JP5691736B2 - Reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the reading equipment for storing read the coordinates on the paper medium which the user has been written.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an apparatus that stores contents written on paper by a user (hereinafter referred to as “written contents” as appropriate) by reading and storing the position on the paper on which the user has written. As such an apparatus, for example, an optical electronic pen provided with a camera system therein, an electromagnetic induction type tablet electronic pen, and the like are known. The optical electronic pen includes a camera system, a battery, and the like inside the electronic pen. The camera system includes an illumination light source, a lens, an optical image reading unit, and the like. In addition, a pattern representing coordinates is printed on the paper on which writing is performed with the electronic pen. When writing is performed on the paper by the user, the electronic pen can capture a pattern on the paper with a camera system, calculate the position where the writing was performed, and store the position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, for example, if the pattern on the paper has information on paper such as a page, the electronic pen can automatically read information on the paper on which the user is currently writing. For this reason, it is possible to associate the coordinates on the paper written by the user with the information on the paper.

Special table 2008-532139 gazette

  However, the electronic pen described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the electronic pen becomes large because the camera system is provided inside. On the other hand, for example, in a method other than an optical method such as an electromagnetic induction method, it is not necessary to have a camera system inside, so that the electronic pen can be reduced in size. However, since the pattern on the paper cannot be read, there is a problem that the information on the paper cannot be read.

An object of the present invention is that the user miniaturized electronic pen to grip, and to provide a reading equipment capable of reading information on paper.

  A reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires coordinate information that is coordinate information on the paper medium designated by an electronic pen with respect to the paper medium, and the paper medium is placed The pattern formed on a part of the side surface of the paper medium corresponding to the first information that is information about the paper medium, using an imaging unit that captures an image provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the placement unit An image acquisition unit that captures the information pattern, and the image acquisition unit that acquires the captured image; and the information that is stored in advance in the first storage unit by reading one row of pixels in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit Using the second information, which is information for specifying the first information from the pattern, the specifying means for specifying the first information included in the pixels of the read one row, and the specification specified by the specifying means First information, First coordinate control means for associating and storing the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition means in the second storage means, wherein the first information includes page information that is information on a page of the paper medium. And the second information includes information for specifying the page information from the information pattern, and the specifying means uses the second information in the image acquired by the image acquiring means. The first information including the page information is specified from the information pattern, and the first storage control unit is acquired by the first information including the page information specified by the specifying unit and the coordinate acquisition unit. The coordinate information is stored in the second storage means in association with each other, and the specifying means in the image acquired by the image acquisition means when specifying the first information Reading the pixels of the row towards the row of the most bottom line above the sequence also. In this case, the imaging means is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the placement portion. That is, it is not provided inside the electronic pen. For this reason, an electronic pen can be reduced in size. Further, the specifying means can specify the first information that is information relating to paper. That is, the reading device can read the first information. Furthermore, the reading apparatus can store the first information specified by the specifying unit and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquiring unit in association with each other in the second storage unit. Further, since the information pattern is formed on a part of the side surface of the paper medium, the information pattern is not formed on a portion where the user writes. For this reason, the information pattern is not easily noticed by the user when writing, and the user can easily write. Further, the page information of the paper medium can be automatically read, and the written content (coordinate information) can be stored in association with the page information. Since the written contents can be managed for each page, the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the reading device, when the determination unit determines whether the first information is specified by the specifying unit, and the determination unit determines that the first information is not specified, the coordinates A second storage control unit that stores the coordinate information acquired by the acquisition unit in a third storage unit, and when the first determination unit determines that the first information is specified, the first storage unit The first information specified by the specifying means and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition means may be associated with each other and stored in the second storage means. In this case, even when the information pattern is not formed on the paper medium, the coordinate information can be stored in the third storage unit. That is, even when the user does not use the dedicated paper on which the information pattern is formed and writes on the general-purpose paper, the written content (coordinate information) can be stored. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  In the reading apparatus, the first information includes format information that is information on a format of the paper medium, and the second information includes information for specifying the format information from the information pattern, and the specifying unit Uses the second information to identify the first information including the format information from the information pattern in the image acquired by the image acquisition means, and the first storage control means The first information including the format information specified by the means and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition means may be associated with each other and stored in the second storage means. In this case, it is possible to read the format information of the paper medium and store the written content (coordinate information) in association with the format information. Since the written contents can be managed for each form of the paper medium, user convenience is improved.

  The reading device detects a light to acquire an image, a light emitting unit that emits light, and reflects light emitted from the light emitting unit toward a side surface of the paper medium, and a side surface of the paper medium. And a mirror part that reflects the light reflected by the light detection part toward the light detection part, and the light detection part and the mirror part may be arranged in a direction in which one side of the outer edge of the placement part extends.

It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the handwriting input system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a camera system 23. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a reading device 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the information pattern 61 formed in the side surface 78 of the paper medium. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first data table 51. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd data table. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reading device 2 in a state where a paper medium 70 is placed on a placement unit 24 with a third page opened. It is a figure which shows the image 90 imaged with the camera system. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the reading device 2 showing a state in which characters are written on the paper medium 70 in FIG. 8. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a coordinate information data table 53. FIG. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the display 4 corresponding to the coordinate information data table 53 shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an information pattern 61 formed on the lower left portion of the upper surface of the paper medium 70 placed on the placement unit 24. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the reading apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 13 from the front side. 1 is a diagram illustrating a physical configuration of a handwriting input system 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the reader 2 and PC8 of the handwriting input system 10 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of the handwriting input system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the left side, right side, upper side, lower side, front side, and depth side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 are defined as the left side, right side, rear side, front side, upper side, and lower side of the reading device 2, respectively. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the handwriting input system 1 includes a reading device 2, an electronic pen 3, and a display 4. The handwriting input system 1 is a system for storing and displaying the contents written on the paper medium 70 (see FIG. 8) by the user by the so-called electromagnetic induction type electronic pen 3 and the reading device 2. In FIG. 1, an outline of the internal configuration of the electronic pen 3 is shown for explanation.

  The reading device 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view and thin in the up-down direction. A small display 21 is provided on the left rear portion (upper left of the drawing) of the reading device 2. Various information is displayed on the display 21. An input unit 22 is provided on the front side of the display 21. The user can operate the reading device 2 using the input unit 22. A camera system 23 is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of a placement unit 24 (described later) on the front side of the input unit 22. The camera system 23 protrudes above the reading device 2 (on the front side of the sheet). The camera system 23 images the information pattern 61 (see FIG. 4, described later) formed on the paper medium 70 placed on the placement unit 24. A placement unit 24 is provided from the right side of the display 21, the input unit 22, and the camera system 23 to the right side of the reading device 2. A paper medium 70 is placed on the placement unit 24 (see FIG. 8). The placement unit 24 is provided with a coordinate detection unit 25 that detects information of coordinates designated by the electronic pen 3 (hereinafter referred to as coordinate information). The placement unit 24 and the coordinate detection unit 25 are provided in the same range indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  In the following description, the direction in which the pen tip 31 is provided in the electronic pen 3 is referred to as the tip direction. The direction opposite to the front end direction is referred to as the rear end direction. The electronic pen 3 includes a core 37, a detection switch 33, a button type battery 34, a coil 35, and a substrate 36. The core 37 is a metal member. The core 37 is composed of a pen tip 31 and an ink storage unit 32. The lead 37 is provided inside the tip of the electronic pen 3, and the pen tip 31 projects outside. Ink is stored in the ink storage portion 32. The ink stored in the ink storage unit 32 is supplied to the pen tip 31. For this reason, the user can write various characters (characters, numerical values, figures, etc.) on the paper medium 70 using the electronic pen 3. The core 37 is always urged in the distal direction by an elastic member (not shown).

  A substrate 36 is provided in the rear end direction of the core 37. A detection switch 33 is mounted on the tip of the substrate 36. A battery 34 is provided in the rear end direction of the substrate 36. The battery 34 is connected to the substrate 36. The negative electrode of the battery 34 is electrically connected to the coil 35 via wiring on the substrate 36. Further, the positive electrode of the battery 34 is electrically connected to the detection switch 33 via a wiring on the substrate 36. The detection switch 33 is electrically connected to the coil 35 via wiring on the substrate 36. The coil 35 is wound around the core 37 at the tip end inside the electronic pen 3. The lead 37 slightly retracts into the electronic pen 3 against the urging force of the elastic member due to the pressing force when the user describes the character on the paper medium 70. With this retraction, the rear end of the lead 37 presses the detection switch 33, and the detection switch 33 is turned on. As a result, the battery 34 and the coil 35 are conducted, and a current flows from the battery 34 toward the coil 35. When a current flows through the coil 35, a magnetic field is generated. The coordinate detection unit 25 of the reading device 2 detects the generated magnetic field, thereby detecting the position where the user has written (that is, coordinate information). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the coordinates (X, Y) of the front left (bottom left of the page) of the coordinate detection unit 25 are (0, 0). It is assumed that the coordinate “X” represents the position in the left-right direction in the coordinate detection unit 25 (mounting unit 24), and the coordinate “Y” represents the position in the front-rear direction.

  The electronic pen 3 can be configured without providing the detection switch 33. In this case, for example, instead of the detection switch 33, an electrode (for example, a land or the like) separated on the substrate 36 is provided. One electrode is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 34 via the wiring on the substrate 36, and the other electrode is connected to the coil 35. Then, when the core 37 is slightly retracted into the electronic pen 3 due to the pressing force when the user describes the character on the paper medium 70, the core 37 is configured to come into contact with the two separated electrodes. Since the core 37 is made of metal, the two electrodes are conducted through the core 37. As a result, a current flows from the battery 34 toward the coil 35, and a magnetic field is generated by the coil 35. Accordingly, the coordinate information is detected by the coordinate detection unit 25 of the reading device 2.

  The reading device 2 is connected to the display 4. On the display 4, an image corresponding to the paper medium 70 placed on the placement unit 24 of the reading device 2 by the user and the contents written by the user are displayed (see FIG. 12).

  The internal configuration of the camera system 23 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the peripheral portion of the camera system 23 when the paper medium 70 is placed on the placement unit 24 is enlarged. The camera system 23 includes a camera unit 231, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 234, a mirror 235, and a substrate 236. The camera unit 231 includes an image sensor 232 and a lens unit 233. As the image sensor 232, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) linear image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or the like can be used.

  The substrate 236 is provided on the rear portion of the left surface inside the camera system 23. A camera unit 231 and an LED 234 are mounted on the substrate 236 toward the right side. The camera unit 231 and the LED 234 are connected to the CPU 201 (see FIG. 3) via the substrate 236. The camera unit 231 is provided at the rear part of the camera system 23. The camera unit 231 faces forward. The image sensor 232 is located at the rear of the camera system 23. The lens unit 233 is provided forward from the position where the image sensor 232 is provided. The LED 234 is provided on the left front side of the lens unit 233. The mirror 235 is provided obliquely from the left rear to the right front in the front part of the camera system 23.

  A case where the CPU 201 controls the camera system 23 to capture an image of the information pattern 61 (see FIG. 4, described later) formed on the side surface 78 of the paper medium 70 will be described. In this case, the LED 234 emits light. The emitted light is reflected rightward by the mirror 235 and illuminates the side surface 78 of the paper medium 70 including the information pattern 61. Further, the light illuminating the side surface 78 is reflected in the direction of the mirror 235 (leftward). The reflected light is reflected backward by the mirror 235 and detected by the image sensor 232 via the lens unit 233. The CPU 201 can acquire an image detected by the image sensor 232. When the information pattern 61 is imaged, the lens unit 233 is controlled and adjusted to a focal length suitable for imaging the information pattern 61.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the reading apparatus 2 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the reading device 2 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and a flash memory 204. The ROM 202, RAM 203, and flash memory 204 are electrically connected to the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 controls the reading device 2. The ROM 202 includes at least a program storage area 2021, a data table storage area 2022, and an image data storage area 2023. The program storage area 2021 stores various programs executed by the CPU 201 to control the reading device 2. The data table storage area 2022 stores a first data table 51 (see FIG. 5) and a second data table 52 (see FIG. 6) which will be described later. The image data storage area 2023 stores image data corresponding to page information and format information described later.

  The flash memory 204 includes at least a coordinate information storage area 2041. The coordinate information storage area 2041 stores a coordinate information data table 53 (see FIG. 11) described later. Various data are temporarily stored in the RAM 203.

  The reading device 2 includes an input unit 22 and drive circuits 206 to 210. The input unit 22 and the drive circuits 206 to 210 are electrically connected to the CPU 201. The drive circuits 206, 207, 208, and 209 are electronic circuits for driving the display 21, the LED 234, the image sensor 232, and the coordinate detection unit 25, respectively. The drive circuit 210 is an electronic circuit for displaying an image on the display 4.

  The information pattern 61 will be described with reference to FIG. The information pattern 61 is formed by printing on a part of the edge 77 of the paper medium 70 (periphery periphery of the paper medium 70 in plan view, see FIGS. 2 and 8). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the information pattern 61 is a part of the side surface 78 of the edge 77 of the paper medium 70 (more specifically, the paper medium 70 is placed on the placement unit 24. In the case of the camera system 23 at a position corresponding to the imaging range). The information pattern 61 is a black and white pattern formed by printing black on the paper medium 70, and is formed for each page. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the paper medium 70 is a notebook composed of five pages. Pages 71 to 75 represent the first to fifth pages of the paper medium 70, respectively.

  The information pattern 61 is a pattern formed in advance on the paper medium 70 in correspondence with the first information that is information about the paper medium 70. In the present embodiment, the first information includes page information that is information about the page of the paper medium 70 and format information that is information about the format of the paper medium 70 (for example, ruled lines, calendars, etc., hereinafter referred to as format). And are included. The information pattern 61 includes a page pattern 62 formed corresponding to the page information and a format pattern 63 formed corresponding to the format information. The CPU 201 opens on the placement unit 24 based on the information pattern 61 imaged by the camera system 23, and a first data table 51 (see FIG. 5) and a second data table 52 (see FIG. 6) described later. The page of the printed paper medium 70 and the format of the paper medium 70 can be specified. In addition, although the information pattern 61 is formed by printing, it is not limited to this. For example, the information pattern 61 may be formed on the paper medium 70 by laser processing.

  The first data table 51 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the first data table 51 stores a page pattern 62 and page information included in the first information in association with each other. In the following description, for example, the pattern of the page pattern 621 is represented as “■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■”, but is actually stored as data. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, “□” represents a portion that is not printed in black on the paper medium 70 (the same applies to the second data table 52 described later). As shown in FIG. 5, in the first data table 51, the page pattern 621 “■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■” is associated with the page information “1 page”, and the page pattern 622 “■ □ ■ □ ■ □□” is associated. ”And page information“ 2 pages ”are associated with each other. The page patterns 623 to 629 are also associated with page information “page 3” to “page 9”, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the page pattern 62 and the page information are similarly associated with the 10th page and thereafter.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the page 71 is formed with the same page pattern 62 as the page pattern 621 “■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■” (see FIG. 5) associated with the page information “1 page”. Yes. Similarly, the same page pattern 62 as the page patterns 622, 623, 624, and 625 (see FIG. 5) associated with the page information “2 pages” to “5 pages” is formed on the pages 72 to 75, respectively. Has been.

  The second data table 52 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second data table 52, a format pattern 63 and format information included in the first information are stored in association with each other. In the second data table 52, the format pattern 631 “■■■■” and the format information “address book” are associated with each other. Similarly, the format pattern 632 “■ □□ ■” and the format information “ruled line” are associated with each other, and the format pattern 633 “■ □ ■■” and the format information “calendar” are associated with each other. Although not shown in FIG. 6, other various format information (for example, plain format information) is similarly associated with the format pattern 63. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the format of the paper medium 70 is “ruled lines” (see FIG. 8). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the same format pattern 63 as the format pattern 632 “■■ □ ■” (see FIG. 6) associated with the format information “ruled line” is formed on the pages 72 to 75. Has been.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the main process performed by CPU201 in this embodiment is demonstrated. The main process is started when the power of the reading device 2 is turned on. By performing the main process, the content written by the user is stored in association with the first information. In the following description, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a case where the user opens the third page of the paper medium 70 and places it on the placement unit 24 will be described as an example. Note that the user opens the third page by opening page 1 and page 2 toward the back, but in FIG. 8, illustration of page 1 and page 2 is omitted, and ruled lines on page 3 Only the format is shown. The steps in the flowchart are abbreviated as “S”.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the camera system 23 (see FIG. 8) is controlled, the information pattern 61 formed on the side surface 78 of the paper medium 70 is imaged, and the captured image is acquired (S11). For example, an image 90 shown in FIG. 9 is acquired. In FIG. 9, individual pixels (pixels corresponding to individual light receiving elements in the image sensor 232) are indicated by dotted lines. A row 901 represents a horizontal row of pixels (pixels in the horizontal direction of the drawing) (the same applies to the rows 902 to 918). The rows 901 to 918 are arranged in the downward direction in order from the top of the page.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the pixels in one horizontal row of the pixels in the acquired image 90 are read (S12). Note that although S12 is repeatedly executed, in this embodiment, each time S12 is repeated, pixels in one horizontal row are read in order from the uppermost row 901 to the lowermost row 918. Since the information pattern 61 is read sequentially from the top, the information pattern 61 first identified in S13 (described later) becomes the information pattern 61 of the page opened by the user.

  Next, the first data table 51 and the second data table 52 stored in the data table storage area 2022 are referred to, and the first information (page information and format information) is obtained from the information pattern 61 included in the row read in S12. It is specified (S13). In other words, matching is performed. Next, it is determined whether or not the first information is specified in S13 (S14). For example, when the row 901 (see FIG. 9) is read (S12), since the information pattern 61 does not exist, the CPU 201 cannot specify the first information (S13). Therefore, the first information is not specified. (S14: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the last row (bottom row) 918 in the image 90 has been read in S12 (S15). When the last line 918 has not been read (S15: NO), the process returns to S12, and the line below the line read in S12 immediately before is read.

  For example, when the processes of S12 to S15 are repeated and the row 909 (see FIG. 9) is read (S12), the page pattern 62 “■ □ ■ □□□ ■” among the information patterns 61 included in the row 909 is displayed. Corresponds to the page pattern 623 of the first data table 51 (see FIG. 5). For this reason, page information “page 3” associated with the page pattern 623 is specified (S13). Of the information patterns 61 included in the row 909, the format pattern 63 “■ □□ ■” matches the format pattern 632 of the second data table 52 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the format information “ruled line” associated with the format pattern 632 is specified (S13).

  When the first information (page information and format information) is specified in S13 (S14: YES), the coordinate information storage area 2041 is referred to, and the coordinate information associated with the first information specified in S13 is stored. It is determined whether or not (S16). In other words, it is determined by the user whether or not previously written content exists. The coordinate information is stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041 in association with the first information in S24 described later (see FIG. 11).

  When the coordinate information associated with the first information is not stored (S16: NO), an image corresponding to the format information and page information specified in S13 is displayed on the display 4 (S17). At this time, the image stored in the image data storage area 2023 is displayed (the same applies to S18 and S26 described later). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, an image corresponding to the format information “ruled line” and page information “3 pages” specified in S <b> 13 is displayed on the display 4. In FIG. 12, an image similar to the third page (see FIG. 8) of the paper medium 70 (format is “ruled line”) placed on the placement unit 24 by the user is displayed on the display 4. FIG. 12 shows an image when the character “ABC” written by the user is displayed in S25 described later, but the character “ABC” is not displayed until the user performs writing. In addition, although S17 may be repeatedly executed, when the same image is already displayed, the image is continuously displayed without being newly updated (the same applies to S18 described later).

  Next, the time T1 is set to “0 second” (S19). Time T1 is a variable for counting the number of seconds while the user is not writing. Next, measurement of time T1 is started (S20). Next, it is determined whether or not the time T1 is equal to or longer than the time T2 (S21). In other words, it is determined whether or not writing is performed by the user for the time T2 or more (S21). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the time T2 is 10 seconds.

  When the time T1 is not equal to or greater than the time T2 (S21: NO), coordinate information corresponding to the content written on the paper medium 70 by the user using the electronic pen 3 is acquired via the coordinate detection unit 25 (S22). . In other words, the coordinate information designated by the electronic pen 3 for the paper medium 70 is acquired. Next, it is determined whether or not coordinate information has been acquired in S22 (S23). If coordinate information has not been acquired (S23: NO), the process returns to S21.

  When the coordinate information is acquired (S23: YES), the acquired coordinate information and the first information (page information and format information) specified in S13 are associated with each other and stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041. (S24). Next, the image displayed on the display 4 is updated based on the coordinate information and the first information stored in S24 (S25). Next, the process returns to S19.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the character “ABC” is written on the paper medium 70 by the user, S19 to S25 are repeated. At this time, the coordinate information data table 53 shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041 by S24.

  In the coordinate information data table 53, coordinate information, format information that is first information, and page information are stored in association with each other. More specifically, format information “ruled lines”, page information “3 pages”, and coordinate information “(24, 73) to (17, 56) to (59, 60)” are stored. The coordinate information is coordinates designated by the electronic pen 3 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, only the coordinate information “(24, 73), (17, 56), (59, 60)” is shown, but all coordinate information corresponding to the character “ABC” (see FIG. 10) is stored. Has been.

  Further, by S25, based on the coordinate information data table 53 of FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 12, the image (format information “ruled line” and page information “page 3” image) displayed on the display 4 is displayed. The character “ABC” written by the user is displayed.

  If the user does not write for more than 10 seconds after writing the character “ABC”, it is determined that the time T1 has become equal to or longer than the time T2 (S21: YES), and the process returns to S11. In S16, since the coordinate information data table 53 (see FIG. 11) is stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041, it is determined that the coordinate information associated with the first information is stored (S16). : YES) In S18, the already displayed image shown in FIG. 12 is continuously displayed on the display 4.

  For example, it is assumed that the user finishes writing on the paper medium 70 and the user turns off the power of the reading device 2. In this case, the main process is terminated. When the user turns on the power again, the main process is executed again. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when the user opens “page 3” in which the characters “ABC” are written and places the paper medium 70 on the placement unit 24, the previously written coordinate information data table. Since 53 (see FIG. 11) exists, it is determined that the coordinate information associated with the first information is stored (S16: YES). Then, based on the coordinate information data table 53 stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041, the image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (S18). For this reason, the user can newly write after the previously written character “ABC”. When the user newly writes data, coordinate information is added to the coordinate information data table 53 (see FIG. 11) (S24). As described above, the reading device 2 adds the newly written content (coordinate information) in addition to the written content (coordinate information) associated with the first information (format information and page information) stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041. Coordinate information) can be stored. As described above, the reading device 2 according to the present embodiment can automatically read the page information and the format information, and manage the coordinate information (contents to be written) for each page and each format. Will improve.

  Next, a case where a user places a paper medium (not shown) on which the information pattern 61 is not formed on the placement unit 24 will be described. In this case, since the information pattern 61 is not formed, it is determined that the last row 918 (see FIG. 9) has been read after S12 to S15 are repeated (S15: YES). Next, an image based on the plain format information is displayed on the display 4 (S26).

  S26 may be executed again after the coordinate information is stored in S32 (discussed below) and displayed on the display 4 in S33 (discussed below) by writing on the paper medium 70 by the user. In this case, the image on which the written content is displayed is continuously displayed (S26). For example, when the user uses the input unit 22 to instruct to display a new format, an image in a new plain format with no written content displayed is displayed (S26). In this case, the plain format information and the written contents (coordinate information) for the image that has been displayed until immediately before are still stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041. Separately, a new plain format and new written contents (coordinate information) are newly stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041 in S32 described later.

  In S26, since the information pattern 61 is not formed, the first information (format information and page information) cannot be specified. Therefore, the plain format image is displayed on the display 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the user can select format information and page information, and an image corresponding to the selected format information and page information (for example, an image such as an address book, a ruled line, and a calendar in which a page is selected) is displayed. May be displayed. In this case, the selected format information, page information, and coordinate information may be associated with each other and stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041 in S32 described later.

  After S26 is executed, S27 to S31 are performed similarly to S19 to S23. That is, time T1 is set to “0” (S27), and measurement of time T1 is started (S28). It is determined whether or not the time T1 is equal to or greater than the time T2 (S29). When the time T1 is equal to or longer than the time T2 (S29: YES), the process returns to S11. If the time T1 is not equal to or greater than the time T2 (S29: NO), coordinate information is acquired (S30), and then it is determined in S30 whether the coordinate information has been acquired (S31). If coordinate information has not been acquired (S31: NO), the process returns to S29.

  Next, the plain format information and the coordinate information are associated with each other and stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041 (S32). Next, an image is displayed on the display 4 based on the plain format information and coordinate information stored in S32 (S33). Thereby, a character such as a character written by the user is displayed. Next, the process returns to S27.

  As described above, the processing in this embodiment is performed. In the present embodiment, coordinate information can be stored even when the information pattern 61 is not formed on the paper medium 70 (S32). That is, even when the user does not use the dedicated paper on which the information pattern 61 is formed and the writing is performed on the general-purpose paper on which the information pattern 61 is not formed, the coordinate information (writing content) can be stored. Yes (S32). Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  The camera system 23 is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the placement unit 24. That is, it is not provided inside the electronic pen 3. For this reason, compared with the case where the camera system 23 is provided in the inside of the electronic pen 3, the electronic pen 3 can be reduced in size. Therefore, it becomes easy for the user to hold the electronic pen 3. Also, the first information can be specified by reading the information pattern 61 formed on the paper medium 70 (S13). Furthermore, the reader 2 can store the first information (format information, page information) specified in S13 and the coordinate information acquired in S22 in association with each other in the coordinate information storage area 2041.

  In the present embodiment, the information pattern 61 is formed on a part of the side surface 78 of the edge 77 of the paper medium 70. That is, the information pattern 61 is not formed on the portion on the paper medium 70 where the user writes. Therefore, the information pattern 61 is not easily noticed by the user when writing, and the user can easily write.

  In addition, an information pattern 61 imaged in S11 of the reading device 2 is formed on the paper medium 70 in the present embodiment. Since the information pattern 61 is formed on the paper medium 70, the reading device 2 can identify (acquire) the first information by imaging the information pattern 61. That is, the paper medium 70 can transmit the first information to the reading device.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 that performs the processes of S22 and S30 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the “coordinate acquisition unit” of the present invention, and the camera system 23 (see FIG. 2) corresponds to the “imaging unit” of the present invention. The CPU 201 that performs the process of S11 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the “image acquisition unit” of the present invention, and the data table storage area 2022 corresponds to the “first storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 201 performing the processes of S12 and S13 corresponds to the “specifying means” of the present invention, and the first data table 51 (see FIG. 5) and the second data table 52 (see FIG. 6) correspond to the second information of the present invention. To do. The CPU 201 that performs the process of S24 corresponds to the “first storage control unit” of the present invention, and the coordinate information storage area 2041 corresponds to the “second storage unit” and the “third storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 201 that performs the process of S32 corresponds to the “second storage control unit” of the present invention, and the CPU 201 that performs the process of S14 corresponds to the “specific determination unit” of the present invention. The image sensor 232 corresponds to the “light detecting unit” of the present invention, and the LED 234 corresponds to the “light emitting unit” of the present invention. The mirror 235 corresponds to the “mirror part” of the present invention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, the first information includes page information and format information, but is not limited thereto. For example, only page information may be included, or only format information may be included. The first information may include information different from the page information and the format information (for example, information on the color of the paper medium 70). An information pattern 61 corresponding to the first information may be formed on the paper medium 70.

  Moreover, the pattern of the information pattern 61 should just be a pattern which CPU201 can read 1st information, and the shape of a pattern, the color of a pattern, etc. are not limited. For example, you may comprise like a barcode.

  Further, the configuration of the camera system 23 is not limited. For example, the camera system 23 may include only the image sensor 232.

  Further, the reading device 2 was able to acquire coordinate information designated by the user by an electromagnetic induction method. However, the method is not limited as long as the method does not include the camera system 23 inside the electronic pen 3. For example, an ultrasonic detection method or an infrared method may be used.

  In addition, the information pattern 61 of the page opened by the user is specified by sequentially reading the pixels from the upper row in S12 (see FIG. 7) and performing collation in S13. However, the pixel reading method is not particularly limited as long as the page opened by the user can be specified. For example, the user opens by specifying the information pattern 61 in the line 909 immediately before the line 908 in which the information pattern 61 disappears by sequentially reading from the lowest line 918 (see FIG. 9) toward the upper line 901. The information pattern 61 of the current page may be specified.

  Moreover, although the image was displayed on the display 4 by S17, S18, S25, S26, and S33 of FIG. 7, it is not limited to this. For example, it is not necessary to display an image.

  In addition, the information pattern 61 is formed on a part of the side surface 78 of the edge 77 of the paper medium 70, but is not limited thereto. The position of the information pattern 61 is not particularly limited as long as the information pattern 61 can be captured by the camera system 23 provided in the reading device 2. Further, when the position of the information pattern 61 is changed, the position of the camera system 23 may be changed according to the position of the information pattern 61. Further, the camera system 23 may be configured to be detachable so that the position of the camera system 23 can be changed. Further, the information pattern 61 may be formed on the upper surface of each page of the paper medium 70 in the edge 77 of the paper medium 70. Details will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 13, an information pattern 61 is formed on the lower left portion of the upper surface of the edge 77 of the third page of the paper medium 70. The information pattern 61 includes a page pattern 623 “■ □ ■ □□□ ■” indicating the page information “page 3” formed on the side surface 78 in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 9). And a format pattern 632 “■■ □ ■” (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 9) indicating the format information “ruled line”. Further, since the camera system 23 images the information pattern 61 formed on the upper surface of the paper medium 70, the position is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the camera system 23 is installed on the upper left side of the paper medium 70 and faces the direction in which the information pattern 61 can be imaged. The camera system 23 is supported by a support column 238 that extends upward from the reading device 2. Inside the support column 238, wiring (not shown) for electrically connecting the electrical configuration of the camera system 23 and the CPU 201 is provided. With the above configuration, the CPU 201 can image the information pattern 61 using the camera system 23 (see S11 in FIG. 7) and specify the first information (page information and format information) (S13 in FIG. 7). reference).

  In the first embodiment, the main process (see FIG. 7) is a process executed by the reading device 2, but is not limited thereto. For example, a process performed by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) using the reading device 2 may be used. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 15 shows a handwriting input system 10 which is a modification of the handwriting input system 1 shown in FIG. This modification is referred to as a second embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 15, the handwriting input system 10 includes a reading device 2, an electronic pen 3, a display 4, and a PC 8. The reading device 2 is connected to the PC 8. The display 4 is connected to the PC 8.

  The electrical configuration of the handwriting input system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the PC 8 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, a RAM 803, an HDD 804, and a drive circuit 810. The ROM 802, RAM 803, HDD 804, and drive circuit 810 are connected to the CPU 801. The CPU 801 is electrically connected to an input unit 82 (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) provided outside the PC 8.

  The ROM 802 includes at least a program storage area 8021, a data table storage area 2022 and an image data storage area 2023 provided in the reading device 2 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). The program storage area 8021 stores various programs for the CPU 801 to execute processing for controlling the PC 8. The HDD 804 includes at least the coordinate information storage area 2041 provided in the reading device 2 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). Data similar to that in the first embodiment is stored in the data table storage area 2022, the image data storage area 2023, and the coordinate information storage area 2041. The drive circuit 810 is an electronic circuit that displays an image on the display 4. The CPU 801 of the PC 8 is connected to the CPU 201 of the reading device 2 via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

  The reading device 2 does not include the drive circuit 210, the data table storage area 2022, the image data storage area 2023, and the coordinate information storage area 2041 provided in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). Other electrical configurations of the reading device 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the CPU 801 of the PC 8 executes the main process shown in FIG. 7 (specifically, a process in which the main process is slightly changed). A main process executed by the CPU 801 of the PC 8 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the information pattern 61 is captured and an image is acquired (S11). In S <b> 11, the CPU 801 transmits a command to the CPU 201 of the reading device 2 to acquire an image using the camera system 23. The CPU 201 of the reading device 2 that has received the command captures an image including the information pattern 61 using the camera system 23 and transmits the captured image to the CPU 801 of the PC 8. The CPU 801 receives the transmitted image to acquire an image obtained by capturing the information pattern 61 (S11). And the process of S12-S33 is performed similarly to 1st embodiment. In S <b> 22, the CPU 201 of the reading device 2 transmits the coordinate information acquired via the coordinate detection unit 25 to the CPU 801 of the PC 8. As a result, the CPU 801 can acquire coordinate information (the same applies to S30).

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the CPU 801 associates the acquired coordinate information with the first information (format information and page information) and stores them in the coordinate information storage area 2041 (S24). Similarly, also in S32, coordinate information is stored in the coordinate information storage area 2041.

  As described above, the processing in the second embodiment is executed. In the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained using the PC 8.

  In the second embodiment, the PC 8 corresponds to the “reading device” of the present invention. The CPU 801 that performs the processes of S22 and S30 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the “coordinate acquisition unit” of the present invention, and the camera system 23 (see FIG. 2) corresponds to the “imaging unit” of the present invention. The CPU 801 that performs the processing of S11 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the “image acquisition unit” of the present invention, and the data table storage area 2022 corresponds to the “first storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 801 that performs the process of S13 corresponds to “specifying means” of the present invention, and the first data table 51 (see FIG. 5) and the second data table 52 (see FIG. 6) correspond to the second information of the present invention. The CPU 801 that performs the processing of S24 corresponds to the “first storage control unit” of the present invention, and the coordinate information storage area 2041 corresponds to the “second storage unit” and the “third storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 801 that performs the process of S32 corresponds to the “second storage control unit” of the present invention, and the CPU 801 that performs the process of S14 corresponds to the “specific determination unit” of the present invention.

1,10 Handwriting input system 2 Reading device 3 Electronic pen 23 Camera system 24 Placement unit 25 Coordinate detection unit 51 First data table 52 Second data table 53 Coordinate information data table 61 Information pattern 62 Page pattern 63 Format pattern 70 Paper Medium 77 Edge 78 Side surface 201,801 CPU
232 Image sensor 2022 Data table storage area 2023 Image data storage area 2041 Coordinate information storage area

Claims (4)

Coordinate acquisition means for acquiring coordinate information, which is information on coordinates on the paper medium designated by the electronic pen with respect to the paper medium;
One of the side surfaces of the paper medium corresponding to the first information, which is information related to the paper medium, using an imaging unit that captures an image provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the placement unit on which the paper medium is placed An image acquisition unit that captures an image of an information pattern that is a pattern formed on a portion and acquires the captured image;
The second information, which is information for specifying the first information from the information pattern stored in advance in the first storage unit, is read in one row of pixels in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit. Identifying means for identifying the first information from the information pattern included in the pixels of the read line;
First storage control means for storing the first information specified by the specifying means and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition means in association with each other in a second storage means;
The first information includes page information that is information on a page of the paper medium,
The second information includes information for specifying the page information from the information pattern,
The specifying means specifies the first information including the page information from the information pattern in the image acquired by the image acquisition means using the second information,
The first storage control unit stores the first information including the page information specified by the specifying unit and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition unit in association with each other in the second storage unit. ,
The specifying unit, when specifying the first information, reads the pixels in one row in order from the top row to the bottom row in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit. The reading device. Specific determining means for determining whether or not the first information is specified by the specifying means;
A second storage control unit that stores the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition unit in a third storage unit when it is determined that the first information is not specified by the identification determination unit;
When it is determined that the first information is specified by the specification determining unit, the first storage unit is configured to store the first information specified by the specifying unit and the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquiring unit. The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit stores the information in association with each other. The first information includes format information that is information on a format of the paper medium,
The second information includes information for specifying the format information from the information pattern,
The specifying means specifies the first information including the format information from the information pattern in the image acquired by the image acquisition means using the second information,
The first storage control means stores the first information including the format information specified by the specifying means in association with the coordinate information acquired by the coordinate acquisition means in the second storage means. The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus is a reading apparatus. The imaging means includes
A light detection unit that detects light and acquires an image;
A light emitting section that emits light;
A mirror unit that reflects light emitted from the light emitting unit toward a side surface of the paper medium and reflects light reflected by the side surface of the paper medium toward the light detection unit;
The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the light detection unit and the mirror unit are arranged in a direction in which one side of an outer edge of the mounting unit extends .

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