Multi-modal data input/output apparatus and method compatible with bio-engineering requirements

Apparatus for recording, recognizing and displaying information created by hand movement of a human being while in a customary writing posture, comprising:

• a. mechanical writing means supported by a human hand for forming a permanent visible record of the movement of the human hand upon a mark receiving surface over which the writing means is moved;
• b. motion sensing means responsive to human hand movement for converting symbolic and non-symbolic movement of the human hand relative to a reference point into an electrical signal representative of the hand movement;
• c. electronic symbolic motion identification means communicating with said motion sensing means for producing symbol indicating electrical signals representative of only those electrical signals produced by said motion sensing means which are validly representative of one of a predetermined set of symbolic hand motions;
• and
• d. electronic visual display means supported on a human wrist for converting said symbol indicating electrical signals to a visible display, said display corresponds to but is separate from said visible record and is positioned for viewing without disturbing the normal writing posture and without disturbing continuous hand movement, said electronic visual display means including wrist support means for removably supporting said electronic visual display means on the wrist of one arm of a human whose other arm is supporting said mechanical writing means.