WO2016153505A1

WO2016153505A1 - Writing devices

Info

Publication number: WO2016153505A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/022525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marina TALAVERA FLORES; Francesc ROURE PASTOR
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2015-03-25
Filing date: 2015-03-25
Publication date: 2016-09-29

Abstract

An example writing device may capture writing marks and may comprise a plurality of writing cartridges disposed within a writing device body. The example digital writing device may further comprise a cartridge selector to select one of the plurality of writing cartridges, a position detector to determine which writing cartridge is selected, and a communicator to communicate the writing marks and the selected cartridge to a separate peripheral computing system.

Description

WRITING DEVICES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Digital writing devices can be used to capture handwriting, drawing, brush strokes, or other input from a user or other source and transmit the captured data to a peripheral digital device. The user may use the digital writing device to create physical writing or other marks, which are then captured in their analog form by the writing device and transmitted. The digital writing device may translate the analog marks into digital data for display on the peripheral digital device. The peripheral digital device may also translate the digital writing data into text for use in a word processor or other text-based application. The digital writing device may be used in conjunction with specialized paper or another specialized writing surface in order to capture the physical marks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of an example digital writing device.

[0003] Fig. IB is a perspective exploded view of an example digital writing device.

[0004] Fig. 2A is a perspective exploded view of an example digital writing device.

[0005] Fig. 2B is a perspective exploded view of an example digital writing device.

[0006] Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view of an example digital writing device.

[0007] Fig. 2D is a cross-sectional view of an example digital writing device.

[0008] Fig. 2E is a front view of an indicator disc of an example digital writing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Users may interact with digital computing systems in various manners. These may include a mouse or a trackball to control an on-screen cursor, and a keyboard to enter alphanumeric text into the computer system. The alphanumeric text may also be displayed on an output device of the computer system such as a screen or display. Further, a user may interact with a digital computing system through a touch-screen display. The touch-screen display may allow the user to interact with a graphical user interface (GUI) by touching the screen directly with a hand or fingers to manipulate the display or input alphanumeric text. The touch-screen display may also allow the user to interact with the GUI by using a stylus to touch the screen. The stylus may be used to make selections on the GUI, manipulate the interface, or enter alphanumeric text into the GUI. The stylus may also physically resemble a writing utensil, and may be held and used in a similar manner. As such, a stylus could be used to write or draw on the touch-screen much like a user may use a pen or pencil on a piece of paper or other writing surface.

[0010] Users may, further, interact with a digital computing system by using a digital writing device. In some instances, a user may hold and manipulate a digital writing device in a similar manner as a writing utensil, such as a pen or pencil. The digital writing device could be used to write or draw on a surface other than a computing system's screen or display. The digital writing device may comprise and employ one or more digital sensors to capture the movement of the digital writing device, and translate that analog movement into digital data that is

representative of the movement. Such sensors may include accelerometers, positional sensors, cameras, trackball sensors, or other electronic components that are capable of capturing the movement and position of the digital writing device. The digital writing device may also transmit the captured data to a peripheral digital device, such as a peripheral computing system. The peripheral computing system may display the transmitted data on a screen or other display device of the computing system. The computing system may display the transmitted data as it was captured, e.g., as handwriting, drawing, or other gestures. Further, the peripheral computing system may use text recognition technology to translate the transmitted data into alphanumeric text for use in a word processor, or other application.

[0011] In some instances, the digital writing device may include the capability to physically create writing marks such as handwriting, drawing, brush strokes, or other physical input from a user on a writing surface, in addition to capturing the gestures and transmitting them to a peripheral computing system. In such a situation, in addition to the aforementioned sensors, the digital writing device may also employ a camera, photo resistor, or other optical sensor to capture the physically created writing marks, which the digital writing device may then transmit to the peripheral computing system. The digital writing device may, further, use specialized paper or another writing surface to assist in capturing the physically created marks. The specialized paper or surface may include a grid or other reference mark to further assist in capturing the physically created mark.

[0012] In some situations, it may be desirable for a user to change the style or color of the captured marks on the peripheral computing system. This may include the user utilizing software on the peripheral computing system to change the appearance of the captured writing marks. Further, the user may want to physically create writing marks in a different color or style, or switch from a writing device to a stylus. To do this, the user may switch from one digital writing device to another digital writing device that is capable of making writing marks in the desired style, or switching to a dedicated stylus. The user may, additionally, desire that the physical marks in the new style be represented as such on the peripheral computing system. In order to accomplish this, the user may utilize software on the peripheral computing system to change the appearance of the captured marks on the display. Therefore, the user may utilize a plurality of different digital writing devices and a stylus to write or draw in different styles, or utilize a touch-screen, and may, further, use software on the peripheral computing system to change the appearance of the captured writing marks to have a different style.

[0013} Implementations of the present disclosure provide a digital writing device that can physically write and draw in different styles such as different colors. Further, implementations provide a digital writing device that may capture the physical writing, drawing, or other writing marks, including the style in which the writing marks were made. The digital writing device may capture the writing marks by using sensors to capture the movement of the digital writing device, thereby capturing the gestures made by the user. Further, the digital writing device may capture the writing marks by using optical sensors to capture the physically-made writing marks on the writing surface. The digital writing device may then transmit writing data including the captured writing marks, or gestures, and the marking style that was used to create the writing marks, to a peripheral computing system. The peripheral computing system may display the captured writing marks in the style in which they were made by the user, without the user having to separately utilize software on the peripheral computing system to manually change the displayed style of the writing marks. The peripheral computing system, together with the digital writing device, may constitute a digital writing system. The digital writing device may include user-selectable styles of writing, such that a user can switch from writing in one style to writing in another style with the same digital writing device. Implementations of the present disclosure may further provide a digital writing device that may include a user-selectable stylus.

[0014] Referring now to Fig. 1 A, a perspective view of an example digital writing device is illustrated. The digital writing device 100 may include a writing device body 102. The digital writing device may further include a plurality of writing cartridges 104 disposed within the writing device body 102, and a cartridge selector 106 to select one of the plurality of writing cartridges 104. Referring additionally to Fig. IB, a position detector 108 to determine which writing cartridge 102 is selected, and a communicator 110 are further illustrated.

[0015] The writing device body 102 may be the element that a user interacts with the digital writing device 100 through. The writing device body 102 may be a housing or a casing. The body 102 may, further, be sized sufficiently to partially or wholly enclose the plurality of writing cartridges 104. In some implementations, the body 102 may be substantially cylindrical, or tubular. Substantially, in the current context, can mean tubular or cylindrical such that the body can be held by a hand of a user in a similar manner to a traditional writing utensil. In further implementations, the body 102 may be rigid so as to protect elements disposed within the body 102 from damage due to dropping or other impact. Additionally, the digital writing device 100, or the writing device body 102, may include a writing end 112. A portion of one of the plurality of writing cartridges 104 may protrude from an opening 114 in the writing end 112 when that writing cartridge 104 is in a writing position. The protruding writing cartridge 104 may extend from the opening 114 a sufficient amount so the writing cartridge 104 may create a writing mark on a writing surface by a user. As used herein, writing marks may refer to any physical marks created by the digital writing device 100. Writing marks may include writing, drawing, shading, coloring, or any portion thereof. Further, writing surface may refer to any surface upon which such marks are made.

[0016] The plurality of writing cartridges 104 may include multiple, separate writing cartridges 104. Further, the plurality of writing cartridges may include a single unit or piece that has multiple selectable writing components 104. Each writing cartridge 104 may include the ability to dispense or deposit a marking substance on to a writing surface. The marking substance may include ink, graphite, lead, or any other material that is suitable for making marks on a writing surface. Each writing cartridge may employ a writing tip to deposit the marking substance on to the writing surface. The writing tip of each writing cartridge 104 may include any of a ball-point tip, a nib, a tip comprising felt or another porous material, or a tip constructed out of the marking substance itself, such as a graphite tip. Other writing tips that are suitable for depositing a marking substance on to a writing surface may also be employed by one or more of the writing cartridges 104. Further, each writing cartridge 104 may write, draw, or otherwise make marks or deposit its marking substance on to the writing surface in a different style from the other writing cartridges 104. As used herein, different writing, drawing, or marking styles may include different colors, different marking substances, or different marking thicknesses or intensities. Different styles may further include any variation in either the manner of depositing the marking substances on to the writing surface, or the appearance of the marking substances on the writing surface. In some implementations, one or more of the writing cartridges 104 may be an ink cartridge. In further implementations, each writing cartridge 104 comprising an ink cartridge may include a different color ink from the other ink cartridges. In such an

implementation, the different writing styles between the ink cartridges may be the different colors. In further implementations, the plurality of writing cartridges 104 may include five ink cartridges, all comprising a different color ink.

[0017] In some implementations, at least one of the writing cartridges 104 may not include the ability to deposit a marking substance on to the writing surface. One of the writing cartridges 104 may, therefore, be a stylus. Such a stylus may be used by a user to engage and interact with a touch-screen interface, or a GUI on such a touch-screen. Additionally, such a stylus may be used by a user to make gestures on a writing surface without leaving any physical marks, wherein the digital writing device 100 may capture its own motion, thereby capturing the gestures. Further, the style of one of the writing cartridges 104 may be an eraser for removing previously deposited marking substances. In yet further implementations, the style of one of the writing cartridges 104 may be, additionally to or separately from the physical eraser, an eraser for digitally removing previously captured markings from a peripheral computing system, or a screen or display thereof. In some implementations, the stylus may also act as an eraser. In further implementations, the plurality of writing cartridges 104 may comprise four ink cartridges and a fifth writing cartridge 104 that comprises an eraser.

[0018] The plurality of writing cartridges 104 may be disposed partially or wholly within the digital writing device 100, or, further, within the writing device body 102. Each of the plurality of writing cartridges 104 may be selectable to protrude from the opening 114 in the writing end 112 of the digital writing device 100, as illustrated in Fig. 1A. Further, each writing cartridge 104 may be retractable within the digital writing device 100, or the writing device body 102.

[0019] Referring still to Figs. 1A-B, the digital writing device 100 may further include a cartridge selector 106. The cartridge selector 106 may be engaged with the plurality of writing cartridges 104 such that the cartridge selector 106 can select one of the plurality of writing cartridges 104 for use. More specifically, the cartridge selector 106 may select one of the writing cartridges 104 and put the selected cartridge 104 in the writing position so that a user can use the selected writing cartridge 104 to physically make writing marks on a writing surface, and/or digitally capture the writing marks. In some implementations, a user may physically engage with the cartridge selector 106 until a desired writing cartridge 104 is selected and loaded into the writing position. In some implementations, a portion of the cartridge selector 106 may be rotatable relative to the writing device body 102, and a user may select a writing cartridge 104 for use by rotating the cartridge selector 106. In some implementations, the cartridge selector 106 may be rotatable along a longitudinal axis of the writing device body 102. In further implementations, the cartridge selector 106 may include a rotatable wheel, which, in some implementations, may include knurling or ridges. Further, a user may select a writing cartridge 104 for use by rotating the cartridge selector 106 until the desired writing cartridge 104 is substantially aligned with the opening 114 of the writing end 112. Substantially aligned, in this context, may refer to sufficient longitudinal alignment between a desired writing cartridge 104 and the opening 114 such that a portion of the desired writing cartridge 104 is able to protrude through the opening 114.

[0020] The digital writing device 100 may further include a position detector 108 to determine which writing cartridge 104 is selected. The position detector 108 may include one or more sensors. Such sensors may include resistors, potentiometers, photo resistors, strain gauges, or other sensors capable of determining translation, rotation, or position of mechanical elements. The position detector 108 may be engaged with the cartridge selector 106 such that the position detector 108 can determine the position of the cartridge selector 106, and, therefore, determine which writing cartridge 104 has been selected by the cartridge selector 106. Further, the position detector 108 may be engaged with one or more of the plurality of writing cartridges 104 such that the position detector 108 can determine the position of one or more of the writing cartridges 104 and determine which cartridge 104, if any, has been selected by the cartridge selector 106.

[0021] The digital writing device 100 may further include a communicator 110. The communicator 110, in some implementations, may include a component to structurally support and electrically connect multiple electronic components. The communicator 110 may, in some implementations, include a component to electrically connect multiple electronic components with copper pathways. In further implementations, the communicator 110 may comprise a non- conductive substrate with copper pathways etched onto the substrate. In some implementations, the non-conductive substrate may include silicone. In some implementations, the communicator 110 might comprise a single-layer printed circuit board (PCB), or a multi-layer PCB in other implementations.

[0022] The communicator 110 may further comprise circuitry and/or one or more sensors to capture the spatial movement of the digital writing device 100, and translate such analog movement into digital data. Such sensors may include accelerometers, positional sensors, trackball sensors, or other electronic components that are capable of capturing the movement and position of the digital writing device 100, and, thus, any gestures made with the digital writing device 100. The communicator 110 may also include circuitry and electronic sensors to capture physical writing marks made by the digital writing device 100 on a writing surface, and translate the analog writing marks into digital data. The communicator 110, in some implementations, may optically capture the writing marks, e.g., through the use of a camera, photo resistor or similar component. Further, the communicator 110 may also transmit the writing data, in other words, the data from the captured movement or position of the digital writing device 100 and/or the data from the captured physical writing marks, to a peripheral computing system.

[0023] Additionally, the communicator 110 may receive data from the position detector 108. The received data may identify the writing cartridge 104 that is selected, and, therefore, had created the captured physical writing marks described above. The communicator 110 may, additionally to or separately from the writing data, transmit the data identifying the selected writing cartridge 104 to the peripheral computing system. The communicator 110 may transmit the data to the peripheral computing system using wireless data transfer technology, such as Wi- Fi or Bluetooth. The communicator 110 may, further, transmit the data to the peripheral computing system through a wired connection. After receiving the data from the communicator 110, the peripheral computing system may then use the transmitted data from the communicator 110 to display the captured writing marks in the style of the writing cartridge 104 that is selected. In some implementations, one or more of the writing cartridges 104 may include the ability to digitally write in a style other than the style of the physical writing marks. In other words, selected writing cartridge 104 may create physical marks in one style, yet the peripheral computing system may display the captured writing marks in a different style.

[0024] For example, in one implementation, the user may select a writing cartridge 104 that comprises blue ink, and proceed to write in the blue ink on the writing surface. The digital writing device 100 may capture either the physical blue writing marks using the communicator 110, or the spatial gestures of the writing device 100, or both. The position detector 108 may determine that the blue writing cartridge is selected, and transmit the data identifying the cartridge to the communicator 110. The communicator 110 may then transmit the captured blue writing marks or the spatial gestures, or both, along with the data identifying the selected cartridge as the blue ink cartridge, to the peripheral computing system. The peripheral computing system may then use the transmitted data from the communicator to display the captured writing marks in a blue color. Further, the user may then desire to change the color of the writing marks to red. The user may, consequently, engage with the cartridge selector 106 to select and load a writing cartridge 104 that comprises red ink, and use the same digital writing device 100 to make physical writing marks in red ink on the writing surface. The peripheral computing system may then, utilizing the same process described above regarding the blue ink, display the subsequently captured writing marks in a red color.

[0025] Referring now to Fig. 2A, an exploded, perspective view of an example digital writing device 200 is illustrated. Digital writing device 200 may be similar to digital writing device 100. Further, the similarly named elements of digital writing device 200 may be similar in function to the elements of digital writing device 100, as they are described above. The digital writing device 200 may include a cartridge housing 216 to receive a plurality of writing cartridges 204. The cartridge housing 216 may be disposed within a writing device body 202, and include a plurality of writing cartridges 204. Referring additionally to Fig. 2B, an exploded view of the cartridge housing 216 is illustrated. The cartridge housing 216 may further include an outer cylinder 230, a plurality of movable segments 226 disposed within the outer cylinder 230, a cartridge guide 220, and a plurality of bias members 228.

[0026] In some implementations, the movable segments 226 may be partially disposed within the outer cylinder 230, or not disposed within the outer cylinder 230 at all. The outer cylinder 230 may be a housing or a casing. Further, the outer cylinder 230 may retain the movable segments 226 in proper position when the cartridge housing 216 is in an assembled condition. In some implementations, the outer cylinder 230 may retain the movable segments 226 in a cylindrical orientation or a circular pattern. In yet further implementations, the outer cylinder 230 may retain five movable segments 226 in a cylindrical orientation.

[0027] Each movable segment 226 may be movable relative to the remaining movable segments 226. In some implementations, each movable segment 226 may be longitudinally slidable relative to the remaining movable segments 226. In some implementations, each movable segment 226 may be in the shape of a part of a cylinder, with a wedge-shaped cross- section, as illustrated in Fig. 2B. Each movable segment 226 may be longitudinally slidable relative to the other movable segments 226, with the longitudinal direction being parallel to the axis of such a cylindrical orientation of the segments 226. The plurality of movable segments 226 may, further, hold a plurality of writing cartridges 204. In some implementations, each movable segment 226 may hold one writing cartridge 204. In further implementations, each movable segment 226 may hold more than one writing cartridge 204. Each movable segment 226 may hold a writing cartridge 204 in a longitudinal direction. In this context, the longitudinal direction may refer to the axis of such a writing cartridge 204, and, in some implementations, this direction may also be parallel to an axis of a cylindrical orientation of the plurality of segments 226. In further implementations, each movable segment 226 may hold a writing cartridge 204 such that the writing cartridge 204 moves with the movable segment 226 that retains it. Thus, when a movable segment 226 is slid longitudinally relative to the other segments 226, the writing cartridge 204 held by the sliding segment 226 may be slid

longitudinally relative to the other movable segments 226, as well.

[0028] Referring still to Fig. 2B, the cartridge housing 216 may further include a cartridge guide 220. The cartridge guide 220 may be disposed at one end of the outer cylinder 230, either partially or wholly within the cylinder 230, or outside the cylinder 230. Further, the cartridge guide 220 may substantially match the geometric cross-section of the assembled movable segments 226. In other words, if the movable segments are retained by the outer cylinder 230 in a cylindrical orientation, the cartridge guide 220 may, additionally, have a cylindrical cross-section. The cartridge guide 220 may, further, comprise a plurality of apertures that extend through the thickness of the cartridge guide 220. The number of apertures may, in some implementations, match the number of writing cartridges 204 in the writing device 200. Each aperture may be sized sufficiently to receive a portion of a writing cartridge 204, such that that portion of the cartridge 204 can extend all the way through the cartridge guide 220 by way of the respective aperture. Therefore, each of the plurality of writing cartridges 204 may extend through cartridge guide 220 such that, if the cartridge guide were to rotate, the writing cartridges 204, and thus, the movable segments 226 may rotate with the guide, and vice versa. In some implementations, the cartridges 204 and the segments 226 may rotate within the outer cylinder 230 about an axis of the outer cylinder 230 when the cartridge guide 220 rotates about the same axis, and vice versa.

[0029] The cartridge housing 216 may further include a plurality of bias members 228. Each bias member 228 may be a resilient component that can return to its original shape after being deformed. In some implementations, each bias member 228 may provide a reactive force proportional to the degree of deformation of the bias member 228. The reactive force may be proportionate to the deformation of the bias member 228 in a linear, a progressive, or a degressive manner. In some implementations, the reactive force may be a constant reaction to the deformation of the bias member 228. The bias member 228 may comprise a coil or coils to achieve its elastic properties. In some implementations, the bias member 228 may comprise a metallic material, such as spring steel. In further implementations, the bias member 228 may comprise a polymer material, such as a plastic. The bias member 228 may be a compression spring that reacts to a linear compressive deformation with a linear reactive force. In some implementations, the bias member 228 may be a torsion spring that reacts to an angular deformation with an angular reactive force. In further implementations, each bias member 228 may be a tension or extension spring that reacts to a stretching, or tensile, deformation with a linear reactive force in the opposite direction of the deformation. [0030] Each bias member 228 may be substantially aligned with a writing cartridge 204. In this context, substantially aligned may refer to the bias member 228 being oriented along the direction of movement of the movable segment 226 and the writing cartridge 204 in a sufficient manner such that, in reaction to the movement, the bias member 228 will provide a reactive force to the segment 226, and/or cartridge 204 in the opposite direction to such a movement. In some implementations, each bias member 228 may be a compression spring and be oriented in a concentric manner to the axis of a writing cartridge. In further implementations, each bias member 228 may be disposed longitudinally around a writing cartridge 204 and in between a movable segment 226 and the cartridge guide 220. In such an implementation, the movable segment 226 may slide towards the cartridge guide 220, thereby compressing the bias member 228, with the bias member 228 exerting an expansive reactive force in the opposite direction of the sliding.

[0031] Referring, again, to Fig. 2A, the digital writing device 200 may also include a cartridge selector 206. The cartridge selector 206 may comprise a cartridge loader 222 and a cartridge rod 217. The cartridge rod 217 may engage with the cartridge housing 216 and/or the movable segments 226 or the writing cartridges 204. If the writing cartridges 204 and segments 226 are arranged in a cylindrical orientation the cartridge rod 217 may extend through the center of the pattern or arrangement. Further, the rod 217 may extend all the way through the circular pattern and engage with the cartridge guide 220, which may be fixed to the rod 217 such that the guide 220 cannot rotate relative to the rod 217. Therefore, the cartridge guide 220 may rotate with the cartridge rod 217, thereby causing the writing cartridges 204 and the movable segments 226 to rotate as well, as described above regarding cartridge guide 220. In some

implementations, the cartridge rod 217 may engage with the cartridge guide 220 through a center orifice in the cartridge guide 220. The cartridge rod 217 may extend partially or wholly through the center orifice of the cartridge guide 220. In further implementations, the center orifice may be pentagonal, or in the shape of a pentagon. The cartridge rod 217 may also have a pentagonal cross-section such that when the rod 217 is inserted into the pentagonal center orifice, the rod cannot rotate relative to the cartridge guide 220.

[0032] In yet further implementations, the cartridge housing 216 may include five movable segments 226 arranged in a circular or cylindrical manner such that they form a cylinder when assembled. Each movable segment 226 may, therefore, be in the shape of a wedge, or one-fifth of a cylinder. Further, each movable segment 226 may have a flat portion at the tip of their wedge-shape, such that, when the segments are assembled together into a cylinder, the collective flat portions of the five wedges form a pentagonal orifice through the length of the assembled movable segments 226. The cartridge rod 217 may further engage with such a pentagonal orifice of the assembled segments 226 such that when the rod 217 is rotated, the movable segments 226, and the writing cartridges 204 held within them, rotate with the pentagonal cross-section cartridge rod 217. The rod 217 and the assembled segments 226 and writing cartridges 204 may rotate about an axis that is eccentric to the center point of an opening 214 of a writing end 212 of the writing device body 202. Therefore, when the cartridge rod 217 is rotated, each writing cartridge 204 may rotate from out of alignment with the opening 214 to in alignment with the opening 214. The writing cartridge 204 may then continue rotating to out of alignment again if it is not the desired writing cartridge 204. Thus, a user may select a writing cartridge 204 for use by rotating a portion of the cartridge selector 206, and thus the cartridge rod 217, until the desired writing cartridge 204 is substantially aligned with the opening 214 of the writing end 212 of the writing device body 202.

[0033] The cartridge selector 206 may further include a cartridge loader 222. The cartridge loader 222 may engage with the cartridge housing 216 or the movable segments 226 or writing cartridges 204 in order to load a writing cartridge 204 into a writing position once the desired cartridge 204 is substantially aligned with the opening 214. Further, the cartridge loader 222 may be used to unload a writing cartridge 204 from the writing position to a stowed position.

[0034] Referring now to Fig. 2C, a cross-sectional view of an example digital writing device 200 is illustrated wherein all of the writing cartridges 204 are in the stowed position. Each writing cartridge 204 may be held in the stowed position by the respective bias members 228. As mentioned above, a user may actuate the selector 206 such that the cartridge rod 217 rotates until the desired writing cartridge 204 is substantially aligned with the opening 214. The user may then utilize the cartridge loader 222 to move the desired writing cartridge 204 in a loading direction 232 until the writing cartridge 204 protrudes from the opening 214 and is in the writing position. In some implementations, the user may utilize the cartridge loader 222 by engaging with and pushing on a tab 236 of the loader 222 in the loading direction 232. The loader may additionally have a protrusion 244 that engages with and slides the movable segment 226 holding the desired writing cartridge 204 in the loading direction 232. The movable segment 226 may compress the associated bias member 228 when moving in the loading direction 232, and the bias member 228 may provide resistance in the opposite direction. In some

implementations, the segment 226 may compress the bias member 228 against the cartridge guide 220.

[0035] Referring now to Fig. 2D, a cross-sectional view of an example digital writing device 200 is illustrated wherein a desired writing cartridge 204 is in the writing position. The writing position may refer to a condition where the desired writing cartridge 204 is protruding from the opening 214 in the writing end 212 to a sufficient degree such that a user can engage the protruding portion of the writing cartridge 204 with a writing surface to make writing marks, or another intended surface, such as a touch-screen display.

[0036] As described above regarding Fig. 2C, the movement of the segment 226 in the loading direction 232 may compress the bias member 228 against the cartridge guide 220, as illustrated in Fig. 2D. The bias member 228 may provide constant force against the movable segment 226 in a direction opposite to the loading direction 232, or, in other words, in a stowing direction 246. Once the writing cartridge 204 is in the writing position as seen in Fig. 2D, the cartridge loader 222 may prevent the bias member 228 from sliding the movable segment 226, and thus the loaded writing cartridge 204, back in the stowing direction 246. To accomplish this, the loader 222 may comprise one or more guide arms 238 and/or one or more retention arms 242. The guide arms 238 may extend from the loader 222 in a lateral direction, that is, in a direction that is lateral to the desired degree of freedom of the loader 222. In some implementations, the desired degree of freedom of the loader 222 is along directions 232 and 246 such that the loader 222 can move the writing cartridges 204 between stowed and writing positions. Each guide arm 238 of the loader 222 may extend into a guide rail 240. The one or more guide rails 240 may be channels to receive the associated guide arms 238 of the loader 222, and along which the associated guide arms 238 can move. The guide rail 240 for each guide arm 238 may be integrated into the writing device body 202, or it may be a separate element, in some

implementations. The one or more guide rails 240 may allow the guide arms 238, and thus, the loader 222, to move in the desired degrees of freedom.

[0037] Further, the loader 222 may comprise one or more retention arms 242. The retention arms 242 may also extend from the loader 222 in a lateral direction and into associated guide rails 240, similar to the guide arms 238. The retention arms 242 may also move along their associated guide rails 240. At least one of the guide rails 240 may further comprise a notch to receive at least a portion of the associated retention arm 242. In some implementations, the notch in each guide rail 240 may extend from the guide rail 240 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the loader 222. Each retention arm 242 may move along the guide rail 240 and, upon reaching the notch in the associated guide rail, latch into the notch, such that the loader 222 cannot move any further. Therefore, the user may move the loader 222 in a loading direction 232, against the resistance of the bias member 228, until the writing cartridge 204 is in the writing position, and, at such a point, at least one retention arm 242 may latch into the notch in the associated guide rail 240, thereby preventing the bias member 228 from moving the writing cartridge 204 back in the stowing direction 246.

[0038] In some implementations, the retention arms 242 may comprise acute angle geometry, as seen in Fig. 2D, and the associated notch may comprise complementary geometry to receive the acute angle geometry. The acute angle geometry may prevent the retention arm 242 from being removed from the notch without first compressing the bias member 228 further. Thus, a user may release the retention arm 242 from the notch by moving the loader further in the loading direction 232, then, once removed from the notch, the retention arm 242 may allow the loader 222 to be moved back in the stowing direction 246 until the writing cartridge 204 is in the stowed position. In further implementations, the loader 222 may further include a locking bias member 234. The locking bias member 234 may be disposed on the loader 222 and provide a resistance between the loader 222 and the cartridge housing 230 or the movable segment 226 that holds the desired writing cartridge 204. The resistance from the locking bias member 234 may be in the direction towards the retention arm 242, such that when the retention arm 242 is latched into the respective notch, the resistance forces the retention arm 242 further into the notch. Thus, in order to remove the retention arm 242 from the notch so that the loader 222 can move in the stowing position, a user may have to first move the loader 222 in a direction against the resistance of the bias member 234 to unlock the retention arm 242 from the associated notch.

[0039] Referring now back to Fig. 2A, as well as to Fig. 2E, the digital writing device 200 may further include a position detector 208. The position detector may include an indicator disc 218. The indicator disk 218, in some implementations, may rotate with the writing cartridges 204 such that the disc is fixed relative to the writing cartridges 204. Each specific writing cartridge 204 may be associated with a specific portion of the indicator disc 218. The position detector 208 may, further, include a detecting sensor 219, which may be fixed in the digital writing device 200 such that the indicator disk 218 rotates relative to the sensor 219. A user may rotate the cartridge selector 206, thereby rotating the writing cartridges 204 and the indicator disc 218 relative to the detecting sensor 219 until a desired writing cartridge 204 is aligned and moved into the writing position. The detecting sensor 219 may then detect which portion of the indicator disc 218 is in the selected position. From the detected portion of the indicator disc 218, the position detector may detect which writing cartridge 204 is in the writing position, and transmit data identifying the selected and loaded cartridge 204 to a communicator 210. The communicator 210 may then communicate the identity of the loaded cartridge to a peripheral computing system. The communicator 210 may, additionally, capture physical writing marks made by a user with the writing cartridge 204 that is in the writing position, and transmit the captured writing marks, along with the identity of the loaded cartridge, to the peripheral computing system for display, as described above. The communicator 210 may capture the physical writing marks using a sensor 224. In some implementations, the sensor 224 may be an optical sensor such as a camera or a photo resistor. In some implementations, the detecting sensor 219 may comprise an optical sensor such as a photo resistor. Referring to Fig. 2E, in some implementations, the indicator disc 218 may comprise different portions 248, wherein each portion 248 may be associated with a different writing cartridge 204. In some implementations, each portion 248 may comprise a different color, wherein each colored portion 248 is associated with the writing cartridge 204 of the same color. In further implementations, the indicator disc 218 may comprise 5 portions, each of a different color and associated with five different color writing cartridges 204 disposed within the digital writing device 200.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A writing device to capture writing marks, comprising:

a plurality of writing cartridges disposed within a writing device body;

a cartridge selector to select one of the plurality of writing cartridges;

a position detector to determine which writing cartridge is selected; and a communicator to communicate the writing marks and the selected cartridge to a separate peripheral computing system.

2. The writing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of writing cartridges is to write in a different style.

3. The writing device of claim 2, wherein the peripheral computing system is to receive and display the writing marks in the style corresponding to the selected cartridge.

4. The writing device of claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of cartridges is an ink cartridge comprising ink for creating writing marks in ink.

5. The writing de vice of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of writing cartridges comprising ink includes a different color of ink.

6. The writing device of claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of cartridges is a stylus.

7. The writing device of claim 6, wherein the stylus is to further act as an eraser.

8. A writing device, comprising:

a writing device body;

a cartridge housing disposed within the writing device body, the cartridge housing to receive a plurality of writing cartridges, wherein each writing cartridge is to write in a different style;

a rotatable cartridge selector to select one of the plurality of writing cartridges; a position detector to determine which writing cartridge is selected; and a communicator to communicate writing data and the selected writing cartridge to a separate peripheral computing system, the peripheral computing system to display the writing data, captured by the writing device, in the style corresponding to the selected cartridge.

9. The writing device of claim 8, wherein the cartridge selector further includes a cartridge loader to load a writing cartridge into a writing position.

10. The writing device of claim 9, wherein the cartridge housing includes a plurality of movable segments, each segment to hold one of the plurality of writing cartridges and to engage with the cartridge loader.

11. The writing device of claim 10, wherein the cartridge loader is to slide the movable segment of the selected cartridge towards a writing end of the writing device such that the selected writing cartridge protrudes from the writing end of the writing device.

12. The writing device of claim 11 , wherein one of the writing cartridges is an ink cartridge to write in ink, the communicator to capture the ink writing and communicate the ink writing to the peripheral computing system.

13. A writing system, comprising:

a writing device including a plurality of selectable writing cartridges to write in a plurality of styles,

wherein the writing device is to capture writing data, including the style of the selected writing cartridge; and

a separate peripheral computing system to receive and display the captured writing data,

wherein the displayed writing data includes the style of the selected writing cartridge.

14. The writing system of claim 13, wherein the writing device further includes a communicator to communicate the writing data, including the style of the selected writing cartridge, from the writing device to the peripheral computing system.

15. The writing system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of styles includes a plurality of different writing colors, the peripheral computing system to display the captured writing data in the writing color of the selected writing cartridge.