JP2008123082A - Electronic writing instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read a prescribed pattern without writing it to a medium for an electronic writing instrument on which the prescribed pattern is printed, the pattern being readable to an electronic writing instrument such as an electronic pen. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic writing instrument 1 includes: a writing penholder 11 which can write to a medium 5 for an electronic writing instrument, on which a prescribed pattern 41 is printed, the pattern being readable to the electronic writing instrument 1; and a tracing penholder 12 which can not write to the medium 5 for an electronic writing instrument, wherein the writing penholder 11 and the tracing penholder 12 are changeably arranged as a nib. The electronic writing instrument 1 also includes a generation means 31 for generating a coordinate value from the prescribed pattern 41 which is printed in the vicinity of a contact part of the nib to the medium 5 for an electronic writing instrument. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic writing instrument.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic pen that reads a dot pattern of dedicated paper. The electronic pen includes an ink pen unit having a pen tip portion similar to the ink pen. Then, the electronic pen reads the dot pattern of the dedicated paper by writing on the electronic pen paper, and generates stroke data. The infrared LED and the camera of the electronic pen are switched on / off based on the writing pressure data.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a pen input device used in combination with a tablet. This pen input device has a function of switching modes such as the color and type of an input line using a switch.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-301471 (summary, detailed description of the invention, paragraph 0013, etc.) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-160398 (FIG. 8, claims, detailed description of the invention, etc.)

  The electronic pen disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be written on paper for an electronic pen by using an ink pen. Further, the electronic pen disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates stroke data serving as the writing locus data. The stroke data can be used as equivalent to the locus data of writing by the tablet input device of Patent Document 2. That is, the electronic pen disclosed in Patent Document 1 can realize writing on the electronic pen paper and generation of the writing locus data by a single writing operation by the user. It is considered that such an electronic pen can be suitably used for, for example, filling in application documents for government offices and filling in hospital charts.

  By the way, paying attention to the fact that the electronic pen generates writing trajectory data, for example, a map is created with electronic pen paper, the position in the map is read with the electronic pen, and the electronic pen trajectory data is at the reading position. It is conceivable to generate latitude / longitude data of a sightseeing spot and apply it to the destination setting of a navigation device. Thereby, it is not necessary to perform an operation for selecting a destination in the navigation device itself, and even a user unfamiliar with the operation of the navigation device can easily set the destination. In addition, since the electronic pen disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be used, such a navigation system is expected to be realized at low cost.

  However, when a map or the like created with electronic pen paper is read with the electronic pen, characters, marks, and the like are written at the reading position with the ink pen. As a result, even if the user does not want to contaminate the map or the like, the paper surface becomes dirty. In addition, characters or marks are written at points that the user has previously set as the destination, and even if the user tries to set the point as the destination again, the characters or marks that have already been written are faulty. Thus, the electronic pen may not be able to perform correct reading.

  In order to prevent such a stain on the paper surface of the map or the like due to the ink pen, for example, a transparent sheet or the like is overlaid on the map or the like made with the paper for the electronic pen, and then the map is moved to the map or the like with the electronic pen. It is necessary to perform writing. It is troublesome for the user, and depending on the combination of the electronic pen and the transparent sheet, there is a possibility that correct reading cannot be performed by the transparent sheet.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic writing instrument that can read the predetermined pattern without writing on the medium for the electronic writing instrument on which the predetermined pattern that can be read by the electronic writing instrument such as an electronic pen is printed. To do.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention includes a writing pen shaft capable of writing to an electronic writing instrument medium on which a predetermined pattern readable by the electronic writing instrument is printed, and a tracing pen axis capable of not writing to the electronic writing instrument medium Are arranged to be switchable as a nib. In addition, the electronic writing instrument includes a generating unit that generates a coordinate value from a predetermined pattern printed in the vicinity of a contact portion of the pen tip with the electronic writing instrument medium.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the above-described configuration of the invention. That is, the electronic writing instrument includes an imaging member that images the vicinity of the contact portion of the pen tip with the electronic writing instrument medium and outputs the same to the generation unit, and a switching member that switches one of the writing pen shaft and the tracing pen shaft to the pen tip position. Switching instruction means for outputting a control signal to the imaging member and the switching member, and the same number of states as the number of operation modes switched by the switching instruction means, and each state corresponds to each operation mode on a one-to-one basis. And a switch member.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention has the following characteristics in addition to the components of the above-described invention. That is, the switching instructing means is between a pen reading mode in which the writing pen axis is set to the pen tip position and the imaging member is operated, and a pen mode in which the writing pen axis is set to the pen tip position and the imaging member is stopped. When the mode is switched, a control signal for switching to a control state corresponding to the mode is output only to the imaging member.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention has the following characteristics in addition to the components of the above-described invention. That is, the switching instructing means is between a pen reading mode in which the writing pen axis is set to the pen tip position and the imaging member is operated, and a reading mode in which the tracing pen axis is set to the pen tip position and the imaging member is operated. When the mode is switched, a control signal for switching to the control state corresponding to the mode is output only to the switching member.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention has the following characteristics in addition to the components of the above-described invention. That is, the electronic writing instrument has a display member that displays the operation mode set by the switching instruction unit after the switching instruction unit outputs a control signal to the imaging member and the switching member.

  The electronic writing instrument according to the present invention has the following characteristics in addition to the components of the above-described invention. That is, the switching instruction means causes the writing pen shaft and the tracing pen shaft to be accommodated in the electronic writing instrument by the switching member when the electronic writing instrument is not used. In addition, the switching instruction means outputs a control signal to both the imaging member and the switching member when the imaging member is operated when starting to use the electronic writing instrument, and the writing pen axis or the tracing pen axis is the position of the pen tip. In this case, the generation means is in a state in which the coordinate value can be generated based on the captured image from the imaging member.

  In the present invention, the predetermined pattern can be read without writing to the electronic writing instrument medium on which the predetermined pattern that can be read by the electronic writing instrument is printed.

  Hereinafter, an electronic writing instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic writing instrument will be described using the electronic pen 1 as an example.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic pen 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a right side view. The electronic pen 1 has a pen-shaped housing 10 that is slightly thicker than a sign pen or a ballpoint pen. The housing 10 accommodates a ballpoint pen shaft 11 as a writing pen shaft capable of writing on paper and a stylus pen shaft 12 as a tracing pen shaft which cannot write on paper. . The stylus pen shaft 12 is a shaft member made of plastic, for example, and its tip is formed into a spherical surface. Further, the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 can alternatively protrude outward from one end of the housing 10. The tip portion of the ball-point pen shaft 11 or the tip portion of the stylus pen shaft 12 protruding from the housing 10 becomes the pen tip of the electronic pen 1.

  Inside the housing 10, an infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) 13 and a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 14 as an imaging member are disposed. The infrared LED 13 and the CMOS sensor 14 are disposed at the end of the housing 10 on the pen tip side. The infrared LED 13 irradiates infrared rays around the pen tip of the electronic pen 1. The CMOS sensor 14 receives infrared rays reflected by the paper surface and periodically outputs captured image data.

  On the side surface of the housing 10, two display LEDs 15 and 16 as display members and a slide type power switch 23 are arranged. The two display LEDs 15 and 16 are vertically arranged on the side surface of the housing 10. On the left side of the two display LEDs 15, 16, characters “Coordinate reading OK” and characters “Write / Read” are printed. In the following, the display LED aligned with the characters “Coordinate reading OK” is referred to as the coordinate reading LED 15, and the display LED aligned with the characters “Write / Read” is referred to as the writing LED 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a rotary mode switch 17 is disposed at the other end of the housing 10. The mode switch 17 is a switch member for setting the operation mode of the electronic pen 1. The mode switch 17 can be set at three positions. The characters “Scan”, “Pen”, and “Pen Scan” are printed on the housing 10 in association with the three set positions of the mode switch 17.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit built in the electronic pen 1 of FIG. In addition to the infrared LED 13, the CMOS sensor 14, the coordinate reading LED 15, the writing LED 16, the power switch 23, and the mode switch 17, the electronic pen 1 includes a pen point switching circuit 18, a shooting control circuit 19, and a switching member as a switching member. A detection circuit 20, a USB I / F (Universal Serial Bus Interface) 21, a microcomputer IC 22 and the like are included.

  Further, electric power is supplied to these electronic components from a battery 24 built in the housing 10. The battery 24 supplies power to these electronic components when the power switch 23 is turned on. The battery 24 may be detachable from the electronic pen 1.

  The pen tip switching circuit 18 alternatively sets the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 built in the housing 10 to the pen tip position. The pen tip switching circuit 18 has a drive motor such as a DC motor, for example, drives the drive motor in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer IC 22, and connects one of the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 to the pen tip. Set to position. The pen tip switching circuit 18 accommodates the ballpoint pen shaft 11 or the stylus pen shaft 12 at the pen tip position in the housing 10.

  Note that the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 are mechanically switched to the pen tip in conjunction with the rotation of the switch member 17 instead of switching by the pen tip drive motor by the pen tip switching circuit 18. May be.

  The imaging control circuit 19 controls the imaging operation by the infrared LED 13 and the CMOS sensor 14. That is, the imaging control circuit 19 controls the emission and stop of the infrared LED 13 and the generation output of the captured image data by the CMOS sensor 14 and the stop thereof according to the control signal from the microcomputer IC22.

  The switching detection circuit 20 is connected to the mode switch 17 and detects a change in the state of the mode switch 17. When the setting position of the mode switch 17 is changed, the switching detection circuit 20 outputs a switching detection signal to the microcomputer IC 22.

  The microcomputer IC 22 includes an I / O (Input / Output) port, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like which are not shown. Connected to the I / O port are a CMOS sensor 14, a coordinate reading LED 15, a writing LED 16, a mode switch 17, a pen point switching circuit 18, an imaging control circuit 19, a switching detection circuit 20, a USB I / F 21, and the like. The CPU reads a control program (not shown) from the memory and executes it. Thus, the microcomputer IC 22 includes a coordinate generation unit 31 as a generation unit, a mode control unit 32 as a switching instruction unit, a memory management unit 33, a data memory 34, a handwriting data transmission unit 35, and the like.

  The control program executed by the CPU of the microcomputer IC 22 may be stored in the memory before the electronic pen 1 is shipped, or may be stored in the memory after the electronic pen 1 is shipped. . A part of the control program may be stored in the memory after the electronic pen 1 is shipped. Even if the control program stored in the memory after shipment of the electronic pen 1 is installed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, the control program is transmitted via a transmission medium such as the Internet. The downloaded version may be installed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the coordinate pattern 41 as a predetermined pattern that can be read by the electronic pen 1 of FIG. 1. The coordinate pattern 41 is basically a dot pattern in which, for example, 6 × 6 dots 42 are arranged in a vertical and horizontal matrix. Actually, as shown in FIG. 3, each dot 42 is in any one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions with reference to the positions of intersections of a plurality of vertical reference lines and a plurality of horizontal reference lines at predetermined intervals. It is printed at a position slightly shifted in the direction (that is, one of the four directions). A combination of 36 dot shift directions in one coordinate pattern 41 is the only combination among the plurality of coordinate patterns 41. For this reason, for example, when an arbitrary 6 × 6 dots 42 are selected from a plurality of dots 42 printed on a paper surface or the like, it can be used as at least a position on the paper surface. When the distance between the dots 42 is 0.3 mm, the position in the paper surface of about 60 million square kilometers is distinguished with an accuracy of 0.3 mm by the combination of the deviation directions of the 36 dots. Is possible.

  The coordinate generation unit 31 acquires captured image data that the CMOS sensor 14 periodically generates and outputs. The coordinate generation unit 31 analyzes each captured image data, identifies one coordinate pattern 41 in the captured image, and generates a coordinate value corresponding to the identified coordinate pattern 41. Note that the coordinate generation unit 31 uses a coordinate conversion database in which a plurality of coordinate patterns 41 printed on paper and a plurality of coordinate values are associated in advance in order to obtain coordinate values corresponding to the specified coordinate pattern 41. You may do it. This coordinate conversion database may be stored in a memory (not shown) of the microcomputer IC22, for example.

  The data memory 34 is realized, for example, in a memory not shown in the drawing of the microcomputer IC 22. The data memory 34 stores, for example, a mode flag 36, handwriting data 37, and the like.

  The mode flag 36 is data indicating the current operation mode set in the electronic pen 1.

  The handwriting data 37 is data indicating a locus read by the electronic pen 1. The handwriting data 37 is composed of a plurality of read coordinate data 38 as shown in FIG. The plurality of read coordinate data 38 has a plurality of read coordinate values generated by the coordinate generation unit 31 in the order of generation. The handwriting data 37 may be associated with each read coordinate data 38 and includes data of time when the coordinate value is read, data of writing pressure when the coordinate value is read, and the like. Good.

  The memory management unit 33 manages the data memory 34. That is, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 and the handwriting data 37, and adds, for example, the read coordinate value generated by the coordinate generation unit 31 to the handwriting data 37 as the read coordinate data 38. Further, the memory management unit 33 updates the value of the mode flag 36 to a value corresponding to the operation mode specified by the mode control unit 32, for example.

  The handwriting data transmission unit 35 controls data communication by the USB I / F 21. That is, when the handwriting data transmission unit 35 is connected to the USB I / F of another device (for example, a car navigation device 3 in FIG. 9 described later) by the USB cable 2, the handwriting data stored in the data memory 34 is stored. Control for transmitting 37 to another device is executed.

  The electronic pen 1 may have a wireless communication I / F using, for example, Bluetooth instead of the USB I / F 21. In the case of this modification, when the wireless communication I / F recognizes the wireless communication I / F of another device, the handwriting data transmission unit 35 transmits the handwriting data 37 stored in the data memory 34 to the other device. The control for this may be executed.

  The mode control unit 32 determines the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 and sets the electronic pen 1. The operation mode of the electronic pen 1 includes a pen reading mode, a pen mode, and a reading mode. These three operation modes are in one-to-one correspondence with the three setting states of the mode switch 17. The mode control unit 32 determines one operation mode based on the setting state of the mode switch 17, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the determined operation mode to the pen tip switching circuit 18 and the imaging control circuit 19. Further, the mode control unit 32 supplies the determined operation mode to the memory management unit 33. The memory management unit 33 updates the value of the mode flag 36 to a value corresponding to the operation mode notified from the mode control unit 32.

  In the pen reading mode, the ball-point pen shaft 11 is set at the position of the pen tip discharged from the housing 10, and the coordinate generation unit 31 generates coordinate values. In the pen mode, the ballpoint pen shaft 11 is set to the position of the pen tip, and the coordinate generation unit 31 does not generate a coordinate value. In the reading mode, the stylus pen shaft 12 is set to the position of the pen tip, and the coordinate generation unit 31 generates a coordinate value.

  Next, the operation of the electronic pen 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, the mode switching operation of the electronic pen 1 will be described.

  The user first sets the power switch 23 to ON. When the state of the power switch 23 changes from the off state to the on state, the battery 24 is connected to the electronic components in the electronic pen 1 and starts supplying power to the microcomputer IC 22 and the like. In the microcomputer IC 22, a coordinate generation unit 31, a memory management unit 33, a handwriting data transmission unit 35, a mode control unit 32, and the like are realized. When the power switch 23 is in the OFF state, the pen tip switching circuit 18 accommodates the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 in the housing 10.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of mode determination processing by the mode control unit 32 in FIG. The mode control unit 32 first reads the setting state of the mode switch 17 and determines one operation mode corresponding to the setting state of the mode switch 17 (step ST1). For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the mode switch 17 is set to “Scan”, the mode control unit 32 reads that the mode switch 17 is set to the reading mode, and The operation mode is determined as the reading mode. When the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 at the time of power-on is determined, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal corresponding to the determined operation mode to the pen tip switching circuit 18 and the imaging control circuit 19.

  For example, when the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is determined to be the reading mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Scan”, the mode control unit 32 sets the stylus pen shaft 12 to the pen tip position. A control signal is output to the pen point switching circuit 18, and a control signal for reading operation is output to the imaging control circuit 19 (step ST2). The pen tip switching circuit 18 drives the drive motor and sets the stylus pen shaft 12 to the pen tip position. The imaging control circuit 19 turns on the infrared LED 13 and starts imaging by the CMOS sensor 14. The CMOS sensor 14 starts outputting captured image data to the microcomputer IC 22 periodically.

  Thereafter, the mode control unit 32 controls lighting of the two display LEDs 15 and 16. Specifically, in the reading mode, the mode control unit 32 turns on the coordinate reading LED 15 and turns off the writing LED 16 (step ST3). In addition, the mode control unit 32 notifies the memory management unit 33 of the reading mode (step ST4). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 stored in the data memory 34 to a value corresponding to the reading mode.

  In addition to this, for example, when the mode control unit 32 determines that the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is the pen reading mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Pen Scan”, the ballpoint pen shaft 11 is moved to the pen tip. A control signal for setting the position is output to the pen point switching circuit 18, and a control signal for the reading operation is output to the imaging control circuit 19 (step ST5). The pen tip switching circuit 18 drives the drive motor and sets the ballpoint pen shaft 11 to the pen tip position. The imaging control circuit 19 turns on the infrared LED 13 and starts imaging by the CMOS sensor 14. The CMOS sensor 14 starts outputting captured image data to the microcomputer IC 22 periodically.

  Thereafter, the mode control unit 32 turns on the coordinate reading LED 15 and turns on the writing LED 16 to indicate that the pen reading mode is set (step ST6). Further, the mode control unit 32 notifies the memory management unit 33 of the pen reading mode (step ST7). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 to a value corresponding to the pen reading mode.

  In addition to this, for example, when the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is determined to be the pen mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Pen”, the mode control unit 32 sets the ball-point pen shaft 11 to the pen tip position. A control signal for setting is output to the pen point switching circuit 18, and a control signal for stopping reading is output to the imaging control circuit 19 (step ST8). The pen tip switching circuit 18 drives the drive motor and sets the ballpoint pen shaft 11 to the pen tip position. The imaging control circuit 19 turns off the infrared LED 13 and stops imaging by the CMOS sensor 14. The CMOS sensor 14 does not output captured image data to the microcomputer IC 22.

  Thereafter, the mode control unit 32 turns off the coordinate reading LED 15 and turns on the writing LED 16 to indicate that the pen mode is set (step ST9). The mode control unit 32 notifies the memory management unit 33 of the pen mode (step ST10). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 to a value corresponding to the notified pen mode.

  When the above-described mode setting process at power-on is finished, the mode control unit 32 enters a mode switching detection input waiting state (step ST11). When the user operates the mode switch 17, the switching detection circuit 20 outputs a switching detection signal to the microcomputer IC 22. When the switching detection signal is input to the microcomputer IC 22, the mode control unit 32 determines the newly set mode (step ST12). The mode control unit 32 reads the setting state of the mode switch 17, determines one operation mode corresponding to the setting state of the mode switch 17, and executes mode setting control according to the determined operation mode.

  Specifically, for example, when the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is determined to be the reading mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Scan”, the mode control unit 32 is currently setting the value read from the mode flag 36. A control signal corresponding to the difference in setting between the operation mode and the reading mode newly set by the mode switch 17 is output to the pen point switching circuit 18 and the imaging control circuit 19 (step ST13).

  FIG. 5 is a table showing combinations of control signals output by the mode control unit 32 when the operation mode is changed. The control signal output by the mode control unit 32 corresponds to a difference in setting between the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36 and the new operation mode set by the mode switch 17.

  When the new operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is the reading mode, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal shown in the first row of FIG. 5 according to the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36. . For example, when the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36 is the pen reading mode, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal for setting the stylus pen shaft 12 to the pen tip position to the pen tip switching circuit 18. . The mode control unit 32 does not output a control signal to the imaging control circuit 19.

  Thereafter, since the operation mode to be updated is the reading mode, the mode control unit 32 turns on the coordinate reading LED 15 and turns off the writing LED 16 (step ST14). Further, the mode control unit 32 notifies the memory management unit 33 of the reading mode (step ST15). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 stored in the data memory 34 to a value corresponding to the reading mode.

  In addition to this, for example, when the mode control unit 32 determines that the new operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is the pen reading mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Pen Scan”, the mode flag is set to the mode flag 36. A control signal shown in the second row of FIG. 5 is output according to the stored current operation mode (step ST16). For example, when the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36 is the reading mode, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal for setting the ballpoint pen shaft 11 to the pen tip position to the pen tip switching circuit 18. The mode control unit 32 does not output a control signal to the imaging control circuit 19. In addition to this, for example, when the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36 is the pen mode, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal for the reading operation to the imaging control circuit 19. The mode control unit 32 does not output a control signal to the pen tip switching circuit 18.

  Thereafter, since the updated operation mode is the pen reading mode, the mode control unit 32 lights the coordinate reading LED 15 and lights the writing LED 16 (step ST17). The mode control unit 32 notifies the memory management unit 33 of the pen reading mode (step ST18). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 stored in the data memory 34 to a value corresponding to the pen reading mode.

  In addition, for example, when the mode control unit 32 determines that the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 is the pen mode based on the mode switch 17 being set to “Pen”, the current state stored in the mode flag 36 is stored. The control signal shown in the third row of FIG. 5 is output according to the operation mode (step ST19). For example, when the current operation mode stored in the mode flag 36 is the pen reading mode, the mode control unit 32 outputs a control signal for stopping the reading to the imaging control circuit 19. The mode control unit 32 does not output a control signal to the pen tip switching circuit 18. The imaging control circuit 19 turns off the infrared LED 13 and stops imaging by the CMOS sensor 14 in order to stop reading. The CMOS sensor 14 does not output captured image data to the microcomputer IC 22.

  Thereafter, since the updated operation mode is the pen mode, the mode control unit 32 turns off the coordinate reading LED 15 and turns on the writing LED 16 (step ST20). The mode control unit 32 notifies the pen mode to the memory management unit 33 (step ST21). As a result, the memory management unit 33 updates the mode flag 36 stored in the data memory 34 to a value corresponding to the pen mode.

  When the above-described mode change processing is completed, the mode control unit 32 again enters the switching detection input waiting state (step ST11). And if a user operates the mode switch 17, the mode control part 32 will repeatedly perform the mode change process from previous step ST12 to step ST21.

  Thus, the user can use the electronic pen 1 by switching the operation mode to a desired mode by the on / off switching operation of the power switch 23 and the setting operation of the mode switch 17. The user can use the single electronic pen 1 for multiple purposes by switching to a desired operation mode.

  Next, for example, the electronic pen 1 set in the reading mode reads a map sheet on which a map is printed over the plurality of coordinate patterns 41, and the electronic navigation device 3 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile. A description will be given of an operation in which a point in the map read by the electronic pen 1 is used as a destination.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a map sheet 5 as a medium for an electronic writing instrument on which the coordinate pattern 41 of FIG. 3 and a map image are printed in an overlapping manner. The map sheet 5 is a kind of printed matter. The map sheet 5 is printed with a plurality of dots 42 with ink that absorbs infrared rays on the entire paper surface that reflects infrared rays. Further, the map image is printed so as to overlap with the plurality of dots 42 with ink that transmits infrared rays.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the electronic pen 1 of FIG. The electronic pen 1 is used by being held in a hand so that the pen tip touches a desired position on the paper surface, like a ballpoint pen. In the reading mode, the stylus pen shaft 12 is at the pen tip position. Therefore, even if the pen tip of the electronic pen 1 touches the map sheet 5, no writing is performed.

  The infrared LED 13 of the electronic pen 1 irradiates infrared rays to the pen tip and its surroundings. Infrared rays are reflected by the paper surface and absorbed by the plurality of dots 42. The CMOS sensor 14 of the electronic pen 1 receives infrared rays reflected by the paper surface. The CMOS sensor 14 captures an image in which infrared rays are absorbed by the plurality of dots 42 and periodically generates captured image data. The coordinate generation unit 31 analyzes each captured image data, identifies one coordinate pattern 41 in the captured image, and generates a coordinate value corresponding to the identified coordinate pattern 41 on a one-to-one basis. The memory management unit 33 adds the read coordinate data 38 having the read coordinate value generated by the coordinate generation unit 31 to the handwriting data 37. The handwriting data 37 is updated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the handwriting data 37 in FIG. The handwriting data 37 has a plurality of read coordinate data 38. The plurality of read coordinate data 38 is obtained by storing a plurality of read coordinate values generated by the coordinate generation unit 31 in the order of generation. The handwriting data 37 in FIG. 8 is obtained when one circle is written on the map sheet 5 by the electronic pen 1.

  After writing a circle at a desired point on the map sheet 5 with the electronic pen 1 in the reading mode, the user connects the electronic pen 1 to the car navigation device 3. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the electronic pen 1 and the car navigation device 3 are connected by the USB cable 2. When the handwriting data transmission unit 35 of the electronic pen 1 detects that the USB I / F of the car navigation device 3 is connected to the USB I / F 21 of the electronic pen 1, the handwriting data 37 is read from the data memory 34. The handwriting data transmission unit 35 transmits the read handwriting data 37 to the connected car navigation device 3.

  The car navigation device 3 that has received the handwriting data 37 first analyzes the received handwriting data 37. The car navigation device 3 specifies a point where writing is performed by the electronic pen 1 in the map sheet 5 based on a plurality of read coordinate values of the handwriting data 37. The car navigation device 3 stores, for example, a coordinate value conversion database in which the coordinate values and latitude / longitude in the map sheet 5 are associated in advance, and the map value in the map sheet 5 is referenced with reference to the coordinate value conversion database. What is necessary is just to specify the latitude longitude value of the point written with the electronic pen 1. FIG. After specifying the latitude / longitude value of the point written by the electronic pen 1, the car navigation device 3 searches for a route having the specified latitude / longitude value as the destination, for example, the current vehicle position as the departure point. To do. Then, the car navigation device 3 displays the searched route on the liquid crystal device 51.

  As a result, the user can set a destination in the car navigation device 3 simply by rounding a predetermined point on the map with the electronic pen 1. The user can set a destination in the car navigation device 3 without operating the touch panel or the button 52 of the car navigation device 3.

  As described above, in the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment, the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 can be switched as the pen tip. In addition, the coordinate generation unit 31 of the electronic pen 1 uses the coordinate pattern 41 from a predetermined coordinate pattern 41 printed near the contact portion of the map sheet 5 by the pen tip (for example, the contact portion of the pen tip or its peripheral portion). A coordinate value corresponding to is generated.

  Therefore, in this electronic pen 1, when the stylus pen shaft 12 is set as the pen tip, without writing the actual data on the map sheet 5, from the predetermined coordinate pattern 41 printed on the part that the pen tip contacts, Coordinate values in the vicinity of the contact part can be generated. As a result, the electronic pen 1 does not stain the map sheet 5. The map sheet 5 is held in an easily viewable state. On the contrary, when it is desired to write on the map sheet 5 or the like, it is possible to write using the same electronic pen 1 only by operating the mode switch 17. Furthermore, the electronic pen 1 can be used as a simple writing instrument in the pen mode.

  In addition, since the electronic pen 1 can switch the pen tip between the ball-point pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12, it can be used for both writing and non-writing. The user separately arranges the electronic pen for writing on the map sheet 5 or the like on which the predetermined coordinate pattern 41 is printed and the electronic pen not to write, or uses them separately, There is no need to manually change between the detachable ballpoint pen shaft and the stylus pen shaft.

  Further, the mode switch 17 of this embodiment has three setting positions corresponding to each of the three operation modes (reading mode, pen reading mode, and pen mode) of the electronic pen 1. Therefore, the user can correctly set the operation mode of the electronic pen 1 by the mode switch 17 and can accurately check the setting state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the mode control unit 32 of this embodiment outputs a control signal only to the pen tip switching circuit 18 when switching the operation mode between the reading mode and the pen reading mode, When the operation mode is switched between the reading mode and the pen mode, a control signal is output only to the imaging control circuit 19. Also, when the operation modes before and after switching are the same, no control signal is output. Therefore, when the operation mode is switched, the mode control unit 32 does not wastefully output a control signal to a circuit that does not need to be switched, and therefore, the mode control unit 32 can switch the operation mode in a minimum time with the minimum necessary control. Further, the power of the battery 24 is not wasted.

  Further, the coordinate reading LED 15 and the writing LED 16 of this embodiment display an operation mode set in the electronic pen 1. From this display, the user can confirm whether or not the setting state of the electronic pen 1 is the operation mode set by the mode switch 17. Therefore, for example, the user does not start the reading operation of the map sheet 5 or the like with the electronic pen 1 before the electronic pen 1 can generate the coordinate value after the mode switch 17 is set to “Scan”. can do. In particular, when the setting of the mode switch 17 is changed from “Pen” to “Pen Scan”, the pen tip does not change. However, even in such a mode change, the CMOS sensor 14 detects the captured image data. The reading operation can be prevented from starting before generation begins.

  Further, the ball-point pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 of this embodiment are accommodated in the housing 10 when the power switch 23 is in an off state when not in use. The ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 are alternatively set to the penpoint position by the penpoint switching circuit 18 based on a control signal from the mode control unit 32 when the power switch 23 is turned on. . Similarly, the CMOS sensor 14 starts generating captured image data based on a control signal from the mode control unit 32. Therefore, when one of the ball-point pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 is set to the pen tip position, the CMOS sensor 14 can generate captured image data. The user can use the electronic pen 1 for reading the coordinate values as soon as the pen tip comes out.

  Further, the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 of this embodiment are selectively controlled to be switched to the penpoint position by the penpoint switching circuit 18. The battery 24 supplies power to each unit such as the nib switching circuit 18, the mode control unit 32 implemented in the microcomputer IC 22, and the CMOS sensor 14. Therefore, if the power of the battery 24 is insufficient, it takes more time than usual to switch the pen tip after the mode switch 17 is operated. Alternatively, the pen tip does not switch. The user can know the possibility that the handwriting cannot be read because the battery power is insufficient due to the switching speed of the nib. On the other hand, unlike this embodiment, for example, when the ballpoint pen shaft 11 and the stylus pen shaft 12 are switched by a mechanical mechanism such as a commercially available multicolored ballpoint pen, the switching speed of the pen tip is changed. Therefore, it is impossible to know the possibility that the handwriting cannot be read.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

  The power switch 23 of the above embodiment is disposed on the other end side of the housing of the electronic pen 1 and is operated by the user. In addition to this, for example, the power switch 23 is disposed on one end side (pen tip side) of the housing of the electronic pen 1, and the power switch 23 is switched on and off by attaching and detaching the cap to the pen tip of the electronic pen 1. May be. In this modification, the mode control unit 32 may set the state in which the cap is attached to the pen tip of the electronic pen 1 as the fourth operation mode in which neither writing nor reading is performed.

  The electronic pen 1 of the above embodiment has a rotary mode switch 17 in order to set an operation mode. In addition to this, for example, the electronic pen 1 has a first switch member for selecting the pen tip and a second switch member for setting the reading on / off separately for setting the operation mode. Also good. FIG. 10 is an external view of a modified electronic pen 7 having a first switch member 62 and a second switch member 61. The first switch member 62 and the second switch member 61 are arranged side by side on the other end side of the housing.

  Further, in the mode control unit 32 of the electronic pen 7 according to this modified example, the first switch member 62 is set to the reading state and the second switch member 61 is set to the coordinate reading off state. Instead of the power switch 23, the power supply from the battery 24 to the electronic component may be stopped.

  In the above embodiment, the trajectory data 37 generated by the electronic pens 1 and 7 is used for setting the destination of the car navigation apparatus 3. In addition to this, for example, the trajectory data 37 may be used for an instruction to correct the guide route of the car navigation device 3. The electronic pens 1 and 7 transmit the trajectory data 37 to an information processing device other than the car navigation device 3, such as a personal computer, a mobile phone terminal, a navigation device, an AV (audio visual) device, a store terminal, and the like. Also good. These information processing apparatuses use the trajectory data 37 generated by the electronic pens 1 and 7 to select, for example, content data or to specify preferential data for the user of the electronic pen 1. Just do it. The electronic pens 1 and 7 having the stylus pen shaft 12 as a pen tip can also be used for input to an electronic device having a touch panel such as a PDA.

  The present invention can be suitably used in an electronic pen that reads a printed matter on which a predetermined pattern is printed.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic pen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit built in the electronic pen of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinate pattern (dot pattern) that can be read by the electronic pen in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of mode determination processing by the mode control unit in FIG. FIG. 5 is a table showing combinations of control signals output by the mode control unit when the operation mode is changed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a map sheet on which the coordinate pattern (dot pattern) of FIG. 3 is printed in an overlapping manner. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage state of the electronic pen of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of handwriting data in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the electronic pen is connected to the car navigation device. FIG. 10 is an external view showing a modification of the electronic pen shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,7 Electronic pen (electronic writing instrument)
3 Car navigation device 5 Map sheet (medium for electronic writing instruments)
11 Ballpoint pen axis (writing pen axis)
12 Stylus pen axis (trace pen axis)
14 CMOS sensor (imaging member)
15 Coordinate reading LED (part of display member)
16 Write LED (part of display member)
17 Mode switch (switch member)
18 Pen tip switching circuit (switching member)
24 battery 31 coordinate generation unit (generation means)
32 Mode controller (switching instruction means)
41 Coordinate pattern (predetermined pattern)
61 Second switch member (part of switch member)
62 1st switch member (a part of switch member)

Claims (6)

A writing pen shaft capable of writing on a medium for electronic writing instruments on which a predetermined pattern readable by the electronic writing instrument is printed and a tracing pen shaft which cannot be written on the medium for electronic writing instruments can be switched as a pen tip. As well as
An electronic writing instrument comprising generating means for generating coordinate values from the predetermined pattern printed in the vicinity of a contact portion of the pen tip with the electronic writing instrument medium. An imaging member that images the vicinity of a contact portion of the pen tip to the electronic writing instrument medium and outputs the image to the generation unit;
A switching member for switching one of the writing pen shaft and the tracing pen shaft to the position of the pen tip;
Switching instruction means for outputting a control signal to the imaging member and the switching member;
A switch member that takes the same number of states as the plurality of operation modes switched by the switching instruction means, and each state has a one-to-one correspondence with each of the operation modes;
The electronic writing instrument according to claim 1, comprising:   The switching instruction means includes a pen reading mode in which the writing pen axis is set to the pen tip position and the imaging member is operated, and a pen that sets the writing pen axis to the pen tip position and stops the imaging member. 3. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein when the mode is switched between modes, a control signal for switching to a control state corresponding to the mode is output only to the imaging member.   The switching instruction means sets the writing pen axis to the position of the pen tip and operates the imaging member, and reads that sets the tracing pen axis to the position of the pen tip and operates the imaging member. 4. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein when the mode is switched between modes, a control signal for switching to a control state corresponding to the mode is output only to the switching member. 5.   5. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a display member that displays an operation mode set by the switching instruction unit after the switching instruction unit outputs a control signal to the imaging member and the switching member. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 1. The switching instruction means allows the writing pen shaft and the tracing pen shaft to be accommodated in the electronic writing instrument by the switching member when the electronic writing instrument is not used, and
When operating the imaging member when starting to use the electronic writing instrument, the switching instruction means outputs a control signal to both the imaging member and the switching member, and the writing pen shaft or the tracing pen shaft is When in the position of the pen tip, the generation means is in a state capable of generating a coordinate value based on a captured image from the imaging member;
The electronic writing instrument according to claim 2.

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