Interactive data entry apparatus

Claim 2

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a computer data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces; a processor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said processor entries made at said data entry locations; a clip attached to said digitizer, such that said clip holds said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations; and a stylus for selecting said command selection locations and for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations.

Claim 3

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a computer data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces; a processor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said processor, entries made at said data entry locations; a clip attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can to hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising an overlay; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations; and a stylus for selecting said command selection locations by activating said stylus proximately to said command selection locations or for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations.

Claim 4

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a computer data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces; a processor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said processor, entries made at said data entry locations; a clip attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can to hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising an overlay; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations; and a stylus for selecting said command selection locations by activating said stylus proximately to said command selection locations or for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said clip is pivotally attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can be pivoted to hold said form against said data entry area.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising at least one electronic communication port for linking said apparatus with external devices.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an access limiting means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a display pivotally mounted on said digitizer.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a display pivotally mounted on said digitizer.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said digitizer is fitted with two or more form orienting posts and said form has holes therethrough corresponding to said posts for accurately positioning said form.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an access limiting means.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a display pivotally mounted on said digitizer.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a scroll control for visually reviewing entered data.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an audio reproduction device.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a scroll control for aurally reviewing entered data.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a display pivotally mounted on said digitizer.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a scroll control for visually reviewing entered data.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said digitizer is fitted with two or more form orienting posts and said form has holes therethrough corresponding to said posts for accurately positioning said form.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said digitizer is fitted with two or more form orienting posts and said form has holes therethrough corresponding to said posts for accurately positioning said form.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a central processor and wireless communication means for transferring said commands and said entered data between said processor and said central processor.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an audio reproduction device.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a scroll control for aurally reviewing entered data.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a central processor and wireless communication means for transferring said commands and said entered data between said processor and said central processor.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each recording position in the processor is assigned to said locations on said data entry area.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said digitizer further comprises means for recognizing hand-printed characters.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said digitizer further comprises means for recognizing hand-printed characters.

Claim 33

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a magnetic data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces; a local processor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said processor, data entered at said data entry locations; a clip attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising a transparent overlay, such that said clip holds said form against said data entry area; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations; a stylus for selecting said commands and for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations; a central processor; and means for transferring said commands and said entered data between said local processor and said central processor.

Claim 34

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a magnetic data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces; a local processor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said processor, data entered at said data entry locations; a clip attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising a transparent overlay, such that said clip holds said form against said data entry area; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations; a stylus for selecting said commands and for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations; a central processor; and means for transferring said commands and said entered data between said local processor and said central processor.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said clip is pivotally attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can be pivoted to hold said form against said data entry area.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising at least one electronic communication port for linking said apparatus with external devices.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising an access limiting means.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a display pivotally mounted on said digitizer.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form and said template and said clip further comprises an optical reader for reading and decoding said information and transmitting said information to said digitizer.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said digitizer is fitted with two or more form orienting posts and said form has holes therethrough corresponding to said posts for accurately positioning said form.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein each storage position in the processor is assigned to said locations on said data entry area.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said digitizer further comprises means for recognizing hand-printed characters.

Claim 43

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a magnetic data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces and optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form; a microprocessor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said microprocessor, entries made at said data entry locations; a clip pivotally attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can be pivoted to hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising an overlay, such that when said clip holds said form against said data entry area; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations and having optically readable identifying information encoded on said template; an optical reader, mounted on said clip, for reading and decoding said optically readable information encoded on said form and said clip and transmitting said information to said digitizer; at least one communication port for linking said apparatus with external devices; a stylus with a replaceable ink cartridge for selecting said command selection locations and for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations; a holder for storing said stylus and a cable for securing said stylus to said apparatus.

Claim 44

A data collection, analysis, and recording apparatus for simultaneously producing a written and a magnetic data record comprising: a data entry form having data entry spaces and optically readable identifying information is encoded on said form; a microprocessor for receiving and recording a description of said form and commands for manipulating data collection, analysis, and recording; a digitizer for retrieving said description of said form, for generating a data entry area having data entry locations corresponding to said data entry spaces and command selection locations, and for receiving and recording in said microprocessor, entries made at said data entry locations; a clip pivotally attached to said digitizer, such that said clip can be pivoted to hold said form against said data entry area, whereby said data entry spaces are aligned with said data entry locations, and comprising an overlay, such that when said clip holds said form against said data entry area; a template, mounted on said clip, for identifying said command selection locations and having optically readable identifying information encoded on said template; an optical reader, mounted on said clip, for reading and decoding said optically readable information encoded on said form and said clip and transmitting said information to said digitizer; at least one communication port for linking said apparatus with external devices; a stylus with a replaceable ink cartridge for selecting said command selection locations and for simultaneously entering data in said spaces and at said data entry locations; a holder for storing said stylus and a cable for securing said stylus to said apparatus.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a central processor and wireless communication means for transferring said commands and said entered data between said microprocessor and said central processor.