US 6,050,490 A · Handheld writing device and related data entry system

Abstract

This disclosure provides a handheld writing device and a related data entry system. In particular, a digital electronic clipboard is used to mount pages or forms utilized in forms processing applications, such as inventory tracking. A stylus having a writing tip at one end of the stylus and a bar code scanning mechanism at another end of the stylus is used to enter data on the pages or forms and scan bar codes appearing on the pages or forms themselves, or on a separate item to be associated with the form. The system detects whether bar code data or stylus position data is being generated and causes its CPU to responsively process entered data. In an alternative embodiment, the system also permits generation of only one of stylus position data and bar code data at any given time. By providing a bar code scanner in the same implement as the stylus, the system permits a user to scan bar codes without having to replace the stylus or obtain a scanning implement; furthermore, scanning of a bar code on a preprinted form inherently provides a stream of stylus data with information to exactly reproduce a hardcopy form completed by the user, e.g., by combining an image of the preprinted form with entered stylus data.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A handheld writing device adapted for use with a digitizer and a form positioned on the digitizer, said writing device and digitizer cooperating to permit a user to selectively create a digital electronic file of information representing writings on the form, said writing device comprising:

a body having two ends;
a writing tip mounted at one of the two ends, said writing device adapted for the user to write upon the form and digitizer, using the writing tip, said writing device providing an electronic indication of position of the writing tip with respect to the digitizer;
and
a scanning mechanism also mounted at one of the two ends, the scanning mechanism being selectively operated to scan bar codes and providing an electronic indication of scanned symbols;
wherein said writing device is further characterized by having at least one of
configuration of the writing device where the writing tip and scanning mechanism are at opposite ends of the writing device, such that the user would tend to use only one of the writing tip and the scanning mechanism at any given time, and
an interpretation mechanism that causes electronic output of said writing device to be limited to only one of the electronic indications from the writing tip and the electronic indication from the scanning mechanism at any given time.

4 more elements

A data entry system that permits a user to selectively create a digital electronic file of information entered onto a form, said data entry system comprising:

a digitizer board having a form-supporting surface;
a writing device including
a body having two ends,
a writing tip mounted at one of the two ends, the writing tip adapted for the user to write on the form, the writing tip providing an electronic indication of position of the writing instrument with respect to the digitizer board,
a scanning mechanism also mounted at one of the two ends, the scanning mechanism providing an electronic indication of scanned symbols;
and
an interpretation mechanism operatively coupled to each of the writing tip and the bar code scanning mechanism that interrogates electronic indications and interprets them as originating with no more than one of the writing tip and the scanning mechanism at any given time, and passing only such data for inclusion in the electronic file;
wherein the digital electronic file is created from the electronic indications.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Handheld writing device and related data entry system

Life of this patent

Handheld writing device and related data entry system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18