JP2003256134A - Write type display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a write type display device that can contribute to the preservation of paper resources by realizing a completely new paperless environment uniting a display device using digital technology with analog write operation. <P>SOLUTION: This write type display device is integrally provided with a display part 2 and a control part 3 for controlling a display image displayed on the display part 2, and the device has a constitution in which the control part 3 is provided with an input locus receiving means 32 for receiving input locus data converted into a signal that can be information-processed on the basis of at least an input locus when handwriting input was carried out on the surface side of the display part 2, and a display control means 31 for transmitting a display control signal on the basis of the received input locus data and processing to display a handwritten image corresponding to the input locus, on the display part 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a writable display device capable of handwriting input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computers and the Internet have become widespread, and technical innovation accompanying them has been remarkable. Under this situation, there is an increasing need to display more electronic information on a display or paper. That is, in the present day when the display and the paper are used together, the conventional display is suitable for displaying electronic information, but cannot display and process the expression as the user thinks. On the other hand, paper is suitable for expressing the user's thoughts as it is, but when paper is used with a computer, it is also used secondarily by printing electronic information once displayed on the display. . However, from the viewpoint of environmental protection and cost reduction, it has been proposed that paper resources such as printer paper should be saved, in other words, paperless.

In view of such a situation, first, from the viewpoint of displaying electronic information, various thin displays called electronic paper, which are thin like paper and can be bent, have been developed. Unlike so-called rewritable paper, this electronic paper has a built-in CPU and semiconductor memory, and an image once displayed can be kept alone for a long time without being connected to another computer or the like. Since it has the characteristic that it can be rewritten many times, it has been particularly noted in recent years. For such electronic paper, for example, a microcapsule electrophoretic method represented by E-Ink (US E-Ink, Inc.) for electrophoresing charged particles, Gyricon (US (Xerox, Gyricon Media)
The development of various methods such as a twist ball method, a toner display method, a method using a liquid crystal and an organic EL element is typified by the above. In addition to this, electronic paper for displaying an image by applying light energy or heat energy is being developed, and a technique for colorizing a display image of the electronic paper has been developed.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of importing a handwritten image into a computer, an image written on a whiteboard, paper, a special sheet, a tablet or the like is scanned into digital data, and the digital data is imported into the computer or the like. Various technologies such as a copyboard system for reproducing on a screen and a digital pen have been developed. For example, an ultrasonic reading device may be used to read the trajectory drawn by the pen using a special pen that emits ultrasonic waves, and the read information may be converted into data and reproduced on the computer screen. Or what
Using a special sheet on which a pattern for providing positional information such as a grid pattern or a dot pattern and a digital pen with a built-in camera for reading the pattern or written image are used, the trajectory of the pattern with the movement of the digital pen The written image is digitized and reproduced on the computer screen by discriminating over time, and the information on the surface of the writing target traced with a pen tip is optically read and the movement of the pen tip is detected. A digital pen, a general magnetic type, which converts the input locus into data by analysis and sends it to a personal computer etc. via wireless communication etc.
Examples include pressure-sensitive or electrostatic tablets and those that use digitizers.

[0005]

However, since electronic paper first displays an image captured from an external computer or the like, it is not possible to manually write in the displayed image on the electronic paper. Can not. on the other hand,
In a copyboard system, etc., an image written on a writing target such as a whiteboard, a special sheet, or a tablet can be converted into data, but it cannot be used by converting the computer screen and the written image into data at the same time. .

By the way, the act of drawing characters, pictures, etc. by hand has been an extremely excellent characteristic that humans have been acquainted with for recording and transmitting information since ancient times. "Draw" like this
It can be said that this characteristic remains the same even in recent years, when computer technology has developed and the act of recording information in a computer using a device such as a keyboard has become the norm. However, the act of recording and transmitting information using a computer is no longer routine. Therefore, if it is possible to combine the digital technology with the operation of actually writing by a human hand, an extremely excellent information recording / transmitting means can be provided.

The present invention focuses on the electronic paper technology and the technology such as a copy board and a digital pen as described above, and combines a device using digital technology and an analog writing operation to create a completely new paperless information. It provides a means of recording and communication.

[0008]

That is, a writable display device of the present invention comprises at least a display section and a control section for controlling display of a display image displayed on the display section. Input locus data receiving means for receiving input locus data converted into a signal capable of processing information based on at least the input locus at the time of handwriting input on the surface side of the display unit, and the received input locus data Display control means for transmitting a display control signal based on the above and processing for displaying a handwritten image corresponding to the input locus on the display section.

Here, in the display section, for example, a non-volatile type such as a mode in which charged particles are moved by a microcapsule electrophoresis system or a twist ball system, a toner display system, a liquid crystal and an organic EL element are used. It may be displayed by any structure such as one provided with a type of electronic paper or the like, or one using a general liquid crystal display structure, and it is not necessarily required to be thin like electronic paper. Also, the control unit may correspond to the configuration of the applied display unit, but based on the function of receiving the input trajectory data based on the input trajectory at the time of handwriting input to the display unit and the input trajectory data. It is necessary that the display unit has a function of displaying a display image corresponding to the input trajectory.

In the case of the writable display device having such a configuration, since the contents handwritten in an analog manner on the display unit can be electronically displayed and then displayed on the display unit, a display image by handwriting is saved. It can be handled as electronic data with excellent data transferability. Further, since it can be used as a substitute for the conventional paper medium, it can contribute to the saving of paper resources. In addition, since the content input by handwriting is reflected on the display unit as electronic data via the control unit, it is not always necessary to physically or chemically write on the surface of the display unit with ink or graphite when handwriting, and the input device does not have to be used. Alternatively, a stylus pen, a mouse, a user's finger, or the like, which does not have a physical or chemical writing function, may be used for handwriting input. Therefore, the handwritten input trajectory may be recognized as data by an appropriate method such as an optical method, a pressure-sensitive method, an electrostatic method, or an ultrasonic method.

As a concretely preferable mode in which the input locus by handwriting input is converted into data and finally sent to the control unit, an input locus discriminating means for reading the input locus at the time of handwriting input to the display unit, An input unit that includes at least input locus conversion means for converting the read input locus into data and input locus data transmission means for transmitting the data-converted input locus data to the outside and is capable of inputting handwriting from the outside to the display unit. To be provided as one component of the writable display device, and to be written on the display unit so that handwriting can be input by the input unit, and to indicate or suggest the position of the input trajectory with respect to the input unit. It is desirable to provide a position information providing means for providing the position information. That is, although the input locus is recognized by both the input unit and the display unit, the input locus data may be directly transmitted to the control unit, or may be transmitted to the control unit after temporarily passing through another computer or the like. You may do it.

In order to quickly display the display image based on the input trajectory on the display section, the input trajectory data receiving means in the control section receives the input trajectory data directly from the input trajectory data transmitting means in the input section. Good thing.

Further, as a preferable specific mode of the display unit, a display substrate capable of forming an electric field or a magnetic field based on a display control signal transmitted by the display control means, and an electric field or a magnetic field formed on the display substrate are dealt with. Examples of the display device include a display element capable of displaying an image. Either one of the display unit and the control unit is provided with a display driving unit that forms an electric field or a magnetic field on the display substrate based on the display control signal. It is good to put it.

In this case, as a preferable mode of the position information providing means, there is a position information providing pattern displayed on the display unit so as to indicate or suggest an absolute position on the display unit. It is preferable that the means discriminates the input locus by reading the position information providing pattern that the input unit has passed during handwriting input.

Further, in a preferred specific embodiment of the display unit, a display layer having a display substrate and display elements, a position information providing layer having the position information providing pattern, and handwriting with the surface as a writing means. One example is one in which the input layer and the input layer are laminated, and particularly when the display part is a sheet that is flexible and deformable as a whole, it can be used as a substitute for paper, which is lightweight and easy to carry. . In this case, the handwriting input layer, the position information providing layer, and the display layer are overlaid in this order from the top, and the handwriting input layer and the position information providing layer are transparent or semi-transparent, so that the physical display to the display unit is reduced. Each function can be effectively exerted while preventing damage. Also,
The position information providing pattern is preferably printed on the position information providing layer so that it can be read by the input trajectory determining means in the input unit, and for example, a large number of dots or grids printed on the surface of the position information providing layer or the like. The dots, grids and the like may be at least the ones that indicate the absolute position on the display portion where they are displayed.

Furthermore, if the display unit is capable of self-storing the display image even in the non-powered state, it becomes possible to carry the writable display device as it is displayed on the display unit, which is extremely convenient for use anywhere. It becomes possible to do it.

Further, by displaying the data displayed on an external computer or the like on the display unit, the handwritten contents and the electronic information on the computer or the like can coexist on the display unit. The control unit is further provided with an external image data receiving means for receiving external image data generated by an external information processing device, and in the display control means,
It is preferable that a display control signal based on the received external image data is transmitted to process the external image on the display unit.

As described above, in order to display the data generated by the external information processing device and the input trajectory data generated by handwriting on the display unit at the same time, the display control is required. The means outputs both a handwritten image based on the input trajectory data and an external image based on the external image data,
It is desirable to transmit a display control signal to be displayed on the display section at the same time.

Further, not only is it displayed on the display unit based on the above-mentioned respective data, but the displayed image can be used by a computer or the like, or can be directly projected by a projector or the like.
In order to enable a usage mode such as transmission by LAN or electronic mail, it is preferable that the control unit is further provided with an output unit that outputs the displayed data corresponding to the display image displayed on the display unit.

Further, in order to immediately reflect the contents input by handwriting on the display unit and enable the display in real time without interrupting the user's thinking as actually described on paper, the display control means is required. Based on the input trajectory data received by the input trajectory data receiving means at the time of handwriting input to the display unit, a handwritten image corresponding to the input trajectory is immediately displayed on the display unit at the location handwritten. Is desirable. It should be noted that, although it is immediate, a slight time lag such as the time required for converting the input locus into data and the time required for displaying it is allowed.

Further, in order to enable the writing and displaying on the display unit a plurality of times and to reproduce the image previously displayed on the display unit later, the display on the display unit is performed on the control unit. Displayed data accumulating means for accumulating the displayed data corresponding to the displayed image as file data for each display screen is provided, and the display control means displays based on the displayed data corresponding to the accumulated file data. It is preferable that a control signal is transmitted to redisplay the displayed image on the display unit.

Furthermore, the handwriting process on the display unit, that is, the thinking process is also reproduced by playback, or if the data received from the external information processing device is based on a moving image, it is also reproduced and displayed. In order to be able to do so, the displayed data accumulating means accumulates the displayed data together with the time axis at the time of displaying on the display unit, and the display controlling means controls the display along the accumulated time axis. It is preferable to emit a signal and dynamically reproduce and display the image on the display unit.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a display unit 2 capable of displaying an image written by handwriting and an image received from an external general-purpose personal computer (hereinafter, personal computer) P, and an image to be displayed on the display unit 2. Control unit 3 which mainly controls the display of the display unit, and an input pen 4 which is an input unit having a function of inputting handwriting on the display unit 2, analyzing the input trajectory, and communicating data based on the input trajectory to the control unit 3.
It is a writable display device 1 mainly composed of. The configuration of each unit will be described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 2 includes a protective layer 2a which is a handwriting input layer, a position information providing layer 2b, a display layer 2c, and a display unit 2 and a control unit 3 which are interposed therebetween. A semiconductor chip or the like (not shown) electrically connected to the device is provided. By operating or acting each of these parts, as shown in FIG. 3, the writing target device 21, the position information providing device 22, the display driving device 23 are provided. , And the display means 24. The protective layer 2a, the position information providing layer 2b, and the display layer 2c are all in the form of a film, and may be laminated in this order from the top to form a sheet having a thickness of 1 mm or less (a comma several mm). It has a flexible integral structure.

Specifically, the protective layer 2a is transparent or semi-transparent so that the floating charged particles on the display layer 2c described later and the position information providing pattern printed on the position information providing layer 2b can be seen through from above. It is composed of a transparent resin film.

The position information providing layer 2b is layered in close contact with the protective layer 2a and the display layer 2c, and dots or grids arranged according to a certain law are planar on the display unit 2. It is a film made of a transparent resin or the like having a position information providing pattern consisting of innumerable dots or grids representing absolute positions, printed on the front surface or the back surface. When the position information providing layer has a structure in which two or more films are laminated, for example, the position information providing pattern may be printed on the front surface or the back surface of one of the films.

The display layer 2c includes a pair of upper and lower film-like display substrates 2c1 and a display element 2c2 sandwiched between the two display substrates 2c1, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. It is equipped with. The display substrate 2c1 is
For example, electrodes (not shown) are attached to the upper and lower resin films respectively so that the upper and lower electrodes are arranged in a matrix, and a voltage is applied at each predetermined point (position) by utilizing the potential difference generated at the intersections. The circuit that can be formed is formed. It is desirable to use a transparent electrode such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) as this electrode. In addition, a thin-film plastic transistor may be provided as a switching element at each intersection of the matrix so that so-called active matrix control can be performed. The display element 2c2 adopts a display method by microcapsule electrophoresis in this embodiment, for example, and specifically has a structure in which a large number of microcapsules 2c22 are held in a thin resin sheet 2c21.
A large number of colored or white charged particles (not shown) suspended movably in the gel or liquid enclosed in the microcapsules 2c22 are incorporated. And
The position information providing layer 2b and the protective layer 2a are moved by moving the charged particles so as to be attracted to the electrode side by the electric field pattern formed on the display substrate 2c1 based on the display control signal transmitted from the display unit 3. The image is displayed so that it can be viewed through. Further, the moving position of the charged particles in the microcapsule 2c22 (adsorption state)
Is held as it is even in the non-power-supply state, and the image is displayed as it is even when the power supply from the outside is cut off. It should be noted that the display layer 2c is not limited to a mode using such a microcapsule electrophoretic system, and a twist ball system, a liquid crystal such as a cholesteric liquid crystal and an organic photoconductor composite film system,
Appropriate ones such as a toner display system or a system utilizing a dielectric polymer liquid crystal and an organic EL device can be adopted.

Now, each function of the display unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
Is the surface of the protective layer 2a forming the surface layer of the display layer 3 that abuts on the pen tip 4a (see FIG. 4) of the input pen 4,
It is responsible for that function.

The position information providing means 22 uses the pattern printed on the position information providing layer 2b described above on the surface of the display unit with respect to the input pen 4 at the time of handwriting input using the input pen 4 described later. The absolute position of the pen tip 4a is presented.

The display driving means 23 applies a voltage to the display substrate 2c1 so as to form an electric field corresponding to display data based on the display control signal sent from the control section 3. The display driving means 23 may be provided in the control unit 3 instead of being provided in the display unit 2.

The display means 24 forms an electric field pattern corresponding to the voltage applied by the display drive means 23 on the display substrate 2c1 on the basis of the display control signal, and the charged particles colored on the upper electrode are electrostatically charged. The image is displayed so that the image is attracted to the surface and floats on the surface side.

Next, the structure of the input pen 4, which is the input section, will be described. The input pen 4 is a stylus pen type as shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 4, a pen tip 4a having no ink or graphite, a small CMOS camera 4
b, processor 4c, memory 4d, Bluetooth
It incorporates a communication interface 4e such as a wireless transceiver using technology and the like, a battery 4f, and the like.
On the other hand, the function of the input unit 4 will be explained in terms of functions. As shown in FIG. 3, the input unit 4 operates by the respective built-in units. It functions as the locus data transmission means 44 and the like.

First, the handwriting input means 41 uses the pen tip 4a.
Is generated by contacting and moving the writing means 21 which is the surface of the protective layer 2a in the display unit 2, that is, by tracing the surface of the protective layer 2a with the pen tip 4a. is there. In addition, pen tip 4
When a contacts the protective layer 2a, a writing pressure detection sensor (not shown) is activated to drive the CMOS camera 4b.

The input locus discriminating means 42 uses the input pen 4
Is used to read the input locus when drawing through the handwriting input means 41. Specifically, when the writing pressure sensor detects the writing pressure of the pen tip 4a, the CMOS camera 4b
However, for example, the position information providing pattern is imaged several tens to hundreds of times continuously in one second.

The input locus conversion means 43 converts the input locus read by the input locus discriminating means 42 into digital data by digitizing it by the processor 4c and further digitizing it. Further, the input locus data transmission means 44 transmits the input locus data converted into digital data from the communication interface 4e to the control unit 3.

The control unit 3 controls the display of an image on the display unit 2 based on the input trajectory data received from the input unit 4 and the external image data received from the external personal computer P. 5, a CPU 3a, a memory 3b, a storage device 3c, a Bluetooth / LAN for communicating with the input pen 4 and the personal computer P, a wireless / wired communication interface 3d such as a modem, a battery 3e, and a small display or display unit. 2 has an operation unit and the like for operating the display contents. Then, by operating each part according to the program stored in the memory 3b or the storage device 3c, the control part 3 causes the display control means 31,
The functions of the input trajectory data receiving means 32, the external image data receiving means 33, the displayed data storage means 34, the output means 35 and the like are exerted. The control unit 3 is physically and electrically connected to the display unit 2 through an electric circuit or the like. Further, a small storage medium can be separately connected to the connection unit 3, and data can be exchanged with another personal computer P or the like by using this storage medium.

The display control means 31 is based on the input trajectory data transmitted from the input pen 4, the external image data transmitted from the external personal computer P, the past displayed data accumulated in the storage device 3c and the like. , Display means 2 of the display unit 2
The display control signal is generated in accordance with the above-mentioned data, and the display control signal is transmitted to the display driving means 23 in the display section 2. Then, when the display driving means 23 receives the display control signal, a voltage is applied to the display substrate 2c to form a predetermined electric field pattern as described above, whereby a display is made on the display means 24.

The input locus data receiving means 32 receives the input locus data generated by the input pen 4 by handwriting input from the input locus data transmitting means 44, and the input locus data received here is at least temporarily. Remembered. Then, the stored input trajectory data is transmitted to the display control means 31.

The external image data receiving means 33 receives external image data generated and transmitted by an external information processing device such as a personal computer P through the communication interface 3d, and the external image data received here is at least temporarily. Be remembered. Then, the stored external image data is transmitted to the display control means 31.

The displayed data storage means 34 stores the displayed data based on the image displayed on the display unit 2 through the display control means 31 into file data.
The data format of this file data includes various types such as a general image data format and a format depending on a specific application, and is not particularly limited, and a plurality of data formats may be selectable. In particular, the input trajectory data can also be stored as data along the time axis when inputting with the input pen 4. Further, when the past display data is displayed again on the display unit 2, the corresponding file data read through the operation of the operation unit is sent to the display control means 31. Further, when the displayed image data displayed based on the input trajectory data and the displayed image data displayed based on the external image data received from the external personal computer P are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 2, they are displayed. It can be integrated and stored as one file data, or can be separately stored. Further, the displayed data accumulating unit 34 may accumulate the displayed data based on the image displayed on the display unit 2 every time it is displayed, or based on the specific image designated by the user. You may make it accumulate | store only displayed data.

The output means 35 outputs the data of the image displayed on the display unit 2 through the display control means 31 and the displayed data stored in the displayed data storage means 34 to the external personal computer P through the communication interface 3d. It is what is output.

Next, a method of using the writable display device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, when an image received from an external personal computer P or the like is displayed on the display unit 2 (which may be one or plural), a flowchart shown in FIG. As shown, when the controller 3 receives external image data (for example, a calendar in the illustrated example) from the personal computer P (step S1), the external image data is temporarily stored (step S2), and the stored external image data is stored. A display control signal corresponding to is generated (step S3).
Further, the control unit 3 transmits the display control signal to the display unit 2 (step S4). Further, the control unit 3 accumulates the displayed data based on the image displayed on the display unit 2 based on the external image data (step S5). On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the display unit 2 receives this display control signal (step S11), the electric field pattern corresponding to the display control signal is applied to the display substrate 2c1 (step S12), and the external image is displayed. That is, the same image as the image (calendar in this example) displayed on the display Pd of the personal computer P is displayed (step S13). The external image may be displayed on the entire display unit 21 or on a part of the display unit 21.

In this way, the display P of the personal computer P is
The external image data based on the image displayed in d is transmitted to the control unit 3 of the writable display device 1 of each participant at the time of a conference, and the display unit 2 corresponding to the control unit 3 is transmitted.
By displaying the same image on, the conference material can be distributed without printing on paper. Further, when the same image as the image displayed on the display Pd of the personal computer P used in a remote place is displayed on the display unit 2, when a conference or the like using the same material is performed between remote places. It can also be used effectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when a handwritten image (in this example, a memo including characters) is displayed on the display unit 2 using the input pen 4, each unit operates as follows. Although the figure shows a mode in which the handwritten image is overwritten on the display unit 2 on which the external image is displayed, the handwritten image is displayed on the display unit 2 in a state where nothing is displayed, that is, a blank sheet. The same applies when displaying. On the contrary, it is also possible to display the external image on the display unit 2 on which the handwritten image is displayed. Returning to the main subject, first, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, by drawing the pen tip 4a so that it touches the surface of the display unit 2 and traces it, the writing pressure applied to the pen tip 4a in the input unit 4 is drawn. When detected (step S
21), the CMOS camera operates to capture the position information provision pattern (step S22). As described above, the imaging of the position information provision pattern is performed in several tens to 10 seconds.
It is performed about 0 times. Then, by analyzing the imaged position information providing pattern, the locus of the position information providing pattern moved by the pen tip 4a, that is, the input locus is digitized and converted into data (step S23), and input locus data is generated (step S24). The input trajectory data is transmitted to the control unit 3 (step S25). On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the control unit 3 receives the input trajectory data (step S31), the input trajectory data is temporarily stored (step S32) and corresponds to the stored input trajectory data. A display control signal is generated (step S33). Further, the control unit 3 transmits the display control signal to the display unit 2 (step S34). Further, the control unit 3 accumulates the displayed data based on the image displayed on the display unit 2 based on the input trajectory data (step S35). It should be noted that, at the time of storing the displayed data, when both images are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 2 such as when the handwriting input overwrites the external image, the external image data and the input trajectory data by handwriting are stored. The displayed data based on the above may be integrated into a file and stored. Further, in particular, the input trajectory data can be accumulated along the time axis at the time of handwriting input. Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, when the display unit 2 receives this display control signal (step S41), an electric field pattern corresponding to the display control signal is applied to the display substrate 2a1 (step S4).
2) The handwritten image, that is, the same image as the input locus (memo in this example) handwritten using the input pen 4 is displayed at the position corresponding to the handwritten portion (step S43).
Here, it is preferable that the process from the handwritten drawing using the input pen 4 to the display of the input locus on the display unit 2 be performed as soon as possible even if there is a slight time lag.
This is because the handwritten drawing using the input pen 4 is not physically written on the display unit 2, but the position information providing pattern is read by the CMOS camera by tracing the surface thereof, and therefore the drawing is displayed as an image. If it is not reflected immediately, it is difficult for the user to intuitively understand the drawn contents, and the thinking is interrupted.

As described above, by handwriting with the input pen 4, analog handwritten memos, etc. can be stored.
Since it is handled as electronic data having excellent duplication and transferability and reflected as an image on the display unit 2, a separate input operation such as scanning or tracing is not required unlike an actual whiteboard or paper. Also, at the time of a meeting or brainstorming, the contents handwritten by each participant can be temporarily stored in the personal computer P and displayed on the display unit 2 of each participant, so that the participants' thoughts and images can be expressed, understood, and shared. This writable display device 1 can be utilized as an aid.

Further, the input trajectory data corresponding to the handwritten image currently displayed on the display unit 2, the external image data corresponding to the external image, and the past-displayed data stored in the image-displayed data storage means 34 are displayed on the display unit 2. When outputting the displayed data that has been displayed to the external personal computer P, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, a small display or an operation unit provided in the control unit 3 is used to display control the corresponding data. The data is read from the means 31 or the displayed data storage means 34 (step S51) and transmitted via the output means 37 (step S52). In particular, when reading out the displayed data, it is convenient to display a list or preview of the file data stored on the display or the like provided in the control unit 3 so that the corresponding one can be selected from them. Is. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the displayed data is displayed on another personal computer P1, a mobile phone P2, a mobile information processing device P3, or another external device such as a projector (not shown) connected via the personal computer P via a LAN or the Internet. Can be transmitted so that the image displayed on the display unit 2 can be shared with an external device.
If the control unit 3 has an electronic mail transmission function, an Internet connection function, or the like, the image data can be directly transmitted to an external device such as an external personal computer P1. Further, when dynamically reproducing the displayed data based on the input trajectory data or the displayed data based on the external image data that is a moving image such as an animation, when dynamically reproducing along the time axis at the time of inputting or displaying, for example, control is performed. It is advisable to be able to select the display in the "playback mode" through the operation of the section 3.

The present invention is not limited to the aspect of the above embodiment. For example, regarding the method of determining the input trajectory, the input unit may be provided with a function of emitting ultrasonic waves during handwriting, while the control unit may be provided with a function of sensing the ultrasonic waves and recognizing the position of the input unit. An appropriate method can be adopted, such as detecting the movement on the surface of the display unit of the input unit magnetically, pressure-sensitively or electrostatically so as to determine the input trajectory. Further, as the input unit, for example, the information on the surface of the display unit traced with a pen tip or the like is optically read and analyzed, and the movement of the pen tip is analyzed to convert the input locus into data.
It is also possible to apply a mode in which the information is directly or indirectly transmitted to the control unit by th. In addition, the specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0050]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, an analog handwritten content on the display unit is converted into electronic data and displayed on the display unit, or an image captured from an external information processing apparatus. By displaying, a handwritten display image can be displayed, stored, or handled as electronic data that can be transmitted, and at the same time, a function as a conventional general display can be achieved. That is, it is possible to provide an extremely epoch-making display medium having both the convenience of digital technology and the characteristic of the original human motion of drawing by analog handwriting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view partially showing the principle of the display unit in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration block diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing the principle of the input pen in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic device configuration diagram of a control unit in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing one usage mode of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage pattern of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage pattern of the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit when an external image is displayed in the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input pen when displaying an input track in the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit when outputting the image that has already been displayed or is being displayed to the outside in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Writable display device 2 ... Display 2a ... Handwriting input layer (protection layer) 2b ... Location information provision layer 2c ... Display layer 3 ... Control unit 4 ... Input section (input pen) 21 ... Means to be written 22 ... Position information providing means 23 ... Display driving means 24 ... Display means 31 ... Display control means 32 ... Input trajectory data receiving means 33 ... External image data receiving means 34 ... Displayed data storage means 35 ... Output means 41 ... Handwriting input means 42 ... Input trajectory determining means 43 ... Input locus conversion means 44 ... Input locus data transmission means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B087 AA09 CC01 CC21 CC26 CC32                       DD03 DD17 DJ01                 5C006 AB05 AF03 AF45 AF61 BB11                       BF49 EC02 EC05 FA03                 5C082 AA01 AA25 BA02 BA12 CA59                       CB06 DA51 MM05 MM09

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A display unit and a control unit for controlling display of a display image displayed on the display unit are at least integrally provided, and at least when the control unit performs handwriting input on a front surface side of the display unit. Input trajectory data receiving means for receiving input trajectory data converted into a signal capable of processing information based on the input trajectory, and a display control signal issued based on the input trajectory data received by the input trajectory data receiving means. And a display control unit that performs a process of displaying a handwritten image corresponding to the above-mentioned on the display unit. 2. An input locus discriminating means for reading an input locus at the time of handwriting input to the display unit, and an input locus converting means for converting the input locus read by the input locus discriminating means into data.
At least an input locus data transmitting unit for transmitting the input locus data converted by the input locus converting unit to the control unit is further provided, and an input unit capable of inputting handwriting from the outside to the display unit is further provided. A writing means capable of handwriting input by the input unit, and a position information providing unit for providing position information for indicating the position of the input trajectory to the input unit or suggesting the position. The writable display device according to claim 1. 3. The writable display device according to claim 2, wherein the input locus data receiving means directly receives the input locus data from the input locus data transmitting means in the input section. 4. The display unit displays a display substrate capable of forming an electric field or a magnetic field based on a display control signal transmitted by a display control unit, and an image corresponding to the electric field or the magnetic field formed on the display substrate. A display driving means for forming an electric field or a magnetic field on the display substrate based on the display control signal, the display driving means being provided in any one of the display section and the control section. 3. The writable display device described in 3. 5. The position information providing unit is a position information providing pattern displayed on the display unit so as to indicate or suggest an absolute position on the display unit, and the locus discriminating unit passes through the input unit during handwriting input. The writable display device according to claim 4, wherein the input locus is determined by reading the position information provision pattern. 6. A display unit integrally comprises a display layer having the display substrate and display elements, a position information providing layer having the position information providing pattern, and a handwriting input layer having a surface as a writing means. 6. The writable display device according to claim 5, wherein the writable display device has a plurality of layers. 7. The display unit is formed by stacking a handwriting input layer, a position information providing layer, and a display layer in this order from the top, and the handwriting input layer and the position information providing layer are transparent or translucent. Item 6. The writable display device according to item 6. 8. The writable display device according to claim 6, wherein the position information providing pattern is printed on the position information providing layer so that it can be read by the input trajectory determining means in the input section. 9. The display unit is capable of sustaining a self-holding display image in a non-powered state.
Alternatively, the writable display device according to item 7. 10. The control unit further comprises external image data receiving means for receiving external image data indicating a display image generated by an external information processing device, and the display control means receives the external image data. The display control signal is transmitted based on the external image data received by the means, and the external image is processed to be displayed on the display unit.
The writable display device according to 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9. 11. The display control means transmits a display control signal for causing a display unit to simultaneously display both a handwritten image based on input trajectory data and an external image based on external image data. Writable display device. 12. The control unit further comprises output means for outputting the displayed data corresponding to the display image displayed on the display unit. ,
A writable display device according to 8, 9, 10 or 11. 13. The display control means, based on the input trajectory data received by the input trajectory data receiving means at the time of handwriting input to the display portion, displays a handwritten image corresponding to the input trajectory on the display portion where handwriting input is performed. Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, which are displayed immediately.
13. The writable display device according to 10, 11, or 12. 14. The display control means comprises a display data storage means for storing display data corresponding to an image displayed on the display portion as file data for each display screen. Is a means for transmitting a display control signal based on the displayed data corresponding to each file data accumulated by the displayed data accumulating means to re-display the displayed image on the display section. ,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11 or 13 writable display device. 15. The displayed data accumulating means accumulates the displayed data together with the time axis at the time of displaying on the display unit, and the display control means carries out a display control signal along the accumulated time axis. 15. The writable display device according to claim 14, wherein the writable display device is used to dynamically display and reproduce an image on the display unit.