Contextual information encoded in a formed expression

• US 20080088604A1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Cohen, Alexander J., Cohen, B. Isaac, Levien, Royce A., Harlow, Ed, Malamud, Mark A., Leuthardt, Eric C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,809,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03 Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/12 Details of acquisition arrangements; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/32 Digital ink
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability

Abstract

Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Claims

1. A manual device operable in a context, the manual device comprising:

a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface; and

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

2. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

3. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to initiate a visible marking action on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

4. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to discharge at least one of ink, graphite, paint, particles, nanoparticles, and/or quantum dots marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

5. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to discharge at least one of a visible and/or an invisible marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

6. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to discharge a fluorescent ink on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

7. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element including at least one of a tip, an application element, an inkjet head, a nozzle, an inkjet nozzle, and/or a nib and being operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

8. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to at least one of emit, dispose, impart, release, eject, and/or flow a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

9. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to discharge a first instance of a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface and to discharge a second instance of the marking substance on the surface in response to the controller.

10. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to form a mark on at least one of a skin, layer, paper, metal, plastic, and/or composite surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

11. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface of at least one of a container, a package container, a living body, a human body, and/or an object in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

13. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to form a track on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

14. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to cause a thermal marking process on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

15. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

a writing element operable to cause a marking interaction with a media in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the media.

16. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating a discharge of a marking substance.

17. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating a discharge of at least one of a visible and/or invisible marking substance.

18. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to at least one of time, location, global position, temperature, acceleration of the writing element, user identification and/or user data context of the manual device by regulating a discharge of a marking substance.

19. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to at least one of an identification of a human being proximate to the manual device, and/or an identification of a physical object proximate to the manual device by regulating a discharge of a marking substance.

20. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating at least one of volume, continuity, color, and/or pattern of a discharge of a marking substance.

21. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating a width of a line formed on the surface by a discharge of a marking substance.

22. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating an orthogonal aspect of the mark relative to a movement of the writing element.

24. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark, the regulated formation corresponding to a user-unique movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

25. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark, the regulated formation of the mark being machine differentiatable from a user movement formation of the writing element with respect to the surface.

26. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information in a machine-readable form and corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

27. The manual device of claim 1, wherein the controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark further includes:

a controller operable to encode information in a human-readable form and corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

28. The manual device of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver operable to acquire the information corresponding to the context of the manual device.

31. The manual device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor operable to acquire the information corresponding to the context of the manual device.

35. The manual device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reservoir configured to contain a supply of a marking substance.

36. The manual device of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory configurable by file that includes at least one instance of the context of the manual device and a code indicative of the context of the manual device.

37. The manual device of claim 1, further comprising:

an image device operable to capture an aspect of the surface.

12. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

38. A manual device operable in a context, the manual device comprising:

a body;

a writing instrument having an electronically driven printhead operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portion of the body over the surface;

a sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to a context of the manual device; and

a controller operable to encode the information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating a discharge of the marking substance from the electronically driven print head.

39. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the body further includes:

a generally elongated body.

40. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the body further includes:

a generally elongated body having a graspable portion.

41. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the body further includes:

a generally elongated body having a hand-graspable portion.

42. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the writing instrument having an electronically driven printhead operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portion of the body over the surface further includes:

a writing instrument having an electronically driven printhead with a nozzle operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portion of the body over the surface.

43. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the writing instrument having an electronically driven printhead operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portion of the body over the surface further includes:

a writing instrument having an electronically driven printhead with at least two nozzles each respectively operable to discharge a marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of at least a portion of the body over the surface.

44. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to a context of the manual device further includes:

a sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to a user of the manual device.

45. The manual device of claim 38, wherein the sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to a context of the manual device further includes:

a sensor operable to acquire information corresponding to an environmental context of the manual device.

46. The manual device of claim 38, further comprising:

a reservoir configured to contain a supply of the marking substance.

47. The manual device of claim 38, further comprising:

a memory configurable by file that includes at least one instance of a context of the manual device and a code useable by the controller and corresponding to the context of the manual device.

48. The manual device of claim 38, further comprising:

an imaging device operable to capture an aspect of the surface.

49. A method comprising:

acquiring information corresponding to a context of a manual device having a writing element;

marking a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface; and

encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the acquiring information corresponding to a context of a manual device having a writing element further includes:

sensing information corresponding to a context of a manual device having a writing element.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the acquiring information corresponding to a context of a manual device having a writing element further includes:

receiving information corresponding to a context of a manual device from a sensor not physically associated with the manual device.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the acquiring information corresponding to a context of a manual device having a writing element further includes:

at least one of emitting, dispersing, imparting, releasing, ejecting, and/or flowing a marking substance from the writing element and on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the marking a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

marking a surface with a stylus in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the marking a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

discharging from the writing element a marking substance onto a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface further includes:

encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface with a stylus.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface further includes:

encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the discharge of the marking substance on the surface.

57. The method of claim 49, wherein the encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface further includes:

encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating an orthogonal component of the marking of the surface.

58. The method of claim 49, wherein encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface further includes:

encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating least one of amplitude, frequency, and/or differential shift parameter of the marking of the surface.

59. A manual device operable in a context, the manual device comprising:

means for acquiring information corresponding to the context of the manual device having a writing element;

means for marking a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface; and

means for encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface.

60. The manual device of claim 59, wherein the means for marking a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface further includes:

means for discharging from the writing element a marking substance onto a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface.

61. The manual device of claim 59, wherein means for encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating the marking of the surface further includes:

means for encoding information corresponding to a context of the manual device by regulating a discharge of a marking substance.