Code-based, electromagnetic-field-responsive graphic data-acquisition system
First Claim
1. A graphic data-acquisition system for noting the character, and for tracking the positional status, relative to a defined writing-surface area, of a mobile write-effective component in the system comprisingscanning light-beam-source structure disposed adjacent such writing-surface area and operable to create a defined pattern of scanned light within and covering a scanning zone spaced closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area,light-retroreflecting, selected-characteristic-identifying code structure joined to the mobile component for the retroreflection of light impinging the code structure within said scanning zone, including the retroreflection of encoded, characteristic-identifying informationlight-retroreflection monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for receiving such retroreflection, and for producing a signal related thereto, andinterpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for acquiring and interpreting positional and component-characteristic-identifying information from such a produced signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electromagnetic-field-responsive (preferably optical), code-based, graphic data-acquisition system for tracking the operational status of a mobile write-effective component (stylus, eraser, etc.) in relation to a defined writing-surface area. The preferred embodiment features an active optical structure which is disposed adjacent the writing-surface area for creating, by scanning, a defined zone of optical radiation, optically reactive, retroreflective code structure which is joined to the mobile component and which is capable of reacting (reflecting the same) to radiation within the zone when the code structure intersects the zone, a reaction monitoring structure for monitoring the reaction behavior of the code structure and for producing a related response, and interpretation structure which acquires that response and determines therefrom the desired operational-status-tracking information. Modification to this preferred structure are also illustrated and discussed.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A graphic data-acquisition system for noting the character, and for tracking the positional status, relative to a defined writing-surface area, of a mobile write-effective component in the system comprising
scanning light-beam-source structure disposed adjacent such writing-surface area and operable to create a defined pattern of scanned light within and covering a scanning zone spaced closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, light-retroreflecting, selected-characteristic-identifying code structure joined to the mobile component for the retroreflection of light impinging the code structure within said scanning zone, including the retroreflection of encoded, characteristic-identifying information light-retroreflection monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for receiving such retroreflection, and for producing a signal related thereto, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for acquiring and interpreting positional and component-characteristic-identifying information from such a produced signal.
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21. A graphic data-acquisition system for noting the character, and for tracking the positional status, relative to a defined writing-surface area, of a mobile writing instrument in the system comprising
scanning light-beam-source structure disposed adjacent such writing-surface area and operable to create a defined pattern of scanned light within and covering a scanning zone spaced closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, instrument-character-specific bar-code structure joined to said instrument for reflecting light impinging the instrument within said scanning zone, light-reflection monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for receiving such reflection and for producing a writing-related signal associated therewith, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for acquiring and interpreting positional and component-characteristic-identifying information from such a produced signal.
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23. A graphic data-acquisition system for noting the character, and for tracking the positional status, relative to a defined writing-surface area, of a mobile erasing instrument in the system comprising
scanning light-beam-source structure disposed adjacent such writing-surface area and operable to create a defined pattern of scanned light within and covering a scanning zone spaced closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, instrument-character-specific bar-code structure joined to said instrument for reflecting light impinging the instrument within said scanning zone, light-reflection monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for receiving such reflection and for producing an erasing-related signal associated therewith, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for acquiring and interpreting positional and component-characteristic-identifying information from such a produced signal.
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25. A graphic data-acquisition system for following the operational performance of a mobile write-effective component relative to a defined writing-surface area comprising
scanning light-beam-source structure disposed adjacent such writing-surface area and operable to create a defined pattern of scanned light within and covering a scanning zone spaced closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, component-specific, light-reflective bar-code structure joined to said component for reflecting light impinging the component within said scanning zone, light-reflection monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for receiving such reflection and for producing a signal related thereto, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for receiving such a produced signal, and for acquiring therefrom operational-performance-following information regarding said component.
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26. An optically based, graphic data-acquisition system for tracking, in relation to a defined writing-surface area, the operational status of a mobile write-effective component in the system comprising
active optical structure disposed adjacent such area for creating, closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, a defined zone of optical radiation, optically reactive code structure joined to the mobile component and operable to react to such radiation with the code means in a condition optically engaging said zone, reaction monitoring structure positioned adjacent the writing-surface area for monitoring any such reactive behavior of said code structure, and for producing a response which is related to monitored, reactive behavior of the code structure, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said monitoring structure for acquiring from such a response operational-status-tracking information regarding said component.
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27. An optically based, one-to-one, graphic data-acquisition system for tracking, in relation to a defined writing-surface area, the operational status of a mobile, write-effective component in the system comprising
active optical transceiver structure disposed at a selected station adjacent such area for creating, closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, a defined zone of optical radiation, and for monitoring, and generating a response related to any such radiation which is reflected from a location within said zone, optically reactive code structure joined to the mobile component for producing such reflection under circumstances with the code means optically engaging said zone, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said transceiver structure for acquiring from such a transceiver response operational-status-tracking information regarding said component.
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28. A graphic data-acquisition system for tracking, in relation to a defined writing-surface area, the operational status of a mobile, write-effective component in the system comprising
active electromagnetic-field transceiver structure disposed at a selected station adjacent such area for creating, closely adjacent and generally spanning the writing-surface area, a defined zone of electromagnetic-field radiation, and for generating a response related to the receipt from said zone of any return electromagnetic-field radiation which is specifically associated with such created radiation, passive electromagnetic-field code structure joined to the mobile component for producing such specifically associated return radiation under circumstances with the code structure field-electromagnetically engaging the zone, and interpretation structure operatively connected to said transceiver structure for acquiring from such a transceiver response operational-status-tracking information regarding said component.
Specification