Method and system for digitizing freehand graphics and selecting properties therefor

Abstract

A method of digitizing a freehand graphic created by an electronic pen having a marking nib. The method includes the steps of: interacting with a surface using the electronic pen; generating digital ink representing interaction of the pen with the surface, the digital ink identifying positions of the pen on the surface; determining if the position is in a first area or a second area of the surface; if the identified position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and if the identified position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic.

1 . A method of digitizing a freehand graphic created by an electronic pen having a marking nib, said method comprising the steps of:
 interacting with a surface using the electronic pen, said surface having a first area and a second area;   generating digital ink representing interaction of the pen with the surface, said digital ink identifying one or more positions of the pen on the surface;   determining if the position is in the first area or the second area of the surface;   if the identified position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and   if the identified position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second area is physically separated from the first area on the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said property is a color for the freehand graphic. 
     
     
         4 . The processing system of  claim 1 , wherein said property is a line style for the freehand graphic. 
     
     
         5 . The processing system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital ink identifies a nib force of the pen. 
     
     
         6 . A processing system for digitizing a freehand graphic created by an electronic pen having a marking nib, the processing system being configured for:
 receiving digital ink representing interaction of the pen with a surface, said digital ink identifying one or more positions of the pen on the surface;   determining if the position is in a first area or a second area of the surface;   if the identified position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and   if the identified position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic.   
     
     
         7 . The processing system of  claim 6 , wherein the processing system resides externally of the pen. 
     
     
         8 . The processing system of  claim 6 , wherein the second area is physically separated from the first area on the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The processing system of  claim 6 , wherein said property is a color for the freehand graphic. 
     
     
         10 . The processing system of claim  61 , wherein said property is a line style for the freehand graphic. 
     
     
         11 . The processing system of  claim 6 , wherein digital ink identifies a nib force of the pen. 
     
     
         12 . A system for digitizing a freehand graphic, said system comprising:
 an electronic pen having a marking nib;   a substrate defining a surface having a first area and a second area; and   a computer system configured for:
 generating digital ink representing interaction of the pen with the surface, said digital ink identifying one or more positions of the pen on the surface; 
 determining if the position is in the first area or the second area of the surface; 
 if the identified position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and 
 if the identified position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computer system is shared between the pen and a processing system residing externally of the pen, said processing system being wirelessly connected to said pen. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic pen is an optically imaging pen configured for imaging a position-coding pattern printed on the surface.