Abstract:
An input apparatus includes a detection portion, a processor, and a memory. The detection portion is configured to detect a position. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include acquiring a plurality of first positions, determining whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of first positions satisfy a specified first condition, acquiring a plurality of second positions after it has been determined that the combination and the sequence satisfy the first condition, determining whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of second positions satisfy any of a plurality of second conditions, and identifying, in a case where it has been determined that the combination and the sequence of the plurality of second positions satisfy one of the plurality of second conditions, format information associated with the one of the plurality of second conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-087620 filed Apr. 18, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an input apparatus in which a trajectory of motion of a writing instrument can be digitized as line drawing information, on the basis of an operation of writing on a paper medium. 
     Known input apparatuses include an input apparatus in which, upon writing on a paper medium that is placed on a base, a trajectory of motion of a writing instrument can be digitized in the form of information of line drawings that are written on the paper medium. Technologies have been proposed that enable the apparatus to recognize the format of the paper medium that is placed on the base. For instance, the format of the paper medium may be recognized in the below-described manner. A plurality of calibration marks are printed at corners of a paper medium. The paper medium may be placed on a base. Firstly, the user may select, using an input pen, the plurality of calibration marks according to a sequence corresponding to the format of the paper medium. The apparatus can detect selected positions in the sequence. The apparatus can recognize the format of the paper medium that has been placed on the base, by identifying the detected positions and the format corresponding to the sequence. 
     SUMMARY 
     Writing may be implemented on calibration marks by the writing instrument, during ordinary writing on the paper medium by the user. The apparatus may recognize the format of the paper medium that is placed on the base if the sequence of writing on the calibration marks satisfies a specified condition. Accordingly, a format that is different from the format of the paper medium that is actually placed on the base may be erroneously recognized by the apparatus during ordinary writing. 
     Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide an input apparatus that allows identifying accurately the format of a paper medium that is placed on a base. 
     Embodiments provide an input apparatus that includes a detection portion, a processor, and a memory. The detection portion is configured to detect a position at which a paper medium disposed in a specified area is written upon by a writing portion. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform a process that includes acquiring a plurality of first positions. The plurality of first positions are a plurality of positions detected by the detection portion. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes determining whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of first positions that have been acquired satisfy a specified first condition. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes acquiring a plurality of second positions. The plurality of second positions are a plurality of positions detected by the detection portion after it has been determined that the combination and the sequence of the plurality of first positions satisfy the first condition. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes determining, with reference to a first storage portion, whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of second positions that have been acquired satisfy any of a plurality of second conditions that are stored in the first storage portion. The first storage portion is configured to store each of the plurality of second conditions and format information in association with each other. Each of the plurality of second conditions indicates a combination and a sequence of a plurality of positions. The format information identifies a format of the paper medium. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes identifying, in a case where it has been determined that the combination and the sequence of the plurality of second positions satisfy one of the plurality of second conditions, format information associated with the one of the plurality of second conditions 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an overview of a handwriting input system; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan-view diagram of a reading device; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the handwriting input system; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a form; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a form; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a back face of a front cover; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a table; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of main processing; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of input determination processing; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of setting processing; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of ordinary processing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. An overview of a handwriting input system  1  according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the explanation below, the top left, bottom right, top, bottom, top right, and bottom left sides in  FIG. 1  are respectively defined as the left, right, front, rear, top, and bottom of a reading device  2 . In the explanation, the left-right direction and the top-bottom direction of the reading device  2  are respectively defined as an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a handwriting input system  1  mainly includes a reading device  2 , an electronic pen  3 , and a personal computer (PC)  19 . The reading device  2  is a portable, foldable, thin, and lightweight handwriting input apparatus. In the handwriting input system  1 , a user may write a line drawing on a form  111  of a paper medium  100  that is fixed to the reading device  2 , using an electronic pen  3 . As used herein, the term line drawing encompasses, for instance, characters, numerals, symbols, and graphics. The reading device  2  detects the position of the electronic pen  3 . The reading device  2  can identify the trajectory of the electronic pen  3  on the basis of a plurality of positions of the electronic pen  3  that have been detected over time. On the basis of data on the trajectory of the electronic pen  3  as identified by the reading device  2 , the PC  19  can create and store an image file resulting from digitizing the line drawing that has been written on the form  111 . Data on the trajectory of the electronic pen  3  as identified by the reading device  2  is referred to hereafter as stroke data. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reading device  2  mainly includes a pair of a left reading device  26  and a right reading device  27 , as well as a flat cable  6  and a cover  4 . The left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27  are rectangular thin plates and are disposed on the front face of the cover  4  in such a manner that the reading devices  26 ,  27  can be spread out in the left-right direction. The left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27  are electrically connected via the flat cable  6 . The right reading device  27  includes three light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  5  at the top edge. The LEDs  5  allow notifying the user about the state of the reading device  2 . The cover  4  includes a bag-like bag  7  on the left side. The left reading device  26  may be removably attached to the cover  4  by being inserted in the bag  7 . The right reading device  27  may be affixed to the right front face of the cover  4  by way of, for instance, double-sided tape or an adhesive resin film. 
     The paper medium  100  may be removably attached to the front face of the reading device  2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the paper medium  100  takes on a booklet shape that is spreadable in the left-right direction. In the paper medium  100 , a pair of covers (a front cover  112  and a back cover  113 ) and a plurality of forms  111  are bound together at part of the respective edges of the pair of covers and the plurality of forms. As an example, the paper medium  100  may be an A5-size notebook. The format that indicates the layout of the design that is printed beforehand on the forms  111 , and the like, is different for each type of paper medium  100 . The format that indicates the layout of the design that is printed beforehand on the forms  111 , and the like, is referred to hereafter as the format of the paper medium  100 . Specific examples of forms  111  of a dissimilar format include, for instance, the below-described forms  120  (see  FIG. 4 ) and forms  130  (see  FIG. 5 ). The paper medium  100  may be attached to the reading device  2  in such a manner that the front cover  112  is placed on the top face of the left reading device  26 , and the back cover  113  is placed on the top face of the right reading device  27 . In the present embodiment, the paper medium  100  is attached, by way of, for instance, double-sided tape or an adhesive resin film, in a state where the paper medium  100  has been positioned on the reading device  2 . That is, the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27  may be moved integrally with the front cover  112  and the back cover  113 , respectively. The user may write a line drawing on each form  111  of the paper medium  100  using the electronic pen  3 . 
     A design that is used for enabling the format of the paper medium  100  to be recognized by the reading device  2  is printed beforehand on the back face  140  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the front cover  112  of the paper medium  100 . The reading device  2  can identify the format of the paper medium  100  on the basis of the operation of writing on the back face  140  using the electronic pen  3 . The details involved are described further on. 
     The electronic pen  3  is a known electromagnetic induction-type electronic pen, and mainly includes a cylindrical body  30 , a core body  31 , a coil  32 , a variable capacitor  33 , a substrate  34 , a capacitor  35 , and an ink storage portion  36 . The cylindrical body  30  has a cylindrical shape, and houses therein part of the core body  31 , the coil  32 , the variable capacitor  33 , the substrate  34 , the capacitor  35 , and the ink storage portion  36 . The core body  31  is provided at the leading end (bottom side in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic pen  3 . The core body  31  is urged towards the leading end of the electronic pen  3  by an elastic member, which is not shown in the drawings. The leading end of the core body  31  protrudes out of the cylindrical body  30 . The rear end side (top side in  FIG. 1 ) of the core body  31  is connected to the ink storage portion  36 , in which ink is stored. The ink storage portion  36  supplies ink to the core body  31 . A line drawing may be formed by ink on the form  111  when the user writes on the form  111  using the electronic pen  3 . 
     The coil  32  is held between the core body  31  and the variable capacitor  33  in a state where the coil  32  is wound around the ink storage portion  36 . The variable capacitor  33  is fixed in the interior of the electronic pen  3  by the substrate  34 . The capacitor  35  is mounted on the substrate  34 . The capacitor  35  and the variable capacitor  33  are connected in parallel to the coil  32 , and make up a known resonant (tuning) circuit. 
     The PC  19  is a general-purpose notebook personal computer. The PC  19  includes an input portion  191  and a display  192 . The input portion  191  is used for inputting various instructions. The display  192  may display an image. A known information terminal (for instance, a tablet PC, a smart phone, or the like) may be used, instead of a personal computer, as the PC  19  in the handwriting input system  1 . 
     The electrical configuration of the handwriting input system  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 . The electrical configuration of the reading device  2  and an overview of the principle of acquisition of stroke data by the reading device  2  will be explained first. The reading device  2  includes sensor boards  8 ,  9 , a main board  20 , and sensor control boards  28 ,  29 . The sensor boards  8 ,  9  are provided in the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27 , respectively. 
     The main board  20  includes a CPU  21 , a RAM  22 , a flash ROM  23 , and a wireless communication portion  24 . The RAM  22 , the flash ROM  23 , and the wireless communication portion  24  are electrically connected to the CPU  21 . The CPU  21  controls the reading device  2 . The RAM  22  stores temporarily various data such as computation data. The flash ROM  23  stores various programs that are executed by the CPU  21  in order to control the reading device  2 . The flash ROM  23  also stores stroke data and a table  231  (see  FIG. 7 ). The wireless communication portion  24  is a controller for executing close-range wireless communication with an external electronic device. 
     Multiple elongate loop coils are arrayed, in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, in the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . The sensor board  8  is electrically connected to an ASIC  281  of the sensor control board  28 . When a writing operation by the electronic pen  3  is performed on the sensor board  8 , the ASIC  281  executes processing of creating stroke data on the basis of the writing operation. The sensor board  9  is electrically connected to an ASIC  291  of the sensor control board  29 . When a writing operation by the electronic pen  3  is performed on the sensor board  9 , the ASIC  291  executes processing of creating stroke data on the basis of the writing operation. The master ASIC  281  is connected directly to the CPU  21 , and the slave ASIC  291  is connected to the CPU  21  via the ASIC  281 . 
     A brief explanation follows next on the principle of acquisition of stroke data when a writing operation by the electronic pen  3  is performed on the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . The CPU  21  controls the ASICs  281 ,  291  to cause a current of a specific frequency (a transmission current for excitation) to flow in each one of loop coils of the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . A magnetic field is generated as a result in each of the loop coils of the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . In this state, the electronic pen  3  draws near to the sensor boards  8 ,  9  when, for instance, the user performs an operation of writing a line drawing, using the electronic pen  3 , on the form  111  of the paper medium  100  that is fixed to the reading device  2 . The resonant circuit in the electronic pen  3  resonates due to electromagnetic induction, and generates an induced magnetic field. 
     Next, the CPU  21  controls the ASICs  281 ,  291  to discontinue generation of the magnetic field by the respective loop coils of the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . The respective loop coils of the sensor boards  8 ,  9  receive the induced magnetic field that is generated by the resonant circuit of the electronic pen  3 . The CPU  21  controls the ASICs  281 ,  291  so as to detect a signal current (a reception current) that flows in the respective loop coils of the sensor boards  8 ,  9 . The ASICs  281 ,  291  execute this operation one by one for all the loop coils. The position of the electronic pen  3  is detected, as a result, as coordinate information, on the basis of the reception current. 
     A writing pressure is applied to the core body  31  during the operation of writing a line drawing on the form  111  using the electronic pen  3 . The inductance of the coil  32  varies in accordance with the writing pressure that is applied to the core body  31 . As a result, the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit of the electronic pen  3  changes in accordance with the writing pressure that is applied to the core body  31 . The CPU  21  identifies the writing pressure that is applied to the electronic pen  3  by detecting changes in the resonance frequency (phase changes). The CPU  21  can determine, on the basis of the identified writing pressure, whether a line drawing is being written on the form  111  of the paper medium  100 . If the CPU  21  determines that a line drawing is being written on the form  111 , the CPU  21  acquires stroke data indicating the trajectory of the electronic pen  3 , and stores the stroke data in the flash ROM  23 . The stroke data includes information on coordinates that indicate a plurality of positions along the trajectory. 
     An explanation follows next on the electrical configuration of the PC  19 , and on an overview of the processing whereby the PC  19  acquires stroke data from the reading device  2 . The PC  19  mainly includes a CPU  41 , a hard drive (HDD)  42 , a RAM  43 , a wireless communication portion  44 , an input circuit  45 , an output circuit  46 , an input portion  191 , and a display  192 . The CPU  41  controls the PC  19 . The CPU  41  is electrically connected to the HDD  42 , the RAM  43 , the wireless communication portion  44 , the input circuit  45 , and the output circuit  46 . The HDD  42  stores various programs that are executed by the CPU  41 . 
     The PC  19  includes a medium reading device (for instance, a CD-ROM drive), not shown. A program that is stored in a storage medium (for instance, a CD-ROM) can thus be read by the medium reading device and be installed in the HDD  42  of the PC  19 . A program may be received from an external device (not shown in the drawings) or through a network that is connected to the PC  19 , and be installed in the HDD  42  of the PC  19 . 
     The RAM  43  stores various temporary data. The wireless communication portion  44  is a controller for executing close-range wireless communication with an external electronic device. The input circuit  45  controls transmission of instructions from the input portion  191  (for instance, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like) to the CPU  41 . The output circuit  46  controls the display of an image on the display  192  in accordance with instructions from the CPU  41 . 
     When the user inputs an instruction of acquiring stroke data from the reading device  2 , the CPU  41  executes close-range wireless communication with the reading device  2 , by way of the wireless communication portion  44 . The stroke data stored in the flash ROM  23  of the reading device  2  is transmitted by the reading device  2  to the PC  19 . The CPU  41  stores, in the RAM  43 , the stroke data transmitted by the reading device  2 . Communication for transmission of stroke data from the reading device  2  to the PC  19  is not limited to wireless communication, and may involve wire communication. 
     To identify a character string based on the stroke data stored in the RAM  43 , the CPU  41  executes optical character recognition (OCR) processing. As used herein, the term character string encompasses characters, numerals, symbols, graphics, and the like indicated by a character code that can be recognized by the PC  19 . Identification involves herein not only instances where a plurality of characters, numerals, symbols, and graphics are identified, but also instances wherein a single character, numeral, symbol, or graphic is identified. The CPU  41  can create image data that indicates the trajectory indicated by the stroke data, and executes the OCR processing on the created image data, to identify thereby the character string. The method of identifying character strings may be modified. For instance, the CPU  41  may identify character strings directly from stroke data, by using a known pattern matching technique. 
     A specific example of the forms  111  (forms  120 ,  130 ) will be explained next with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  each illustrate a one-page form  111 . Accordingly, two forms  111  are disposed side by side in a transverse direction, with the paper medium  100  disposed spread open on the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27  of the reading device  2 . 
     The form  120  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4 . A title area  121 , a tag area  122 , and a note area  123  are juxtaposed, in the longitudinal direction, on the form  120 . A save check box  124  is printed on the bottom right of the note area  123 . The note area  123  is an area for the user to freely write a line drawing using the electronic pen  3 . The title area  121  is an area for the user to write a title of the line drawing that is written in the note area  123 . The tag area  122  is an area for the user to write, as a tag, a keyword for searching a line drawing that is written on the note area  123 . The save check box  124  is an area that is to be checked with a check mark to validate the content that is written in the title area  121 , the tag area  122  and the note area  123 . 
     The CPU  21  of the reading device  2  can identify (details are explained further on) the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound. The CPU  21  acquires, for each area, stroke data of the line drawings that are written in the title area  121 , the tag area  122 , and the note area  123 , and stores the stroke data in the flash ROM  23 . The CPU  41  of the PC  19  acquires the stroke data from the reading device  2 , and stores the stroke data in the RAM  43 . The CPU  41  creates an image file by digitizing the line drawing on the basis of the stroke data of the line drawing that is written in the note area  123 , from among the stroke data that is stored in the RAM  43 . The image file is a data file in which the line drawing is represented by a digital image. Examples of digital images include, for instance, vector images and raster images. Examples of image files include, for instance, JPEG files, GIF files, PNG files, BMP files, and the like. 
     The CPU  41  identifies a character string by the OCR processing, on the basis of the stroke data of the line drawing that is written in the title area  121 , from among the stroke data stored in the RAM  43 . The CPU  41  sets the identified character string as a file name of the created image file, and stores the image file in a folder designated beforehand by the user. The CPU  41  identifies a character string by the OCR processing, on the basis of the stroke data of the line drawing that is written in the tag area  122 , from among the stroke data stored in the RAM  43 . The CPU  41  associates the identified character string, as a tag, with the image file. The tag associated with the image file may be used as a keyword in searches of image files. 
     The form  130  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 . Two horizontal lines  137 ,  138  are printed on the form  130  and divide the form  130  into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. A title area  131 , a start time area  132 , a finish time area  133 , a location area  134 , and a detail area  135  are disposed, side by side in the longitudinal direction, in each of the areas that are trisected by the horizontal lines  137 ,  138 . A save check box  136  is printed on the right of the detail area  135 . The detail area  135  is an area for the user to write details of a schedule, using the electronic pen  3 . The title area  131  is an area for the user to write the title of the schedule that is written in the detail area  135 . The start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , and the location area  134  are areas for the user to write the start time, finish time, and venue, respectively, of the schedule that is written in the detail area  135 . The save check box  136  is an area that is to be checked with a check mark to validate the contents that are written in the title area  131 , the start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , the location area  134 , and the detail area  135 . 
     The CPU  21  of the reading device  2  can identify (details are explained further on) the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  130  are bound. The CPU  21  acquires, and stores in the flash ROM  23 , stroke data of the respective line drawings that are written in the title area  131 , the start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , the location area  134 , and the detail area  135 . The CPU  41  of the PC  19  acquires the stroke data from the reading device  2 , and stores the data in the RAM  43 . The CPU  41  identifies a character string by the OCR processing, on the basis of the stroke data stored in the RAM  43 . The CPU  41  associates the start time, the finish time, the venue, and the schedule details, which have been identified on the basis of the stroke data of the respective line drawings that are written in the start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , the location area  134 , with one another, and the detail area  135 , and creates a schedule file. The CPU  41  sets the title identified on the basis of the stroke data of the line drawing written in the title area  131  as the file name of the schedule file, and stores the schedule file in a folder designated beforehand by the user. The schedule file may be used, for instance, in an application for schedule management. 
     An explanation follows next, with reference to  FIG. 6 , on a specific example of a design that is printed on the back face  140  of the front cover  112  of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound. The CPU  21  of the reading device  2  can identify the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound on the basis of stroke data in a case where the back face  140  is written upon using the electronic pen  3 . The CPU  21  can identify the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound, and, as a result, store the stroke data of the line drawing written on the form  120  in the flash ROM  23 , for each area (the title area  121 , the tag area  122 , and the note area  123 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the design that is printed on the back face  140  includes four first check boxes  141  ( 1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414 ) and four second check boxes  142  ( 1421 ,  1422 ,  1423 ,  1424 ). The four first check boxes  141  are each disposed at any position within a rim portion  143  (hereafter referred to as a “first portion”) of the back face  140 . Specifically, the first check boxes  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414  are respectively disposed at the bottom right, top left, bottom left, and top right within the first portion  143 . The numbers “1”, “2, “3” and “4” are associated to the first check boxes  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414 , respectively. These numbers indicate the sequence of the four first check boxes  141 . 
     The four second check boxes  142  are each disposed at any position within a rectangular portion (hereafter referred to as a “second portion”)  144  at substantially the center, in the top-bottom direction, in an area inside of the first portion  143 . Details are as follows. Eight detection areas  1441  to  1448  are formed by dividing the second portion  144  in two in the top-bottom direction, and in four in the left-right direction. The four detection areas juxtaposed in the left-right direction at the upper side of the second portion  144  are, sequentially from the left, detection areas  1441 ,  1442 ,  1443 ,  1444 . The four detection areas juxtaposed in the left-right direction at the lower side of the second portion  144  are, sequentially from the left, detection areas  1445 ,  1446 ,  1447 ,  1448 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second check boxes  1421 ,  1422 ,  1423 ,  1424  are respectively disposed in the detection areas  1441 ,  1442 ,  1447 ,  1448 . Letters “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” are respectively associated to the second check boxes  1421 ,  1422 ,  1423 ,  1424 . The letters indicate the sequence of the respective four second check boxes  142 . 
     The positions of the four first check boxes  141  and the respective associated numbers, in the design that is printed on the back face  140 , are shared positions, regardless of the bound forms  111 . Therefore, the positions of the respective four first check boxes  141  and the associated numbers that are printed on the back face  140  coincide between the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  (see  FIG. 4 ) are bound and the paper medium  100  in which the forms  130  (see  FIG. 5 ) are bound. By contrast, the respective positions and the associated letters of the four second check boxes  142  vary depending on the bound forms. Therefore, the respective positions and the associated letters of the four second check boxes  142  that are printed on the back face  140  differ between the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound and the paper medium  100  in which the forms  130  are bound. For instance, although not shown in the drawings, the second check boxes  1421 ,  1422 ,  1423 ,  1424  are respectively disposed in the detection areas  1441 ,  1446 ,  1443 ,  1448  on the back face  140  of the front cover  112  of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  130  are bound. Thus, the four second check boxes  142  each are disposed in any one respective detection area  1441  to  1448 . 
     Character strings (instructions) that indicate a procedure for recognizing the format of the paper medium  100  in the reading device  2  are printed above and below the second portion  143  in the back face  140 . Specifically, above the second portion  144  there are printed the character strings “1. Attach the notebook to the device body and switch on the power source of the body”, “2. Tick the check boxes at the four corners in numerical order”; “3. Check that the Status LED is flashing. *If the Status LED is not flashing, switch off the power source of the body, and try again from 1.”; and “4. Tick the check boxes below in the order ABCD”. Below the second portion  142  there are printed the character strings “5. Check that the Status LED has flashed three times. *If setting has failed, switch off the power source of the body, and try again from 1.”; and “6. Setting of the notebook information is now complete”. 
     An explanation follows next on a procedure for the user to prompt the reading device  2  to recognize the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  120  are bound. Firstly, the user may place the paper medium  100  on the reading device  2  and switch on the power source of the reading device  2 , according to the first instruction that is printed on the back face  140 . The LEDs  5  may emit green light. The user may place the front cover  112  of the paper medium  100  on the bag  7  of the cover  4 , without inserting the front cover  112  in the bag  7 . Next, the user may place all the forms  111  of the paper medium  100  on the right reading device  27 . As a result, only the front cover  112  may be placed on the left reading device  26 , such that the back face  140  can be written upon using the electronic pen  3 . 
     In accordance with the second instruction, next, the user may write a check mark on the first check boxes  1411  to  1414 , using the electronic pen  3 , according to the sequence of numbers associated to the respective four first check boxes  141 . The procedures indicated by the first and the second instructions correspond to a first-stage procedure. If the procedure of the first stage is properly performed, the LEDs  5  flash in slow cycles. The user may check, according to the third instruction, that the LEDs  5  are flashing. If the procedure of the first stage is not performed properly, the LEDs  5  do not flash. In this case, the user may repeat the procedure from the first instruction. 
     In a case where the procedure of the first stage has been properly performed, the user may write next, using the electronic pen  3 , a check mark in each of the second check boxes  1421  to  1424 , in the sequence of letters associated to the respective four second check boxes  142 , according to the fourth instruction. The procedure indicated by the third and fourth instructions corresponds to a second-stage procedure. If the procedure of the second stage has been properly performed, the LEDs  5  flash three times in fast cycles (for a short period). According to the fifth instruction, the user may check that the LEDs  5  have flashed three times in fast cycles. In a case where the LEDs  5  flash three times in fast cycles, this means that the reading device  2  has been able to identify the format of the paper medium  100 . The user may begin thereupon an ordinary writing operation on the form  120 . If the procedure of the second stage is not properly performed, the LEDs  5  emit light that is changed to red. In this case, the user may temporarily switch off the power source of the reading device  2 . Next, the user may switch on the power source one more, and repeat the procedure from the first instruction. 
     The table  231  stored in the flash ROM  23  will be explained next with reference to  FIG. 7 . The table  231  is referred to when the CPU  21  is to identify the format of the paper medium  100 . In the table  231  there are sequentially stored respective area information items on the four first check boxes  141 . The respective area information items on the four first check boxes  141  each indicate a detection area within a circle, of a specified radius, centered on a position at which each of the four first check boxes  141  is printed. As examples of area information there is stored, for instance, “bottom right” (n=1), “top left” (n=2), “bottom left” (n=3) and “top right” (n=4), for all forms  111 . The variable n indicates a number associated to each of the first check boxes  141 , i.e. indicates a sequence of the four first check boxes  141 . The area information items “bottom right”, “top left”, “bottom left” and “top right” respectively indicate the detection areas  1451 ,  1452 ,  1453 ,  1454 , (see  FIG. 6 ). The detection areas  1451 ,  1452 ,  1453 ,  1454  are indicated by circles centered on positions at which the respective first check boxes  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414  (see  FIG. 6 ) are printed. 
     The table  231  stores therein, for each form  111 , information that indicates any of the detection areas  1441  to  1448  of the second portion  144  at which the four second check boxes  142  are printed. As area information corresponding to the form  120  there is stored, for instance, “ 1441 ” (n=A), “ 1442 ” (n=B), “ 1447 ” (n=C), and “ 1448 ” (n=D). The variable n indicates a letter associated to each of the second check boxes  142 , i.e. the sequence of four second check boxes  142 . The area information items “ 1441 ”, “ 1442 ”, “ 1447 ”, and “ 1448 ” respectively indicate detection areas in the second portion  144  (see  FIG. 6 ) at which second check boxes  1421 ,  1422 ,  1423 ,  1424  are disposed. The same applies to the form  130 . 
     Further, format information that indicates the format of the design that is printed beforehand on the forms  111 , is stored in the flash ROM  23  for each form  111 . As format information corresponding to the form  120 , the flash ROM  23  stores format information that allows identifying the positions of the title area  121  (see  FIG. 4 ), the tag area  122  (see  FIG. 4 ), the note area  123  (see  FIG. 4 ), and the save check box  124  (see  FIG. 4 ), for instance. As format information corresponding to the form  130 , the flash ROM  23  stores format information that allows identifying the positions of the title area  131  (see  FIG. 5 ), the start time area  132  (see  FIG. 5 ), the finish time area  133  (see  FIG. 5 ), the location area  134  (see  FIG. 5 ), the detail area  135  (see  FIG. 5 ), and the save check box  136  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     A main processing executed by CPU  21  of the reading device  2  will be explained next with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 11 . When the power source of the reading device  2  is switched on, the CPU  21  starts main processing by operating on the basis of a program that is stored in the flash ROM  23 . Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to light up in green, in order to notify, to the user, that the reading device  2  is operating (step S 11 ). The CPU  21  executes processing of performing a first-stage determination (input determination processing, see  FIG. 9 ) (step S 13 ). 
     The input determination processing will be explained next with reference to  FIG. 9 . The CPU  21  performs initialization by substituting 1 in the variable n, and storing the result in the RAM  22  (step S 31 ). The CPU  21  determines whether a line drawing is written by the electronic pen  3  at any location (step S 33 ). If the CPU  21  determines that no line drawing is written (NO at step S 33 ), the processing is returned to step S 33 . If the CPU  21  determines that a line drawing is written at any location (YES at step S 33 ), the CPU  21  acquires stroke data from the ASIC  281 , and stores the stroke data in the flash ROM  23  (step S 34 ). The CPU  21  refers to the table  231  (see  FIG. 7 ), and selects area information corresponding to the variable n, from the area information that indicates four detection areas associated to the first check boxes  141 . The CPU  21  determines whether a position identified on the basis of the coordinate information included in the stroke data that is stored in the flash ROM  23  at step S 34  is disposed in the detection area indicated by the selected area information (step S 35 ). Hereafter, a position identified on the basis of coordinate information included in the stroke data is referred to as “identified coordinate position”. 
     If the CPU  21  determines that the identified coordinate position is disposed in the detection area indicated by the selected area information (YES at step S 35 ), the CPU  21  determines whether the variable n is 4 (step S 39 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is not  4  (NO at step S 39 ), the CPU  21  adds 1 to the variable n (step S 41 ). The CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 33 , and repeats the processing from step S 33  onwards on the basis of the updated variable n. 
     When the variable n reaches 4, this means that writing has been performed, in the order of the corresponding numbers, on the respective first check boxes  1411  to  1414 . If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is 4 (YES at step S 39 ), the CPU  21  stores flag information “1” in the RAM  22  (step S 43 ) in order to execute the setting processing (step S 17 ) in the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). The CPU  21  terminates the input determination processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     By contrast, if the identified coordinate position is not disposed in a detection area indicated by the selected area information, this means that no writing has been performed in the order of corresponding numbers, on any of the first check boxes  1411  to  1414 . If the CPU  21  determines that the identified coordinate position is not disposed in the area indicated by the selected area information (NO at step S 35 ), the CPU  21  stores flag information “0” in the RAM  22  (step S 37 ) in order to execute ordinary processing (step S 25 ) in the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). The CPU  21  terminates the input determination processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     For instance, the user may perform the ordinary writing operation in a state where the form  111  is placed on the left reading device  26  after the power source of the reading device  2  has been switched on. In this case, writing may not be performed in the first check boxes  1411  to  1414  in the order of corresponding numbers, and hence the ordinary processing may be performed. 
     After the input determination processing (step S 13 ) is over, the CPU  21  determines whether to perform the setting processing (step S 17 ) or the ordinary processing (step S 25 ) on the basis of the flag information stored in the RAM  22 , as shown in  FIG. 8  (step S 15 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the flag information “1” is stored in the RAM  22  (YES at step S 15 ), the CPU  21  determines to execute the setting processing (step S 17 ) of performing a second-stage determination. If, by contrast, the CPU  21  determines that the flag information “0” is stored in the RAM  22  (NO at step S 15 ), the CPU  21  determines to execute the ordinary processing (step S 25 ) of receiving an ordinary writing operation. 
     The setting processing is explained next with reference to  FIG. 10 . The CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to flash in slow cycles, in order to notify the user that the determination of the first stage by the input determination processing (see  FIG. 9 ) has been completed normally (step S 51 ). The CPU  21  substitutes 1 in the variable n, and stores the result in the RAM  22  (step S 53 ). The CPU  21  substitutes 0 in each of the arrays L[1], L[2], L[3], and L[4], and stores the result in the RAM  22  (step S 53 ). The CPU  21  determines whether a line drawing is written by the electronic pen  3  at any location (step S 55 ). If the CPU  21  determines that no line drawing is written (NO at step S 55 ), the process is returned to S 55 . 
     If the CPU  21  determines that a line drawing is written at any location (YES at step S 55 ), the CPU  21  acquires stroke data from the ASIC  281 , and stores the stroke data in the flash ROM  23  (step S 56 ). The CPU  21  determines whether the identified coordinate position of stroke data stored in the flash ROM  23  is disposed within the second portion  144  (see  FIG. 6 ) (step S 57 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the identified coordinate position is not disposed within the second portion  144  (NO at step S 57 ), the CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 55 . 
     If the CPU  21  determines that the identified coordinate position is disposed within the second portion  144  (YES at step S 57 ), the CPU  21  identifies a detection area at which the identified coordinate position is disposed, from among the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448  in the second portion  144  (see  FIG. 6 ). The CPU  21  determines whether the variable n is 1 and/or whether the area information that indicates the identified detection area and the area information stored in the array L[n−1] are different from each other (step S 59 ). If the variable n is equal to or greater than 2, and the area information items match each other, this means that writing has been performed consecutively two or more times in any one detection area from among the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448 . If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is equal to or greater than 2 and the area information items match each other (NO at step S 59 ), the CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 55 . 
     In a case where, for instance, the electronic pen  3  comes into contact with a specific detection area over two or more consecutive times, the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is equal to or greater than 2 and the area information items match each other (NO at step S 59 ), and returns the processing to step S 55 . 
     On the other hand, in a case where the variable n is 1 or the area information items are different from each other, this means that writing has been performed once at each of the dissimilar detection areas of the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448  (see  FIG. 6 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is 1 or that area information items are different from each other (YES at step S 59 ), the CPU  21  substitutes, in the array L[n], area information that indicates the detection areas that include the identified coordinate position, and stores the result (step S 61 ). The CPU  21  determines whether the variable n is 4 (step S 63 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is smaller than 4 (NO at step S 63 ), the CPU  21  adds 1 to the variable n (step S 65 ). The CPU  21  then returns the processing to step S 55 . The CPU  21  repeats the processing from steps S 55  to S 63  on the basis of the updated variable n. 
     In a case where the variable n is now 4, this means that writing has been performed in each of four dissimilar areas from among the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448 . Respective area information items (any from among  1441  to  1448 ) are stored in the respective arrays L[1] to L[4]. If the CPU  21  determines that the variable n is 4 (YES at step S 63 ), the CPU  21  selects, from the table  231 , area information that indicates four detection areas associated to the second check boxes  142 , for one form  111  (step S 66 ). The CPU  21  compares the selected area information that indicates the four detection areas with area information stored in the arrays L[1] to L[4], for each corresponding variable n (step S 67 ). If the CPU  21  determines that both area information items that indicate the four detection areas match wholly each other (YES at step S 67 ), the CPU  21  identifies a form  111  corresponding to the area information that indicates the four detection areas that has been selected at step S 66 , as the form  111  placed on the reading device  2  (step S 69 ). The CPU  21  reads, from the table  231 , the format information corresponding to the identified form  111  and stores the format information in the RAM  22 , as the format of the paper medium  100  in which the forms  111  are bound (step S 69 ). 
     The CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to flash three times in fast cycles, in order to notify the user that the format of the paper medium  100  has been identified, and that the determination of the second stage has been completed (step S 71 ). CPU  21  deletes the stroke data stored in the flash ROM  23  at step S 34  (see  FIG. 9 ) and step S 56  (step S 73 ). The CPU  21  stores flag information “0” in the RAM  22  (step S 75 ) in order to execute the ordinary processing in the main processing ( FIG. 8 ). The CPU  21  terminates the setting processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     On the other hand, if the CPU  21  determines that the area information indicating any detection area from among the area information items that indicate four detection areas that has been selected for one of the forms  111  at step S 66  is different from any of the area information items stored in the arrays L[1] to L[4] (NO at step S 67 ), the CPU  21  determines whether the area information items corresponding to all the forms  111  have been selected, at step S 66 , from the table  231  (step S 77 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the area information corresponding to a form  111  that has not been selected at step S 66  remains in the table  231  (NO at step S 77 ), the CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 66 . The CPU  21  selects the area information that indicates the four detection areas corresponding to the form  111  that has not been selected (step S 66 ), and repeats the processing. If the CPU  21  determines that the area information corresponding to the all forms  111  has been selected, at step S 66 , from the table  231  (YES at step S 77 ), the CPU  21  stores flag information “1” in the RAM  22  (step S 79 ) in order to terminate the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). The CPU  21  terminates the setting processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     After termination of the setting processing (step S 17 ), the CPU  21  determines whether to terminate the main processing or to perform the ordinary processing (step S 25 ), on the basis of the flag information stored in the RAM  22 , as shown in  FIG. 8  (step S 19 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the flag information “1” is stored in the RAM  22  (YES at step S 19 ), the CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to change color and light up in red, in order to notify the user that identification of the format of the paper medium  100  has failed (step S 21 ). The CPU  21  stands by until the power source of the reading device  2  is switched off (step S 23 ). The CPU  21  terminates the main processing when the power source of the reading device  2  is switched off. 
     The ordinary processing is explained next with reference to  FIG. 11 . Firstly, the CPU  21  determines whether format information is stored in the RAM  22 . If no format information is stored in the RAM  22 , the CPU  21  stores default format information (for instance, format data corresponding to the form  120 ) in the RAM  22 . 
     For instance, the ordinary processing is performed on the basis of the default format information in a case where the user starts an ordinary writing operation on the form  111  that is placed on the left reading device  26  after the power source of the reading device  2  has been switched on (NO at step S 15 ,  FIG. 8 ). In a case where the format of the paper medium  100  is identified as a result of the setting processing, the ordinary processing is performed on the basis of the format information that has been stored in the RAM  22  in S 69  (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     The CPU  21  determines whether a line drawing is written by the electronic pen  3  at any location (step S 81 ). If the CPU  21  determines that no line drawing is written (NO at step S 81 ), the processing is returned to step S 81 . If the CPU  21  determines that a line drawing is written at any location (YES at step S 81 ), the CPU  21  acquires stroke data from the ASIC  281 . The CPU  21  determines whether a line drawing is written on the save check box (one of the save check box  124  (see  FIG. 4 ) and the save check boxes  136  (see FIG.  5 )), on the basis of the format information stored, at step S 69  (see  FIG. 10 ), in the RAM  22  (step S 83 ). If the CPU  21  determines that no line drawing is written in the save check box (NO at step S 83 ), the CPU  21  identifies an area at which a line drawing according to stroke data is written, on the basis of the format information stored in the RAM  22 . The CPU  21  associates the information that indicates the identified area to the acquired stroke data, and stores the result in the RAM  22  (step S 85 ). The CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 81 . 
     In a case where, for instance, the format information corresponding to the form  120  is stored in the RAM  22 , the CPU  21  identifies whether the acquired stroke data is written on any one of the title area  121 , the tag area, and the detail area  135 . The CPU  21  associates information indicating the written area (any one from among the title area  121 , the tag area, and the note area  123 ) to the stroke data, and stores the result in the RAM  22 . In a case where, for instance, the format information corresponding to the form  130  is stored in the RAM  22 , the CPU  21  identifies whether the acquired stroke data is written on any one of the title area  131 , the start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , the location area  134 , and the detail area  135 . The CPU  21  associates the information indicating the written area (any one from among the title area  131 , the start time area  132 , the finish time area  133 , the location area  134 , and the detail area  135 ) to the stroke data, and stores the result in the RAM  22 . 
     On the other hand, if the CPU  21  determines that a line drawing is written in the save check box (YES at step S 83 ), the CPU  21  stores, in the flash ROM  23 , the stroke data that is stored in the RAM  22  and that is associated with area information (step S 84 ). As a result, a state is brought about in which the stroke data can be transmitted from the reading device  2  to the PC  19 . The CPU  21  terminates the ordinary processing, and returns the processing to the main processing (see  FIG. 8 ). After termination of the ordinary processing (step S 25 ), the CPU  21  returns the processing to step S 13 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The CPU  21  executes the processing of performing the first-stage determination (input determination processing,  FIG. 9 ). 
     As explained above, the CPU  21  of the reading device  2  firstly determines, in the input determination processing (see  FIG. 9 ), whether a writing operation on the four first check boxes  141  is performed according to area information that indicates four detection areas corresponding to the first check boxes in the table  231  (step S 35 ). If the CPU  21  determines that the writing operation is performed in accordance with the area information that indicates four detection areas corresponding to the first check boxes in the table  231 , the CPU  21  determines, in the setting processing (see  FIG. 10 ), whether a writing operation on the four second check boxes  142  is performed according to any one of area information items that indicate four detection areas corresponding to the second check boxes in the table  231  (step S 67 ). The CPU  21  identifies, as format information corresponding to the paper medium  100 , the format information that is associated to the area information corresponding to the writing operation (step S 69 ). Thus, the CPU  21  determines a writing operation and identifies the format of the paper medium  100 , over two stages, namely the input determination processing and the setting processing. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent erroneous determination of a writing operation for identifying the format of the paper medium  100 , in a case where an ordinary writing operation has been performed. Accordingly, it becomes possible to prevent the CPU  21  from erroneously identifying a format that is different from the format of the paper medium  100  that is placed on the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27  of the reading device  2 . 
     The CPU  21  stores, in the flash ROM  23 , stroke data that includes information on a plurality of coordinates detected by the sensor boards  8 ,  9  (steps S 34 , S 56 ); as a result, it becomes possible to digitize, and to store, information on line drawings based on a writing operation. If the format of the paper medium  100  has been identified in the setting processing (step S 69 ), the CPU  21  deletes the stroke data that is stored in the flash ROM  23  (step S 73 ). As a result, the CPU  21  can exclude, from information of line drawings based on writing operations, information on line drawings based on a writing operation that is performed in order to cause the reading device  2  to recognize the format of the paper medium  100 . This allows the CPU  21  to store, in the flash ROM  23 , only stroke data of a line drawing that accompanies an ordinary writing operation. 
     By contrast, if the CPU  21  determines, in the input determination processing, that a writing operation has not been performed according to the area information that indicates four detection areas corresponding to the first check boxes in the table  231 , the CPU  21  executes the ordinary processing, without deleting the stroke data stored in the flash ROM  23 . Therefore, it becomes possible to digitize and store line drawing information on the basis of the stroke data that is stored in the flash ROM  23 , in a case where the ordinary writing operation is performed immediately after the power source is switched on. It becomes also possible to prevent the CPU  21  from deleting, from the flash ROM  23 , stroke data that is acquired on the basis of the ordinary writing operation. 
     In the input determination processing, the CPU  21  determines a writing operation on the first check boxes  141  that are disposed at the first portion  143  corresponding to the rim portion of the back face  140  (the first stage). Next, in the setting processing, the CPU  21  determines a writing operation on the second check boxes  142  disposed at the second portion  144  inside of the first portion  143  at the back face  140  (the second stage). Thus, the CPU  21  determines, over two stages, that a writing operation has been performed at dissimilar areas. Accordingly, it becomes possible to more properly prevent the CPU  21  from erroneously determining an ordinary writing operation to be an operation for identifying the format of the paper medium  100 . It becomes also possible to prevent the CPU  21  from erroneously determining, in the second stage, a writing operation that should be determined in the first stage and erroneously determining, in the first stage, a writing operation that should be determined in the second stage. Therefore, the CPU  21  can accurately identify the format of the paper medium  100  by virtue of a clear distinction between the first-stage determination and the second-stage determination. 
     If, in the input determination processing (see  FIG. 9 ), the CPU  21  determines that the writing operation on the four first check boxes  141  is performed according to the table  231 , the CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to flash in slow cycles (step S 51 ). If, in the setting processing (see  FIG. 10 ), the CPU  21  determines that the writing operation on the four second check boxes  142  is performed according to the table  231  and the format of the paper medium  100  has been successfully identified, the CPU  21  causes the LEDs  5  to flash in fast cycles (step S 71 ). Therefore, the user of the reading device  2  can easily recognize, at a glance, whether the reading device  2  has identified the format of the paper medium  100 . 
     If a check mark has been written over two or more consecutive times at any one area from among the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448  of the second portion  144 , the CPU  21  identifies the format of the paper medium  100  by excluding a second and subsequent writing operations. Therefore, the CPU  21  can accurately recognize the format of the paper medium  100  even in a case where the user erroneously performs a writing operation, over a plurality of consecutive times, on a same detection area. 
     The CPU  21  executes the input determination processing in a case where the power source of the reading device  2  has been switched on (upon start of the main processing) and in a case where the save check box has been written upon (YES at step S 83 ). The save check box is written upon in order to store, in the reading device  2 , information on line drawings based on a writing operation. In a case where the power source of the reading device  2  has been switched on and in a case where the save check box has been written upon, there is a high likelihood that a new paper medium  100  is placed thereafter on the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27 . Accordingly, in a case where a new paper medium  100  is placed on the left reading device  26  and the right reading device  27 , the CPU  21  can identify the format of the paper medium  100  that has been newly placed. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments above, and can be modified in various ways. In the reading device  2 , the position of the electronic pen  3  may be detected by using another method. For instance, the reading device  2  may be provided with a touch panel. The driving scheme of the touch panel is preferably of resistive type. The paper medium  100  may be placed on the touch panel. In an operation of writing of a line drawing on the form  111  of the paper medium  100  by the electronic pen  3 , the CPU  21  may then detect the position at which the writing pressure is applied, via the touch panel. 
     The designs of the forms  120 ,  130  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the design of the back face  140  shown in  FIG. 6  are exemplary in nature. The type, number, and size of the various areas which are disposed on each of the forms  120 ,  130 , and the back face  140  may be modified. The design shown in  FIG. 6  may be printed on the back face of the back cover  113  of the paper medium  100 . The user may perform a writing operation on the basis of the design that is printed on the back face of the back cover  113  so that the reading device  2  may identify the format of the paper medium  100 . 
     In a case where the format of the paper medium  100  is identified in the setting processing (see  FIG. 10 ), the CPU  21  deletes the stroke data that is stored in the flash ROM  23  (step S 73 ). In another configuration, for instance, the CPU  21  may identify the format of the paper medium  100  and cause the LEDs  5  to flash in fast cycles (step S 71 ), and stand by thereafter for an input operation by the user. Upon reception of an input operation by the user, the CPU  21  may then delete the stroke data that is stored in the flash ROM  23 . By contrast, if no input operation by the user is received within a specified time, the CPU  21  may execute the ordinary processing as-is (see  FIG. 11 ), without deleting the stroke data stored in the flash ROM  23 . 
     The positions of the first check boxes  141  and the second check boxes  142  may be modified. For instance, the first check boxes  141  may be disposed in the second portion  144 , and the second check boxes  142  may be disposed in the first portion  143 . The first check boxes  141  and the second check boxes  142  may be disposed in one of the first portion  143  and the second portion  144 . 
     Instead of issuing warnings by way of the LEDs  5 , the CPU  21  may output sound from a speaker, not shown. Instead of issuing warnings by way of the LEDs  5 , the CPU  21  may cause the reading device  2  to vibrate by way of a vibration motor not shown. 
     In a case where writing operations are performed over a plurality of consecutive times on the same area from among the eight detection areas  1441  to  1448  in the second portion, the CPU  21  may detect the writing operations as dissimilar writing operations. The CPU  21  may execute the input determination processing and the setting processing upon reception of an input operation for identifying the format of the paper medium  100 . 
     The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.