SANTARELLO, Piero Enrico (Via Carlo Marx 131, Carpi, I-41012, IT)
PEDRINI, Erio (Via Carlo Marx 131, Carpi, I-41012, IT)
GOZZI, Alfio (Via Carlo Marx 131, Carpi, I-41012, IT)
SANTARELLO, Piero Enrico (Via Carlo Marx 131, Carpi, I-41012, IT)
PEDRINI, Erio (Via Carlo Marx 131, Carpi, I-41012, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. Writing detection device, characterised in that it comprises : a main body (102); a writing surface (113), foreseen in said main body (102), on which at least one sheet of paper (A, A') can be positioned; means (108) for holding at least one sheet (A, A') positioned on said writing surface (113); a writing sensor (126) foreseen below said writing surface ( 113 ) ; a touchscreen (117) foreseen in said main body (102) ; an electronic card (S) for processing, managing and storing the markings made on said sheet and acquired by said writing sensor (126), and the instructions inserted through said touchscreen (117). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said writing sensor (126) is of the electromagnetic resonance type. 3. Device according to claim 2, comprising a pen (111) equipped with an internal electromagnetic circuit interacting with said writing sensor (126) and with a conventional ink cartridge for writing on said sheet (A, A' ) . 4. Device according to claim 1, comprising means for connecting to the internet (112) to transfer data to at least one remote destination. 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said means for connecting to the internet (112) comprise sockets for connecting to USB devices such as Wifi, Bluetooth®, UMTS, ethernet, zigbee, and similar interfaces. 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said holding means (108) comprise a spring provided with a contact portion (129) with the sheet (Α,Α' ) , and coupling appendages (130) with a housing (107) foreseen in said main body ( 102 ) . 7. Device according to the previous claim, wherein said coupling appendages (130) comprise respective ends (132) bent substantially in a right angle abutting on a lower edge (133) of said housing (107). 8. Device according to claim 6, wherein said contact portion (129) comprises a bent free end (131) placed in direct contact with said writing surface (113). 9. Device according to claim 1, wherein said writing surface (113) comprises a perimeter edge (114) for holding the sheet (A, A') positioned on it. 10. Device according to claim 3, comprising a seat (110) for the insertion of said pen (111). 11. Device according to the previous claim, wherein said seat (110) is foreseen in the rear face (109) of said main body (102) . 12. Device according to claim 1, wherein said main body (102) comprises an upper portion (103) and a lower portion (104), coupled together. 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein said touchscreen (117) is inserted in a suitable window (116) foreseen in said upper portion (103) of said main body (102) . 14. Device according to claim 12, comprising at least one rechargeable power supply battery (125) housed in said lower portion of said main body (102). 15. Device according to claim 1, comprising a sound warning buzzer (121). 16. Device according to claim 1, comprising at least one integrated microphone for sound recording and/or at least one input for the connection of an external microphone for sound recording. 17. Device, according to claim 1, comprising at least one output (123) for the connection of audio headphones. 18. Device according to claim 1, comprising at least one housing (124) for an external memory card for transferring data. 19. Method for filling in a document carried out with the device for detecting writing according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising the steps of: inserting at least one first pre-printed sheet (A) on said writing surface (113) ; selecting the type of document to be generated associated with said first pre-printed sheet (A) ; filling in said first pre-printed sheet (A) in the parts to be filled in (136) ; saving the information detected by said writing sensor (126) during the filling in process in a file that corresponds to a copy of said first pre-printed sheet (A) that has been filled in. 20. Method according to claim 19, wherein said step of selecting the type of document to be generated associated with said first pre-printed sheet (A) is carried out by pressing a respective selection button (139) on said touchscreen (117). 21. Method according to claim 19, wherein said step of selecting the type of document to generate associated with said first pre-printed sheet (A) is carried out by making a mark at a first functional check box (141) foreseen on said first pre-printed sheet (A) . 22. Method according to claim 19, wherein said step of saving the information detected by said writing sensor (126) is carried out by pressing a respective save button on said touchscreen (117). 23. Method according to claim 19, wherein said step of saving the information detected by said writing sensor (126) is carried out by making a mark at a second functional check box (142) foreseen on said first pre- printed sheet (A) . 24. Method according to claim 19, comprising a step of inserting at least one second pre-printed sheet (A' ) on said writing surface (113). 25. Method according to claim 24, comprising a step of activating the filling in of said second pre-printed sheet (A' ) . 26. Method according to claim 25, wherein said step of activating the filling in of said second pre-printed sheet (A' ) is carried out through a respective selection button (139) on said touchscreen (117). 27. Method according to claim 25, wherein said step of activating the filling in of said second pre-printed sheet (A' ) is carried out by making a mark at a third functional check box (143) foreseen on said second pre- printed sheet (A' ) . 28. Method according to claim 19, comprising a step of sending said file to a remote receiver. 29. Method according to claim 28, wherein said step of sending said file to a remote receiver is carried out through a respective send button (140) on said touchscreen (117) . 30. Method according to claim 28, wherein said step of sending said file to a remote receiver is carried out by making a mark at a fourth functional check box (144) foreseen on said second pre-printed sheet (A' ) . |
DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a writing detection device.
In particular, the present invention concerns a writing detection device suitable in particular for storing text and/or drawings made by a user on a sheet or even a stack of sheets rested on a suitable surface of the device itself.
STATE OF THE ART
There are various known types of devices for detecting electronic writing, also known as graphic tablets, which make it possible to detect text and drawings made by the user on a pressure-sensitive screen with which the device is equipped and that is associated with a control processor.
In such known devices the user is forced to write directly on the screen with special pens, of substantial cost, which transfer the pressure exerted by the hand, without any other writing means being able to be placed between the pen and the screen, otherwise risking the incorrect acquisition of data or making it impossible for the data to be detected at all.
Devices of this type, therefore, do not make it possible to have the document produced in paper form immediately available, which in some cases is necessary, unless printing means are handily provided to which the graphical tablet can be connected, with the consequent accompanying cables, power supply and whatever else is necessary, or other data transmission means .
For example, we can consider certain professional applications, and others besides, in which the paper document - also the original and not just a printed copy - must be immediately available, for example for certain legal obligations, as a documented copy of certain facts, or similar.
Moreover, the aforementioned known devices are cumbersome to use and are not very practical particularly in certain difficult conditions, for example in busy places, without surfaces to rest on, and similar: indeed, known graphical tablets, in order to be correctly used, preferably need at least one small support surface, with space available for the associated accessories, like for example the special pen and the like.
PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION
The technical task of the present invention is therefore to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks, by devising a writing detection device that makes it possible to detect, store and save text associated with at least one corresponding paper document produced by the user himself.
In such a technical task, a purpose of the present invention is to make a writing detection device that is particularly suitable for filling in documents such as forms with predefined columns and the like.
This task and this purpose are accomplished by the writing detection device according to the attached claim 1.
Further advantageous characteristics are described in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The characteristics of the invention will become clearer to any man skilled in the art from the following description and from the tables of drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which:
figure 1 is a plan view of the writing detection device, according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a perspective view of the writing detection device with a stack of sheets held- resting on the screen;
figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the device according to the invention; figure 4 is a side view of the device according to the invention, in another embodiment;
figure 5 is a front view of the device of figure
4;
figure 6 is a rear view of the device of figures
4,5;
figure 7 is an axonometric view of the device according to figures 4-6;
figure 8 is an axonometric view of the device of figure 7 in which the upper portion of the box-shaped main support body has been removed;
figure 9 is a partially exploded axonometric view of the device of figure 8;
figure 10 is a front view of the means for holding the sheets of the device of figures 4-9;
figure 11 is a side view of the same holding means ;
figure 12 is a top view of the holding means;
figure 13 is a detail of a section of the device carried out according to a longitudinal plane;
figure 14 is a front view of the device in a step of a first way of use;
figure 15 is a front view of the device in a further step of said first way of use;
figure 16 is a front view of the device in a step of a second way of use;
figure 17 is a front view of the device in a further step of said second way of use;
figure 18 is a simplified block diagram of the architecture of the system for managing each device in terms of the available functionalities in relation to the application for which the device itself is intended;
figure 19 is a simplified block diagram of the software architecture of each device;
figure 20 is a simplified block diagram of the architecture of the system for managing each device in terms of accessibility to remote software content.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION.
With reference to the attached figure 1, a writing detection device according to the present invention is wholly indicated with 1.
The device 1 described hereafter should be understood to be for absolutely general use, without any limitation, both for professional users and for users who use it in their spare time, or similar.
With reference also to figure 3, which represents a block diagram of the device according to the invention, said writing detection device comprises a box-shaped main support body 2, equipped with at least one touchscreen 3, i.e. a screen that is sensitive to pressing by the user - said screen 3 being associated with at least one control processor E housed in the main body 2.
The processor E is incorporated, for example, in an electronic card S of the type known in the field, with which an internal memory M, also of the type known in the field, for example with a magnetic medium, or similar, is also associated.
The processor E, thanks to special programs devised for the purpose and installed in the internal memory M or in other memories possibly present on the electronic card S, is suitable for storing the writing and/or the drawings made by the user, with known pens on at least one sheet A resting on the screen 3, in the same internal memory M.
More specifically, the writing detection device 1 comprises a touchscreen 3 associated with the control processer E so as to store the writing and/or the drawings, made by the user on the first sheet A of a stack B of sheets of predetermined maximum height resting on said screen 3, in the internal memory M. Purely as a non-limiting example, the maximum height of the stack B of sheets can be 1 cm.
In even greater detail, the writing detection device 1 is suitable for recognising and for storing the writing and/or marks of various kinds made by the user: the control processor E recognises, by pressure made by the user with the pen on the sheet A - or on the stack B of sheets resting on the screen 3 - the characters and/or the marks and creates a binary file - in different possible formats able to be selected by the user - which can be saved, indeed, in the internal memory M. According to an aspect of the present invention, the device 1 comprises means 4 for holding the sheets A, B resting on the screen 3, foreseen in particular outside of the main body 2 and at the upper edge of the screen 3.
Said holding means 4 can for example consist of a bracket actuated by a spring closing elastically on the stack B of sheets, or by a clip, or by other equivalent mechanical holding means, of the type that can easily be opened and closed with a single quick movement.
The ' device 1 comprises a series of components suitable for implementing its functionalities, as will become clearer hereafter: in particular, the device comprises an integrated microphone 5 for sound recording, and/or an input 6 for the connection of an external microphone .
The device also comprises at least one loudspeaker L for playing back the audio recordings made, and also an output 7 for the connection of audio headphones.
The device 1 is able to transfer and receive the data - both that recognised and saved as the user's writing, and other data possibly present in the internal memory M - since it is equipped with means for connecting to the internet I.
The means for connecting to the internet I are, for example, of the remote type, like "Wi-fi" and similar, for remotely transmitting files of data, in the preferred format in which they were saved.
The device also comprises Bluetooth® type connection means, indicated with C, for connection to external electronic devices, in a way known in the field.
The device 1 can be interfaced with external peripherals, since it comprises at least one USB port 8; in this way, the device 1 can be connected to a printer, to an external computer and similar, or even to memory sticks for data transfer, or furthermore to any other electronic device for managing and processing data.
In an ' embodiment thereof, the device 1 comprises housings for external memory cards of the different types currently on the market, and for example it can comprise a first housing 9a for SD type memory cards and a second housing 9b for SD Card® type memory cards, but it can comprise housings for yet other types of memory cards, of an equivalent type.
The device comprises means for the user to actuate and control all of the functionalities. Such means comprise, for example, a first start button 10, foreseen for example in the lower area of the device 1 itself. Such means also comprise a second selection button 11, foreseen again for example in the lower area, for selecting the tasks to be carried out: such a selection can, for example, take place through a menu displayed on the screen 3. However, the same tasks can also be carried out by pressing on the screen 3 itself. For the actuation and control means there can also be, for example again in the lower portion of the device 1 and as schematically illustrated in figure 1, other buttons T dedicated to the actuation of particular functionalities of the device, like for example quick storage, at any time, of the text written on the sheet A and/or of the drawings made on the same sheet A, and the subsequent immediate sending to one or more preselected destinations, like for example one or more email addresses, or similar.
The device 1 comprises a rechargeable power supply battery 12, of the type known in the field. In the internal memory M there can be an electronic archive of various forms with predefined columns of writing files to be generated, able to be selected at the user's discretion.
The operation of the writing detection device 1 according to the invention is, according to what is described, totally intuitive.
The device 1 can be . accessed and switched off through the first on-off button 10; the user, once the sheet A or the stack B of sheets is resting on the touchscreen 3 and they have been secured thanks to the holding means 4, begins to write with a known pen, applying a normal writing pressure. The device 1 stores text and/or drawings, and in particular can recognise the characters of a text, saving it all in the internal memory M and in the desired format, able to be selected at the user's discretion.
The file, as stated, is saved in the internal memory M, and then, when needed, the user can give up the written sheet keeping the digital copy for himself, which is stored in the device 1 for any eventuality.
As described earlier, the device 1 is also able to make voice recordings by directly activating its integrated microphone 5, or by connecting an external microphone to the device itself 1, thanks to the foreseen input 6. The recordings made can be listened to again immediately or later - once stored - thanks to the foreseen loudspeaker L or by connecting headphones to the device 1 thanks to the audio output 7.
Moreover, it should be noted that the files that can be stored in the internal memory M can be of another different type from the ones quoted: indeed, since the device 1 can also have other external devices like photo cameras and the like connected to it, for example through the USB port 8, the files saved in the internal memory M of the device 1 can consist, for example, of images, photographs or films.
The files acquired and stored in the internal memory M - which as stated can be text, images, audio and yet other types - can be quickly and easily transferred to other electronic devices, according to the ways preferred by the user: the saved data can be transferred as stated via internet, through the means for connecting to the internet I - for example directly through an email program or via Bluetooth®, with the dedicated connection means C.
Alternatively, the data or the files can be transferred to memory cards connected through the aforementioned housings 9a, 9b, or furthermore to an electronic stick connected to the device thanks to the USB ports 8 with which the device 1 is provided.
The device 1 can comprise programs for pre-cataloguing the data acquired by it, so that once it has been transferred for example onto a computer, it can already be ready for cataloguing in a document archive.
The text files, or else the images and the photographs, can also be sent directly for printing by connecting the device to a printer again thanks to the USB ports 8.
All of the tasks described above can be carried out quickly thanks to a control menu that the user can easily gain access to for example through the second button 11, or even by directly pressing on the touchscreen 3.
The invention, thus conceived, allows important technical advantages to be obtained.
An important technical advantage consists of the fact that the writing detection device 1 makes it possible to automatically store, in a quick and reliable manner, text and/or drawings, and to recognise the text written by the user with a known pen on a sheet A and even on a stack B of sheets resting on and secured to the touchscreen 3, by writing with normal pressure on the sheet A itself.
The user, then, keeps the original document produced in paper form, i.e. the sheet A, and can use it as wanted or needed, for example it can be archived, sent off, or even, if of no use, it can be eliminated for example by recycling the sheet of paper.
Moreover, the device 1 is extremely versatile.
Indeed, it is provided with multiple available functions, since it also allows audio files to be recorded and replayed.
It also allows archiving of all the acquired data, as well as quick and simple transferring thereof in the ways preferred by the user, with particular but not exclusive reference to remote sending, for example, to one or more email addresses defined by the user.
With particular reference, also, to professional uses, for which the device according to the present invention is particularly recommended, it should be noted that its use is very advantageous in all situations in which it is necessary to quickly process a text - for example to write a sheet of notes, or else to fill in a form with predefined columns - in a short time and perhaps even in uncomfortable conditions, so as to be able to store them instantly to then send them immediately to the selected destination.
For example, the device 1 is particularly easy and advantageous to use for technicians and other workers who carry out inspections and controls on machinery and plants .
Otherwise, it is equally easy and advantageous for users that need to take notes, for example, in uncomfortable and busy places, so as to be able to make such notes reach the desired destination in a very short time, without any drawback or delay due to other methods of delivery.
Again in favour of these types of uses, the essential simplicity of the user interface makes it possible to carry out the desired tasks - for example production of the document and immediately sending it or providing it to whoever needs it - with very few movements, for example pressing a single button T, or two buttons T in succession .
Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is illustrated in figures 4-20.
The device according to the present embodiment is wholly indicated with 101 in figure 5.
The device comprises, like in the previous embodiment, a box-shaped main support body 102.
The main body 102 comprises, in greater detail, an upper portion 103 and a lower portion 104, coupled together .
The upper portion 103 and the lower portion 104 are coupled together, for example, through interlocking means and/or through screws, or with other equivalent known coupling means.
The upper portion 103 and the lower portion 104 are made, for example, of material like plastic or similar, or even of other materials suitable for the purpose. The dimensions of such upper and lower portions 103, 104 - for example the thicknesses - are calculated so as to reduce the overall weight of the object as much as possible, for better manageability.
The lower portion 104, more clearly visible in figure 9, provides the support for most of the components of the device 101. In particular, the lower portion 104 defines a set of compartments and housings for the various components of the device 101 inside it, as can be seen in figure 9.
The lower portion 104 comprises openings 105,106 for accessing the internal components.
In greater detail, there is a side opening 105 along a side of the device 101, and two rear openings 106, the functions of which will become clearer hereafter.
The lower portion 104 also comprises a housing 107 for means 108 for holding at least one sheet A or a stack of sheets. The housing 107 and the holding means 108 will be described more clearly hereafter. Figure 6 illustrates the rear face 109 of the lower portion 104.
At such a rear face 109, the lower portion 104 comprises a seat 110 for the insertion of a pen 111 for writing on sheets A.
The characteristics of the pen 111 will be described more clearly hereafter.
Moreover, in figure 6 it is possible to see the rear openings 106. At such openings there are the sockets 112 for means for connecting to the internet to transfer data to at least one remote destination, visible in figure 9, for example USB devices such as ifi, Bluetooth®, UMTS, ethernet, zigbee, and similar interfaces .
The upper portion 103 of the main body 102, as illustrated for example in figures 5,7, comprises a writing surface 113, on which the single sheet A or a stack of sheets is rested.
The writing surface 113 is defined by a perimeter edge 114, which keeps the sheet A or stack of sheets in the correct writing position, without undergoing accidental movements .
For this purpose, the writing surface 113 can be made with a certain surface roughness, so as to avoid the accidental slipping of the sheets. The writing surface 113 can have standardised dimensions, for example to receive sheets in A4 format, or other formats.
The upper portion 103 comprises a recess 115 along one of its short sides, at which the means 108 for holding the sheets A are positioned.
In an opposite position with respect to the recess 115, with reference to the writing surface 113, the upper portion 103 of the main body comprises a window 116 for a touchscreen 117.
The touchscreen 117 is very small in size. Indeed, as will become clearer hereafter, it allows the bulk and weight to be kept to the minimum, and also allows the procedures of filling in and/or saving and/or sending documents to be carried out extremely quickly and easily, with very few operations.
On the left of the touchscreen 117 there is a small circular opening 118, at which there is an on-off button 119 for the device 101.
On the right of the touchscreen 117 there is a small circular area with little holes 120, at which there is a sound warning buzzer 121 for the user, for example in the case of incorrect procedures in filling in and/or saving and/or sending documents, as made clearer hereafter. The device 101 comprises, like in the previous embodiment, an electronic card S for managing its operation.
As illustrated in figure 9, the electronic card S is housed in the lower portion 104 of the main body 102. Some components are integrated on it, such as a USB socket 122, an output for the audio headphones 123, a slot for a memory card 124, and optional others, for example an integrated microphone, and similar. Such components 122,123,124 are therefore accessible through the side opening 105 of the main body 102.
Other possible components for interfacing with external devices, not represented in the figures but of the per se known type, can be foreseen in other areas of the device, without any limitation.
The electronic card S is of course connected to the various components of the device 101 described up to now, in other words the touchscreen 117, the on-off button 119, the buzzer 121, and the sockets 112.
The device 101 comprises a power supply battery 125, preferably of the rechargeable and high performance type, housed in the lower portion 104 of the main body 102, connected to the electronic card S.
The device 101 according to the invention also comprises a writing sensor 126. The writing sensor 126 is positioned under the writing surface 113, and has dimensions substantially corresponding to the latter, so as to be operative and effective substantially over the entire useful writing surface .
The writing sensor 113 is fixed to the lower portion 104 of the central body 102, for example through small pins 127 inserted in corresponding holes 128 of the writing sensor 126, foreseen at the corners.
The writing sensor 126 is operatively connected to the electronic card S.
The writing sensor 126 is of the electromagnetic resonance type, which is per se known.
As known, such a writing sensor 126 is suitable for detecting the movement of the pen 111 - not conventional but of the type compatible with the sensor 126 - on the writing surface 113, thus interpreting the user' s movements and thus acquiring the marks made on the sheet A.
The pen 111, in turn, is equipped with a conventional ink cartridge and with an internal electromagnetic circuit - not represented in the figures but of the per se known type - without any battery or other type of electrical power supply, which interacts electromagnetically with the circuits of the writing sensor 126, generating a signal that the sensor 126 itself transforms into information, moment by moment, concerning the position of the tip of the pen 111 itself .
The pen 111 is also provided with an internal pressure sensor, not represented in the figures, which detects the pressure exerted by the user in the act of writing on the sheet, and thus determines, indeed, whether the user is actually writing or is simply moving the pen 111.
The means 108 for holding a single sheet A or a stack of sheets comprise a spring, which keeps the single sheet A or the stack of sheets elastically pressed on the writing surface 113.
The spring 108 is represented in detail in figures 10- 12, and its assembly in the device 101 is represented in particular in figure 13.
The spring 108 comprises, in greater detail, a contact portion 129 with the sheet A, and coupling appendages 130 with the housing 107 foreseen in the main body 102 of the device 101.
The contact portion 129 with the sheet A, with reference to the cross section illustrated in figure 11, has a substantially rectilinear section, with the free end 131 bent. The coupling appendages 130 with the housing 107 are for example at least two in number, foreseen at the ends of the spring 108.
The coupling appendages 130, with reference to the section of figure 11, have a substantially open circular cross section, and together with the contact portion 129 they form an overall substantially S-shaped section .
The coupling appendages 130 comprise respective ends 132 bent substantially at a right angle.
The spring 108 is mounted in the housing 107 in the way illustrated in figure 13.
In particular, the coupling appendages 130 are completely inserted in the housing 107, and the ends 132 abut on the lower edge 133 of the housing 107 itself, foreseen in the lower portion 104 of the main body 102.
The upper edge 134 of the housing 107, on the other hand - foreseen in the upper portion 103 of the main body 102 - constitutes a constraint for the joining area between the coupling appendages 130 and the contact portion 129.
As can be understood from observing the configuration of the spring 108 and the way it is mounted in the housing 107, the spring 108 itself makes it possible to exert an effective elastic holding action on one or more sheets at the writing surface 113, even in the case of a large stack of sheets. The coupling portion 130, indeed, can lift substantially with respect to the plane of the writing surface 113, without any risk of coming away from the housing 107 thanks to the abutment on the lower edge 133 and on the upper edge 134.
The spring 108 thus devised makes it possible to obtain the important advantage of securely and comfortably holding one or more sheets in a stack with extremely low overall bulk and weight.
Moreover, the presence of the spring 108 interferes minimally with the writing sensor 126. Indeed, the surface of the contact portion 129 that, in use conditions, is located near to the writing sensor 126 is limited substantially to its bent free end, whereas most of the metallic material of the spring 108 is located in an area such as not to interfere with the writing sensor 126.
The seat 110 for the insertion of the pen 111, as stated, is foreseen in the rear face 109 of the lower portion 104 of the main body 102.
The seat 110 is visible in the cross section of figure 13. As can be seen in such a figure, the pen 111 can be easily inserted into the seat 110 by simply pressing, and no other constraint means are necessary. The external bulk of the pen 111 is thus zero.
Hereafter two possible ways of using the device are described, in respective advantageous applications according to the present invention.
One way of use consists of filling in, saving and sending a file - for example in "pdf" format or similar - to a remote receiver, said file corresponding to the filled in copy of a form with predefined columns with the help of the touchscreen 117, and keeping the original copy.
By the expression "form with predefined columns" in the rest of the present description we mean any pre-printed document to be filled in for various needs, for example professional but also others. For example, such a form can consist of a commercial contract that the user must have signed by the other contracting party, or else a form for collecting information or technical, scientific or medical data, or else a record associated with a certain event or a certain task, a public administration document, or any other pre-printed document to be filled in.
This first way of use is schematically illustrated in figures 14 , 15.
In this first way of use, the user - i.e. for example the person that must fill in a form containing data and the signature of a contracting party - positions a first pre-printed sheet A, i.e. a paper form with predefined columns, on the writing surface 113, locking it with the spring 108.
The form with predefined columns consists for example, in the present example, of two pages, i.e. a first preprinted sheet A and a second pre-printed sheet A' .
The first pre-printed sheet A, represented in figure 14, comprises for example written parts 135 containing certain information - parts indicated with a broken line - and parts to be filled in 136, indicated with a full line. Some of the parts to be filled in 136 require certain information to be written directly, for example the contracting party's personal data; moreover, there can be check boxes 137 to select certain options.
At the bottom there can be a box for the signature 138 of the contracting party.
Once the first pre-printed sheet A has been positioned on the writing surface 113, the user, through the touchscreen 117, selects the type of form with predefined columns, corresponding to the first preprinted sheet A, which he will fill out: as schematically illustrated in figure 14, in this step the touchscreen 117 displays the selection buttons 139 associated with the possible types of form that can be filled in, and the user must simply select the one he wants .
Thereafter, the user takes care of filling in all of the necessary parts of the first pre-printed sheet A, writing directly on it; the writing sensor 126 detects the user' s writing, in an extremely precise and accurate manner, in a way absolutely matching the paper copy, without errors.
Simultaneously, a save button - not represented in the figures - appears on the touchscreen 117, by pressing which determines the allocation in the memory of the device 101 of the information inserted in the first pre-printed sheet A, for example in the form of a "pdf" file, or another format, which exactly corresponds to the paper copy just filled in, just like if it were a scan or a photocopy of the original.
At the end of the filling in of the first pre-printed sheet A, then, the user presses the save button on the touchscreen 117.
In the case in which essential information has not been inserted, the device warns the user through the buzzer 121, and/or with other sound or visual warnings.
The user must then take care of filling in the missing parts, and at this point the first page can be saved. Having done this, the system proceeds to operate on the second pre-printed sheet A' , automatically or after pressing a suitable selection button 139 on the touchscreen 117.
The user then positions the second pre-printed sheet A' on the writing surface 113, or removes the first preprinted sheet A if the second sheet A' had already previously been positioned under the first.
The user repeats the same operations; the touchscreen 117 displays a save button, like in the case of the first page. Also in this case, it is checked that all of the parts have been filled in correctly.
At the end of the saving of the second page, a send button 140 is displayed - figure 15 - that takes care of authorising the transmission of the saved file - for example "pdf" - corresponding to a copy of the first and second pre-printed sheet A, A' that have been filled in, to a remote destination, for example a data center or similar, through the external devices for connecting to the internet associated with the sockets 112.
The sending can also be carried out by selecting the addressee from a suitable list: for example, the file can be sent to a certain e-mail address, as an SMS, etc .. Alternatively, the sending can also be carried out automatically at the same time as the save button is pressed .
Again alternatively, the step of sending the saved "pdf" file may not be present, in the sense that the saved file can be saved in the memory of the device 101 and be downloaded later, for example at the end of the working day.
As can be seen, the device 101 according to the invention makes it possible to fill in, save and possibly send the filled in form with predefined columns extremely quickly, precisely and easily to a remote receiver.
The work of filling in and subsequently archiving the file, therefore, wherever it takes place, is carried out much more easily with respect to the known ways that are currently used.
The filled in paper copy consisting of the pre-printed sheets A, A' can thus be kept, for example to be delivered directly to the contracting party, or for other purposes.
A second way of using the device 101 according to the invention is, on the other hand, illustrated in figures 16, 17.
This second way of use is even quicker and more intuitive than the previous one.
In this second way of use, indeed, it is not even necessary to use the touchscreen 117 to carry out the essential operations: the form management instructions, indeed, are given through suitable functional check boxes, as will be seen hereafter.
With reference to figure 16, like in the previous embodiment, the user positions the first pre-printed sheet A on the writing surface 113, which is then locked by the spring 108.
At this point, the selection of the type of form with predefined columns to fill in does not occur, like in the previous way, through a button on the touchscreen 117, but directly through the selection of a first functional check box 141, positioned for example in the top part of the first pre-printed sheet A, corresponding to the first page of the form with predefined columns to be filled in.
For example, in figure 16 in sheet A there are two first functional check boxes 141, which correspond to two different types of forms; of course, there could be a greater number of them, corresponding to the number of forms that that given user is qualified to fill in. Once the first pre-printed paper sheet A has been positioned, the user makes a mark - for example a cross - on the paper at the first functional check box 141 that corresponds to the document that is about to be filled in.
This action, immediately recognised by the system through the writing sensor 126, corresponds to the selection through the touchscreen 117 of the previous way of use; in other words, making such a simple mark corresponds to selecting the type of document wanted. The user then proceeds to fill in the first pre-printed sheet A ,of the form with predefined columns as described in the previous way of use.
At the end of filling in, the user makes a mark on a second fun-etional check box 142, for example located at the bottom of the sheet, which corresponds to the instruction to check the parts to be filled in and possibly save the first page in the case in which it is filled in correctly.
In this way of use, the touchscreen 117 only operates as an information display, for example to indicate errors or omissions in filling in, or similar.
If the filling in of the first pre-printed sheet A is correct, making a mark in the second functional check box 142 is sufficient, therefore, to save the first page of the document.
The user then takes care of removing the first pre- printed sheet A that has already been filled in, and proceeds with the second pre-printed sheet A' .
In the second pre-printed sheet A' there can be optionally - a third functional check box 143, in the top part, relative to the selection of the second page. In other words, by making a mark in such a third functional check box 143, the user indicates to the device 101 that he is ready to fill in the second preprinted sheet A' , without the need for any other operation.
The user then takes care of filling in all of the necessary parts of the second pre-printed sheet A' , as described for the previous way.
At the end of the filling in, the user makes a mark at a fourth functional check box 144, foreseen at the bottom of the second pre-printed sheet A' : making this mark corresponds to the instruction to check that the sheet A' has been filled in correctly, to save it and possibly also to send the whole form - first sheet A and second sheet A' - to the remote receiver, i.e. for example a data center, an e-mail address, etc..
Also in this case the paper copy, for example containing the original signature of the contracting party, is kept, for example to be delivered to the contracting party itself. It is clear, therefore, that the saving and subsequent archiving operations - in the device or towards a remote receiver - of each file according to the present way are even quicker and simpler, since the marks made by the user in the suitable functional check boxes 141,142,143,144 are interpreted by the device 101, through the writing sensor 126, as precise instructions to proceed, for example, with the selection of a document, with the saving thereof and with its sending to a remote receiver.
The filling in time and the necessary activities are extremely reduced with respect to the ways of operating currently known.
Figures 18,19,20 schematically illustrate the software architecture and the management system associated with the device 101 according to the present invention.
In particular figure 18 illustrates an architecture of a sort of hierarchy of the delegation among the various operating and information levels that use the device according to the invention for professional applications.
For example, in the case of use of the device 101 according to the invention to draw up contracts for sale of goods, for supply of services, etc., the hierarchy in figure 18 foresees a master repository 145, at the top of the information system, which manages the fundamental operating parameters of the device 101, its configuration, etc. and usually refers to the producer of the device.
At the next level there is the distributor repository
146, which refers to the master repository 145 and that preferably manages further characteristics, contents and possible functionalities, like for example further software modules, in addition to the basic ones, devised for specific applications.
Thereafter, there is a reseller depository 147 level, that manages, even more specifically, the content provided for the end user, for example particular applications associated with the filling in of certain forms with predefined columns, such as audio-video instructions, etc., whether it is possible to send the documents produced to a remote receiver, and other functionalities .
The last level is clearly that of the end user repository 148, in which content and data absolutely personalised in relation to the particular use of that particular end user are managed.
This brief description, presented only for illustrating and not for limiting purposes, demonstrates that the operation of the device according to the invention, especially when it is intended for professional uses in which even sensitive data, or similar is dealt with, is tightly constrained to a hierarchical system that, going up, allows the operation of the device itself to be managed from the simple final application intended for the specific user up to the original configuration and safety parameters of the device, for example in the case of failure, or similar.
The various levels, from time to time, can clearly refer to different subjects, in relation to the specific field of use, to the type of documents dealt with, etc.
Figure 19 schematically illustrates the software architecture of a device according to the invention. Very briefly, each device 101 comprises a firmware operating system 149, applications software 150, and a security module 151. The memory associated with the device comprises configuration files 152, "pdf" files 153 - associated with the various forms managed by the device - and multimedia files 154, for example instruction video, etc..
Figure 20 illustrates a simplifying block diagram of the architecture of the system for managing each device in terms of accessibility to remote software content. As illustrated, the device 101 comprises a client management system module 155, used to allow access to the software updating system, for example to access new functionalities .
The client management system 155 dialogues with a content repository 156, in which the updating software can indeed be accessed.
The content repository 156 is then managed through a web application portal 157, consisting of a web interface .
It should be noted that the various architectures have been described entirely as non-limiting examples; other types of software architectures can be used without any limitation to the purposes of the present invention. The device 101 according to the invention, precisely due to the great potential in handling documents also containing sensitive data, is equipped with an evolved security management system.
In particular, the functionalities of the device 101 can be managed remotely in the case of theft, loss, etc. for example so as to completely prevent the use of the device, deleting its contents collected up to that moment, and other similar measures.
In the same way, it is possible to remotely manage the configuration of the device 101, for example by automatically resetting the configuration in the case of failure, or other.
It has been seen how the invention achieves the proposed purposes.
The device according to the present invention is an effective tool for a great many applications, particularly professional ones, thanks to the speed, simplicity and precision in generating documents, even of legal value, based on forms with predefined columns. The device is extremely versatile in terms of software content, and is also extremely secure against tampering and/or failure.
The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be devised without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.