Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197187 | METHOD FOR DELIVERING A GREETING CARD TO A USER - A method for delivering a greeting card using a form, the form including information relating to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data relating to the at least one interactive element. The coded data is coincident with the information so that when a sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interactive element, the sensing device senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data is received by a computer system which identifies, using the indicating data, the at least one interactive element and deliveres, using the at least one interactive element, a greeting card to a recipient address. | 08-21-2008 |
20080199237 | SYSTEM FOR ENABLING USER INTERACTION WITH COMPUTER SOFTWARE - A system for enabling user interaction with computer software is provided which has a printer. The printer receives print data, prints a form using the print data, receives indicating data from a sensing device and transfers the indicating data to a computer system. The form is printed by printing information related to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data indicative of the interactive element. At least some of the coded data is printed to be coincident with the information. The sensing device senses at least some of the coded data and generates the indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data generated is at least partially indicative of the interactive element. The computer system interprets the transferred indicating data. | 08-21-2008 |
20080205762 | Optical Imaging Pen Having An Orthogonal Accelerometer - The invention provides for an optical imaging pen configured to capture and decode infrared (IR) position tags from a page. The pen includes a force sensor photodiode configured to sense when a nib of the pen is in contact with the page, and an LED configured to project IR radiation onto a portion of the page when the nib is in contact therewith. The pen also includes an image sensor configured to image the portion of the page when the nib is in contact therewith by receiving reflected IR radiation, and at least one orthogonal accelerometer configured to sense motion of the pen by sensing acceleration in x and y directions and integrating with respect to time to produce an instantaneous velocity. The pen further includes a controller arranged in signal communication with the accelerometer, photodiode and image sensor, said controller configured to control the photodiode and image sensor to capture, decode and encrypt the tags into digital ink data, and to include the instantaneous velocity of the pen into the digital ink data. | 08-28-2008 |
20080285811 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION TO A USER VIA AN INTERACTIVE MEDIUM - Provided is a system for providing information to a user via an interactive medium. The system includes a server with a memory, a printer and a wireless interface. The printer is configured to supply the interactive medium in the form of a printed page with visible and invisible data thereon, said invisible data indicative of page descriptors stored in the memory. The system also includes a monitoring device configured to sense user interaction with the medium and to sense and transmit the invisible data to the server via the wireless interface. The server is configured to interpret the user interaction in relation to the sensed page descriptors. | 11-20-2008 |
20080296363 | METHOD FOR MANAGING COMPETITION ENTRY WITH PRINTED LABELS - Provided is a method for managing competition entry by means of products having printed labels, the labels having human-readable information relating to a competition and machine-readable coded information relating to an identity of the label and being uniquely indicative of the product item. The label includes regions selected from the group consisting of information fields, buttons, and entry fields. The method includes the steps of receiving from a sensing device the machine-readable coded data, generating interaction data based on the received coded data, correlating the interaction data with a competition, and recording an entry in the competition based on the correlated interaction data. The method also includes the step of transmitting information relating to the competition entry for display on a display device. | 12-04-2008 |
20080296389 | OPTICAL IMAGING PEN WITH A RADIO ANTENNA AND ORTHOGONAL ACCELEROMETERS - An optical imaging pen configured to detect information encoded on a page with ink which is substantially invisible to the human eye. The pen includes a housing, an electronics chassis mounted inside the housing, and an infrared LED supported by the chassis for providing infrared radiation for projection onto the page. The pen also includes an image sensor for receiving reflected radiation from the surface, a radio frequency circuit having a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, and a radio antenna mounted within the housing, said antenna in signal communication with the radio frequency transmitter and receiver. Further included are a controller circuit for controlling operation of the LED, sensor and radio frequency circuit, as well as a pair of orthogonal accelerometers mounted in a normal plane of the pen axis, said accelerometers allowing the pen to sense motion without reference to a surface location. | 12-04-2008 |
20080304888 | WALL-MOUNTABLE PRINTER HAVING A WIRELESS NETWORK INTERFACE - Provided is a wall-mountable printer having a wireless network interface for receiving image data, and a printhead assembly having ink reservoirs and a pagewidth printhead for printing the image data on a sheet of paper. The printer also includes a glue wheel assembly configured to apply glue along an edge of the sheet of paper after printing, and a page binding arrangement configured to bind successive sheets of paper together. | 12-11-2008 |
20090001156 | Position-coding pattern - A product is on a surface provided with a first position code which codes locations of a plurality of first points. In at least one zone on the surface, the product is further provided with a second position code which codes locations of a plurality of second points. The zone further comprises a field which is associated with a predetermined function to be performed in consequence of a sensing device being placed in the field. Methods and devices for coding and for recording of information from a surface are also described. | 01-01-2009 |
20090010542 | SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE NOTE-TAKING - A system for interactive note-taking is provided having a receiver for receiving interaction data from a note-taking device used to interact with a note-taking form having note-taking information and a plurality of coded tags printed thereon, and a processor for recording or retrieving the note-taking by identifying, from the received interaction data, at least one parameter relating to the note-taking. Each tag encodes data on an identity of the form and a location of that tag on the form. The note-taking device senses the tags and generates the interaction data with data on the sensed form identity and a position of the note-taking device relative to the sensed tags. | 01-08-2009 |
20090014524 | WIRELESS TRANSMITTER PEN - The present invention relates to a pen for sensing coded data on a page. The coded data is printed on the page as a collection of tags using invisible ink. The pen includes an elongate housing defining an internal space. An ink marking implement is movably mounted within the space and includes an ink marking nib to mark the page with ink. A sensor is mounted within the space and is configured to sense the coded data. A transmitter is mounted within the space and is configured wirelessly to communicate data sensed by the sensor to a printer. | 01-15-2009 |
20090020345 | METHOD OF PRINTED BILL PAYMENT USING OPTICALLY IMAGING PEN - A method of enabling payment of bills using an optically imaging pen is provided in which a coded tag printed on a bill is optically imaged with an image sensor of the pen, the position of the pen nib relative to the bill during the imaging is computed in the pen, and indicating data is generating in the pen and transmitted thereby to a computer system to enable bill payment. The bill has information on a requested payment and the coded tags. Each tag encodes the bill's identity and it's printed location. The nib position is computed from the tag location identified in the imaged tag, an observed perspective distortion on the imaged tag, and a known spatial relationship between the pen's physical axis containing the nib and the pen's optical axis containing the image sensor. The indicating data is indicative of the bill's identity and the computed nib position. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024935 | ONLINE GRAPHICAL MESSAGE SERVICE - A system and method for achieving an electronic information service (also called an online graphical message service) hosted by a computer system (e.g., a server) connected to a network. Remote users can write information into and read information from the information service over the network. In response to a request from a first user, the service may create a first information object that comprises a virtual whiteboard. The virtual whiteboard may include information written by the remote users. Then, the service may transmit the first information object via the network to the first user. Later, the service may receive a second information object from the first user corresponding to part of the virtual whiteboard. The second information object may include modifications the first user made to the virtual whiteboard. The service may then update the virtual whiteboard utilizing the received second information object. | 01-22-2009 |
20090059318 | PEN-SHAPED SCANNING DEVICE HAVING A REGION IDENTITY SENSOR - Provided is a pen-shaped scanning device for scanning a surface having coded data disposed thereon which is substantially invisible to the average unaided human eye. The device is configured to determine at least two dimensions of a rotational orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface, the coded data being indicative of at least two dimensions of the rotational orientation of the sensing device. The device includes an orientation sensor configured to generate, when positioned or moved relative to the surface, using at least some of the coded data, orientation data indicative of the at least two dimensions of the orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface. The device also includes a transmitter for transmitting the orientation data to a computer system, as well as a region identity sensor configured to sense, when the sensing device is positioned or moved relative to a region of the surface, and using at least some of the coded data, region identity data indicative of an identity of the region, the transmitter being configured to transmit the region identity data to the computer system. | 03-05-2009 |
20090088251 | System for Performing Games - A system for performing games based on a game participant's positioning of an optically imaging pen on a writing surface. The system comprises a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon. The position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with the game-related graphics. An optically imaging pen detects its position on a surface of the pre-printed gaming form by optically imaging the position-coding pattern on the writing surface as the game participant positions the pen on the surface. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089374 | METHOD OF ENABLING CONFERENCING USING PRINTED FORMS - A method of enabling conferencing using printed forms includes, in a computer system, receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device through interaction with conference information and coded tags printed on a first form, determining a parameter relating to the conference information and outputting a second form with coded tags and information on the parameter and a form version hierarchial tree. Each tag encodes an identity of, and the location of that tag on, the respective form. The indicating data includes the first form's identity and a sensing device position relative to the tags sensed on the first form. The computer system has a form description associated with the first form's identity and produces the hierarchical tree by associating the second form's identity with the form description by determining whether any other form is associated therewith. The parameter is determined from the indicating data and digital description. | 04-02-2009 |
20090091792 | Method for Delivering Greeting Cards - A method for delivering a greeting card using a form in which information relating to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card, and an identity indicative of the at least one interactive element are determined, print data indicative of the information and the identity is generated, and then transferred to a printer. The printer is responsive to the print data to print the form including the information and coded data relating to the at least one interactive element, the coded data being coincident with the information. This allows a sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the information to sense at least some of the coded data and generate indicating data using the sensed coded data. | 04-09-2009 |
20090125339 | Insurance Policy Management System With Wireless Pen - The present invention relates to a computer system for managing an insurance policy. The system includes a printer configured to print visible policy information and invisible coded data tags on print media. The printer is further configured to receive transmitted sensed data associated with the data tags. A pen-type device includes an image sensor configured to sense the data tags and wirelessly transmit the sensed data to the printer. One or more servers are interfaced to the printer via a network. The servers are configured to receive the sensed data from the printer and to perform a task related to the insurance policy based upon the sensed data. | 05-14-2009 |
20090135163 | System For Digitizing Freehand Graphics On A Printed Surface - A system for digitizing a freehand graphic. The system comprises: a base including a surface; a position-coding pattern printed on the surface and detectable by an optical sensor; a first area of the surface; and a second area of the surface. The system further comprises a drawing device including an optical sensor for detecting a position in the position-coding pattern; and a transmitter for transmitting interaction data to a processor. The interaction data identifies the detected position. The processor is adapted to determine if the detected position is in the first area or the second area. If the detected position is in the first area of the surface, then the processor interprets the position as a point in the freehand graphic. If the detected position is in the second area of the surface, then the processor interprets the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic. | 05-28-2009 |
20090237733 | System For Delivering Greeting Using Interactive Form - A system is provided for delivering a greeting using an interactive form. The system has means for generating print data to include an interactive element associated with the delivery of the greeting card and an identity indicative of the interactive element, and means for transferring the generated print data to a printer. The printer is responsive to the received print data to print the form with the interactive element and coded data encoding the identity coincident with the interactive element such the interaction with the printed interactive element using a sensing device enales sensing of the coded data. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240615 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BANKING USING CODED FORMS - Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online banking via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting banking transactions over a network. | 09-24-2009 |
20090247221 | Sending A Message To A Number Via A Coded Surface - A method of sensing a message to a number using a print medium is disclosed. The method starts by sensing coded data on a surface of the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device. From the coded information a print media identifier and a position of the sensor module relative to the print medium are determined. Next, using the print media identifier and the position, the number is obtained from a database. Finally, a message editor is opened in the mobile telecommunications device, with a current message being addressed to the number. | 10-01-2009 |
20090267915 | INPUT ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An input arrangement for controlling an electronic device. The arrangement comprises a substrate have a position-coding pattern printed thereon. The position-coding pattern codes first and second sets of absolute positions on spatially separate areas of the substrate. The first and second sets of absolute positions are mutually exclusive and coded by first and second subsets of the position-coding pattern. A handheld image-recording device comprises an image sensor for recording images of the position-coding pattern a processor is configured for deriving an absolute position from the position-coding pattern in the recorded image and providing an instruction to the electronic device to perform a first function when the absolute position belongs to the first set and a second function when the absolute position belongs to the second set. | 10-29-2009 |
20090280793 | Method Of Controlling A Communications Device - A method of enabling at least one function of a telephone to be controlled is provided. The telephone is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a computer system. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a control interface containing information relating to the function, the control interface including coded data indicative of at least one operation relating to the command; (b) receiving, in the computer system and from the sensing device, indicating data regarding the operation and movement data regarding movement of the sensing device relative to the control interface, the sensing device, when moved relative to the control interface, generating the indicating data using at least some of the coded data and generating the movement data; and (c) effecting, in the computer system and from the indicating data and the movement data, the at least one operation. | 11-12-2009 |
20090280864 | CONTROL OF A DEVICE - A method is provided of enabling a function(s) of a telephone to be controlled. The telephone is operative to perform the function(s) in response to command(s) from a printer. The method includes providing a control interface which contains information relating to the function(s) and has coded data on an identity and a reference point(s) of the control interface, receiving, in the printer, indicating data from a sensing device regarding the control interface identity and a position and/or movement of the sensing device relative thereto, and effecting, in the printer and from the indicating data, an operation(s) relating to the command(s). The coded data incorporates substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions. The sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the control interface, generates the indicating data using at least some of the coded data. | 11-12-2009 |
20090303542 | PRINTER FOR PRINTING INTERACTIVE FORMS - A printer is provided having an interface for receiving print data, a printhead for printing a form, using the received print data, by printing information related to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card, and coded data at least partially indicative of the at least one interactive element, at least some of the coded data being coincident with the information, a transceiver for receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device when placed in an operative position relative to the information, sensing at least some of the coded data and generating indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the at least one interactive element, and a processor for transferring the indicating data to a computer system to allow the indicating data to be interpreted. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303546 | System For Printing An Interactive Document On Demand - A system for printing an interactive document on demand. The system comprises a computer system and a printer. The computer system is configured for: identifying a document for printing; allocating a document identity to the document; recording an association between the document identity and the document; and sending print data to a printer associated with said computer system. The print data instructs the printer to print a document image for the document superimposed with a coded data pattern. The coded data pattern identifies the document identity and a plurality of locations on the printed document. The printer associated the said computer system is configured for: receiving the print data from the computer system; and printing a document image simultaneously with the superimposed coded data pattern, thereby providing the interactive printed document. | 12-10-2009 |
20090323119 | METHOD OF DELIVERING GREETING CARD USING FORM AND COMPUTER SYSTEM - A method is provided of delivering a greeting card using a form and computer system. The form includes an interactive element associated with delivery of the greeting card and tags encoding data relating to the interactive element. The method is carried out in the computer system and includes receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device through interaction with the interactive element, identifying, using the received indicating data, the interactive element, and delivering, using the identified interactive element, a greeting card. The sensing device senses the tags through the interaction, decodes the data encoded by the sensed tags and generates the indicating data to include the decoded data. | 12-31-2009 |
20100001884 | METHOD OF RECORDING INFORMATION USING FIRST AND SECOND POSITION CODES - A method for recording information from a surface of a substrate. The substrate is provided with a first position code and a second position code. The method comprises: (i) obtaining an image of the surface of the substrate using an optically imaging pen; (ii) determining whether the first position code or the second position code is present in the image; and (iii) determining the location of the pen. If the first position code is detected in the image, then the location is interpreted as handwritten input on the surface. Alternatively, if the second position code is detected in the image, then the location is used to determine if the pen is in a particular zone of the surface and a predetermined function associated with the zone is performed. | 01-07-2010 |
20100038153 | SYSTEM FOR RECORDING INFORMATION - A system for recording information from a surface. The system includes a base having a surface provided with a first position code coding locations of a plurality of first points and. In a zone of the surface, a second position code codes locations of a plurality of second points. The system also includes a sensing device having an image sensor for obtaining an image of the surface. A processor is configured for determining whether or not the second position code is present in the image of the surface, determining a location by means of the second position code and determining whether the sensing device is placed in a field on the surface of the base, wherein the field is associated with a function to be performed by the sensing device. | 02-18-2010 |
20100118346 | DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL USING A PRINTED FORM - A method of retrieving a document from a database of hierarchical electronic document versions is disclosed. Each document version is associated with a unique document instance. In the method a search form is printed. The search form includes a search instruction input field relating to at least one parameter of a search to be carried out within the database and a plurality of coded data tags. Each coded data tag encodes a location of that coded data tag on the search form. The coded data tags are sensed by a sensing device as the sensing device is used to handwrite at least one search term on the search form. Data representing the parameter and the at least one search term is generated, with the data representing the at least one search term being generated from the locations of the coded data tags. Next, a search is carried out within the database based on the at least one search term and parameter in order to identify document versions. A results form is printed, with the results form containing data representing the document versions identified in the search and coded data tags. By sensing one or more coded data tags on the results form, the document version associated with the coded data tag sensed on the results form is retrieved and printed. | 05-13-2010 |
20100134449 | Image-Sensing Pen With Retractable Cartridge And Force Sensor - An electronic pen for interacting with a substrate having coded data disposed thereon. The pen comprises: an image sensor for sensing the coded data when the pen is used to interact with the surface; a cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface; a retraction mechanism for slidably moving the cartridge between a retracted position and an extended position; a force sensor cooperating with the retraction mechanism; and a processor configured to generate indicating data indicative of the interaction with the substrate. The image sensor is configured to sense the coded data only when the force sensor detects that the nib is in contact with the substrate. | 06-03-2010 |
20100165415 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION THROUGH INTERACTION WITH A PRINTED PAGE - A system for providing information is disclosed. The system has a server which stores page descriptors. A printer is also includes which prints a printed page with visible and invisible data. The invisible data is indicative of one or more of the page descriptors. A sensing device senses the invisible data when placed in an operative position relative to the printed page, and transmits information extracted from sensed invisible data to the server. The server is configured to interpret the positioning of the sensing device based upon the page descriptors indicated by sensed invisible data and to provide information associated with the page descriptors. | 07-01-2010 |
20100171967 | PERFORMING A SEARCH THROUGH SENSING A SEARCH FORM WITH A SENSING DEVICE - A method of performing a search is disclosed. A search request form including information relating to a search request and coded data portions is printed. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the search request form and of a position of that coded data portion on the search request form. Indicating data is received from a sensing device which is responsive to movement of the sensing device relative to the search request form to sense at least some of the coded data portions and generate the indicating data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the search request form, and movement of the sensing device. Using the indicating data, movement of the sensing device is determined and using the determined movement, a search request is determined. A search is then performed using the determined search request and results of the search are printed. | 07-08-2010 |
20100202704 | SYSTEM FOR ANONYMOUS COMMUNICATION VIA INTERACTIVE SURFACE - A system for anonymous communication between a user and a software application is provided, via interaction of an optical imaging device with an interactive surface to generate interaction data. The device has a unique identity which is associated with the user's identity. The interaction data includes data on the application and device identities. The system has a computer system which receives the interaction data generated by the optical imaging device, identifies the application and the device from the identity data included in the received interaction data, translates the identified application and device identities into an alias identity, sends the alias identity and interaction data to the identified application, receives information from the identified application addressed to the alias identity, and forwards the information from the application to the user via the alias identity. | 08-12-2010 |
20100219239 | METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH PRINTED SUBSTRATE - A method of interacting with a printed substrate. The comprises the steps of: interacting with the substrate using an optically imaging pen having a nib; optically imaging target elements and coded data; calculating a position of the nib; and generating digital ink in the pen, the digital ink being indicative of the identity of the substrate and the position of the nib relative to the substrate; and sending the digital ink to a computer system such that the computer system can identify the interaction with the substrate. The position of the nib is calculated using the coded data, a perspective transform and a known spatial relationship between an optical axis of the pen and the nib. The perspective transform is determined using the imaged target elements which are perspective-distorted due to a tilt of the pen. | 09-02-2010 |
20100234052 | MESSAGING USING A CODED SURFACE - A method of sending a message using a print medium is disclosed. A tag on a surface of the print medium is sensed using a sensor module. The surface includes a plurality of tags with each tag encoding an identifier which uniquely identifies the surface and a position with respect to the surface. From the tag sensed by the sensor module the identifier and the position with respect to the surface of the tag sensed by the sensor module are determined. A communications address is obtained, using the identifier and the position, from a database where the communications address is indexed by the identifier and the position. A message editor in a communications device is then opened, with a current message being addressed to the communications address. | 09-16-2010 |
20100262539 | METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH PRINTED FORM - A method of interacting with a printed form. The method includes the steps of: maintaining a page description corresponding to a printed form; receiving, indicating data from an optically imaging pen operated by the user, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the form and of a position of a nib of the pen relative to the form; retrieving the page description using the identity of the form; and identifying an interaction with the form using the position of the nib and the retrieved page description. The position of the nib is determined by inferring a perspective transform from perspective-distorted corners of a tag of known size when sensing the coded data and using the perspective transform together with a known geometry of pen optics to compute the position of the nib. | 10-14-2010 |
20100281115 | METHOD OF ENABLING CONFERENCING USING ENCODED FORMS - A method of enabling conferencing using encoded forms is provided in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device used to interact with a first form, determines conference information, and outputs a second form. The first form has first tags and an identity associated with a form description in the computer system. Each first tag encodes data on the identity and the location of that tag on the first form, which is included in the indicating data. The computer system determines the conference information from the indicating data and form description. The second form is output with second tags, the conference information and a hierarchical tree of form versions. The computer system produces the hierarchical tree by associating the second form identity with the form description. Each second tag encodes data on the second form identity and the location of that tag on the second form. | 11-04-2010 |
20100296125 | CONTROL OF A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A method of controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302591 | CONTROL OF A DEVICE - A method is disclosed of controlling a function of a device. The device is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a printer. The method starts by printing a control interface containing information relating to the function and coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the control interface and of at least one reference point of the control interface. Next, indicating data is received by the printer from a sensing device. The indicating data contains the identity of the control interface and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the control interface. The sensing device forms the indicating data when placed in an operative position relative to the control interface using the coded data. Finally, the printer issues the command relating to the function to the device. | 12-02-2010 |
20110024492 | DIGITIZING SYSTEM HAVING PRINTED BASE, IMAGING PEN AND RELAY DEVICE - A system for digitizing a freehand graphic. The system comprises: a base including a surface; a position-coding pattern printed on the surface with first and second areas. The system further comprises an optically imaging pen including for detecting a position in the position-coding pattern; and a transmitter for transmitting interaction data to a relay device. The relay device communicates the interaction to a processor, which is adapted to determine if the detected position is in the first area or the second area. If the detected position is in the first area of the surface, then the processor interprets the position as a point in the freehand graphic. If the detected position is in the second area of the surface, then the processor interprets the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic. | 02-03-2011 |
20110024493 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ANONYMOUS COMPETITION ENTRY - A system for providing anonymous competition entry is provided. The system has a sensing device configured to sense coded data on a form and generate interaction data there from. The coded data has a plurality of tags each encoding data on an identity of the form and the location of that tag on the form. The interaction data represents the interaction of the sensing device with the tags. The system further has a computer system configured to identify a digital description associated with the form from the form identity represented by the interaction data, capture a competition entry by determining locations in the digital description associated with the locations of the interacted tags represented in the interaction data, and assign a competition alias identifier to the interaction data. | 02-03-2011 |
20110096041 | METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH PRINTED SUBSTRATE - A method of interacting with a printed substrate. The method includes the steps of: interacting with the printed substrate using an optically imaging pen having a nib; imaging a tag on the substrate to provide image data; identifying target elements in the image data and inferring a perspective transform using perspective distortion of the target elements due to a tilt of the pen; acquiring and decoding coded data contained in the imaged tag; calculating a nib position using a tag location, the perspective transform and a known geometry of pen optics; and communicating digital ink to a computer system. The digital ink identifies the nib position and the substrate identity such that the computer system can interpret the digital ink and perform an action in response to the interaction with the printed substrate. | 04-28-2011 |
20110122431 | CONTROL OF A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A system for controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation. | 05-26-2011 |
20110129168 | PEN-SHAPED SENSING DEVICE FOR SENSING SURFACE REGIONS - A pen-shaped sensing device is provided for sensing coded data disposed which is substantially invisible to the average unaided human eye on a surface. The device has a region identity sensor configured to sense, when the sensing device is positioned or moved relative to a region of the surface, and using at least some of the coded data, region identity data indicative of an identity of the region, and a transmitter configured to transmit the sensed region identity data to the computer system to a computer system. | 06-02-2011 |
20110142520 | COLLECTIVE DOCUMENT MARK-UP - Provided is a method of collaborative document mark-ups. A first document including first coded data tags is printed. Coded data tags are indicative of an identity unique to the document the tags are printed on and the position of the respective tags on that document. First indicating data is then received from a first sensing device used to mark-up the first document. The first indicating data includes the identity unique to the first document and positions of markings made on the first document using the first sensing device. A first document version including the markings made on the first document is recorded, and a second document including the markings made on the first document and second coded data tags is printed. The process is then repeated with the second document resulting in the recording of a second document version including the markings made on second document linked to the first document version. | 06-16-2011 |
20110151905 | MESSAGING USING A CODED SURFACE - A method of sending a message using a print medium is disclosed. Coded data on a surface of the business card is sensed by a sensor module in a media feed path of a communications device. The coded data encodes an identifier which uniquely identifies the surface. The identifier is determined from sensed coded data, and a representation of the business card is retrieved using the identifier. The representation of the business card is displayed on display of the communications device, with the representation including fields, with one of the fields being a messaging field. Upon receiving a selection of the messaging field, a communications address is retrieved from a database where the communications address is indexed by the identifier. A message editor is opened in the communications device, with a current message being addressed to the communications address. | 06-23-2011 |
20110174882 | PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR DIGITIZING FREEHAND GRAPHICS - A processing system for digitizing a freehand graphic created by an optically imaging pen. The processing system is configured for: receiving digital ink representing interaction of the pen with a surface having a position-coding pattern printed thereon, the digital ink identifying one or more positions detected by the pen; determining if the detected position is in a first area or a second area of the surface; if the detected position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and if the detected position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic. | 07-21-2011 |
20110228334 | SYSTEM FOR GENERATING FORM FOR DELIVERY OF GREETING CARDS - A system is provided for generating a form for delivery of a printed communication. The system associates coordinate information of a form with an interactive element of the form, assigns an identity to the interactive element, associates delivery information on delivery of a printed communication with the interactive element, and generates print data to include the coordinate information and the identity as coded data and the interactive element and delivery information as visual data. A printer is responsive to the print data to print the form by printing the coded and visual data such that a sensing device senses the printed coded data through interaction with the printed interactive element to generate indicating data indicative of the delivery information. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228336 | DECOUPLED APPLICATIONS FOR PRINTED MATERIALS - A method for providing interactive digital content for printed content. The method includes the steps of: receiving an image of a coded data pattern of a writing surface; determining a plurality of available applications for a particular printed content associated with the received pattern; receiving a selection from a user of a particular available application from the plurality of available applications; and executing the particular available application, the executing comprising invoking a function related to the printed content. | 09-22-2011 |
20110240733 | OPTICALLY IMAGING PEN CONFIGURED FOR CALCULATING ACCURATE NIB POSITIONS - An optically imaging pen for interacting with a printed substrate. The pen includes: a nib for interacting with the printed substrate; an image sensor for imaging an area of the printed substrate to provide image data; a processor configured for: (i) identifying target elements in the image data and inferring a perspective transform due to a tilt of the pen; (ii) acquiring and decoding coded data contained in the image data; (iii) calculating a nib position using a tag location, the perspective transform and a known geometry of pen optics; and (iv) generating digital ink based on the nib position. | 10-06-2011 |
20110264742 | METHOD OF CONFERENCING USING FORMS - A method of conferencing is provided in which a computer system receives interaction data generated by a sensing device through interaction with a first conferencing form, the indicating data being generated to include data on an identity of the first form associated with a form description in the computer system and a position of the sensing device relative to the first form. The computer system then determines conference information from the interaction data and form description. The computer system then outputs a second conferencing form having the determined conference information and a hierarchical tree of form versions. The hierarchical tree of form versions is produced by associating an identity of the second form with the form description. | 10-27-2011 |
20120007838 | SENSING DEVICE FOR SENSING SURFACE REGIONS - A sensing device is provided for sensing data encoded on a surface. The device has a region identity sensor and a transmitter. The region identity sensor senses region identity data of the coded data when the sensing device is positioned or moved relative to a region of the surface. The region identity data is indicative of an identity of the region. The transmitter transmits the sensed region identity data to a computer system. | 01-12-2012 |
20120011214 | METHOD OF DELIVERING ELECTRONIC GREETING CARD - A method of delivering a greeting card to a recipient address. The method includes the steps of: writing a handwritten message on a substrate using a pen or stylus; generating digital ink representing the handwritten message; indexing, in a computer system, the digital ink with an identifier for an electronic greeting card; and delivering the electronic greeting card, including the handwritten message represented by the digital ink, to a recipient address. | 01-12-2012 |
20120105383 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIGITIZING FREEHAND GRAPHICS AND SELECTING PROPERTIES THEREFOR - A method of digitizing a freehand graphic created by an electronic pen having a marking nib. The method includes the steps of: interacting with a surface using the electronic pen; generating digital ink representing interaction of the pen with the surface, the digital ink identifying positions of the pen on the surface; determining if the position is in a first area or a second area of the surface; if the identified position is in the first area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a point in a freehand graphic; and if the identified position is in the second area of the surface, then interpreting the position as a selection of a property for the freehand graphic. | 05-03-2012 |
20120147433 | PROVIDING INFORMATION THROUGH INTERACTION WITH A PRINTED PAGE - A method for providing information is disclosed. Page descriptors are stored in a server. A printed page is printed by a printer with visible and invisible data. The invisible data is indicative of one or more of the page descriptors. A sensing device senses the invisible data when placed in an operative position relative to the printed page, and transmits information extracted from sensed invisible data to the server. The page descriptor of the printed page is identified by the server, and information associated with the page descriptor and positioning of the sensing device relative to the printed page is provided by the server. | 06-14-2012 |
20120328216 | Interactivity for Printed Content - A method for providing interactivity for printed content is disclosed. An image of a writing surface containing the printed content is captured by an optical imaging pen device. The image includes a pattern printed on the writing surface. A plurality of available options associated with the printed content coincident with the pattern in the image is then determined and a selection from a user of one of the plurality of available options is received. An application is executed, with the execution using the selected option. | 12-27-2012 |