Patent ID: 6968083

Claim:
A device for writing and processing handwriting comprising: a body; a marking element for making strokes comprising a character on a surface, the marking element being coupled to the body; a detector for detecting each stroke on the surface, and a processor coupled to the detector, wherein the detector and processor are disposed within the body; and wherein the detector comprises: an array that includes at least one photo emitter and at least one photo detector; wherein at least one photo emitter emits light towards the marking element to illuminate the strokes; and wherein at least one photo detector (a) has a field of view that includes the marking element, (b) detects the strokes using the light reflected off the surface, (c) converts the detected strokes into electronic signals, and (d) sends the electronic signals to the processor; and wherein the array is in the shape of a ring, with the center of the ring perpendicular to a z-axis that passes through a center of the marking element and is parallel to a major axis of the device.