Abstract:
A reading pen (or input and output hand held device) that includes both digital and mechanical features. Digital features include a scanner for scanning printed information, including “selecting” information, pictures, etc., for color and/or patterns, a microphone for receiving dictated information, a digitizer for digitizing the scanned and dictated information, a computer processor, a storage, a visual display (or visual output), a printer, and a speaker (or audible output). Mechanical features include a lens for magnifying the printed information being scanned and a marking or coloring instrument such as a highlighter for marking the printed information being scanned. One simple electrical feature is a light for illuminating the printed information being scanned.

Description:
This application is a C-I-P of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/936,640 filed Sep. 24, 1997 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,618 issued Oct. 26, 1999), which in turn claimed the benefit under Title 35, United States Code § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/026,919 filed Sep. 25, 1996 and entitled Control Avoidance, Traffic Control, Safety, And Information Systems. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a “reading pen” that has both mechanical and digital functions. As to digital functions, the reading pen scans, digitizes, stores, and/or reads back instantaneously desired text, data, pictures, graphics and other material. As to mechanical functions, the reading pen may highlight (color) and magnify text, data, pictures, graphics and other material. As to simple electrical functions, the reading pen includes a light to illuminate the material being scanned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is a reading pen. The present reading pen is, generally, a hand held instrument that scans information (such as printed material) so as to convert the printed material into digitized information, and then instantaneously or at a later time “reads back” (through a speaker or through a printer that prints) the scanned information. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a reading that includes both digital functions such as scanning and mechanical functions such as highlighting (coloring the printed matter which has been scanned), illuminating and magnifying the printed matter. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a reading pen that scans, digitizes, and stores a variety of printed matter, including text data, pictures and graphics. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a reading pen that includes a microphone for receiving dictated information. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a reading pen with a reverse mode so as to rescan or redictate information. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a reading pen that includes a hard disk or diskette that stores images or other information for further processing such as being printed. 
     Another feature of the invention is a reading pen that may be powered by a variety of power sources, such as being electrically powered from a wall outlet, being powered by a battery, or being solar powered. 
     Another feature of the invention is a reading pen that can scan a relatively wide area or a relatively narrow area. 
     Another feature of the invention is a reading pen with functions that are independent of the other such that certain functions or parts of the reading pen may be turned on and certain other functions or parts of the reading pen may be turned off. 
     Another feature of the invention is a reading pen that is tied to a monitor or printer such that the scanned information can be electronically magnified for reading or printed. The tie to the monitor or printer may be by a conventional electric wire connection or by a wireless mechanism such as by infrared communication. 
     Another feature of the invention is a computer telephony system that includes a reading pen. 
     These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a side diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the reading pen. 
     FIG. 1B is a side diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the reading pen. 
     FIG. 2A is a proximal or bottom end diagrammatic view of the reading pen of FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 2B is a proximal or bottom end diagrammatic view of the reading pen of FIG.  1 B. 
     FIG. 3A is a distal or top end diagrammatic view of the reading pen of FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 3B is a distal or top end diagrammatic view of the reading pen of FIG.  1 B. 
     FIG. 4A is a side diagrammatic view of the scanner portion of the reading pen of each of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing a switch on the scanner portion for control of various functions of the reading pen. 
     FIG. 4B is a listing of the various functions for the control switch shown in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the input functions, the processing function and related processing functions, and output functions. 
     FIG. 6 shows a schematic, somewhat perspective view of the reading pen of the present invention scanning printed information while being in communication with and enjoying the benefits of a desktop computer, monitor, printer, and, through the desktop computer, being tied to and enjoying the benefits of the Internet, networks, phone systems, and computer telephony). 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1A, a reading pen  10  includes a housing  12  with a proximal end portion  14  for being disposed adjacent to the printed information and a distal end portion  16  opposite of the proximal end portion  14 . The reading pen  10  includes a power source  18  in the housing  12 ; a computer processor  20  in the housing  12  and that is in communication with the power source  18 ; a scanner  22  on the proximal end portion  14  of the housing  12  for scanning printed information, with the scanner  22  being in communication with the computer processor  20  and power source  18 ; a microphone  24  on the housing  12  for receiving audible information, with the microphone  24  being in communication with the computer processor  20  and power source  18 ; a digitizer  26  in the housing  12  and being in communication with the scanner  22  and microphone  24 , with the digitizer  26  digitizing the printed information received by the scanner  22  and further digitizing the audible information received by the microphone  24 , with the digitizer  26  further being in communication with the computer processor  20  and power source  18 ; a storage  28  in the housing  12  for storing the digitized information, with the storage  28  being in communication with the computer processor  20  and the power source  18 ; a speaker  30  on the housing  12 , with the speaker  30  being in communication with the computer processor  20  and power source  18 , with the speaker  30  further being in communication with the storage  28  and digitizer  26  such that an audible signal may be generated from the digitized information so as to read back the printed information, through, for example, computer telephony, that has been received by the scanner  22  and/or microphone  24 ; a visual display  32  on the housing  12 , with the visual display  32  being in communication with the computer processor  20  and power source  18 , with the visual display  32  further being in communication with the storage  28  and digitizer  26  such that a visual signal may be generated from the digitized information so as to display back the printed information that has been received by the scanner  22  and/or microphone  24 ; a lens  34 A engaged with the housing  12  for magnifying the printed information being scanned; a marking instrument  36 A on the proximal end portion  14  of the housing  12  to physically mark the printed information being scanned; and a light  38  on the proximal end portion  14  of the housing  12  to illuminate the printed information being scanned. The reading pen  10  further includes a digitized software package  40  such as interactive voice or integrated voice response in the housing  10 , with the software  40  being in communication with the processor  20  and power source  18 . The reading pen  10  further includes a volume control  42  for the speaker  30 . 
     FIG. 1B shows a reading pen  50  that is identical to the reading pen  10  of FIG. 1A except that the lens (magnifier)  34 B and marking instrument  36 B (highlighter) have switched positions and have different structures. 
     As shown in FIG. 2A, lens  34 A is fixed to the scanner  22  where a line of sight travels through opposing faces  54  and  56  of the lens  34 A. A scanner eye  58  is disposed adjacent to face  56  of the lens  34 A so that the printed matter being magnified is the printed matter being scanned. 
     As shown in FIG. 2B, marker  36 B (or marking instrument or highlighter) extends from the scanner  22  and includes a wick having a color such as a fluorescent yellow or pink embedded therein. As shown in FIG. 2B, a scanner eye  58  may be disposed on either or both sides of the marker  36 B. 
     As shown in FIG. 3A, telescoping marker  36 A swings into and out of the housing  12  via a hinge. When swung out of the housing  12 , marker  36 A (or marking instrument or higlighter) is extended in length via a telescoping structure so that the marker  36 A can extend to a position adjacent to or longitudinally beyond the scanner  22  and lens  34 A so that a line of text may be efficiently magnified, scanned and highlighted in one linear stroke with the proximal end  14  of the reading pen  10 . A wick  60  having a colored ink such as a fluorescent yellow or pink is shown in phantom in FIG.  3 A. 
     As shown in FIG. 3B, a lens  34 B swings into and out of the housing  12  via a hinge. The lens  34 B includes a preset focus determined by the distance between the focal point of the lens  34 B and a point just beyond the tip of the marker  36 B so that the lens  34 B remains in focus when the marker  36 B is capped. 
     As shown in FIG. 4A, a control switch  62  on the scanner  22  includes a number of positions for various functions. Some preferred functions are shown in FIG. 4B. A position “ 0 ” is an off position where power to all parts of the reading pen  10  may be cut off. 
     Position “ 1 ” closes internal switches to the scanner  22  and speaker  30 . Position “ 1 ” is where printed information is scanned, digitized, processed and reproduced as a voice so that the reading pen  10  effectively reads (or is voicing) the printed information. 
     Position “ 2 ” closes internal switches to the scanner  22  and storage  28 . Position “ 2 ” is where printed information is scanned, digitized, processed and stored (for later downloading or reading (i.e. voicing via the speaker)). 
     Position “ 3 ” closes internal switches to the scanner  22 , microphone  24  and storage  28 . Position “ 3 ” is where printed information is scanned, digitized, processed, and stored, and where dictated (audible information voiced by a human) information may be received by the microphone, digitized, processed, and stored. 
     Position “ 4 ” closes internal switches to the scanner  22  and display  32 . Position “ 4 ” is where printed information is scanned, digitized, processed, and displayed in the visual display  32  in the same form as the printed information or in some other printed form as converted by the processor  20 . 
     Position “ 5 ” closes internal switches to the scanner  22 , speaker  30 , and display  32 . Position “ 5 ” is where printed information is scanned, digitized, processed and reproduced as a voice so that the reading pen  10  effectively reads (or is voicing) the printed information and where such printed information is at the same time is being displayed in the visual display  32  in the same form as the printed information or in some other printed form as converted by the processor  20 . 
     Position “ 6 ” closes internal switches to the microphone  24  and storage  28 . Position “ 6 ” is where audible information (for example dictated information by a human voice) may be fed into the microphone  24 , digitized, processed, and stored in memory. 
     Position “ 7 ” closes all internal switches such that all functions of the reading pen may be on and operational. 
     Each of positions “ 8 ,  9 , and  10 ” may be programmable so as to customize various combinations of functions. 
     FIG. 5 shows that there are generally two inputs to the reading pen  10 , with these two inputs being the scanner  22  for scanning printed information and the microphone  24  for receiving audible information from sources such as the human voice. However, it should be noted that other inputs are possible with a reading pen  10 . These inputs may include electronic inputs (such as where the reading pen has a plug in receptor or wireless receptors such as radio receptors) and inputs such as sensors such as temperature sensors. Another input is an electronic eye for video input. 
     FIG. 5 further shows that there are generally two outputs for the reading pen  10 , with these two outputs being the speaker  30  and display  32 . However, it should be noted that other outputs are available. These outputs may include peripheral outputs such as to other computers (for example larger more powerful computers), desk top monitors, printers where the information stored in storage  28  may be downloaded and printed, warning devices that are monitored by third parties such as the police. Electrical wires or wireless mechanisms such as radio or infrared mechanisms may permit communication between the reading pen  10  and the peripheral device or peripheral output. 
     FIG. 5 further shows that the computer processor  20 , digitizer  26 , storage medium  28 , and software are in communication with each other and is generally a black box that may be customized by the end user. For example, foreign language software may be downloaded into the reading pen  10  such that, when printed matter of one language is scanned, another language is voiced by the speaker  30 . Still further, computer telephony software or applications can be downloaded into the reading pen  10  so that the pen  10  may cooperate with and communicate with computer telephony applications, devices, platforms or systems. 
     FIG. 6 shows that the reading pen  10  (or  50 ) may communicate with a desktop computer  64  directly, with a monitor  66  directly, and with a printer  68  directly because the reading pen has a processor  20 . However, if desired, the reading pen  10  (or  50 ) may communicate with the desktop computer  64  which in turn may communicate with the monitor  66  and printer  68 . 
     FIG. 6 further shows that the reading pen may be in communication with, enjoy the benefits of, and contribute to the Internet, networks, the phone system, and computer telephony systems. In other words, the reading pens  10  and  50  may receive inputs from and transmit outputs to the Internet, networks, the phone system and computer telephony systems. Further or alternatively, reading pens  10  and  50  may be in direct communication with a computer telephony system  70 . As to computer telephony and computer telephony systems and applications, the book  Computer Telephony And Wireless Technologies: Future Directions In Communications , authored by and published by the Computer Technology Research Corporation of Charleston, S.C. (1997) is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. An out of date definition of computer telephony is the integration of a computer system with a telephone system. However, the definition accepted at present is that computer telephony is a platform or system that merges voice and data services in order to enable the development of integrated business applications. This latter definition is the definition applied herein. 
     Computer telephony further provides or performs the following functions: telephone, voicemail, interactive voice response, audible/visible e-mail, audible/visible fax, data/voice integration, personal computer based call processing. In computer telephony systems, database messages are subject to a pattern-matching rules engine that assigns messages to categories and to the proper expertise groups, attaching the suggested responses. A response is then produced (or perhaps a collaborative response is crafted). In computer telephony systems, a transducer is actuated by power from one system and supplies power to a second system (for example, a loudspeaker transforms electrical signals into sound energy). In computer telephony, a telephone functions as an easy-to-use terminal. 
     The Housing  12   
     The housing  12  is preferably formed of a lightweight metal. Housing  12  may be formed in the sections as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, with pin and socket connections engaging each of the sections together such that the sections may interact and communicate with each other. For example, one end of the section for display  32  may have pins (for connection to the section for the microphone  24 ) and the other end may have sockets (for connection to the section for the speaker  30 ). 
     Housing  12  or particular housing sections may have openings. For example, processor  20  may have a closeable opening for inserting and removing a hard disk or a diskette. Further by way of example, the section for storage  28  may have an opening for removing storage medium (that may be downloaded and printed elsewhere). Still further by way of example, the section for power source  18  may include an opening for inserting and removing batteries. 
     The length of the reading pen  10  is preferably about the length of a conventional pen or pencil, i.e., between about six and eight inches. The diameter of the reading pen  10  may be larger than that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The diameter of the reading pen  10  may be determined by the diameter of the disk drive. Currently, disk drives in the range of about 45 mm to about 80 mm are being produced. 
     The Power Source  18   
     The power source  18  is preferably battery powered. However, solar cells may be affixed over portions of the housing  12 . 
     The Computer Processor  20 , Digitizer  26 , Storage  28 , Display  32  Power Source  18   
     The present invention may use many of the components of personal digital assistants (PDA) such as the Newton® manufactured by Apple. The present invention may rearrange such components to fit the shape of a pen. Accordingly, as to the computer processor  20 , digitizer  26 , storage  28 , display  32 , and power source  18 , U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,732 entitled “Miniature Digital Assistant Having Enhanced Host Communication” that issued Nov. 10, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Of course, it should be noted that the inputs and outputs of the present reading pen  10  are different from personal digital assistants. 
     Further as to computer processors  20 , it should be noted that larger, powerful computers may be used with the present reading pen  10  by providing a connection (either by wire or wireless technologies) between the pen  10  and such larger, more powerful computer (such as a desktop computer). As to wireless connections between pen-shaped objects and computers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,668 entitled Wireless Pen-type Input Device For Use With A Computer that issued Nov. 24, 1992 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     As to a hard disk for the reading pen  10 , the following U.S. Pat. Nos. are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,374 entitled Miniature Hard Disk Drive With Spin Motor For Portable Computer that issued Apr. 18, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,065 entitled Miniature Hard Disk Drive For Portable Computer Having A Rotary Inertial Latch For Disk Drive Actuator that issued Dec. 27, 1994. 
     The Scanner  22 , Speaker  30 , Display  32 , Power Source  18   
     As to the scanner  22 , speaker  30 , display  32 , and power source  18 , scanners for reading text, graphics and other printed information such as bar codes are allegedly available for purchase. For example, the “Quicktionary” is marketed by Wizcom Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel. The “Quicktionary” tool is a hand held tool for allegedly scanning a word in one language. The “Quicktionary” tool then allegedly converts the scanned information into an alleged voiced translation and an alleged displayed translation. The “Quicktionary” tool allegedly scans printed text, allegedly includes Text-To-Speech technology, allegedly includes a speaker for pronouncing the translated word, and further allegedly includes a display for displaying the translated word. 
     Further, a Key Tronic 1200 optical character recognition hand held wand and guide mask is allegedly available from Key Tronic of Spokane, Wash. 
     Further as to scanners  22 , U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,860 entitled Light Beam Scanning Pen, Scan Module For The Device And Method of Utilization that issued Aug. 3, 1999 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This patent represents that its technology is a “high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom” and that its device “is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter.” 
     The Microphone  24 , Digitizer  26 , Processor  20 , and Storage  28   
     As to the microphone  24 , digitizer  26 , processor  20 , and storage  28  (i.e. memory), U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,870 entitled Personal Organizer With Interface For Recording Digital Voice Files that issued Sep. 22, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The Digitizer  26   
     As to the digitizer  26  and as to Text-To-Voice software or converters, the following U.S. Pat. Nos. are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,901 entitled Text To Voice Apparatus Accessing Multiple Gazetteers Dependent Upon Vehicular Position that issued Apr. 13, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,629 entitled User Interface Controller For Text-To-Speech Synthesizer that issued Dec. 15, 1998. 
     The Display  32   
     As to the display  32 , U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,911 entitled Miniature Virtual Image Color Display that issued Oct. 13, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.