GB2219119A - Processing pen - Google Patents

Abstract

A processing pen identifies characters as they are written down, performs mathematical functions upon this data and displays the results on an integral calculator display panel 13. A stylus 1 is pivoted about a pivot 3 and movement of the stylus 1 is traced by a sewing needle 9 moving over a matrix of wires 10. Writing of a decimal point is detected when pivot housing 4 closes electrical contact 5. <IMAGE>

Description

PROCESSING PEN This invention is a pen which is designed to identify characters as they are written down , pass this information to an inbuilt calculator , perform the requested mathematical function and then display the results on an integral calculator display panel.

The principle innovative concept of the pen is embodied in a Character Recognition Unit, which enables a written character to be recognised and then electronically generated for subsequent processing.

In appearance the pen ( FIG.4 ) is similar to that of a normal pen, with the addition of a calculator display panel and a number of calculator control buttons. Any of the control keys or buttons of the conventional calculator could be used, but in this example 3 only are used: - ON/OFF - CLEAR ENTRY (CE) - EQUALS ( = ) An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in cross-section the pen's component parts.

Figure 2 shows the Character Recognition Unit in block diagram.

Figure 3 shows in detail the Location Matrix component.

Figure 4 illustrates the pen in use.

Character Recognition Unit(CRU) The function of this unit is to recognise the character just written down and deliver it to the calculator, in effect replacing some of the hardware keys present on a conventional calculator.In this example the permitted characters are: Digits O to 9 Mathematical Signs + - * / (plus, minus, multiply,divide) Decimal Point The CRU embodies 3 sub-processes - Pattern Tracing via components 1 to 6, 8 to 10 - Pattern Storage via Chip 1 Routine A - Character recognition and Generation via Chip 1 Routine B Pattern Tracing The Pivoted Stylus 1,Fig 1 is pivoted by means of the spherical Pivot 3 which allows movement in any direction within the Pivot Housing 4.A retaining Spring 6 is tensioned to hold and return the Sensing Needle 9 to a fixed reference point (18,FIG 3) on the Matrix 10.

The Pivot Housing is also tensioned towards the Stylus end, by Spring 6, allowing a small movement against this tension when direct pressure is applied to the Stylus, thus making the electical contact 5 which represents the Decimal Point character being input.

During writing, movement of the Stylus, via Stylus Extension 8, is traced by the Sensing Needle 9, allowing it to make contact with flexible location wires on Matrix lO,representing Horizontal and Vertical co-ordinates on the matrix, these coordinates being input to Chip 1.

Pattern Storage and Character Generation From the start of Stylus movement the matrix location values are scanned by Chip 1 (Routine A) at a high-speed scanning rate and stored in sequential internal memory locations.At the end of Stylus movement,representing the completion of a data character,the stored sequence of location values is examined by CHIP 1 software (Routine B) and the identified character passed to the calculator.This cycle is repeated until one of the mathematical function signs is written indicating the completion of the current number.As with the normal calculator, the function is carried out and the next number can be input.

In this connection, since all characters must be completed in one continuous stroke,the Plus and Multiply signs must be written as ir and DR respectively. Digit 4 needs to be written as either 4 or L ,and digit 5 as either 5 or 5 (starting at top right of character).

The Location Matrix (10,FIG 3) consists of an area of flexible wire contacts, through and against which the Sensing Needle can move. The Sensing Needle is designed to make contact with coordinate pairs of Horizontal and Vertical contacts. With the exception of a NULL Area (18, Fig.3), these contacts indicate the needle's location to the electronic 6 by 8 input matrix located within Chip 1 (19,FIG 3).

Between characters, the Sensing Needle is oriented within this Null area, being the starting position for all characters written.

General The pen described is a ball-point, the Stylus Extension 8 being the ink supply tube.

The body of the pen has an upper orientation marker 2, indicating the required orientation of the pen when in use.

The remaining components of the pen in Figure 1 are: 7 Calculator Control Button for EQUALS (=) 14 Do. for CLEAR ENTRY (CE) 16 Do. ON/OFF 11 Chip 1 Assembly 12 Calculator circuitry 13 Calculator Display Panel 15 Battery CHIP 1 ASSEMBLY From the Location Matrix ( 1O,FIG 3), 14 input lines (6 Vertical and 8 Horizontal) are connected to a 6 by 8 input matrix within the CHIP 1 ASSEMBLY, enabling any pair of Horizontal or Vertical contacts to represent a Location Value.

Associated with CHIP 1 are two software Routines or algorithms as follows: ROUTINE A. Pattern Storage.

-(1) Continously scans the Current Location Value being generated across the 6 by 8 matrix.

-(2) At intervals( say 10 millisecs),if the current Location Value is not Null, stores it in the next sequential memory location.

-(3) Reverts to Routine A(1) until the Location Value becomes Null.

ROUTINE B.Character Recognition and Generation.

(Activated after a sequence of Location Values have been stored via Routine A and the current Location Value has become Null.) -(1)Analyses the sequence of Location Values held in memory utilising an optimising algorithm to allow for some variation of input patterns due to individual styles.

-(2)Matches the input pattern of Location Values, to the permitted repertoire of pre-stored Recognition Patterns (in this example, digits 0 to 9 and the four mathematical functions).

-(3)0utputs the identified character to the calculator ,or if it is invalid, skips to item (4).

-(4)Clears the stored memory locations.

-(5)Resumes at Routine A(1).

NOTE re CHIP 1, Routine B. After the completion of a written character,which will have been traced by the Sensing Needle, the Needle will revert to the NULL area under the action of the spring.This movement will generate a series of location values which are not part of the written character.

The evaluation algorithm in Item 2,Routine B can allow for these spurious values, along with the fact that the Recognition Patterns are not mirror images of the written characters, since downward and left-to-right strokes dominate many patterns.

Recognition Patterns A Recognition Pattern is the sequence of Location Values that the sensing needle would trace when a character is written, and would be specified in Item 2,Routine B for each of the characters required in the pen's repertoire.

Thus the repertoire can easily be extended.Also, since the generation of a character is under the control of Item 3,Routine B,this would allow for example, a letter 'P' to be written and recognised, but causing the percentage sign '%' to be generated to the calculator.

Claims (4)

1. A processing pen which identifies characters as they are written down,performs mathematical functions upon this input data,and displays the results on the pen's own calculator display panel.

2. A pen which identifies any written data,numeric,alphabetic or symbol as it is written down and processes it within an integral calculator or processor.

3. A pen which identifies any written data,numeric,alphabetic or symbol as it is written down and inputs such data or results, either on-line or subsequently, to an external calculator or computer.

4. A calculating pen substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

4. A calculating pen substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A processing pen which identifies characters as they are written down,by means of the Pattern Tracing method described herein with referenct to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings,and performs mathematical functions upon this data,and displays the results on the pen's own calculator display panel.

2. A pen which identifies any written data,numeric,alphabetic or symbol as it is written down,by means of the Pattern Tracing method described herein with reference to-Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings and processes the data within an integral calculator or processor.

3. A pen which identifies any written data,numeric,alphabetic or symbol as it is written down,by means of the Pattern Tracing method described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings ,and inputs such data or results, either on-line or subsequently, to an external calculator or computer.