JP5304672B2 - Handwriting input system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes at least one or more ultrasonic transmission elements that transmit an ultrasonic signal for detecting position coordinates, an infrared transmission element that transmits a light emission signal, a pen switch that detects a writing state, and 1 One or more function keys (one example of the role of one or more function keys is to use the right and left buttons of the mouse connected to the PC, or to switch between writing and mouse states and the left button of the mouse. , A combination of the role of the Enter key when using the keyboard, etc.) is provided, and at the time of writing or floating writing (floating writing is the tip of the electronic pen after writing on the writing surface This includes the state where the user has moved the predetermined writing input range without touching the writing surface, and includes the state where the function key is pressed in the state described above. An infrared receiving element for receiving an infrared signal emitted from the electronic pen in a state where the electronic pen is moved by performing movement confirmation or a cursor function on the LCD.) And receiving the ultrasonic signal A handwriting input system comprising at least two or more ultrasonic receiving elements, and including the infrared signal and a main body for detecting a position coordinate at the time of writing and floating writing of the electronic pen from a difference in arrival time of the ultrasonic signals Between the infrared signals (for example, the time interval of the infrared light emitted from the electronic pen is 10 milliseconds when the pen switch is being written, and 20 milliseconds when the function key is pressed, etc. By using different infrared signal emission intervals, the main unit is informed of the status of the electronic pen. To obtain the on-off information of which function keys for the handwriting input system having a function capable.

  Conventionally, an electronic pen provided with a circuit that transmits infrared rays or electromagnetic waves and ultrasonic waves, and a sensor that can detect that the pen tip is written, a receiving element that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the electronic pen, and an ultrasonic signal A handwriting handwriting input system having a main body in which a plurality of receiving elements for receiving a signal are incorporated has been developed. In this handwriting input system, when writing with an electronic pen, the main body receives ultrasonic signals and infrared signals transmitted from the electronic pen by a plurality of receiving elements, measures the position coordinates of the electronic pen, and determines the position coordinates and the pen tip. Are detected as handwriting data. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a handwriting input system that recognizes written characters and figures as handwritten handwriting data by continuously detecting handwriting data.

  The coordinate input system using ultrasonic and infrared did not have functions other than coordinate detection (functions realized using a mouse connected to a PC or application functions). Those with functionality and other application functions are appearing on the market. The above mouse function and other application functions (functions other than coordinate detection) can be used to transfer information from the electronic pen to the main body, even when complicated means (infrared signals are sent at timings other than the ultrasonic transmission start signal). Since the infrared signal is transmitted a plurality of times, information is communicated to the main body side by using the time interval, the number of repetitions, the light emission time, or means such as a Morse code or ASCII code. The power consumption on the electronic pen side is large, and the external shape of the electronic pen has become larger due to frequent battery replacement or the use of large batteries.

JP, 2004-310598, A At the time of pen input by ultrasonic waves, infrared rays are used to transmit pen pressure information and pen information. The information transmission method is based on a bit string by turning on / off infrared rays. JP, 2004-302761, A Pen point pressure information and pen information are transmitted at the time of pen input by an ultrasonic wave. The information transmission method modulates infrared rays only when the state of the pen changes, and transmits the minimum infrared rays necessary for synchronization otherwise.

  To transmit information other than coordinate detection information to the main unit in a coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves, serial communication using a cable, or infrared communication using light or radio waves, or serial communication using a radio transmission element Had gone by. Specifically, the infrared transmission element that transmits the transmission timing of the ultrasonic waves to the main body emits light a number of times, and complicated communication using bits and codes is performed. For this reason, the battery built in the electronic pen is quickly consumed, and it has been a big challenge to establish a communication method that is simple, less affected by noise and the like, and consumes less power between the electronic pen and the main body.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to change the current light emission signal time interval without providing any special parts, and to turn on / off the pen switch and one or more function keys from the time interval. The handwriting input system with the function to obtain

  The present invention is at least one ultrasonic transmission element that transmits an ultrasonic signal for detecting position coordinates, an infrared transmission element that transmits an infrared signal, and a sensor that detects a writing state. An electronic device that has a pen switch and one or more function switches, and transmits an infrared signal transmission cycle based on a predetermined signal table for each combination of ON and OFF states of the pen switch and one or more function switches. A pen, at least two ultrasonic receiving elements that receive ultrasonic signals emitted from the electronic pen during writing and floating writing, and an infrared receiving element that receives infrared signals emitted from the electronic pen Detecting the position coordinates of the electronic pen during writing and floating writing from the difference in arrival time between the ultrasonic signal and the infrared signal, A handwriting input system comprising a main body provided with a signal table identical to the signal table provided on the electronic pen to determine the time interval of the infrared signal transmitted from the pen, and the pen provided on the electronic pen An infrared signal is transmitted to the main unit based on a signal table in which the time interval of the infrared signal is determined in advance for each ON / OFF state of the switch and one or more function switches provided, and the infrared signal transmitted from the electronic pen on the main unit The handwriting input system which compares the transmission period of this with the signal table | surface stored in the main body, and receives the infrared signal according to the use condition of an electronic pen is proposed.

  In the present invention, a single infrared emission signal and an ultrasonic transmission signal are sent from the electronic pen, and the position table of the electronic pen is measured. The position coordinate data is obtained continuously by repeatedly executing. Further, on / off information of the pen switch and one or more function keys (in addition to the on / off information of the pen switch and one or more function keys) from the transmission time interval of the infrared emission signal and the ultrasonic transmission signal. From the transmission time interval between the transmission signal and the ultrasonic transmission signal, touch the pen pressure information, the pen tip color information, the pen tip thickness information, the pen tip change information, and the writing part. Communication of human body temperature information, grip pressure information, wetness information, pH information, etc.) can be obtained.

  On the main body side, only the time interval measurement of the infrared signal emitted from the electronic pen is increased, and no additional parts are added. Moreover, since the time interval of the light emission signal of the electronic pen becomes longer during floating writing, power consumption can be greatly reduced.

The handwritten handwriting input system block diagram of a present Example. The electronic pen block diagram of a present Example. The electronic pen block diagram of a present Example. The main body block diagram of a present Example. The main body block diagram of a present Example. The signal table of a present Example. The infrared signal timing diagram of a present Example. FIG. 3 is an ultrasonic signal / infrared signal timing diagram of the present embodiment.

  The present invention is applied to a coordinate detection apparatus using ultrasonic waves and infrared rays. Usually, the ultrasonic wave attenuates as the distance from the electronic pen to the ultrasonic receiver increases. Detection of position coordinates during writing with ultrasonic waves is usually 100 to 50 pps every 10 to 20 msec. On the other hand, since the ultrasonic velocity is 330 m / sec, for example, in the case of a 0.4 m square coordinate detection device, the maximum detection distance between the ultrasonic receiver and the electronic pen is about 0.4 m × 1.41 = 0.57 m. In terms of time, 0.57 m / 330 m / sec = 1.8 msec. The remaining 80 to 90% or more of time is not used for coordinate detection using ultrasonic waves. By detecting the position coordinates at the above time intervals, a resolution of 1 mm or less can be obtained when writing a normal character or the like. In addition, a sufficiently smooth curve can be reproduced even when a long straight line or a long curve at the time of drawing is written at high speed. However, such fine position coordinates are not only necessary for floating writing, but are in the way. It is difficult for a person to keep the pen in space and the motion tends to be large. The time interval for measurement can be changed by reducing the number of times position coordinates are detected in this unnecessary state. The change in the on / off information of the pen switch and one or more function keys is changed after a time of 20 to 40 msec or more has elapsed in order to avoid problems such as chattering of the switch. Therefore, each information 1-5 (refer FIG. 6) is transmitted continuously several times at least. Further, even if all the switches are turned off, information 4 or information 5 is continuously transmitted for one minute in order to continuously report the pen position information to the main body. This is repeated again if any switch is pressed. If all the switches are off for 1 minute or longer, transmission is stopped to save energy. On the main body side, pen switch and function key on / off information corresponding to the signal table of FIG. 6 is obtained from the change in the measurement time interval.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. 1 to 8 are schematic representations of simple configurations so that the apparatus drawings do not become complicated. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and includes various modifications within the technical scope of the present invention. Moreover, in each Example, the same referential mark was attached | subjected about the same structure.

  FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the handwriting input system of the present invention. The electronic pen 4 has a pen switch 7, a first function key 8, and a second function key 9, and when any one is pressed, infrared rays 6 are transmitted from the electronic pen 4 and received by the main body 1. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic wave 5 is transmitted from the electronic pen 4 and is received by the main body 1 after a time proportional to the distance. Thereafter, after the time of information 1 to information 5 corresponding to the on / off state of the pen switch 7, the first function key 8, and the second function key 9 has elapsed (see FIG. 7), the infrared ray 6 is transmitted again from the electronic pen 4. Is received by the main body 1. Such information is communicated to the personal computer 3 connected to the main body 1 via the USB cable 2.

  In FIG. 2, the block diagram of the electronic pen 4 of this invention is shown. The electronic pen 4 has a pen switch 7 for sensing the writing state at the tip, and the electronic pen 4 has a first function key 8 and a second function key 9 on the side of the front. The electronic pen 4 is supplied with electric power from the battery 10 and is controlled by the circuit unit 11. Infrared rays are transmitted from the infrared transmission element 12, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic transmission element 13.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic pen according to the present invention. The pen switch 7 is used for detection when the electronic pen 4 is written, and the first function key 8 and the second function key 9 are used for detection when the mouse mode is floating. The first function key 8 is used for switching to the mouse mode. The second function key 9 is used for the left button of the mouse mode. Information on the first function key 8 and the second function key 9 is individually communicated to the microcomputer 14. The correspondence between the mouse mode and the personal computer 3 is such that the functions of the first function key 8 and the second function key 9 may be reversed so that the user can use them easily.・ Contact as off-information. The battery 10 (see FIG. 2) supplies power to other blocks via the microcomputer 14.

  The voltage of the battery 10 is monitored by the battery voltage detection circuit 17, and an alarm is given to the microcomputer 14 when the voltage is lower than the specified voltage. The infrared transmission circuit 15 causes the infrared transmission element 12 to emit light in response to an instruction from the microcomputer 14. The ultrasonic transmission circuit 16 vibrates the ultrasonic oscillation element 13 according to an instruction from the microcomputer 14 and outputs an ultrasonic wave.

  If at least one of the pen switch 7, the first function key 8, and the second function key 9 is on, the electronic pen 4 selects the information 1 to 5 described in the signal table of FIG. 7 is transmitted in accordance with the infrared signal timing chart shown in FIG. 7 (the transmission side is stored in the CPU inside the pen and the reception side is stored in the CPU of the main body).

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of the main body of the present invention. The main body 1 has one infrared receiving element 14 and two ultrasonic receiving elements 15 and is connected to the personal computer 3 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the main body 1 of the present invention. The infrared signal transmitted from the electronic pen 4 is received by the infrared receiving element 14, and the signal is amplified and filtered by the infrared receiving circuit 19, converted into a pulse signal, and sent to the infrared signal analysis circuit 21. The infrared signal analysis circuit 21 sends the signal to the two ultrasonic distance measurement circuits 20 and the microcomputer 14.

  The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the electronic pen 4 propagates in the air at about 330 m / sec, is received by the two ultrasonic receiving elements 15 with a time delay corresponding to the distance, and the received ultrasonic signal is 2 The sine waveform is amplified and filtered by the two ultrasonic receiving circuits 18 and sent to the two ultrasonic distance measuring circuits 20. This is shown in the ultrasonic signal timing diagram of FIG.

  The two ultrasonic distance measuring circuits 20 start measuring time with the signal from the infrared signal analyzing circuit 21, complete the time measurement with the signals from the two ultrasonic distance measuring circuits 20, and two ultrasonic waves The arrival time is sent to the microcomputer 14. Up to this point, the process is completed in a maximum of 1.8 msec. Thereafter, the microcomputer 14 calculates coordinate information of the electronic pen from the flight time of the two ultrasonic waves.

  The microcomputer 14 measures the time interval between the signal from the infrared signal analysis circuit 21 and the previous signal, selects the corresponding information 1-5 from the infrared signal timing diagram shown in FIG. 7, and is shown in FIG. On / off information of the pen switch 7, the first function key 8, and the second function key 9 is obtained from the signal table, and the USB I.D. F. 22 to 3 to the personal computer. Further, the battery insufficient information starts when at least one of three types of switches of the electronic pen 4 is turned on by selecting the corresponding information 5 from the infrared signal timing diagram shown in FIG. Information 5 is transmitted to the main body 1 utilizing the fact that there is an information communication time of 1 minute when all the switches are turned off. As a result, the current consumption is reduced to approximately half when all three types of switches are turned off. When the pen switch is turned off from on and the first or second function key is on, the current consumption is reduced to about 2/3. As a result, the life of the battery could be extended by 20 to 25% as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the information 1 is 11 msec, the information 2 is 17 msec, and the information 1 to 5 is a prime number or an integer that is a multiple of several times. Information can be prevented from being lost even if it cannot be received once or continuously several times due to noise or the like.

1 Body 2 USB cable 3 IBM-PC
4 Electronic pen 5 Ultrasound 6 Infrared 7 Pen switch 8 Function key 1
9 Function key 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Battery 11 Circuit part 12 Infrared transmitting element 13 Ultrasonic transmitting element 14 Infrared receiving element 15 Ultrasonic receiving element 16 Microcomputer 17 Battery voltage detection circuit 18 Ultrasonic receiving circuit 19 Infrared receiving circuit 20 Ultrasonic distance measuring circuit 21 Infrared signal analysis Circuit 22 USB I.I. F. circuit

Claims (1)

  At least one or more ultrasonic transmission elements that transmit ultrasonic signals for detecting position coordinates, an infrared transmission element that transmits infrared signals, and a pen switch that is a sensor that detects a writing state; An electronic pen that includes at least one function switch, and transmits an infrared signal transmission cycle based on a predetermined signal table for each combination of ON and OFF states of the pen switch and at least one function switch; And at least two or more ultrasonic receiving elements that receive ultrasonic signals emitted from the electronic pen and an infrared receiving element that receives infrared signals emitted from the electronic pen at the time of writing and floating writing. The position coordinates of the electronic pen during writing and floating writing are detected from the arrival time difference between the signal and the infrared signal, and the electronic pen emits the position coordinates. A handwriting input system comprising a main body provided with a signal table identical to the signal table provided on the electronic pen to determine the time interval of the infrared signal to be transmitted, and a pen switch provided on the electronic pen and 1 Infrared signal is transmitted to the main unit based on a signal table in which the time interval of the infrared signal is determined in advance for each ON / OFF state of the function switch provided. Is compared with a signal table stored in the main body, and an infrared signal is received according to the use state of the electronic pen.