FR2678090A1 - Device for writing handwritten signs on any support, capable of simultaneously forwarding these signs to a receiver system, and use of this device - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises: - an oblong sleeve (3) forming a grasping member; - mounted pivotably inside this sleeve, one end of which projecting from a first end of this sleeve carries a means of writing (2) known per se; - a position-indicating means rigidly attached to the rigid elongate element and capable of generating or reflecting a signal characteristic of its position relative to the sleeve; - a receiver member carried by the sleeve and capable of receiving the signal generated or reflected by the position-indicating means and of converting it into at least one appropriate electrical signal; - a data reception and processing system capable of processing the electrical signal(s) emitted by the receiver member.

Description

DEVICE FOR WRITING MANUSCRIPTED SIGNS ON A
ANY MEDIUM, SUITABLE FOR TRANSMITTING THESE SIMULTANEOUSLY
SIGNS TO A RECEIVING SYSTEM, AND USES THEREOF
DEVICE.

 The present invention relates to a device for writing handwritten signs on any medium, capable of simultaneously transmitting these signs to a receiving system. These signs can be inscribed on the support using a writing device, marker or not, known per se, such as refillable pencil, fountain pen, ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, or even a non-marking pen. , but then associated with a computer screen or a processing means, on which these signs are written through transparent paper.

 The invention also relates to uses of such a device, in particular in computer systems in which the transmitted signs are converted into binary language for use in information processing equipment, or in identification devices for 'handwriting or signature, where the registered signs are compared to memorized signs.

 We know that most computers are equipped with a keyboard which constitutes the data input organ.

 The trend towards miniaturization of computers has however led manufacturers to study the possibility of dispensing with the bulky and bulky organ that is the keyboard. It would, in fact, be particularly advantageous to be able to use a writing device of a usual type, so that the user can write his own data and instructions in natural handwriting.

 Different systems have been developed for this purpose, but they all have the disadvantage of requiring an auxiliary infrastructure such as, for example, a writing medium on a sensitive surface connected to a data processing system, as well as, possibly , styluses of a particular type, capable of interacting with the sensitive surface, or even acoustic sensors, or a support console known per se, of the writing member set out above.

 The present invention aims to eliminate these auxiliary organs such as the sensitive support on which one writes using particular writing organs.

 A first object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for writing, capable of simultaneously transmitting to a receiving system the signs which it writes, which can be used with an absolutely arbitrary writing medium, in particular with a simple sheet of paper on media as varied as desk, counter, table or portable input tablet, or other.

 A second object of the invention is to propose a device of this type in which the scripting organ is an organ, marker or not, known per se, such as refillable pencil, ballpoint pen, non-marking stylus or the like, with their respective cap.

 Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which can, in conjunction with the writing action, serve as a data input device in a computer or in any data processing device by computer.

 The invention also aims to propose a device of this type that the user can use in the same way and as easily as a simple stylographer, if necessary in association with a pointing device on a screen such as a mouse. computer.

 The invention finally aims to provide a device of this type which can be manufactured easily, at a reduced cost, which is of a very small volume and which can be used by a user without any specific prior training.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for writing, capable of simultaneously transmitting to a data processing receiver system the handwritten signs which it writes on any writing medium, characterized in that it comprises
- an oblong sheath forming a gripping member;
- pivotally mounted inside this sheath around a joint allowing it to be inclined substantially around the same point in any direction relative to the sheath, a rigid elongated element returned to the rest position by elastic means and one end of which protrudes outside a first end of this sheath carries a writing means known per se;
- A position indicator means known per se rigidly integral with the rigid elongate element and capable of emitting or reflecting a signal characteristic of its position with respect to the sheath;
a receiving member known in itself, carried by the sheath and able to receive the signal emitted or reflected by the position indicator means and to convert it into at least one suitable electrical signal
- a system for receiving and processing data known per se, capable of processing the electrical signal or signals emitted by the receiving member;
- a means of connection between the receiving member and the reception system;
- a means of electrical supply.

The articulation between the sleeve and the rigid elongate element housed therein may be a simple ball joint integral with the rigid element and pivotally mounted in an appropriate housing of the sleeve. Any other equivalent joint can also be used, for example an elastic joint of the type sold under the name "Spheriflex" by the
PAULSTRA company.

 The position indicator means carried by the rigid elongate element may be an optical means, for example a lamp emitting a light signal through an optical fiber or not, or a reflecting surface capable of reflecting a light signal emitted by a lamp carried by the scabbard.

 The receiving member could then be an element sensitive to light rays and able to emit two or three electrical signals characteristic of two or three coordinates of the position indicator. Such sensors are for example sold by the company SITEK under the reference PSD2L2.

 The position indicator means may also include a magnetic dipole movable relative to a pair of directional magnetometers carried by the sheath and constituting the receiving members.

 The position indicator means may also include a plate made of a metallic material, movable between sensors carried by the sheath and constituting the electromagnetic receiving members mounted in differential.

 The position indicator means may also include a metal plate forming the movable armature of couples of variable capacitors, the fixed armatures of which are carried by the sheath and constitute the capacitive receiving members mounted in differential.

 The position indicator means may also comprise a plate mechanically cooperating with the receiving member, for example by friction with two rollers with flexible surface applied against the plate and transmitting their movement to a respective encoder disc, comprising, at its periphery, contacts metallic wires capable of establishing the link between two metallic conductors connected to a control system to transmit an electrical signal to it, in the same way as in mechanical "mice" of microcomputer peripherals.

 These examples of position indicator means and receiving members are, of course, not limiting and those skilled in the art can design or implement variants and equivalents thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 The position indicator means will advantageously be integral with the end of the rigid elongate element opposite to that which projects outside the sheath and which carries writing means.

 The connection means between the receiving member and the receiving system may be an electric cable also ensuring the electrical supply of the electronic members and the transport of the signals. It may be replaced by an electric battery or the like and a means of connection by radio waves or infrared radiation of a type known for the transmission of electrical signals.

Preferably, elastic return means of the rigid elongate element are provided, in order to bring this element substantially along the axis of the sheath, when the latter is not stressed by the hand of the user, and prevent the elongated element from pivoting about its longitudinal axis. These return means may include, for example, springs stretched between the internal wall of the two ends of the sleeve and the corresponding parts of the rigid elongate element. In the case where the articulation is constituted by a spherical ball joint, the elastic return member can be constituted by this ball joint itself, the external part of which will then be made of a flexible material which is elastically deformable. Such a spherical ball acting as a return means elastic is known for example under the registered trademarks Sphériflex, Flexibloc,
Silenbloc, from the company PAULSTRA.

 Finally, means will advantageously be provided for detecting the use of the writing member and interrupting the operation of the device according to the invention when this writing member is not used.

The appended schematic drawings, which are not limiting, illustrate various forms of implementation of the invention. On these drawings
Figure la is a vertical section of a first embodiment of the invention
Figure lb shows a variant of the embodiment of Figure la;
Figure 2 is a cross section along line II-II of Figure la
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the invention
Figure 4 is a top view of a member of the device of Figure 3
Figures 5 to 8 respectively represent other embodiments of the invention.

 In all the figures, identical or having similar functions are designated by the same reference numbers.

 We will first refer to Figures la and 2.

 The device shown in these figures comprises a ballpoint pen 1. of a usual type, which constitutes the rigid elongate element of this embodiment and whose tip 2, equipped with a ball, constitutes the writing member . This pen 1 is housed inside a sheath 3 serving as a gripping member for the user and consisting of two parts 3a, 3b assembled by screwing their threaded ends or by any other means, for example by snap-fastening. The parts 3a, 3b open out from their connection.

Part 3b has two separate bosses B1, B2 necessary for positioning the fingers during writing. At the level of the assembly of parts 3a and 3b, the pen l carries a spherical element 4 forming a ball joint, in a diametrical passage from which the pen is engaged. The ball joint 4 and the pen 1 are made rigidly secured to one another by means of needle screws 5.

A flexible seal, not shown, is interposed between the ball joint 4 and its housing. This ball joint can be replaced by an elastic joint.

 In the case of the drawing, the sheath 3 and the pen 1 have a longitudinal axis of symmetry. Springs 6 for returning to the position of the pen are provided between the internal wall of the free end of the part 3b of the sheath 3 and the pen l, in order to orient the latter along the axis of the sheath, when the latter is not requested by the user, and to prohibit the pen 1 from pivoting about its axis. Similarly and for the same purpose, springs 7 are stretched between the internal wall of the free end of the part 3a of the sheath and an anchoring plate 8 secured to the end of the pen 1 opposite the tip 2.

 The pen 1 is thus free to move angularly in any direction relative to the sheath 3, by pivoting of the ball joint 4 relative to the sheath, and the fact that the latter flourishes in the direction of its two free ends increases the possibilities tilt angle.

 The plate 8 supports, by means of a bracket 9, a lamp 10, arranged along its axis and directed towards the free end of the part 3a of the sheath. This lamp 10 is connected to a source of electric current via the lateral cable 11 and constitutes the means indicating the position of the pen, in this embodiment.

 The receiver for the light signal from the lamp 10 is carried by a cover 12, which covers the open end of the part 3a of the sheath 3 and is integral therewith.

It comprises a frame 13, which carries an optical system symbolized by a lens 14, which concentrates the light beam coming from the lamp 10 on an opto-electronic position sensor 15, connected to a printed circuit 16, as well as its controller 17, which transmits by cable 11 or by radio or infrared wave the data received from the sensor 15 to a data processing system. The electrical control system 17 is carried by the frame 13. The sensor 15 is suitable for measuring the three coordinates of the position indicator, which is useful when the joint is of the elastic type.

 It is understood that any movement of the pen 1 and therefore of the lamp 9 relative to the sheath 3 results in a movement of the light beam emitted by this lamp relative to the sensor 15 and that the signs written by the pen 1 in handwritten form on any medium by a user, which acts manually on the sleeve 3, are thus transmitted in the form of signals to the external system for processing data received from the sensor 15. This system is an integral part of a computer, of a computer assembly or still a system of identification of writing, signature, symbol etc ...

 In Figure la, the pen 1 is shown wearing its cap C and rests on a base S. It can thus be used as a cursor pointer on a computer screen or associated data processing system, with the place of a usual mouse, after indication of the change of mode to the processing system, for example by pressing a push button.

 The use of the device according to the invention therefore does not require the use of any sensitive or special support, or auxiliary device, since the signs that the user wishes to introduce into the data processing system can be entered by him on a simple paper support, flat or not, horizontal or not.

 It will also be noted that this device can possibly be used to write on vertical boards or any panels, during public conferences, while recording the text in a computer, or a processing means for deferred use. This device can also possibly be used on the screen of a computer, itself coated with a transparent sheet, when entering information, in particular for a portable data entry system during a survey.

 The embodiment of Figure lb is a variant of that of Figure la, where the pen 1 carries two lamps 10 oriented perpendicularly to each other, and to the axis of the pen l and directed towards the flanks of the sheath 3. The receptors for the respective light signals of these lamps are carried by the flanks facing the sheath 3. They each comprise a sensor 15 for a single coordinate and an optical device. The other members are similar to those of the embodiment of FIG. La, but the displacements along the axis of the pen cannot be detected when the joint is elastic.

 In the case of FIG. 3, the end of the pen 1 opposite the point 2 carries a plate 20, the external surface of which preferably has a spherical shape corresponding to the movement of the end of the pen 1. This external surface, represented in Figure 4, is made of a reflective material and carries a grid pattern of parallel lines of a first color, black for example, and lines perpendicular to the previous ones and of a second color, blue for example, as used in mice optics of microcomputer peripherals (see SVM Review, December 1990, page 197). Two lamps 21 (light-emitting diodes), carried by the frame 13, emit a light beam in the direction of the plate 20, which reflects it in the direction of a mirror 22, which itself returns it in the direction of two associated photodetectors 23. As described in the article in the magazine SVM, one of the lamps 21 emits a light beam of a color, which can be absorbed by certain lines of the frame carried by the plate 20 (red light for blue lines, for example), while the other lamp 22 emits a light beam of a color absorbed by the other lines of the frame (infrared light for black lines, for example). When the plate 20 moves, the photodetectors 23 perceive interruptions in the light beam that they receive, corresponding to the passage of lines of the frame in front of the beam of light that they absorb. Each interruption thus corresponds to a precise movement of the plate 20 and the signals from the photodetectors are transmitted to the external data processing system to reconstruct, after processing, the movement of the plate 20 and, consequently, the sign written by the tip 2.

 In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, the end of the pen 1 opposite the tip 2 carries a magnetic dipole 25, while the structure 13 carries sets 26 of directional magnetometers, which measure the variations of the magnetic field and communicates them in the form of signals to the external data processing system, which deduces therefrom the movement of the bipale 25 and, consequently, the sign written by the point 2. Such a means of locating an object is described for example in FR-A-2 586 302. It is suitable for measuring the three coordinates of the position indicator, which is useful when the joint is of the elastic type.

 In the embodiment of Figure 6, the end of the pen 1 opposite the tip 2 carries a metal plate 30, the edges of which are engaged between two pairs of two soldnoids such as 31 and 32, with variable air gap, mounted in differential, which act as magnetic sensors, whose signals are transmitted to the external data processing system to reconstruct the movement of the pen.

 The embodiment of FIG. 7 constitutes a variant of that of FIG. 6, where the pen 1 carries a metal plate 35, the edges of which constituting the movable armature of fixed capacitors are engaged in the armatures of variable capacitors such as 36 and 37 mounted in differentials, which act as capacitive sensors.

 Finally, FIG. 8 shows another embodiment in which the movements of the pen are recorded after mechanical transmission. In this variant, derived from mechanical mice of microcomputer peripherals (see review SVM, of December 1990, page 196), the end of the pen 1 opposite the tip 2 carries a spherical plate 40, in contact with two rollers 41 , whose axes 42 form an angle and are for example perpendicular to each other and which are rotated by friction by the plate 40. These rollers drive by their axis 42 an encoder disc 43, which carries metal contacts capable of establishing contact between two conductors 44, to send at least one electrical signal thanks to the controller 17 to the external data processing system, which deduces the movement of the plate 40 and consequently of the pen 1.

 Many other forms of implementation can naturally be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention.

 This therefore provides a simple means for writing handwritten signs on any support, flat or not, horizontal or not, such as a sheet of paper, and capable of transmitting them simultaneously as data to a receiving system which then processes this data. It also makes it possible to use a computer screen or the processing means itself, coated with a transparent sheet, as a support, for example, for a so-called portable "data entry tablet" system.

Claims (11)

 1- Device for writing handwritten signs on any medium, capable of transmitting them simultaneously to a data processing receiver system, characterized in that it comprises:  - an oblong sheath (3) forming a gripping member;  - pivotally mounted inside this sheath around a joint allowing it to be inclined substantially around the same point in any direction relative to the sheath, a rigid elongated element (1) returned to the rest position by a elastic means and one end of which protrudes outside a first end of this sheath or not carries writing means (2) known per se;  - A position indicator means, rigidly secured to the rigid elongate element and capable of generating or reflecting a signal characteristic of its position with respect to the sheath;  a receiving member carried by the sheath and able to receive the signal generated or reflected by the position indicator means and to convert it into at least one suitable electrical signal;  - a data reception and processing system, capable of processing the electrical signal or signals emitted by the receiving member  - a means of connection between the receiving member and the reception system;  - a means of electrical supply.  2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated rigid element comprises a marker pen or a stylus without marker (1).  3- Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the articulation between the elongated rigid element (1) and the sleeve (3) comprises a ball joint (4), integral with the rigid element (1 ) and pivotally mounted in a housing of the sleeve (3), or an elastic joint.  4- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position indicator member carried by the elongated rigid element comprises an optical means such that at least one lamp (10) emitting a light signal towards the receiving member (15) carried by the sheath, or a reflecting surface (20) capable of receiving a light signal emitted by at least one lamp (21) carried by the sheath and of reflecting it in the direction of organs receivers (23) also carried by the sheath, the receiver members (15,23) comprising at least one element sensitive to light rays and capable of emitting an electrical signal when they receive these rays.  5- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the reflecting surface comprises in a manner known per se a grid grid comprising first lines parallel to each other of a first color and second perpendicular lines of a different color, while the sheath carries two lamps (21) emitting a light beam capable of being absorbed respectively by the first lines and by the second lines.  6- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position indicator member carried by the elongated element (1) comprises a magnetic dipole (25), while the receiving member carried by the sheath (3) includes assemblies (26) of magnetometers.  7- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position indicator member carried by the elongate element (1) comprises a metal plate (30), the edges of which are engaged between at least two couples two solenoids (31,32) mounted in differential, serving as receiving organs and acting as magnetic sensors  8- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position indicator member carried by the elongate element (1) comprises a metal plate (35), the edges of which constitute the movable frame of a capacitor are engaged in the fixed armatures of variable capacitors (36,37) mounted in differential, serving as receiving members and acting as capacitive sensors  9- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position indicator member carried by the elongate element (1) comprises a plate (40) entraining by friction two rollers (41), whose axes form a right angle, these rollers each driving an encoder disc capable of emitting at least one electrical or optoelectronic signal characteristic of their movement.  10- Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 9, in equipment for processing and / or transmitting information.  11- Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 9, in identification devices and / or handwriting recognition, signature, symbol or the like.