Writing instrument, system and method for transparent monitoring and analysis of writing

A system for monitoring and analyzing handwriting, comprising a writing instrument and a processing device,

• wherein the writing instrument comprises:
• a writing element comprising a writing end configured for depositing a writing material on a support;
• a plurality of sensors, including:
• a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to said writing element, and
• a movement sensor configured to measure movement of the instrument in a three-dimensional space;
• a communication unit configured to exchange data with a remote device via a wireless communication channel;
• a control unit connected to the plurality of sensors and to the communication unit configured to control the plurality of sensors and the communication unit in order to transmit to the remote device the measurements provided by the plurality of sensors during the connection between the communication unit and the remote device,
• a memory unit connected to the control unit and configured to store one or more measurements of the plurality of sensors, and
• a hollow casing configured to contain at least partially the writing element, so as to leave the writing end of the writing element exposed through a first end of the casing, and to contain completely the plurality of sensors, the control unit, the memory unit and the communication unit,
• wherein the control unit is further configured to:
• detect a first writing measure;
• activate the communication unit when the first writing measure is detected,
• try to establish a connection between the communication unit and the remote device before a maximum time has lapsed from the activation of the communication unit,
• transmit in real time the measurements provided by the plurality of sensors, when the connection is established,
• detect a lack of connection, when the connection is not established within the lapse of the maximum time,
• when there is the lack of connection, detect writing measures corresponding to movement measures having a value greater than a threshold, and
• store the writing measures if, within a predetermined period of time, the control unit detects a number of writing measures greater than a predetermined number, and
• wherein the processing device comprises:
• a communication module configured to exchange data with the communication unit of the writing instrument, and
• a processing module configured to process the data provided by the writing instrument and providing an indication relating to at least one symbol written with the writing instrument.

A writing analysis method, implemented by a system for monitoring and analyzing handwriting, comprising a writing instrument and a processing device,

• wherein the writing instrument comprises:
• a writing element comprising a writing end configured for depositing a writing material on a support;
• a plurality of sensors, including:
• a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to said writing element, and
• a movement sensor configured to measure movement of the instrument in a three-dimensional space;
• a communication unit configured to exchange data with a remote device via a wireless communication channel;
• a control unit connected to the plurality of sensors and to the communication unit configured to control the plurality of sensors and the communication unit in order to transmit to the remote device the measurements provided by the plurality of sensors during the connection between the communication unit and the remote device,
• a memory unit connected to the control unit and configured to store one or more measurements of the plurality of sensors, and
• a hollow casing configured to contain at least partially the writing element, so as to leave the writing end of the writing element exposed through a first end of the casing, and to contain completely the plurality of sensors, the control unit, the memory unit and the communication unit,
• wherein the control unit is further configured to:
• detect a first writing measure;
• activate the communication unit when the first writing measure is detected,
• try to establish a connection between the communication unit and the remote device before a maximum time has lapsed from the activation of the communication unit,
• transmit in real time the measurements provided by the plurality of sensors, when the connection is established,
• detect a lack of connection, when the connection is not established within the lapse of the maximum time,
• when there is the lack of connection, detect writing measures corresponding to movement measures having a value greater than a threshold, and
• store the writing measures if, within a predetermined period of time, the control unit detects a number of writing measures greater than a predetermined number, and
• wherein the processing device comprises:
• a communication module configured to exchange data with the communication unit of the writing instrument, and
• a processing module configured to process the data provided by the writing instrument and providing an indication relating to at least one symbol written with the writing instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
• determining a static disturbance in the force measures provided by the force sensor of the plurality of sensors of the writing instrument;
• subtracting the static disturbance from the force measures provided by the force sensor;
• processing the force measures provided by the force sensor by means of an algorithm for estimating and removing a baseline;
• converting to a null value, each measured value lower than a threshold value;
• and
• identifying a sequence of force measures different from zero as a single continuous writing movement performed through the writing instrument.