Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Stylus
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-12-04
Brier, Jeffery (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Stylus
C345S178000, C345S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326957
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to handwriting recording devices for real-time digitization of handwritten text and, more particularly, to system and methods for displaying page information such as handwriting data content in a handwriting recording device.
2. Description of Related Art
There are a variety of handwriting recording devices which digitize and electronically capture handwritten text in real-time as the text is written. Typically, these conventional handwriting recording devices utilize a digitizing tablet in conjunction with an electronic stylus (i.e., pen) to record handwriting data. The digitizing tablet generates positional data representing the coordinates of the electronic stylus by detecting, for example, RF (radio frequency) signal emissions generated by the stylus as a user applies the stylus on or near to the surface of the tablet.
One type of handwriting recording device is a personal digital notepad (PDN) device. The PDN device includes an electronic stylus having an inking tip which allows the user to write on a piece of paper placed over the digitizing tablet while the PDN records handwriting strokes (by detecting positional data). The stylus typically includes a pressure sensor which generates a “pen down” signal when the stylus is in contact with the writing surface. This signal is usually conveyed to the digitizing tablet via a dedicated line or through a secondary RF emission. Accordingly, by monitoring the pen down signal and the path of the radio emission of the stylus as it move across the radio sensitive grid, the digitizing tablet may generate a data stream representing the pen strokes that comprise the text written on, or in close proximity to, the surface of the digitizing tablet. It is to be understood that the term “stroke” used herein refers to a group of is handwriting data which is recorded between a “pen-down” signal and a “pen-up” signal.
For purposes of user convenience and saving space, PDN devices are generally built as small as possible. One constraint, however, which limits the physical size of the PDN device is the paper size (i.e., form factor) used in conjunction with the PDN. For instance, the writing surface area of the PDN for use with standard 8.5″×11″ paper cannot be smaller than the surface area of such paper. Another constraint which limits the size of the PDN device is the addition of a user interface (UI) or device status display (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)) which is to provide status information and allow the user to select menu options for accessing certain functions. In order to keep the size of the PDN device at a minimum, the area of the LCD must be minimized.
The size of the LCD display of the PDN device is also constrained by its power usage. Users typically require a PDN device to have a long battery life. Accordingly, an increased battery life can be obtained by minimizing the size and, thus, power usage of the LCD screen.
The are various problems that result from the constraints which limit the LCD size of PDN devices. One problem is that a small LCD display limits the method by which detailed page and status information of the PDN can be provided via the display, thereby making it difficult for the user to access desired information. For example, due to the size constraints of the LCDS, currently available PDN devices are not designed to display the handwriting content (or “digital ink”) recorded on any given digital page. Consequently, it is relatively easy for the user to forget which handwritten page in a paper notepad corresponds to which numbered digital page in the PDN, which may result in the user overwriting recorded handwriting data on a given digital page.
SUMMARY
The present application is directed to a system and methods for visually displaying page information in a handwriting recording device such as a personal digital notepad (PDN) device, in which constraints exist which limit the size of a user interface display (e.g. LCD). The present invention allows a user to view page information by selecting one or more available display modes which display the selected information using one or more dynamic icons. In addition, the user can view (via the display) selected portions of handwriting content of a given digital page, thereby affording the user the opportunity to synchronize the stored digital ink with the handwritten text.
In one aspect of the present invention, a dynamic icon is displayed which represents a scaled-down (i.e, thumbnail) version of the structure of the ink content of a digital page.
In another aspect of the present invention, a handwritten page is placed on the PDN and the user can utilize the stylus as “wand” to display a panning view of ink content for a current digital page as the stylus passes over portions of the handwritten page. In this manner, the user can then synchronize a handwritten page with a digital page by comparing the displayed ink with the handwritten ink of the handwritten page which is in proximity to the stylus. another aspect of the present invention, a predefined number of strokes which are recorded at the beginning or end of a digital page are displayed. In this manner, a user can compare the displayed words with the handwritten words at the beginning or end of a handwritten page.
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Nathan Krishna S.
Perrone Michael P.
Pitrelli John F.
Ratzlaff Eugene H.
Subrahmonia Jayashree
Brier Jeffery
International Business Machines - Corporation
Yang Ryan
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