JP2009181348A - Electronic writing tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for improving operability and visibility of an electronic writing tool. <P>SOLUTION: An operation button 624c as an operation unit to be operated by a user is disposed on an opposite side of a side with an opening part 621b to an axis center (A-A) of a bar-shape housing having the opening part 621b as a light transmission part for transmitting irradiated light to a medium and reflected light from the medium. If a cap 610 is mounted, the button 624c and wave-guide members 624h, 624j showing the light from a display unit to the outside of the tool are disposed on an opposite side of a side with a facing piece 612a of the cap 610 to the axis center (A-A) of the housing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic writing instrument.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been focused on a technique in which characters, figures, and the like written on a medium such as paper are converted into electronic data, which is transferred to a personal computer, a mobile phone, etc., and the written contents are stored.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes the following technique. That is, when a medium on which fine dots formed with different patterns on the surface are printed and a pen device with an image sensor, for example, are written on the medium by the pen device, A dot pattern at the position of a character, a figure, or the like is read into the image sensor, and the position coordinates of the position of the character, the figure, etc. (drawing trace) are specified. Thereby, generation of an electronic document composed of written characters, graphics, etc., addition of characters, graphics, etc. to a predetermined electronic document are performed.
Patent Document 2 describes the following technique. That is, the pen-type handheld pointing device has a function of detecting when the pointer at the distal end contacts the work surface. A button is also provided on the body of the handheld pointing device to function as a computer mouse.

JP 2004-94907 A JP 11-345079 A

  Generally, when an electronic switch such as a pen device is provided with an operation switch operated from the outside, it is preferable to arrange the operation switch at a position where the user can easily operate. Moreover, it is preferable that the display unit indicating the operation state of the electronic writing instrument is arranged at a position that is easy for the user in use to view.

The invention according to claim 1 is a writing unit capable of writing on a medium, an irradiation unit that irradiates light to the medium, a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the medium, the irradiation unit, and It is operated by a user provided on a side opposite to the side where the light transmission part is located with respect to the axial center of the casing, and a rod-shaped case that houses a light receiving part and has a light transmission part that transmits light. An electronic writing instrument including an operation unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the writing unit, a tip end portion that contacts the medium during writing is substantially positioned on an axis of the casing, and a rear end portion is located with respect to the axis of the casing. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electronic writing instrument is located on a side opposite to a side where the light transmission portion is located.
The invention according to claim 3 is the electronic writing instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation unit is attached to the casing so as not to protrude from an outer surface of the casing.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the electronic writing instrument according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the operation portion is at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the casing.

The invention according to claim 5 is a writing unit capable of writing on a medium, a reading means for reading an image on the medium, a rod-shaped main body housing for storing the reading means, and an operation operated by a user. A reading tool main body, a cover portion covering an end portion of the writing tool main body on the writing portion side, and a clip piece arranged to face the outer surface of the cover portion, and the reading The means is allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a specified position of the writing instrument body, and is not allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a position other than the specified position. Is mounted at a specified position on the writing instrument body, the operation portion is located on the opposite side of the axis of the body housing from the side on which the clip piece is located. It is an electronic writing instrument and said.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the main body housing is configured so that the cap has a distal end on the side opposite to the end on the opening side where the writing instrument main body is inserted, from the end on the distal end side of the clip piece. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 5, further comprising a guide portion that forms a plane extending toward the axis of the electronic writing instrument.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the reading unit includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light to the medium and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the medium, and the guide unit includes the medium. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 6, further comprising a light transmission portion that transmits at least one of irradiation light irradiated to the light and reflected light from the medium.
The invention according to claim 8 is the electronic writing instrument according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cap does not cover the operation portion when the cap is attached to the writing instrument body.

The invention according to claim 9 is a writing unit capable of writing on a medium, a reading unit for reading an image on the medium, a rod-shaped main body housing for storing the reading unit, and a display unit for displaying information. And a cap having a cover part that covers an end part of the writing tool body on the writing part side, and a clip piece that is disposed opposite to the outer surface of the cover part, and the reading means The operation is allowed when the cap is mounted at a specified position of the writing instrument body, and the operation is not allowed when the cap is mounted at a position other than the specified position. When the writing instrument main body is mounted at a predetermined position, the display unit is located on a side opposite to a side where the clip piece is located with respect to an axis of the main body housing. It is an electronic writing instrument.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the writing instrument main body has an operation unit operated by a user, the display unit includes a first display member indicating that the reading unit is operating, and the operation The electronic writing instrument according to claim 9, further comprising: a second display member that indicates that the unit is operated.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation unit can be positioned at a position where the user who is using the electronic writing instrument can easily operate, and the operability can be improved.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation unit can be positioned at a position that is ergonomically easy for the user to operate.
According to claim 3 of the present invention, malfunction can be suppressed.
According to claim 4 of the present invention, it is possible to realize both ease of writing and ease of operation.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the electronic writing instrument is used with the cap attached, the operation unit can be positioned at a position where the user can easily operate, and the operability can be improved.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even when the electronic writing instrument is used with the cap attached, the operation unit can be positioned at a position where the user can easily operate.
According to claim 7 of the present invention, the electronic writing instrument can be appropriately operated even with the cap attached.
According to claim 8 of the present invention, the electronic writing instrument can be accurately operated even when the cap is attached.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, even when the cap is attached and the electronic writing instrument is used, the display unit can be positioned at a position that is easy for the user to see, and the visibility can be improved.
According to claim 10 of the present invention, convenience can be improved.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, the overall configuration of the handwriting information management system in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a handwriting information management system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the handwriting information management system includes a terminal device 10, a document server 20, an identification information server 30, an image forming device 40, and a terminal device 50 connected to a network 80. It is configured. A digital pen 60 is connected to the terminal device 50 via a communication device 70.

In the handwriting information management system of this embodiment, when a print request for an electronic document is made from the terminal device 10, the document server 20 receives the print request from the terminal device 10, and the print request is sent to the image forming apparatus 40. An instruction to print the electronic document is issued. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 40 prints the document image of the electronic document on a medium such as paper. At this time, the image forming apparatus 40 prints a code image on the medium in addition to the document image.
The code image here is an image of the identification code and the position code obtained by encoding the identification information and the position information. The identification information is information for uniquely identifying a medium, and is issued by the identification information server 30 in the present embodiment. The position information is information for specifying the coordinate position on the medium, and is generated by the document server 20 in the present embodiment.
When the user writes with the digital pen 60 on the medium on which the document image and the code image are printed, the digital pen 60 generates handwritten information (handwriting information) based on the position information included in the code image. . At the same time, the digital pen 60 recognizes identification information included in the code image. Then, the recognized identification information and handwriting information are sent to the document server 20 via the terminal device 50. The document server 20 that has received the identification information and the handwriting information specifies the electronic document printed on the medium based on the identification information, and stores the specified electronic document and the handwriting information in association with each other.
Further, when the user instructs display of predetermined information associated with the document image using the digital pen 60 on the medium on which the document image and the code image are printed, the digital pen 60 has received the instruction. And the identification information and position information included in the code image are recognized. Then, the recognized signal, identification information, and position information are sent to the terminal device 50. Upon receiving these, the terminal device 50 sends the identification information and position information to the document server 20 and links to a predetermined information source associated with the electronic document printed on the medium corresponding to the identification information and position information. (URL) is requested. Then, the terminal device 50 that has received the link destination (URL) to the predetermined information accesses the link destination and displays the predetermined information on its own display, for example.

In this specification, electronic data that is the basis of an image recorded on a medium is expressed as “electronic document”. However, this does not mean only data obtained by digitizing a “document” including text. For example, "electronic document" including image data (regardless of raster data or vector data) such as pictures, photographs, figures, etc., data recorded by database management software or spreadsheet software, and other printable electronic data It is said.
In the present specification, the “medium” may be any material as long as it can print an image. A typical example is paper, but it may be a plastic sheet such as an OHP sheet or a metal plate.
Furthermore, in this specification, processing is performed using identification information for uniquely identifying each of the electronic document, the medium, and the digital pen 60 and the user. It shall mean the identification information.

Then, each component which comprises the handwriting information management system of this Embodiment is demonstrated in detail.
The terminal device 10 is a computer device that requests the document server 20 to print an electronic document. Here, as the terminal device 10, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used.
The document server 20 is a computer device that stores and manages electronic documents. Also, when a request for printing an electronic document is received from the terminal device 10, an image of the electronic document and a code image representing identification information and position information are generated, and a print command for printing a composite image obtained by synthesizing the image on a medium is generated. Output to the forming apparatus 40. Here, as the document server 20, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used.

The identification information server 30 is a computer device that issues identification information to be given to a medium. The issued identification information is stored in association with the electronic document printed on the medium to which the identification information is assigned. Here, as the identification information server 30, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used.
The image forming apparatus 40 is an apparatus that prints an image on a medium and outputs it as a print document. The image forming apparatus 40 may be a single printer or printing machine, or may be a so-called “multifunction machine” having a scanner or a communication function. Here, as an image forming method in the image forming apparatus 40, for example, an electrophotographic method may be used, but other methods may be used.

  The terminal device 50 transmits information obtained by digitizing writing on the print document (hereinafter referred to as “handwriting information”) to the identification information server 30 in order to reflect the information in the electronic document that is the basis of the image recorded in the print document. A computer device. Alternatively, the electronic document to be reflected in the handwriting information may be displayed on a display (not shown), and the handwriting information may be displayed on the display. Here, as the terminal device 50, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used. The handwriting information is mainly described as handwritten information, but is not limited to this, and includes, for example, information mechanically drawn by a plotter that is a device for outputting drawing data such as architecture and machinery.

The digital pen 60 is a pen device used for writing characters or figures on a printed document. An image sensor that reads a code image printed on the medium is provided. Then, position information is detected from the code image read by the image sensor, and handwriting information obtained by converting written characters or figures into image data is generated and stored based on the position information.
The communication device 70 is a device that acquires handwriting information from the digital pen 60 and transmits it to the terminal device 50. Examples of a communication method between the communication device 70 and the digital pen 60 and a communication method between the communication device 70 and the terminal device 50 include USB (Universal Serial Bus), Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication function, and the like. Various schemes are used. In FIG. 1, the communication device 70 is shown as a separate body from the digital pen 60, but the communication device 70 is not necessarily a separate body and may be configured integrally.

Subsequently, details of each component constituting the handwriting information management system will be described.
First, the configuration of the document server 20 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the document server 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the document server 20 includes a reception unit 21, an identification information acquisition unit 22, an electronic document management unit 23, a handwriting information management unit 24, and a document / handwriting information storage unit 25. Further, it includes an identification code generation unit 27a, a position code generation unit 27b, a code arrangement unit 27c, a pattern image storage unit 27d, and a code image generation unit 27e. Furthermore, a document image generation unit 26, an image composition unit 28, and a transmission unit 29 are provided.

The receiving unit 21 receives a print request from the terminal device 10. Here, in addition to the electronic document, the print request includes identification information (hereinafter referred to as “document ID”) of the electronic document to be printed and various kinds of information for determining the layout of the electronic document on the printed medium. Settings (hereinafter referred to as “print settings”) are included. The document ID is assigned to each electronic document by the terminal device 10, but may be assigned by the document server 20. Further, the receiving unit 21 receives from the identification information server 30 identification information that is uniquely given to the medium on which the print document is printed. Further, when writing is performed on the print document, the identification information embedded in the print document and handwriting information obtained by digitizing the content of the print document (written image) are received from the identification information server 30. .
The identification information acquisition unit 22 acquires the document ID and print settings from the reception unit 21, passes them to the transmission unit 29, instructs transmission of an identification information issue request, passes this to the document image generation unit 26, and sends the document Instructs generation of an image. Further, the identification information of the medium is acquired from the receiving unit 21, and this is passed to the identification code generating unit 27a to instruct generation of the identification code.

  The electronic document management unit 23 acquires the identification information and the electronic document received by the reception unit 21 and registers them in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 in association with each other based on the document ID. Also, a new electronic document (second electronic document) that reflects the state of the electronic document stored in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 printed on the medium according to the print settings is generated, and the generated second The second electronic document is stored in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25. Further, when the display or printing of the electronic document is instructed, the corresponding identification information and electronic document are taken out from the document / handwriting information storage unit 25. When a request for a link destination (URL) to predetermined information associated with an electronic document is made, the link destination (URL) is taken out from the document / handwriting information storage unit 25.

The handwriting information management unit 24 acquires the identification information and handwriting information received by the receiving unit 21 and registers the handwriting information in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 in association with the electronic document based on the identification information. When the display of handwriting information is instructed, the corresponding identification information and handwriting information are extracted from the document / handwriting information storage unit 25.
The document / handwriting information storage unit 25 stores an electronic document managed by the electronic document management unit 23 and handwriting information managed by the handwriting information management unit 24. Also, a link destination (URL) to predetermined information associated with the electronic document is stored.

The identification code generation unit 27a generates identification code by encoding identification information for specifying a medium.
The position code generation unit 27b encodes position information indicating the coordinate position on the medium to generate a position code.
The code arrangement unit 27c arranges the identification code generated by the identification code generation unit 27a, the position code generated by the position code generation unit 27b, and the like on a two-dimensional plane according to a predetermined layout (see FIG. 3 in the subsequent stage). Then, a two-dimensional code array is generated.
The pattern image storage unit 27d stores a pattern image corresponding to the code value of each code stored in the code array.
The code image generation unit 27e refers to the two-dimensional code array generated by the code arrangement unit 27c, selects a pattern image corresponding to each code value, and generates a code image.

The document image generation unit 26 acquires a document ID and print settings from the identification information acquisition unit 22, and reads an electronic document specified by the document ID from the document / handwriting information storage unit 25. Then, a document image of the electronic document is generated according to the print setting.
The image composition unit 28 synthesizes the code image generated by the code image generation unit 27e and the document image generated by the document image generation unit 26 to generate a composite image.
The transmission unit 29 transmits an identification information issuance request to the identification information server 30. Also, an image print command for the medium is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 40. Furthermore, when the display of handwriting information is instructed, the identification information and handwriting information are transmitted to the identification information server 30.

Here, the code image generated by the document server 20 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image constituting the code image. First, unit patterns constituting a code image will be described. FIG. 3A shows an example of the unit pattern.
The unit pattern is the minimum unit for embedding information. In FIG. 3A, a black area and a shaded area are areas where dots can be arranged, and a white area between them is an area where dots cannot be arranged. In addition, among the areas where dots can be arranged, dots are arranged in black areas, and dots are not arranged in hatched areas. That is, FIG. 3A shows an example in which a unit pattern is configured by arranging dots at two places (black areas) selected from nine places where dots can be arranged. Here, since there are 36 (= ₉ C ₂ ) combinations for selecting 2 locations out of 9 locations, there are 36 types of unit patterns. Of these, four types of unit patterns are used as synchronization patterns. The synchronization pattern is a pattern for detecting the rotation of the image and specifying the relative positions of the identification code and the position code. In particular, since it is necessary to detect the rotation of the image, the four types of synchronization patterns are selected such that when one of the synchronization patterns is rotated 90 degrees, another synchronization pattern is obtained. Further, the 32 types of unit patterns other than the 4 types of unit patterns are used as information patterns expressing the identification code and the position code, and 5-bit information is expressed.

  By the way, the dots shown in FIG. 3A are only for information representation, and do not necessarily coincide with the dots that mean the minimum points constituting the image. In the present embodiment, dots for information expression (the minimum square in FIG. 3A) have a size of 2 dots × 2 dots at 600 dpi. Since the size of one dot at 600 dpi is 0.0423 mm, one side of a dot for information expression (the minimum square in FIG. 3A) is 84.6 μm (= 0.0423 mm × 2). The larger the dot for information expression, the more likely it is to be noticeable. Therefore, it is preferable that the dot is as small as possible. However, if it is too small, printing with a printer becomes impossible. Therefore, the above values larger than 50 μm and smaller than 100 μm are employed as the size of dots for information expression. However, the above value 84.6 μm is a numerical value to the last, and is about 100 μm in the actually printed toner image. In the present specification, the term “dot” refers to a dot for information expression, not a dot that means the minimum point constituting an image unless otherwise specified.

Next, a code block composed of such unit patterns will be described. FIG. 3B shows an example of the layout of the code block. Here, not the image but the code arrangement immediately before being replaced by the pattern image is shown. That is, a unit pattern as shown in FIG. 3A (any one of 36 unit patterns) is arranged in the smallest square (hereinafter referred to as “unit block”) in FIG. Will be formed.
In the layout of FIG. 3B, the synchronization code is arranged in one unit block at the upper left of the code block. Further, the X position code is arranged in the four unit blocks on the right side of the unit block in which the synchronization code is arranged, and the Y position code is arranged in the four unit blocks on the lower side of the unit block in which the synchronization code is arranged. . Furthermore, identification codes are arranged in 16 (= 4 × 4) unit blocks surrounded by unit blocks in which these position codes are arranged.

Here, encoding of identification information will be described.
When encoding identification information, the bit string which comprises identification information is divided | segmented into a some block in order to perform RS encoding. Although there are several methods for encoding, RS encoding is suitable in this embodiment. This is because the RS code is a multi-value coding method, and in this case, the value represented by the unit block corresponds to the multi-value of the RS code. For example, when 5-bit information is expressed by one unit block, the 60-bit identification information is divided into 12 blocks having a block length of 5 bits. If an RS code capable of correcting two blocks of errors is employed, the code length is 16 blocks, which can be accommodated in a unit block in which the identification code in the code block of FIG. Note that the encoding method is not limited to the RS code, and other encoding methods such as a BCH code may be used.

Subsequently, encoding of position information will be described.
For encoding the position information, an M-sequence code, which is a kind of pseudo-random sequence, is used. Here, the M sequence refers to a sequence having the longest period among a shift register having a certain length and a code sequence generated by feedback. When K is the number of stages in the shift register, the sequence length of the M sequence is 2 ^K −1. Arbitrary consecutive K bits extracted from the M sequence have a property that they do not appear at other positions in the same M sequence. Therefore, the position information is encoded using this property.
By the way, in the present embodiment, a necessary M-sequence order is obtained from the length of position information to be encoded, and an M-sequence is generated. However, if the length of the position information to be encoded is known in advance, it is not necessary to generate the M sequence each time. That is, a fixed M sequence may be generated in advance and stored in a memory or the like.
For example, it is assumed that an M sequence (K = 13) having a sequence length of 8191 is used. In this case, since the position code is also embedded in units of 5 bits, 5 bits are taken out from the M sequence having a sequence length of 8191 and blocked.

  In this specification, the identification information and the position information are clearly distinguished and used for the sake of simplicity. However, there is a technique in which a wide range of position information is prepared, the position information is cut out and embedded from different ranges for each medium, and the medium is identified by the difference in position information. Therefore, in such a method, it is assumed that the position information has a function for identifying the medium, and the position information is also considered as the identification information.

Next, the configuration of the identification information server 30 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the identification information server 30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the identification information server 30 includes a reception unit 31, an identification information management unit 32, an identification information storage unit 33, a display information generation unit 34, and a transmission unit 39.
The receiving unit 31 receives an identification information issue request from the document server 20. The receiving unit 31 receives medium identification information and handwriting information from the terminal device 50 when writing is performed on the print document.

When there is a request for issuing identification information, the identification information management unit 32 issues the identification information without duplication, and stores the document ID and print settings specified at that time in association with the identification information. In response to designation of identification information, a document ID and print settings corresponding to the identification information are extracted.
The identification information storage unit 33 stores the identification information in the used / unused state, the document ID of the electronic document printed on the medium to which the identification information is added, and the electronic document printed on the medium to which the identification information is printed. It is a database that stores print settings in association with each other.
The display information generation unit 34 generates display information for displaying the handwriting information based on the information acquired from the document server 20 when the display of the handwriting information is instructed. As this display information, for example, data serving as a source for generating an image to be displayed on the terminal device 50 is generated.

  The transmission unit 39 transmits identification information issued in response to a request from the document server 20 to the document server 20. In addition, when writing on a print document is performed, medium identification information and handwriting information are transmitted to the document server 20. Further, when the display of handwriting information is instructed, the display information is transmitted to the terminal device 50.

Next, the digital pen 60 will be described. Here, an outline of the functional configuration of the digital pen 60 will be described, and details of the configuration of the digital pen 60 will be described later.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a functional configuration of the digital pen 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the digital pen 60 includes a control circuit 61 that controls the operation of the entire pen. In addition, the control circuit 61 includes an image processing unit 61a that processes the read code image, and a data processing unit 61b that extracts identification information and position information from the processing result in the image processing unit 61a.
The control circuit 61 is connected to a writing pressure detection switch 62 that detects a writing operation by the digital pen 60 by pressure (writing pressure) applied to the pen tip 69 and sets the digital pen 60 to an operating state. Further, an infrared LED 63 as an irradiating unit that irradiates infrared light on the medium and an infrared CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) 64 as a light receiving unit that reads a code image by receiving reflected light are also connected. . Furthermore, an information memory 65 for storing identification information and position information, a communication circuit 66 for communicating with an external device, a battery 67 for driving a pen, and pen identification information (pen ID) are stored. A pen ID memory 68 is connected.

A functional configuration realized in the control circuit 61 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the control circuit 61. In FIG. 6, an example of the functional configuration is shown separately for the image processing unit 61 a and the data processing unit 61 b in the control circuit 61.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the image processing unit 61 a includes an image acquisition unit 631 and a dot array generation unit 632. The data processing unit 61 b includes a code array generation unit 633, an identification information acquisition unit 634, a position information acquisition unit 635, a handwriting information generation unit 636, and a transmission unit 639.

The image acquisition unit 631 acquires a code image read from the print document by the infrared CMOS 64. Moreover, the noise contained in a code image is removed as needed.
The dot array generation unit 632 generates a dot array with reference to the dot positions in the code image. That is, on a two-dimensional array, for example, “1” is stored at a position where there is a dot and “0” is stored at a position where there is no dot, thereby replacing the dot detected as an image with digital data. Then, this two-dimensional array is output as a dot array.

  The code array generation unit 633 detects a block corresponding to the unit pattern in the code block on the dot array. Specifically, a frame having the same shape and size as the block in which the unit pattern is arranged is moved on the dot array, and the frame is fixed at a position where the number of dots in the frame becomes equal. For example, if the unit pattern of FIG. 3A is used, a frame having a size corresponding to 3 dots × 3 dots is moved, and the frame is fixed at a position where the number of dots included in the frame is 2. Then, a code array is generated that stores code values determined from dot positions in each block delimited by the frame. When this code array is generated, the position of the synchronization code is specified by searching for a code value of a predetermined synchronization code.

The identification information acquisition unit 634 detects the identification code based on the position of the synchronization code from the code array. Then, the identification code is decoded using the parameters used in the RS encoding process at the time of image generation, and identification information is acquired.
The position information acquisition unit 635 detects a position code with reference to the position of the synchronization code from the code array. Then, an M-sequence partial sequence is extracted from the position code, the position of this partial sequence in the M-sequence used at the time of image generation is referenced, and a value obtained by correcting this position with an offset using a synchronization code is acquired as position information. The reason for correcting with the offset is that a synchronization code is arranged between the position codes.

The handwriting information generation unit 636 generates handwriting information by connecting the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 635. Here, the handwriting information includes at least data obtained by digitizing the locus of the pen tip of the digital pen 60, but may include other information. Information other than the locus of the pen tip includes, for example, information on the color set for the pen when writing, information on writing pressure, and the like.
The transmission unit 639 transmits the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 634, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 635, and the handwriting information generated by the handwriting information generation unit 636 to the communication circuit 66, thereby performing communication. Information transmission to the device 70 is realized.

  In the digital pen 60, when the pen pressure detection switch 62 is turned on, the digital pen 60 is in an operating state. First, the infrared LED 63 irradiates the medium with infrared light, and the infrared CMOS 64 receives the reflected light. Read. Then, the image acquisition unit 631 acquires the read code image. At that time, if noise is included in the code image, it is removed. Next, the dot array generation unit 632 converts the dot positions included in the code image into digital data, and generates a dot array. Then, the code array generation unit 633 detects a block from the dot array, and generates a code array that stores a code value for each block. Then, the position of the synchronization code is specified in the code array. Thereafter, the identification information acquisition unit 634 detects the identification code based on the position of the synchronization code, decodes it, and acquires the identification information. Further, the position information acquisition unit 635 detects the position code based on the position of the synchronization code, decodes this, and acquires the position information. Then, the handwriting information generation unit 636 generates handwriting information by connecting the position information. Then, the transmitting unit 639 transmits these pieces of information to the identification information server 30 via the communication device 70 and the terminal device 50.

Next, various processes performed on the electronic document in the handwriting information management system of the present embodiment will be described.
[Print document generation processing]
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when a print document is generated in the handwriting information management system.
First, the user transmits an instruction to print an electronic document from the terminal device 10 to the document server 20 (step 101). At that time, the terminal device 10 transmits an electronic document to be printed, identification information (document ID) of the electronic document, and print settings designated by the user. Here, the print settings include the page to be printed, the number of copies, the size of the paper that is the medium, the enlargement / reduction ratio, N-up (printing that allocates N pages of the electronic document to one page of the medium), and the size of the margin area. Including settings such as.

The document server 20 receives an electronic document print instruction from the terminal device 10 (step 201). The electronic document to be printed included in the print instruction is sent to the electronic document management unit 23, and the electronic document management unit 23 registers the electronic document in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 in association with the document ID (step 202). ).
Further, the document server 20 transmits the document ID and print setting of the electronic document instructed to be printed to the identification information server 30 (step 203). Here, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) may be used as the document ID, but other information may be used as long as the electronic document can be uniquely identified.
Thereby, the identification information server 30 receives the document ID and the print setting (step 301). Then, the identification information management unit 32 that manages the identification information acquires unused identification information from the identification information storage unit 33 (step 302). Here, the number of pieces of identification information to be extracted is determined according to print settings. In other words, basically, the number of pieces of identification information obtained by multiplying the number of pages to be printed by the number of copies is extracted. However, if N-up printing is specified in the print setting information, this is also taken into consideration. For example, when printing 5 copies of a 10-page electronic document by 2-up printing, 25 (= 10 ÷ 2 × 5) pieces of identification information are extracted.
Next, the identification information server 30 associates the identification information, the document ID, and the print settings and registers them in the identification information storage unit 33 (step 303). Then, the identification information server 30 transmits the identification information to the document server 20 (step 304).

Thereby, the document server 20 receives the identification information (step 204). Then, a code image representing the identification information and the position information is generated (step 205).
That is, in the document server 20, the receiving unit 21 receives the identification information. Then, the reception unit 21 passes the received identification information to the identification information acquisition unit 22. Then, the identification information acquisition unit 22 first passes the acquired identification information to the identification code generation unit 27a, and the identification code generation unit 27a encodes the medium identification information using the method described above to generate an identification code.
In addition, the position code generation unit 27b receives print settings from the reception unit 21, encodes position information in a range corresponding to the print settings using the above-described method, and generates a position code.
Then, the code arrangement unit 27c arranges the identification code and the position code according to a predetermined layout, and the code image generation unit 27e visualizes this using the pattern image stored in the pattern image storage unit 27d. A code image is generated.

Thereafter, in the document server 20, the document image generation unit 26 generates a document image of the electronic document (step 206). At that time, the document image generation unit 26 receives the document ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 22 in step 201, and reads an electronic document to be printed from the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 based on the document ID. In step 201, the print setting acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 22 is received, and a document image is generated based on the print setting.
Then, the image composition unit 28 synthesizes the code image generated in step 205 and the document image generated in step 206 to generate a composite image (step 207).
Thereafter, the composite image is transferred to the transmission unit 29, and the transmission unit 29 transmits a print command for the composite image to the image forming apparatus 40 (step 208). Here, the composite image print command is transmitted, for example, in a PDL format in which the content to be printed as a code image is set as a PDL command to a PDL (Page Description Language) file including a sequence of print commands for document images. .

  The image forming apparatus 40 receives the composite image (document image and code image of the electronic document) from the document server 20 (step 401). Then, the image forming apparatus 40 develops the document image into an image using Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) (step 402). Next, the document image is formed using C, M, and Y toners, and the code image is formed using K (black including carbon) toner (step 403).

In the above-described example, the identification information server 30 simply issues the identification information, and the document server 20 generates a code image including the identification information and instructs the image forming apparatus 40 to form an image. However, the identification information server 30 may generate a code image and instruct the image forming apparatus 40 to form an image.
Further, a configuration in which the code image is generated by the image forming apparatus 40 may be adopted. In that case, the document server 20 or the identification information server 30 adds the identification information to the PDL generated from the electronic document and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 40, and the image forming apparatus 40 generates a code image including the identification information. It will be.

  In the above example, the configuration in which the database (identification information storage unit 33) configured by associating the identification information, the document ID, and the print setting is placed in the identification information server 30 has been described. This is because placing such a database on a sharable device (identification information server 30) makes it possible to handle multiple users and ensure the security of electronic documents using server access control technology. However, such a configuration is not necessarily employed, and a configuration in which the above database is placed in the terminal device 10 or the document server 20 may be employed.

In the image forming apparatus 40 described above, the code image is formed using K (black containing carbon) toner. This is because the K toner has a larger amount of infrared light absorption than the C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) toner, and the digital pen 60 can easily read the code image. is there. However, the code image can also be formed using special toner.
Here, as the special toner, an invisible toner having a maximum absorption rate of 7% or less in the visible light region (400 nm to 700 nm) and an absorption rate of 30% or more in the near infrared region (800 nm to 1000 nm) is exemplified. . Here, “visible” and “invisible” are not related to whether they can be recognized visually. “Visible” and “invisible” are distinguished depending on whether or not an image in a printed document can be recognized by the presence or absence of color development due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region. Also, “invisible” includes those that have some color developability due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region but are difficult to be recognized by human eyes.

  Here, the code image is combined with the image of the electronic document and printed. However, the code image may be printed on white paper (notebook, tag, etc.). In that case, the document ID is not included in the print request received in step 201, the identification information is not associated with the document ID and the print setting in step 303, and the generation of the document image in step 206 is not executed. What should I do?

[Handwriting information registration process]
Next, an operation when the digital pen 60 generates handwriting information and registers it in the document server 20 will be described.
As described above, in the digital pen 60, the identification information acquisition unit 634 acquires identification information. In addition, the position information acquisition unit 635 acquires position information. Further, the handwriting information generation unit 636 connects the position information to each other to generate handwriting information. Then, the transmission unit 639 transmits the identification information and handwriting information to the identification information server 30 via the communication device 70 and the terminal device 50. The identification information server 30 registers the handwriting information in the document server 20.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operations of the identification information server 30 and the document server 20 when registering handwriting information.
In the identification information server 30, first, the receiving unit 31 receives identification information and handwriting information from the digital pen 60 (step 311). Next, the identification information and handwriting information are passed to the identification information management unit 32, and the identification information management unit 32 takes out the document ID associated with the passed identification information from the identification information storage unit 33. Then, the document server 20 (the document server 20 in which the electronic document specified by the document ID exists) is determined as the transmission destination of the identification information and handwriting information received in step 311 (step 312). If the document ID is not associated with the identification information in the identification information storage unit 33, it is considered that the identification information is assigned to a blank sheet (note or tag). In that case, the document server 20 that manages the handwriting information for the white paper may be determined as the transmission destination.
Thereafter, the identification information and the handwriting information are transferred to the transmission unit 39, and the transmission unit 39 transmits the identification information and the handwriting information to the document server 20 determined as the transmission destination in Step 312 (Step 313).

  Thereby, in the document server 20, the receiving part 21 receives identification information and handwriting information (step 211). Then, the reception unit 21 passes the received identification information to the handwriting information management unit 24. Then, the handwriting information management unit 24 stores the identification information and the handwriting information in association with each other in the document / handwriting information storage unit 25 (step 212).

By the way, in the handwriting information management system of the present embodiment, the document server 20 manages electronic documents and handwriting information, and the identification information server 30 generates / manages identification information for uniquely identifying a medium. . However, various variations can be considered as to which apparatus performs these processes. For example, the process of generating / managing identification information may be performed by the document server 20, or may be performed by the terminal device 50 or the image forming apparatus 40. Further, the code image may be generated by the image forming apparatus 40.
Therefore, these processes can be generalized as being performed by the computer 90 as a general-purpose device. Therefore, the hardware configuration of the computer 90 assumes that the terminal device 10, the document server 20, the identification information server 30, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 40, and the terminal device 50 that constitute the handwriting information management system are configured by the computer 90. Let me explain.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the computer 90.
As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91 that is a calculation means, a main memory 92 that is a storage means, and a magnetic disk device (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 93. Here, the CPU 91 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and an application, and realizes each function described above. The main memory 92 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the magnetic disk device 93 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. .
Further, the computer 90 includes a communication I / F 94 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 95 including a video memory and a display, and an input device 96 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

Next, the configuration of the digital pen 60 will be described in detail.
10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the overall configuration of the digital pen 60, where FIG. 10A is an external perspective view of the digital pen 60, FIG. 10B is an external perspective view of the cap 610 of the digital pen 60, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a pen body 620 of a pen 60. FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the digital pen 60 which is an example of the electronic writing instrument of the present embodiment includes a pen body 620 as a writing tool body and a cap 610 that is detachable from the pen body 620. ing.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pen body 620. As shown in the figure, the pen body 620 includes a housing 621, a writing detection function unit 622, a code image detection unit 623, an operation display unit 624, a cap position detection function unit 625, and a control circuit unit 626.

The housing 621 constitutes an outer wall of the pen main body 620 and supports various functional units arranged on the pen main body 620. Here, the housing 621 has a shape in which the tip side where the pen tip 69 is disposed is tapered. Hereinafter, in this specification, the side on which the pen tip 69 is disposed may be referred to as a front end side, and the side opposite to the side on which the pen tip 69 is disposed may be referred to as a rear end side.
The writing detection function unit 622 is a functional unit that detects the writing being performed by detecting the writing pressure applied to the medium when writing on the medium is performed. The writing detection function unit 622 includes the pen tip 69 and the writing pressure detection switch 62 shown in FIG.
The code image detection unit 623 is an example of a reading unit that reads an image on a medium. The code image detection unit 623 irradiates the medium with light of a predetermined wavelength (for example, infrared light), and prints on the medium based on reflected light from the medium. It is a function part which detects the carried out code image. The code image detection unit 623 includes the infrared LED 63 and the infrared CMOS 64 shown in FIG.

The operation display unit 624 is a functional unit that instructs execution of specific processing based on a code image read from a medium. The operation display unit 624 is also a functional unit that performs an operation mode of the digital pen 60 by displaying a specific color.
The cap position detection function unit 625 is an example of a position detection unit that detects a mounting position of the cap 610 with respect to the pen body unit 620, and a function of detecting whether or not the cap 610 is attached to a specified position of the pen body unit 620. Part.
The control circuit unit 626 is a functional unit that executes various processes when operating the digital pen 60. Moreover, it is a function part which transmits identification information and handwriting information to the terminal device 50 via the communication apparatus 70 (refer FIG. 1). The control circuit unit 626 includes the control circuit 61 including the image processing unit 61 a and the data processing unit 61 b illustrated in FIG. 5, the information memory 65, the communication circuit 66, the battery 67, and the pen ID memory 68.

Next, the writing detection function unit 622 and the code image detection unit 623 will be described in detail.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the writing detection function unit 622 and the code image detection unit 623.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the writing detection function unit 622 includes a pen tip 69, a pen tip support member 622 a, a pen tip fastening member 622 b, an urging spring 622 c, a joint member 622 d, and a writing pressure detection switch 62.

  The pen tip 69 is composed of, for example, a ballpoint pen, and draws characters, figures, and the like on a medium using a color material such as ink. Here, the tip of the pen tip 69 is disposed substantially on the axis (A-A line) of the pen body 620 (housing 621). With such an arrangement, it is possible to perform a writing operation similar to a normal pen, and the user can operate the digital pen 60 without feeling uncomfortable. Further, the pen tip 69 is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the pen body 620 and is disposed on one side with the axis of the pen body 620 as a boundary. Note that an infrared LED 63 and the like are housed on the opposite side of the pen tip 69 from the axis of the pen body 620. Thus, when the pen tip 69 is tilted with respect to the axis of the pen body 620, a space for accommodating the infrared LED 63 and the like is formed behind the tip of the pen tip 69 (side the pen tip 69). . As a result, the infrared LED 63 and the like can be brought closer to the axial center of the pen main body 620, and the pen main body 620 can be made smaller in diameter than the case where the pen tip 69 is arranged parallel to the axial center of the pen main body 620. Can do.

  The pen tip support member 622a supports the pen tip 69 so as to be movable along the pen axis p. The pen tip support member 622a includes a front end side support member 622a1 and a rear end side support member 622a2. The pen tip fastening member 622b is housed in a gap formed between the front end side support member 622a1 and the rear end side support member 622a2. Here, the front end side support member 622a1 restricts movement of the pen tip fastening member 622b toward the front end side, and the rear end side support member 622a2 restricts movement of the pen tip fastening member 622b toward the rear end side.

  The pen tip fastening member 622b is formed in a ring shape by an elastic body such as rubber. The pen tip 69 is held by holding the pen tip 69 with its own elastic force, and the pen tip 69 is prevented from falling off the pen tip support member 622a due to its own weight.

  Also, the pen tip fastening member 622b allows the pen tip 69 to be pulled out from the pen tip support member 622a when a pulling force greater than the frictional force by the pen tip fastening member 622b is applied to the pen tip 69 along the pen axis p. To do. Further, when a pressing force greater than the frictional force by the pen tip fastening member 622b is applied along the pen axis p, the pen tip 69 is allowed to be attached to the pen tip support member 622a. Thereby, the pen tip 69 can be replaced by applying a predetermined pulling force and pressing force to the pen tip 69.

  The joint member 622 d transmits the pressure (writing pressure) from the medium acting on the pen tip 69 to the writing pressure detection switch 62. When the pen tip 69 is pressed against the medium by a writing operation or the like, the pen tip 69 moves to the inside of the digital pen 60 along the pen axis p by the pressure applied to the pen tip 69. As a result, the joint member 622d moves against the urging force of the urging spring 622c and the like, and presses the writing pressure detection switch 62. Here, a large-diameter portion 622e having an outer diameter larger than that of other portions is formed at the end of the joint member 622d on the pen tip 69 side, and the large-diameter portion 622e is formed in the housing 621. It is arranged inside the formed groove portion 621a having a predetermined width. Thereby, the moving range (sliding range) of the joint member 622d is limited to the width of the groove 621a formed in the housing 621. The joint member 622d is arranged in a state where the inclination of the pen body 620 with respect to the axis is smaller than the inclination of the pen tip 69. Specifically, they are arranged substantially parallel to each other along the axis of the pen body 620.

  The writing pressure detection switch 62 receives a pressing force from the joint member 622d when pressure is applied to the pen tip 69 by a writing operation or the like. As a result, the pen pressure detection switch 62 is turned on, and the digital pen 60 is set to the operating state. Note that the writing pressure detection switch 62 in the present embodiment is configured by a limit switch having an operating piece 62a.

  Here, when the length of the pen tip 69 is made longer and the pen tip 69 directly presses the writing pressure detection switch 62, the pen tip 69 is inclined with respect to the axis of the housing 621. Since it is necessary to provide the pen pressure detection switch 62 on the outer side than the position shown in the figure, the pen main body 620 swells outward. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the joint member 622d having a smaller inclination than the pen tip 69 is disposed between the pen tip 69 and the pen pressure detection switch 62, and the shape of the portion extending from the pen tip 69 to the pen pressure detection switch 62 is cut. "". Thereby, the pen pressure detection switch 62 can be disposed on the side close to the axis of the pen body 620, and the pen body 620 can be reduced in diameter.

  The biasing spring 622c biases the joint member 622d toward the pen tip 69. Thereby, when the writing operation or the like is not performed, the large diameter portion 622e of the joint member 622d is located closest to the pen tip 69 in the movement range limited by the groove portion 621a of the housing 621. As a result, the pen pressure detection switch 62 is turned off, and the digital pen 60 is set to the operation stop state.

  The code image detection unit 623 detects an infrared LED 63 that irradiates infrared light on the medium (see also FIG. 5), a diffusion plate 623a that diffuses infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 63, and reflected light from the medium. Thus, an infrared CMOS 64 (see also FIG. 5) for reading the code image on the medium is provided. Here, the infrared CMOS 64 is disposed along the axial direction of the pen body 620. For this reason, the diameter of the pen main body 620 (housing 621) can be reduced as compared with the case where the infrared CMOS 64 is arranged in a relationship orthogonal to the axial direction of the pen main body 620.

  Further, as an imaging optical system for imaging reflected light from the medium on the infrared CMOS 64, an IR (Infrared) filter 623b that mainly transmits infrared light, an imaging lens 623c, and a lens barrel that supports the imaging lens 623c. 623d, a prism 623e that refracts the optical path of the infrared light that has passed through the imaging lens 623c by 90 ° and guides it to the infrared CMOS 64, a holder 623f that supports the lens barrel 623d and the prism 623e, and between the infrared CMOS 64 A spacer 623g is provided to keep the gap at a predetermined value.

  In the code image detection unit 623, the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 63 is diffused by the diffusion plate 623a and then irradiates the medium surface. The infrared light reflected from the medium is condensed by the imaging lens 623c after light other than the infrared light is excluded by the IR filter 623b, and refracted toward the infrared CMOS 64 by the prism 623e. The image is formed on the infrared CMOS 64. Then, the code image on the medium is read by the infrared CMOS 64. The code image read by the infrared CMOS 64 is sent to the control circuit 61 (see FIG. 5) of the control circuit unit 626. Note that the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 63 is transmitted to a portion of the housing 621 of the pen main body 620 facing the infrared LED 63 and the imaging lens 623c, and reflected from the medium toward the imaging lens 623c. An opening 621b which is a light transmission part for transmitting light is provided.

  As described above, in the digital pen 60 according to the present embodiment, the pen tip 69 is tilted with respect to the axis of the pen main body 620, the joint member 622 d is provided behind the pen tip 69, and the pen tip 69 reaches the writing pressure detection switch 62. The shape of the part is a “ku” character. An infrared LED 63, an imaging lens 623c, a prism 623e, an infrared CMOS 64, and the like are disposed on the opposite side of the pen tip 69 and the joint member 622d with respect to the axis of the pen body 620. Further, the infrared LED 63 is arranged so that the optical axis (see arrow B in the figure) of the emitted infrared light is inclined with respect to the axis of the pen body 620. In other words, the infrared LED 63 is arranged so as to have a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the pen body 620. In addition, the infrared LED 63 is disposed so as to be substantially along the pen tip 69 and inclined in substantially the same direction as the direction in which the pen tip 69 is inclined. The IR filter 623b, the imaging lens 623c, the prism 623e, and the infrared CMOS 64 are disposed so as to be close to the axis of the pen main body 620. As a result, the outer surface of the housing 621 where the parts constituting the writing detection function unit 622 and the code image detection unit 623 are present is substantially conical, that is, the surface of the housing 621 that is orthogonal to the axis of the pen body 620. When cut with, it becomes a substantially circular shape and a small diameter is realized.

Next, the operation display unit 624 will be described.
13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of the operation display unit 624. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 13B is a view of the inside of the housing 621 viewed in the D direction of FIG. Note that in (b), only the shape of the housing 621 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 13, the operation display unit 624 includes a substrate 624a, a changeover switch 624b provided on the substrate 624a, an operation button 624c as an operation unit operated by a user from outside the housing 621, and the digital pen 60. The first display unit 624f and the second display unit 624g are provided as display units for displaying information such as the operation mode. A first waveguide member 624h for displaying the color displayed by the first display unit 624f outside the housing 621 is disposed outside the first display unit 624f (on the outer surface side of the housing). In addition, a second waveguide member 624j for displaying the color displayed by the second display unit 624g outside the housing 621 is disposed outside the second display unit 624g. The substrate 624a is fixed to the housing 621 with a fixing screw 624k.

  The operation button 624c is arranged such that a circular operation portion 624c1 pressed by the user is exposed to the outside of the housing through a hole 621c provided in the housing 621, and the other portions are located inside the housing 621. ing. The housing 621 includes a contact portion 624d that comes into contact with the substrate 624a when the operation button 624c is pressed by a predetermined amount by the user. Further, the operation button 624c is disposed at a substantially intermediate position of the casing 621 in the axial direction of the casing 621, and the general shape of the peripheral casing 621 is a substantially cylindrical shape (see FIG. 11). ). The operation portion 624c1 of the operation button 624c does not protrude from the substantially cylindrical outer surface (this outer surface is referred to as the “outer surface” of the housing 621 around the operation button 624c), which is a general shape of the housing 621. Are arranged as follows. Then, the casing 621 around the operation part 624c1 is recessed from the substantially cylindrical shape which is a general shape around the operation part 624c1, and the operation part 624c1 is exposed to the outside of the casing 621. This prevents the operation button 624c from being pressed unexpectedly.

The changeover switch 624b is a switching member that performs switching setting from an off state to an on state by performing one switching. And by setting to an ON state, the signal which instruct | indicates execution of the specific process based on the code image read from the medium is output. In the present embodiment, when the changeover switch 624b is set to the on state, a signal instructing a link to a predetermined information source associated with the identification information and the position information based on the code image is displayed in the control circuit unit 626. It is sent to the control circuit 61 (see FIG. 5).
That is, when the operation button 624c is pressed by the user, the operation button 624c is pressed down against the repulsive force of the changeover switch 624b itself, and the changeover switch 624b is switched from the off state to the on state. As a result, a signal instructing a link to a predetermined information source associated with the identification information and the position information based on the code image is sent to the control circuit 61 of the control circuit unit 626. Then, this signal and identification information and position information based on the read code image are sent to the terminal device 50 via the communication circuit 66 and the communication device 70. Thereby, for example, predetermined information associated with the identification information and the position information can be displayed on the display of the terminal device 50. When the operation button 624c is pressed by the user, the operation button 624c is supported by the changeover switch 624b and supported by the contact portion 624d that contacts the substrate 624a.
Thereafter, when the user depresses the operation button 624c, the operation button 624c is returned to the original position by the repulsive force from the changeover switch 624b, and the changeover switch 624b is switched from the on state to the off state. As a result, the link to the predetermined information source is released.

  The first display unit 624f and the second display unit 624g express the operation mode of the digital pen 60 by displaying colors, and are, for example, light emitting diodes. And it can illustrate that it displays according to the operation mode of digital pen 60 as follows. (1) For example, the first display portion 624f is a light emitting diode that emits green light, and the second display portion 624g is a light emitting diode that emits red light. When the digital pen 60 is in the operating state, the first display unit 624f emits green light, and when the operation button 624c is pressed to instruct a link to a predetermined information source, the second display unit 624f The display portion 624g is caused to emit red light. (2) For example, the first display unit 624f is a light emitting diode that emits green light, and the second display unit 624g is a unit that includes a light emitting diode that emits green light and a light emitting diode that emits red light. When the digital pen 60 is in an operating state, the first display unit 624f and the second display unit 624g emit green light, and the operation button 624c is pressed to instruct a link to a predetermined information source. In such a case, the second display portion 624g is caused to emit red light. (3) The first display portion 624f and the second display portion 624g are units composed of light emitting diodes of seven colors of red, orange, yellow, green, white, blue, and purple. When the digital pen 60 is in an operating state, the first display unit 624f emits light so that the seven colors are switched, and the operation button 624c is pressed to enter a link to a predetermined information source. In addition, the second display portion 624g is caused to emit light so that seven colors are switched.

  The first waveguide member 624h and the second waveguide member 624j are, for example, transparent plastic. And it is assembled from the inside of the housing 621. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the housing 621 has an insertion hole 621d into which the first waveguide member 624h is inserted and an insertion hole 621e into which the second waveguide member 624j is inserted. Is provided. A cylindrical guide 621f is provided around the insertion hole 621d inside the housing 621, and a cylindrical guide 621g is provided around the insertion hole 621e. The guide 621f is provided with one groove 621h formed by cutting out from the cylindrical shape, and the guide 621g is provided with two grooves 621i formed by cutting out from the cylindrical shape. Yes. On the other hand, the first waveguide member 624h is basically a solid body in which cylinders with different diameters are stacked in two stages, and a cylindrical recess for inserting the columnar first display unit 624f; It has one substantially rectangular parallelepiped projection for fitting into the groove 621h. The second waveguide member 624j is basically a solid body in which cylinders having different diameters are stacked in two stages, and a cylindrical recess for inserting the cylindrical second display portion 624g; It has two substantially rectangular parallelepiped projections for fitting into the grooves 621i. The first waveguide member 624h is inserted into the insertion hole 621d and fitted into the groove 621h, and the second waveguide member 624j is inserted into the insertion hole 621e and fitted into the groove 621i. (See FIG. 13A).

  The grooves 621h and 621i are provided to prevent the waveguide members 624h and 624j from rotating with respect to the housing 621, respectively. Further, when the waveguide members 624h and 624j have different specifications (for example, different materials for different light transmission properties), the number of grooves 621h and 621i is changed as in the present embodiment. By providing the corresponding convex portions on the waveguide members 624h and 624j, the waveguide members 624h and 624j can be prevented from being replaced and incorporated. When the waveguide members 624h and 624j have the same specifications, the number of the grooves 621h and 621i may be the same, and when the waveguide members 624h and 624j do not rotate with respect to the housing 621, the grooves 621h and 621i are not necessarily provided.

Next, the cap position detection function unit 625 and the cap 610 will be described.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the cap position detection function unit 625 and the cap 610.
As described above, the cap position detection function unit 625 is a function unit that detects whether or not the cap 610 is attached to a specified position of the pen body unit 620.
The cap position detection function unit 625 includes a substrate 625a, and a changeover switch 625b is provided on the substrate 625a. In addition, the cap position detection function unit 625 includes an operation button 625c having a protrusion 625c1 at one end in the axial direction of the housing 621 so that the protrusion 625c1 can protrude from the outer surface of the housing 621. .
The substrate 625a is fixed to the housing 621, and the end of the operation button 625c opposite to the protrusion 625c1 side in the housing 621 axial direction is fixed to the housing 621. The operation button 625c bends when the protruding portion 625c1 is pressed from the outside of the housing 621, is prevented from protruding from the outer surface of the housing 621, and presses the changeover switch 625b.

  When the cap 610 is not attached to the pen main body 620, the end of the operation button 625 c on the changeover switch 625 b side is located so as to protrude from the outer surface of the housing 621. Further, the position of the groove 616 (details will be described later) provided at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cap 610 matches the position of the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c (the protrusion 625c1 is the groove). When the cap 610 is attached to the pen main body 620 (so as to fit in 616), that is, when the cap 610 is attached to a specified position of the pen main body 620, the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c is formed on the housing 621. Located so as to protrude from the outer surface. In these cases, since the operation button 625c does not press the changeover switch 625b, the changeover switch 625b is set to an off state. Then, when the changeover switch 625b is set to the off state, the code image detection unit 623 is set to a state in which the code image on the medium can be read. That is, the operation of the code image detection unit 623 is allowed.

  On the other hand, the cap 610 is mounted on the pen body so that the position of the groove 616 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 610 does not coincide with the position of the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c (so that the protrusion 625c1 does not fit into the groove 616). When the cap 610 is attached to the pen body 620 but not in a specified position, the protrusion 625 c 1 of the operation button 625 c is enclosed by the inner peripheral surface of the cap 610. It is prevented from protruding from the outer surface of the body 621 and is positioned so as not to protrude. In this state, the operation button 625c presses the changeover switch 625b, and the changeover switch 625b is set to the on state. When the changeover switch 625b is set to the on state, the control circuit unit 626 sets the code image detection unit 623 to a state where the code image on the medium cannot be read. That is, the operation of the code image detection unit 623 is not allowed.

  As described above, in the digital pen 60 according to the present embodiment, the control circuit 61 serving as a control unit that controls the operation of the code image detection unit 623 performs cap position detection as a position detection unit that detects the mounting position of the cap 610. When the detection result that the mounting position is a position other than the specified position is obtained from the function unit 625, the operation of the code image detection unit 623 is not allowed, and when the detection result is not obtained, the cap 610 is mounted. The code image detector 623 is allowed to operate regardless of whether or not it is present.

Next, the cap 610 will be described.
The cap 610 includes a cap main body 611, a clip 612, a fixing screw 613 that fixes the clip 612 to the cap main body 611, a filter 614, a surrounding member 615, and a groove 616.
The cap main body 611 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and both end portions in the axial direction are open. And it forms so that a diameter may become small toward the other end part side from the one end part side of the cap main body part 611 in which the pen main body part 620 is inserted.

  As shown in the figure, the clip 612 includes a facing piece 612a as a clip piece disposed along the axial direction of the cap body portion 611 and facing the outer peripheral surface of the cap body portion 611, and one end portion of the facing piece 612a. And a hypotenuse portion 612b that is connected to the side and arranged in a relationship intersecting the arrangement direction of the opposing piece 612a. Here, the hypotenuse portion 612b is disposed with a predetermined inclination with respect to the axis of the cap body portion 611. Furthermore, the clip 612 includes a flat portion 612c that is disposed in a relationship that intersects the direction in which the oblique side portion 612b is disposed and that is disposed in a relationship that is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the cap body portion 611. Further, the clip 612 is a light transmitting portion that allows the infrared light from the infrared LED 63 to irradiate the oblique side portion 612b and the flat portion 612c to the medium, and allows the reflected light from the medium to be received by the infrared CMOS 64. As an opening 612e.

FIG. 15 is a view of the outer surface of the cap 610 as seen in the axial direction of the pen body 620. However, in order to show the shape of the clip 612 in an easy-to-understand manner, the filter 614 and the surrounding member 615 are omitted.
As described above, the opening 612e is formed from the hypotenuse 612b to the flat portion 612c. The opening 612e includes a first opening 612n to which the filter 614 is attached and a second opening 612p to which the surrounding member 615 is attached. These openings are not provided independently but are formed continuously to form a single opening.

The first opening 612n has a size that does not block the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 63. Note that the infrared light transmission region in the first opening 612n is indicated by a broken line in the figure. Further, the first opening 612n is disposed at the center in the width direction of the oblique side 612b. For this reason, the hypotenuse part 612b in the present embodiment includes side piece parts 612t on both sides of the first opening 612n. On the other hand, the second opening 612p has a shape along the cross-sectional shape of the surrounding member 615, which will be described in detail later, and has a substantially dome shape with the first opening 612n side as a bottom. . In addition, an extending portion 612u that extends into the opening 612e is provided between the first opening 612n and the second opening 612p.
The facing piece 612a of the clip 612 is formed with a predetermined width in the axial direction so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 611, and a gap formed between the cap 612 and the cap body 611. The object to be arranged is sandwiched with the cap main body 611 and the digital pen 60 is fixed to the object to be arranged.

The filter 614 is attached so as to close the first opening 612n of the opening 612e provided in the clip 612, and suppresses entry of dust, moisture, and the like into the cap 610. The filter 614 is made of a material that can transmit the infrared light and the reflected light.
The surrounding member 615 is attached to the clip 612 and attached so as to close the second opening 612p of the opening 612e. Further, it is attached to the clip 612 so as to advance and retreat along the pen axis p of the pen tip 69.

Next, the surrounding member 615 will be described.
FIG. 16 is a view showing the shape of the surrounding member 615 in detail, FIG. 16 (a) is a perspective view showing the surrounding member 615 from the front end side, and FIG. 16 (b) is a rear end view of the surrounding member 615. It is the perspective view shown from the side. FIG. 16C is a view seen from the direction of arrow E in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the surrounding member 615 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a shape in which a part of the side surface is shaved. That is, the surrounding member 615 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a flat portion along the axial direction at a part of the side surface. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the surrounding member 615 includes a body portion 615a having a hollow inside in which a tip of the pen tip 69 is accommodated and formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, An abutting portion 615b provided on one end side of the main body portion 615a and against which the tip end portion of the pen tip 69 is abutted, and a first projecting portion 615c arranged around the abutting portion 615b and projecting outward from the main body portion 615a. And.

  The surrounding member 615 includes moving pieces 615f and 615g arranged to face each other. And between the moving piece 615f and the moving piece 615g, the 1st notch part 615d and the 2nd notch part 615e which were formed along the axial direction of the main-body part 615a are provided. Furthermore, the surrounding member 615 includes a second projecting portion 615h and a third projecting portion 615j projecting outward from each end of the moving pieces 615f and 615g. Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, the surrounding member 615 includes a first flat portion 615k having a chamfered shape on the outer peripheral surface from the front end side to the rear end side. In addition, the surrounding member 615 includes a second flat portion 615m having a face-cut shape in the moving pieces 615f and 615g from the rear end portion toward the front end portion.

  In order to reduce the diameter of the pen main body 620, the infrared LED 63 is preferably arranged as close as possible to the axis of the pen main body 620. However, when the infrared LED 63 is arranged close to the axis, There is a possibility that the optical path of the infrared light and the surrounding member 615 interfere with each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a first flat portion 615k is provided in which a part of the surrounding member 615 is chamfered, and interference between the optical path of infrared light and the surrounding member 615 is achieved while bringing the infrared LED 63 to the axis. Is preventing. In addition, the surrounding member 615 can also be formed, for example so that a cross section may become a rectangular shape. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the above-described surrounding member 615 cannot be advanced and retracted well. Therefore, the surrounding member 615 in the present embodiment has a basic shape of a cylindrical shape, and a flat portion is formed on a part thereof, thereby facilitating advancement and retraction and a reduction in the diameter of the pen body 620.

  The surrounding member 615 configured as described above is inserted into the second opening 612p from the rear end side. After the insertion, the edge of the second opening 612p is between the first protrusion 615c and the second protrusion 615h and between the first protrusion 615c and the third protrusion 615j. The part comes to be located. Thus, the surrounding member 615 is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the clip 612 (cap 610). Note that movement of the surrounding member 615 in the direction of the first opening 612n is restricted by the extending portion 612u of the clip 612.

Note that the surrounding member 615 is not advanceable / retractable with respect to the clip 612 and can be attached at a fixed position. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the pen tip 69 is pressed by the surrounding member 615 even though the writing operation or the like is not performed, and the writing pressure detection switch 62 is turned on. Then, the writing pressure detection switch 62 may malfunction. That is, since various members such as the pen tip 69 have manufacturing tolerances and the like, it is assumed that the protruding amount of the pen tip 69 from the housing 621 is different for each digital pen 60. When the protruding amount of the pen tip 69 is large, the pen tip 69 is pressed by the surrounding member 615, and the writing pressure detection switch 62 is turned on although the writing operation or the like is not performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the surrounding member 615 is attached so as to be able to advance and retract as described above.
Further, the surrounding member 615 is configured by an elastically deformable member (for example, a rubber member), and protects the tip portion of the pen tip 69. Further, since the surrounding member 615 is configured by an elastically deformable member, it can be easily deformed and can be easily attached to the clip 612.

Next, the groove part 616 will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the shape of the groove 616 in detail, FIG. 17A shows a partial cross-sectional view around the groove 616, and FIG. 17B shows the C— in FIG. The cross section in the C line is shown.
As shown in FIG. 17, the groove 616 is formed along the axial direction of the cap main body 611 within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the inner surface on the rear end side of the cap main body 611. More specifically, in the present embodiment, as described above, the cross-sectional shape of the pen body portion 620 on the plane orthogonal to the axis is a substantially circular shape centered on the axis, so that the cap The inner surface of 610 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape along the surface perpendicular to the axis is along the outer surface of the pen body 620 so as to be substantially circular with the axis as the center. And the recessed part is provided in the predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the inner surface, and the groove part 616 is formed.

  On the other hand, the inner surface of the cap 610 provided with the groove 616 other than the predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the inner surface has a substantially circular shape with a cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the axis as the center. Therefore, the cap 610 is rotatable with respect to the pen body 620 and can be mounted at any position in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the cap 610 can be fixed to the pen body 620 without particularly performing alignment between the cap 610 and the pen body 620.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the cap 610 is placed on the pen body so that the position of the groove 616 in the circumferential direction coincides with the position of the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c (so that the protrusion 625c1 fits into the groove 616). When attached to 620, the protrusion 625 c 1 of the operation button 625 c protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 621. In such a case, since a gap is generated between the operation button 625c and the changeover switch 625b, the changeover switch 625b is set to an off state, and the code image detection unit 623 can read the code image on the medium, that is, The code image detection unit 623 is set to be allowed to operate.

  When the cap 610 is attached to the pen body 620 so that the position of the groove 616 in the circumferential direction does not coincide with the position of the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c (so that the protrusion 625c1 does not fit into the groove 616), The protruding portion 625 c 1 of the operation button 625 c is prevented from protruding from the outer surface of the housing 621 by the inner surface of the cap 620. In such a case, the operation button 625c bends and presses the changeover switch 625b, and the changeover switch 625b is set to an on state. When the changeover switch 625b is set to the on state, the code image detection unit 623 is set to a state where the code image on the medium cannot be read, that is, the operation of the code image detection unit 623 is not allowed. .

  In other words, when the cap 610 is mounted on the pen main body 620, the cap 610 is defined by the pen main body 620 when the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c fits into the groove 616 and protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 621. Therefore, the changeover switch 625b is set to an off state. On the other hand, when the cap 610 is attached to the pen body 620, the protrusion 625c1 of the operation button 625c is not fitted into the groove 616 and is pressed against the inner surface of the cap body 611 and does not protrude from the outer surface of the housing 621. In other words, the cap 610 is attached to a position other than the specified position of the pen body 620, and the changeover switch 625b is set to the on state.

  The predetermined position in the circumferential direction in which the groove 616 is formed means that the first opening 612n of the cap 610 is infrared when the cap 610 is mounted at a specified position of the pen body 620. This is a position through which infrared light emitted from the LED 63 and reflected light from the medium pass. That is, when the cap 610 is mounted at a specified position of the pen body 620, the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 63 passes through the first opening 612n and reaches the medium, and the reflected light from the medium is the first. The light is received by the infrared CMOS 64 through the one opening 612n and the imaging lens 623c and the prism 623e. On the other hand, when the cap 610 is mounted at a position other than the specified position of the pen body 620, even if infrared light is emitted from the infrared LED 63 (actually, the changeover switch 625b is set to the on state). Therefore, since the first opening 612n is not on the infrared light path, the cap 610 does not pass infrared light.

Next, how the digital pen 60 configured as described above is used will be described.
FIG. 18 shows the posture of the digital pen 60 when the code image is read.
FIG. 18A shows the posture when the cap 610 is used without being attached. As described above, in the digital pen 60 according to the present embodiment, the pen tip 69 is tilted with respect to the axis (A-A) of the pen body 620 (housing 621), and the joint member 622d is provided behind the pen tip 69, The shape from the pen tip 69 to the pen pressure detection switch 62 is a “<” character. An infrared LED 63, an imaging lens 623c, a prism 623e, an infrared CMOS 64, and the like are arranged on the opposite side of the pen tip 69 and the joint member 622d with respect to the axis of the pen body 620, and the infrared LED 63 is The pen tip 69 is tilted in substantially the same direction as the pen tip 69 is tilted so as to be substantially along the pen tip 69. Therefore, the user who uses this digital pen 60 has an ergonomic opening in which the tip of the pen tip 69 is a light transmission part for transmitting the emitted light from the infrared LED 63 and the reflected light from the medium. It is considered to be used in a state above 621b, in other words, the opening 621b is closer to the front than the tip of the pen tip 69 (the state shown in FIG. 18A). In the configuration according to the present embodiment, the code image can be appropriately read when the inclination α of the digital pen 60 with respect to the medium is within a range of 10 ° ≦ α ≦ 90 °. Is done.

When the user writes on the medium, the pen tip 69 is pressed by the medium, and the pressing force (writing pressure) is transmitted to the writing pressure detection switch 62 via the joint member 622d (see FIG. 12). The detection switch 62 is turned on. As a result, the digital pen 60 is brought into an operating state, and infrared light is irradiated from the infrared LED 63, and reflected light from the medium is received by the infrared CMOS 64, and a code image is read from the medium.
When the operation button 624c is pressed and the pen tip 69 is pressed by the medium, the code image is read from the medium, and the read code image is read to the control circuit 61 (see FIG. 5). A signal is sent to indicate a link to a predetermined information source associated with the identification information and the location information. Then, this signal and identification information and position information based on the read code image are sent to the terminal device 50 (see FIG. 1) via the communication circuit 66 and the communication device 70. Thereby, for example, predetermined information associated with the identification information and the position information can be displayed on the display of the terminal device 50.

  In the digital pen 60 in the present embodiment, the operation button 624c is provided on the side opposite to the side where the opening 621b is located with respect to the axis (AA) of the pen main body 620 (housing 621). ing. Therefore, when used in the state of FIG. 18A, the operation button 624c is positioned above the axis of the pen body 620, as shown in FIG. The operation button 624c is provided at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the pen body 620 (housing 621). Accordingly, for the user who is using the digital pen 60, the position of the operation button 624c is an easy-to-see position and an easy-to-operate position.

FIG. 18B shows a posture when the cap 610 is used in a state where the cap 610 is attached to a predetermined position of the digital pen 60. The oblique side 612b of the cap 610 is provided with a first opening 612n as a light transmitting part for transmitting the light emitted from the infrared LED 63 and the reflected light from the medium, and the surface of the oblique side 612b is a plane. is there. For this reason, a user who uses the digital pen 60 ergonomically places the front end of the surrounding member 615 above the oblique side 612b, in other words, the oblique side 612b is closer to the front than the front end of the surrounding member 615. The slanted side portion 612b is considered to be used in such a posture as to face the medium. That is, it is considered that the hypotenuse portion 612b functions as a guide portion for stabilizing the posture of the digital pen 60 when the digital pen 60 is used and a restricting portion for restricting the posture of the digital pen 60. In this posture, the facing piece 612 a of the cap 610 is closer to the user than the tip of the surrounding member 615. In other words, when the user who is using the digital pen 60 sees, the facing piece 612 a is below the axis of the pen body 620.
Further, in the digital pen 60 according to the present embodiment, when the cap 610 is mounted at a predetermined position of the digital pen 60, the display units 624f and 624g and the waveguide members 624h and 624j are arranged on the axis of the pen main body unit 620. It is located on the opposite side to the side where the opposing piece 612a is located with respect to the heart. Therefore, when used in the state of FIG. 18B, as shown in FIG. 18B, the display portions 624f and 624g and the waveguide members 624h and 624j are arranged on the axis (A−) of the pen body portion 620. It will be located above A). Therefore, for the user who is using the digital pen 60, the positions of the display units 624f and 624g are easy to see.

  When the surrounding member 615 is pressed by the medium, pressure (writing pressure) is transmitted from the surrounding member 615 to the pen tip 69, and this pressure is transmitted to the writing pressure detection switch 62, and the writing pressure detection switch 62 is turned on. Can be switched. As a result, the digital pen 60 is brought into an operating state, and infrared light is irradiated from the infrared LED 63 and reflected light from the medium is received by the infrared CMOS 64. When the surrounding member 615 is pressed against the medium while the operation button 624c is pressed, the code image is read from the medium and the control circuit 61 (see FIG. 5) is read as described above. A signal instructing a link to a predetermined information source associated with the identification information and the position information based on the received code image is sent. For this reason, also in this case, for example, predetermined information associated with the identification information and the position information can be displayed on the display of the terminal device 50. In the present embodiment, since the pen tip 69 does not directly contact the medium and the surrounding member 615 contacts the medium, the medium is prevented from being soiled.

  In the present embodiment, in the state where the cap 610 is attached to the prescribed position of the pen body 620, the infrared light is irradiated to the medium without being blocked by the first opening 612n of the cap 610. The reflected light is also received by the infrared CMOS 64 through the first opening 612n. The operation button 624c is provided on the side opposite to the side where the facing piece 612a is located with respect to the axis of the pen body 620. Therefore, when used in the state of FIG. 18B, the operation button 624c is positioned above the axis of the pen body 620, as shown in FIG. The operation button 624c is provided at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the pen body 620 (housing 621) and is not covered with the cap 610. Accordingly, for the user who is using the digital pen 60, the position of the operation button 624c is an easy-to-see position and an easy-to-operate position.

It is the figure which showed the structural example of the handwriting information management system of this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the function structure of the document server. It is the figure which showed an example of the image etc. which comprise a code image. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the function structure of the identification information server. It is a figure explaining the outline of a functional structure of a digital pen. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the control circuit. It is the sequence diagram which showed an example of the operation | movement at the time of a printed document being produced | generated in a handwriting information management system. It is the sequence diagram which showed an example of operation | movement of the identification information server at the time of registering handwriting information, and a document server. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the computer. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of a digital pen, Comprising: (a) is an external appearance perspective view of a digital pen, (b) is an external appearance perspective view of the cap of a digital pen, (c) is an external appearance perspective view of the pen main-body part of a digital pen. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a pen main-body part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a writing detection function part and a code | symbol image detection part. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the operation display part, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is the figure which looked at the inner side of the housing | casing in the D direction of (a). It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a cap position detection function part and a cap. It is the figure which looked at the outer surface of the cap in the axial center direction of the pen main-body part. It is the figure which showed the shape of the surrounding member in detail, (a) is the perspective view which showed the surrounding member from the front end side, (b) is the perspective view which showed the surrounding member from the rear end side, (c ) Is a view seen from the direction of arrow E in (b). It is the figure which showed the shape of the groove part in detail, (a) shows the partial cross section figure of a groove part periphery, (b) has shown the cross section in CC line in (a). The posture of the digital pen at the time of reading the code image is shown. (A) is used when the cap is not attached, and (b) is used when the cap is attached. It is a figure which shows a case.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 20 ... Document server, 30 identification information server, 40 ... Image forming device, 50 ... Terminal device, 60 ... Digital pen, 61 ... Control circuit, 62 ... Pen pressure detection switch, 63 ... Infrared LED, 64 ... Infrared CMOS, 66 ... Communication circuit, 69 ... Pen chip, 70 ... Communication device, 610 ... Cap, 611 ... Cap body part, 612 ... Clip, 612a ... Opposing piece, 612b ... Slope side part, 612c ... Flat part, 612e ... Opening part, 613... Fixing screw, 614... Filter, 615. Surrounding member, 616... Groove part, 620... Pen body part, 621 ... Housing, 621b ... Opening part, 622 ... Writing detection function part, 623. 623a ... Diffuser plate, 623b ... IR filter, 623c ... Imaging lens, 623d ... Lens barrel, 623e ... Prism, 623f ... Holder, 623g ... Pacer, 624 ... operation display unit, 624a ... substrate, 624b ... changeover switch, 624c ... operation button, 624f ... first display unit, 624g ... second display unit, 624h ... first waveguide member, 624j ... first 2 waveguide members, 625... Cap position detection function unit, 625a... Substrate, 625b... Changeover switch, 625c.

Claims (10)

A writing section capable of writing on the medium;
An irradiation unit for irradiating the medium with light;
A light receiving unit for receiving reflected light from the medium;
A rod-shaped housing that houses the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit and has a light transmission unit that transmits light;
An operation unit operated by a user provided on a side opposite to the side where the light transmission unit is located with respect to the axis of the housing;
Electronic writing instrument including.   The writing unit has a front end portion that contacts the medium during writing substantially positioned on the axis of the casing, and a rear end side on which the light transmission unit is positioned with respect to the axis of the casing. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electronic writing instrument is located on a side opposite to the first side.   The electronic writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is attached to the casing so as not to protrude from an outer surface of the casing.   The electronic writing instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation unit is located at an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of the casing. A writing instrument main body having a writing unit capable of writing on a medium, a reading unit for reading an image on the medium, a rod-shaped main body housing for storing the reading unit, and an operation unit operated by a user;
A cap having a cover portion covering an end portion of the writing instrument main body on the writing portion side, and a clip piece disposed to be opposed to the outer surface of the cover portion;
With
The reading means is allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a specified position of the writing instrument body, and is not allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a position other than the specified position,
When the cap is mounted at a predetermined position of the writing instrument body, the operation portion is located on the opposite side to the side where the clip piece is located with respect to the axis of the body housing. An electronic writing instrument.   The cap has a flat surface extending from an end on the tip side of the clip piece toward the axial center of the main body housing at a tip opposite to the end on the opening side where the writing instrument main body is inserted. 6. The electronic writing instrument according to claim 5, further comprising a guide portion. The reading unit includes an irradiation unit that emits light to the medium and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the medium,
The electronic writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein the guide unit includes a light transmission unit that transmits at least one of irradiation light applied to the medium and reflected light from the medium.   The electronic writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein the cap does not cover the operation unit when the cap is attached to the writing instrument body. A writing instrument main body having a writing unit capable of writing on a medium, a reading unit for reading an image on the medium, a rod-shaped main body housing for storing the reading unit, and a display unit for displaying information;
A cap having a cover portion covering an end portion of the writing instrument main body on the writing portion side, and a clip piece disposed to be opposed to the outer surface of the cover portion;
With
The reading means is allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a specified position of the writing instrument body, and is not allowed to operate when the cap is mounted at a position other than the specified position,
When the cap is mounted at a predetermined position of the writing instrument main body, the display unit is located on a side opposite to a side where the clip piece is located with respect to an axis of the main body housing. An electronic writing instrument. The writing instrument body has an operation unit operated by a user,
The display unit includes a first display member indicating that the reading unit is operating, and a second display member indicating that the operation unit is operated. 9. The electronic writing instrument according to 9.

Images