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

• US 6,501,461 B2
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Luidia Incorporated (Luidia Global Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Tildenet, Inc.
• Inventors: Holtzman, Rafi
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar, Srilakshmi K.
• Application Number:
  US09/275,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 178/19.01, 178/18, 178/20, 178/18.04, 345/173, 356/1, 340/706, 340/710, 367/127
• 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 an as 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 for converting a substantially planar surface into a writing surface for an electronic data capture device, the apparatus comprising:

a unitary sensor array that securely and rigidly fixes a relation between a plurality of sensors and that provides a tracking function to determine the position of a marking implement on the writing surface; and

a means for affixing the unitary sensor array to the substantially planar surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing means comprises double stick mounting tape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing means comprises a bracket secured to a wall with a fastener.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing means comprises:

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

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing means comprises a clip-on bracket that includes a U-shaped portion which is adapted to engage with an upper edge of said writing surface.

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

an L-shaped sensor array.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, 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.

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

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

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

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor array is manufactured so as to be contained within a standard, unitary package;

and

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

12. 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.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said signal may be modulated or digitally coded to identify a particular marking implement function or color.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, 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.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a plunger that is movable fitted within said collar; and

an eraser that is securely received within said plunger.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the presence of said collar operates said second switch, thereby indicating that said marking implement is performing an eraser function.

17. 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.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing means comprises a temporary fastener, such as Velcro.