WO2013042123A2

WO2013042123A2 - Input and display apparatus and system, and a method for converting analog input data into digital data

Info

Publication number: WO2013042123A2
Application number: PCT/IL2012/050380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gili BROWN; Omri BERG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-21
Filing date: 2012-09-20
Publication date: 2013-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-21
Also published as: WO2013042123A3

Abstract

An analog input device for inputting a marking or written form on an erasable surface, where the erasable surface is attached or connected to a pressure sensitive digital surface, so that markings made on the erasable surface are converted into digital data by the digital surface, and the digital data so collected can be transmitted to a remote device for display.

Description

TITLE

INPUT AND DISPLAY APPARATUS AND SYSTEM, AND A METHOD FOR

CONVERTING ANALOG INPUT DATA INTO DIGITAL DATA

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[001] Embodiments of the present invention disclose an input and display apparatus, system and method for converting analog input data into digital data comprising an analog input device for capturing and displaying analog data, the input device comprising an erasable surface; surface erasing tool and a writing device. The erasable surface may be mounted on a resistive touch screen adapted to convert pressure, applied to the erasable surface by said writing device, into digital data. The digital data may be transmitted to remote communication devices and to a remote server accessible to remote communication devices.

[002] According to some embodiments, the analog input device is a micro-capsule magnetic drawing board and the writing device is a magnetic stylus. In some embodiments, analog input device may include materials other than a micro capsule magnetic drawing board, such as for example melamine, painted steel or aluminum, hardcoat laminate, porcelain, enamel-on-steel, PET ( Polyethylene Terephthalate-on-steel) or other material suitable for erasable drawing boards such as a whiteboards. When using a whiteboard, the writing device may be a device that uses an erasable ink.

[003] According to some embodiments, the resistive touch screen may have a first flexible substrate layer and a second rigid substrate layer. According to embodiments of the present invention the analog input device is embedded in the resistive touch screen as the first flexible substrate layer of the resistive touch screen. According to other embodiments, analog input device is not embedded in the touch screen and may be detachably or permanently connected thereon.

[004] According to other embodiments, the input and display apparatus may further have a transmitter adapted to transmit digital data to at least one remote communication device.

[005] A system for converting analog input data into digital data and for presenting said analog data and said digital data, according to embodiments of the present invention may include an input and display apparatus having an analog input device for capturing and displaying analog data, the input device may include: an erasable surface; an erasing tool and a writing device; wherein the erasable surface is mounted on a resistive touch screen adapted to convert pressure applied to the erasable surface by said writing device, into digital data. The system may further include a transmitter adapted to transmit the digital data to at least one communication device; a server adapted to receive the digital data from the at least one communication device and to provide the digital data to at least another communication device.

[006] A method according to embodiments of the present invention, for converting analog data into digital data and for displaying said analog data and said digital data may include: receiving analog data inputted by a writing device of an analog input device; displaying said analog data on an erasable surface of said analog input device, mounted on a resistance touch screen; converting pressure applied by said writing device on said erasable surface into digital data; and transmitting said digital data to at least one digital display device.

[007] According to some embodiments the digital data may be transmitted to a remote server accessible by a plurality of remote communication devices having internet connection. According to some embodiments the method may further include erasing digital data from the remote server upon receipt of an erasing signal from the analog input device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[009] Fig. 1 is schematic illustration of an input and display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a cross section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a cross section of an apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figs. 4A - 4D are an illustration of a method for erasing reusable surface according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figs. 5 A to 5D are an illustration of a method for erasing reusable surface according to another embodiment;

[0014] Fig. 6 is an illustration of a writing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a system according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0018] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0019] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which is a schematic illustration of an input and display apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Input and display apparatus 100 may have an analog input device, such as a magnetic drawing board 110 and a touch sensor, such as resistive touch screen 130.

[0020] Drawing board 110 may have magnetic particles 112, an erasable surface 115 mounted on touch sensor, such as resistive touch screen 130. Drawing board 110 may further include a writing device 125 and a surface erasing tool 120.

[0021] According to some embodiments, drawing board 110 may be a magnetic microcapsule board, and writing device 125 may be a magnetic stylus for marking visible marks on drawing board 110, by attracting particles 112 towards surface 115. In some embodiments, analog input device, such as drawing board 110, may be constructed of materials other than a micro capsule magnetic drawing board, such as melamine, painted steel or aluminum, hardcoat laminate, porcelain, enamel- on-steel, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate-on-steel) or other material suitable for erasable drawing boards such as whiteboards. When using a whiteboard, writing device 125 may be a device including an erasable ink.

[0022] Apparatus 100 may further include a memory, such as flash memory, (not shown) to store the data for future use or the data might be sent wirelessly to a remote device, such as a smart phone (not shown), to be stored.

[0023] According to some embodiments, analog data, such as visible markings, inputted via drawing board 110 may be converted to digital data, and stored on a memory in apparatus 100. Alternatively or additionally, the digital data may be transmitted and synchronized automatically with a remote storage device such as a remote server or a remote communication device, such as a smart phone, a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant), a tablet and the like. When a suitable communication device connectable to the internet, is available within the range of a wireless communication device connected to apparatus 100, such as a Bluetooth connection, digital data from apparatus 100 may be automatically transmitted to the communication device without the need of a user interference. When the communication device connects to the internet, the data may be sent via the internet to a remote server, and may be accessible and changeable through a web application via any device with web capabilities.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus 100 may have a changeable template (not shown), such as a form to be filled in. the template may be inserted between touch screen 130 and drawing board 110, or may be placed on top of drawing board 110, and may associate data inserted through analog input device 110 to specific fields in the template or form according to the location on the erasable surface 115 on which the data is inserted. An application installed on a remote server or computer may then associate the converted digital data received from apparatus 100 to specific fields on a digital form and fill in the digital form with the received digital data. In some embodiments, a removable template may be used and adapted to associate data inserted on the analog input device 110 to a field or space on a computerized form according, so that spaces on the template are coordinated with spaces on the computerized form, and so that data entered onto device 110 is filled into the matching space on the computerized form.

[0025] For example, a hospital form which each field in the template is recognized as a field on a computer may be auto filled in the right place on a digital form on the computer so the form with doctors input can be saved on a remote location and reviewed later on an output device such as tablet, desktop computer or any other suitable device.

[0026] According to some embodiment, apparatus 100 has a unique ID, thus, a certain user may use a plurality of input and display apparatuses 100 and identify from which of the apparatuses a certain input was received.

[0027] According to some embodiments apparatus 100 may be powered by a battery (not shown) or may be connected directly to a remote power supply such as a power outlet or a car's battery or any other power supply available.

[0028] Since microcapsule magnetic erasable surface 115 does not require any power supply in order to display inputted information, battery life expectancy is quite long. According to some embodiments, in order to reduce even further the power consumption of apparatus 100, an idle mechanism may be used when no input is received within a predefined time period. Other methods for reducing power consumption of apparatus 100 may be used.

[0029] As may be seen in Fig. 2, a cross section of an apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is presented. Apparatus 200 may have a magnetic microcapsule erasable surface 215 for receiving and displaying visible marks made by magnetic stylus 225. Apparatus 200 may further include a resistive touch screen 230.

[0030] Resistive touch screen 230 may include a rigid substrate 232, having a first conductive layer 234. A flexible cover sheet 236 having a second conductive layer 238 that is physically separated from first conductive layer 234 by spacer dots 240 formed on second conductive layer 238 by screen printing.

[0031] According to some embodiments, magnetic microcapsule erasable surface 215 may be embedded as one layer of resistive touch screen 230. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, magnetic microcapsule erasable surface 215 serves as flexible cover sheet 236 of resistive touch screen 230. Accordingly, when applying pressure by magnetic stylus 225 on surface 215 a visible marking appears on surface 215 at the contact point of stylus 225 and surface 215, and resistive touch screen 230 recognizes the pressure applied while writing with stylus 225 on surface 215 and outputs a relative voltage which is then converted to digital data.

[0032] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that different technologies might be used either for the analog coordinate recognition and conversion to digital data other than the resistive touch screen. It would be further realized that other touch screen technologies may be used, such as surface acoustic wave, capacitive, infrared, optical imaging, dispersive signal, acoustic pulse recognition or another suitable touch screens known in the art.

[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 3, which is a cross section of an input and display apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, microcapsule magnetic erasable surface 315 may be mounted on an independent touch sensor, such as touch screen 330. In this embodiment, erasable surface 315 is not embedded in one of the layers of touch screen 330, and may be detachably or permanently connected thereto. It would be appreciated, however, that when stylus 325 contacts erasable surface 315, a visible mark appears on erasable surface 315 and touch sensor, such as touch screen 330 identifies the coordinate 333 on touch screen 330 on which pressure was applied.

[0034] Reference is now made to Figs. 4A - 4D and to Figs. 5A - 5D which illustrate erasing process of erasable surface 415 and 515 (in figs. 4 and 5 respectively) according to different embodiments of the present invention, using erasing tool 460 and 560.

[0035] With reference to Figs. 4A to 4D, erasable surface 415 is embedded in touch screen 430. Therefore, back layer 435 of touch screen 430 may be located between erasable surface 415 and erasing tool 460. It would be appreciated, that erasing tool 460 may be a magnet bar extending along a first axis of erasable surface 415 from one edge of erasable surface 415 to another opposite edge thereof. Erasing tool 460 may be movable along a second axis of surface 415 which is orthogonal to the first axis thereof. Moving erasing tool from one end of surface 415 to an opposite end thereof may erase all visible marking displayed on surface 415.

[0036] It would be appreciated that when erasing tool 460 is placed behind touch screen 430, the magnetic field of erasing tool 460 should be strong enough to pass through touch screen 430 and still to be able to erase the microcapsule magnetic erasable surface 415. This could be achieved by a Neodymium magnet or other suitable magnets known in the art.

[0037] With reference to Figs. 5 A to 5D, similar erasing process is applied. However, since erasable surface 515 is mounted on an independent touch screen 530, erasing tool 560 may be located between surface 515 and touch screen 530. Thus, erasing tool 560 may be a less powerful magnet bar than in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 above. Erasing tool 560 may be a magnetic bar adapted to pass between surface 515 and resistive touch screen 530 so it will be as close as possible to surface 515, such magnet could be made of ferrite or other cheap magnetic materials known in the art much like refrigerator magnets.

[0038] With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, according to some embodiments, when erasing tool 460, 560 is pushed all the way to the end, the digital data may be deleted, either from the local memory or from the remote data storage.

[0039] According to some embodiments, erasing tool 460, 560 may be a magnetic sheet (not shown) completely covering the drawing surface from the back side of resistive touch screen 435. According to some embodiments the magnetic sheet may be a halbach array of permanent magnets.

[0040] As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, erasing the digital data, either from a local memory device or from a remote memory, may be done in several ways. According to one embodiment a specific coordinate on touch screen (430, 530) may be defined as an erasing coordinate. When erasing tool (460, 560) contacts the erasing coordinate, a signal may be sent to the memory device to erase all stored data received since the previous erasing signal was received. According to yet another embodiment, erasing tool (460, 560) may close an electrical circuit when reaching a predefined location along surface (415, 515) or when erasing tool (460, 560) is actuated. Other ways to delete digital data stored may be used.

[0041] Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which is an illustration of a writing device, such as magnetic stylus 625, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Magnetic stylus 625 may be used to write on a microcapsule magnetic sheet or surface (such as surface 115 in fig. 1) and may have a tip magnet 626 to pull micro capsule magnetic particles towards a visible plane of surface 115 when in direct contact therewith. Usually a magnet strong enough will have a diameter of 1mm or more, which doesn't allow high resolution and fine writing.

[0043] In some embodiments, in order to get fine drawing with very small diameter, a magnet 627 attached to a tip 626 made of a magnetic material and having shape adapted to allow fine drawing and writing may be used. For example tip 626 may be shaped as a thin pointy end, much like regular ink pens.

[0044] Once magnet 627 is attached to tip 626, tip 626 may get the magnetic properties In some embodiments, a pointy edge of the stylus may have a strongest the magnetic flux which may be enough to pull the magnetic particles directly towards it. The magnetic stylus may include a magnet attached to its tip so that the tip transmits magnetic force to the erasable surface, to allow fine marking on the erasable surface.

[0045] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the closer magnet 627 is placed next to the end of tip 626 the stronger the magnetic attraction of tip 626 will be. Thus, according to some embodiments, the distance of magnet 627 for the end of tip 626 may be varied in order to vary the contrast of the writing.

[0046] A stylus can be made with changeable tips for different diameter writing.

[0047] According to some embodiments, individual parts of inputted data, such as a drawing can be deleted. The analog data displayed on the input device can be deleted by software recognition, for example crossing the text with a line may indicate that the text is to be deleted.

[0048] Another deleting method of an individual part with a magnetic drawing board, such as microcapsule magnetic drawing board (110 in fig. 1) may use a back end tip 628 of stylus 625 with a magnet having opposite polarity than tip 626 to delete visible markings on the drawing board. The touch screen may recognize the different shape of back end tip 628 or a pattern on or a portion of back end tip 628 to indicate that the data should be deleted. Other methods for deleting parts of data depicted on drawing board (110 in fig. 1) may be used.

[0049] Reference is now made to Fig. 7 which is a block diagram of a system 700 according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments, analog data, such as visible markings, inputted via input and display apparatus, such as magnetic drawing board 710 may be converted to digital data. The digital data may be transmitted and synchronized automatically with a remote storage device such as a remote server 720 or a remote communication device, such as a smart phone, a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant), a tablet and the like. When a suitable communication device 730 connectable to the internet, is available within the range of a wireless or wire communication device connected to apparatus 710, such as a Bluetooth connection, infrared connection, wire connection, WiFi connection and the like, digital data from apparatus 710 may be automatically transmitted to the communication device 730. When the communication device connects to the internet, the data may be sent via the internet to remote server 720, and may be accessible and changeable through a web application via any remote device 740 with web capabilities.

[0050] Reference is now made to Fig. 8 which is a flowchart of a method for converting analog data into digital data and for displaying analog and digital data according to an embodiment of the present invention, that may include

[0051] receiving analog data inputted by a writing device, such as a magnetic stylus, of an analog input device such as a microcapsule magnetic drawing board [block 810].

[0052] Displaying the analog data on an erasable surface of the analog input device, mounted on a resistive touch screen [block 820].

[0053] Converting pressure applied by the writing device on the erasable surface into digital data by a resistive touch screen or any other type of touch sensor adapted to convert pressure applied thereto to a digital signal [block 830]; and

[0054] Transmitting the digital data to at least one digital display device [block 840]. According to some embodiments, the digital data may be transmitted to a remote server accessible by digital display devices, such as smart phones, PDA's, laptop computers, and any other device with web access and display means.

[0055] According to some embodiments, the method may further include erasing digital data from the remote server upon receipt of an erasing signal from the analog input device [block 850].

[0056] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An input and display apparatus for converting analog input data into digital data comprising:

an analog input device for capturing and displaying analog data, said input device comprising:

an erasable surface;

an erasing tool and

a writing device;

wherein said erasable surface is mounted on a resistive touch screen adapted to convert pressure, applied to said erasable surface by said writing device, into digital data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said analog input device is a micro-capsule magnetic drawing board.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said writing device is a magnetic stylus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said magnetic stylus comprises a magnet attached to a tip made of a magnetic material, wherein said tip transmits magnetic force to said erasable surface, said tip configured for fine marking on the erasable surface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said analog input device is a whiteboard.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said writing device comprises erasable ink. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resistive touch screen comprises a first flexible substrate layer and a second rigid substrate layer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said analog input device is embedded in said resistive touch screen as said first flexible substrate of said resistive touch screen.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitter adapted to transmit digital data to at least one remote communication device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a removable template adapted to associate data inserted on analog input device to a field in a computerized form according to the location on the erasable surface on which the data is inserted.

11. A system for converting analog input data into digital data and for presenting said analog data and said digital data, the system comprising: an input and display apparatus comprising:

an erasable surface;

an erasing tool and

a writing device;

wherein said erasable surface is mounted on a resistive touch screen adapted to convert pressure applied to said erasable surface by said writing device, into digital data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit said digital data to at least one

communication device;

a server adapted to receive said digital data from said at least one

communication device and to provide said digital data to at least another communication device.

The system according to claim 11 wherein said analog input device is embedded in said resistive touch screen.

The system according to claim 11 wherein said input device is a magnetic drawing board.

A method for converting analog data into digital data and for displaying said analog data and said digital data, the method comprising:

receiving analog data inputted by a writing device of an analog input device; displaying said analog data on an erasable surface of said analog input device, mounted on a resistance touch screen;

converting pressure applied by said writing device on said erasable surface into digital data; and

transmitting said digital data to at least one digital display device.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said digital data is transmitted to a remote server accessible by a plurality of remote communication devices having internet connection.

16. The method according to claim 14 further comprising erasing digital data from said

remote server upon receipt of an erasing signal from said analog input device.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein said analog input device is a magnetic

drawing board mounted on a resistive touch screen.

8. The method according to claim 17 wherein said drawing board is embedded in said resistive touch screen.