Abstract: An information management unit is arranged in an electronic network as a flow path controller for electronic data between electronic pens and destination units, the electronic data comprising handwriting data recorded by the electronic pens and one or more pen-resident parameters. The information management unit receives at least part of the electronic data from an electronic pen; maps the thus-received electronic data against one or more flow control objects to identify a relevant processing instruction, wherein the flow control object corresponds to a value of one of the pen-resident parameters; and directs the electronic data flow to a destination unit based on the thus-identified processing instruction.

Abstract: A form has a form layout with at least one entry field. It may be printed on a base in the form of a sheet (or any other surface). The surface of the base may have a position-coding pattern. The entry field can be completed using a user unit that has an optical detector to detect positions on the sheet utilizing the position-coding pattern. The optical detector can thereby enable digital recording of the information entered in the entry field and input thereof to an information management system. The surface may also have a bar code that can identify the form layout to the information management system, suitably after being recorded by means of the optical detector in the user unit. The user unit with such bar code reading capability may also be generally applicable to support registration of a product with is labeled with a bar code and to link the bar code, and thereby the product or information related thereto, to information entered on a position-coded form.