Abstract: A system and method for recording writing performed on a surface includes a stylus and a detector assembly having a base appliance and a personality module removably attachable to the base appliance. The detector assembly includes a storage medium which allows the system of the present invention to track and record writing while not connected to a processing device such as a computer, printer, wireless device or hand-held device.

Abstract: A system and method for recording writing performed on a surface includes a stylus and a detector assembly having a base appliance and a personality module removably attachable to the base appliance. The detector assembly includes a storage medium which allows the system of the present invention to track and record writing while not connected to a processing device such as a computer, printer, wireless device or hand-held device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transcribing composite images. In one embodiment, a method comprises projecting a first image onto a surface, wherein a first coordinate system defines positions within the first image and a second coordinate system defines positions on the surface. The method further comprises forming a second image on the surface by using a stylus, and recording the formation of the second image relative to the first image by periodically detecting the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system by receiving and processing signals transmitted from the stylus. The method also comprises translating the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system to a position relative to the first coordinate system, and storing the composite image comprising the first image and the second image as machine-readable data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transcribing composite images. In one embodiment, a method comprises projecting a first image onto a surface, wherein a first coordinate system defines positions within the first image and a second coordinate system defines positions on the surface. The method further comprises forming a second image on the surface by using a stylus, and recording the formation of the second image relative to the first image by periodically detecting the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system by receiving and processing signals transmitted from the stylus. The method also comprises translating the position of the stylus relative to the second coordinate system to a position relative to the first coordinate system, and storing the composite image comprising the first image and the second image as machine-readable data.

Abstract: In a transcription system which includes a plurality of signal receivers for positioning adjacent a writing surface and for receiving a position signal transmitted from a stylus when the stylus is positioned adjacent the writing surface, the signal receivers producing timing signals in response to receiving the position signal from the stylus, the transcription system using the timing signals to determine a position of the stylus adjacent the writing surface, a detector assembly comprising: a housing for mounting to the writing surface; a plurality of signal receivers; and at least one user activated control switch whose activation by a user when the detector assembly is mounted to the writing surface produces a control signal which causes the transcription system to perform a function in response.

Abstract: A kit for use with a transcription system which includes a plurality of signal receivers for positioning adjacent a writing surface and for receiving position signals transmitted from a stylus when the stylus is positioned adjacent the writing surface, the transcription system recording writing performed by the stylus on the writing surface, the kit comprising: a background image coupleable to the writing surface; and a computer readable medium including logic for detecting a position of the background image on the writing surface, logic for detecting a position of the stylus relative to the background image on the writing surface, logic for recording writing by the stylus relative to the background image, and logic for forming a composite image comprising the background image and the writing by the stylus on the background image.

Abstract: A kit for use with a transcription system which includes a plurality of signal receivers for positioning adjacent a writing surface and for receiving one or more position signals transmitted from a stylus when the stylus is positioned adjacent the writing surface, the signal receivers producing timing signals in response to receiving position signals from the stylus, the kit comprising: a template coupleable to the writing surface, the template including one or more control sections; and a computer readable medium including logic for detecting when the stylus contacts a particular control section based on receipt by the signal receivers of one or more position signals transmitted from the stylus and logic for causing a function to be performed by the transcription system in response to detecting that the stylus has contacted the particular control section.

Abstract: A detector for use in a transcription system comprising: a signal receiver for positioning adjacent a writing surface and for receiving a position signal transmitted from a stylus when the stylus is positioned adjacent the writing surface, the signal receiver producing a timing signal in response to receiving the position signal; and a signal focussing element having a reflecting surface which is shaped and oriented relative to the signal receiver to reflect the position signal transmitted from the stylus onto the signal receiver.

Abstract: A detector assembly comprising: a first signal receiver for receiving position signals transmitted from a stylus of a transcription system; a second signal receiver for receiving the position signals transmitted from the stylus; and a member coupling the first and second signal receivers, the coupling member being capable of adopting two or more configurations where a distance between the first and second signal receivers changes in at least two of the configurations.

Abstract: A stylus for use in a transcription system which includes a plurality of signal receivers for positioning adjacent a writing surface and for receiving a position signal transmitted from the stylus when the stylus is positioned adjacent the writing surface, the signal receivers producing timing signals in response to receiving the position signal from the stylus, the transcription system using the timing signals to determine a position of the stylus adjacent the writing surface, the stylus comprising: a stylus housing defining a volume for housing a writing element, an opening on a distal end of the stylus housing through which a portion of the writing element extends for writing on a writing surface, and a door on a side of the stylus housing which may be opened or removed and through which a writing element can be introduced into and removed from the stylus housing; and the position signal transmitter for transmitting the position signal.

Abstract: A system is provided for recording writing performed on a surface. The system includes a stylus having a housing and a writing element; two or more detectors which may be permanently or removably affixed to a writing surface; and a processing unit. The stylus and detectors are used in combination to detect the position of the stylus on the writing surface relative to the detectors based on a time of flight of a ranging medium propagated between the stylus and detectors. The relative position of the stylus is determined at multiple times during which the stylus is being employed in order to record the writing on the surface.

Abstract: In a transcription system including a plurality of signal receivers positioned adjacent a writing surface, a method for calibrating the transcription system by determining separation distances between the signal receivers comprising: using times of flight of position signals from at least two calibration marks to the signal receivers to determine separation distances between the at least two calibration marks and the signal receivers; and using the determined separation distances between the calibration marks and the signal receivers and the known separation distances between the calibration marks to determine separation distances between the signal receivers.