Digitizer stylus with memory for storing handwriting data

• US 6,195,446 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Electronics America Incorporated (SK Hynix Inc.)
• Inventors: Skoog, Steven K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US08/905,922
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 382/119, 382/188, 382/122, 382/118, 382/120, 382/121, 382/123, 382/313, 382/314, 382/315
• US Class Current: 382/119
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures

Abstract

The invention concerns a stylus for use with a digitizing tablet. The stylus stores information which identifies characteristics of a user'"'"'s handwriting. These characteristics are transmitted to a computer when the user interfaces with the computer, and are used by the computer to recognize the user'"'"'s handwriting.

Claims

1. A user verification system comprising:

an electronic stylus;

a digitizing tablet adapted to receive handwriting information from said electronic stylus;

a receiver located remotely from said electronic stylus to receive verification data about the user via a telemetry signal from the electronic stylus;

a memory coupled to the receiver to store the verification data of the user;

a transmitter disposed in said electronic stylus to transmit said verification data of the user so as to verify a signature of said user;

a memory to store sample handwriting information input by said user utilizing the electronic stylus and the digitizing tablet so that said sample handwriting information can be used to verify the signature of the user;

a comparator to compare said sample handwriting information input by said user with said verification data of the user so as to verify that said sample handwriting information is authentic; and

wherein said transmitter disposed in said electronic stylus is operable to transmit said verification data to said receiver without the use of a physical connection between said transmitter and said receiver.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source for delivery of power to the electronic stylus.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said power source comprises a power cord connectable to the electronic stylus.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic stylus comprises components requiring power and wherein the electronic stylus is remote from the power source that powers components of the electronic stylus.

5. The verification system of claim 1, wherein said verification data is comprised of data elements representing the signature of the user.

6. The verification system of claim 1, wherein said verification data comprises data elements representing a personal-identification-number of a user.