GB2311251A - A portable scrolling notebook - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand held scrolling notebook, which has paper stored on a roll within its case, is reversible for use by righthanded or lefthanded persons and includes wrist support areas W at each end of the case. Reversible paper movement is controlled by thumb-operated switches. The motor is powered from a rechargeable battery. The notebook, when used for transcribing, may be mounted on a stand and include an external switch.

Description

PORTABLE SCROLLING NOTEBOOK This invention describes a portable self contained notepad using scrollable paper, the scrolling of which is under the control of the user.

People who take copious notes either during meetings or lectures, or committee secretaries taking minutes of a meeting, or secretaries taking shorthand dictation find shorthand notebooks difficult to use. As the written text reaches the lower half of the page the user has to slide the page upwards on the pad so that they can write on the lower part of the page and support their wrists on the lower half of the pad. Turning over the pages can also loose time and interrupt the flow of the shorthand.

This invention describes a hand held device hereinafter called the "notebook" where the paper scrolls along the platen under the control of the user, thereby allowing the user to write in a continuously comfortable position with the wrist resting on the wrist rest part of the notebook and the paper advancing as required. Transcription is by using the device in a stand with external control allowing both hands free to type.

According to the present invention there is a device which consists of a case which is of such a size as to be easily held in one hand. Along one side are buttons which activates the mechanism which moves the paper. The buttons are sited in such a position so that the thumb of the hand holding the device falls naturally in contact The paper which is stored in rolls passes over the platen in a controlled manner as directed by the user via the control buttons activated by the thumb.

The power for the motor or motors for the movement of the paper is in a battery within the casing. An external power source can be plugged in either to run the notebook on extemal power or to charge the internal battery or both. The internal battery can be removable.

The unit can also be controlled via an external control. This would be used during replay and allow hand off control, ideally with the unit held in a stand in a position of comfort for the user.

The unit is designed to be easily portable and held in either hand. As the written text approaches the lower part of the platen, then the 'advance' thumb switch is pressed and the paper rolls upwards. Review of the text is achieved by pressing the reverse 'preview' switch and rolling the paper backwards.

When used by right handed persons, the notebook is viewed as in Fig.2 and held in the left hand with the thumb resting on the closer of the two buttons shown as "advance" in Fig.2. A gentle pressure on the this button advances the paper. Review of the written text is achieved by pressing the furthest button shown as" review "in Fig.2 this reverses the direction of the paper.

However if the notebook is used by a left handed person, the notebook is turned and viewed as in Fig.3 so that the switch bearing side is to the right. The notebook is held in the right hand with the right thumb on the "advance" switch. Review is again achieved by pressing the "review" button.

It is evident from the description that the buttons function identically on the notebook ,both for the right and left handed person, but only appear to change function because of the rotation of the notebook needed to accommodate the change of hand.

DETAILED EXAMPLE A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example. It is a description to show one possible detail construction of a notebook to meet the requirements of the principle described in this patent application but is not exclusive of minor modifications and adaptations. The following will relate to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an end view of the notebook and the hinged side cover.

Figure 2 shows a plan view to show the appearance and layout of the device.

Figure 3 shows the position of the notebook as would be used by a left handed person.

Figure 4 shows a side view omitting the side cover, to show the paper trail through the notebook and the layout of the paper rolls and the position of the battery.

Figure 5 shows the side of the case and the possible position of the external power and external switch sockets.

Figure 6 shows a projection of the external appearance.

Figure 7 shows the paper spindle.

Figure 8 shows the same in projection.

Figure 9 shows the device in cutaway to show the positions of the various parts.

Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of the notebook set up on a stand for transcription.

Diagrams A B and C. illustrate the configuration of the paper rolls so as to allow reversibility of the paper.

Figure 1 shows an end view of the notebook with the hinged cover (HC). This is held in place by spring catches one on each end. When this cover is closed the rolls of paper are held in position.

Fig.2 shows a front view as would be used by a right handed person.

It shows the advance (Adv) and review (REV) buttons and the area of the platen (P) which in use would be the writing surface. The area on each end is a wrist rest (W) to allow the user to support their wrists as they write. The other end of the notebook has an identical area so that the notebook is reversible for use by right handed as well as left handed persons. As previously described, Fig.3 shows the notebook in the reversed position that would be used by a left handed person.

Figure 4 shows the paper trail and the configuration of the paper and the spools on which the paper resides. This shows the rolls of paper (PR) one each end of the notebook with the paper (P) passing from one over the platen on to the other roll. The paper is shown passing over rollers both to guide and reduce friction.

Also shown in Fig 4 is one possible configuration of the motors (M). It is illustrated in this example as having two motors one to each paper roll, however one motor driving both rolls via a power transfer mechanism such as a belt would be equally viable.

The battery (B) is shown in position under the platen1 in this position it is in the centre of the notebook and will assist in balancing the notebook.

Figure 5 shows the other side of the notebook and the connections for an external power source (EP), to either supplant the in built battery or to recharge the battery or both simultaneously. Also shown is a socket for an external switch (ES), the function of which will be described later.

Figure 6 is a projection diagram to show the notebook from a different angle. The wrist rest (W) is shown and the platen (P), to the left of the platen are the two switches marked advance (Adv) and review (REV) as previously described. On the side of the casing can be seen the external power (EP) and switch sockets (ES).

The paper roll is shown in Fig.8 with a gear wheel (GW) which would be appropriate to link with the motors (M) in the example being described however a clutch mechanism would also be appropriate. The centre of the roll is a tube here called 'the spindle tube'(SP TUBE) shown in Fig. 7 to which the paper is firmly attached before loading . To load the paper into the notebook, the full roll is placed in the end of the notebook nearest the user, passed over the platen and on to the roll on the end furthest from the user, firmly attached to the spindle tube and the hinged cover closed. Following the paper trail as shown in Diagrams A. B. and C.

The spindle tubes (SP TUBE) of the rolls pass over the spindle rods (SP ROD) shown in Fig. 9. This locates the tubes and therefore the paper roll accurately and connects the paper roll with the power output of the motor either directly, as shown in this example via gear wheels or via a power transfer mechanism such as a clutch.

To use one side of the paper only would be most wasteful therefore the paper is loaded as shown in Diagrams A B and C. In A the paper is shown passing from the right to the left roll. To advance the paper (the direction of the arrow) the right roll unwinds in a clockwise direction and the left roll winds in an anticlockwise direction. In B the right roll is exhausted.

The rolls are then slid out of the notebook by opening the hinged cover and sliding both rolls out simultaneously.

They are then tumed end for end so that surface A which was upwards is downwards and the empty roll on the left hand spindle, the cover is closed and the notebook ready to be used again. A similar pair of spare rolls could be kept in reserve for long documents or extended note taking.

The notebook (NB) when used for transcribing would use the extemal switch (ES) socket, for example a foot switch. An extemal power (EP) source would also be used so that the battery would be spared or even recharged.

As an accessory a stand such as a hinged (HA) arm, shown in Figure 10, attached to the edge of the desk (D), could be used to hold the notebook in an ideal position at eye level for the user.

Claims (13)

1. A portable notebook with case shaped to be comfortably held in a hand, this case contains paper that may be scrolled over a writing surface on the case, with wrist supports at each end of the case, the movement of the paper is under the control of the user via switches, the power for such movement being obtained from batteries.

2. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1 in which the paper is stored within the body of the case and scrolled from one roll on to another.

3. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 where the paper is scrolled under the control of the user.

4. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1, 2 and 3 where the paper scrolling control is reversible to allow forward and reverse scrolling.

5. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1,2,3,and 4 where the layout of the portable notebook and the controls for the scrolling paper are positioned is such a way that the notebook is capable of being used by right and left handed persons.

6. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1,4 and 5 where the power to move the paper is obtained from a battery.

7. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 6 where the battery is built into the body so that it may be replaceable and or rechargeable.

8. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1,4, 5 and 7 where the motive power to the paper is by means of motors.

9. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 8 where the motors may be single with appropriate distribution of effort or multiple.

10. A portable notebook as daimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 where external switching for control of the scrolling is available.

11. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1, 6 and 7 where external power may be plugged in to supplement and or charge the battery.

12. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1 which describes a portable hand held notebook which can be adapted to be held in a stand.

13. A portable notebook as claimed in Claim 1 and 12 where the notebook held in the stand is connected to external power and control functions.