Retrofittable apparatus for converting a substantially planar surface into an electronic data capture device

• US 6,067,080 A
• Filed: 02/21/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Luidia Incorporated (Luidia Global Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Electronics For Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Holtzman, Rafi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/804,491
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/177, 345/179, 178/18.09, 178/18.07, 178/18.11, 178/18.04, 178/18.02, 178/19.05, 178/19.01, 178/19.02, 178/19.03, 178/19.07, 341/5, 341/137, 367/101
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A graphic data-acquisition system which employs an active tracking system provides a retrofittable apparatus for converting a substantially planar surface into an electronic data capture device, in which the components of the system are readily retrofittable, at relatively low cost, to a wide variety of otherwise conventional writing-surface structures, such as so-called dry-erase whiteboards. Conventional triangulation techniques are used to track the position and motion of a writer or eraser. An encoding facility associated with the writing implement provides the ability to distinguish whether the writing implement is used for marking or as an erasing implement, as well as determining the nature or character of written line width or eraser swath. A data stream thus generated can be used in a variety of ways, such as for example, to feed information into the memory of a digital computer, and/or to feed information for transmission to remote stations.

Claims

1. A retrofittable apparatus adapted for converting a substantially planar surface into a writing surface for an electronic data capture device, comprising:

a sensor array including two or more sensors that are mounted to establish a fixed relationship between said two or more sensors within said sensor array itself, said sensor array providing a tracking function to determine the position of a marking implement on said writing surface, said tracking function further comprising a micropower impulse radar (MIR) device, wherein said sensor array is contained within a single package; and

wherein the accuracy of the sensor array is assured by calibrating said sensors within said package during manufacture; and

an attachment method for removably affixing said unitary sensor array proximate to said substantially planar surface, said attachment method comprising any of;

a double stick mounting tape or a temporary fastener;

a bracket secured to a wall with a fastener;

a first bracket having a portion that projects from a wall at an acute, upward angle, secured to the wall by a fastener; and

a second bracket associated with said sensor array, said second bracket having a complementary channel that is adapted to engage with said projecting portion of said first bracket; and

a clip-on bracket that includes a U-shaped portion which is adapted to engage with an upper edge of said writing surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said sensor array further comprising:

an L-shaped sensor array.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sensor array is formed in an L-shaped configuration to allow three intersecting sensor paths to provide a high degree of accuracy by allowing precise triangulation of writing implement position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor array is adapted to be mounted relative to a top portion of said writing surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor array is adapted to be mounted relative to a side portion of said writing surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor array is adapted to be mounted relative to a bottom portion of said writing surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a marking implement, said marking implement comprising;

a sleeve that has an inner diameter that is adapted to receive and securely retain a standard marker; and

a first switch that detects movement of a marker tip to generate a signal that is communicated to the sensor array to indicate that said marking implement is in contact with said writing surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said signal may be modulated to identify a particular marking implement or color.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a collar that is adapted to be securely fitted to said sleeve, wherein said collar activates a second switch that indicates the collar is fitted to the sleeve.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a plunger that is movably fitted within said collar; and

an eraser that is securely received within said plunger.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the presence of said collar operates said second switch, thereby indicating that said marking implement is performing an eraser function.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said marking implement is tapped or touched to said writing surface during a field calibration sequence at specific locations of said writing surface to establish coordinates from which an active portion of said writing surface may be calculated.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active area of said writing surface is determined by detecting with said sensor array specific locations within or on the boundaries of the writing surface, where said specific locations are identified by transmitters located at said locations.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said signal is digitally coded to identify a particular marking implement function.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said signal is digitally coded to identify a particular marking implement color.

16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said signal is modulated to identify a particular marking implement function.