Audio-Playing System

Abstract

An audio-playing system includes a surface having a printed position-coding pattern. The position-coding pattern identifies a surface identity and positions on the surface, the surface identity distinguishing the surface from other surfaces of the same type. A handheld sensing device having a housing is configured for reading the position-coding pattern and audio playback. The housing contains: (i) an optical sensor for reading codes from the position-coding pattern; (ii) a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining the surface identity and a position of the sensing device using the read code; (iii) a memory unit comprising data for different audio outputs corresponding to different positions on the surface, and (iv) an audio output device coupled to the processor. The sensing device provides different audio outputs to a user in response to optically sensing different positions of the position-coding pattern.

1 . An audio-playing system comprising:
 (a) an article comprising a surface having a position-coding pattern printed thereon, said position-coding pattern identifying a surface identity and a plurality of positions on the surface, said surface identity distinguishing the surface from a plurality of other surfaces; and   (b) a handheld sensing device having a housing, said housing containing: (i) an optical sensor for reading codes from the position-coding pattern; (ii) a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining the surface identity and a position of the sensing device using the read code; (iii) a memory unit comprising data for different audio outputs corresponding to different positions on the surface, the memory unit being coupled to the processor, and (iv) an audio output device coupled to the processor,   
     wherein said handheld sensing device is configured to provide the different audio outputs to a user in response to optically sensing different positions of the position-coding pattern. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing device further comprises a microphone for recording audio input. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the position-coding pattern comprises a plurality of dots. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is pen-shaped. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said sensing device comprises a force sensor for sensing contact between a tip of the sensing device and the surface. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing device is configured for downloading one or more audio files to said memory unit. 
   
   
       7 . A handheld sensing device for use with an article comprising a surface having a position-coding pattern printed thereon, said position-coding pattern identifying a surface identity and a plurality of positions on the surface, said surface identity distinguishing the surface from a plurality of other surfaces, the sensing device having a pen-shaped housing containing:
 (a) an optical sensor for reading codes from the position-coding pattern;   (b) a force sensor for sensing contact between a tip of the sensing device and the surface;   (c) a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining the surface identity and a position of the sensing device using the read code;   (d) a memory unit comprising data for different audio outputs corresponding to different positions on the surface, the memory unit being coupled to the processor; and   (d) an audio output device coupled to the processor,   
     wherein said handheld sensing device is configured to provide the different audio outputs to a user in response to optically sensing different positions of the position-coding pattern. 
   
   
       8 . The sensing device of  claim 7 , wherein said sensing device further comprises a microphone for recording audio input. 
   
   
       9 . The sensing device of  claim 7  wherein the position-coding pattern comprises a plurality of dots. 
   
   
       10 . The sensing device of  claim 7 , wherein further comprising an input for downloading one or more audio files to said memory unit.