Patent US5223677A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5223677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Handwriting capture device with insertable form interface
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1991-09-09
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A handwriting capture device which employs an insertable form interface over a digitizer to minimize or eliminate the need for a display. The form may include a menu corresponding to a repetitive task, a keypad, or a place for a signature. The form may be removable as a receipt, work order, invoice, or other document. The handwriting capture device also includes a housing having a top surface and a recess within the top surface, a frame for holding the form in the recess in the top surface, and circuitry for processing information entered into the digitizer. A display of minimal size may be added when the form is permanent and reusable to display signature and user prompts.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Kapp
- 👤 Albert M. Onega
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A handwriting capture device comprising: a housing having a top surface and a recess within the top surface; a digitizer, mounted within the top surface, being sensitive to a predetermined minimum writing force from an ordinary writing instrument; a display within the top surface for displaying only signature information entered into the digitizer; a form adjacent to the digitizer for describing a transaction, the digitizer underlying substantially all of the form, the form requiring a signature and having a menu having a plurality of keys which are activatable by touching them, wherein the form has edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and minimizing the size of the display, the display being only as large a the cutout area; retaining means for holding the form in a predetermined position on the top surface including a frame rotatably hinged at one side of the top surface to allow removal and replacement of the form; and circuit means coupled to the digitizer and mounted within the housing for processing signature information and information entered through the menu; wherein the interface means is usable in a plurality of transactions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A handwriting capture device comprising: a housing having a top surface and a recess within the top surface; a digitizer, mounted within the top surface, being sensitive to a predetermined minimum writing force from an ordinary writing instrument; a display within the top surface for displaying only signature information entered into the digitizer; a form adjacent to the digitizer for describing a transaction, the digitizer underlying substantially all of the form, the form requiring a signature and having a menu having a plurality of keys which are activatable by touching them, wherein the form has edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and minimizing the size of the display, the display being only as large a the cutout area; retaining means for holding the form in a predetermined position on the top surface including a frame rotatably hinged at one side of the top surface to allow removal and replacement of the form; and circuit means coupled to the digitizer and mounted within the housing for processing signature information and information entered through the menu; wherein the interface means is usable in a plurality of transactions.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for capturing handwriting associated with a repetitive task comprising the steps of: placing a form corresponding to the repetitive task on a writing surface, the writing surface including a digitizer and a display, the digitizer underlying substantially all of the form, the form including a menu usable in a plurality of transactions and edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and a portion of the digitizer, the display occupying only the cutout area, wherein the step of placing includes the substep of lifting a frame rotatably mounted on one side of the writing surface for holding the form in place; applying a writing to the digitizer by checking off predetermined menu items on the menu and by applying a signature to the exposed portion of the digitizer; processing a signal representing the menu information and the signature information from the digitizer; and displaying the signature through the cutout area as the signature is applied.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for capturing handwriting associated with a repetitive task comprising the steps of: placing a form corresponding to the repetitive task on a writing surface, the writing surface including a digitizer and a display, the digitizer underlying substantially all of the form, the form including a menu usable in a plurality of transactions and edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and a portion of the digitizer, the display occupying only the cutout area, wherein the step of placing includes the substep of lifting a frame rotatably mounted on one side of the writing surface for holding the form in place; applying a writing to the digitizer by checking off predetermined menu items on the menu and by applying a signature to the exposed portion of the digitizer; processing a signal representing the menu information and the signature information from the digitizer; and displaying the signature through the cutout area as the signature is applied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
201 words
A handwriting capture system comprising: a handwriting capture device, including: a housing having a top surface and a recess within the top surface; a digitizer, mounted within the top surface, being sensitive to a predetermined minimum writing force from an ordinary writing instrument; a display within the top surface for displaying only signature information entered into the digitizer; interface means adjacent to the digitizer for describing a transaction including a form requiring a signature and having a menu having a plurality of keys which are activtable by touching them, wherein the form has edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and minimizing the size of the display; retaining means for holding the interface means in a predetermined position on the top surface including a frame rotatably hinged at one side of the top surface to allow removal and replacement of the interface means; and circuit means coupled to the digitizer and mounted within the housing for processing signature information and information entered through the menu; wherein the interface means is usable in a plurality of transactions; and a point-of-service terminal coupled to the handwriting capture device for processing the menu and signature information and for verifying the signature information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
A handwriting capture system comprising: a handwriting capture device, including: a housing having a top surface and a recess within the top surface; a digitizer, mounted within the top surface, being sensitive to a predetermined minimum writing force from an ordinary writing instrument; a display within the top surface for displaying only signature information entered into the digitizer; interface means adjacent to the digitizer for describing a transaction including a form requiring a signature and having a menu having a plurality of keys which are activtable by touching them, wherein the form has edges which describe a cutout area exposing the display and minimizing the size of the display; retaining means for holding the interface means in a predetermined position on the top surface including a frame rotatably hinged at one side of the top surface to allow removal and replacement of the interface means; and circuit means coupled to the digitizer and mounted within the housing for processing signature information and information entered through the menu; wherein the interface means is usable in a plurality of transactions; and a point-of-service terminal coupled to the handwriting capture device for processing the menu and signature information and for verifying the signature information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |