Combined writing instrument and digital documentor apparatus and method of use

• US 6,686,910 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Black Robe Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Oʼdonnell, Francis E. Jr.
• Inventors: OʼDonnell, Francis E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US10/142,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/179, 178/18.01, 178/19.01, 178/19.04, 178/19.06, 382/106, 382/107, 382/181, 382/187, 382/188, 382/189, 382/312, 382/313, 382/314, 382/317, 702/92, 702/94, 702/95, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 358/473
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• 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 device and method is disclosed for the contemporaneous creation of a digital copy of a written document using a self-contained, hand-held communications device. The self-contained device functions as a writing device and as a digital documenter. It allows for maintenance of position sense within a document thus enabling the user to write cursive, print, draw, write mathematical formulas, draw symbols, punctuate, edit and the like. The invention discloses a self-contained apparatus and method for determining position sense without reliance on special paper, pads, or attachments to the document. The system provides position sense during writing by quantitative comparative analysis of serial images of the surface imperfections of the document. Character generation is discriminated from noncharacter-generating positional changes such as spacing between words. Encryption of data output from the device provides privacy. Encryption and attachment of the device'"'"'s unique identifying code to a digital copy of a document created by the device provides for confirmation of the source. Uses of the device include short text messaging for cell phones, email composition, note taking in business and education, medical records, and electronic commerce. The imaging system can also be used to read barcodes on documents, allowing for applications to inventory control. Transmission of the digital copy of the document can be through a wired or wireless connection to external digital devices such as cellular phone, personal digital assistant, netpliance, or computer.

Claims

1. A handheld, self-contained, communication device that is used to create a written document and to create a digital copy of said document comprising, a writing means, and a position-sensing means that functions by capturing and comparing serial images of the surface imperfections on the document surface, comprising an imaging means to capture images of the imperfections on the document surface, an illumination means to highlight imperfections on the document surface a microprocessor means to compare the serial images of the document surface for measuring positional change of the device, a data storage means for input and/or output from the microprocessor means, and an energy means to power the illumination, imaging, memory, and microprocessor means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the imaging means is a camera.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the imaging means is a charge coupled device (CCD) camera.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the imaging means is a complimentary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) camera.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the data storage means is a flash memory device.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the imaging means is used to capture an image of abarcode for inclusion in a digital document created by said device.

7. A handheld, self-contained, communication device that is used to create a written document and to create and to transmit a digital copy of said document comprising, a writing means, and a position-sensing means that functions by capturing and comparing serial images of surface imperfections on the document surface, comprising an imaging means to capture images of the document surface, an illumination means to highlight imperfections on the document surface, a microprocessor means to compare the serial images of the document surface for measuring positional change of the device, a data storage means for input and/or output from the microprocessor means, and a transmission means for sending digital data from and/or to the data storage means to an external digital device, and an energy means to power the illumination, imaging, memory, microprocessor, and transmission means.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the transmission means is selected from the group of wireless technologies comprising infrared, radiofrequency, bluetooth, ultrasonic, and laser.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the transmission is by a wire connected to an external device.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the external digital device for receiving the transmission is selected from the group comprising cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), netpliance, laptop computer, or desktop computer.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein the imaging means is used to capture an image of a barcode for inclusion in a digital document created by said device.

12. A method for producing a digital copy of a written document by using a self-contained pen device that records digitally the position of said device in a document by using a microprocessor to analyze serial images captured by a camera of the document'"'"'s surface and then transmitting said digital document to an external digital device, wherein a loss of position sense of said device within a document is communicated to the user by an audio or light signal from said device.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein positional changes resulting in character generation are identified by a depression of the writing tip.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the successful restoration of position sense of said device within a document is communicated to the user by an audio or light signal from said device.

15. A method of producing a digital copy of a written document by using a self-contained pen device that records digitally the position of said device in a document by using a microprocessor to analyze serial images captured by a camera of the document'"'"'s surface and then transmitting said digital document to an external digital device, wherein a loss of position sense within a document is regained by positioning the pen device at the last point of character generation in said document and then signaling to the device by a predetermined manipulation such as double depressing the writing tip that the device is at a specific location within the document.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said device is used to capture an image of a barcode in a digital document created by said device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein a line drawn through written characters is used to edit out these characters from the digital copy of the document.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the microprocessor transmits a unique encrypted identification number or alphanumeric code along with the digital document so as to identify the origin of the digital document.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the self-contained pen device is used to provide a secure electronic commerce transaction by transmitting its microprocessor'"'"'s unique, encrypted identifying number or alphanumeric code with the digital copy of a document created by said device.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the microprocessor encrypts the digital document data in order to ensure privacy.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital copy of the document is intended for use as an electronic medical record.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital copy of the document is intended for use as a short text message for transmission to, and for display on, a cellular phone.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital copy of the document is intended for us as an email sent over the Internet.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital copy of the document is intended for note taking for business or educational purposes.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital copy of the document is intended for use in inventory control.

26. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital document consisting of cursive writing is converted by the device'"'"'s microprocessor to a digital document of printed text.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein the digital document consisting of cursive writing is converted by an external digital device to a digital document of printed text.