Patent US5631741A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5631741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic carbon paper
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-29
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Granted: 1997-05-20
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Expires: 2015-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An electronic copying apparatus provides a touch sensitive area placed under a paper on which an image is produced. Pressure on the touch sensitive area produced in rendering the image on the paper generates signals which are detected by a processor and stored as a series of pixel positions in a non-volatile solid-state memory array such as a flash EEPROM memory array. The image stored in the memory array may be read from the array by a computer and utilized as are other files in a computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter S. Matthews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An electronic copying apparatus comprising a touch sensitive surface having a plurality of positions, a non-volatile solid-state memory array having a number of storage positions at least equal to the plurality of positions of the touch sensitive surface, means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array, and means for accessing the signals stored in the memory array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electronic copying apparatus comprising a touch sensitive surface having a plurality of positions, a non-volatile solid-state memory array having a number of storage positions at least equal to the plurality of positions of the touch sensitive surface, means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array, and means for accessing the signals stored in the memory array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals in the memory array comprises a microcontroller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals in the memory array comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array further comprises a computer program running on the microprocessor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a display for indicating the status of operation of the copying apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the display for indicating the status of operation of the copying apparatus is a light emitting diode display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the display for indicating the status of operation of the copying apparatus is connected to indicate that power is being furnished to the copying apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the display for indicating the status of operation of the copying apparatus is connected to indicate that a particular portion of the memory array is storing data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the non-volatile solid-state memory array is comprised of flash EEPROM memory devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for accessing the signals stored in the memory array comprises a terminal for transferring signals between the apparatus and a computer external to the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electronic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a thin plastic supporting the touch sensitive surface and enclosing the memory array, the means for detecting signals generated by pressing on the touch sensitive surface and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array, and the means for accessing the signals stored in the memory array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
An electronic system for providing an electronic copy of an image comprising: a generally-planar support for a surface upon which an image may be described using a writing instrument, the generally-planar support being divided into a plurality of positions in a prearranged pattern, means for sensing at each of the plurality of positions the presence of a writing instrument on any surface supported by the generally-planar support, a non-volatile solid-state memory array having a number of storage positions at least equal to the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support, and means for detecting signals generated by sensing the presence of a writing instrument at any of the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array as an accessable copy of the described image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
An electronic system for providing an electronic copy of an image comprising: a generally-planar support for a surface upon which an image may be described using a writing instrument, the generally-planar support being divided into a plurality of positions in a prearranged pattern, means for sensing at each of the plurality of positions the presence of a writing instrument on any surface supported by the generally-planar support, a non-volatile solid-state memory array having a number of storage positions at least equal to the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support, and means for detecting signals generated by sensing the presence of a writing instrument at any of the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array as an accessable copy of the described image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electronic system as claimed in claim 13 in which the means for detecting signals generated by sensing the presence of a writing instrument at any of the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array as an accessable copy of the described image comprises a controller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electronic system as claimed in claim 14 in which the means for detecting signals generated by sensing the presence of a writing instrument at any of the plurality of positions of the generally-planar support and storing those signals as they are generated in the memory array as an accessable copy of the described image further comprises a computer program running on the controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a display for indicating the status of operation of the copying apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system as claimed in claim 13 in which the non-volatile solid-state memory array is comprised of flash EEPROM memory devices.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of making an electronic copy of an image described on a drawing surface by a drawing instrument comprising the steps of: sensing a plurality of positions of the drawing instrument while describing the image and generating a signal representing the position, and storing each signal generated in a memory cell of a non-volatile memory array having a number of memory cells at least as great as the plurality of positions possible where the signals may be accessed electronically.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of making an electronic copy of an image described on a drawing surface by a drawing instrument comprising the steps of: sensing a plurality of positions of the drawing instrument while describing the image and generating a signal representing the position, and storing each signal generated in a memory cell of a non-volatile memory array having a number of memory cells at least as great as the plurality of positions possible where the signals may be accessed electronically.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 18 in each signal is stored in a flash EEPROM memory cell.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-11-18 | 2001-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-19 | 2004-11-18 | 2005-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-19 | 2008-11-18 | 2009-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |