Audio frequency based data capture tablet

Claim 1

An audio frequency based data capture tablet apparatus for converting marked data responses into corresponding audio information, said tablet comprising: a working surface capable of receiving a data collection document thereon having collected information stored therein in a response area in the form of marked data substantially orthogonally definable on said working surface; a pair of substantially normal binary encoded optically readable sections associated with said work surface and capable of orthogonally defining a plurality of unique positions on said document response area disposed on said working surface; a movable cursor means mechanically disposed above said working surface and comprising a normal pair of orthogonally movable intersecting members, one of said members being movable along an x-axis and the other of said members being movable along a y-axis to uniquely define an aligned position on said document response area where a given response has been marked, each of said members comprising a plurality of spaced apart windows optically alignable over a plurality of possible marked responses to a given data collection inquiry, said windows intersecting over the marked answer to said inquiry, said members further comprising a plurality of spaced apart phototransistors optically alignable over said binary encoded optically readable sections in conjunction with said orthogonal movement of said members, each of said binary encoded optically readable sections comprising a plurality of unique optically readable binary patterns uniquely defining said position, each of said phototransistors being selectively connected to drive a voltage controlled audio oscillator means for providing a unique audio frequency output dependent on the binary coded pattern present in said binary encoded optically readable section associated with said phototransistors at said aligned position on said document response area where said given response has been marked, said phototransistor enabling said voltage controlled audio oscillator means when said phototransistor is enabled by reading said binary coded pattern, said movable cursor means producing a composite of audio frequencies when said cursor means is at said aligned position on said document response area, said phototransistors associated with said x-axis movable member being capable of producing a first pattern of a plurality of different spaced apart predetermined audio frequencies in conjunction with said voltage controlled audio oscillator means and said phototransistors associated with said y-axis movable member being capable of producing a second pattern of a plurality of different spaced apart predetermined audio frequencies in conjunction with said voltage controlled oscillator means; whereby said composite of audio frequencies is provided at said aligned position for providing a unique audio signature corresponding to said marked response area position for converting the marked answer to said given data collection inquiry into corresponding audio information.