Feedback-driven acquisition of artist-generated images with an ultrasonic interface

Though there are a variety of graphics tablets, these do not necessarily allow an artist to interact with the computer as if handling traditional pens and brushes. A study of practising artists indicates that haptic and propriaptic feedback respectively of pen pressure and motion, together with a direct view of the image being created, is required. Flat-screen LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology now allows an artist to view an image while the stylus' spatial position is acquired. Through the use of ultrasonic sensors, position can be fixed without electronic interference from the display device, allowing an off-the-shelf LCD to be employed. Provision of other sensors in the stylus, such as pressure, acceleration, rotation, and tilt meters, replicate the experience of the artist when using a conventional drawing/painting method. The design of the interface has been accomplished, at a low cost, with a set of PIC microcontrollers and standard ultrasonic sensors.