KR20000073577A - Pen computer - Google Patents

Abstract

The pen computer 1 of the present invention comprises an elongated pen barrel 10 having a recording stage with a rotatable ball bearing 15 acting as a ballpoint pen tip. The pen barrel 10 is adapted to write a character on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15 while holding it with one hand. First and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2 'are mounted at the recording end of the pen barrel 10, and the first and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2' are ball bearings along the X and Y directions. The movement of (15) is encoded to generate X- and Y-axis drive signals corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearings in the X and Y directions. A processor 33 is installed in the pen case 10, which is connected to the encoding assemblies 2 and 2 ′ to drive X and Y axes from these assemblies 2 and 2 ′. Receive the signal. The processor 33 identifies characters written on the recording surface by the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals, and generates computer code assigned to the identified characters.

Description

Pen computer {PEN COMPUTER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handheld computer, and more particularly to a pen computer that can be used as a calculator, phone book manager, electronic dictionary, and the like.

Recently, address books and notebooks have been used to record contact information such as customers and friends. However, unless the data is neatly and sequentially recorded in the ordinary address book and the notebook, the desired contact information cannot be easily found using the address book and the notebook.

Most electronic dictionaries and personal digital assistants (PDAs) now increase their practicality by adding many additional functions, such as calculation, scheduling, and phonebook management. However, these electronic devices are still relatively bulky and heavy and thus have some inconveniences in carrying.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pen computer that can overcome the above problems common to conventional electronic dictionaries and PDAs, and can be used as a calculator, phone book manager, electronic dictionary, and the like.

1 is a partial schematic view showing a recording tip of a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram showing an encoding assembly of a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the encoding assemblies and the ball bearing of the pen computer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic view showing a rotating member and a sensing unit of an encoding assembly in a pen computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a view showing a relationship between a drive signal from encoding assemblies and a moving direction of a ball bearing in a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a timing diagram showing a drive signal from the encoding assemblies when the ball bearing movement occurs only in the + Y direction in the pen computer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a timing diagram showing a drive signal from encoding assemblies when a ball bearing movement occurs in both -Y and + X directions in a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a timing diagram showing a drive signal from the encoding assemblies when the ball bearing movement occurs only in the + X direction in the pen computer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a partial schematic view of a pen barrel in a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a schematic circuit block diagram of a controller in a pen computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a functional block diagram of a memory device of the controller shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 11B is a functional block diagram of the processor of the controller shown in FIG. 10;

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pen computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processor in the calculation mode in the pen computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

14 is a schematic diagram showing a rotating member and a sensing unit of an encoding assembly in a pen computer according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

15 is a schematic view showing a rotating member and a sensing unit of an encoding assembly in a pen computer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: pen computer 2, 2 ': encoding assembly

3: control unit 4: computer

10 pen case 11: axial opening

12,13 cut-out 14 Ink supply unit

15 ball bearing 16 ballpoint pen tip

17: mounting hole 18: positioning frame portion

20,21: contact member 22: frame member

23,23a, 23b: rotating member 24,24a, 24b: sensing unit

31: power supply unit 32: memory device

33 processor 34 output device

35 alarm generator 36 switch unit

37: circuit board 38: wireless communication unit

40: standard communication unit (SCU) 220: rotating shaft

230,230a, 230b: Contact arm 232,232a, 232b: Center mounting

240: front conductive plate 241: insulating substrate

242: rear conductive plate 321: computer code storage area

322 dictionary database area 323 phonebook storage area

324: operation area 331: character recognition unit

332: electronic clock unit 333: calculation unit

334: Pre-search unit 335: Phone book management unit

336: output driver 337: power management unit

338: mouse operating unit 339: keyboard operating unit

To achieve the above object, a pen computer according to the present invention comprises an elongated pen barrel, first and second encoding assemblies and letter recognition means. The pen barrel has a writing end with a rotatable ball bearing which acts as a ballpoint writing tip. The pen case is adapted for writing characters on the recording surface via a ball bearing while holding it with one hand. The first encoding assembly is mounted to the recording end of the pen barrel, and encodes the movement of the ball bearing in the X direction to generate an X-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing in the X direction. The second encoding assembly is mounted to the recording end of the pen barrel, and encodes the movement of the ball bearing in the Y direction to generate a Y-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing in the Y direction. The letter recognition means is installed in the pen barrel and electrically connected to the first and second encoding assemblies to receive X and Y axis drive signals from these assemblies. The character recognition means identifies characters written on the recording surface through the ball bearings from the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals, and generates computer code assigned to the identified characters.

Preferably, the pen computer of the present invention further comprises a calculation means installed in the pen case and connected to the character recognition means. If the character written on the recording surface corresponds to an arithmetic expression, the calculating means is operative to process computer code assigned to the character identified by the character recognition means, in order to calculate the result of the arithmetic expression.

More preferably, the pen computer of the present invention is a dictionary database for storing information on words installed in the pen barrel, and a dictionary search means installed in the pen barrel and connected to the character recognition means and the dictionary database. It is configured to further include. The dictionary search means is operable to process computer code assigned to the character identified by the character recognition means to determine a word corresponding to the computer code, and to search the database for information corresponding to the determined word.

More preferably, the pen computer of the present invention includes a phone book storage unit installed in the pen case and storing a phone book database, and a phone book management means installed in the pen case and connected to the character recognition means and the phone book storage unit. It is configured to further include. If the characters written on the recording surface correspond to a name and a contact number associated with the name, the telephone book management means assigns to the character identified by the character recognition means to determine the name and the contact number corresponding to the computer code. Process the computer code and store the determined name and the contact number in the phonebook storage.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail preferred embodiments of the pen computer according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, the first preferred embodiment of the pen computer 1 according to the present invention comprises a recording end having an axial opening 11, a cut-out 12, 13, an elongated pen barrel 10 having a pair of right-angle radial chambers through through the opening 11. In the axial opening 11, a rotatable ball bearing 15 acting as the ball point pen tip 16 is provided to protrude out of the pen barrel 10. As shown in FIG. An ink supply unit 14 is installed in the pen barrel 10 in the form of an ink core to supply ink to the ball bearing 15. In the present preferred embodiment, the ball bearing 15 is rotatably held at one end of the ink supply portion 14. In the pen barrel 10, first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 'are mounted in the radial chamber of the recording stage, respectively. The first encoding assembly 2 encodes the movement of the ball bearing 15 along the X direction to generate an X-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing 15 along the X direction. The second encoding assembly 2 'encodes the movement of the ball bearing 15 along the Y direction to generate a Y-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing 15 along the Y direction.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, each of the first and second encoding assemblies comprises a frame member 22 fixedly mounted in each radial chamber at the recording end of the pen case 10. As shown in Figs. The rotating shaft 220 is mounted to the frame member 22, and the ball-shaped contact members 20 and 21 are fixed to the rotating shaft 220. The contact members 20 and 21 extend inwardly of the pen case 10 through the cutouts 12 and 13 to rotate the rotation shaft 220 as the ball bearing 15 rotates in a specific direction. It is in contact with the ball bearing 15 so that. The contact members 20, 21 are in contact with the ball bearing 15 at an orthogonal location as in the best embodiment shown in FIG. The rotary member 220 is fixedly mounted to the rotary shaft 220 to co-rotate with the rotary shaft 220. The sensing unit 24 is fixedly mounted to the frame member 22, and the sensing unit 24 generates a driving signal in response to the detection movement of the rotating member 23.

In this case, holding the pen barrel 10 with one hand and writing a letter on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15, the contact member 20, 21 is rotated in accordance with the movement direction of the ball bearing 15 to rotate each The shaft 220 and the associated rotating member 23 are driven to rotate. The sensing section 24 of the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 'generates X and Y axis drive signals, respectively, in response to the detection movement of the corresponding rotating member 23.

In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating member 23 is a central mounting portion 232 fixedly mounted on the rotary shaft 220, a plurality of equal intervals protruding radially outward from the central mounting portion 232 It is formed of a conductive member having a contact arm 230. The rotating member 23 is electrically connected to a first voltage source such as the ground terminal of the power supply unit. The sensing unit 24 includes an insulating substrate 241 mounted on the frame member 22 proximate to the rotating member 23, and front and rear conductor plates mounted on front and rear sides of the insulating substrate 241, respectively. (240,242). The front and rear conductor plates 240 and 242 are electrically connected to a second voltage source such as the positive terminal (Vcc) terminal of the power supply unit. When the contact members 20, 21 rotate in the corresponding first direction due to the rotation of the ball bearing 15, the contact arm 230 continuously contacts the front conductor plate 240 to + X axis and Generates the + Y axis drive signal. In addition, when the contact members 20 and 21 rotate in the corresponding second direction opposite to the first direction due to the movement of the ball bearing 15, the contact arm 230 is continuously connected to the rear conductor plate. 242 is generated to generate the -X and -Y axis drive signals.

The relationship between the drive signals from the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 ′ and the direction of movement of the ball bearing 15 is shown in FIG. 5. The operation of the encoding assembly 2,2 'will now be described with reference to three sample states.

1. In the state (+ Y> X = 0) of FIG. 5, only the movement of the ball bearing 15 occurs in the + Y direction. In this case, the contact member 20 is stationary and the contact member 21 rotates in the first direction. 6 shows the X- and Y-axis drive signals generated by the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 'in the state (+ Y> X = 0). As shown in FIG. 6, since the contact member 20 is in a stopped state, the associated rotating member 23 does not rotate. Accordingly, the front and rear conductor plates 240 and 242 are connected to the positive electrode (Vcc) terminal of the power supply unit. The high logic state (hereinafter referred to as the "H" logic state) is maintained due to the connection of. On the other hand, since the contact member 21 is rotated in the first direction, the associated rotary member 23 is rotated so that the contact arm 230 continuously contacts the front conductor plate 240. Since the rotating member 23 is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the power supply, the logic state of the front conductor plate 240 is high at the moment when one of the contact arms 230 contacts the front conductor plate 240. It changes from a logic state ("H" logic state) to a low logic state (hereinafter referred to as "L" logic state). Accordingly, the + Y-axis driving signal from the second encoding assembly 2 'is generated in the form of a pulse train with equal interval pulses due to the rotation of the contact member 21 and the rotation member 23 in the first direction. do.

In the example of FIG. 6, the + Y-axis drive signal from the second encoding assembly 2 'forms nine consecutive pulses. The number of pulses of the + Y axis drive signal from the second encoding assembly 2 'depends on the movement speed of the ball bearing 15 in the + Y direction. The faster the moving speed of the ball bearing 15 in the + Y direction, the narrower the pulse width of the + Y-axis drive signal from the second encoding assembly 2 'and the more pulses the + Y-axis drive signal is. It will increase.

The rotational speed of the contact members 20, 21 depends on the vectorial angle component of the ball bearing 15 acting on the corresponding contact members 20, 21. For example, if the vector angular components acting on the contact members 20 and 21 are the same, the contact members 20 and 21 rotate at the same speed. If the vector angular component acting on the contact member 20 is larger than the vector angular component acting on the contact member 21, the contact member 20 rotates at a higher speed than the contact member 21. Therefore, if the vector angular component acting on the contact member 20 is smaller than the vector angular component acting on the contact member 21, the contact member 20 is at a lower speed than the contact member 21. Rotate

2. In the state (-Y = + X) of FIG. 5, the movement of the ball bearing 15 occurs on both sides in the -Y direction and the + X direction. In this case, the contact member 20 rotates in the first direction and the contact member 21 rotates in the second direction. 7 shows the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals generated by the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 'in the state (-Y = + X). As shown in Fig. 7, the + X-axis drive signal and the -Y-axis drive signal from the first and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2 'are in the form of pulse trains. However, assuming that the ball bearing 15 moves at the same speed as in the example of FIG. 6 since the angular components of the motion vector of the ball bearing 15 acting on the contact members 20 and 21 are the same, the contact member ( 20 and 21 rotate at a lower speed than the example of FIG. 6, so that the pulses of the + X- and -Y-axis driving signals become wider in width.

3. In the state (+ Y = 0 <X) of FIG. 5, the movement of the ball bearing 15 occurs only in the + X direction. In this case, the contact member 21 is stationary and the contact member 20 rotates in the first direction. 8 shows the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals generated by the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 'in the state (+ Y = 0 <X). As shown in FIG. 8, the Y-axis drive signal from the second encoding assembly 2 'maintains the "H" logic level, and the + X-axis drive signal from the first encoding assembly 2 is in the form of a pulse train. to be.

As shown in FIG. 9, the pen barrel 10 is provided with mounting holes 17. In the pen barrel 10 adjacent to the mounting hole 17, a positioning frame portion 18 protrudes inwardly integrally. A circuit board 37 is mounted on the positioning frame 18, and a control unit 3 is provided on the circuit board 37.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 3 includes a power supply unit 31, a memory device 32, a processor 33, an output device 34, an alarm sound generator 35, and a switch unit 36. And a wireless communication unit 38 such as a conventional infrared communication unit.

The power supply unit 31 may be in the form of a battery cell (not shown) connected in series, and supplies electric energy required to operate the controller 3.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the memory device 32 includes at least a computer code storage area 321, a dictionary database area 322, a phonebook storage area 323, and a computing region 324. Consists of. The computer code storage area 321 is used to store a character pattern and associated standard computer code assigned to characters written on the recording surface via the ball bearing 15. One example of standard computer code is ASCII, which is suitable for encoding alphanumeric characters. However, taking into account that some languages, such as Chinese and Japanese, do not use ASCII to encode their characters, store one or more character patterns and standard computer code types in computer code storage 321 and in other language formats. The pen computer 1 may be operated. The dictionary database area 322 is used to store information about words in a language. The information may be the meaning of one word or a translation of a word in another language, ie the English to Chinese translation. Known dictionary databases of this type in the electronic art can be applied for storage of the database area 322. The phone book storage area 323 is used to store a phone book database. The format of the phonebook storage area 323 may be similar to that found in conventional portable electronic devices such as electronic dictionaries and PDAs. The calculation area 324 is used for temporarily storing data when calculating, identifying input characters, forming entries for a phone book database, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory device 32 may be implemented using two different types of memory sections. The first memory portion is a flash random access memory having at least a computer code storage area 321, a dictionary database area 322, and a phonebook storage area 323, and the second memory part having at least an operation area 324. Static random access memory.

The output device 34 shown in FIG. 10 is preferably in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted in the mounting hole 17 of the pen case 10. The alarm generator 35 is in the form of a speaker, and the switch unit 36 is used to control the operation mode of the processor 33 as described in more detail below.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11B, a processor 33, such as a microprocessor, includes a power supply unit 31, a memory device 32, an output device 34, an alarm generator 35, a switch unit 36 and It is connected to the wireless communication unit 38. The processor 38 is also connected to the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 '(see Figure 1) to receive X- and Y-axis signals from these assemblies 2, 2'. In addition, the processor 38, the character recognition unit 331, the electronic clock unit 332, the calculation unit 333, the pre-search unit 334, the phone book management unit 335, output as shown in FIG. The driving unit 336, the mouse operating unit 338, and the keyboard operating unit 339 are configured.

12 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 10, 11A, and 11B. When the power supply unit 31 is in the operating state, the switch unit 36 may be operated in a predetermined manner so as to select the operation mode of the processor 33 and the operating language of the pen computer 1. When the ball bearing 15 moves and writes letters on the recording surface, the first and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2 'generate X and Y axis drive signals corresponding to the detection movement of the ball bearing 15. . At this time, the character recognition unit 331 retrieves the appropriate character pattern and standard computer code from the computer code storage area 321 of the memory device 32 and stores them in the operation area 324, thereby identifying characters written on the recording surface. Computations and comparisons are made to begin with, resulting in computer code assigned to the identified characters. At this time, the generated computer code for the identification character is stored in the operation area 324. In addition, the character recognition unit 331 may be connected to the output driver 336 to allow the output device 34 to display the character identified by the character recognition unit 331.

The character recognition unit 331 may achieve a method of identifying a character written on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15 by using a known character recognition technique, and the character recognition technique is a language of the character to be identified. Will change accordingly.

When using a pen computer to calculate the result of the arithmetic expression, the switch unit 36 is initially operated so that the processor 33 can operate in the calculation mode. When the characters constituting the arithmetic expression are written on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15, the character recognition unit 331 performs a process for storing the computer code for the identification character in the calculation area 324. Then, the calculation unit 333 processes the computer code stored by the character recognition unit 331 to calculate the result of the arithmetic expression. This action can be triggered upon detection of computer code for a " = indication. In addition, the calculator 333 may be connected to the output driver 336 so that the output device 34 displays the result of the arithmetic expression.

13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processor 33 in the calculation mode. Since the functions associated with the processor 33 in the calculation mode operation are similar to those found in a typical calculator, the description of the flowchart of FIG. 13 is omitted only for the sake of simplicity.

When searching for information on a specific word using the pen computer 1, the switch unit 36 is initially operated so that the processor 33 can operate in the pre-search mode. When a character constituting a specific word is written on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15, the character recognition unit 331 performs a process for storing the computer code for the identification character in the calculation area 324. Then, the dictionary search unit 334 determines the word corresponding to the computer code and retrieves the information corresponding to the determined word from the dictionary database area 322 of the memory device 32. Process the stored computer code. This action can be triggered upon detection of computer code for the "?" Character. In addition, the pre-search unit 334 may be connected to the output driver 336 so that the output device 34 displays the information retrieved from the dictionary database area 322 by the pre-search unit 334.

As is known in the art, the process of determining a subject word from computer code is changed according to the selected operating language of the pen computer 1. Since the search routine associated with the dictionary search unit 334 is generally seen in the electronic dictionary, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

In addition, the switch unit 36 may be operated so that the processor 33 operates in the phone book management mode. In the phone book management mode, a name and associated contact number can be added to the phone book storage area 323 and a contact number associated with the input name can be retrieved from the phone book storage area 323. Upon entry to the telephone book storage area 323, the letters constituting the name and the contact number associated with the name are written on the record surface via the ball bearing 15. The character recognition unit 331 performs a process for storing the computer code for the identification character in the operation region 324 as described above. The phone book manager 335 then processes the computer code stored by the character recognition unit 331 to determine the name and contact number corresponding to the computer code. In addition, the phone book manager 335 may be connected to the output driver 336 so that the output device 34 displays the name and contact number determined by the phone book manager 335 for confirmation. Simultaneously with the operation of the switch unit 36 for confirming the accuracy of the information displayed on the output means 34, the phone book manager 335 stores the name and contact number as a new entry in the phone book storage area 323. Save it.

When searching for a contact number in the phone book storage area 323, the characters constituting the input name are written on the recording surface via the ball bearing 15. The character recognition unit 331 performs a process for storing the computer code for the identification character in the operation area 324, and then the phone book management 335 determines the input name corresponding to the computer code. By adding a symbol such as a "?" Character to the input name, the phone book manager 335 can detect the symbol and search the phone book storage area 323 for the contact number associated with the input name. The output device 34 may display the input name searched by the phone book manager 335 and its associated contact number with the help of the output driver 336.

Since the known phone book building and the phone book search technique found in the portable electronic device can be applied to the phone book manager 335, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

In addition, the switch unit 36 may be manipulated such that the processor 33 operates in a clock mode. In the clock mode, the electronic clock unit 332 may generate a time output. The electronic clock unit 332 may be connected to the output driver 336 so that the output device 34 displays the time output of the electronic clock unit 332. As in a conventional electronic clock, the switch unit 36 may be operated in a predetermined manner in which the output time setting and the alarm time setting of the electronic clock unit 332 can be performed when the processor 33 is in the clock mode. . In addition, when it is determined by the electronic clock unit 332 that the time output has reached a preset alarm time, the electronic clock unit 332 immediately operates the alarm generator 35 to generate an alarm output in a known manner.

In addition, the switch unit 36 may be manipulated such that the processor 33 operates in a mouse mode. In the mouse mode, the mouse operator 338 receives the X and Y axis drive signals from the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 '. The mouse operating unit 338 then controls the wireless communication unit 38 to establish a wireless communication link with the computer in a known manner and to transmit X and Y axis drive signals to the corresponding standard communication unit (SCU) 40. To be received by the computer 4 via. Therefore, the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals can be used to control the movement of the cursor on the screen (not shown) of the computer 4. The switch section 36 acts in a similar manner to the switches found in a conventional computer mouse. When the switch unit 36 is operated, the mouse operating unit 338 controls the wireless communication unit 38 to transmit the corresponding switch signal to the computer 4.

In addition, the switch unit 36 may be manipulated to allow the processor 33 to operate in a keyboard mode. In the keyboard mode, the keyboard operating unit 339 receives the computer code generated by the character recognition unit 331. The keyboard operating unit 339 then controls the wireless communication unit 38 to establish a wireless communication link with the computer in a known manner and to transmit the computer code to the computer 4 via the corresponding standard communication unit (SCU) 40. And the pen computer 1 can thus act as a character input device for the computer 4. Therefore, the pen computer 1 of the present invention can be used for character input of a complicated language such as Chinese.

10 and 11B, in the preferred embodiment, the processor 33 further includes a power management unit 337 connected to the memory device 32, and the power management unit 337 includes the pen computer 1. ) Is turned off or the remaining power of the power supply unit 31 is insufficient to ensure the normal operation of the control unit 3 transfers data such as the name of the static RAM and the associated contact number to the flash RAM. To prevent data loss.

The first and second encoding assemblies are not limited to the above-described configuration, but the pen computer of the present invention may employ an encoding assembly of another configuration as shown in Figs.

FIG. 14 shows the rotating member 23a and the sensing unit 24a of the encoding assembly in the pen computer according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rotating member 23a is made of plastic and fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft (not shown), and a plurality of equally spaced shielding arms protruding radially outward from the central mounting part 232a ( It has a shielding arm 230a. The sensing unit 24a includes first and second photodetectors T1 and T2 such as photo transistors, and the first and second photodetectors T1 and T2 are adjacent to the rotating member 23a. It is mounted side by side on a member (not shown). When the rotating shaft rotates in the first direction, each shielding arm 230a first shields the first photodetector T1 before shielding the second photodetector T2. Therefore, the drive signal from the first photodetector T1 changes to the "H" logic level before the drive signal from the second photodetector T2. When the rotating shaft rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, each shielding arm 230a first shields the second photodetector T2 before shielding the first photodetector T1. Therefore, the drive signal from the second photodetector T2 changes to the "H" logic level before the drive signal from the first photodetector T1. If the rotating shaft does not rotate, the first and second photodetectors T1, T2 are not shielded by the shielding arm 230a, and a corresponding drive signal maintained at the "L" logic level is generated.

Fig. 15 shows the rotating member 23b and the sensing unit 24b of the encoding assembly in the pen computer according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rotating member 23a has a central mounting portion 232b fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft (not shown), and a plurality of equally spaced shielding arms 230b protruding radially outwardly from the central mounting portion 232b. have. Each of the shielding arms 230b has a permanent magnet thereon. Preferably, the shielding arm 230b is made of a permanent magnet material. The detector 24b includes first and second hall effect sensors S1 and S2, and the first and second hall effect sensors S1 and S2 are connected to the rotating member 23b. It is mounted side by side on an adjacent frame member (not shown). When the rotating shaft rotates in the first direction, each shielding arm 230b first moves closer to the first Hall effect sensor T1 before moving closer to the second Hall effect sensor S2. Therefore, the drive signal from the first Hall effect sensor S1 changes to the "H" logic level before the drive signal from the second Hall effect sensor S2. When the rotating shaft rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, each shielding arm 230b is first approached to the second Hall effect sensor S2 before moving closer to the first Hall effect sensor S1. Move. Therefore, the drive signal from the second Hall effect sensor S2 changes to the "H" logic level before the drive signal from the first Hall effect sensor S1. If the rotating shaft does not rotate, the first and second Hall effect sensors S1 and S2 are not affected by the magnetism of the shielding arm 230b, and a corresponding drive signal maintained at the "L" logic level is generated.

While the invention has been described in connection with the most practical and preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above but may be practiced by various modifications and variations within the spirit and broadest scope of the invention. It is.

As described above, according to the present invention, the present invention can be used as a calculator, a phone book manager, an electronic dictionary, and the like.

Claims (28)

An elongated pen barrel having a recording stage with a rotatable ball bearing 15 that acts as a ballpoint pen tip 16, and is adapted to hold letters with one hand and to write characters on the recording surface through the ball bearing 15. 10, Mounted on the recording end of the pen barrel 10 to encode the movement of the ball bearing 15 along the X direction to provide an X-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing 15 along the X direction. Generating a first encoding assembly (2), Mounted on the recording end of the pen barrel 10 to encode the movement of the ball bearing 15 along the Y direction to provide a Y-axis drive signal corresponding to the encoded movement of the ball bearing 15 along the Y direction. Generating a second encoding assembly 2 ', Installed in the pen barrel 15 and electrically connected to the first and second encoding assemblies 2, 2 ′ to receive X and Y axis drive signals from these assemblies and to record via the ball bearing 15. And character recognition means (331) for identifying characters written on a surface from the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals and generating a computer code assigned to the identified characters. The method of claim 1, And an output device 34 mounted on the pen case 10 and an output driver 336 installed in the pen case 10 and connected to the output device 34. And the character recognition means (331) is connected to the output driver (336) so that the output device (34) can display the characters identified by the character recognition means (331). The method of claim 2, The output device (34) is a pen computer, characterized in that the display unit for the visual display of the character identified by the character recognition means (331). The method of claim 3, wherein It is configured to further include an electronic clock means 332 is installed in the pen barrel 10 to generate a time output, The electronic clock means (332) is connected to the output driver (336) so that the output device (34) to display the time output of the electronic clock means (332). The method of claim 4, wherein The electronic clock is mounted in the pen case 10 and connected to the electronic clock means 332 to generate an alarm output when it is determined by the electronic clock means 332 that a time output has reached a preset alarm time. And an alarm generator (35) controlled by means (332). The method of claim 1, Characters written on the recording surface correspond to arithmetic expressions, It is configured to further include a calculation means 333 installed in the pen barrel 10 and connected to the character recognition means 331, And said calculating means (333) is operable to process computer code assigned to a character identified by said character recognition means (331) for calculating the result of said arithmetic expression. The method of claim 6, And an output device 34 mounted on the pen case 10 and an output driver 336 installed in the pen case 10 and connected to the output device 34. The computing means (333) is connected to the output driver (336) to cause the output device (34) to display the result of the arithmetic expression. The method of claim 7, wherein And said output device (34) is a display for visual display of the result of said calculation. The method of claim 1, A dictionary database 322 installed in the pen case 10 for storing information on words of a language; It is configured to further include a dictionary search means 334 installed in the pen barrel 10 and connected to the character recognition means 331 and the dictionary database 322, The dictionary search means 334 processes the computer code assigned to the character identified by the character recognition means 331 to determine a word corresponding to the computer code, and stores information corresponding to the determined word in the database ( 322, wherein the pen computer is operable to search. The method of claim 9, And an output device 34 mounted on the pen case 10 and an output driver 336 installed in the pen case 10 and connected to the output device 34. The pre-search means 334 is connected to the output driver 336 so that the output device 34 displays the information retrieved from the dictionary database 322 by the pre-search means 334. Pen computer. The method of claim 10, And said output means is a display unit. The method of claim 1, Characters written on the recording surface correspond to a name and a contact number associated with the name, A phone book storage unit 323 installed in the pen case 10 and for storing a phone book database; It is configured to further include a phone book management means 335 installed in the pen case 10 and connected to the character recognition means 331 and the phone book storage 323, The phone book management means 335 processes the computer code assigned to the character identified by the character recognition means 331 to determine the name and the contact number corresponding to the computer code, and the determined name and contact Pen computer, characterized in that operating in the phone book building mode to store the number in the phone book storage unit (323). The method of claim 12, The telephone book management means 335 processes the computer code assigned to the character identified by the character recognition means 331 to determine a name corresponding to the computer code, and converts the contact number associated with the name into the telephone book. Pen computer, characterized in that also operates in the phone book search mode to search in the storage unit (323). The method of claim 13, And an output device 34 mounted on the pen case 10 and an output driver 336 installed in the pen case 10 and connected to the output device 34. The phone book manager 335 is connected to the output driver 336 and the output device 34 displays the contact number searched by the phone book storage 323 by the phone book manager 335. Pen computer characterized in that. The method of claim 14, The output device (34) is a pen computer, characterized in that the display. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, And a ink supply means (14) installed in the pen barrel (10) to supply ink to the ball bearing (15). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, Each of the first and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2 'includes a frame member 22 fixedly mounted to the recording end of the pen case 10, A rotating shaft 220 rotatably mounted to the frame member 22; A contact member (20, 21) fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft (220) and in contact with the ball bearing (15) and driving the rotation of the ball bearing (15) to a corresponding rotation of the rotating shaft (220); , A rotating member (23, 23a, 23b) fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft (220) and co-rotating with the rotating shaft (220); And a sensing unit (24, 24a, 24b) fixedly mounted to the frame member (22) and generating a drive signal in response to the detection movement of the rotating members (23, 23a, 23b). . The method of claim 17, The rotating member 23 is electrically conductive with a central mounting portion 232 fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft 220, and a plurality of equally spaced contact arms 230 protruding radially outwardly from the central mounting portion 232. Member, electrically connected to a voltage source of a power supply, The sensing unit 24 includes an insulating substrate 241 and front and rear conductor plates 240 and 242 mounted on the front and rear sides of the insulating substrate 241, respectively. In the insulating substrate 241, the contact arm 230 continuously contacts the front conductor plate 240 when the rotating shaft 220 rotates in the first direction, and the first direction of the rotating shaft 220. The contact arm 230 is attached to the frame member 22 proximate to the rotating member 23 so that the contact arm 230 continuously contacts the rear conductor plate 242 during rotation in the second direction opposite to that. Featuring pen computer. The method of claim 17, The rotating member 23a includes a central mounting portion 232a fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft 220 and a plurality of equally spaced shielding arms 230a protruding radially outwardly from the central mounting portion 232a. Composed, The sensing unit 24a includes first and second photodetectors T1 and T2 mounted side by side on the frame member 22 proximate to the rotating member 23a, so that the rotating shaft 220 The shielding arm 230a first shields the first photodetector T1 before the shielding arm 230a shields the second photodetector T2 in the first direction of rotation, and the first portion of the rotating shaft 220. The shielding arm 230a shields the second photodetector T2 first before the shielding arm 230a shields the first photodetector T1 during rotation in a second direction opposite to the direction. Pen computer. The method of claim 19, Wherein said first and second photodetectors (T1, T2) are phototransistors. The method of claim 17, The rotating member 23a has a plurality of equidistant shielding arms having a central mounting portion 232b fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft 220 and radially protruding outward from the central mounting portion 232b and having permanent magnets thereon. 230b, and The sensing unit 24b includes first and second Hall effect sensors S1 and S2 mounted side by side on the frame member 22 proximate to the rotating member 23b, and the rotating shaft 220 When the shielding arm 230b moves in close proximity to the second Hall effect sensor S2 at the time of rotation of the first direction, first moves closer to the first Hall effect sensor T1, and the rotary shaft When the shielding arm 230b moves close to the first Hall effect sensor S1 at the time of rotation of the 220 in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the second Hall effect sensor ( A pen computer, adapted to move in close proximity to S2). The method of claim 1, A mouse operating part installed in the pen barrel 10 and electrically connected to the first and second encoding assemblies 2 and 2 'to receive X and Y axis drive signals from these encoding assemblies 2 and 2'. (338), It further comprises a communication unit 38 installed on the pen barrel 10 and electrically connected to the mouse operation unit 338, The mouse operating unit (338) is characterized in that the communication unit (38) operates to establish a communication link with the computer (4). The method of claim 22, The mouse operating unit (338) is characterized in that the communication unit (38) transmits the X-axis and Y-axis drive signals to be received by the computer (4). The method of claim 23, wherein The X and Y axis drive signals are used to control the movement of the cursor on the screen of the computer (4). The method of claim 22, The communication unit (38) is a pen computer, characterized in that the infrared communication unit. The method of claim 1, A keyboard operating portion 339 installed in the pen case 10 and electrically connected to the character recognition means 331 to receive a computer code from the character recognition means 331; And a communication unit 38 installed on the pen case 10 and electrically connected to the keyboard operating unit 339. The keyboard operator (339) is characterized in that the communication unit (38) operates to establish a communication link with the computer (4). The method of claim 26, The keyboard operating unit (339) is characterized in that the communication unit (38) transmits the computer code so that it can be received by the computer (4). The method of claim 26, The communication unit (38) is a pen computer, characterized in that the infrared communication unit.