Laser scanning graphic input system

A novel method for digitization of hand-written and hand-drawn information is presented. Two or more resonant laser scanners sweep out a plane, the interruption of these laser beams by a hand-held stylus and the beams' angular positions are detected. These data can be used to digitize coordinates along the hand-drawn lines with high precision (approximately 1 part in 10,000) and digitization rates (> 150 HZ). The data input surface can vary from small to large (permitting digitization on wall-sized writing surfaces), thus enabling a new family of applications. We discuss a novel application of this laser digitizing system, in conjunction with emerging radio modem and pen-computer technology, to the automation of class or conference room note-taking.