JPH0954652A - Input pen and input device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an operator to misunderstand a current input mode and to provide an easier-to-use user interface by displaying the current input mode at the tip of the pen. SOLUTION: A figure A shows the state of the display part of the input pen when a thick black line is plotted and the display part is colored in black (goes out). A figure B shows the state of the display part of the input pen when a thin black line is plotted and the display part is black (goes out). A figure C shows the state of the display part of the input pen when a thick red line is plotted and the display part is colored red (illuminates). The use of the said methods eliminates misinput when a user inputs a graphic or character with the pen since a state regarding the thickness and color of a line which is currently selected is continuously and clearly displayed at the tip of the pen held in a hand.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen type input device such as a workstation, a personal computer, a word processor, a pen PC, a PDA, etc. for inputting characters and figures by using a pen and a coordinate detecting device for detecting the position of the pen. The present invention relates to an input pen used in a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, workstations, personal computers,
In a word processor, an electronic notebook, a PDA, etc., by using an input pen and a coordinate detection device for detecting the coordinates of the pen,
I have entered characters and figures.

When a graphic or the like is input using such a device, it is often possible to change the thickness, darkness or color of the line in accordance with the graphic or the like desired by the user.

[0004]

However, in the currently drawn figure, the display of information about the thickness and color of the line is generally performed by using a part of the display screen of a display device such as a monitor. Often. In that case, information about the thickness and color of the line is difficult to understand, and unless careful, a line of a different type from the one intended by the user is often drawn.

[0005]

[Solution for solving the problem] Therefore, in order not to make a mistake in the information about the thickness and color of the line currently drawn by the user, a display section that allows the user to visually and easily understand the information is provided with a pen tip for input. Added to.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION By displaying information about the current thickness and color of a pen on an input pen tip, the user can visually and easily understand the input state of a graphic. Fewer mistakes.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a case of a pen PC as an example.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a pen PC using this method.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the pen tip of the input pen 11 of the pen PC.

FIG. 3 is a usage state diagram showing the state of the pen tip when the input pen 11 is actually used.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a pen PC, 11 is an input pen, 12 is a display section such as an LCD, and an input display section having both the function of a pressure-sensitive tablet for detecting the coordinates of the pen, and 13 is a pen PC. A cable for transmitting power and display information of the pen tip from the main body, and 14 is a pen PC main body having other functions necessary for the pen PC such as a central processing unit, a storage unit, a power supply unit and various peripheral functions.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a display portion of the input pen 11 having an LED display portion capable of expressing a plurality of colors, and 2
Reference numeral 2 is a display portion of the same input pen 11, and reference numeral 23 is a display portion of the same input pen 11. Display unit 21 of this input pen
With the displays of ~ 23, it is possible to visually indicate the thickness and color of the line of the character or figure currently being input.

Now, a description will be given based on the case where a drawing application for inputting a character or a figure with the pen is executed on the pen PC 10.

Generally, in a drawing application, a user freely selects the thickness and color of a line to be input with a pen to input characters and figures. To select the line thickness and color, select from the multiple candidates displayed on the pen PC screen.
Select with a pen.

Here, three types of line thickness can be selected: thin, medium, and thick, and line colors are black, red, blue, yellow, and
For example, multiple colors can be selected.

The information on the thickness and color of the line selected by using the input pen 11 and the input display unit 12 is transmitted to the input pen 11 via the cable 13.

In the input pen 11, according to the information,
The display unit 2 at the tip of the input pen 11 is controlled by a display control unit (not shown) of an LED incorporated in the pen.
Display 1 to 23 in various colors and thicknesses.

FIG. 3A shows the state of the display portion of the input pen when a black line having a thickness of "medium" is drawn. The display unit 21 and the display unit 22 are colored in black (light out). The display unit 23 does not develop color (emits white light).

FIG. 3B shows the state of the display unit of the input pen when a black line having a "thin" thickness is drawn. The display unit 21 is colored black (lights off). The display unit 22 and the display unit 23 do not develop color (emit white light).

FIG. 3C shows the state of the display portion of the input pen when a red line having a thickness of "thick" is drawn. The display unit 21, the display unit 22, and the display unit 23 emit red light (emits light) (the diagonal line in the drawing indicates red).

By using the above method, when the user inputs a figure or a character by pen input, the state regarding the thickness or color of the currently selected line is constantly displayed in an easy-to-understand manner on the pen tip in his hand. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate input mistakes.

In the present description, the pen PC is taken as an example, but the same applies to devices such as workstations, personal computers, word processors, PDAs, and electronic notebooks as long as the device uses pen input.

Further, although the example in which the pen and the main body are connected by a cable has been described, it can be naturally realized by wireless using radio waves and the like, and the LED display is used as the display unit, but other display devices, for example, LCD. , Incandescent lamps can be used without problems.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the current input mode is displayed on the pen tip, the operator does not make a mistake in the current input mode, and a user interface that is easier to use can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a pen PC using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a pen tip of an input pen of a pen PC.

FIG. 3 is a usage state diagram showing a state of a pen tip when actually used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Pen PC 11 Pen for Input 12 Input / Display 13 Cable 14 PC Main Body 21 Display 22 Display 23 Display

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input pen for inputting characters, figures, etc., characterized in that a display part is provided at the tip of the input pen, and the display according to the input mode is performed on the display part. Pen. 2. An input device using an input pen, wherein the input pen according to claim 1 is used to input characters, figures and the like.