JP2010073055A - Business form for electronic pen and inspection method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a business form for an electronic pen capable of managing so that the same dot patterns do not overlap and an inspection method for managing so that the business forms for the electronic pen do not overlap in the business form for the electronic pen where dot patterns different from one business form to the other are printed. <P>SOLUTION: In a business form 100 for an electronic pen which is readable by an electronic pen 800 and forms a set of dot patterns 104 for digitizing written information written by the electronic pen 800 in a dot pattern formation area 110, the set of dot patterns 104 comprises unique dot patterns different from one business form to the other and forms machine readable code information 120 for identifying the set of dot patterns in areas other than the dot pattern formation area 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic pen form on which a dot pattern that cannot be visually confirmed is printed.

The present invention is particularly useful for identifying electronic pen forms on which different dot patterns are printed for each form in electronic pen forms on which a dot pattern that cannot be visually confirmed is printed.

In order to process information entered in a large amount of handwritten forms, it is becoming increasingly important to improve the efficiency of input operations to a computer.

By using an electronic pen form on which a dot pattern capable of acquiring information with the electronic pen is used, information handwritten on paper with the electronic pen can be immediately digitized.

Therefore, general usage and problems of dot patterns that can be acquired with an electronic pen in a form will be described.

<< 1. Form using the same dot pattern >>
In a form composed of a plurality of pages, if each page has the same dot pattern, it is necessary to enter a page number with an electronic pen in order to distinguish the pages of the form.
Therefore, when entering information on a page, the page number must be entered, which is inconvenient and inconvenient.
If the page number is forgotten, the page of the entered information cannot be specified, and information on each page is mixed, resulting in a serious trouble.

<< 2. Forms with different dot patterns depending on the form >>
For forms with different dot patterns printed for each page, even if information is entered without entering information that distinguishes the pages of the form such as page numbers with the electronic pen, it is possible to fill in any form by identifying the dot pattern. It is possible to identify whether the information is the same information.
For this reason, when using forms that use different dot patterns depending on the form, if forms having the same dot pattern are duplicated, it is impossible to identify the form of the entered information. At this time, since the dot pattern is an aggregate of fine dots, it is impossible to visually confirm the difference in the dot pattern, so even if the forms having the same dot pattern overlap, did not notice.
Therefore, in order to make it possible to identify the dot pattern printed on the paper, visible information is printed.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a barcode is provided on a sheet having a dot pattern according to the type of the sheet.

JP 2004-88676 (paragraph 0020, paragraph 0026-paragraph 0027, FIG. 3)

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the barcode is provided to identify the type of paper, even if a different dot pattern is provided for each paper on the same type of paper, the difference in the dot pattern is different. It cannot be used for identification.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described points, and the problem of the present invention is to prevent the same dot pattern from overlapping in electronic pen forms in which different dot patterns are printed for each form. An electronic pen form that can be managed and an inspection method for managing the electronic pen form so as not to overlap.

This invention solves the said subject by the means as described in each following aspect.
That is, the first invention of the present invention is:
A set of dot patterns (104) that can be read by the electronic pen (800) and digitize the information entered by the electronic pen (800) is formed in the dot pattern formation region (110). In the electronic pen form (100),
The set of dot patterns (104) consists of unique dot patterns that differ for each form,
And, in a region other than the dot pattern formation region (110), machine-readable code information (120) for specifying the set of dot patterns is formed.
The electronic pen form (100) is characterized by the above.

In this way, when code information that identifies a set of dot patterns is compared and code information is duplicated, by eliminating electronic pen forms that have duplicate code information, forms with the same dot pattern are duplicated. It is possible to manage so as not to.

In the second invention of the present application, the dot pattern (104) and the code information (120) are printed with infrared absorbing ink.
The electronic pen form (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen form (100) is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information attached to the form (130) represented by any one of ruled lines, frame lines, character strings, designs, etc. formed on the electronic pen form is an infrared non-absorbing characteristic ink. Printed in the
The electronic pen form according to claim 1.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the code information (120) includes at least a bar code and a two-dimensional code.
The electronic pen form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic pen form is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the code information (120) is formed in an area on the paper that is finally trimmed and removed. The electronic pen form described.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the dot pattern (104) and the code information (120) are formed on a sheet by a single color printer (300) connected to a computer.
The electronic pen form according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic pen form is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the inspection method for the electronic pen form (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
(1) reading the code information (120) printed on the electronic pen form (100);
(2) The read code information (120) is compared with each other, and if it is duplicated, a duplication check step for performing a duplicate report including the duplicated code information (120);
(3) Deduplication step for removing electronic pen form (100) having duplicate code information (120);
The electronic pen form (100) is inspected by a procedure including

According to the present invention, in the electronic pen form consisting of a unique dot pattern different for each form,
(1) By using the code information printed simultaneously with the dot pattern, it is possible to reliably identify the electronic pen form.
(2) By checking whether there is duplication of code information, it is possible to manage whether the dot patterns of the form are overlapping.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to manage electronic pen forms printed with a dot pattern that cannot be visually confirmed so as not to overlap.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an electronic pen form management system 1 according to the present invention.
The electronic pen form management system 1 includes a print data management apparatus 500, a variable printing apparatus 300, and a form inspection apparatus 700 connected to a network.

The print data management apparatus 500 manages data for printing an electronic pen form composed of a unique dot pattern that is different for each form. The print data of the electronic pen form is data including a dot pattern and code information for identifying the form.
The code information for identifying the form is a bar code or a two-dimensional code.

The print data management apparatus 500 is an existing server computer.

The variable printing apparatus 300 prints the electronic pen form 100.
The variable printing apparatus 300 is an existing color printer.
The variable printing apparatus 300 may be a local printer connected to the print data management apparatus 500.

The form inspection apparatus 700 is an apparatus that inspects the presence or absence of overlapping dot patterns of the electronic pen form 100.
The form inspection apparatus 700 is a personal computer having a code reader 701 (for example, a barcode reader or a digital camera).
The bar code reader 701 reads the bar code of the electronic pen form, and transmits decryption information of the read bar code to the form inspection apparatus 700.
The digital camera 701 reads the two-dimensional code of the electronic pen form and transmits an image of the read code information to the form inspection apparatus 700.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a rough processing flow of the electronic pen form management system 1.
<< 1. Printing electronic pen forms >>
The print data management apparatus 500 transmits, to the printing apparatus 300, form print data including data in which unique dot pattern data that differs for each form is associated with code information that includes information that identifies a set of dot patterns of the form. (FIG. 2 (1)).
The printing apparatus 300 receives the form print data from the print data management apparatus 500 and prints the electronic pen form 100 ((2)).

<< 2. Inspection of electronic pen forms >>
The form inspection apparatus 700 reads the code information of all electronic pen forms and inspects for the presence of code information duplication ((3)).
The form inspection apparatus 700 removes the electronic pen form 100 having duplicate code information ((4)).

The electronic pen form 100 that has been inspected is, for example, bundled into a booklet form.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the electronic pen form 100.
The electronic pen form 100 has a dot pattern forming area 110 that forms a set of dot patterns that can be read by the electronic pen, machine-readable code information 120, and visible form-attached information 130. ing.
The dot pattern and code information 120 formed in the dot pattern formation area 110 are printed with infrared absorbing ink. For example, black toner that absorbs infrared light is used.

The dot pattern formed in the dot pattern formation region 110 is a different pattern for each electronic pen form 100. (Details of the dot pattern will be described later)
The dot pattern formed in the dot pattern formation area 110 is used to digitize entry information entered with an electronic pen.

The code information 120 is a bar code or a two-dimensional code.
The code information 120 is formed in an area on the paper that is finally cut and removed.
As the code information 120 of the electronic pen form in FIG. 3, a barcode is exemplified.

The form supplementary information 130 is information represented by any of ruled lines, frame lines, character strings, symbols, and the like.
The ruled line is used, for example, to indicate the range of the entry area 130a. The character string is used, for example, to describe the entry area 130a.
In addition, as the electronic pen form 100, for example, a frame line indicating the entry area 130a is printed.
These form-accompanying information 130 is printed with infrared non-absorbing characteristic ink. For example, yellow, red, and blue toners that do not absorb infrared light are used. In addition, when printing in black, black toner that does not absorb infrared light may be used.

Here, since the dot patterns in the dot pattern formation area of each electronic pen form 100 do not overlap each other, the dot pattern in the same entry area 130 a differs for each electronic pen form 100.

Next, a dot pattern and an electronic pen will be described.
The electronic pen and electronic pen form 100 will be described below using, for example, an Anoto (registered trademark) electronic pen and electronic pen form.

4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating dot patterns formed on the electronic pen form.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the dot pattern of the electronic pen form 100.
The enlarged view of the dot pattern of the electronic pen form 100 shows that the dot pattern 104 composed of 6 × 6 dots is arranged in a 2 mm square.
The dot pattern 104 composed of 6 × 6 dots is arranged so as to be a unique pattern no matter which part of the electronic pen form 100 is taken.
The 6 × 6 dot pattern 104 is a unit by which the electronic pen 800 reads the dot pattern.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the encoding of dots constituting a dot pattern.
FIG. 5 shows dots constituting a dot pattern and orthogonal virtual reference lines 505a and 505b.
Each dot is arranged on either the top, bottom, left, or right of the reference point that is the intersection of the reference lines. Each dot is encoded with a predetermined value associated with the position of the arrangement.
FIG. 5A illustrates dots associated with the encoded value “0”.
The dot arranged to the right of the reference point is associated with the encoded value “0”.
FIG. 5B illustrates dots associated with the encoded value “1”.
The dot arranged on the reference point is associated with the encoded value “1”.
FIG. 5C illustrates a dot associated with the encoded value “2”.
The dot arranged to the left of the reference point is associated with the encoded value “2”.
FIG. 5D illustrates a dot associated with the encoded value “3”.
The dot arranged below the reference point is associated with the encoded value “1”.

FIG. 6 is an example of dot pattern encoding.
FIG. 6A shows a dot pattern 104 composed of 6 × 6 dots.
An orthogonal virtual reference line is drawn on the dot pattern 104 composed of 6 × 6 dots.
FIG. 6B shows an example in which encoded values of dot patterns are arranged.
The encoded value array illustrated in FIG. 6B is a value obtained by associating each dot shown in FIG. 6A with the encoding method in FIG. 5 based on the arrangement position from the reference point. Is converted into and encoded.
This encoding is performed by the electronic pen 800 that captures an image of a dot pattern.

In this way, the dot pattern image read by the electronic pen 800 is converted into an array of encoded values.
Note that this array of encoded values is associated with position coordinates (for example, position information in the world coordinate system). (Details will be described later)

Accordingly, since the set of dot patterns 104 composed of 6 × 6 dots is composed of unique dot patterns that differ for each form, a 6 × 6 dot dot pattern is created from the dot pattern formation area of the electronic pen form 100. When photographing, the position coordinates on the electronic pen form can be obtained, and at the same time, the electronic pen form 100 can be identified.

Next, the electronic pen will be described.
The electronic pen has a function of converting entry contents into digital data based on entry information corresponding to characters entered on the electronic pen form 100 by the user.
The electronic pen includes a pen tip portion 17 similar to a normal ink pen.
When a user writes a character or the like on the electronic pen form 100 by the pen tip unit 17, the electronic pen locally displays a dot pattern printed on the electronic pen form 100 along the movement locus of the pen tip part ( = 6 × 6 dot pattern 104), the coordinates of the local position in the electronic pen form 100 are calculated and stored.
Since the pen tip portion 17 is a normal ink pen, the electronic pen can leave the written content on the electronic pen form 100.

FIG. 7 is a detailed configuration diagram of the electronic pen 800.
The electronic pen 800 includes a CPU 11, a storage unit 12, a data communication unit 13, a power supply unit 14, a lighting unit 15, a camera 16, a pen tip unit 17, a pressure sensor 18, and a dedicated program.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit.
The data communication unit 13 is a wireless transmission / reception circuit or a USB connection circuit.
The data communication unit 13 is connected to a terminal device that receives predetermined data in the memory 12.
The nib 17 supplies ink that does not contain carbon.

The power supply unit 14 is a secondary battery.
The battery 14 is for supplying electric power to each component in the electronic pen 800. For example, the power of the electronic pen 800 itself is turned on / off by removing a cap (not shown) of the electronic pen 800. May be.

The pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure applied to the pen tip portion 17 when the user writes a character or the like on the electronic pen form 100 with the electronic pen 800, that is, the writing pressure, and supplies the detected pressure to the CPU 11.

The camera 16 is a digital camera.
The illumination unit 15 is an infrared LED.
The infrared LED 15 is attached in the vicinity of the pen tip of the electronic pen 800 and illuminates infrared light toward the vicinity of the pen tip portion 17 on the electronic pen form 100.
The camera 16 captures a dot pattern (= a range including a size of about 2 mm × about 2 mm as shown in FIG. 4) of the area illuminated by the infrared LED 15 and supplies image data of the dot pattern to the processor 11. To do. The area illuminated by the infrared LED 15 is slightly shifted from the position where the pen tip portion 17 contacts the electronic pen form 100.
The infrared rays irradiated by the infrared LED 15 are absorbed by the carbon contained in the dots, and the amount of infrared rays reflected by the dots is small, and the amount of infrared rays other than the dots is large.
Therefore, in photographing by the camera 16, dots containing carbon can be distinguished from the difference in the amount of infrared reflection.
That is, the camera 16 can recognize only the dot pattern even if there is a dot in the shooting area and accompanying information or a description with the electronic pen 800.
Note that photographing by the camera 16 is performed about 50 to 100 times per second.

The storage unit 12 is a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory.
The storage unit 12 has a position coordinate storage area. The position coordinate storage area stores position coordinates.

The storage unit 12 stores a dedicated program.
The dedicated program is a program that is realized and functions as a means by being interpreted and executed by the CPU 11. The means realized by the dedicated program includes a position coordinate calculation means.

The operation of the dedicated program will be described below.
The dedicated program switches the LED 15 and the camera 16 on and off based on the writing pressure data provided from the pressure sensor 18.
When a user writes a character or the like on the electronic pen form 100 with the electronic pen 800, the pen tip 17 is applied with a writing pressure. When the pressure sensor 18 detects a writing pressure of a predetermined value or more, the dedicated program is Then, it is determined that the user has started entry, and the LED 15 and the camera 16 are operated.

The position coordinate calculation means calculates the position coordinates by applying the image data of the dot pattern continuously supplied by the camera 16 while the user enters, and stores the position coordinates in the position coordinate storage area. Specifically, the position coordinate calculation means converts the dot pattern image data supplied by the camera 16 into an array of encoded values, and calculates coordinate information by a predetermined calculation method using the arrayed encoded values.
At this time, the dedicated program acquires time information from a clock (not shown) built in the electronic pen 800, the time information, the pen pressure data acquired from the pressure sensor 18, and the coordinates acquired by the position coordinate calculation means. The information may be associated and stored in the position coordinate storage area.

As described above, in the electronic pen form managed by the electronic pen form management system 1 according to the present invention, the dot patterns in the dot pattern formation area of each electronic pen form do not overlap each other. Therefore, by applying the coordinate information obtained by the electronic pen 800 entering information in the electronic pen form, the entered information can be classified for each electronic pen form 100.

The figure explaining the outline | summary of the form management system 1 for electronic pens by this invention The figure explaining the flow of a rough process of the form management system 1 for electronic pens The figure explaining the electronic pen form 100 Enlarged view of dot pattern of electronic pen form 100 The figure explaining the encoding of the dot which comprises a dot pattern Example of dot pattern encoding Detailed configuration diagram of electronic pen 800

Explanation of symbols

1 electronic pen form management system 100 electronic pen form 104 6 × 6 dot pattern 110 dot pattern formation area 120 code information 130 form supplementary information 300 variable printing apparatus 500 print data management apparatus 700 form inspection apparatus 701 code reader , Barcode reader, digital camera 800 electronic pen

Claims (7)

In the electronic pen form formed by forming a set of dot patterns in the dot pattern formation area, which can be read by the electronic pen and digitize the entry information entered by the electronic pen,
The set of dot patterns consists of unique dot patterns that differ for each form,
And, in a region other than the dot pattern formation region, machine-readable code information that identifies the set of dot patterns is formed,
A form for electronic pens. The dot pattern and the code information are printed with infrared absorbing ink,
The electronic pen form according to claim 1. Form supplementary information represented by any of ruled lines, frame lines, character strings, designs, etc. formed on the electronic pen form is printed with infrared non-absorbing characteristic ink,
The electronic pen form according to claim 1. The code information includes at least a barcode and a two-dimensional code.
The electronic pen form according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen form is provided. The electronic pen form according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the code information is formed in an area on a sheet to be finally cut and removed. The dot pattern and the code information are formed on a sheet by a single color printer connected to a computer.
The electronic pen form according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic pen form is provided. The electronic pen form inspection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
(1) reading code information printed on the electronic pen form;
(2) The read code information is compared with each other, and if it is duplicated, a duplicate check step for reporting a duplicate including the duplicated code information;
(3) a duplication removal step of removing electronic pen forms having duplicate code information;
A method for inspecting a form for an electronic pen, characterized by being performed in a procedure including

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