Brightpen/pad II

Abstract

.[.A scanning and digitizing device where the same photodetectors are used in a scanning mode and in a digitizing mode. In the scanning mode graphic information is scanned. In the digitizing mode coordinate positions of a stylus is determined. The photodetectors are used in the imaging portion of this device which imaging portion is a rangefinder in the digitizing mode..]. .Iadd.A combination scanning and digitizing device is described in which the same photodetectors are cooperatively used to scan graphic information on paper or other planar material and also to determine the position of a stylus. Stylus position detection is by means of a rangefinder. .Iaddend.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for digitizing graphic information on .[.sheets of paper.]. .Iadd.planar material .Iaddend.comprising photodetectors .[.and.]. .Iadd.in an .Iaddend.imaging system.[.s.]. capable of imaging graphic information on said .[.sheets of paper.]. .Iadd.planar material.Iaddend., and which said photodetectors are .[.also.]. .Iadd.cooperatively .Iaddend.used to digitize the coordinate position of a .[.light emitting stylus or light absorbing.]. stylus by .Iadd.rangefinding .Iaddend.means .[.of converting analog signals from said photodetectors to digital.]. .Iadd.for imaging said stylus on said photodetectors and means for generating .Iaddend.signals .Iadd.from said photodetectors .Iaddend.suitable for input into a computer or the like. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which .[.said photodetectors are capable of digitizing the coordinate position of the stylus by means of systems capable of forming images of the stylus on the said photodetectors and.]. the means of imaging graphic information on said sheets of .[.paper.]. .Iadd.planar material .Iaddend.is by means .[.of.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.imaging successive lines of information on said .[.sheets of paper.]. .Iadd.planar material .Iaddend..[.by means of transporting said sheets of paper.].. .[.3. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the means for forming said images of stylus indicating X, Y, coordinate 
     
     
        position of said stylus consists of a rangefinder..].4. An apparatus according to claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend..[.consists of.]. .Iadd.in which said rangefinding means for imaging said stylus on said photodetectors comprises .Iaddend.means for acquiring separate views of said stylus, means for forming images of said separate views, and means 
     
     
        for projecting said images upon said photodetectors. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which means for acquiring separate views consists 
     
     
        of mirrors. 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which means for 
     
     
        forming said images are slits. 7. An apparatus according to claim 4 in 
     
     
        which means for forming said images are pinholes. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the photodetector consists of a CCD detector 
     
     
        array. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the photodetector 
     
     
        consists of a vidicon tube. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the photodetector consists of an array of photoelectric cells.