Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The substrate chas a graphic image and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate. The method includes the steps of: (i) receiving interaction data indicative of the region identity and a position of a sensing device relative to the image; (ii) identifying and retrieving a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; (iii) generating a query expression including search terms; (iv) forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request to the user. At least one of the search terms is associated, in the page description, with a zone of the graphic image containing the position of the sensing device.

Abstract: A system for providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The system includes the printed substrate, an optically imaging pen device and a display device. The optically imaging pen device is configured for reading coded data from the substrate; generating interaction data using the coded data; and sending the interaction data to a computer system. Receipt of the interaction data by the computer system causes the computer system to: identify and retrieve a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; generate a query expression including one or more search terms; form a request using the query expression; and send the request to the display device.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a substrate and communicating with a computer system using an optical sensing device operable in a plurality of modes including a cursor control mode and a hyperlinking mode. The method includes the steps of: actuating a nib switch of the optical sensing device when a nib force exceeds a predetermined threshold; optically imaging coded data printed on the substrate; generating cursor control data when the optical sensing device is in said cursor control mode; generating interaction data using the imaged coded data when the optical sensing device is in the hyperlinking mode; and communicating the cursor control data or the interaction data to a computer system. The cursor control data initiates a cursor control response in the computer system while the interaction data initiates a hyperlinking response in the computer system.

Abstract: A system for providing information via an interactive surface is provided. The surface has information for searching and coded data. The coded data encodes coordinates on the surface and a region identity associated with the surface. A sensing device interacted with the surface senses the coded data and generates interaction data indicative of the region identity and a coordinate position of the sensing device relative to the surface. The system identifies and retrieves a page description corresponding to the surface using the region identity received from the sensing device, determines the information for searching corresponding to a zone of the page description containing the coordinate position of the sensing device, creates a query expression having a search term(s) based on the determined information for searching, form a request using the query expression, and sends the request, or a results resource including search results from the request, to a display device.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; generating a query expression comprising one or more search terms, at least one of said search terms being identified using the page description and the at least one position of the sensing device; forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request, or a results resource including s

Abstract: A system for providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The substrate comprises user information and coded data. The coded data is indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate. The system includes an optically imaging sensing device for sensing the coded data and generating interaction data. Receipt of the interaction data by a computer system causes the computer system to identify and retrieve a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; determine whether the sensing device is positioned within a zone of a hyperlink on the substrate; and (i) if the sensing device is positioned within the zone of the hyperlink: send a hyperlink URI or a hyperlinked resource corresponding to the hyperlink to the user; or (ii) if the sensing device is positioned outside the zone of the hyperlink: generate a query expression, form a request and send search results to the user.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a substrate and communicating with a computer system using a sensing device operable in a plurality of modes including a cursor control mode and a hyperlinking mode. The method includes the steps of: actuating a nib switch of the sensing device when a nib force exceeds a predetermined threshold; optically imaging coded data printed on the substrate; generating cursor control data when the sensing device is in said cursor control mode; generating interaction data using the imaged coded data when the sensing device is in the hyperlinking mode; and communicating the cursor control data or the interaction data to a computer system. The cursor control data initiates a cursor control response in the computer system while the interaction data initiates a hyperlinking response in the computer system.

Abstract: A sensing device for enabling a user to interact with a computer system. The sensing device is operable in a cursor control mode and a substrate-interaction mode. The sensing device includes: a nib; a nib switch configured to effect a mode change between the cursor control mode and the substrate-interaction mode; an optical sensor for sensing coded data printed on a substrate; a processor for generating cursor control data or interaction data; and a transceiver for communicating the cursor control data or the interaction data to a computer system. The cursor control data initiates a cursor control response in the computer system, while the interaction data initiates a substrate interaction response in the computer system.

Abstract: A system for providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The substrate comprises user information and coded data. The coded data is indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate. The system includes an optically imaging sensing device for sensing the coded data and generating interaction data. Receipt of the interaction data by a computer system causes the computer system to identify and retrieve a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; determine whether the sensing device is positioned within a zone of a hyperlink on the substrate; and (i) if the sensing device is positioned within the zone of the hyperlink: send a hyperlink URI or a hyperlinked resource corresponding to the hyperlink to the user; or (ii) if the sensing device is positioned outside the zone of the hyperlink: generate a query expression, form a request and send search results to the user.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to initiate an action via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data, said coded data being indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system and from a sensing device, mode data and interaction data, the sensing device being operable in a plurality of modes and the mode data being indicative of one of said modes, the interaction data being indicative of the region identity and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; determining a mode of the sensing device using the mode data; identifying an action usin

Abstract: A system for enabling a user to access information, said system comprising: a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate; and a sensing device comprising: an optical sensor for sensing at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate; a mode selector for allowing the user to select a mode of operation; a processor for generating mode data using the selected mode and interaction data using the sensed coded data, said mode data being indicative of the selected mode, said interaction data being indicative of the region identity and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the substrate; and means for communicating the mode data and the interaction data to a computer system, wherein the mode data together with the interaction data determine a response in the computer system.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The substrate comprises user information and coded data. The coded data is indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate. The method comprises the steps of: receiving interaction data indicative of the region identity and a position of a sensing device; identifying and retrieving a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; determining whether the sensing device is positioned within a zone of a hyperlink on the substrate; and (i) if the sensing device is positioned within the zone of the hyperlink: sending a hyperlink URI or a hyperlinked resource corresponding to the hyperlink to the user; or (ii) if the sensing device is positioned outside the zone of the hyperlink: generating a query expression, forming a request and sending search results to the user.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; generating a query expression comprising one or more search terms, at least one of said search terms being identified using the page description and the at least one position of the sensing device; forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request, or a results resource including s

Abstract: A method of performing an action is disclosed. The method starts by receiving, from a sensor, indicating data. The indicating data is indicative of a position of the sensor relative to a surface, and an identity of the surface. The indicating data is generated from sensing coded data on the surface. The coded data is indicative of a plurality of locations on the surface and the identity of the surface. Next the method identifies, using the indicating data, the identity of the surface and the position of the sensor relative to a surface. A request to perform the action is then determined. The request is associated with the identity and position. Next, using the request, action data indicative of the action is identified and, using the action data, the action is performed.

Abstract: A method of performing an action in relation to an object, the method including: determining a request to perform the action in relation to the object; identifying, using the request, action data indicative of at least one of: the action; the object; and, a target device to perform the action in relation to the object; and, performing, using the action data, the action in relation to the object.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising a graphic image and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the image, the sensing device generating the interaction data when operatively positioned or moved relative to the image by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity, generating a query expression comprising one or more search terms, at least one of said search terms being associated, in the page description, with a zone of the graphic image containing the position of the sensing device; forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request, or a results re

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to initiate an action via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data, said coded data being indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system and from a sensing device, mode data and interaction data, the sensing device being operable in a plurality of modes and the mode data being indicative of one of said modes, the interaction data being indicative of the region identity and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; determining a mode of the sensing device using the mode data; identifying an action usin

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to initiate an action via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data identifying the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; determining a gesture of interaction using the at least one position; identifying an action using said gesture, said interaction data and said page description; and initiating said action.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; generating a query expression comprising one or more search terms, at least one of said search terms being identified using the page description and the at least one position of the sensing device; forming a request using the query expression; and sending the request, or a results resource including s

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user via a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data, said coded data being indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, interaction data indicative of the region identity and at least one position of a sensing device relative to the substrate, the sensing device generating the interaction data, when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate, by reading at least some of the coded data; identifying and retrieving at least part of a page description corresponding to the printed substrate using the region identity; determining, using the page description and the position of the sensing device, whether the sensing device is positioned within a zone of a hyperlink on the substrate; and (i) if the sensing device is positioned within a zone of a hyperlink: sending a hyperlink URI or a hyperlin