Apparatus and method for record keeping and information distribution

• US 6,603,464 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Irl Rabin
• Original Assignee: Michael Irl Rabin
• Inventors: Rabin, Michael Irl
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lesperance, Jean
• Application Number:
  US09/798,222
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 345/175, 345/177, 345/179, 178/18.01, 178/18.02, 178/18.03, 178/18.04, 178/18.05, 178/18.06, 178/18.07, 382/119, 382/181, 382/186, 382/187, 382/188, 382/312, 382/313, 382/314, 358/473, 358/474, 358/478
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32

Abstract

A method of capturing data having the steps of writing on a form with a pen to leave an image on the form, scanning the written image as the written image is being written, and storing the scanned written image in a specific data field. A method of capturing an input, including written information, sounds and images includes the steps of specifying a data field by touching a pen tip to a data-field-specific area on a form; supplying the input; electronically capturing the input and associating the input with the specified data field. An information capturing system, includes a pen, the pen including a writing tip and a position transducer to determine the position of the writing tip relative to a form.

Claims

1. An information capturing system, comprising:

a printed paper form having a plurality of unique printed data fields, each field containing a written message;

a handheld writing device having a scanner component and a means for identifying each of said unique printed data fields;

a communication means connected to said handheld writing device;

a computer system connected to said communication means, said computer system having a processing algorithm and a database file with a plurality of fields;

wherein said handheld writing device scanner is configured to scan the surface of said printed paper form and capture one of said written messages from one of said unique printed data fields and convert the message into a first data packet, the means for identifying each of said unique printed data fields identifies the field scanned and attaches an identifier to the first data packet, and the handheld device transmits said first data packet and identifier through said communication means to said computer system; and

wherein said computer system applies said processing algorithm to said first data packet and said identifier, chooses one of said plurality of database file fields based upon said identifier and populates said chosen database file field with said first data packet.

2. The information capturing system of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of unique printed data fields each further contain a unique printed identifier; and

the handheld device means for identifying each of said unique printed data fields comprises scanning unique printed identifier and generating a second data packet.

3. The information capturing system of claim 1 further comprising:

a positional transmitter placed in a fixed location with respect to said printed form; and

said handheld device further comprises a positional receiver;

wherein said positional receiver generates the identifier based upon the location of the positional transmitter to the positional receiver as the written message is scanned.

4. The information capturing system of claim 1, wherein said computer system is located on said handheld device.

5. The information capturing system of claim 1, wherein;

said handheld writing device further comprises a means for displaying a feedback communication; and

said computer system further performs a processing function on said first data packet, and the processing function produces the feedback communication.

6. The information capturing system of claim 1, wherein the handheld device further comprises a writing element, and said written message is created by said writing element.

7. The information capturing system of claim 6, wherein said scanner is configured to scan said written message as it is written by said writing element.

8. The information capturing system of claim 7, wherein said writing element further comprises a pressure switch activated by writing upon said form, and said scanner is configured to scan when said switch is activated.

9. The information capturing system of claim 1, wherein;

the handheld device further comprises an auditory recorder with a microphone input, said recorder configured to convert an auditory signal received by said microphone input into a second data packet; and

the means for identifying each of said unique printed data fields further attaches a second identifier to the second data packet, and the handheld device transmits said second data packet and second identifier through said communication means to said computer system; and

said computer system applies said processing algorithm to said second data packet and said second identifier, chooses one of said plurality of database file fields based upon said second identifier and populates said chosen database file field with said second data packet.

10. A method for capturing information, comprising the steps of:

providing a printed paper form having a plurality of unique printed data fields, each field containing a written message;

providing a handheld writing device having a scanner component and a means for identifying each of said unique printed data fields;

providing a communication means connected to said handheld writing device;

providing a computer system connected to said communication means, said computer system having a processing algorithm and a database file with a plurality of fields;

scanning the surface of said printed paper form with said scanner;

capturing one of said written messages from one of said unique printed data fields by said scanning;

converting the message into a first data packet;

identifying the field scanned with the handheld device means for identifying;

said means for identifying further attaching an identifier to the first data packet;

the handheld device transmitting and said first data packet and identifier through said communication means to said computer system;

said computer system applying said processing algorithm and thereby processing said first data packet and said identifier;

choosing one of said plurality of database file fields based upon said processing; and

and populating said chosen database file field with said first data packet.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the plurality of unique printed data fields each further contain a unique printed identifier; and

the step of identifying the field scanned comprises scanning a unique printed identifier associated with each of said printed data fields.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a positional transmitter placed in a fixed location with respect to said printed form; and

providing positional receiver on said handheld device;

wherein said positional receiver generates the identifier based upon the location of the positional transmitter to the positional receiver as the written message is scanned.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of locating said computer system on said handheld device.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a means for displaying a feedback communication on said handheld device;

said computer system further processing said first data packet to produce a feedback communication; and

displaying the feedback communication on the displaying means.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a writing element on the handheld device; and

writing said written message with the writing element;

wherein the step of scanning said message is performed as said message is being written.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

providing a pressure switch on the writing element; and

activating said pressure switch by writing said message upon said printed form;

wherein the step of scanning is dependent upon the activation of said switch.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing an auditory recorder with a microphone input on the handheld device, said recorder configured to convert an auditory signal received by said microphone input into a second data packet; and

recording an auditory signal with said recorder;

converting the auditory signal into a second data packet;

identifying the second data packet with a second identifier;

transmitting said second data packet and second identifier through said communication means to said computer system;

said computer system applying said processing algorithm to said second data packet and said second identifier;

said computer system choosing one of said plurality of database file fields based upon said second identifier;

populating said chosen database file field with said second data packet.