DATA INPUT ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for inputting graphical information into a computer system, where the graphical information arises when a drawing device is moved relative to a base. The base is provided with a position-coding pattern and the drawing device is arranged to detect positions on the base by means of the position-coding pattern. The computer system is arranged to record position information from the drawing device indicating positions within a first area on the base as graphical inputs and position information indicating positions within a second area on the base as information concerning a visual property associated with the graphical input.

Description: DATA INPUT ARRANGEMENT Field of tne Invention The present invention concerns an arrangement for inputting graphical information into a computer system, and a base suitable for incorporation m such an arrangement . In addition it concerns a drawing device and a storage medium for digital information. Technical Background Systems for inputting graphical information into computer systems are used to a great extent together with various types of graphics programs, CAD programs, web design programs, etc In such a context the input system makes possible the input of hand-drawn figures nto the program. Input systems of this type often consist of a base and a drawing device. When the drawing device is moved over the base its movement is recorded m the system electronically as a graphical input, which can be transmitted to a computer system m digital form. An example of such an input system is described m US, 4,717,793, A. In this a oase is arranged to detect inductively the position of a drawing device on the base. By repeated recording of this information, the movement of the drawing device across the base results m a graphical input. Known input systems are often expensive. In addition they are usually unwieldy, particularly if the base is required to nave a large input surface and if it is to be possible to input visual properties of graphic inputs. This makes the use of such input systems more difficult, particularly m mobile applications. Summary of the Invention This invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems either completely or partly. This aim is achieved by an arrangement for inputting graphical information into a computer system m accordance witn claim 1, a base suitable for use m such an arrangement m accordance with claim 5, a drawing device m accordance with claim 17 , a storage medium for digital information m accordance with claim 19 and a base according to claim 20. According to a first aspect of tne invention an arrangement is provided for inputting graphical information into a computer system, the graphical information arising when a drawing device is moved relative to a base. The arrangement is characterised m that the base is provided with a position-coding pattern and m that the drawing device is arranged to detect positions on the base by means of the position-coding pattern. In addition the computer system is arranged to record position information from the drawing device indicating positions within a first area on the base as graphical inputs. Position information from the drawing device indicating positions within a second area on the base is recorded as information concerning a visual property associated with a graphical input . Such a position-coding pattern can be designed m the way described m the Applicant's patent applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667 , which are hereby incorporated by reference. Moreover, reference is made to WO/Ol/16691, the content of which is included in the present specification by reference. Such a drawing device has a number of applications m addition to the input of graphical information into graphics programs, etc. A user who has such a drawing device for other applications can therefore realise an arrangement m accordance with the invention just by the use of a suitable position-coded base, for example a sheet of paper, and suitable software, for example m a personal computer. Both the software and the base are relatively cheap to produce, for which reason an arrangement m accordance with the invention can be achieved at low cost. The arrangement also permits the carrying out of graphical inputs with various visual properties, which can be selected. In addition an arrangement m accordance with the invention is suitable for mobile applications, even if the base is made large. If the base is constructed as a sheet of paper it can simply be folded up. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the computer system is integrated m the drawing device. This makes possible even greater mobility. A graphical image can thus be produced m the drawing device and, for example, later transmitted via a mobile telephone system to a server, without having a personal computer on site. Alternatively, the computer system may be integrated m a cellular telephone. Preferably, the computer system may be devised to display an indication of the latest selected visual property. This allows for acknowledging the user as regards the selected visual property. According to a second aspect of the invention a base is provided for the input of graphical information into a computer system, the graphical information arising when a drawing device is moved relative to the base. The base is provided with a position-coding pattern, which makes it possible to detect positions on the base using the drawing device, which is arranged to transmit position information to the computer system. The base has a first and a second area. Positions within the first area are intended to be detected by tne computer system as graphi- cal inputs and positions within the second area as information concerning a visual property associated with a graphical input. A sub-area within the second area, wnere positions within the sub-area are intended to be detected by the base as information concerning a visual property, is provided with a visible, visual indicator representing this information. This makes the use of an arrangement such as that described above, considerably easier. The first and the second area on the base are preferably separated from eacn other in a visible //ay, which makes it easier for a user to work with an arrangement according to the invention. The information concerning visual properties can preferably consist of colour information, hicr. enables more expressive grapnical inputs to be carπeα out, as several colours can be used. According to another embodiment the mfor~atιon con- cerning visual properties can consist of line type information, which enables more expressive graphical inputs to be carried out, as several types of line can he used, for example solid, dotted and oroken. According to a further embodiment the information concerning visual properties can consist of l ne width information, which enables more expressive grapnical inputs to be carried out, as several line widths can be used. When the second area is used for colour information, a sub-area within tne second area, wnere a pos_tιon within the sub-area is intended to indicate a particular colour, can preferably be coloured with this colour. This results m a user interface, which is independent of language . According to another embodiment a sub-area within the above-mentioned second area, where a position within the sub-area is intended to indicate a particular colour, can be provided with an alphanumeric indicator signifying this colour. This makes it possible for a user with limited colour vision to be able, m spite of this, to carry out graphical inputs with colour properties as required. According to yet another embodiment the second area can comprise a set of visually separated sub-areas, each provided with at least one alphanumeric symbol This makes possible the input of properties from a great number of visual properties even though only a small second area is provided. This is because a combination of sub-area indications can be made arbitrarily long. According to a third aspect of the invention a drawing device is provided for inputting graphical mforma- tion into a computer system, where the graphical information arises when the drawing device is moved relative to a base. The drawing device is arranged to detect positions on the base cy the utilisation of a position-coding pattern marked on tr.e base. A computer system integrated m the drawing device is arranged to detect positions within a first area on the base as graphical inputs and positions withm a second area on the base as information concerning visual properties associated with a grapnical input . The advantages of such a drawing device are shown m the discussion aoove . The drawing device can also be varied m a number of ways corresponding to the base described above . According to a fourth aspect of the invention a storage medium for digital information is provided, which can be read by a computer system, the storage medium containing a program for inputting graphical information into a computer system where the program defines the following steps: recording of position information from a drawing device indicating positions withm a first area on a base as graphical inputs; and recording of position information from a drawing device indicating positions within a second area on the base as information concerning visual properties associated with a graphical input. Such a program makes possible the function of an ar- rangement of the type described above. The program can also be varied m a number of ways corresponding to the base described above . Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows an arrangement for inputting graphical information m accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a base intended to be used m such an arrangement . Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of such a base. Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically tne steps m a compu- ter program suitable for use m an arrangement m accordance with tne invention. Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows an arrangement for inputting graphi- cal information m accordance with the invention. The arrangement comprises a drawing device 1, which is moved over a base 3. In the embodiment shown a trace 5, preferably of ink, is deposited on the base 3. This is not, however, necessary. The base can be made of an easily erasable material, which means that the base 3 can be used many times. A position-coding pattern 7 (shown enlarged) is printed on the base. The position-coding pattern 7 is so designed that if part of the pattern with a certain minimum size is re- corded, then this part of the pattern's position m the pattern and thereby on the base can be determined unambiguously. The positioning coding pattern 7 can advantageously be of such a type as shown m the Applicant's above - mentioned Applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SEOO/01667 where each position is coded by a number of symbols and where a symbol is used to code a number of positions. The position-coding pattern 7 shown is constructed as shown m WO 00/73983, where a large dot represents a "one" and a small dot represents a "zero". It is, however, also possible to design the position-coding pattern 7 as described m PCT/SEOO/01667, where different displacements of a dot m relation to a raster point code different symbol values . The drawing device 1 is arranged to detect positions on the base 3 utilising the position-coding pattern 7. When the drawing device 1 is moved relative to the base 3 and m contact with this, the drawing device records a series of positions on the base 3, which series is transmitted to a computer system 9, m this case a personal computer. The computer system may also be integrated m a cellular telephone. The transmission of the position information can be carried out by means of various types of cables or by means of an infrared link. However, a short-range radio link is preferably used, for example m accordance with the BLUETOOTH standard. The position information can be transmitted as a set of pairs of coordinates, but preferably the drawing device 1 first converts the series of pairs of co-ordinates into a polygon tram which is then transmitted. It is recognised that the transmission can be carried out m several steps. For example, an input can be carried out with the drawing device and base and then the position information is transmitted to a personal computer. This information can then be transmitted over a network to a server, m which interpretation of the graphical inputs is carried out. The drawing device 1 may be provided with means for allotting a detected position a time-stamp. This enables the order of graphical inputs to be preserved. The base 3 comprises a first area 11 corresponding to a first number of pairs of co-ordinates, and a second area 13, corresponding to a second number of pairs of coordinates. The first area 11 and the second area 13 en the base 3 are visually separated, m this case by means of a printed line 15. The computer system 9 is arranged, using suitable software, to record position information from the drawing device, for example m the form of a polygon train, within the first area 11 as a graphical input. In the example shown, a trace 5 is deposited as mentioned when the drawing device 1 is moved over the base 3 m contact with this. As this movement takes place withm the first area 11, the computer system 9 records the position - formation which then arises and which is transmitted as a graphical input 17. The graphical input 17 is thus graphical digital information, which corresponds to a copy of the trace 5. This graphical input 17 can, for example, be reproduced on the screen 19 of the computer system 9. When a position withm the first area is recorded, a corresponding pixel in an image in an application is set accordingly to "one". A graphical input thus means that at least one image pixel, stored or displayed, changes state. A number of graphical inputs can make up an image which, for example, can be sent with an e-mail. When the drawing device detects a position, this position is allotted a time-stamp, which corresponds to the time of detection. This timing information may be saved and used by the system in order to reproduce, not only a completed drawing, but also the manner which the drawing was formed. The computer system 9 is also arranged to record position information from the drawing device 1 within the second area 13 as information concerning a visual property associated with a graphical input. For example, as already shown, after having created and recorded a graphical input 17, the user can point with the drawing device 1 at a particular sub-area 21 in the second area 13 and thereby assign to the graphical input 17 a property (for example the colour blue) associated with this sub-area 21. This can also be done before the graphical input 17 is carried out, depending upon how the software in the computer system 9 is set. A sub-area 21 within the second area 13, where a position within the sub-area 21 is intended to indicate a particular visual property, is suitably provided with a visible, visual indicator 22 representing this property. The computer system can also be integrated into the drawing device. In this way a complete graphic image can be produced in the drawing device and then, for example, transmitted by means of a mobile telephone system to a server or the like. The drawing device 1 can also be integrated into, for example, a mobile telephone. It is also possible to let a computer system m the drawing device identify which positions are to be interpreted as graphical inputs and which are to be interpreted as visual properties. The information corresponding to graphical inputs with particular properties can then be transmitted to another computer system, for example a personal computer. Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a base 3' intended to be part of an arrangement according to the invention. Also here the base 3' comprises a first area 11' and a second area 13' . In this embodiment these are produced as physically separate units. As the pre- viously shown embodiment, the first area 11' is used to create graphical inputs and to accept a corresponding trace 5' . The second area 13' is used to assign visual properties to the graphical inputs . When a visual property is chosen, this property may preferably be fed back to the user in some way m order to acknowledge the choice of visual property. If, for instance, the drawing device communicates with a personal computer and the user chooses the visual property blue, the legend "blue" may be displayed on the monitor of the personal computer. If the drawing device communicates with a cellular telephone, a display on this telephone may be used m the same way. Alternatively, a display could be provided on the drawing device itself in order to achieve this functionality. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a base 3" according to the invention. The base may generally consist of a paper sheet, which is an inexpensive solution. It may also be made of a synthetic material such as polymer, which could allow ink-text and -figures on the surface to be easily erased. The base, as mentioned, is provided with a position-coding pattern. Also here the base 3" comprises a first area 11" and a second area 13" . As in the previously shown embodiment the first area 11" is used to create graphical inputs and to accept a corresponding trace 5". The second area 13" is used to assign visual properties to the graphical inputs. The second area 13" has here a number of divisions 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, each containing a number of sub-areas 21". Each sub-area 21" comprises a set of positions. When a computer system the arrangement detects any of the positions withm this set, this is recorded as mfor- mation concerning a visual property corresponding to this sub-area 21". The position codes m the sub-area 21" do not normally occur withm other sub-areas m the base 3" . The information concerning a visual property can be colour information. The base 3" has here a first division 23 and a third division 27 m the second area 13" which are used for recording colour information. The sub-areas within the first division 23 are printed with alphanumeric indicators 22" signifying the colours represented by the sub-areas. In this case these consist of the names of the colours, but, for example, colour codes could also be used. The sub-areas m the third division 27 have been coloured with the colours (shown here by different shading) they represent, which provides a user interface, which is independent of language. The second division 25 is used m a similar way to represent line thickness information and the fourth division 29 is used to represent line type information. In fig 3, there is shown 16 separate sub-areas, each having a numeral 0 to 9 and letters A to F attributed to each sub-area. When the drawing device points at one such area a numeral or letter corresponding to this sub-area may be inserted m the message. In this way, character recognition can be avoided. There may be further sub-areas, for example corresponding to all commonly used letters A to Z and a to z to enable insertion of normal characters. This may be used for specifying for instance an e-mail address, a fax number or a keyword. These sub-areas may thus be used to achieve non-graphical inputs as well as applying properties to graphical inputs. In this way virtually any type of simulated keyboard witn for instance ASCII - characters may be achieved. A fifth division 31 the second sub-area 13" comprises visually separated sub-areas, each provided with at least one alphanumeric character. By pointing at a sequence of these characters the user can input an arbitrarily long code, corresponding to a particular visual property. In this way a small surface can be provided with means for reliable indication of a large number of properties. A sixth division 33 is used for specifying m wn ch layer a graphical input is to oe deposited m for example a drawing. Applying graphical inputs on different layers may be useful m many applications. For instance, a machine drawing may be completed m a first layer and legends explaining features of the machine may be placed m a second layer. Then it is optional whether the explanations should be displayed or not. Different recipients may also be emailed with different sets of layers . It is also possible to interrelate different suc- areas m the second area. Thus, for instance, a specific layer may be assigned specific properties, such as a specific l ne width and a specific line colour. Graphical inputs may oe assigned other types of visual properties. A graphical input may be assigned a "text" -property, which makes the system apply OCR (Optical Character Recognition) functionalities on tne input . A recorded legend may be given a visual property such as "bold" or "italic" by using a corresponding subarea . The same concept applies to geometrical forms such as circles and rectangles. A coarse circle form inputted by the user may then, for instance, be perfected by the system, by applying a "circle" subarea. Alternatively the user may specify a centre and radius for a circle m the first area and mar a "circle" subarea m the second area. Similarly, logos and other figures may oe drawn. Other subarea- functions may Oe "erase" delete objects in an area , "clear" (delete all objects; and "undo" (delete the latest inputted object) . Fig. 4 shows d agrammatically the steps a computer program suitable for incorporation m an arrangement according to the invention where a base has t'.c areas. The program, which can be stored on any digital storage medium (for example a diskette) , defines steps as follows. After the identification 41 of a position, which is preferably carried out m the drawing device, it is determined 43 whether the position lies withm the first area. If such is tne case, there is a first recording 45 of the position information as a graphical mp_c. This first recording comprises a numioer of subroutines (not shown) . Otherwise tne position lies withm tne second area, so that a second recording 47 of the position m- formation takes place as information concerning visual properties of a graphical input. The second recording also comprises a number of sub-routines (not snown) . The scope of tne patent protection applied for is not restricted to tne embodiments described neve. The invention can be varied and changed m a number of ways withm the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An arrangement comprising a oase (3), a drawing device (1) and software in a computer system (9), for m- putting graphical information into the computer system (9) , the graphical information arising when the drawing device (1) is moved relative to the oase (3) , c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the base (3) is provided with a position-coding pattern (7) and in that the drawing device (1) is arranged to detect positions on the base (3) by means of said position-coding pattern (7) for the transmission of position information to the computer system (9), the computer system (9) being arranged using said software to record position information from said drawing device (1) indicating positions withm a first area (11) on said base (3) as graphical inputs, and to record position information from said drawing device (1) indicating positions withm a second area (13) on said base (3) as information concerning visual properties associated with a graphical input . 2. The arrangement for inputting graphical information according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said computer system is integrated in said drawing device . 3. The arrangement for inputting graphical information according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d that said computer system is integrated m a cellular telephone . 4. The arrangement for inputting graphical information according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the computer system is devised to display an indication of the latest selected visual property. 5. A base for inputting graphical information into a computer system, the graphical information arising when a drawing device is moved relative to the base, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that tne base (3) is provided with a position-coding pattern (7) which makes it possible to detect positions on the base (3) using the drawing device, which is arranged to transmit position mforma- tion to the computer system; in that the base (3) has a first area (11) and a second area (13), positions withm the first area (11) being intended to be detected by the computer system as graphical inputs and positions withm the second area (13) being intended to be detected by the computer system as information concerning visual properties associated with a graphical input; and m that a sub-area (21) withm said second area (13) , where positions withm the sub-area (21) are intended to be detected by the computer system as information concerning a visual property, is provided with a visual indicator (22) representing this information. 6. The base according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said second area is separated m a visible way from said first area. 7. The base according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said second area is physically separated from said first area (Fig. 2) . 8. The base according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said information concerning visual properties consists of colour information. 9. The base according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said information concerning visual properties consists of line type information. 10. The base according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said information concerning visual properties consists of line thickness information. 11. The base according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that a sub-area with said second area, where a position withm the sub-area is intended to indicate a particular colour, is coloured with that colour. 12. The base according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that a sub-area (21", F g. 3) withm said second area (13", Fig. 3 , where a position withm the sub-area (21", Fig. 3) is intended to indicate a particular colour, is provided with an alphanumeric indicator (22", Fig. 3) signifying this colour . 13. The base according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said alphanumeric indicator consists of the name of the colour. 14. The base according to claim 12 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said alphanumeric indicator consists of the colour's colour code. 15. The base according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said second area comprises a set of visually separated sub-areas, each provided with at least one alphanumeric symbol . 16. The base according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said information concerning visual properties is used for specifying a layer m which a graphical input is deposited. 17. A drawing device for inputting graphical ιn:or- mation into a computer system, the graphical information arising when the drawing device is moved relative to a base, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the drawing device is arranged to detect positions on said base by means of a position-coding pattern marked on the base, and m that a computer system integrated m the drawing device is arranged to detect positions with a first area on the base as graphical inputs and positions with a second area on the base as information concerning visual properties associated with a graphical input. 18. A drawing device as claimed m claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m means for allotting a detected position a time-stamp. 19. A storage medium for digital information, which can be read by a computer system, the storage ~edιum containing a program for inputting graphical information into a computer system, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that said program defines the following steps: - recording of position information from a drawing device indicating positions withm a first area on a base as graphical inputs, and - recording of position information from a drawing device indicating positions with a second area on said base as information concerning visual properties associated with said graphical inputs . 20. A base for inputting information mtc a computer system, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the case (3) is provided with a position-coding pattern (7) which makes it possible to detect positions on the base (3 using a drawing device, which is arranged to transmit position information to a computer system; m that the oase (3) has an area (13) , and m that a sub-area (21) //ithm said area (13), where positions withm the sub-area (21) are intended to be detected by the computer system as specific information, is provided with a visual indicator (22) representing this information, wherein sa_d area comprises a set of suo-areas, each provided w th at least one alphanumeric symbol . 21. A base according to claim 20, m which said sub- areas are visually separated. 22. A base as claimed m claim 20 or 21, wnerem said specific information is an ASCII -code corresponding to said visual indicator.

Inventors: FAAHRAEUS CHRISTER, WIEBE LINUS, FAAHRAEUS, CHRISTER, WIEBE, LINUS
Applicants: ANOTO AB, FAAHRAEUS CHRISTER, WIEBE LINUS, FAAHRAEUS, CHRISTER, WIEBE, LINUS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F3, G06T1