Electronic module for sensing pen motion

• US 20020181744A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Williams, Lyndsay, Vablais, William C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,906,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/17 using hand-held instruments

Abstract

An electronic module that inserts into or is otherwise associated with a pen or other writing instrument. The electronic module includes a mechanism, such as an accelerometer, for detecting pen motion. The electronic module is preferably mounted in a substitute ink cartridge for a pen. Ballistic information generated by the accelerometer is transmitted via the radio transmitter to a computer (e.g., a personal computer), where processing and/or storage of the accelerometer information may occur. The accelerometer information may be used, for example, for handwriting recognition or digital ink generation. The electronic module is preferably provided in a casing that is shaped like an ink cartridge. Contemporary pens usually include two cartridges within the pen, a first that supplies ink to the nib, and a second that presses the first against the nib. The components may be mounted in a cartridge that is placed in the position of the second cartridge.

Claims

1. A device for sensing writing movement, comprising,

an electronic module configured to be received within a writing instrument, comprising:

a ballistic generator that is configured to generate movement information resulting from writing movements; and

a transmitter that is configured to transmit the movement information to a remote computer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the ballistic generator comprises an accelerometer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate writing instrument tilt information.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor configured to power on the electronic module upon detecting movement of the electronic module.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is configured to fit within a cavity that is configured to receive an ink cartridge for the writing instrument.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the writing instrument is a pen that is configured to receive two ink cartridges, and the electronic module is configured to be inserted in place of one of the cartridges.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a first of the two cartridges is aligned to provide ink for a tip of the pen, and a second is positioned so that it abuts the first, and wherein the electronic module is configured to be positioned in the location of the second cartridge.

8. An electronic module, comprising,

means for attaching the electronic module to a writing instrument;

a ballistic generator that is configured to generate movement information resulting from writing movements; and

a transmitter that is configured to transmit the movement information to a remote computer.

9. The electronic module of claim 8, wherein ballistic generator comprises an accelerometer.

10. The electronic module of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate writing instrument tilt information.

11. The electronic module of claim 8, further comprising a motion sensor configured to power on the electronic module upon detecting movement of the electronic module.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter that is configured to transmit the movement information to a remote computer.

15. The writing instrument of claim 14, wherein the writing instrument is a pen that is configured to receive two ink cartridges, and the electronic module is configured to be inserted in place of one of the cartridges.

16. The writing instrument of claim 15, wherein a first of the two cartridges is aligned to provide ink for a tip of the pen, and a second is positioned so that it abuts the first, and wherein the electronic module is positioned in the location of the second cartridge.

17. The writing instrument of claim 14, wherein the ballistic generator comprises an accelerometer.

18. The writing instrument of claim 17, wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate writing instrument tilt information.

19. The writing instrument of claim 14, wherein the electronic module further comprises a motion sensor configured to power on the electronic module upon detecting movement of the writing instrument.

12. A device for sensing writing movement, comprising,

an electronic module configured to be received within a cavity in the writing instrument that is configured to receive one of the cartridges, comprising:

a ballistic generator configured to generate movement information resulting from writing movements of the writing instrument.

14. A writing instrument, comprising:

an electronic module mounted within the writing instrument, comprising a ballistic generator that is configured to generate movement information resulting from writing movements of the writing instrument.

20. A method of providing electronic movement information to a client application, comprising:

generating, through an electronic module added to a writing instrument, movement information as a result of movement of the writing instrument;

providing the electronic movement information to a computer that is remote of the writing instrument;

filtering the electronic movement information to form filtered data; and

providing the filtered data to a client application.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing calibration information to the computer prior to generating the movement information; and

altering the filtered data in accordance with the calibration information.