Patent ID: 6218964
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61H,G08G,G09B

Abstract:
A reading pen for reading printed information, comprising:a) a housing including a proximal end portion for being disposed adjacent to the printed information and further including a distal end portion opposite of the proximal end portion;b) a power source in the housing;c) a computer processor in the housing and being in communication with the power source;d) a scanner on the proximal end portion of the housing for scanning printed information, with the scanner being in communication with the computer processor and power source;e) a microphone on the housing for receiving audible information, with the microphone being in communication with the computer processor and power source;f) a digitizer in the housing and being in communication with the scanner and microphone, with the digitizer digitizing the printed information received by the scanner and further digitizing the audible information received by the microphone, with the digitizer further being in communication with the computer processor and power source;g) a storage in the housing for storing the digitized information, with the storage being in communication with the computer processor and the power source; andh) a speaker on the housing, with the speaker being in communication with the computer processor and power source, with the speaker further being in communication with the storage and digitizer wherein a voice via a text-to-voice converter may be generated from the digitized information so as to read back in said voice from the speaker the printed information that has been received by the scanner and wherein a voice may be generated from the digitized information so as to read back in said voice from the speaker the information that has been received by the microphone.