WO2002093467A1 - Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap - Google Patents

Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002093467A1
WO2002093467A1 PCT/SE2001/001036 SE0101036W WO02093467A1 WO 2002093467 A1 WO2002093467 A1 WO 2002093467A1 SE 0101036 W SE0101036 W SE 0101036W WO 02093467 A1 WO02093467 A1 WO 02093467A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cap
electronic pen
sensor unit
pen according
pen
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2001/001036
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christer FÅHRAEUS
Johan Lindgren
Stefan BURSTRÖM
Original Assignee
Anoto Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anoto Ab filed Critical Anoto Ab
Priority to PCT/SE2001/001036 priority Critical patent/WO2002093467A1/en
Priority to JP2002590068A priority patent/JP2004527853A/en
Priority to CN01823376.7A priority patent/CN1227619C/en
Priority to US10/141,962 priority patent/US7239306B2/en
Publication of WO2002093467A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002093467A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03545—Pens or stylus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic pen having a body and a cap.
  • the invention also relates to a method of activating an electronic pen and a method of deactivating an electronic pen.
  • Electronic pens are known having sensors and electronic devices for digitally recording what is written with the pen.
  • Different kinds of sensors may be arranged in the pen for determining its position, e.g. acceleration sensors, as described in US-A-5 434 371 and US-A-6 130 666, optical sensors, as described in US-A-5 294 792, US-A-5 852 434 and WO 00/73983, pressure sensors, as described in US-A-6 104 388, or mechanical sensors, as described in US-A-5 294 792 and
  • An object of the present invention is to further simplify and improve the use of an electronic pen, particularly by making it easier to activate and deactivate the same.
  • the pen according to the present invention utilises a cap for easily activating and deactivating an electronic pen.
  • the electronic pen is further provided with a sensor unit for detecting the presence or absence of the cap.
  • the sensor unit comprises a mechanical switch.
  • This has the main advantage of not using any electric power for the switching process.
  • the use of a mechanical switch provides high reliability of operation.
  • the wide selection of standard components makes this solution simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • the sensor unit comprises an electric switch. This is also a solution that does not require any electric power since an electric switch is a passive component.
  • the sensor unit is contactlessly operable.
  • the closed cover also gives the advantage of an increased resistance to electric shock.
  • the contactlessly operable sensor unit may comprise a motion sensor. This has the advantage that the motion sensor can be placed anywhere in the pen, thus simplifying the assembly of the pen.
  • the contactlessly operable sensor unit comprises a light sensor. This provides a convenient and secure way of detecting the presence or absence of the cap.
  • the light sensor is a solid state imaging device, such as a camera. It is preferred that this camera is a camera that is usable for registration of information during operation of the electronic pen. This gives the advantage of not having to add extra components to the pen, thus lowering the size, weight and cost of the pen.
  • the contactlessly operable sensor unit comprises a pressure sensor in addition to the above-mentioned light sensor. This gives the advantage of an even more secure determination of the presence or absence of the cap.
  • This pressure sensor is preferably also usable for sensing when a writing implement in the pen is pressed against a writing surface. This is convenient since it minimises the amount of components in the pen.
  • the contactlessly operable sensor unit utilises changes in a magnetic field for detecting the presence or absence of the cap. This provides a reliable and durable detection solution.
  • a reed switch is arranged in the body and a magnet is arranged in the cap. This provides a simple and reliable solution using standard components. This is also an energy-saving solution, since the reed switch is a passive component.
  • Hall element is arranged in the body and a magnet is arranged in the cap. This provides a space-saving solution since the Hall element and magnet can be made small. It is possible to choose a Hall element, the characteristics of which are not sensitive to changes in temperature, thus making it a reliable solution, and since it is not easily worn out by use, it is also a durable solution. Hall elements are standard components on the market and simple to mount, which simplifies the manufacture of the pen.
  • the magnet is arranged underneath a clip on the cap.
  • a clip on the cap This is advantageous since it gives more space for the magnet on the cap since it is possible to locally increase the cap wall thickness, without changing the overall appearance of the cap, to form a pocket holding the magnet.
  • the clip can be made from a magnetically shielding material, such as a ferritic material, to minimise the magnetic field around the pen, thereby protecting magnetic strips on e.g. credit cards kept in the vicinity of the pen from being affected by the magnetic field of the magnet.
  • a field concentrator such as an element of ferritic material, is arranged adjacent to said Hall element.
  • a field concentrator is advantageous since it allows for the use of a smaller magnet in the cap.
  • a field concentrator also gives the possibilities of putting the magnet at a larger distance from the Hall element and of reducing the need for accuracy in the placement of the magnet opposite the Hall element.
  • a magnet is arranged adjacent to the Hall element to provide an amplified background magnetic field, making it possible to switch the Hall element with a weaker magnetic field.
  • the sensor unit comprises a vibration sensor. This is a stable and durable solution, and it also has the advantage of not being affected by electric and magnetic interference.
  • Fig 1 shows an electronic pen according to the invention.
  • Fig 2 shows, on a larger scale, a section through a cap and part of a body of the electronic pen in Fig 1.
  • Fig 3' is a partially transparent side view of the ca .
  • Fig 4 is a partially transparent perspective view of the inside of the cap.
  • the electronic pen 1 of the invention has a body 2 and a cap 3 with a clip 4.
  • the cap 3 is placed on a front end portion 2a of the body 2.
  • the cap 3 can be any form of means used to cover the front end portion 2a of the pen 1 that is being used for recording information during use of the pen 1.
  • a circuit board 5 is arranged (see Fig 2) .
  • a writing implement e.g. an ink cartridge 6, a solid state imaging device, such as a CMOS or CCD camera 7, and a light emitting diode (LED) 8 are also arranged in the front end portion 2a of the body 2.
  • a Hall element 9 and a ferritic element, in this case a screw 10 are mounted next to each other.
  • a magnet 11 is placed underneath the clip 4 in a recess 12 on the inside of the cap 3.
  • a ring magnet mounted in the cap or to mould magnetic material into the cap e.g. using injection moulding, in which magnetic material is mixed with a polymer and moulded into a cap, or insert moulding, in which polymer material is moulded around a magnet .
  • the cap 3 covers the tip of the ink cartridge 6 when placed on the front end portion 2a of the body 2. This cap 3 may be removed from the body 2 of the pen 1. Prior to use of the pen 1 the cap 3 is removed. Removal of the cap 3 activates the pen 1.
  • the activation can be achieved in two stages, i.e. the pen 1 is put in a stand-by mode when the cap 3 is removed, and is activated completely when the tip of the ink cartridge 6 is pressed against a writing surface as sensed e.g. by a pressure sensor (not shown) connected to the ink cartridge 6.
  • the pen 1 being in stand-by mode may e.g. imply that a processor in the pen 1 is activated, while the camera 7 and the LED 8 are still inactive.
  • the pen may connect to the external device in the stand-by mode, to thereby streamline the operation of the pen.
  • an external device such as a PDA, computer or mobile phone
  • a wireless interface such as short-range radio, inductive coupling or infrared light
  • the pen being completely activated may e.g. imply that the camera 7 is active and that the LED 8 is turned on to illuminate the writing surface.
  • the stand-by mode may be omitted so that the pen 1 is completely activated when the cap 3 is being taken off.
  • the activation is performed by the use of a sensor unit.
  • the sensor unit is exemplified as a Hall element 9 and a magnet 11.
  • An actuation device for the pen comprises the sensor unit and any other form of equipment in the pen used for activating the pen.
  • the magnet 11 When the cap 3 is removed, the magnet 11 is distanced from the Hall element 9 causing a change in the magnetic field affecting the Hall element 9. A resulting voltage difference in the Hall element 9 is used to activate the equipment in the pen as described above.
  • the ferritic element 10 attracts the magnetic field and concentrates it around the Hall element 9, so that the magnet 11 in the cap 3 can be made small, with a thickness of approximately 1 mm and a diameter of 3 mm.
  • a magnet (not shown) might be arranged adjacent to the Hall element to enhance the magnetic field locally at the Hall element. Thereby only a small increase in the magnetic field is needed to switch the Hall element 9.
  • the placement of the magnet 11 in the recess 12 makes it easy to slide the magnet 11 into position, thus making the assembling of the cap 3 simple .
  • the clip 4 is placed immediately above the recess 12, thus hiding the bulge 13 that makes it possible to make a larger recess 12.
  • the clip 4 is made of ferritic material and therefore also shields the exterior of the cap from the magnet, thus protecting magnetic strips of credit cards and the like from being affected by the magnetic field.
  • the magnetic field affecting the Hall element 9 changes as the magnet 11 approaches the Hall element 9.
  • the resulting voltage change is used to deactivate the equipment in the pen 1.
  • all equipment need not be immediately deactivated. It is possible that the pen 1 first completes ongoing processing of information.
  • a contactlessly operable sensor unit is used to activate and deactivate the electronic pen 1.
  • the design of the cap 3 and the body 2 is such that the magnet 11 is placed directly above the Hall element 9 when the cap 3 is protecting the front end 2a. This can be achieved, for example, by the body and cap being non- circular in cross-section, for example elliptic, polygonal etc. Further, there might be provided cooperating guiding ribs and/or recesses on the cap and the pen body. Instead of one or more magnetic field sensors, the pen may include sensors that use, for example, light or pressure differences to detect the presence or absence of the cap 3.
  • a light sensor that is covered by the cap 3 when this is placed on the pen can be mounted on the front end 2a.
  • the light that is sensed by the light sensor causes the pen 1 to be activated.
  • the camera 7 may be used as such a light sensor.
  • the camera 7 is activated, at least periodically, to sense if the cap 3 has been removed.
  • the cap 3 can be designed to exert pressure on the ink cartridge 6 in the longitudinal direction thereof, so as to generate a corresponding output signal from the above-mentioned pressure sensor.
  • the activation of the camera/light sensor can be interrupted when the pressure sensor output signal persists for more than a given time limit.
  • the pen 1 can be activated based on either the signal from the camera 7 or the pressure sensor.
  • the pen 1 is deactivated based on the signal from the camera 7.
  • the combination of camera and pressure sensor has the additional advantage of preventing the pen from being deactivated by mistake when used in a dark room.
  • a motion sensor such as a linear acceleration sensor, preferably placed in the longitudinal direction of the pen, that detects the longitudinal movement of the pen 1 that occurs when the cap 3 and the body 1 are separated.
  • a motion sensor such as a linear acceleration sensor, preferably placed in the longitudinal direction of the pen, that detects the longitudinal movement of the pen 1 that occurs when the cap 3 and the body 1 are separated.
  • the motion sensor may trigger a light sensor, for example the camera 7, to sense whether the cap 3 is on or off, to ensure that the pen 1 is not activated by a motion when the cap is placed on the body 2.
  • the activation and deactivation of the pen 1 can also be achieved using a mechanical switch, which is arranged in the front end portion 2a of the pen 1. When the cap 3 is removed from the body 2 the switch is released, and this is used to activate the equipment in the pen 1. Examples of such mechanical switches are tilt switches, tip switches, slide switches, push-buttons etc.
  • Another way of achieving the activation and deactivation of the pen 1 is to use an electric switch. This could, for example, be implemented using two metal pins protruding from the body 2 and a metal piece on the inside of the cap 3. When the cap 3 is placed on the front end 2a, the metal pins and the metal piece in the cap 3 form a closed circuit, and when the cap is removed, the connection is broken, which causes an open circuit. It is also possible to metallise the entire inside surface of ' the cap 3, or to use a metal cap 3.
  • the removal of the cap 3 does not activate the pen 1, but instead the placement of the cap 3 on another part of the body 2 , e.g. the part opposite to the front end portion 2a, activates the pen 1.

Abstract

An electronic pen has a body, a cap and an actuation device. The actuation device comprises a sensor unit for sensing presence or absence of the cap on the body. The actuation device is operable to activate the electronic pen in response to removal of the cap from the body or in response to placement of the cap on a portion separated from a front end portion of the body, . The actuation device is further operable to deactivate the electronic pen in response to placement of the cap on a portion separated from a front end portion of the body. The actuation device is further operable to deactivate the electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said body. methods for activating and deactivating an electronic pen are also described.

Description

ELECTRONIC PEN WITH ACTUATION THROUGH REMOVAL OF CAP
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electronic pen having a body and a cap. The invention also relates to a method of activating an electronic pen and a method of deactivating an electronic pen. Background Art
Electronic pens are known having sensors and electronic devices for digitally recording what is written with the pen. Different kinds of sensors may be arranged in the pen for determining its position, e.g. acceleration sensors, as described in US-A-5 434 371 and US-A-6 130 666, optical sensors, as described in US-A-5 294 792, US-A-5 852 434 and WO 00/73983, pressure sensors, as described in US-A-6 104 388, or mechanical sensors, as described in US-A-5 294 792 and
US-A-6 130 666 . In still other types of electronic pens, triangulation of signals (e.g. light, sound, IR radiation etc) is used for position determination, such as described in US-A-5 012 049. It would be desirable to find a way of activating and deactivating such electronic pens and electronic pens of other types in a manner that is easy and intuitive for the user. Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to further simplify and improve the use of an electronic pen, particularly by making it easier to activate and deactivate the same.
This object is achieved by means of a pen according to claims 1, 2 and 3, a method of activating an electronic pen according to claims 23 and 27 and a method of deactivating an electronic pen according to claim 25, preferred embodiments and variants being defined in subclaims related thereto. The pen according to the present invention utilises a cap for easily activating and deactivating an electronic pen. The electronic pen is further provided with a sensor unit for detecting the presence or absence of the cap.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit comprises a mechanical switch. This has the main advantage of not using any electric power for the switching process. The use of a mechanical switch provides high reliability of operation. The wide selection of standard components makes this solution simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit comprises an electric switch. This is also a solution that does not require any electric power since an electric switch is a passive component.
According to another embodiment, the sensor unit is contactlessly operable. This gives the advantage of not having to make openings in the cover of the body, thus increasing the structural strength of the pen and reducing the risk of dust and moisture entering the body, thereby making the pen more robust. The closed cover also gives the advantage of an increased resistance to electric shock. The contactlessly operable sensor unit may comprise a motion sensor. This has the advantage that the motion sensor can be placed anywhere in the pen, thus simplifying the assembly of the pen.
According to still another embodiment, the contactlessly operable sensor unit comprises a light sensor. This provides a convenient and secure way of detecting the presence or absence of the cap.
According to a preferred embodiment, the light sensor is a solid state imaging device, such as a camera. It is preferred that this camera is a camera that is usable for registration of information during operation of the electronic pen. This gives the advantage of not having to add extra components to the pen, thus lowering the size, weight and cost of the pen.
In another embodiment of the invention, the contactlessly operable sensor unit comprises a pressure sensor in addition to the above-mentioned light sensor. This gives the advantage of an even more secure determination of the presence or absence of the cap.
This pressure sensor is preferably also usable for sensing when a writing implement in the pen is pressed against a writing surface. This is convenient since it minimises the amount of components in the pen.
According to one embodiment, the contactlessly operable sensor unit utilises changes in a magnetic field for detecting the presence or absence of the cap. This provides a reliable and durable detection solution.
One way of utilising the magnetic field is to use a reed switch. In a preferred embodiment, the reed switch is arranged in the body and a magnet is arranged in the cap. This provides a simple and reliable solution using standard components. This is also an energy-saving solution, since the reed switch is a passive component.
Another way of utilising changes in a magnetic field is to use a Hall element. In a preferred embodiment, the Hall element is arranged in the body and a magnet is arranged in the cap. This provides a space-saving solution since the Hall element and magnet can be made small. It is possible to choose a Hall element, the characteristics of which are not sensitive to changes in temperature, thus making it a reliable solution, and since it is not easily worn out by use, it is also a durable solution. Hall elements are standard components on the market and simple to mount, which simplifies the manufacture of the pen.
In a preferred embodiment, the magnet is arranged underneath a clip on the cap. This is advantageous since it gives more space for the magnet on the cap since it is possible to locally increase the cap wall thickness, without changing the overall appearance of the cap, to form a pocket holding the magnet. Further, the clip can be made from a magnetically shielding material, such as a ferritic material, to minimise the magnetic field around the pen, thereby protecting magnetic strips on e.g. credit cards kept in the vicinity of the pen from being affected by the magnetic field of the magnet.
In another embodiment of the invention, a field concentrator, such as an element of ferritic material, is arranged adjacent to said Hall element. This is advantageous since it allows for the use of a smaller magnet in the cap. A field concentrator also gives the possibilities of putting the magnet at a larger distance from the Hall element and of reducing the need for accuracy in the placement of the magnet opposite the Hall element. In a specific embodiment, a magnet is arranged adjacent to the Hall element to provide an amplified background magnetic field, making it possible to switch the Hall element with a weaker magnetic field. In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit comprises a vibration sensor. This is a stable and durable solution, and it also has the advantage of not being affected by electric and magnetic interference.
The above-related advantages are also achieved by the methods according to the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention and its many advantages will now be further described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings showing a presently preferred, exemplifying embodiment.
Fig 1 shows an electronic pen according to the invention.
Fig 2 shows, on a larger scale, a section through a cap and part of a body of the electronic pen in Fig 1. Fig 3' is a partially transparent side view of the ca . Fig 4 is a partially transparent perspective view of the inside of the cap. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The following description is focused on an electronic pen that is designed for position- determination based on optical registration of a position-coding pattern on a writing surface. The basic features of the pen and the pattern are further disclosed in the patent publications WO 00/73981, WO 01/16691, and WO 01/26032, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated pen, but can be employed with any type of electronic pen, including the types given by way of introduction, as well as other pen-shaped reading devices, such as the one disclosed in WO 98/20446.
Referring to Fig 1, the electronic pen 1 of the invention has a body 2 and a cap 3 with a clip 4. The cap 3 is placed on a front end portion 2a of the body 2. The cap 3 can be any form of means used to cover the front end portion 2a of the pen 1 that is being used for recording information during use of the pen 1.
Inside the body 2, a circuit board 5 is arranged (see Fig 2) . A writing implement, e.g. an ink cartridge 6, a solid state imaging device, such as a CMOS or CCD camera 7, and a light emitting diode (LED) 8 are also arranged in the front end portion 2a of the body 2. On the circuit board 5, a Hall element 9 and a ferritic element, in this case a screw 10, are mounted next to each other. As can be seen in Fig 4, a magnet 11 is placed underneath the clip 4 in a recess 12 on the inside of the cap 3. In the side wall of the cap 3, there is an elongate ridge or bulge 13 directly underneath the clip 4, as shown in Fig 3. It is also possible to use a ring magnet mounted in the cap or to mould magnetic material into the cap 1, e.g. using injection moulding, in which magnetic material is mixed with a polymer and moulded into a cap, or insert moulding, in which polymer material is moulded around a magnet .
The cap 3 covers the tip of the ink cartridge 6 when placed on the front end portion 2a of the body 2. This cap 3 may be removed from the body 2 of the pen 1. Prior to use of the pen 1 the cap 3 is removed. Removal of the cap 3 activates the pen 1.
The activation can be achieved in two stages, i.e. the pen 1 is put in a stand-by mode when the cap 3 is removed, and is activated completely when the tip of the ink cartridge 6 is pressed against a writing surface as sensed e.g. by a pressure sensor (not shown) connected to the ink cartridge 6. The pen 1 being in stand-by mode may e.g. imply that a processor in the pen 1 is activated, while the camera 7 and the LED 8 are still inactive. In case the pen communicates with an external device, such as a PDA, computer or mobile phone, over a wireless interface, such as short-range radio, inductive coupling or infrared light, the pen may connect to the external device in the stand-by mode, to thereby streamline the operation of the pen.
The pen being completely activated may e.g. imply that the camera 7 is active and that the LED 8 is turned on to illuminate the writing surface.
Alternatively, the stand-by mode may be omitted so that the pen 1 is completely activated when the cap 3 is being taken off.
The activation is performed by the use of a sensor unit. The sensor unit is exemplified as a Hall element 9 and a magnet 11. An actuation device for the pen comprises the sensor unit and any other form of equipment in the pen used for activating the pen.
When the cap 3 is removed, the magnet 11 is distanced from the Hall element 9 causing a change in the magnetic field affecting the Hall element 9. A resulting voltage difference in the Hall element 9 is used to activate the equipment in the pen as described above.
It is also possible to use other types of magnetic switches e.g. reed switches. The ferritic element 10 attracts the magnetic field and concentrates it around the Hall element 9, so that the magnet 11 in the cap 3 can be made small, with a thickness of approximately 1 mm and a diameter of 3 mm. Additionally or alternatively a magnet (not shown) might be arranged adjacent to the Hall element to enhance the magnetic field locally at the Hall element. Thereby only a small increase in the magnetic field is needed to switch the Hall element 9. The placement of the magnet 11 in the recess 12 makes it easy to slide the magnet 11 into position, thus making the assembling of the cap 3 simple .
The clip 4 is placed immediately above the recess 12, thus hiding the bulge 13 that makes it possible to make a larger recess 12. The clip 4 is made of ferritic material and therefore also shields the exterior of the cap from the magnet, thus protecting magnetic strips of credit cards and the like from being affected by the magnetic field.
When the cap 3 is placed on the front end portion 2a of the pen 1, the magnetic field affecting the Hall element 9 changes as the magnet 11 approaches the Hall element 9. The resulting voltage change is used to deactivate the equipment in the pen 1. When the cap 3 is placed on the body 2 all equipment need not be immediately deactivated. It is possible that the pen 1 first completes ongoing processing of information.
Thus, a contactlessly operable sensor unit is used to activate and deactivate the electronic pen 1.
The design of the cap 3 and the body 2 is such that the magnet 11 is placed directly above the Hall element 9 when the cap 3 is protecting the front end 2a. This can be achieved, for example, by the body and cap being non- circular in cross-section, for example elliptic, polygonal etc. Further, there might be provided cooperating guiding ribs and/or recesses on the cap and the pen body. Instead of one or more magnetic field sensors, the pen may include sensors that use, for example, light or pressure differences to detect the presence or absence of the cap 3.
For example, a light sensor that is covered by the cap 3 when this is placed on the pen can be mounted on the front end 2a. When the cap 3 is removed, the light that is sensed by the light sensor causes the pen 1 to be activated.
In the illustrated case, with an optical pen, the camera 7 may be used as such a light sensor. Thus, the camera 7 is activated, at least periodically, to sense if the cap 3 has been removed. To reduce power consumption, only one or a few image elements of the camera 7 may be activated for this purpose. To further reduce power consumption, the cap 3 can be designed to exert pressure on the ink cartridge 6 in the longitudinal direction thereof, so as to generate a corresponding output signal from the above-mentioned pressure sensor. Hereby, the activation of the camera/light sensor can be interrupted when the pressure sensor output signal persists for more than a given time limit.
When the cap 3 is removed, the pen 1 can be activated based on either the signal from the camera 7 or the pressure sensor. When the cap 3 is replaced, the pen 1 is deactivated based on the signal from the camera 7.
Further, the combination of camera and pressure sensor has the additional advantage of preventing the pen from being deactivated by mistake when used in a dark room.
It is also possible to use a motion sensor, such as a linear acceleration sensor, preferably placed in the longitudinal direction of the pen, that detects the longitudinal movement of the pen 1 that occurs when the cap 3 and the body 1 are separated. This is preferably combined with some sort of sensor that indicates whether the cap 3 is removed or placed on the front end 2a of the pen 1, so that the pen 1 is not activated when the cap 3 is placed on the front end 2a and the pen is moving. For instance, the motion sensor may trigger a light sensor, for example the camera 7, to sense whether the cap 3 is on or off, to ensure that the pen 1 is not activated by a motion when the cap is placed on the body 2.
The activation and deactivation of the pen 1 can also be achieved using a mechanical switch, which is arranged in the front end portion 2a of the pen 1. When the cap 3 is removed from the body 2 the switch is released, and this is used to activate the equipment in the pen 1. Examples of such mechanical switches are tilt switches, tip switches, slide switches, push-buttons etc. Another way of achieving the activation and deactivation of the pen 1 is to use an electric switch. This could, for example, be implemented using two metal pins protruding from the body 2 and a metal piece on the inside of the cap 3. When the cap 3 is placed on the front end 2a, the metal pins and the metal piece in the cap 3 form a closed circuit, and when the cap is removed, the connection is broken, which causes an open circuit. It is also possible to metallise the entire inside surface of' the cap 3, or to use a metal cap 3.
In another embodiment the removal of the cap 3 does not activate the pen 1, but instead the placement of the cap 3 on another part of the body 2 , e.g. the part opposite to the front end portion 2a, activates the pen 1.

Claims

1. An electronic pen having a body, a cap and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising a sensor unit for sensing presence or absence of said cap on said body, said actuation device being operable to activate said electronic pen in response to removal of said cap from said body.
2. An electronic pen having a body, a cap and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising a sensor unit for sensing presence or absence of said cap on said body, said actuation device being operable to deactivate said electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said body.
3. An electronic pen having a body, a cap arranged to protect a front end portion of said body and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising a sensor unit for sensing presence or absence of said cap on a portion of said body separated from said front end portion of said body, said actuation device being operable to activate said electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said portion separated from a front end portion of said body.
4. An electronic pen according to claim 3, wherein said portion separated from said front end portion is a portion opposite to said front end portion.
5. An electronic pen according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said sensor unit comprises a mechanical switch.
6. An electronic pen according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said sensor unit comprises an electric switch.
7. An electronic pen according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said sensor unit is contactlessly operable.
8. An electronic pen according to claim 7, wherein said sensor unit comprises a motion sensor.
9. An electronic pen according to claim 7, wherein said sensor unit comprises a light sensor.
10. An electronic pen according to claim 9, wherein said light sensor is a solid-state imaging device.
11. An electronic pen according to claim 10, wherein said solid-state imaging device is usable for registration of information during operation of said electronic pen.
12. An electronic pen according to claim 9, wherein said sensor unit further comprises a pressure sensor.
13. An electronic pen according to claim 12 , further comprising a writing implement and wherein said cap is arranged to cover said writing implement to protect said writing implement when said electronic pen is not in use and said pressure sensor is usable for sensing when said writing implement is pressed against a writing surface.
14. An electronic pen according to claim 7, wherein said sensor unit utilises changes in a magnetic field for detecting the presence or absence of said cap on said body.
15. An electronic pen according to claim 14, wherein said sensor unit comprises a reed switch.
16. An electronic pen according to claim 15, wherein said reed switch is arranged in said body and a magnet is arranged in said cap.
17. An electronic pen according to claim 16, wherein said magnet is arranged underneath a clip on said cap.
18. An electronic pen according to claim 14, wherein said sensor unit comprises a Hall element.
19. An electronic pen according to claim 18, wherein said Hall element is arranged in said body and a magnet is arranged in said cap.
20. An electronic pen according to claim 19, wherein said magnet is arranged underneath a clip on said cap.
21. An electronic pen according to claim 18, wherein a field concentrator, such as a metal piece, is arranged adjacent to said Hall element.
22. An electronic pen according to claim 18, wherein a magnet is arranged adjacent to said Hall element.
23. An electronic pen according to claim 7, wherein said sensor unit comprises a vibration sensor.
24. A method of activating an electronic pen having a body and a cap, comprising the steps of removing said cap from said body, detecting the absence of said cap; and activating said electronic pen.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the step of detecting the absence of said cap comprises the step of determining a change in a magnetic field.
26. A method of deactivating an electronic pen having a body and a cap, comprising the steps of placing said cap on said body, detecting the presence of said cap; and deactivating said electronic pen.
27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the step of detecting the presence of said cap comprises the step of determining a change in a magnetic field.
28. A method of activating an electronic pen having a body, said body having a front end portion, and a cap, comprising the steps of placing said cap on a portion of said body separated from said front end portion, detecting the presence of said cap; and activating said electronic pen.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the step of detecting the presence of said cap comprises the step of determining a change in a magnetic field.
PCT/SE2001/001036 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap WO2002093467A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/SE2001/001036 WO2002093467A1 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap
JP2002590068A JP2004527853A (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen that starts when the cap is removed
CN01823376.7A CN1227619C (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap
US10/141,962 US7239306B2 (en) 2001-05-11 2002-05-10 Electronic pen

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29012601P 2001-05-11 2001-05-11
PCT/SE2001/001036 WO2002093467A1 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap
US10/141,962 US7239306B2 (en) 2001-05-11 2002-05-10 Electronic pen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002093467A1 true WO2002093467A1 (en) 2002-11-21

Family

ID=27354676

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2001/001036 WO2002093467A1 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Electronic pen with actuation through removal of cap

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7239306B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2002093467A1 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007137262A2 (en) 2006-05-22 2007-11-29 Adapx Durable digital writing and sketching instrument
US7385595B2 (en) 2001-11-30 2008-06-10 Anoto Ab Electronic pen and method for recording of handwritten information
EP2226704A1 (en) 2009-03-02 2010-09-08 Anoto AB A digital pen
US7794415B2 (en) 2004-07-13 2010-09-14 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Surface treatment device
US8094139B2 (en) 2005-02-23 2012-01-10 Anoto Ab Method in electronic pen, computer program product, and electronic pen
US8411071B2 (en) 2006-02-22 2013-04-02 Anoto Ab Electronic pen
EP2813918A1 (en) 2013-06-11 2014-12-17 Anoto AB Electronic pen
US10620754B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2020-04-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Touch-sensitive device with electrodes having location pattern included therein
US10925571B2 (en) 2016-09-14 2021-02-23 Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation Intra-oral imaging sensor with operation based on output of a multi-dimensional sensor
US10932733B2 (en) 2016-09-14 2021-03-02 Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation Multiple-dimension imaging sensor with operation based on movement detection

Families Citing this family (59)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7916124B1 (en) 2001-06-20 2011-03-29 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. Interactive apparatus using print media
GB2383014A (en) * 2001-12-14 2003-06-18 Hewlett Packard Co Combined writing pen and input stylus for an electronic screen with proximity sensor
GB2393149B (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-08-18 Sheng Tien Lin Image transmitting ball-point pen
US6985138B2 (en) * 2003-08-29 2006-01-10 Motorola, Inc. Input writing device
US20050060644A1 (en) * 2003-09-15 2005-03-17 Patterson John Douglas Real time variable digital paper
CN101256450B (en) * 2003-12-15 2011-11-02 阿诺托股份公司 Optical system and modullarization unit for electronic pen
US20050130594A1 (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-06-16 Kowalski Charles J. Walkie-talkie pen
US7831933B2 (en) 2004-03-17 2010-11-09 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. Method and system for implementing a user interface for a device employing written graphical elements
US7853193B2 (en) 2004-03-17 2010-12-14 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. Method and device for audibly instructing a user to interact with a function
US20060127872A1 (en) * 2004-03-17 2006-06-15 James Marggraff Method and device for associating a user writing with a user-writable element
JP2005295052A (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 Sony Corp Remote operating unit
KR100618287B1 (en) * 2004-08-24 2006-08-31 삼신이노텍 주식회사 The Wireless Phone which made of Pen Type in Environment Bluetooth
US11627944B2 (en) 2004-11-30 2023-04-18 The Regents Of The University Of California Ultrasound case builder system and method
US20070045337A1 (en) * 2005-06-24 2007-03-01 Hornsby James R Dispensing device
US20180042817A1 (en) * 2005-07-13 2018-02-15 Nanhthealth, Inc. Bottle cap with electronic embedded curved display
US7922099B1 (en) 2005-07-29 2011-04-12 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. System and method for associating content with an image bearing surface
US8599143B1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2013-12-03 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. Switch configuration for detecting writing pressure in a writing device
US8261967B1 (en) 2006-07-19 2012-09-11 Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. Techniques for interactively coupling electronic content with printed media
WO2008070724A2 (en) * 2006-12-05 2008-06-12 Adapx, Inc. Carrier for a digital pen
TWM322028U (en) * 2007-01-15 2007-11-11 Era Optoelectronics Inc Luminous pen
JP4821716B2 (en) * 2007-06-27 2011-11-24 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Electronic writing instruments, caps, computer systems
US20090309854A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2009-12-17 Polyvision Corporation Input devices with multiple operating modes
US8297868B2 (en) * 2008-06-23 2012-10-30 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Retractable electronic pen comprising actuator button decoupled from force sensor
TWM350750U (en) * 2008-10-03 2009-02-11 Inventec Appliances Corp Electric pen
CN102341771A (en) 2008-12-30 2012-02-01 桑福德有限合伙人公司 Electronic Rechargeable Stylus and Eraser System
US20110112822A1 (en) * 2009-11-10 2011-05-12 Charles Caraher Talking Pen and Paper Translator
TWI395202B (en) * 2009-11-24 2013-05-01 Kuo Ping Yang Method and computer program product of putting identification codes in a document
TWI402722B (en) * 2009-12-24 2013-07-21 Benq Corp Optical pen and operating method of the same
US9310923B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2016-04-12 Apple Inc. Input device for touch sensitive devices
US9329703B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2016-05-03 Apple Inc. Intelligent stylus
US8928635B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2015-01-06 Apple Inc. Active stylus
US8638320B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2014-01-28 Apple Inc. Stylus orientation detection
US9116558B2 (en) * 2011-10-28 2015-08-25 Atmel Corporation Executing gestures with active stylus
JP5949458B2 (en) * 2011-12-27 2016-07-06 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Electronic pen
US11631342B1 (en) 2012-05-25 2023-04-18 The Regents Of University Of California Embedded motion sensing technology for integration within commercial ultrasound probes
US9557845B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2017-01-31 Apple Inc. Input device for and method of communication with capacitive devices through frequency variation
US9652090B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2017-05-16 Apple Inc. Device for digital communication through capacitive coupling
US9176604B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2015-11-03 Apple Inc. Stylus device
US9096093B2 (en) 2012-10-04 2015-08-04 Blackberry Limited Camera-equipped stylus pen cap
US20140160087A1 (en) * 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Research In Motion Limited Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Gestures with Respect to a Stylus
US9158393B2 (en) 2012-12-18 2015-10-13 Logitech Europe S.A. Active stylus for touch sensing applications
US9367186B2 (en) 2012-12-18 2016-06-14 Logitech Europe S.A. Method and system for discriminating stylus and touch interactions
US10048775B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-08-14 Apple Inc. Stylus detection and demodulation
US9347758B2 (en) * 2013-05-14 2016-05-24 Manheim Investments, Inc. Apparatus for measuring and demonstrating the depth of damage
TWD163513S (en) * 2013-06-26 2014-10-11 和冠股份有限公司 Electronic pen refill
US9939935B2 (en) 2013-07-31 2018-04-10 Apple Inc. Scan engine for touch controller architecture
US10380920B2 (en) 2013-09-23 2019-08-13 SonoSim, Inc. System and method for augmented ultrasound simulation using flexible touch sensitive surfaces
US10380919B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2019-08-13 SonoSim, Inc. System and method for extended spectrum ultrasound training using animate and inanimate training objects
US10067618B2 (en) 2014-12-04 2018-09-04 Apple Inc. Coarse scan and targeted active mode scan for touch
WO2016106163A1 (en) * 2014-12-21 2016-06-30 Luidia, Inc. Method and system for transcribing marker locations, including erasures
US11600201B1 (en) 2015-06-30 2023-03-07 The Regents Of The University Of California System and method for converting handheld diagnostic ultrasound systems into ultrasound training systems
CN107735130B (en) 2015-07-10 2020-09-25 诺和诺德股份有限公司 Drug delivery device with pressure-based event detection
US10637933B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2020-04-28 Logitech Europe S.A. Method and apparatus for transferring information between electronic devices
US10474277B2 (en) 2016-05-31 2019-11-12 Apple Inc. Position-based stylus communication
US10896628B2 (en) 2017-01-26 2021-01-19 SonoSim, Inc. System and method for multisensory psychomotor skill training
US11672916B2 (en) 2017-12-28 2023-06-13 Sanofi Sensor device for attachment to an injection device
US11810473B2 (en) 2019-01-29 2023-11-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Optical surface tracking for medical simulation
US11495142B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2022-11-08 The Regents Of The University Of California Ultrasound trainer with internal optical tracking
US11562638B2 (en) 2020-08-24 2023-01-24 Logitech Europe S.A. Electronic system and method for improving human interaction and activities

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5193897A (en) * 1992-01-07 1993-03-16 Halsey Keith D Combined pen and light pointer apparatus
WO2000011596A1 (en) * 1998-08-18 2000-03-02 Digital Ink, Inc. Handwriting device with detection sensors for absolute and relative positioning
WO2001030589A1 (en) * 1999-10-25 2001-05-03 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Electronically controllable pen with code sensor
WO2001061636A2 (en) * 2000-02-16 2001-08-23 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Electronic pen with ink on/off function and paper touch sensing
US6305608B1 (en) * 1998-06-04 2001-10-23 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Pen type code reader

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4142788A (en) * 1976-03-12 1979-03-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Power source switch for use in a camera circuit to detect a focused condition
US5012049A (en) 1989-01-03 1991-04-30 Schier J Alan Position determining apparatus
US5294792A (en) 1991-12-31 1994-03-15 Texas Instruments Incorporated Writing tip position sensing and processing apparatus
US5852434A (en) 1992-04-03 1998-12-22 Sekendur; Oral F. Absolute optical position determination
US5483052A (en) * 1993-12-07 1996-01-09 Smith, Iii; Herbert J. System for reading, storing and using bar-encoded data from a coded business card or other printed material
US5434371A (en) 1994-02-01 1995-07-18 A.T. Cross Company Hand-held electronic writing tool
DE69523896T2 (en) * 1994-12-07 2002-07-18 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH A PANEL AND PEN FOR USE IN SUCH A SYSTEM
US6130666A (en) 1996-10-07 2000-10-10 Persidsky; Andre Self-contained pen computer with built-in display
SE509327C2 (en) 1996-11-01 1999-01-11 C Technologies Ab Method and device for registering characters using a pen
JP3475048B2 (en) 1997-07-18 2003-12-08 シャープ株式会社 Handwriting input device
US6633282B1 (en) * 1999-01-04 2003-10-14 Adam A. Monroe Ballpoint pen type input device for computer
CA2374811C (en) 1999-05-28 2012-04-10 Anoto Ab Position determination
WO2000073981A1 (en) 1999-05-28 2000-12-07 Anoto Ab Recording of information
JP4928696B2 (en) 1999-08-30 2012-05-09 アノト アクティエボラーク Note pad
SE517445C2 (en) 1999-10-01 2002-06-04 Anoto Ab Position determination on a surface provided with a position coding pattern
US6348914B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2002-02-19 Raja S. Tuli Writing device for storing handwriting
US7385595B2 (en) * 2001-11-30 2008-06-10 Anoto Ab Electronic pen and method for recording of handwritten information

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5193897A (en) * 1992-01-07 1993-03-16 Halsey Keith D Combined pen and light pointer apparatus
US6305608B1 (en) * 1998-06-04 2001-10-23 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Pen type code reader
WO2000011596A1 (en) * 1998-08-18 2000-03-02 Digital Ink, Inc. Handwriting device with detection sensors for absolute and relative positioning
WO2001030589A1 (en) * 1999-10-25 2001-05-03 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Electronically controllable pen with code sensor
WO2001061636A2 (en) * 2000-02-16 2001-08-23 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Electronic pen with ink on/off function and paper touch sensing

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7385595B2 (en) 2001-11-30 2008-06-10 Anoto Ab Electronic pen and method for recording of handwritten information
US7794415B2 (en) 2004-07-13 2010-09-14 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Surface treatment device
US8094139B2 (en) 2005-02-23 2012-01-10 Anoto Ab Method in electronic pen, computer program product, and electronic pen
US8411071B2 (en) 2006-02-22 2013-04-02 Anoto Ab Electronic pen
EP2024962A4 (en) * 2006-05-22 2013-01-30 Adapx Durable digital writing and sketching instrument
EP2024962A2 (en) * 2006-05-22 2009-02-18 Adapx Durable digital writing and sketching instrument
WO2007137262A2 (en) 2006-05-22 2007-11-29 Adapx Durable digital writing and sketching instrument
EP2226704A1 (en) 2009-03-02 2010-09-08 Anoto AB A digital pen
WO2010100157A1 (en) 2009-03-02 2010-09-10 Anoto Ab A digital pen
US10620754B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2020-04-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Touch-sensitive device with electrodes having location pattern included therein
EP2813918A1 (en) 2013-06-11 2014-12-17 Anoto AB Electronic pen
US10925571B2 (en) 2016-09-14 2021-02-23 Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation Intra-oral imaging sensor with operation based on output of a multi-dimensional sensor
US10932733B2 (en) 2016-09-14 2021-03-02 Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation Multiple-dimension imaging sensor with operation based on movement detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020175903A1 (en) 2002-11-28
US7239306B2 (en) 2007-07-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7239306B2 (en) Electronic pen
JP2004527853A (en) Electronic pen that starts when the cap is removed
US10871830B2 (en) Proximity detection for an input mechanism of an electronic device
KR101579388B1 (en) Proximity sensor
JP4450841B2 (en) Input device
US20040179000A1 (en) Electronic pen, mounting part therefor and method of making the pen
US10839182B2 (en) Apparatus for reading information
EP2813918A1 (en) Electronic pen
EP1076281A3 (en) Device with touch sensitive screen
KR100996664B1 (en) Fixed mouse
WO2009118221A1 (en) Hearing aid with a manual input terminal comprising a touch sensitive sensor
US7843433B2 (en) Cordless pointing device and information terminal device
WO2003091934A2 (en) Pointing device enabling means, input device and portable device incorporating same
JP4932385B2 (en) Portable electronic devices
CN114615902A (en) Electronic cigarette with sensor integrated into display unit
JP7024620B2 (en) Portable information reader
EP1357510A1 (en) Pointing device enabling means, input device and portable device incorporting same
US20030142078A1 (en) Optical mouse for a personal computer
CN107645626B (en) Camera module and mobile terminal
CN212628602U (en) Electronic module for a wearable sensor system and wearable sensor system
CA2651471A1 (en) Multi-function slide mechanism for a mobile communication device
KR20150031968A (en) Terminal
US20170060277A1 (en) Magnetic switch assembly and stylus having the same
EP2332025B1 (en) Input device with rotary wheel
JP4767793B2 (en) Electronics

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002590068

Country of ref document: JP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 018233767

Country of ref document: CN

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase