Universal computing device for surface applications

• US 7,262,764 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Jian, Zhang, Chunhui
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dharia; Prabodh
• Application Number:
  US10/751,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-180, 345/156, 715/863, 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 235/472, 235/469, 235/472.01, 382/101, 382/187, 382/182, 382/185, 361/692, 358/474, 713/176, 704/242, 359/642
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A universal input device for use with a surface, such as a whiteboard, is provided. The universal input device can be used to control various computing devices as well as capture handwritten electronic ink and have the electronic ink be associated with new or stored documents. The universal input device can be coupled to a whiteboard marker for use with a conventional whiteboard. The universal input device can track the movement of the whiteboard marker on the whiteboard for transmission to a host PC applying those movements to a document and/or other application. The universal input device can identify the width of the marker'"'"'s tip as well as the marker color. A digital eraser tracks the movement of a conventional whiteboard eraser across the surface of the whiteboard. An encoded medium can be placed over a conventional whiteboard for tracking of the movements.

Claims

1. An input device for generating data representative of handwritten strokes, the input device comprising:

an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an area of an object over which the input device is positioned and generating captured image data;

a processor for processing the captured image data to generate data representative of a location of a writing implement;

an indicia capturing device for capturing indicia information of the writing implement;

an audio recorder to capture audio data;

a force sensor for detecting application of a force against the input device, wherein the processor is configured to activate the audio recorder to record audio data in response to the detected application of force; and

a memory for storing data representative of handwritten strokes based on the data representative of the location of the writing implement;

wherein the object includes an encoded medium for connection to a surface.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the writing implement is coupled to the input device.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the writing implement is coupled to the input device by a sleeve.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device includes the writing implement.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the indicia capturing device corresponds to a second image capturing device.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the indicia information corresponds to a bar code of the writing implement.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to process the indicia information to generate data representative of a width of the writing implement.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to process the indicia information to generate data representative of a color of the writing implement.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to process the indicia information to generate data representative of a width of the writing implement.

10. An apparatus for generating data representative of erasing stroke, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an area of an object over which the image capturing unit is positioned and generating captured image data, the object being external from the apparatus;

a processor for processing the captured image data to generate data representative of a location of a portion of an eraser; and

an audio recorder to capture audio data;

a force sensor for detecting application of a force against the apparatus, wherein the processor is configured to activate the audio recorder to record audio data in response to the detected application of force; and

a memory for storing data representative of erasing strokes based on the data representative of the location of the portion of the eraser,

wherein the object includes an encoded medium for connection to a surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the eraser is coupled to the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the eraser is coupled to the apparatus by a holding means.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes the eraser.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to activate the image capturing unit in response to the detected application of force.

15. A method for creating image information representing user inputs comprising steps of:

positioning an image sensor, coupled to an eraser, over an area of an object, the object being external from the image sensor;

capturing an image of the area of the object over which the image sensor is positioned;

generating data representing a location of the eraser based on the captured image;

detecting application of a force against the eraser;

capturing audio data in response to the detected application of force; and

creating an image file representative of erasing strokes based on the generated data representing the location of the eraser,

wherein the object includes an encoded medium for connection to a surface.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of transmitting the image file to an external computer.

17. A method for creating image information representing user inputs comprising steps of:

positioning an input device, coupled to a writing implement, over an area of an object;

capturing data representative of an indicia of the writing implement;

capturing an image of the area of the object over which the input device is positioned;

generating data representing a location of the writing implement based on the captured image;

detecting application of a force against the eraser;

capturing audio data in response to the detected application of force; and

creating an image file based on the generated data representing the location of the writing instrument,

wherein the object includes an encoded medium for connection to a surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicia corresponds to a bar code.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicia corresponds to a color of the writing implement.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicia corresponds to a width of a tip of the writing implement.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of transmitting the image file to an external computer.