JP6528450B2 - Handwriting input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a handwriting input device using an input pen and a sensor sheet.

  Patent Document 1 describes an example of a handwriting input device including a pressure-sensitive touch panel. In the handwriting input device, when the user performs handwriting input on a sheet placed on the touch panel with a pen or the like, the handwriting is acquired as electronic handwriting and is input to the PDA.

JP, 2006-172230, A

  Generally, when a sheet is placed on a touch panel and handwriting input is performed, if the sheet is shifted or inclined with respect to the touch panel, handwriting input information can not be acquired correctly. In this respect, in Patent Document 1, since the sheet bundle is attached to the notebook body, it is not assumed that the sheet moves during the entry.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a handwriting input device capable of correctly outputting information input by handwriting even when the sheet is shifted or inclined.

One aspect of the present invention is a handwriting input device comprising a sheet of paper and an input device, wherein the sheet of paper is provided with a plurality of check boxes at different predetermined positions, and within each check box A mark of a predetermined shape is printed, and the input device detects input information by detecting a change in capacitance at a contact position between the sensor sheet that detects a change in capacitance and the sensor sheet. Input information detection means, mark detection means for detecting the positions of a plurality of marks of the predetermined shape entered with conductive ink in a check box of a sheet disposed on the sensor sheet, and Position detection means for detecting the position and the inclination of the sheet placed on the sensor sheet with respect to the sensor sheet based on the position; Based on the slope, and a correcting means for outputting the correcting the input information.

The above-described handwriting input device includes a sheet and an input device. The sheet is provided with a plurality of check boxes at different positions determined in advance, and a mark of a predetermined shape is printed in each check box. At the start of writing on a sheet, the user first writes a mark by tracing a mark of a predetermined shape in each check box with a pen or the like containing conductive ink. The input device detects input information by detecting a change in capacitance at a contact position of a pen or the like by a capacitive sensor sheet. The paper to be placed on the sensor sheet, a plurality of marks of a predetermined shape that the user has filled with conductive ink, the sensor sheet to detect these marks. Based on the positions of the plurality of marks detected, the position and the inclination of the sheet placed on the sensor sheet with respect to the sensor sheet are detected, and the input information is corrected based on the positions and the inclination. As a result, even when the sheet is displaced or inclined with respect to the sensor sheet, input information on the sheet can be correctly acquired.

  In one aspect of the above-described handwriting input device, the arrangement state detection unit calculates the relationship between the origin coordinates of the sensor sheet and the origin coordinates of the sheet based on the position coordinates of the plurality of marks on the sensor sheet. And detect the position of the sheet with respect to the sensor sheet. Further, the arrangement state detection means detects an inclination of the sheet with respect to the sensor sheet based on position coordinates of the plurality of marks on the sensor sheet.

  In another aspect of the above-mentioned handwriting input device, the input information detection means, the mark detection means, the arrangement state detection means and the correction means repeatedly operate while the input by the pen is continued, and after correction Keep outputting the input information of. As a result, even if the position of the sheet has moved on the sensor sheet during handwriting input by the user, it is possible to continue acquiring input information correctly.

  Another aspect of the above-described handwriting input device includes transmission means for transmitting the corrected input information to an external terminal device. Thus, the input information can be displayed on an external terminal device or the like.

In a preferred example, the check box is provided at four corners of the sheet .

  In another preferable example, the handwriting input device determines the range to which the eraser including the conductive material has moved as the erase range based on the change in capacitance, and erases the input information belonging to the erase range. Equipped with This makes it possible to delete the entry information.

  In another preferred embodiment, both sides of the sensor sheet are covered by a transparent resin. This makes it possible to use the handwriting input device in a book or the like.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a handwriting input system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing functional composition of a handwriting input device. It is a block diagram showing functional composition of a terminal unit. It is a figure explaining the method of position correction of handwriting input information. 5 shows an example of entry data stored in a data storage unit. It is a flowchart of position correction. The method of forming the mark is shown. An example of arrangement of marks is shown. It is sectional drawing of the modification of a handwriting input device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a handwriting input system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The handwriting input system includes a handwriting input device (hereinafter simply referred to as “input device”) 10 and a terminal device 20. The input device 10 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as “handwriting input information”) written on the sheet 31 by the user with the pen 32 and transmits the information to the terminal device 20 by wireless communication. The terminal device 20 displays the handwriting input information received from the input device 10.

  The input device 10 includes a sensor sheet 11 and a circuit unit 18. The sensor sheet 11 is capacitive and has a rectangular shape. The circuit unit 18 is provided at a predetermined end of the input device 10, and a circuit that configures a communication unit, a storage unit, and the like described later is formed.

  At the time of input, the user arranges the sheet 31 on the sensor sheet 11 and performs handwriting input (entry) on the sheet by the pen 32. The sheet may be plain, or something may be printed in advance. The pen 32 is, for example, a pencil, a mechanical pen, etc., and a conductive material may be included in the core portion, that is, the portion in contact with the sensor sheet 11. The sensor sheet 11 detects a change in electrostatic capacitance of the internal electrode by the contact or proximity of the conductive material of the pen 32, and the position coordinates of the position where the pen 32 is in contact with the sensor sheet 11 via the sheet 31 Identify. By continuously detecting the coordinates of the contact position of the pen 32 with respect to the sensor sheet 11, it is possible to acquire characters, symbols, pictures, etc. handwritten by the user.

  The terminal device 20 is a device for displaying the handwriting input information acquired by the input device 10, and preferably has a certain display area corresponding to the sheet 31. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a tablet terminal device as the terminal device 20, the terminal device 20 may be a normal desktop PC, a laptop PC, or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the input device 10. The input device 10 includes a communication unit 12, a timer 13, a memory 14, a data storage unit 15, and a control unit 16 in addition to the sensor sheet 11. The communication unit 12, the timer 13, the memory 14, the data storage unit 15, and the control unit 16 are provided in the circuit unit 18 shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 12 transmits the handwriting input information acquired by the input device 10 to the terminal device 20 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. The timer 13 measures the current time.

  The memory 14 stores a program for performing position correction of handwriting input information described later. The memory 14 also functions as a working memory when performing position correction.

  The data storage unit 15 stores entry data including the entry position detected by the sensor sheet 11 when the user performs handwriting input. Details of the entry data will be described later.

  The control unit 16 controls the entire input device 10 by executing a program stored in advance in the memory 14 and performs position correction of handwritten input information.

  In the above configuration, the sensor sheet 11 is an example of the handwriting input information detection means and the mark detection means of the present invention, the control unit 16 is an example of the arrangement state detection means and the correction means, and the communication unit 12 is an example of the transmission means. It is.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 includes a display unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 23. The display unit 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The communication unit 22 communicates with the communication unit 12 of the input device 10 by wireless communication, and receives handwriting input information from the input device 10. The control unit 23 controls the entire terminal device 20. Further, the control unit 23 performs a process of displaying the handwriting input information received by the communication unit 22 from the input device 10 on the display unit 21.

[Position correction]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the user arranges the sheet 31 on the sensor sheet 11 of the input device 10 and performs handwriting input with the pen 32, the user usually arranges the sheet 31 near the center of the sensor sheet 11. At this time, the user does not necessarily arrange the four sides of the sheet 31 so as to be parallel to the four sides of the sensor sheet 11. In addition, unless the sheet 31 is fixed to the sensor sheet 11 by a tape or the like, the sheet 31 often shifts or rotates as the user continues the handwriting input. Specifically, when the right-handed user continues handwriting input with the right hand, the paper 31 is gradually shifted to the right, or the paper is rotating up and down (clockwise or counterclockwise) There is a tendency to So, in a present Example, when a user starts handwriting input and the shift of the paper 31 which arises while continuing handwriting input is detected, based on this, handwriting input information is correct | amended. This is hereinafter referred to as "position correction".

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of marks are formed in advance on the sheet 31, and the arrangement state of the sheet 31, specifically, the position of the sheet 31 with respect to the sensor sheet 11 and the sheet are detected by detecting the marks. Detect the inclination of 31. Then, based on the detected position and inclination of the sheet, the writing position detected by the sensor sheet 11 is corrected.

  First, correction regarding the position of the sheet 31 with respect to the sensor sheet 11 will be described. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the sheet 31 is disposed on the sensor sheet 11. As illustrated, the sheet 31 is provided with marks M1 to M4 at four corners. In the following description, when the marks M1 to M4 are not distinguished from one another, they are simply described as "mark M", and when referring to a specific one, they are described as "mark M1" or the like. Further, for convenience of explanation, each mark M has a size corresponding to one coordinate point on the sensor sheet 11.

  The mark M is made of a conductive material and is formed on the sheet 31 by, for example, a conductive ink. Therefore, when the sheet 31 is disposed on the sensor sheet 11, the input device 10 detects the position coordinates of the mark M on the sensor sheet 11. be able to.

  In FIG. 4A, a lower left corner of the sensor sheet 11 is referred to as an origin (hereinafter referred to as a “sensor origin”) Os, and a coordinate system (hereinafter referred to as an X axis and a Y axis) Define also as “Sensor coordinate system”. A coordinate system in which the lower left corner of the sheet 31 is an origin (hereinafter referred to as "paper origin") Op and the lower side and the left side of the sheet 31 are x and y axes (hereinafter referred to as "paper coordinate system") Define.).

  Now, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the sheet 31 is placed at a certain position on the sensor sheet 11. In this example, it is assumed that the four sides of the sheet 31 are substantially parallel to the corresponding four sides of the sensor sheet 11. The sensor sheet 11 detects four marks M1 to M4 of the sheet 31, and the control unit 16 acquires positional coordinates of the marks M1 to M4 in the sensor coordinate system. Here, assuming that the position coordinate of the paper origin Op is Op (a, b) as shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 16 acquires the position coordinate of the mark M1 as the position coordinate of the paper origin Op Do. In this case, assuming that the position coordinates of the writing position by the pen 32 in the sensor coordinate system are P (X, Y), the position coordinates p (x, y) of the writing position in the paper coordinate system are given by the following equation.

p (x, y) = P (Xa, Yb) (1)
As described above, the writing position in the sensor coordinate system is converted to the writing position in the paper coordinate system by detecting the position of the mark M1 provided on the paper 31 and acquiring the position coordinates of the paper origin Op in the sensor coordinate system. be able to. Also, even if the paper 31 is gradually shifted in the vertical and horizontal directions while the user continues writing, the position of the mark M1 is continuously detected and conversion is performed by the equation (1), thereby the input device 10 always makes it possible to correctly obtain the entry position in the paper coordinate system.

  When the sheet 31 is placed on the sensor sheet 11, the sensor sheet 11 detects four positional coordinates corresponding to the four marks M1 to M4, but the control unit 16 detects the four positional coordinates detected. Among them, position coordinates closest to the sensor origin Os may be determined to be position coordinates of the mark M1.

  Next, correction regarding the inclination of the sheet 31 will be described. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the sheet 31 is disposed counterclockwise with respect to the lower side of the sensor sheet 11 and inclined by θ. Note that definitions of the sensor coordinate system, the paper coordinate system, and the like are assumed to be the same as those in FIG.

  The sensor sheet 11 detects four marks M1 to M4 of the sheet 31, and the control unit 16 acquires positional coordinates of the marks M1 to M4 in the sensor coordinate system. Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, position coordinates of the mark M1 in the sensor coordinate system, that is, coordinates of the paper origin Op are Op (a, b), and coordinates of the mark M2 in the sensor coordinate system are (c , D), the inclination θ is given by the following equation.

θ = tan ⁻¹ {(d−b) / (c−a)} (2)
Therefore, the control unit 16 can obtain the correct writing position in consideration of the inclination θ by rotating the writing position in the paper coordinate system obtained by the equation (1) clockwise by the angle θ.

  As described above, by detecting the positions of the marks M1 and M2 provided on the sheet 31 and calculating the inclination θ of the sheet 31, it is possible to acquire the correct writing position even if the sheet 31 is inclined. In addition, even if the sheet 31 is gradually rotated while the user continues writing, the position of the marks M1 and M2 is continuously detected, the inclination θ is calculated, and correction is always performed. It becomes possible to acquire the entry position in the system correctly. In the above example, the inclination θ is obtained using the marks M1 and M2, but the inclination θ may be obtained using the marks M3 and M4.

  Next, data stored in the input device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of the entry data stored in the data storage unit 15 of the input device 10. The control unit 16 of the input device 10 acquires the current time from the timer 13 and stores the entry data every predetermined time (every second in the example of FIG. 5). The entry data includes "paper origin coordinates", "inclination", "entry coordinates in sensor coordinate system", and "entry coordinates in paper coordinate system". The “paper origin coordinates” are coordinates in the sensor coordinate system of the paper origin Op as described above. The “inclination” is the inclination θ of the lower side of the sensor sheet 11, that is, the lower side of the sheet 31 with respect to the X axis of the sensor coordinate system. As described above, the control unit 16 detects the position coordinates of the marks M1 to M4 in the sensor coordinate system by the sensor sheet 11, and calculates and stores the paper origin coordinates Op and the inclination θ based on these.

  The “input coordinates in the sensor coordinate system” is position coordinates of the pen 32 on the sensor sheet 11. In addition, “an entry coordinate in the paper coordinate system” is a coordinate of an entry position by the pen 32 on the sheet 31, and as described above, position correction using a paper origin coordinate and an inclination with respect to the entry coordinate in the sensor coordinate system It is obtained by doing. Then, the input device 10 transmits “writing coordinates in the paper coordinate system” to the terminal device 20 as handwriting input information. The terminal device 20 displays the received handwritten input information on the display unit 21.

  Although not shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 16 of the input device 10 may store the coordinates of the marks M1 to M4 detected at each time in the data storage unit 15 in addition to the entry data.

  Next, the process of position correction will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of position correction. This process is mainly executed by the control unit 16 of the input device 10.

  First, based on the output of the sensor sheet 11, the control unit 16 determines whether handwriting input is being performed by the pen 32 (step S10). If there is no input by the pen 32 (step S10; No), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the input by the pen 32 is performed (step S10; Yes), the control unit 16 detects the position coordinates of the pen 32 (step S11). The position coordinates correspond to the entry coordinates in the sensor coordinate system, and are stored in the data storage unit 15 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 16 detects the position coordinates of the mark M based on the output from the sensor sheet 11 (step S12). Next, the control unit 16 calculates the paper origin coordinates Op and the inclination θ based on the position coordinates as a reference of the mark M by the above-mentioned method (step S13). The calculated paper origin coordinate Op and inclination θ are stored in the data storage unit 15 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 16 corrects the writing coordinates in the sensor coordinate system based on the paper origin coordinates Op and the inclination θ as described above, and calculates the writing coordinates in the paper coordinate system (step S14). The calculated entry coordinates in the paper coordinate system are stored in the data storage unit 15 as shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 16 transmits the input coordinates in the paper coordinate system as handwriting input information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 12 (step S15), and returns to step S10.

  Thus, while the handwriting input by the pen 32 continues, the processes of steps S11 to S15 are repeatedly executed, and the entry coordinates in the paper coordinate system are transmitted to the terminal device 20 as handwriting input information and displayed on the display unit 21. . During this time, even if the position of the sheet 31 on the sensor sheet 11 gradually shifts, the control unit 16 always calculates the entry coordinates in the sheet coordinate system while updating the sheet origin coordinates Op and the inclination θ. The handwritten input information is always displayed on the display unit 21 at the correct position and orientation.

[Formation method of mark]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a method of forming the mark M on the sheet 31. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7A, the mark M is formed by applying the conductive ink to the surface of the sheet 31. In the example of FIG. 7B, the mark M is formed by impregnating the paper 31 with the conductive ink. Further, in the example of FIG. 7C, the sheet M is formed by overlapping two sheets of paper, and the conductive ink is sandwiched between the two sheets of paper to form the mark M.

  Any of the methods described above may be applied in this embodiment. In addition, as long as the conductivity can be detected by the sensor sheet 11, the mark M may be formed by a method other than the above, and it is possible to use a method of arranging metal pieces on paper. It is also possible to use the mark M as a mark by using a conductive pen or the like in a check box printed in advance at four corners or the like when the user starts writing on a sheet. At that time, it is preferable to store the symbol to be entered in the check box as a specific shape, and to print the shape in a light color so as to prompt the user to trace it. By doing so, the shape can be recognized using an OCR or the like, and the mark M can be formed and identified each time of use. Further, as the shape of the mark M, it is preferable that the arrangement position is made different so that the front and back can be distinguished, or the shape itself is asymmetrical on the front and back.

[Example of mark placement]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, four marks M are formed at the four corners of the sheet 31, but the positions of the marks are not limited to this. Another arrangement example of the marks is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8A shows an example in which four marks M are formed inside the four corners of the sheet 31. In this case, the control unit 16 of the input device 10 calculates the sheet coordinate origin Op and the inclination θ in consideration of the deviation of each mark M from the corner of the sheet 31.

  FIGS. 8B and 8C show an example in which the vertical positions of the two marks M on the right side in the figure are different from the two marks M on the left side. In contrast, the mark M is formed asymmetrically. Further, FIG. 8D shows an example in which the mark M on the right side is one, and similarly, the mark M is formed asymmetrically with respect to the left and right center lines of the sheet 31. As described above, by forming the mark M asymmetrically with respect to the center line of the sheet 31, it is possible to distinguish the front surface and the back surface of the sheet 31. That is, based on the relative positional relationship between the plurality of marks M detected, the control unit 16 of the writing device 10 can determine which of the front surface and the back surface of the sheet 31 the handwriting input has been made. .

  Further, the type of the sheet may be determined by providing the mark M on the sheet 31. That is, the form of the mark M formed on the sheet 31 is changed according to the type of the sheet 31. Specifically, in one method, the shapes of the individual marks M are changed according to the type of the sheet 31. For example, a triangular mark M is provided on the sheet 31 of the sheet A (type A), and a square mark M is provided on the sheet 31 of the sheet B (type B). In another method, the positional relationship of the plurality of marks M is changed according to the type of the sheet 31. For example, four marks M are formed on sheet A so that they form a rectangle, and three marks M are formed on sheet B such that they form a triangle. In addition, the above two methods may be combined to distinguish the type of the sheet 31 by the combination of the shape of each mark M and the shape formed by a plurality of marks. For example, four triangular marks M are formed on the sheet A so that they form a square, and four square marks are arranged on the sheet B such that they form a square. This makes it possible to determine the type of paper based on the form of the mark M. The process of determining the type of the sheet 31 based on the form of the plurality of marks M may be performed by either the writing device 10 or the terminal device 20. That is, the control unit 16 of the writing device 10 may determine the type of sheet based on the information of the plurality of marks M, and may transmit the result to the terminal device 20. Instead, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 may receive information on the plurality of marks M from the writing device 10 to determine the type of paper.

  Furthermore, when the type of sheet can be determined as described above, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 may automatically start the application set in advance for each type of sheet. For example, when the sheet 31 in use is determined to be sheet A, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 starts the application A, and when the sheet 31 in use is determined to be sheet B, the terminal device The twenty control units 23 activate the application B. The correspondence between the sheet type and the application may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the terminal device 20 or the like.

[Modification of writing device]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a writing device 10x according to a modification. In the writing device 10x, the upper and lower sides of the sensor sheet 11 are covered with a transparent resin 17 such as acrylic. Thereby, the part of the sensor sheet 11 of the input device 10 comes to have a certain degree of flexibility, and it becomes possible to use it in a book, for example, as underlay.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the user can write on the sheet 31 with the pen 32. However, if it is desired to correct the written matter, an eraser may be used. Specifically, a material having conductivity is included in a normal eraser material. If the portion on the sheet to be deleted is rubbed with this eraser, the items entered on the sheet with a pencil or the like will be erased by the normal function of the eraser. On the other hand, sensor sheet 11 detects the conductive material contained in the eraser and detects the range in which the eraser has moved as the erase range, and control unit 16 erases the entry data stored in data storage unit 15 What belongs to the range may be deleted. If the entry data after the portion belonging to the erasure range is erased is resent to the terminal device 20, the erasure can be reflected in the image displayed on the terminal device 20.

  Alternatively, the control unit 16 may store data indicating the erasure range as erasure data separately from the entry data in the data storage unit 15. In this case, the erasure data is transmitted to the terminal device 20, and the erasure displayed in the terminal device 20 can be reflected by changing the erasure range indicated by the erasure data to the blank state. it can.

10, 10x handwriting input device 11 sensor sheet 15 data storage unit 16 control unit 20 terminal device 31 paper 32 pen M mark

Claims (8)

A handwriting input device comprising a sheet and an input device, wherein
The sheet is provided with a plurality of check boxes at different positions determined in advance, and a mark of a predetermined shape is printed in each check box,
The input device is
A sensor sheet that detects a change in capacitance ;
Input information detection means for detecting input information by detecting a change in capacitance at a contact position of the sensor sheet;
Mark detection means for detecting the positions of a plurality of marks of the predetermined shape entered with conductive ink in a paper check box disposed on the sensor sheet;
An arrangement state detection unit configured to detect the position and the inclination of the sheet placed on the sensor sheet with respect to the sensor sheet based on the positions of the plurality of marks;
A correction unit that corrects and outputs the input information based on the detected position and inclination;
A handwriting input device comprising:   The arrangement state detecting means calculates the relationship between the origin coordinates of the sensor sheet and the origin coordinates of the sheet based on the position coordinates of the plurality of marks on the sensor sheet, and determines the position of the sheet relative to the sensor sheet The handwriting input device according to claim 1, wherein the handwriting input device is detected.   The handwriting input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arrangement state detection means detects an inclination of the sheet with respect to the sensor sheet based on position coordinates of the plurality of marks on the sensor sheet.   The input information detecting means, the mark detecting means, the arrangement state detecting means, and the correcting means operate repeatedly while input by a pen is continued, and continue to output corrected input information. The handwriting input device as described in any one of claim | item 1 thru | or 3.   The handwriting input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the corrected input information to an external terminal device. The handwriting input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the check box is provided at four corners of the sheet . Based on the change in capacitance, the range eraser moves including a conductive material is judged that the deletion range, claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the erasing means for erasing input information belonging to the deletion range The handwriting input device according to any one of the above. The handwriting input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein both surfaces of the sensor sheet are covered with a transparent resin.