Computer input device

• US 20070003168A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Oliver, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/168,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20070003168A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/314
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A dual-mode input device is provided for capturing handwritten electronic ink while in a handwriting mode and for capturing scenes while in a scene capture mode. The input device includes an image capture system having a first focal length while in the handwriting mode and having a second focal length while in the scene capture mode. The input device may include a digital pen and may have a pen cap that acts as an adaptor to change the image capture system focal length between the first focal length and the second focal length. The input device may include a variable focal length mechanism for providing variable focal lengths while in the scene capture mode.

Claims

1. An input device for generating data representative of handwritten strokes and for capturing scenes, the input device comprising:

an image capturing unit for capturing handwriting image data representative of handwriting strokes based on movement of the input device and for capturing scene image data, the image capturing unit having a first focal length while in the handwriting mode and a second focal length while in a scene capture mode, the second focal length being different than the first focal length;

a processor for generating handwriting data based on the captured handwriting image data; and

a memory for storing the handwriting data and the scene image data.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second focal length is larger than the first focal length.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the second focal length is a substantially infinite focal length.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second focal length is smaller than the first focal length.

5. The input device of claim 1, further comprising an adaptor for changing the image capturing unit from the first focal length to the second focal length.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the input device includes a digital pen and the adaptor includes a pen cap.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the image capturing unit automatically changes from the handwriting mode to the scene capture mode in response to the pen cap being placed in a scene capture position.

8. The input device of claim 5, wherein one of the adaptor and the image capturing unit includes a focal length adjustment mechanism for changing the focal length of the image capturing unit.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein the focal length adjustment mechanism is manually adjustable.

10. The input device of claim 8, wherein the focal length adjustment mechanism comprises a motor for powering the focal length adjustment mechanism.

11. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting the handwriting data and the scene image data to an external processing unit.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the handwriting data and the scene image data.

13. The input device of claim 10, wherein the external processing unit is configured to stitch a plurality of scenes into a stitched image.

14. The input device of claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit comprises a first image sensor for capturing the handwriting image data and a second image sensor for capturing the scene image data.

15. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to stitch a plurality of scenes of the scene image data into a stitched image.

16. A method for capturing image data via a single input device, the method comprising:

placing the input device in a handwriting mode;

while in the handwriting mode, capturing first image data representative of handwritten strokes;

placing the input device in a scene capture mode;

while in the scene capture mode, capturing second image data including scenes.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of capturing first image data representative of handwritten strokes includes capturing the first image data at a first focal length and the step of capturing second image data includes capturing the second image data at a second focal length that is different than the first focal length.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first focal length is greater than the second focal length.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising switching between the handwriting mode and the scene capture mode in response to adding a focal length adaptor to the input device.

20. A digital pen for generating data representative of handwritten strokes and for capturing scenes, the digital pen comprising:

a camera system capturing an image of an area of an object over which the digital pen is positioned while in a handwriting mode and generating captured image data, the camera system having a first focal length while in the handwriting mode and a second focal length while in a scene capture mode, the second focal length being larger than the first focal length; and

a processor for processing the captured image data;

a memory for storing data representative of handwritten strokes based on first image data of the captured image data, the first image data including image data captured while in the handwriting mode, and for storing scenes captured while in the scene capture mode; and

a pen cap for changing the camera system from the first focal length to the second focal length.