. Further, since it is premised on measuring what has been printed, printing cannot be performed while toning.

  Thus, even if the printing mechanism such as an ink jet mechanism or an airbrush mechanism is made small and can be gripped by hand, the ease of use of a conventional writing instrument cannot be realized as it is. That is, when a ballpoint pen is taken as an example of a conventional writing instrument, the writer can write by simply touching the tip of the ballpoint pen with paper or the like, and when the tip of the ballpoint pen is released from the paper or the like, writing immediately stops. The techniques of Patent Literatures 1 and 2 cannot realize such a thing. In addition, since the ball pen moves ink onto the paper as the ball rolls on the paper or the like, the ink amount is moved to the paper or the like according to the way of writing, and is relatively independent of the writing speed. On the other hand, for example, even if you hold the inkjet mechanism or airbrush mechanism by hand and spray red ink on paper etc., you can write red if you move it slowly, but if you move it quickly it will become pink or faint May end up. Therefore, simply reducing the size of a printing mechanism such as an ink jet mechanism or an airbrush mechanism is less convenient than a conventional writing instrument.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pen with writing control and a writing control program for the pen that have ease of use similar to a conventional writing instrument.

The pen with writing control according to the present invention is a pen that is held by a hand and writes on a medium, and includes a pen housing in which an ink tank that stores ink of a desired color is provided, and a tip portion of the pen housing An ink jet head that has an ink discharge port at the tip and is connected to an ink tank, a colorimetric sensor that is provided at the pen tip and measures a color, and is formed on the medium while discharging ink. the color is detected by colorimetric sensor, a detection colors which are detected by the colorimetric sensor is compared with the target color can be set arbitrarily, until the target color when there is a difference between the detected color and the target color And a control unit that discharges ink and stops ink discharge when a target color is reached.

Further, in the pen with writing control according to the present invention, the control unit further obtains a model color detected by the colorimetric sensor from the colorimetric sensor when the pen tip is directed to the model color without ejecting ink, A storage processing unit that stores a model color or a related color that is arbitrarily determined in advance in relation to the model color, and a colorimetric sensor that detects the color on the medium while ejecting ink, and acquires the detected color It includes an ejection color acquisition unit and a storage comparison unit that reads a stored target color and compares it with a detected color .

  Moreover, the pen with writing control according to the present invention preferably further includes a grip sensor that detects the strength of gripping the pen, and the control unit preferably switches the target color according to the detection result of the grip sensor.

  In addition, the writing control program according to the present invention includes a pen tip that ejects ink of a desired color, a colorimetric sensor that is provided at the pen tip and measures a color, and ink at the pen tip according to the detection result of the colorimetric sensor. A program executed on a control unit of a pen with writing control including a control unit that controls ejection, a processing procedure for obtaining a detection result of a color on a medium from a colorimetric sensor, and detected detection If there is a difference between the detected color and the target color, the ink is ejected until the target color is reached. And a processing procedure for stopping the discharge.

  In the writing control program according to the present invention, the model color detected by the colorimetric sensor when the pen tip is directed to the model color without ejecting ink is acquired from the colorimetric sensor, and the model color or model color is obtained. A processing procedure for storing a related color arbitrarily determined in advance in relation to the target color, a processing procedure for causing the colorimetric sensor to detect a color on the medium while ejecting ink, and acquiring the detected color; And a processing procedure for reading out the target color and comparing it with the detected color.

Here, the ink and refers to general recording material, including for example, ink-like recording medium that can be used in an inkjet mechanism, paint-like recording medium, a touch-up paint materials and the like.

  Control of writing based on the detection result of the colorimetric sensor described above may be used alone, or may be used in combination with other reference examples 1 and 2 described later as necessary.

  According to at least one of the above-described configurations, a colorimetric sensor is provided, and the writing color on paper or the like detected by the colorimetric sensor is compared with a predetermined target color, and when there is a difference from the target color, it continues. Ink is ejected, and when the target color is reached, ink ejection is stopped. Thereby, writing of a desired color can be performed automatically, and there is no excess and deficiency with a desired color.

  Moreover, writing is controlled by the colorimetry mode and the writing mode. The color measurement sensor measures the model color when ink is not ejected in the color measurement mode, and measures the writing color on paper or the like while ejecting ink in the writing mode. The target color may be the same as the model color, or may be a color having a certain color harmony relationship with the model color, such as a complementary color of the model color. Then, the writing color is compared with the target color, and when there is a difference from the target color, ink is continuously discharged, and when the target color is reached, the ink discharge is stopped. Thereby, a desired color or a related color of the color can be automatically written, and there is no excess or deficiency with the target color.

  Further, by using the grip sensor, the target color can be switched by a simple operation that changes the strength of gripping the pen. For example, it is possible to write black ink when holding normally, and to strongly hold when writing red, convenience is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Below, what mainly uses an inkjet mechanism on behalf of the writing mechanism which can be electrically controlled is mainly demonstrated. The ink jet mechanism is a representative for explanation, and other writing mechanisms such as an airbrush mechanism may be used. When using an airbrush mechanism, a nozzle that ejects paint-like ink, a small pump that generates compressed gas, a small gas tank that stores gas, an electronic control valve that controls ink ejection from the nozzle, an ink tank, etc. The entire operation may be controlled by the control unit.

  In addition, the configuration of separate writing pens will be described for the action of sensors having different functions, but this is for convenience of explanation, and a writing pen in which a plurality of sensors having different functions are selected and mounted as necessary. But you can.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing Example 1 serving as a reference when combined with Examples 3 and 4 which are embodiments according to the present invention when necessary. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pen 10 with a writing control that ejects ink when the distance between the pen tip and the medium is equal to or less than the threshold interval, and stops ink ejection when the interval exceeds the threshold interval. The fracture surface is used. This pen 10 with writing control is a writing pen that has a small ink-jet mechanism and has a thickness suitable for holding by hand. If necessary, a cap (not shown) is used so that the pen tip is mechanically protected when the pen 10 with writing control is not used for writing, and the discharge portion of the ink jet mechanism is covered and protected from drying. It may be.

  The pen 10 with writing control has an ink jet head 24 at the tip of the housing 22, that is, at the pen tip, and includes an ink tank 26 connected to the ink jet head 24 therein. An ink discharge port 28 is provided at the tip of the inkjet head 24. In addition, an optical sensor 30 is provided at the tip of the pen 10 with writing control, and a sensor circuit 32 is provided inside the housing 22. The pen 10 with writing control is provided with a control circuit 40 connected to the sensor circuit 32 and the inkjet head 24, and a power circuit 42 is further provided.

  The ink jet head 24 is a writing head having a function of ejecting ink from the ejection port 28 by an electric signal. As the ink jet head 24, a piezoelectric ink jet head or a bubble jet (registered trademark) ink jet head widely used in a printer or the like can be used. The ink jet head 24 in FIG. 1 is shown as an element such as a piezoelectric ink jet head housed in a plastic case that is easy to write and easy to handle. A drive signal for the inkjet head 24 is supplied from the control circuit 40 through a signal line.

  A discharge port 28 is provided at the tip of the inkjet head 24. The discharge port 28 is provided for each color type. In FIG. 1, one discharge port 28 is shown as a black single color. The diameter of the discharge port 28 can be determined depending on how large the unit pixel is formed by spreading from the discharge medium 28 to reach a recording medium (not shown) and spreading on the recording medium by permeation or the like. For example, when plain paper is used as the recording medium and the unit pixel has a size of about 0.1 mm, a discharge port having a diameter of about 50 μm can be used.

  The ink tank 26 is a small tank that is connected to the inkjet head 24 by an ink passage and stores ink as a recording material. The ink tank 26 is preferably detachable from the ink-jet head 24 and can be exchanged as the ink is consumed. Such an ink tank 26 can be configured using an ink cartridge structure widely used in an ink jet printer or the like. For example, it is possible to use a foaming material having an appropriate ink ejection capacity provided therein and containing ink. The ink may be dye-based or pigment-based, and may be solid ink or oil-based paint. In addition to black ink and color ink, a base treatment agent and white ink may be included.

  The optical sensor 30 is preferably provided as a so-called reflective optical sensor by providing a light emitting element together with a light receiving element. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the configuration of the reflection type optical sensor 30 and the medium 50 such as paper. FIG. 2A shows the reflection type optical sensor 30 far away from the medium 50. (B) shows a state when the reflective optical sensor 30 approaches the medium 50 to the threshold distance D. FIG. In the reflective optical sensor 30, an LED as a light emitting element 36 and a photodiode as a light receiving element 38 are mounted on a substrate 34. A phototransistor may be used for the light receiving element 38. One end of each signal line is connected to each of the light emitting element 36 and the light receiving element 38, and the other end is connected to the control circuit 40.

  The operation of the reflection type optical sensor 30 having such a configuration will be described. When a light emission signal is supplied from the control circuit 40 to the light emitting element 36, light is emitted from the light emitting element 36 toward the medium 50, and the light reflected by the medium 50 returns to the reflective optical sensor 30. When the reflective optical sensor 30 is far from the medium 50 as shown in FIG. 2A, the light emitted from the light emitting element 36 and returning from the medium 50 is not necessarily received by the light receiving element 38. In some cases, the received light is weak because the interval is large, and the output of the light receiving element 38 has a small value. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the reflection type optical sensor 30 is sufficiently close to the medium 50 in the direction of the white arrow, a large amount of light is emitted from the light emitting element 36 and returns from the medium 50. The portion is received by the light receiving element 38, and the received light is also strong because the interval is small, and the output of the light receiving element 38 has a sufficiently large value.

  In this way, as the optical sensor 30 approaches the medium 50, the output of the light receiving element becomes a large value. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the distance between the optical sensor 30 and the medium 50, that is, the pen tip and the medium. The threshold distance D is determined in advance with respect to the distance 50, and the proximity and separation between the pen tip and the medium 50 can be determined using the output value of the light receiving element corresponding to the threshold distance D as a reference. The threshold distance D is preferably close to the writing sensation of a conventional writing instrument, and can be, for example, about 1 mm to several mm.

  The output signal of the light receiving element of the optical sensor 30 is input to the sensor circuit 32. The sensor circuit 32 processes the signal from the optical sensor 30, and outputs a proximity signal to the control circuit 40 when the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is equal to or less than the threshold distance D, and the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50. This is a circuit having a function of preventing the proximity signal from being output to the control circuit 40 when the threshold interval D is exceeded. When the optical sensor 30 includes the light emitting element 36, the driving circuit may be included in the sensor circuit 32. Specifically, the sensor circuit 32 includes an appropriate threshold value determination circuit. The threshold discriminating circuit uses the output value of the light receiving element corresponding to the threshold interval D as the threshold output value, and outputs a proximity signal of H level, for example, when the output value of the light receiving element is equal to or greater than the threshold output value. A circuit having a function of outputting an L-level proximity signal when the output is less than the threshold output, and can be configured by a general comparison circuit. In order to ensure the operation before and after the threshold interval D, an appropriate hysteresis circuit may be added. Further, the light emitting element 36 may be blinked, and the distance may be determined from the difference between lighting and extinguishing. Thereby, the influence of external light can be reduced. When the reflection from the medium 50 is small, the optical sensor 30 has a characteristic that it is hidden behind the pen when writing with a pen, for example, and does not react even when the threshold value D or less. If the reflectivity decreases during writing, the writing automatically stops despite the desire to continue writing, but the effect of external light is reduced by using a technique of flashing the light emitting element 36, etc., which is not intended. It is possible to prevent the writing interruption.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the control circuit 40 is a circuit that is connected to the sensor circuit 32 and has a function of controlling a drive signal supplied to the inkjet head 24 based on the output signal. That is, when a proximity signal is output from the sensor circuit 32, the control circuit 40 determines that the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is close to the threshold distance D or less, and causes the inkjet head 24 to discharge the ink. A drive signal for discharging ink from the outlet 28 is supplied. When the proximity signal is not output, the drive signal for the inkjet head 24 is stopped. The control circuit 40 can be configured by combining a logic circuit and a driver circuit. Further, a CPU and a driver circuit may be combined. In this case, the function of the control circuit 40 can be realized by software, and more specifically, by executing a corresponding writing control program.

  The power supply circuit 42 is a power supply circuit that supplies necessary power to the control circuit 40, the sensor circuit 32, the inkjet head 24, and the like. When the drive voltage of the inkjet head 24 is high, the power supply circuit 42 can include an appropriate booster circuit. Alternatively, the power circuit 42 may be taken out of the housing 22 and necessary power may be supplied to the control circuit 40 or the like by a cable or the like.

  The operation of the pen 10 with writing control will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which is a flowchart for writing control by comparison with the threshold interval. In the writing control by comparison with the threshold interval, ink is ejected when the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is equal to or less than the threshold interval D, and the pen tip is separated from the medium 50 beyond the threshold interval D. In some cases, the ink ejection is stopped.

  First, it is determined whether the pen 10 with writing control is in use (S10). For simplicity, the pen 10 with writing control may be provided with a use switch and turned on. However, for example, an acceleration sensor (not shown) may be provided on the case 22 so that the case 22 is hand-held. The pen 10 with writing control is in use by detecting that the cap is removed by a cap attaching / detaching sensor or the like when the pen 10 with writing control has a cap (not shown). Can be determined. If it is determined that it is not in use, the routine ends.

  If it is determined that it is in use, it is determined whether or not the distance between the pen tip and the medium is equal to or less than the threshold distance D (S12). If it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the threshold value D, ink is ejected (S14). When it is not determined that it is less than or equal to the threshold value D, that is, when it is determined that the threshold value D is exceeded, it is first determined whether or not ink is being discharged (S16), and if it is determined that ink is being discharged. Ink ejection is stopped (S18). That is, in this case, the ink is ejected when the distance between the pen tip and the medium is equal to or less than the threshold distance D in the previous state, but the threshold distance D is exceeded by the user lifting the pen tip or the like. In this case, the ink ejection is immediately stopped. When it is determined in S16 that the ink is not being ejected, since the interval between the pen tip and the medium originally exceeds the threshold interval D and still exceeds the threshold interval D, it is maintained as it is. Including this case, when the processes of S14 and S18 are completed, the process returns to S10 again. When the pen 10 with writing control includes the use switch, the process returns to S12.

  That is, the pen 10 with writing control is continuously monitored whether it is in use or whether the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is equal to or less than the threshold distance D. As a result, it is possible to perform control such that ink is ejected when the pen tip approaches the medium, and ink ejection is stopped when the pen tip moves away from the medium. Therefore, the writer can automatically write without moving any other operation just by moving the pen tip close to the place where he wants to write, and cannot write automatically when the pen tip is released. It becomes easy.

  Note that another non-contact type proximity sensor may be used instead of the optical sensor 30. For example, the distance from the pen tip to the medium 50 may be detected using a magnetic sensor or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the pen 12 with writing control that uses a contact type as a proximity sensor that detects a distance between the pen tip and the medium 50. In the following description, elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. This pen 12 with writing control is provided with a detection bar 60 that protrudes ahead of the ink jet head 24 instead of the optical sensor 30 and sensor circuit 32, and is connected to the base of the detection bar 60 inside the housing 22. A contact switch 62 is provided.

  The detection bar 60 is a bar having a function of transmitting to the root contact switch 62 that the pen tip comes into contact with the medium 50 when the pen tip approaches the medium 50 and is pressed thereby. The length of the detection bar 60 is set so as to protrude from the pen tip slightly longer than the threshold distance D. The slightly larger degree can be determined by the sensitivity stroke of the contact switch 62 or the like. For example, if the threshold distance D is about 2 mm and the sensitivity stroke of the contact switch 62, that is, the stroke that changes from OFF to ON is about 2 mm, it is preferable that the tip of the detection bar 60 protrudes from the pen tip by about 4 mm. The detection bar 60 can be a metal rod or a plastic rod having rigidity that is difficult to break.

  The contact switch 62 detects the movement of the detection bar 60 in the axial direction, and outputs a proximity signal to the control circuit 40 when the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is equal to or less than the threshold distance D. This is a switch having a function of preventing the proximity signal from being output to the control circuit 40 when the interval exceeds the threshold interval D. Specifically, when the pen tip approaches the medium 50 at an interval equal to or less than the threshold interval D, the contact is closed and an ON signal is supplied to the control circuit 40 as a proximity signal, and the pen tip exceeds the threshold interval D. When leaving, the contact is opened and the proximity signal is not output. In order to ensure the operation before and after the threshold interval D, a hysteresis circuit may be added to the contact switch 62. As the contact switch 62, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor known as a general proximity sensor can be used in addition to a mechanical opening / closing switch.

  When a proximity signal is output from the contact switch 62, the control circuit 40 determines that the distance between the pen tip and the medium 50 is close to the threshold distance D or less, and causes the inkjet head 24 to supply the ejection port 28. A drive signal for ejecting ink is supplied. When the proximity signal is not output, the drive signal for the inkjet head 24 is stopped.

  The operation of the contact-type proximity sensor having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the pen 12 with writing control is sufficiently separated from the medium 50. Since the tip of the detection bar 60 is not yet in contact with the medium 50, the contact switch 62 is opened. That is, the proximity signal is not supplied to the control circuit 40 in the off state. Therefore, the control circuit 40 does not supply a drive signal to the inkjet head 24, and ink is not ejected from the ejection port 28 at the tip of the inkjet head 24, and writing is not performed. FIG. 5B shows that the writer 12 brings the pen 12 with writing control sufficiently close to the medium 50 in the direction of the white arrow, the tip of the detection bar 60 contacts the medium 50, and closes the contact switch 62. This is when the proximity signal is supplied to the control circuit 40 in the ON state. At this time, the distance between the ejection port 28 at the tip of the inkjet head 24 and the medium 50 is set to be the threshold distance D. Then, an ON signal of the contact switch 62, that is, a proximity signal is acquired, the control circuit 40 supplies a drive signal to the inkjet head 24, and ink is ejected as a droplet 29 from the ejection port 28 at the tip of the inkjet head 24. Written.

  As described above, the contact-type proximity sensor can be used to control to discharge ink when the pen tip approaches the medium and stop discharging ink when the pen tip moves away from the medium. Therefore, the writer can automatically write without moving any other operation just by moving the pen tip close to the place where he wants to write, and cannot write automatically when the pen tip is released. It becomes easy.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing Example 2 that is a reference when combining Examples 3 and 4 which are embodiments according to the present invention when necessary. FIG. 6 shows a pen with a writing control that discharges ink according to the path length, which is the length that the pen tip moves over the medium, and stops the ink discharge when the pen length does not change and the pen is not moving. FIG. In the following description, elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the pen 14 with writing control, a path sensor 64 is provided at the pen tip instead of the optical sensor 30 and the sensor circuit 32, and the sensor circuit 66 is provided inside the housing 22.

  The road sensor 64 has a function of detecting that the pen tip is in contact with the medium 50 and further detecting the length S of the road in which the pen tip moves while contacting the medium. As the road sensor 64, a sensor that detects the rotation of the roller using a roller, determines the moving distance of the roller on the medium, and uses this as the road length S can be used. Alternatively, for example, an acceleration sensor or the like is provided in the housing 2 to detect the movement of the pen tip, and the pen tip speed and the pen tip position are obtained by integrating the acceleration, etc. The length may be detected.

  The sensor circuit 66 receives the signal from the road sensor 64 and processes it. The sensor circuit 66 obtains the road length S from the fact that the pen tip has contacted the medium and the output of the road sensor 64, and based on this, the control circuit 40 is supplied with the pen. This is a circuit having a function of outputting the previous movement state. Specifically, a change in the road length S over time is obtained, and when the road length S does not change within a predetermined time interval, a stop signal is output to the control circuit 40 as a result that the pen tip is stopped. . When it is recognized that there is a time change in the road length S, the road length S is output to the control circuit 40. An appropriate differentiating circuit can be used to detect a time change of the road length S.

  When a stop signal is output from the sensor circuit 66, the control circuit 40 does not output a drive signal for the inkjet head 24, assuming that the pen tip is not moving. When the stop signal is not issued and the road length S is received, a drive signal for discharging ink from the discharge port 28 is supplied to the inkjet head 24 according to the road length S that changes every moment. At this time, the drive signal is supplied so that the ink discharge amount per unit length of the road length S is substantially constant. For example, when the size of each ink droplet is constant, the number of driving pulses corresponding to the path length S is set. Further, in the case of a system in which the size of each ink droplet can be varied, the content of the drive signal is varied so that the size of the ink droplet corresponds to the path length per unit time. As described above, the ink discharge amount is controlled according to the road length S when the pen tip is moving in contact with the medium using the road sensor. That is, if the road length S is doubled, the cumulative ink discharge amount is doubled, and the ink density in writing is made substantially constant. Further, when the pen tip is not moving, ink ejection is stopped even if the pen tip is in contact with the medium. Therefore, the writer can automatically perform writing at a substantially constant density by moving the pen tip on the medium without any other operation. Ink does not come out, and it is easy to use as a conventional writing instrument.

  The operation of the pen 10 with writing control will be described with reference to FIG. 7 which is a flowchart for writing control based on the road length. First, it is determined whether or not the pen 14 with writing control is in use (S20). The contents of this process are the same as S10 in FIG. If it is determined that it is not in use, the routine ends.

  If it is determined that it is in use, the road length S is detected (S22). At this time, it is also detected whether or not the pen tip is in contact with the medium. When the pen tip is not in contact with the medium, whether or not ink is being ejected is determined in the same manner as described in FIG. 3 (see S16 in FIG. 3), and ink ejection is stopped when ink is being ejected (see FIG. 3). (See S18 in FIG. 3).

  When the pen tip is in contact with the medium, it is determined whether or not the pen tip is moving depending on whether the path length S is changed over time (S24). As described above, the presence / absence of the movement of the pen tip is determined by the time change of the path length S. When it is determined that the pen tip is moving, the ink discharge amount corresponding to the path length S is determined by the inkjet head 24. (S26). If it is determined that the pen tip is not moving, it is first determined whether ink is being ejected (S28). If it is determined that ink is being ejected, ink ejection is stopped (S30). The contents of the steps S28 and S30 are the same as S16 and S18 in FIG. 3, respectively. Including this case, when the processes of S26 and S30 are completed, the process returns to S20 again. When the pen 14 with writing control is provided with the use switch, the process returns to S22.

  That is, the pen 10 with writing control is continuously monitored for the path length S when the pen tip is in use, the pen tip is in contact with the medium, the pen tip is moving, or moving. Thereby, when the pen tip is moving on the medium, the ink amount corresponding to the path length S is discharged, and the ink discharge is controlled to stop when the pen tip stops or the pen tip moves away from the medium. Can do. In other words, the writer can write at almost the same density regardless of the writing speed when writing as if using a ballpoint pen, and no more ink is produced if the movement of the pen tip is stopped. In other words, even if you write faster or slower, you can write in the same shade, and even though you wanted to write in red, it will not be pink or faded, and it will be easier to use than conventional writing instruments. Become.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing Example 3 which is one of the embodiments according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing in which a nib is provided with a colorimetric sensor, and ink is ejected to a target color that is arbitrarily determined in advance based on the detected color detected by the colorimetric sensor, and ink ejection is stopped when the target color is reached. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pen 16 with control. In the following description, elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  This pen 16 with writing control is provided with a full-color inkjet head 25 at the pen tip 70, and a full-color ink tank 27 is provided in the housing 22 correspondingly. The pen tip 70 is provided with a colorimetric sensor 90 capable of measuring a full color, and the sensor circuit 92 is provided inside the housing 22. In addition, a target color switching sensor 94 that switches the target color according to the inclination of the housing 22 or the strength of gripping can be provided as necessary.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state when the pen tip 70 of the pen 16 with writing control is viewed from the front. The pen tip 70 has light emission windows 72, 74, and 76 that can independently emit light of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors for detecting a full color, and a light emission window 72. , 74, and 76 are radiated to the object, and a light receiving sensor 78 for detecting reflected light from the object is provided. Appropriate LEDs are respectively arranged inside the housing 22 of the light emission windows 72, 74, 76. By adjusting the light filter characteristics of the light emission windows 72, 74, and 76 and the light emission characteristics of the LEDs disposed behind the light emission windows, the light of R, G, and B can be emitted from the light emission windows 72, 74, and 76. it can. The light receiving sensor 78 can use a wide band photodiode or phototransistor. The pen tip 70 is provided with ejection openings 80, 82, 84, and 86 for C (cyan), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and K (black) of the full-color inkjet head 25.

Under the control of the control circuit 40, the sensor circuit 92 sequentially supplies light emission drive signals to the LEDs behind the light emission windows 72, 74, and 76 with a time difference, and corresponding signals from the light receiving sensor 78 are supplied. It has a function of processing and outputting to the control circuit 40 as R, G, B color detection signals. For example, emit colors R from the light emitting window 72 at time T _1, the output of the light receiving sensor 78 at that time is R detection signal, emits a color of G from the light emitting window 74 at time T _2, the light receiving at the time the output of the sensor 78 and G detection signal, and emits the color from the light emitting window 76 B at time T _3, and B detection signal output from the light receiving sensor 78 at that time. In this way, a set of signals detected at times T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ are output to the control circuit 40 as colorimetric signals related to the detected color for the object.

  The control circuit 40 is connected to the sensor circuit 92 and is a circuit having a function of controlling a drive signal supplied to the full-color inkjet head 25 based on an output signal thereof, that is, a colorimetric signal related to the detected color. Control is performed by comparing a target color arbitrarily determined in advance with a detected color. The target color is preferably stored in an appropriate memory inside or outside the control circuit 40, and the data is preferably stored in a format that can be easily compared with a colorimetric signal relating to the detected color. Specifically, the detection color is acquired, the target color is read out, the difference between the detection color and the target color is obtained, and the discharge ports 80, 80 for each color of the full-color inkjet head 25 necessary to eliminate this difference. The drive signals for 82, 84 and 86 are obtained, and the obtained drive signals are supplied to the full-color inkjet head 25. For example, assuming that the target color is indicated by the reflectance of the RGB space and the color is (R100, G50, B50), and the detected color is (R70, G50, B50), R is insufficient from this comparison. In order to fill this difference, the ejection ratio from each ejection port of CYM is obtained, and the corresponding drive signals are supplied to the full-color inkjet head 25.

  The target color can be switched as well as one color built in the memory in advance. For example, a pen 16 with writing control can be provided with a plurality of color buttons in advance, and the desired color button can be set so that the color becomes the target color. Alternatively, the target color may be changed by the writer changing the way of holding the pen 16 with writing control without using a button or the like. A target color switching sensor 94 shown in FIG. 8 is a sensor that enables the writer to change the target color through the pen 16 with writing control.

  An example of the target color switching sensor 94 is an inclination sensor. The tilt sensor is a sensor having a function of detecting the tilt of the housing 22 with respect to a medium such as paper. For example, the target color is black in the range of the tilt angle at the time of normal writing, and the target color is set to red when the pen tip is raised from the normal tilt, that is, when the pen tip is laid down, etc. Switching can be done. The inclination angle may be divided into a plurality of solid angle regions, and each may be a plurality of different target colors. As such an inclination sensor, an inclination detection axis or the like that moves integrally with the pen tip, and a sensor that detects a gap or the like between the inclination detection axis and the housing 22 can be used. When the medium 50 is limited to paper or the like on a desk, a gravity sensor or the like that detects the direction of gravity may be provided in the housing 22 to detect the inclination between the gravity direction and the longitudinal axis of the housing 22. Good.

  An example of the target color switching sensor 94 is a grip sensor. The grip sensor is a sensor having a function of detecting a grip force that is a strength for gripping the housing 22. For example, switching can be performed such that the target color is black in the range of gripping force during normal writing, and the target color is red when gripping the housing 22 with a gripping force stronger than that range.

  In this manner, by using the target color switching sensor 94, it is possible to detect that the writer takes a state different from the normal writing state, and to automatically change the target color, thereby improving convenience.

  The operation of the pen 16 with writing control will be described with reference to FIG. 10 which is a flowchart for writing control by comparison with the target color. Here, the following procedure will be described assuming that the pen 16 with writing control is already in use. First, a target color is set (S40). The target color may be set in advance in the memory, or may be set with the changeover switch as described above. When the target color can be switched depending on the writing state, the switching content needs to be set in the memory. Next, the color on the medium is detected using the colorimetric sensor 90 (S42). Since the colorimetric sensor 90 is a full-color reflective optical sensor, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the distance between the medium and the pen tip can be detected by itself. Accordingly, it is assumed that ink is not ejected when the distance between the pen tip and the medium exceeds the threshold distance D. In the following description, it is assumed that the distance between the pen tip and the medium is equal to or less than the threshold distance D.

  When the detected color is acquired from the colorimetric sensor 90, it is determined whether or not the detected color matches the target color (S44). Specifically, the target color is read from a memory or the like and compared with the detected color. If it is determined that they match, ink ejection is stopped (S46). If it is determined that they do not match, the ratio of the CYMK ejection colors for matching is determined in accordance with the mismatch, and the corresponding drive signal is supplied to the full-color inkjet head 25 for handling. Ink of the color to be discharged is ejected (S48). Then, the process returns to S44 again, and the color detected by the colorimetric sensor 90 is compared with the target color. That is, until the detected color matches the target color, the comparison and the ink ejection for eliminating the difference are continued. If the detected color matches the target color, ink ejection is stopped according to S46.

  That is, the pen 16 with writing control is continuously monitored for the difference between the target color and the writing color on the medium, in addition to monitoring whether the pen tip is in use or whether the pen tip is below the threshold interval D. Thereby, writing of a desired color can be performed automatically, and there is no excess and deficiency with a desired color.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating Example 4 which is one of the embodiments according to the present invention. In FIG. 11, a recognition button 96 of the colorimetric sensor 90 is further provided on the pen 16 with writing control described in FIG. 8 so that the model color or the like recognized by the colorimetric sensor 90 can be set as a target color by the recognition button 96. It is a figure which shows the pen 18 with writing control. Since the configuration except for the recognition button 96 is the same as that of the pen 16 with writing control of FIG. 8 including the colorimetric sensor 90 and the sensor circuit 92, the differences will be mainly described below.

  The recognition button 96 is a button for discriminating whether the function of the colorimetric sensor 90 is the colorimetry of the model color or the colorimetry of the writing color on the medium and informing the control circuit 40. That is, when the writer wants to inform the control circuit 40 of the model color, the pen tip 70 is brought to the model color, for example, a desired color in the color palette without ejecting ink, and the recognition button 96 is turned on. To do. As a result, the colorimetric sensor 90 of the nib 70 detects the color in the color palette, and the colorimetric data is transmitted to the control circuit 40 via the sensor circuit 92 (model colorimetry mode, simply colorimetry mode and May be). The control circuit 40 receives the ON signal of the recognition button 96, distinguishes this data as being related to the model color, and stores it. On the other hand, when the writer wants to write on the medium, the recognition button 96 is turned off while ink is ejected. Thereby, the colorimetric sensor 90 of the pen tip 70 detects the color of writing on the medium, and the colorimetric data is transmitted to the control circuit 40 via the sensor circuit 92 (writing colorimetric mode, simply writing mode). It may be said). The control circuit 40 receives the off signal of the recognition button 96, and can distinguish that this data relates to the writing color.

  The target color is set from the model color data. In general, the model color is the target color. The target color may be a related color that is arbitrarily determined in advance in relation to the model color. For example, it may be a color having a certain color harmony relationship with the model color, such as a complementary color of the model color. A color having a certain color harmony relationship with the model color can be arranged so that the color arrangement is conspicuous if it is arranged next to the model color. Therefore, if a certain color is written or painted, then that color is used as the model color, and the complementary color is used as the target color and written next to the previously painted color, it is easy to make the color scheme stand out.

  In this way, the target color is determined based on the model color and stored. Then, writing control is performed by comparing the target color with a detected color that is a color on the medium. The control method is the same as that described in FIG.

  The operation of the pen 18 with writing control is shown in FIG. 12, which is a flowchart for writing control by comparison with a target color based on a model color obtained in the colorimetric mode, having a colorimetric mode and a writing mode. I will explain. Here, the following procedure will be described assuming that the pen 18 with writing control is already in use. First, the pen is moved to the model color (S50). Specifically, the pen tip 70 is brought close to a desired color portion in the model or color palette. For example, taking the case where green is painted on a canvas as a recording medium, the pen tip 70 is brought close to the green paint in the color palette. For example, when it is desired to paint the same color as the green grass in front of the eyes on the canvas, the pen tip 70 may be brought close to the green grass. Since this step is an operation performed by the user, in order to distinguish it from the control operation of the control circuit 40, it is indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  Next, the recognition button 96 is pressed (S52). Although this step is also a step performed by the user, a signal indicating that the recognition button 96 has been pressed is transmitted to the control circuit 40. Then, the control circuit 40 drives each LED of the colorimetric sensor 90, emits light from the light emission windows 72, 74, and 76 onto the color palette, and causes the light receiving sensor 78 to detect the reflected light. As described above, the LEDs are driven sequentially, and the light receiving sensor 78 is detected in synchronization with the LEDs, so that the colors of R, G, and B are distinguished and detected. Since the detection signal of the light receiving sensor 78 is sent to the control circuit 40 via the signal line, the control circuit 40 measures the model color ahead of the pen tip 70 based on the signal (S54). . In the above example, the color measurement is “color model is green”. Since the recognition button 96 is pressed to identify or recognize the model color, the operation of pressing the recognition button 96 may be stopped once the identification is completed.

  Then, the control circuit 40 determines a target color based on a predetermined rule based on the measured color model data, and temporarily stores it in an appropriate memory (S56). For example, if the rule is to set the model color as the target color, the target color is green in the above example. This is because the temporary storage has a time difference until writing. Further, the control circuit 40 reads out the temporarily stored target color at an appropriate timing until writing, and selects an ejection condition corresponding to the target color (S58). In the above example, since the target color is green, the drive signal conditions for ejecting Y and M colors to the inkjet head 24 are selected. The selected discharge condition is placed in a standby state until writing. A conversion table is prepared for associating the color detected in advance with the driving conditions for the ink jet head. After the model color measurement step (S54), conversion to the corresponding driving conditions is performed and stored. It is good.

  Next, the pen tip 70 is moved to a desired location on the recording medium to be written (S60). The contents of the subsequent processes are the same as the processes after S42 in FIG. 10. The detected color and the target color are compared, and if they do not match, the ink of the corresponding color is ejected until they match, and the detected color And the target color match, ink ejection is stopped.

  That is, the pen 18 with writing control can acquire a desired model color by using the color measurement mode, and can determine a target color based on the desired model color. For the target color, the detected color and the target color are set by the writing mode. Can be matched. Therefore, in order to select the color to be written, the writer can select various writing colors just by bringing the pen tip to the color and memorizing the color, such as color writing or color filling. Convenience is improved. In addition, complementary colors and the like related to the color can be automatically written, and convenience is improved.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the pen with writing control using the comparison with a threshold space as Example 1 used as a reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention. In Example 1 used as reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the relationship between the structure of a reflection type optical sensor, and media, such as paper. In Example 1 used as reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the writing control by comparison with a threshold space | interval. In Example 1 used as a reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of the pen with a writing control which uses a contact-type proximity sensor. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of a contact-type proximity sensor in Example 1 used as a reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pen with writing control which uses the path length as Example 2 used as a reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the writing control which uses path length in Example 2 used as reference with respect to embodiment which concerns on this invention. In Example 3 as embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of the pen with writing control which uses a comparison with a target color. In Example 3 as embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows a mode when the pen tip provided with a colorimetric sensor is seen from a front. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the writing control which uses the comparison with a target color in Example 3 as embodiment which concerns on this invention. In Example 4 as embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of the pen with writing control which has colorimetry mode and writing mode. In Example 4 as embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the writing control using a colorimetry mode and writing mode.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 12, 14, 16, 18 Pen with writing control, 22 Case, 24, 25 Inkjet head, 26, 27 Ink tank, 28, 80, 82, 84, 86 Discharge port, 29 droplet, 30 Light sensor, 32, 66, 92 sensor circuit, 34 substrate, 36 light emitting element, 38 light receiving element, 40 control circuit, 42 power supply circuit, 50 medium, 60 detection bar, 62 contact switch, 64 road sensor, 72, 74, 76 light emitting window, 78 Light receiving sensor, 90 Color measuring sensor, 94 Target color switching sensor, 96 Recognition button.

Claims (5)

A pen that is held by hand and written on a medium,
A pen housing in which an ink tank for storing ink of a desired color is provided;
An ink jet head provided at a pen tip which is a tip portion of a pen housing, having an ink ejection port at the tip, and connected to an ink tank;
A colorimetric sensor provided at the pen tip for measuring color;
While discharging ink from detecting color on the medium in the colorimetric sensor, it compares the detected color detected by the color measurement sensor, and a target color can be set arbitrarily, there is a difference between the detected color and the target color In some cases, the ink is discharged until the target color is reached, and when the target color is reached, the controller stops the ink discharge,
A pen with writing control. The pen with writing control according to claim 1,
Control unit further,
The model color detected by the colorimetric sensor when the pen tip is directed to the model color without ejecting ink is acquired from the colorimetric sensor, and the target color is determined in advance in relation to the model color or model color. A storage processing unit for storing as a color;
A discharge color acquisition unit that detects a color on the medium with a colorimetric sensor while discharging ink, and acquires the detected color;
A storage comparison unit that reads out the stored target color and compares it with the detected color;
A pen with writing control, characterized by comprising: In the pen with writing control according to claim 1 or 2,
It has a grip sensor that detects the strength of gripping the pen,
The control unit switches the target color according to the detection result of the grip sensor, and is a pen with writing control. Writing that includes a nib that ejects ink of a desired color, a colorimetric sensor that is provided at the nib and measures a color, and a controller that controls ink ejection of the nib according to the detection result of the colorimetric sensor A program executed on the control unit of the pen with control,
A processing procedure for obtaining a color detection result on the medium from the colorimetric sensor;
A processing procedure for comparing the detected color to be detected with a target color that is arbitrarily determined;
When there is a difference between the detected color and the target color for the pen tip, ink is ejected until the target color is reached, and when the target color is reached, the ink ejection is stopped, and
Writing control program characterized that you run a. The writing control program according to claim 4, further comprising:
The model color detected by the colorimetric sensor when the pen tip is directed to the model color without ejecting ink is acquired from the colorimetric sensor, and the target color is determined in advance in relation to the model color or model color. Processing procedure to store as color;
A process for detecting the color on the medium with a colorimetric sensor while discharging ink, and acquiring the detected color;
A processing procedure for reading the stored target color and comparing it with the detected color;
A writing control program characterized by executing

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