Multi-functional writing instrument

Abstract

A multifunction writing instrument (10) including a body (12) extending along an axial direction (X) and receiving at least two retractable writing elements (14), each of the retractable writing elements (14) including a writing point (14A), a reservoir (14B), and a button (14C), each of the retractable writing elements (14) being movable between a writing position in which the writing tip (14A) extends from the body (12) and a storage position in which the writing tip (14A) is stored within the body (12), and each of the retractable writing elements (14) is connected to an electronic unit (16) for detecting which of the retractable writing elements (14) is in the writing position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. EP19305494.7, filed April 16, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to multi-function writing instruments. A multi-function writing instrument is a writing instrument that includes multiple writing elements, each of which is selectively usable. [Background technology]

[0003] To digitize writing / drawing, a traditional writing instrument (i.e., a writing instrument containing ink / lead) may be used with a digital slate. However, when a multi-function writing instrument is used, it is not possible to detect if the user has changed the writing element used, e.g., a different color ink. Such changes cannot be taken into account during digitization. Thus, there is a need to improve the digitization of the use of multi-function writing instruments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment relates to a multifunction writing instrument including a body extending along an axial direction and receiving at least two retractable writing elements, each of which includes a writing point, a reservoir, and a button, each of which is movable between a writing position in which a writing tip extends from the body and a stored position in which the writing tip is stored within the body, and an electronic unit configured to detect which of the retractable writing elements is in the writing position.

[0005] In the following, unless otherwise specified, "writing instrument" is used for "multifunction writing instrument" and "writing element" is used for "retractable writing element".

[0006] The axial direction corresponds to the axis of the body. In the present disclosure, a retractable writing element is formed by any retractable set including a writing point, a reservoir, and a button. The writing point may be a felt-tip pen, a ballpoint tip, a mechanical pencil, a graphite pencil lead, chalk, or any other means that allows writing on a substrate. The reservoir may be provided with ink or one or several leads. The writing elements may be retractable by any mechanism known to those skilled in the art. The button of each writing element allows the actuation of the writing element to move the writing element from the stored position to the writing position. The button may be used to move the writing element from the writing position to the stored position. For example, a writing element in a writing element may automatically move to the stored position if another writing element moves from its stored position to its writing position. Only one writing element can be in the writing position at a time.

[0007] The electronic unit may be active or passive (i.e., with or without a power unit such as a battery). The writing instrument may include a single electronic unit. The electronic unit may include several independent sub-units and a shared common main unit. The electronic unit is configured to detect which retractable writing element is in a writing position. Thus, the electronic unit can be used to automatically indicate on a digital slate which writing element is being used, improving the familiarity of the writing instrument.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electronic unit may include the same number of switches as there are retractable writing elements, with each retractable writing element associated with (or configured to interact with) a switch.

[0009] Each retractable writing element may be associated with a single switch. By associating each writing element with a switch, movement of the writing element from a retracted position to a writing position can be reliably detected, improving ease of use of the writing instrument.

[0010] In some embodiments, the electronic unit may include the same number of tips as there are retractable writing elements, with each retractable writing element including one of the tips.

[0011] The button of each retractable writing element may include a tip. Providing a tip on each writing element ensures that movement of the writing element from the retracted position to the writing position can be detected, improving ease of use of the writing instrument.

[0012] In some embodiments, the electronic unit may include a wireless communication system configured to communicate with external devices.

[0013] For example, the wireless communication system may be a Near Field Communication (NFC) system, a Bluetooth system, a Wi-Fi system, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, etc. Such a system allows for automatic communication between the writing instrument and the digital slate, thus improving ease of use.

[0014] In some embodiments, the tip of the retractable writing element is electrically connected to the wireless communication system when the retractable writing element is in the writing position, while the tip of the retractable writing element is electrically disconnected from the wireless communication system when the retractable writing element is in the stored position.

[0015] Such a configuration can be cost-effective, reliable, and save space in the writing instrument. For example, the wireless communication system may include several electrical contacts, for example, two electrical contacts, while each retractable writing element includes a complementary electrical contact. When the retractable writing element is in the writing position, the complementary contacts may be electrically connected with the respective contacts of the wireless communication system. Thus, in this position, the tip may be connected with the wireless communication system. When the retractable writing element is in the storage position, the complementary contacts may be electrically disconnected from the respective contacts of the wireless communication system. Thus, in this position, the tip may be disconnected from the wireless communication system. When the retractable writing element is in the writing position, a closed electrical circuit may be formed, while when the retractable writing element is in the storage position, an open electrical circuit is formed. For example, the tips are different, each tip having a unique ID, forming a unique passive RFID tag when the writing element is in the writing position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the multi-function writing instrument may include a rear portion housing a button and a front portion housing a writing tip, and the wireless communication system includes an antenna disposed within the front portion.

[0017] For example, a writing instrument may include a front barrel as the front and a rear barrel as the rear barrel. Placing the antenna at the front provides space for a storage mechanism behind the writing element. Placing the antenna at the front improves the quality of wireless communication and places the antenna closer to an associated external receiver, such as a receiver included within a digital slate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the multifunction writing instrument may have a device configured to be detected by the space detection system.

[0019] Some digital slates require the provision of a dedicated device on the writing instrument to digitize the writing / drawing. The device may be single or integrated with the rest of the writing instrument, or may form a separate element that can be attached to the writing instrument. Such a device improves ease of use.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device may be a magnetic ring.

[0021] For example, a magnetic ring may be integrated into the front of the writing instrument. Such a device is cost effective and reliable.

[0022] One embodiment relates to a set having a digital slate including a space detection system configured to detect a space position of a writing instrument, and a multi-function writing instrument according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] In some embodiments, the digital slate may include a system for identifying which retractable writing element of a multi-function writing instrument is in a writing position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] The present disclosure will be better understood from a reading of the detailed description of various embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, which description makes reference to the attached figure sheets. [Figure 1] 1 shows a multifunction writing instrument according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] A set having a digital slate and a multi-function writing instrument is shown. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a multifunction writing instrument according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] 1 shows a multi-function writing instrument 10 according to a first embodiment. The multi-function writing instrument 10 includes a body 12 that receives a number of retractable writing elements 14; in this example, four writing elements 14 are used, although any suitable number of writing elements may be used. Note that although the internal elements of the writing instrument are shown as transparent in FIG. 1, the body may not be transparent.

[0026] The body 12 may extend along the axial direction X and have a front barrel 12A as a front part and a rear barrel 12B as a rear part. The body 12 presents a first end 12-1, or front end, along the axial direction X, and a second end 12-2, or rear end, opposite the first end 12-1. In this example, the front barrel 12A has the first end 12-1, while the rear barrel 12B has the second end 12-2. The first end 12-1 is provided with a through hole 12-A1 for the writing point 14A of the writing element 14 to pass through.

[0027] Each retractable writing element 14 includes a writing point 14A, a reservoir 14B, and a button 14C. In this example, the writing point 14A may be a ballpoint pen, and the reservoir 14B may be filled with ink. The ink in the different reservoirs 14B may be of different colors. In other words, each of the writing elements 14 may be configured to write in different colors. The button 14C is disposed within the rear barrel 12B, and the writing tip 14A is housed in the front barrel 12A (in the retracted position). The reservoir 14B extends between the button 14B and the writing tip 14A and is housed in both the front barrel 12A and the rear barrel 12B.

[0028] The writing elements 14 are movable between a writing position, in which the writing tip 14A extends from the body 12, and a storage position, in which the writing tip 14A is stored within the body 12. In FIG. 1, one writing element 14 is in the writing position and all other writing elements 14 are in the stored position. The storage mechanism for each writing element 14 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. It is noted that the storage mechanism may include a compression spring 13.

[0029] The writing instrument 10 includes a single electronic unit 16. In this example, the electronic unit 16 may include an integrated circuit 16A, four switches 16B, and a wireless communication system 16C, in this example a Near Field Communication (NFC) system including an antenna 16C1.

[0030] The electronic unit 16 is configured to detect which retractable writing element 14 is in the writing position. In this example, the electronic unit 16 includes as many switches 16B as there are writing elements 14. In this example, each button 14C may be associated with a switch 16B. Each button 14C may be coupled to the switch 16B, for example, via a compression spring 13 of its retraction mechanism. For example, the switch 16B may be a pressure-sensitive switch that is turned on when a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure is applied and turned off when a pressure less than the predetermined pressure is applied. The antenna 16C1 is disposed within the front barrel 12A.

[0031] The writing instrument 10 includes a device 18 configured to be detected by the spatial detection system. In this example, the device 18 may be a magnetic ring. In this example, the magnetic ring 18 may be housed within the front barrel 12A.

[0032] In this example, both the antenna 16C1 and the magnet ring 18 have annular shapes with axis X. They may be arranged coaxially within the front barrel 12A. The antenna 16C1 is closer to the first end 12-1 than the magnet ring 18.

[0033] In this example, when button 14C of writing element 14 is actuated to place the writing element in a writing position, button 14C actuates switch 16B connected to it. The actuation of the switch is detected by electronic unit 16, which then transmits a signal 30 via antenna 16C1 to indicate which writing element 14 is in the writing position.

[0034] For example, in the set 100 shown in FIG. 2 including the writing instrument 10 and the digital slate 50, the signal transmitted via the antenna 16C may be received and processed by the digital slate 50. In this example, the slate 50 may include a spatial detection system 52 configured to detect the position of the device 18 and a system 54 for identifying which writing element 14 is in the writing position. Such spatial detection systems 52 are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. The system 54 may be a near field communication (NFC) system configured to receive the signal 30 transmitted by the writing instrument 10. The slate 50 may then digitize the color of the writing / drawing written / drawn on the slate 50 (or a piece of paper placed on the slate 50), for example, as shown in FIG. 2, and the slate 50 may be connected to a computer 80 (not part of the set 100), which displays the writing / drawing in the appropriate color digitized by the slate 50.

[0035] 3 shows a multifunction writing instrument 20 according to a second embodiment. The multifunction writing instrument 20 of the second embodiment is similar to the multifunction writing instrument 10 of the first embodiment, except for the electronic unit.

[0036] In the second embodiment example, the electronic unit 26 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including a different chip 26A and a wireless communication system 26B, in this example, an antenna 26B1. In this example, the electronic unit 26 includes as many chips 26A as there are writing elements 14. The chips 26A form independent sub-units and the antennas 26B1 form a shared common main unit.

[0037] In this example, each tip 26A is embedded in a button 14C. The antenna 26B1 includes an electrical contact 27A, in this example, two electrical contacts 27A. A complementary electrical contact 27B, in this example, two complementary electrical contacts 27B, is provided on the surface of each button 14C to electrically connect the antenna 26B1 with the tip 26A embedded in the button 14C when the associated writing element 14 is in the writing position. Assuming that the writing element 14 is in the retracted position, the complementary contact 27B is away from the contact 27A, and thus the tip 26A is electrically disconnected from the antenna 26B1. The electrical contact 27A may have an annular shape. This annular shape allows the antenna 26B1 to have only two contacts 27A, which are configured to electrically connect the respective complementary contacts 27B of any writing element 14.

[0038] The set 100 shown in FIG. 2 may include the writing instrument 10 of the first embodiment or the writing instrument 20 of the second embodiment.

[0039] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular examples, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. In particular, the individual features of the various embodiments shown and / or mentioned may be combined in additional embodiments. Accordingly, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative sense and not in a restrictive sense.

[0040] Furthermore, all of the disclosed features of the apparatus, either alone or in any combination, can be transferred to the method, or vice versa.

[0041] It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A multifunction writing instrument (10, 20) comprising: a body (12) extending along an axial direction (X) and receiving at least two retractable writing elements (14), each retractable writing element (14) including a writing point (14A), a reservoir (14B), and a button (14C), each retractable writing element (14) movable between a writing position where a writing tip (14A) extends from said body (12) and a stored position where said writing tip (14A) is stored within said body (12); and an electronic unit (16, 26) configured to detect which retractable writing element (14) is in said writing position; The multi-function writing instrument (10, 20) is characterized in that it comprises a magnetic ring (18) configured to be detected by a spatial detection system (52) that detects a spatial position.

2. 2. The multifunction writing instrument (10) of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (16) includes the same number of switches (16B) as there are retractable writing elements (14), each retractable writing element (14) being associated with a switch (16B).

3. 2. The multifunction writing instrument (20) of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (26) includes the same number of tips (26A) as there are retractable writing elements (14), each retractable writing element (14) including one of the tips (26A).

4. 2. The multifunction writing instrument (20) of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (26) includes the same total number of chips (26A) and switches (16B) as there are retractable writing elements (14), each retractable writing element (14) including one of the chips (26A) or one of the switches (16B).

5. The multifunction writing instrument (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic unit (16, 26) comprises a wireless communication system (16C, 26B) configured to communicate with an external device (50).

6. A multifunction writing instrument (20) as claimed in any one of claims 3, 4 and 5, wherein when the retractable writing element (14) is in the writing position, a tip (26A) of the retractable writing element (14) is electrically connected to a wireless communication system (26B), while when the retractable writing element (14) is in the stored position, the tip (26A) of the retractable writing element (14) is electrically disconnected from the wireless communication system (26B).

7. The multi-function writing instrument (10, 20) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a rear portion (12B) that houses the button (14C) and a front portion (12A) that houses the writing tip (14A).

8. A multifunction writing instrument (10, 20) according to any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, wherein the wireless communication system (16C, 26B) comprises an antenna (16C1, 26B1) arranged in the front part (12A).

9. A set (100) comprising a digital slate (50) including a spatial detection system (52) configured to detect the spatial position of the writing instrument, and a multifunction writing instrument (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. The set (100) of claim 9, wherein the digital slate (50) includes a system (54) for identifying which retractable writing element (14) of the multifunction writing instrument (10, 20) is in the writing position.

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