Apparatus and method for generating a variable line width
First Claim
1. An apparatus for drawing with an ink pen having a radially asymmetric nib, comprising:
- a. a plotter having;
i. a table for receiving medium upon which said pen will draw;
ii. a pen slider translatable with respect to said table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis); and
iii. a pen holder for receiving said pen, mounted on said slider and translatable with respect to said slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis), orthogonal to said first axis, said pen holder including means for maintaining said pen substantially parallel to and at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular said X and Y axes and said pen is rotatable about said Z axis; and
b. means for selectively varying the angular orientation of said pen nib with respect to said Z axis, thereby controlling said pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line independent of the shape of the line or its orientation with respect to the X and Y axes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method and a plotter for automated drawing and writing that provides a drawn line of variable width, where the width is independent of the motion of the plotter pen or the shape of the line drawn. The apparatus includes a plotter having a table for receiving the medium upon which the line will be drawn, a pen slider translatable with respect to the table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis) and a pen holder for receiving the pen translatable with respect to the slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis) that is perpendicular the X axis. The pen holder maintains the pen at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular the X and Y axes. The apparatus also includes a digital computer which controls the pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line, independent of line shape and orientation with respect to the X and Y axes. The computer controls both the angular orientation of the pen tip with respect to the paper and the pressure applied between the pen and the paper, thereby selectably controlling line width.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for drawing with an ink pen having a radially asymmetric nib, comprising:
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a. a plotter having; i. a table for receiving medium upon which said pen will draw; ii. a pen slider translatable with respect to said table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis); and iii. a pen holder for receiving said pen, mounted on said slider and translatable with respect to said slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis), orthogonal to said first axis, said pen holder including means for maintaining said pen substantially parallel to and at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular said X and Y axes and said pen is rotatable about said Z axis; and b. means for selectively varying the angular orientation of said pen nib with respect to said Z axis, thereby controlling said pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line independent of the shape of the line or its orientation with respect to the X and Y axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for drawing with an ink pen having a copperplate style nib, comprising:
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a. a plotter having; i. a table for receiving medium upon which said pen will draw; ii. a pen slider translatable with respect to said table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis); and iii. a pen holder for receiving said pen, mounted on said slider and translatable with respect to said slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis), orthogonal to said first axis, said pen holder including means for maintaining said pen at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular said X and Y axes; and b. means for selectively varying the pressure between said pen nib and said medium upon which said line is being drawn, thereby controlling said pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line independent of the shape of the line or its orientation with respect to the X and Y axes. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for drawing with an ink pen having a radially asymmetric nib, comprising:
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a. a plotter having; i. a table for receiving medium upon which said pen will draw; ii. a pen slider translatable with respect to said table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis); iii. a pen holder for receiving said pen, mounted on said slider and translatable with respect to said slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis), orthogonal to said first axis, said pen holder including means for maintaining said pen at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular said X and Y axis; and b. means for applying ink along a first line; and c. means for applying ink along at least one additional line closely adjacent a portion of said first line such that the ink along both lines is contiguous along a portion of said at least one additional line, thereby controlling said pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line independent of the shape of the line or its orientation with respect to the X and Y axes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for drawing with an ink pen having a radially asymmetric nib, comprising:
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a. provides a plotter having; i. a table for receiving medium upon which said pen will draw; ii. a pen slider translatable with respect to said table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis); and iii. a pen holder for receiving said pen, mounted on said slider and translatable with respect to said slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis), orthogonal to said first axis, said pen holder including means for maintaining said pen at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular said X and Y axes; and iv. means for controlling the motion of the slider and pen carrier; b. applying ink along a first line; and c. applying ink along at least one additional line closely adjacent a portion of said first line such that the ink along both lines is contiguous along a portion of said at least one additional line, thereby controlling said pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line independent of the shape of the line or its orientation with respect to the X and Y axes.
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Specification