Thermochromic writing device

• US 20030016282A1
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Koizumi, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/907,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20030016282A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A writing tablet may be covered with a thermochromic writing surface so that the user may temporarily mark on the writing surface by changing its temperature. In one embodiment, the writing surface may be positioned over a processor-based device. The processor-based device, using a touch screen, for example, may detect the writing on the writing surface and may receive that writing as a touch screen input.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a thermochromic writing surface that temporarily displays writing; and

detecting the writing on said temporary writing surface; and

recording the writing in an electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 including enabling a thermochromic writing surface to be removeably attached to an electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1 including using a touch screen to detect the writing.

4. The method of claim 1 including converting hand written text into typewritten text and displaying typewritten text.

5. The method of claim 1 including enabling the writing surface to assume two different color states.

6. The method of claim 1 including providing a writing instrument with at least one heated end.

7. The method of claim 7 including providing a writing instrument with a heated end and a cooled end.

8. A system comprising:

a processor-based device; and

a housing for said processor-based device, said housing including a surface to receive a thermochromic writing sheet.

9. The system of claim 8 including a device to removeably secure a thermochromic writing sheet to said surface.

10. The system of claim 8 including a display screen.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said display screen forms said writing surface.

12. The system of claim 8 including a spring clip to hold the thermochromic sheet on the writing surface.

13. The system of claim 8 including a display screen, said display screen being a touch screen.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said display screen forms the writing surface.

15. The system of claim 8 including a thermochromic writing instrument.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said thermochromic writing instrument includes a heated end.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said thermochromic writing instrument includes a cooled end.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said writing instrument includes a Peltier element.

19. The system of claim 8 including a thermochromic sheet.

20. A system comprising:

a housing;

a writing surface defined on said housing; and

a thermochromic sheet secured on said writing surface to enable a user to write on said thermochromic sheet by selectively applying heat to said thermochromic sheet.

21. The device of claim 20 including a thermochromic writing instrument.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said thermochromic writing instrument includes a heated end.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said writing instrument includes a heated end and a cooled end.

24. The device of claim 20 including a processor-based device formed in said housing.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein said writing surface forms a display screen for said processor-based device.

26. The device of claim 20 including a retainer to removeably secure said thermochromic sheet to said surface.

28. The instrument of claim 27 including a Peltier element that transfers heat from said cooled end to said heated end.

30. The method of claim 29 including enabling the user to selectively heat or cool said thermochromic sheet to change the color of said sheet.

27. A writing instrument comprising:

a shaft;

a heated end secured to one end of said shaft; and

a cooled end secured to the other end of said shaft.

29. A method comprising:

enabling a user to selectively write on a thermochromic sheet; and

removeably securing said thermochromic sheet to a work surface.