JPH07282179A - Pen type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a pen type input device forming the optical image of a dot pattern with less distortion on an image pickup element. CONSTITUTION:The pen type input device 10 has a cylindrical housing 12 and a holding member 14 is mounted rotatably on its tip part via an axis 16. The input side end part 20 of an image guide 18 which can freely be bent is fixed to the holding member 14. The output side end part 22 of the image guide 18 is fixed to the holding member 24 supported inside the housing 12 by an elastic member such as a coil spring 26. An image pickup element 30 is further mounted on the holding member 24. The output of the image pickup element 30 is inputted to an information processing part 28.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus for reading a code which encodes multimedia information which is optically readable recorded on a paper, a resin film, a metal sheet or the like, and more particularly to an input section thereof. The invention relates to a manually scanned, handheld input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various media are known as media for recording audio information such as voice and music in addition to magnetic tapes and optical disks. However, the unit price of each of these media becomes expensive to some extent even when a large number of copies are made, and a certain amount of space is required for storage. In addition, when handing over a medium recorded with voice to another person in a remote place, somebody will have to bring it directly or mail it, and it will take a lot of time before it reaches the hand of the remote person. It takes time.

This situation also applies to information other than audio information, such as video information obtained from a camera or video device, digital code data obtained from a personal computer, word processor, or the like.

In view of such circumstances, the applicant of the present invention has filed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-260464 filed earlier.
Optical reading of so-called multimedia information such as audio information such as voice and music, video information obtained from cameras and video equipment, digital code data obtained from personal computers and word processors, etc. on paper, resin films, metal sheets, etc. A new information processing system has been proposed in which a possible code such as a dot pattern is encoded and recorded, and the dot pattern is read using an optical means to reproduce recorded multimedia information.

In this information processing system, multimedia information is recorded on paper, which is considered to be the most economical medium, or a sheet-like substance equivalent thereto. This is very beneficial for cost reduction and space saving of the medium. Further, the information recorded as the dot pattern can be easily transmitted by fax. As a result, information can be easily transmitted to a remote person. In particular, this is meaningful for voice information, and exchange of voice information, which has been performed by handing over the medium itself, can be easily performed with a remote person instantly by fax in this information processing system.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of a reproducing device of this information processing system, particularly an input device. In the reproducing apparatus of the above-described information processing system, a hand-held type input device for scanning manually, especially a pen type input device is used as one of the input devices for reading the dot pattern. This input device includes an image sensor and a transmission optical system that transmits a dot pattern recorded on a medium such as paper as an optical image to the image sensor. Furthermore, in order to stably reproduce information, an illumination optical system that illuminates a dot pattern on the medium is usually provided. These optical elements (imaging device, transmission optical system, illumination optical system) are housed in a cylindrical housing. Usually, the transmission optical system is composed of a lens, and the lens and the image pickup element are arranged so that the optical axis thereof coincides with the axis of the housing. When capturing a dot pattern as an optical image using this input device, the input device is preferably vertically applied to the medium and scanned by the user's hand.

When the input device is extremely tilted when the optical image of the dot pattern is captured or tilted during scanning, the optical image of the dot pattern projected on the image sensor is distorted, and this distortion is large. Can also cause read errors. For this reason, it is desired that the input device is set up almost vertically to the medium on which the dot pattern is recorded, and is maintained almost vertically during the scanning.

Further, the variation of the distance between the lens of the input device and the medium causes blurring of the optical image projected on the image pickup device because the focal length of the lens system is constant. For this reason,
It is desirable that the input device is arranged so that the distance between the lens and the medium becomes a predetermined value and is kept constant during scanning.

Further, wrinkles and irregularities of the medium on which the dot pattern is recorded also cause distortion of the optical image projected on the image pickup device. Therefore, it is desired to take measures against wrinkles and unevenness of the medium. The purpose of the present invention is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pen-type input device that forms an optical image of a dot pattern with little distortion on an image sensor.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pen type input device of the present invention is an optical system including a reading unit for taking in a code recorded on a medium as an image, a housing for housing the optical system, and the reading unit for the medium. Equipped with a contact means for contacting. Also,
A pen-type input device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an inclination regulating means for regulating the inclination of the housing.

[0011]

In the pen-type input device of the present invention, the reading section is composed of, for example, the input surface of the image guide. Alternatively, it is constituted by an opening of a holding member that accommodates the constituent elements of the optical system inside. In this case, the contact means is composed of, for example, a support means that movably supports the reading unit so as to contact the medium.

When the reading unit is the input surface of the image guide, the input surface is in close contact with the medium regardless of the orientation of the housing, so that an image without distortion is output from the output surface of the image guide. Therefore, the optical image of the code can be captured without distortion by disposing, for example, an image sensor on the output surface of the image guide.

When the reading unit is the opening of the holding member, the opening is in close contact with the medium. Therefore, in this case as well, the optical element arranged inside the holding member is located on the medium surface regardless of the orientation of the housing. On the other hand, a fixed positional relationship is maintained. Therefore, the optical image of the code can be captured without distortion by arranging the constituent elements of the optical system in an appropriate positional relationship with the opening of the holding member in contact with the medium.

In the pen-type input device of the present invention, the reading unit is formed of, for example, an opening of a housing that houses the optical system. Further, the contact means is constituted by means for attracting and contacting the medium to the reading unit by air suction or magnetic force.

In this case, since the medium comes into close contact with the opening of the housing, the optical image of the code can be captured without distortion by arranging the constituent elements of the optical system in this state so as to have an appropriate positional relationship. .

In the pen-type input device according to another aspect of the present invention, the tilt regulating means is composed of, for example, a support member having a portion that comes into contact with the medium and supporting the housing in a fixed direction. . This keeps the housing in a constant orientation with respect to the medium and allows the optical image of the code to be captured without distortion.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, only a part of the pen-type input device, which is the main part of the present invention, will be described. The construction of other portions is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-260464, so please refer to that reference.

The configuration of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The drawing shows a cross-sectional structure of the tip portion of the pen-type input device 10. The holding member 14 is attached to the tip of the cylindrical housing 12 via a shaft 16 so as to be rotatable. An input side end 20 of the image guide 18, which can be freely curved, is fixed to the holding member 14. The output side end 22 of the image guide 18 is attached to the housing 1 by an elastic member such as a coil spring 26.
It is being fixed to the holding member 24 supported inside 2.
An image pickup device 30 is further attached to the holding member 24. The output of the image sensor 30 is input to the information processing unit 28.

The image guide 18 is preferably formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers and sintering both ends thereof. In particular, since the input side end surface is used in contact with the recording medium, mechanical strength is required. The strength can be easily improved by sintering the ends. The input side end 20
It is preferable that a coating is applied to the end surface of the input device, that is, the input surface facing the dot pattern for surface protection.

The image pickup device 30 is composed of, for example, a light source integrated image sensor. The structure of the image sensor integrated with the light source is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this image sensor has one horizontal charge transfer register 36 and a plurality of vertical charge transfer registers 34, and a plurality of light receiving cells 32 are connected to each vertical charge transfer register 34. . A column of light receiving cells 32 connected to a certain vertical charge transfer register 34 and an adjacent vertical charge transfer register 34
An elongated light emitting cell 40 is provided between and. The light emitting cell 40 is made of, for example, a compound semiconductor such as an LED or an electroluminescence element. An isolation (light shielding) section 42 is provided between the light receiving cell 32 and the light emitting cell 40. The isolation part 42 is formed, for example, by actually inserting a cutter into a groove on the wafer to form a groove and burying a non-transmissive material such as a metal therein. The isolation section 42 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting cell 40 from directly entering the light receiving cell 32.

The light emitting cell 40 is controlled to emit light according to the light emitting cell control pulse signal. The light receiving cell 32 sends the accumulated charges to the adjacent vertical charge transfer register 34 by applying the charge transfer gate pulse signal to the charge transfer gate (not shown). Vertical charge transfer register 34
Sends a stored charge to the horizontal charge transfer register 36 line by line with a vertical charge transfer pulse. The horizontal charge transfer register 36 outputs accumulated charges pixel by pixel via the buffer amplifier 38 in response to a horizontal transfer clock signal.

When the dot pattern is read, the input device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is applied so that the input surface of the image guide 18 comes into contact with the medium such as paper on which the dot pattern is recorded. The input device 10 is scanned by the user's hand in this state, that is, with the input surface of the image guide 18 being in surface contact with the medium. Since the input surface of the image guide 18 holds down the medium, the reading of the dot pattern is performed in a state where the irregularities and wrinkles of the medium are extended.

The holding portion 14 holding the input side end portion 20 of the image guide 18 has the shaft 1 with respect to the housing 12.
Since it can rotate around 6, the input surface of the image guide 18 and the surface of the medium can be brought into contact with each other even when the housing 12 is tilted. Further, even if the inclination angle of the housing 12 changes during scanning, the surface contact between the input surface of the image guide 18 and the medium is maintained as it is. As a result, the image sensor 30 has
An optical image of a good dot pattern is always projected.

Here, some modifications of this embodiment will be described. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the dot pattern on the medium is projected as an optical image of the same size on the image sensor. However, in practice, the optical image of the dot pattern is generally enlarged or reduced and projected on the image pickup element according to various conditions. Therefore, the transmission optical system that transmits the dot pattern to the image sensor generally includes a variable power system. Therefore, as a modification, a variable power system that can be incorporated in the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described.

The first modification is, as shown in FIG. 3, an image guide 44 which also serves as a variable power system. The image guide 44 includes a large diameter input surface 46 and a small diameter output surface 48.
have. The image guide 44 is attached as it is instead of the image guide 18 in the configuration of FIG. 1, and as a result, the image pickup device 30 faces the output surface 48 having a small diameter.
Are placed. The optical image captured from the input surface 46 is reduced while propagating in the image guide and output from the output surface 48. The optical image output from the output surface 48 is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 30 and sent to the information processing section.

In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 4, between the output side end 22 of the image guide 18 and the image pickup device 30,
This is a configuration in which a lens 52 for zooming is provided. The holding member 50 is supported inside the housing 12 by the elastic member 26. The output side end 22 of the image guide 18 is fixed to the holding member 50, and the image pickup device 30 is arranged on the opposite side facing the output side end 22. A lens 52 and an optical filter 54 are provided between the output end 22 of the image guide 18 and the image sensor 30 in order from the image guide 18 side. With this configuration, the optical image projected from the image guide 18 is enlarged or reduced according to the magnification of the lens 52, and is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 30.

The configuration of the third modification is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the output side end portion 22 of the image guide 18 and the image pickup device 30 are attached to the holding member 56 so as to face each other. Further, inside the holding member 56, the illumination light source 58,
A beam splitter 60, a lens 62, and a lens 64 are provided. The holding member 56 is supported inside the housing by an elastic member such as a coil spring as in the second modification. The beam splitter 60 is a lens 62
And a lens 64, and these three optical elements are arranged on the optical axis between the image guide 18 and the image pickup device 30. The light source 58 is arranged so as to emit illumination light toward the beam splitter 60. In this configuration, the illumination light from the light source 58 is emitted by the beam splitter 6
The image guide 18 is reflected by 0 and passes through the lens 62.
Will be introduced to. Further, the light emitted from the output surface of the image guide 18 is the lens 62 and the beam splitter 60.
Then, the light passes through the lens 64 in this order and is irradiated onto the light receiving surface of the image sensor 30. At this time, the image of the dot pattern is formed on the image sensor 30 at a magnification corresponding to the lenses 62 and 64.

An input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a holding member 66 is rotatably supported at the tip of the housing 12 by a movable connecting portion 68. Inside the holding member 66, a light source 70 for illumination, an imaging lens 72, an optical filter 74, and an image sensor 30 are arranged at predetermined positions.

When reading a dot pattern recorded on a medium such as paper, the input device 10 is arranged so that the lower end of the holding member 66 holds down the medium. Holding member 66
Can be rotated within a predetermined angle range with respect to the housing 12 by the movable connecting portion 68.
Even if is slightly deviated from the state perpendicular to the medium, the state in which the entire edge of the opening at the lower end of the holding member 66 is in contact with the medium can be obtained. Further, even if the angle of the housing 12 changes while scanning the input device 10, the state where the entire lower end of the holding member 66 is in contact with the medium is maintained. As a result, an accurate image is always projected on the image pickup device 30, and stable reproduction of information is realized. The point that the edge of the lower end of the holding member 66 extends wrinkles and unevenness of the medium cannot be overlooked.

In the present embodiment, the holding member 66 is rotatably held by the uniaxial movable connecting portion 68 about a certain axis with respect to the housing 12, but a universal joint, a ball joint, or the like is used. It may be held in a more flexible state.

A modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows only the holding member 66, and this holding member 66 is the same as in FIG.
It is attached to the housing 12 so that it can rotate within a predetermined angle range by 8.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 7, a transparent member 76 made of, for example, glass is provided in the opening at the lower end of the holding member 66. An antireflection film 78 is provided on the lower surface of the transparent member 76.

According to the structure of this modification, in addition to the effect described in the second embodiment, the entire lower surface of the transparent member 76 contacts the medium, so that the transparent member 76 can smooth the irregularities and wrinkles of the medium. Since a fluff on the surface of the medium is also suppressed, a better image is projected on the image sensor 30. In addition, the antireflection film 78 allows the illumination light emitted from the light source 70 to pass through the transparent member 76.
It is prevented that the light is reflected by the lower surface of the and enters the imaging lens 72. Therefore, information reproduction can be performed more stably.

An input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the illumination light source 70, the imaging lens 72, and the image pickup device 30 are arranged at predetermined positions inside the tip of the housing 12. An air passage 80 is provided at the inner peripheral edge of the tip of the housing 12. The air passage 80 is connected to an air intake port 82 provided at the lower end of the housing 12 and an air vent hole 84 provided at the side surface of the housing 12.
Further, the air passage 80 is connected to the suction pump 88 via a flexible tube 86.

When the dot pattern recorded on the medium is read by using the input device 10 of this embodiment, the suction pump 88
The lower end of the input device 10 is brought close to the medium in the state of operating, and the air vent hole 84 is pressed by a finger or the like to close the air vent hole 84. As a result, the medium is sucked and sticks to the lower end of the input device 10. The input device 10 is scanned over the medium in this state, that is, the state in which the medium is clinging.

In the structure of the present embodiment, the medium is always kept at the focal position while being orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging lens 72 while the dot pattern is being read. As a result, information can be reproduced stably.

An input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, (A) shows a side cross section of the input device, and (B) is a view of the transparent member as seen from below. As shown in FIG. 9A, an illumination light source 70, an imaging lens 72, and an image sensor 30 are arranged at predetermined positions inside the tip of the housing 12. A transparent member 90 is provided at the tip of the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 9B, the transparent member 90 has a circular groove 94 formed in the lower surface. The circular groove 94 is connected to the flexible tube 86 via the air suction port 96, and the flexible tube 86 is connected to the suction pump 88.

When the dot pattern recorded on the medium is read using the input device 10 of the present embodiment, the suction pump 88
The medium sticks to the lower surface of the transparent member 90 by the suction force of. The input device 10 is scanned over the medium in this state.

With this configuration, as in the third embodiment, the medium is always the imaging lens 72 while the dot pattern is being read.
Is kept at the focal position in a state orthogonal to the optical axis of. In the configuration of this embodiment, the central lower surface portion 9 of the transparent member 94 is further added.
Since 2 is in surface contact with the medium, the central lower surface portion 92 extends fine wrinkles and irregularities of the medium and suppresses surface fluff and the like. As a result, information can be reproduced more stably.

An input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the illumination light source 70, the imaging lens 72, and the image pickup device 30 are arranged at predetermined positions inside the tip of the housing 12. An electromagnet 100 is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the tip of the housing 12, and a switch 102 for operating the electromagnet 100 is provided on the side surface of the housing 12.

The medium 104 on which the dot pattern is recorded is
It has magnetism. Such a medium 104 is obtained, for example, by printing a pattern with magnetic ink. Alternatively, it can be obtained by applying the magnetic material to the medium 104 or by incorporating the magnetic material in the stage of paper making.

By operating the switch 102,
When the electromagnet 100 operates, the medium 104 is attracted to the lower end of the housing 12 by the magnetic force. The input device 10 is scanned in this state.

With this configuration, while the dot pattern is being read, the medium is kept at the focal position in a state of being orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging lens 72, and therefore information can be reproduced stably.

In the structure of this embodiment, a device for generating static electricity may be provided instead of the electromagnet. In this case, the medium need not be magnetic. An input device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a support member 110 for supporting the pen-type input device 10 substantially vertically is attached to the lower end of the housing 12. The support member 110 has an engaging portion 112 that engages with the housing 12, and four legs 114 extending from the engaging portion 112. This support member 11
0 may be detachable or fixed to the housing 12.

The lower end of the foot 114 of the support member 110 is located slightly below the tip of the input device 10. Therefore, when the device of this embodiment is placed on the medium, the input device 10 is supported in a state of being substantially vertical to the medium. During scanning, all the lower ends of the four legs 114 are moved while maintaining contact with the medium. At this time, the legs 114 of the support member 110 also have the function of stretching the irregularities and wrinkles of the medium. The position of the dot pattern can be confirmed by looking through between the legs 114.

Therefore, while the dot pattern is being read, the medium is kept in the proper position and state with respect to the optical system provided inside the input device 10. Thereby, the information is stably reproduced.

An input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The pen-type input device 10 is supported in a substantially vertical state by a support member 120 having a hemispherical shell shape. The support member 120 has an opening 122 at the zenith.
Is provided, and the input device 10 is inserted into the opening 122, and is held with the tip of the input device 10 slightly floating.

The support member 120 is placed on the medium, so that the pen-type input device 10 is supported with its tip being separated from the medium by a predetermined distance. During scanning, the support member 12
The entire lower end of 0 is moved while maintaining contact with the medium. The lower end of the support member 120 also has a function of stretching unevenness and wrinkles of the medium. The support member 120 is preferably transparent so that the position of the dot pattern can be confirmed.

As a result, while reading the dot pattern,
The medium is kept in a proper position and state with respect to the optical system provided inside the input device 10. Thereby, the information is stably reproduced.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Here, the summary of the present invention is summarized as follows.

(1). First Example-Seventh Example (Figs. 1-
The optical system that optically reads the code recorded on the medium, the housing that accommodates the optical system, and the optimizing means that maintains the optical system in a proper state with respect to the medium are provided. Pen type input device.

Since the relative positional relationship or state between the optical system and the medium is optimally maintained, an optical image with less distortion can be formed on the image pickup element, and information can be reproduced stably.

(2). Corresponding to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) In the above (1), the optical system includes an image guide that can be freely curved, and an image pickup element that is arranged to face the output surface of the image guide, The optimization unit is a pen-type input device including a holding unit that holds the input surface of the image guide in a predetermined direction.

Since the input surface is in close contact with the medium irrespective of the orientation of the housing, an optical image with less blurring or distortion is output on the output surface, and an optical image with less blurring or distortion is formed on the image sensor. You can

Since it is not necessary to worry about the inclination of the housing, a more natural and easy input operation can be realized. (3). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 1 In the above (2), the holding means has a holding member that holds the input surface of the image guide, and a movable connecting portion that rotatably connects the holding member to the housing. Pen type input device.

Since the housing supports the force applied to the reading surface, the durability of the image guide is improved. (4). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 In the above (2) or (3), the pen-type input device in which the image pickup device is supported in the housing by an elastic member.

Since the image pickup element can be elastically displaced in the housing, the load applied to the image guide is reduced and the durability of the image guide is improved. (5). Not specifically shown, in the item (2) or (3), a pen-type input device in which the input surface of the image guide is coated for surface protection.

Since flaws on the input surface are prevented, an optical image with few defects is output on the output surface, and an optical image with few defects can be formed on the image pickup device. (6). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 3 In the above (2) or (3), the pen-type input device in which the input surface and the output surface of the image guide have different sizes.

Since the optical image of the dot pattern can be enlarged (or reduced), a coarser (finer) dot pattern can be read as compared with the case of the same size. (7). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 In the above (2) or (3), the optical system is a pen-type input device further including a lens disposed between the output surface of the image guide and the image sensor.

Since the optical image of the dot pattern can be enlarged (or reduced), a coarser (finer) dot pattern can be read as compared with the case of the same size. (8). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 4 In the above (7), the optical system further includes an optical filter arranged between the lens and the image sensor, and the pen-type input device.

Arbitrary optical image processing can be applied to the optical image of the dot pattern. (9). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 5 In (7) above, the optical system includes a light source that emits illumination light, and the illumination light is reflected toward the output surface of the image guide,
Light emitted from the output surface of the image guide is transmitted,
A pen-type input device further comprising a beam splitter disposed between the output surface of the image guide and the image sensor.

The dot pattern can be illuminated with any light source. (10). Corresponding to the second embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7) In the above (1), the optical system includes a light source that illuminates the medium, an image pickup element, and an imaging lens that forms an optical image of the code on the image pickup element. The pen-type input device is provided with the optimization unit that includes a holding member that houses the light source, the imaging element, and the imaging lens, and a holding unit that holds the holding member in a predetermined orientation.

Since the holding member holds the optical system in the direction in which the image forming state of the optical system is optimized with respect to the predetermined amount of inclination of the housing, when the dot pattern is read by inclining the housing by a predetermined amount, distortion occurs. It is possible to form an optical image with a small amount on the image sensor.

(11). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 6 In the above (10), the holding means is a pen-type input device having a movable connecting portion that connects the holding member to the housing so as to be rotatable in a certain direction.

With respect to the inclination of the housing in a specific direction,
Regardless of the amount of inclination, the edge of the opening at the lower end of the holding member comes into close contact with the medium, so that an optical image with less blurring and distortion can be formed on the image pickup element.

Since the degree of freedom of inclination of the housing is increased, a more natural and easy input operation can be realized. (12). Not specifically shown, in (10), the holding means is a pen-type input device having a movable connecting portion in which the holding member is rotatably connected to the housing in an arbitrary direction.

Since the edge of the opening at the lower end of the holding member comes into close contact with the medium irrespective of the inclination of the housing, an optical image with less blurring and distortion can be formed on the image pickup element. Since there is no need to worry about the inclination of the housing, more natural and easy input operation can be realized.

(13). Not specifically shown, in (12), a pen-type input device in which the movable connecting portion is a universal joint or a ball joint.

It is possible to easily realize rotation in an arbitrary direction. (14). Corresponding to the configurations of FIGS. 6 and 7 In the above (10) to (13), the pen-type input device in which the optical system further includes an optical filter arranged between the imaging lens and the image sensor.

It is possible to add arbitrary optical image processing to the optical image of the dot pattern. (15). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 7 In the above (10) to (14), the pen-type input device, wherein the optical system further includes a transparent member provided at an end of the holding member.

By the surface contact of the transparent member with the medium,
Wrinkles and irregularities of the medium are extended, fuzz on the surface of the medium is suppressed, and dust is prevented from entering the inside of the optical system, so that a good image formation state can be maintained.

(16). Corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 7 In the above (15), the pen-type input device in which the transparent member has an antireflection film formed on the lower surface thereof.

Since it is possible to prevent the illumination light from being reflected on the lower surface of the transparent member and entering the imaging lens, it is possible to realize a good imaging state. (17). Third Example (FIG. 8), Fourth Example (FIG. 9),
Corresponding to the fifth embodiment (FIG. 10) In the above (1), the optical system includes a light source that illuminates the medium, an image pickup element, and an image forming lens that forms an optical image of the code on the image pickup element. The converting unit is a pen-type input device that is a suction unit that sucks a medium.

Since the medium is adsorbed, the relative positional relationship between the medium and the optical system is kept constant, whereby an optical image with less blurring and distortion can be formed on the image pickup device. (18). Corresponding to the third embodiment (FIG. 8) In the above (17), the adsorbing means comprises an air flow path having an inlet at the tip of the housing, an air vent hole connected to the air flow path, and an air flow path. A pen-type input device having a suction pump that sucks air through a passage.

The medium can be easily adsorbed with a simple structure. Further, it is possible to control the adsorption of the medium by a simple operation such as not closing the air vent hole. (19). Corresponding to the fourth embodiment (FIG. 9) In the above (17), the optical system further includes a transparent member provided at the tip of the housing, and the suction means includes a circular groove formed on the lower surface of the transparent member. A pen-type input device having an air flow path connected to the circular groove and a suction pump that sucks air through the air flow path.

The medium can be easily adsorbed with a simple structure. Further, it is possible to control the adsorption of the medium by a simple operation such as not closing the air vent hole. By the surface contact of the transparent member with the medium, wrinkles and irregularities of the medium are extended, and fluffing of the medium surface is suppressed, and further,
Since dust is prevented from entering the inside of the optical system, a good image formation state can be maintained.

(20). Corresponding to the fifth embodiment (FIG. 10) In the above (17), the adsorption means includes an electromagnet provided at the tip of the housing and a means for operating the electromagnet, and the medium has magnetism. Pen type input device.

The medium can be easily adsorbed with a simple structure. (21). Not specifically shown, in (17), the suction means is a pen-type input device having a means for generating static electricity provided at the tip of the housing.

The medium can be easily adsorbed with a simple structure. (22). Sixth embodiment (FIG. 11) and seventh embodiment (FIG. 1)
Corresponding to 2) In the above (1), the optimizing means is a pen-type input device having a supporting member for supporting the housing.

Since the relative positional relationship between the housing and the medium is regulated so that the image formation state of the optical system is optimized, an optical image with less blurring and distortion can be formed on the image pickup element.

(23). Corresponding to the sixth embodiment (FIG. 11) In the above (22), the support member is provided with a plurality of legs contacting with the medium, and thus the supporting member is of a pen type that secures a predetermined gap between the tip of the housing and the medium. Input device.

Since the dot code can be directly observed through the space between the legs, the scanning start position of the dot code can be easily confirmed. (24). Corresponding to the seventh embodiment (FIG. 12) In the above (22), the pen-shaped input device in which the support member has a hemispherical shell shape, and the circular end portion is arranged in contact with the medium.

Since the edge of the lower end of the support member is circular,
It is possible to reliably regulate the relative positional relationship between the housing and the medium. (25). Corresponding to the seventh embodiment (FIG. 12) The pen-type input device according to the above (24), wherein the support member is optically transparent. Since the dot code can be directly viewed through the transparent supporting member, the scanning start position of the dot code can be easily recognized.

[0085]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pen-type input device for forming an optical image of a dot pattern with little distortion on an image pickup device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a light source integrated image sensor which is an example of the image sensor of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image guide that also serves as a variable power system, which is a first modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a variable power system incorporated in the configuration of FIG. 1, which is a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a variable power system incorporated in the configuration of FIG. 1, which is a third modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tip portion that can be incorporated in the input device of FIG. 6, which is a modified example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Housing, 14 ... Holding member, 16 ... Movable connection part, 18 ... Image guide, 30 ... Imaging element.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pen-type input device, comprising: an optical system including a reading unit that captures a code recorded on a medium as an image; a housing that houses the optical system; A pen-type input device. 2. The pen-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact means has a support means that movably supports the reading unit so that the reading unit closely contacts the medium. 3. The pen-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact means has means for attracting and adhering the medium to the reading unit by air suction or magnetic force. 4. A pen type input device, comprising a tilt regulating means for regulating the inclination of the housing. 5. The pen-type input device according to claim 4, wherein the inclination regulating means has a support member that has a portion that comes into contact with the medium and that supports the housing in a fixed direction.