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.