Interactive apparatus with recording and playback capability usable with encoded writing medium

Abstract

An interactive apparatus is disclosed. The interactive apparatus has an audio recording mode and an audio playback mode. Further, the interactive apparatus includes a writing tool for manually writing on an encoded writing medium, an audio input device for recording audio, an audio output device for playing the recorded audio. Moreover, the interactive apparatus has an optical unit for determining position on the encoded writing medium of the writing tool and for recognizing information on the encoded writing medium, wherein recognition of a recording-enabling graphical element on the encoded writing medium activates the audio recording mode and enables time-synchronization of creation of writing on the encoded writing medium with the writing tool and recording of the audio, and further wherein recognition of a playback-enabling graphical element on the encoded writing medium activates the audio playback mode and enables multiple techniques to control playback of the recorded audio.

1 . An interactive apparatus comprising:
 a writing tool;   a position determination unit configured to determine position of said writing tool on a writing medium; and   an audio input device configured to record audio data in synchronization with position determination of said writing tool.   
     
     
         2 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory unit operable to store audio data and position data. 
     
     
         3 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication device for transmitting recorded audio data and position data to a remote storage location. 
     
     
         4 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said communication device comprises a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         5 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said writing medium comprises paper encoded with a grid of dots. 
     
     
         6 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said writing tool is one of a pen and a pencil. 
     
     
         7 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said audio output device is further configured to play said audio data in synchronization with position determination of said writing tool. 
     
     
         8 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said writing medium includes a non-electronic recording-enabling graphical element and a non-electronic playback-enabling graphical element. 
     
     
         9 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said position determination unit comprises a processor, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. 
     
     
         10 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said position determination unit is further configured to capture and store optical images of writing on a surface of said writing medium. 
     
     
         11 . An interactive apparatus comprising:
 a writing tool;   a position determination unit configured to determine position of said writing tool on a writing medium; and   an audio output device configured to play audio data in synchronization with position determination of said writing tool.   
     
     
         12 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a memory unit operable to store audio data and position data. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said writing medium comprises paper encoded with a grid of dots. 
     
     
         14 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said writing tool is one of a pen and a pencil. 
     
     
         15 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said writing medium includes a non-electronic recording-enabling graphical element and a non-electronic playback-enabling graphical element. 
     
     
         16 . The interactive apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said position determination unit comprises a processor, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 determining position of a writing tool on a writing medium; and   recording audio data in synchronization with said determining position of said writing tool.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising
 playing said audio data in synchronization with said determining position of said writing tool.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said writing medium comprises paper encoded with a grid of dots. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said writing tool is one of a pen and a pencil.