EXPRESSIVE PEN

• US 20090264713A1
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kurt, Ralph, Van Loenen, Evert Jan, Langereis, Geert, Reymann, Steffen
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/08 with measuring, computing or indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/025 with multiple colours
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/1827 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/00 Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls brushes with reservoir for supplying substances A46B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/22 with electrically or magnetically activated writing-points
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/015 Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

In this disclosure a new type of pen is described which is able to modulate the trace of the pen in response to a sensory signal of the user, such as for example skin conductance or respiration. As is known, these types of sensory signals represent the mood of the user. By changing the trace of the pen from for example blue to red, a change in mood of the user can be expressed.

Claims

1. A writing instrument comprising:

a writing shaft;

a sensing device for recording at least one sensory signal of the user, the sensory signal being selected from the group consisting of heart rate, EEG, Surface EMG, GSR/skin conductance, respiration, blood pressure, skin temperature and finger pressure;

an actuator arranged to modulate a trace of the writing instrument depending on the at least one recorded sensory signal.

2. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to determine the width of the trace.

3. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to adjust the colour of the trace.

4. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to adjust the continuity of the trace.

5. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is embedded on the writing shaft.

6. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensing device comprises a pressure transducer embedded on the writing shaft to monitor the force exerted thereon by the user during the writing activity.

7. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the writing instrument comprises at least one ink reservoir.

8. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein the writing instrument comprises a plurality of ink reservoirs each comprising a specific colour.

9. The writing instrument of claim 8, wherein the actuator is arranged to eject ink out of one outlet corresponding to a specific ink reservoir.

10. The writing instrument of claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of micro valves.

11. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises an inkjet element for ejecting ink out of the writing instrument.

12. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein the writing instrument comprises a flexible nozzle and wherein said actuator is arranged to deform the outlet of the nozzle.

13. A computer device comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one sensory signal of a user of a stylus, the sensory signal being selected from the group consisting of heart rate, EEG, Surface EMG, GSR/skin conductance, respiration, blood pressure, skin temperature and finger pressure;

a processor arranged to modulate a trace of the stylus depending on the at least one sensory signal.

14. Method of writing comprising:

recording at least one sensory signal of the user by means of a writing instrument comprising a sensing device, said sensory signal being selected from the group consisting of heart rate, EEG, Surface EMG, GSR/skin conductance, respiration, blood pressure, skin temperature and finger pressure;

modulating a trace of the writing instrument depending on the at least one recorded sensory signal.