JP3064876B2 - Memory pen - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage pen that records characters and the like on a sheet of paper or the like with a writing instrument and that stores its handwriting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been proposed a storage pen which writes characters, symbols, and the like with a writing instrument, detects the handwriting using a stress sensor, an optical sensor, and the like, and stores the detected handwriting by itself. The handwriting stored in the storage pen can be reused by reading it out and displaying it on a display device.

[0003]

As in a conventional memory pen, handwriting detection and storage using a stress sensor and an optical sensor are performed by storing the signal outputs of both sensors and reconstructing the handwriting when these are reproduced. To process by combining the signals of
There was a problem that a program for handwriting reproduction became complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a storage pen effective for reproducing a handwriting with a relatively simple program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage pen including a writing implement for writing on a recording medium, a tip of the writing implement, and handwriting by the writing implement. Imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the medium, image information capturing means for capturing image information captured by the imaging means at each predetermined sampling time, and storage means for sequentially storing the image information for each sampling time, An image information transmitting unit for sequentially transmitting the image information stored in the storage device to an external receiving device as required, a power supply unit for driving these units, the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, and storage Means, an image information transmitting means, and a case housing the power supply unit.

In this storage pen, when writing is performed on a recording medium with a writing instrument, a predetermined range of the recording medium including the tip of the writing instrument and handwriting is imaged by an imaging means. Then, the captured image information is fetched at a predetermined sampling cycle and stored in the storage means. The image information stored in the storage means is transmitted to an external receiving device by the transmission means as required.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a writing pen for writing on a recording medium, an image pickup means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium including a tip of the writing instrument, and a handwriting by the writing instrument. Image information capturing means for capturing image information captured by the image capturing means at predetermined sampling times, transmitting means for sequentially transmitting the captured image information to an external receiving device as required, and driving these means And a case body accommodating the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the image information output unit, and the power supply unit.

[0008] In this storage pen, similarly to the first aspect, the captured image information is captured by image information capturing means. However, the captured image information is transmitted as it is to the external receiving device by the transmitting device. In addition, a storage pen according to claim 3 includes a writing implement for writing on a recording medium, an imaging unit that includes a tip of the writing implement, and a handwriting by the writing implement, and that captures an image of a predetermined range of the recording medium. Image information capturing means for capturing imaged image information at each predetermined sampling time; storage means for sequentially storing the image information at each sampling time; and, if necessary, sequentially storing the image information stored in the storage device. Image information output means for reading and outputting
Handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on the sequentially output image information, transmitting means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced handwriting to an external receiving device as required, and a means for driving these means. A power supply unit, the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the storage unit, the image information output unit, the handwriting reproducing unit,
A transmitting means and a case housing the power supply unit.

[0009] In this storage pen, similarly to the first aspect, the image information captured is captured by the image information capturing means and stored in the storage means. Further, the handwriting is reproduced by handwriting reproducing means based on the captured image information. The reproduced handwriting is transmitted to an external receiving device by the transmitting device. Further, a storage pen according to claim 4 includes a writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an image pickup means including a tip of the writing instrument, and a handwriting by the writing instrument, for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium, and the imaging means. Image information capturing means for capturing imaged image information at each predetermined sampling time, first storage means for sequentially storing the image information for each sampling time, and storage in the first storage means as required The read image information is sequentially read out,
Image output means for outputting, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on sequentially output image information, second storage means for storing the reproduced handwriting as necessary, and driving these means A power supply unit for performing the operation, the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the first storage unit, the image information transmitting unit,
It includes a handwriting reproducing unit, a second storage unit, and a case housing the power supply unit.

In this storage pen, the captured image information is stored in the first storage means, and the handwriting is reproduced by the reproduction means based on the stored information, as in the third aspect. However, the reproduced handwriting is stored in the second storage means. The storage pen according to claim 5 is
A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium including a tip of the writing instrument, and handwriting by the writing instrument, and image information imaged by the imaging means for every predetermined sampling time Image information capturing means for capturing, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on the sequentially captured image information, and transmitting means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced handwriting to an external receiving device, if necessary, A power supply unit for driving these units is provided, and a case housing the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the handwriting reproducing unit, the transmitting unit, and the power supply unit.

In this storage pen, when image information is taken in at each sampling time, handwriting is reproduced by handwriting reproducing means while the image information is taken in, and the handwriting is transmitted to an external receiving device by transmitting means. I do. In addition, a storage pen according to claim 6 includes a writing implement for writing on a recording medium, an imaging unit that includes a tip of the writing implement, and a handwriting by the writing implement, and that captures an image of a predetermined range of the recording medium. Image information capturing means for capturing captured image information at predetermined sampling times, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on sequentially captured image information, and storing the reproduced handwriting information as required A second storage unit, a power supply unit for driving these units, and a case housing the writing implement, the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the handwriting reproduction unit, the storage unit, and the power supply unit. .

In the storage pen, when image information is taken in at each sampling time, the handwriting is reproduced by the handwriting reproducing means while image information is taken in at every sampling time. However, the reproduced handwriting is stored in the storage means.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen as a premise of the present invention. This handwriting storage / reproduction device detects a handwriting and stores the handwriting, an interface device 9, and a handwriting data stored in the storage pen 1 via the interface device 9 to read and reproduce the handwriting data.
0.

The storage pen 1 includes a pen shaft 2 such as a ball-point pen core for writing on paper or the like, a lens 3, a CCD 4, a microcomputer 5, a storage device 7, a power supply (battery) 8, and a pen shaft 2.
Pressure sensor 1 that detects the presence or absence of contact with the paper surface
3, a unit 6 including a storage device 7 and a power supply 8 is configured to be detachable from the pen body.

The unit 6 is detached from the main body of the storage pen 1,
When connected to the interface device 9, the writing data stored in the storage device 7 is read by the writing data reading device 11.
After that, it is taken into the computer 10. The battery of the power supply 8 can be charged by the charging device 12. The computer 10 includes software (program) for reproducing handwriting based on the captured writing data, includes a handwriting reproducing function as a basic function, and further includes character recognition software, graphic recognition software, and communication software. , A character recognition function, a drawing recognition function, a communication function, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the storage pen 1.
The storage pen 1 is of a pencil shape having a round bar-shaped case body 1a, and the tip 1b of the case body 1a is expanded to a somewhat larger diameter. A light-transmitting pen shaft holding plate 21 is attached to the distal end portion 1b of the case body 1a, and a pen shaft holder 22 for holding the pen shaft 2 from the center of the pen shaft holding plate 21.
The pen shaft holding plate 21 and the pen shaft 2
The pen shaft holder 22 constitutes a handwriting means.

A telecentric lens 3 as a telecentric lens system is arranged inside the pen shaft holding plate 21, and a CCD area sensor (imaging means) 4 is arranged adjacent to an inner end of the telecentric lens 3.
In FIG. 2, the telecentric lens 3 is drawn in a shape as shown, but this is a model representation of an optical path, not a shape of the lens itself. Further, another lens other than the telecentric lens may be used. In this embodiment, the optical axis of the telecentric lens 3 coincides with the central axis of the pen shaft 2 and the pen shaft holder 21 (and the central axis of the case body 1), and the CCD area sensor 4 is arranged on the optical axis. ing. However, the optical axis of the telecentric lens 3 and the central axis of the writing means do not necessarily need to coincide with each other, and the tip of the pen shaft 2 (that is, the handwriting point at the moment of writing) is located in the optical detection visual field, If a handwriting point is detected, the optical axis and the central axis may be slightly shifted.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the pen shaft holding plate 2
1, a pen shaft 2, a pen shaft holder 22, a telecentric lens 3, and a CCD area sensor 4 are integrally fixed to an inner case 23, and the inner case 23 emits light inside the case body 1 by writing pressure during writing. It is slightly slidable along the axial direction. Due to the sliding of the inner case 23 in the optical axis direction, the inner case 23 is moved by the writing pressure at the time of writing.
, It can be detected that the pressure sensor 13 is pressed by the inner case 23 and the user is writing.
If the pressure sensor 13 can detect that the writing is being performed, for example, the writing may be detected by bending the inner case 23 in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the optical axis.

A printed circuit board 24 on which an electronic circuit including an LSI or the like is mounted is disposed in the case body 1, and a CCD area sensor 4 is connected to the electronic circuit so that a detected handwriting signal is captured. Has become. In the rear part 1c of the case body 1, a storage device for storing the detected handwriting information and a unit 6 containing a battery are provided.

Further, between the inner wall of the case body 1 and the inner case 23, a sensor (pressure sensor) 13 for detecting that the user is writing is provided. This pressure sensor 13
As described above, in this embodiment, when the inner case 23 slightly moves to the inside of the case body 1 with the pen pressure during writing,
Is pressed, and it is detected that writing is being performed with the pressing force. On the other hand, a start switch 26 is provided in a portion of the case body 1 located outside the pressure sensor 13, and the power of the storage pen is turned on / off by operating the start switch 26.

When using the storage pen as described above,
When the power is turned on by pressing the start switch 26, and the case body 1 is tilted with respect to the paper surface 25 as shown in FIG. The inner case 23 slightly enters the case body 1 due to the writing pressure, and the pressure sensor 13
Is detected. The handwriting, that is, the image on the paper surface 25 is converted into a light beam parallel to the optical axis by the telecentric lens 3.
And is converted by the CCD area sensor 4 into a handwriting signal. The handwriting signal is subjected to data compression by thinning or the like in an electronic circuit, and is sequentially stored in the storage device 7. However, during writing, the tip of the pen shaft 2 moves in the space away from the paper surface 25, but the tip of the pen shaft 2 is moving in space or
A detection signal as to whether or not the handwriting is being performed on 5 is also stored in the storage device 7 at the same time as the handwriting detection signal. The detection signal indicating whether the space is moving or writing is used to facilitate reproduction when handwriting is reproduced by the handwriting reproduction software (handwriting reproducing means) by the computer 10 shown in FIG.

Next, the process of storing the handwriting of the storage pen 1 will be described. It is assumed that a character, for example, the letter L of the alphabet is written on the paper with the ballpoint pen core 2 of the storage pen 1. Then, the CCD area sensor 4 sequentially captures images in the field of view at a fixed sampling time. As shown in FIG. 3, a case where a first straight line with a gentle inclination is drawn from above the character L to the lower left, and then a second straight line with a gentle inclination from the lower left to the lower right is drawn Assuming that the position of the ball-point pen core 2 now moves as P ₁ , P ₂ ,..., P ₆ ,... Every sampling time, the field of view of the CCD area sensor 4 is also S ₁ , S ₂ ,.
_6, moves ... and the handwriting memory device 7, the image S ₁ of the same size as shown in FIG. 4, S _2, ..., S _6, ... are time sequentially stored as image data. In this way, by storing partial images of a fixed size continuously, handwriting as a whole is stored.

Next, an example of reproduction of handwriting stored as image data in the storage pen 1 will be described. The images S ₁ , S ₂ ,..., S ₆ ,... In FIG. 4 are also partial handwritings, and may be read from the storage device 7 of the storage pen 1 and displayed on the display unit of the computer 10. However, even if the partial image shown in FIG. 4 is read and displayed as it is, it is difficult for the user to recognize what character is. The user still wants to reproduce the handwriting written with the writing implement. The handwriting reproducing device is configured to store the images S ₁ ,.
₆ Use characters effectively to reproduce characters and figures as handwritten.

The reproduction process by the handwriting reproduction device is "cell",
Using the concepts of "act", "scene", and "page"
Although a high-precision reproduction is performed by forming a hierarchical structure, the simplest reproduction processing using “cells” will be described here. Note that a “cell” is a partial image composed of fixed-length pixels, and is an image of the smallest basic unit. S _1, S ₂ shown in FIG. 4, ..., S _6, ... corresponds to this. FIG. 5 shows an image example of another specific cell.

The term "act" refers to an image formed by superimposing a series of cells that are continuous in time. Here, a series of cells refers to a series of cells as large as possible as long as the positional relationship between consecutive cells is known, that is, as long as the relative position with respect to the immediately preceding cell is known. “Scene” refers to an image composed of a plurality of acts whose positional relationship is clear. If the positional relationship between successive cells is not known, as described above, which represents a semantic unity, those cells become part of a separate act. However, the positional relationship between those acts may be found, and such acts are put together as a scene.

A "page" is an image that represents a group of tasks composed of a series of temporally continuous scenes. Scenes that make up one page have no overlap. The page break is explicitly given by the user. The reproduction of the handwriting by the cells is performed by first reading the cell (for example, S ₁ ) and then reading the cell (for example, S 1
₂ ), an image matching image is extracted, a point where the image matches most between the cells is found, and superimposed at that position (for example, S ₁ and S ₂ ) to obtain a combined image. Next, the combined image is sequentially compared with the next read cell image, and if a partial match is obtained, the current combined cell image is superimposed on the previously combined image to form a new combined image. As long as the next read cell image and the composite image can be matched, the composite image is enlarged as one act. Eventually, the composite image,
In other words, if there is no part where the match between the act and the next cell is obtained, the synthesized image up to that point is acted on, and the cell is checked for a match with the cell image read out from the next onward. To compose the image,
Build the next act.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing another example of the structure of the storage pen. In this embodiment, the storage pen includes a case body 3.
Numeral 1 comprises a grip portion 31a, a lid opening portion 31b, and a distal end portion 31c, and has a structure in which the grip portion 31a and the distal end portion 31c are bent. A pen shaft holder 33 for holding the pen shaft 32 is provided at the distal end portion 31 c. The pen shaft holder 33 is held by a pen shaft holding plate 34. Further, a CCD 36 is provided at the tip of the grip portion 31a, and
6 and the lens system 37 between the pen shaft holding plate 34 at the tip 31c.
Is provided. Although not shown, the grip portion 31a includes a microcomputer for controlling handwriting detection, a storage device for storing the detected handwriting as electronic information, and a battery. Further, a pressure sensor 38 is provided inside the distal end of the grip portion 31a to detect whether or not the pen shaft 32 is writing.

In this storage pen, even if the gripper 31a is tilted and the writer holds the pen in the same manner as holding a normal pen, the surfaces of the CCD 36 and the lens system 37 remain on the recording surface 35.
And the handwriting can be captured relatively accurately with little distortion. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including the storage pen according to the embodiment of the present invention. This handwriting storage / reproduction device includes a storage pen 1, a receiving device 9B, and a computer 10. The microcomputer 5 includes software (program) for capturing handwriting data from the CCD 4 and the pressure sensor 13, includes a handwriting data capturing function, and includes software for writing the captured handwriting data to the primary storage device 7. It has a data writing function. The computer 10 includes character recognition software, graphic recognition software, and communication software, and has a character recognition function, a graphic recognition function, a communication function, and the like. It also has software for reproducing original handwriting from sent handwriting data, and has a handwriting reproduction function. The storage pen 1 has a pen shaft 2
A lens system 3, a CCD element 4, a microcomputer 5 for capturing handwriting, a primary storage device 7 for storing the captured handwriting image, a power supply unit 8 including a battery, and a pressure sensor 13. This is the same as the storage pen 1 shown in FIG. However, the storage pen shown here is
A is different from the one shown in FIG. 1 in that handwriting image data temporarily stored at each sampling time can be transmitted to the computer 10 by radio or by communication via the receiving device 9B.

In the storage pen shown here, when characters and figures are written on a recording medium such as paper with the pen shaft 2, the pen shaft 2
The surface of the paper including the leading end is imaged by the CCD 4 at a constant sampling cycle, and the microcomputer 5 for capturing handwriting is used.
Then, the handwriting images are captured and sequentially stored in the primary storage device 7. The handwriting image (partial image) recorded in the primary storage device 7 is transmitted from the transmitting device 9A to the receiving device 9B, and is transmitted to the computer 10. Computer 1
From these, the characters,
An image such as a figure is reproduced and displayed on a display device. In the storage pen 1, the handwriting data is collected in the primary storage device 7 and transmitted collectively in a short time. Therefore, the transmission efficiency of handwriting data can be improved.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to another embodiment of the present invention. The storage pen 1 shown here has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 7, but does not include a primary storage device, and the microcomputer 5 for capturing handwriting sequentially captures handwriting images captured at each sampling time cycle. in real time,
From the transmitting device 9A through the receiving device 9B, the computer 1
Send to 0. Even in this device, the computer 10
It has the same software and functions as those described above, and reproduces handwriting such as characters and figures from the transmitted partial images and displays them on the display device of the computer 10. The storage pen of this device transmits the captured handwriting data in real time, so a storage device for storing the handwriting data is unnecessary,
A small one can be realized.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The storage pen 1 shown here has a pen shaft 2, a lens system 3, a CCD 4, similarly to the one shown in FIG.
A microcomputer 5 for capturing handwriting, a primary storage device 7, a power supply unit 8, a transmission device 9A, and a pressure sensor 13 are provided.
The difference from the one shown in FIG. 7 is that the microcomputer 5 is provided with software for handwriting reproduction and a handwriting reproducing function in addition to the handwriting capturing function. Therefore, in this case, the computer 10 does not need handwriting reproduction software.

In the storage pen 1, as in the case shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the handwriting image including the pen axis picked up by the lens system 3 and the CCD 4 is captured by the microcomputer 5 every sampling time. It is taken into the unit 5a. The captured handwriting images are sequentially stored in the primary storage device 7 in the same manner as shown in FIG. The stored handwriting image is subjected to handwriting reproduction processing by the handwriting reproducing unit 5B of the microcomputer 5. Then, the reproduced handwriting is transmitted from the transmitting device 9A to the computer 10 via the receiving device 9B, and is reproduced and displayed on the display device of the computer 10.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The storage pen 1 includes a pen shaft 2, a lens system 3, a CCD 4, a microcomputer 5 having a handwriting capturing function, a storage device 7A and a power supply unit 8, and includes a detachable unit 6, a pressure sensor 13 and a case body. It is the same as that shown in FIG.

The difference from the one shown in FIG. 1 is that the storage pen 1 here is provided with a handwriting retrieving unit 5b in addition to the handwriting capturing unit 5a in the microcomputer 5, and stores the handwriting reproduced by the handwriting. A secondary storage device 7A is provided, and the captured handwriting image for each sampling time is stored in the primary storage device 7,
The handwriting reproducing unit 5b of the microcomputer 5 reproduces the original handwriting such as drawings and characters, and stores the handwriting in the secondary storage device 7A. The microcomputer 5 has the same software and functions as those shown in FIG. When the unit 6 storing the reproduced handwriting is attached to the interface device 9,
The handwriting stored in the secondary storage device 7A is read by the reading unit 11
And is displayed on the display device of the computer 10.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows that the storage pen 1 includes a pen shaft 2, a lens system 3, a CCD 4, a microcomputer 5 for capturing handwriting, and a transmission device 9A for transmitting data to be output to an external reception device 9B. Same as the one. However, unlike the one shown in FIG. 8, the microcomputer 5 is provided with a handwriting reproducing unit 5b in addition to the handwriting reading unit 5a. In the storage pen 1, when partial handwriting images are sequentially captured by the handwriting capturing unit 5a at each sampling time, the handwriting reproducing unit 5b performs a reproduction process based on the image captured in real time each time, and the handwriting is reproduced. Reproduce. The reproduced handwriting is transmitted from the transmission device 9A to the computer 10 via the reception device 9B, and is reproduced and displayed on the display device of the computer 10.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The storage pen 1 here is the same as that of FIG. 11 in that it includes a pen shaft 2, a lens system 3, a CCD 4, a microcomputer 5 having a handwriting capture unit 5a and a handwriting reproduction unit 5a, and a pressure sensor 13. That is, the storage pen 1 shown here and the pen shown in FIG. 11 are the same in that the handwriting is reproduced in real time when the handwriting is taken. However, in the case of FIG. 11, the handwriting may be directly transmitted from the transmitting device 9A to the computer 10 via the receiving device 9B. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 12, the reproduced handwriting is temporarily stored in the secondary storage device 7A of the unit 6, and when the handwriting is output to a display device or the like, the unit 6 is removed from the storage pen 1, Computer 1
The unit 6 is mounted on the interface device 9 to which 0 is connected. Then, the handwriting data is read from the secondary storage device 7A via the reading unit 11 of the interface device 9. Then, the read handwriting data is transferred to the computer 10.
And displays it on the display device of the computer 10.

Next, the storage pen 1 shown in FIGS.
Some modifications of the structure applicable to the present invention will be described. In the example of the structure of the storage pen shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the pen axis coincides with the optical axis of the lens system and the CCD. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 3, a CCD 43 and a light receiving opening 44 for imaging may be provided at the end of the case body 41 on the same side as the tip of the pen core 42. In this case, the CCD element 43
In this case, the tip of the pen core 42 may be taken somewhere on the screen.

FIG. 14 is provided with a gauge member. The gauge member 51 is for setting the distance between the predetermined position of the case main body and the paper surface almost exactly, and by setting the distance almost exactly, the size of the region to be imaged is almost constant. And the thickness of the handwriting to be imaged can be made substantially constant.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the focusing unit. The focusing unit 61 has a mechanism (not shown) similar to a zoom lens of a camera.
A rotatable focusing ring 62a is provided so that this mechanism can be operated from outside the case body. Therefore, by rotating the focusing ring 62a,
The focal position of the lens system can be matched with the paper surface.
As a result, handwriting on the paper can be clearly imaged.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the focusing unit. In addition to having the same mechanism as that shown in FIG. 15, the focusing unit 62 has two (or three or more) at a predetermined angle with respect to the sheet surface from a predetermined position near the peripheral edge of the front end of the case main body 41. ). Therefore, if these light beams intersect on the paper surface, it is understood that the focal position of the lens system coincides with the paper surface (see the solid line in FIG. 16), and these light beams are formed on the paper. If they do not intersect on the plane, it can be seen that the focal position of the lens system does not coincide with the plane of the paper (see broken lines in FIG. 16). As a result, it is possible to easily confirm the result of performing the focusing operation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a handwriting display liquid crystal display unit. Therefore, by displaying the captured image information as it is on the handwriting display liquid crystal display unit 63, the state of capturing the image information can be easily confirmed. When the case main body 41 is provided with a handwriting reproducing section, the reproduced handwriting can be displayed in place of the captured image information.

FIG. 18 is a view schematically showing a lens exchange section. In FIG. 18, the front end of the case body can be removed, and the lens can be exchanged to mount any one of the telephoto lens 64a, the standard lens 64b, and the wide-angle lens 64c. Then, by performing such lens replacement, a desired viewing angle can be provided. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a state of replacement of a writing instrument. FIG.
In the above, the writing tool 65 is replaceable in a cartridge type, and when writing becomes impossible with the writing tool 65 due to lack of ink or the like, the writing tool 65 can be changed to a writable state.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a state where the case body 41 is detachably attached to the writing instrument. In FIG. 20, as the writing instrument 66, a commercially available writing instrument is employed, and a projection 67 is provided at a predetermined position of the case main body so that the writing instrument 66 is inserted in a inserted state. The main body 41 can be easily mounted.

[0044]

According to the present invention, a predetermined range of a recording medium including a handwriting is imaged by the imaging means, and the image is taken in at every predetermined sampling period, and is sequentially stored in the storage device or is taken in. Send image data to the outside,
Alternatively, since the handwriting is reproduced and transmitted to the outside, it is possible to obtain a small-sized storage pen which is convenient for performing handwriting reproduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a handwriting / storage reproducing apparatus including a storage pen as a premise of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the storage pen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of detecting and storing handwriting by a CCD of the storage pen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of individual images stored for each sampling cycle in the storage pen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a practical example of a partial image (cell) for reproducing the handwriting.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view for explaining another example of the structure of the memory pen.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a handwriting storage / reproduction device including a storage pen according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the structural relationship between the image sensor and the light receiving opening.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a gauge member.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a focusing unit.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the focusing unit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a handwriting display liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing a lens replacement unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing a replacement state of a writing instrument.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a state in which the case body is detachably attached to the writing instrument.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 pen shaft 3 lens 4 CCD area sensor 5 microcomputer 7 primary storage device 9A transmission device

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-278390 (JP, A) JP-A-5-233125 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 15/00 G06F 3/03

Claims (19)

(57) [Claims] A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an image pickup means including a tip of the writing instrument, and a handwriting by the writing instrument for picking up an image of a predetermined area of the recording medium, and image information picked up by the image pickup means. Image information capturing means for capturing each predetermined sampling time, storage means for sequentially storing the image information for each sampling time, and sequentially transmitting the image information stored in the storage means to an external receiving device as required Image information transmitting means, a power supply unit for driving these means, and a case housing the image pickup means, image information capturing means, storage means, image information transmitting means, and power supply unit. And a memory pen. 2. A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium including a tip of the writing instrument and handwriting by the writing instrument, and image information taken by the imaging means. Image information capturing means for capturing at each predetermined sampling time, transmitting means for sequentially transmitting the captured image information to an external receiving device as required, a power supply unit for driving these means, A storage pen comprising: means, image information capturing means, image information transmitting means, and a case housing a power supply unit. 3. A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium including a tip of the writing instrument, and handwriting by the writing instrument, and image information imaged by the imaging means. Image information capturing means for capturing each predetermined sampling time, storage means for sequentially storing the image information for each sampling time, and, if necessary, image information to be sequentially read out and output from the storage device. Information output means, handwriting reproduction means for reproducing handwriting based on sequentially output image information, transmission means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced handwriting to an external receiving device as required, and these means A power supply unit for driving the imaging unit, image information capturing unit, storage unit,
A storage pen comprising: an image information output unit, a handwriting reproduction unit, a transmission unit, and a case housing a power supply unit. 4. A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an image pickup means including a tip of the writing instrument, and a handwriting by the writing instrument, for picking up an image of a predetermined range of the recording medium, and image information picked up by the image pickup means. Image information capturing means for capturing at each predetermined sampling time, first storage means for sequentially storing the image information for each sampling time, and image information stored in the first storage means, as required. Image output means for reading and outputting the handwriting, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on the sequentially output image information, second storage means for storing the reproduced handwriting as required, and A power supply unit for driving the unit, and a case accommodating the imaging unit, the image information capturing unit, the first storage unit, the image information output unit, the handwriting reproduction unit, the second storage unit, and the power supply unit Writing device, characterized in that it comprises and. 5. A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium, including a tip of the writing instrument, and a handwriting by the writing instrument, and image information taken by the imaging means. Image information capturing means for capturing at every predetermined sampling time, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on sequentially captured image information, and sequentially transmitting the reproduced handwriting to an external receiving device as necessary. And a power supply unit for driving these units, and a case housing the image pickup unit, the image information capturing unit, the handwriting reproduction unit, the transmission unit, and the power supply unit. pen. 6. A writing instrument for writing on a recording medium, an imaging means for imaging a predetermined range of the recording medium, including a tip of the writing instrument, and handwriting by the writing instrument, and image information obtained by the imaging means. Image information capturing means for capturing every predetermined sampling time, handwriting reproducing means for reproducing handwriting based on sequentially captured image information, storage means for storing the reproduced handwriting as necessary, A power supply unit for driving the means, the writing implement, the imaging means, the image information capturing means, the handwriting reproduction means, the storage means,
A storage pen comprising: a case body for storing a power supply unit. 7. The storage device and / or the power supply unit is configured to be detachable from the case body. The storage pen according to claim 6. 8. The storage means and the power supply unit are integrally unitized and include a rechargeable battery in the power supply unit. When the storage means is detached from the case body and attached to an external device, the stored contents are read out from the storage means. The storage pen according to claim 7, wherein the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit is charged. 9. The image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising a light receiving opening, wherein said light receiving opening is provided on a side portion of said case body in parallel with a writing instrument of said case body. 7. The storage pen according to claim 3, 4, 5, or 6. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a marker pointer for aligning a desired imaging range of the recording medium with a photographable range of the imaging means. The storage pen according to claim 5, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, or claim 9. 11. The power supply unit is a rechargeable battery and / or a solar battery. The storage pen according to claim 9 or claim 10. 12. The image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup device, and further comprising a device for focusing an image formed on the image pickup device. 5, Claim 6, Claim 7, Claim 8, Claim 9, Claim 10,
Or the storage pen according to claim 11. 13. The storage pen according to claim 12, wherein said focusing means includes light beam irradiating means for irradiating a light beam directed in a predetermined direction from at least two places on the surface of the recording medium. 14. A focusing device comprising: means for measuring a distance between a predetermined position of a case body and a surface of a recording medium; and means for automatically adjusting a focal length of an imaging means in accordance with the measured distance. Claim 12 or Claim 13 which includes
A memory pen as described. 15. The storage pen according to claim 14, wherein said focusing means includes a gauge means for setting a distance between a predetermined position of the case body and a surface of the recording medium to a predetermined distance. 16. A handwriting display section for displaying handwriting reproduced based on image information taken in by said image information taking means. Item 7. The storage pen according to Item 6. 17. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup means has an image pickup lens, and said lens is an interchangeable lens composed of any one of a telephoto lens, a standard lens, and a wide-angle lens.
Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6, Claim 7,
17. The storage pen according to claim 8, claim 9, claim 10, claim 11, or claim 16. 18. The writing instrument is of a cartridge type and is replaceable. 1. The writing instrument of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, or 8. , Claim 9, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 1
The storage pen according to claim 6, or claim 17. 19. The case body according to claim 1, wherein said case body is detachably attached to said writing instrument.
Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6, Claim 7, Claim 8,
The storage pen according to any one of claims 9, 10, 10, 11, 16, 17, or 18.