Abstract: A product provided with a coding pattern which comprises a plurality of marks, each of which represents one of at least two different values, and which further comprises a plurality of nominal positions, each of the plurality of marks being associated with a nominal position and the value of each mark being determined by its location relative to its nominal position. A method and device of using the product are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for identifying objects in a digital image which is included in a sequence of images, luminance values of a current digital image are compared with at least one threshold value in order to create a current binarized image on the basis of the comparison. A quality measure for the current binarized image is also calculated, whereupon said at least one threshold value is updated on the basis of the quality measure for use in binarization of a subsequent image. The method can be realized in the form of a computer program, a computer program product, a device, and a hand-held apparatus for position determination.

Abstract: A method for secure transmission of information from a digital pen to a receiving device is provided. The method includes obtaining, in the digital pen, a message in the form of a plurality of position indications recorded from a position code on a substrate; sending at least one of the position indications to a database device; receiving from the database device an address of a receiving device which is associated with the at least one position indication and an encryption key relating to the receiving device, the encryption key being associated with the at least one position indication; encrypting the message using the encryption key received from the database device; and transmitting the encrypted message to the address of the receiving device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling access to an access-protected unit. A pair of coordinates may be read from a base, such as a card, using a digital pen. The system may then check if the pair of coordinates are within a coordinate area belonging to an authorized user. If so, access may be granted to the authorized user to the access-protected unit or to specific programs or functions of the access-protected unit.

Abstract: A product is on a surface provided with a first position code which codes coordinates for a plurality of first points. In at least one partial area on the surface, the product is further provided with a second position code which codes coordinates for a plurality of second points. The partial area further comprises a field which is associated with a predetermined function to be performed in consequence of a user unit being placed in the field. Methods and devices for coding and for recording of information from a surface are also described.

Abstract: A position code is applied on a surface to code positions in one or more directions. The code is based on a main number series which has the property that the place in the main number series of each number sequence of a first predetermined length is unambiguously determined. A position is determined based on one or more such number sequences of the first predetermined length. The orientation of the position code is discriminable from the main number series, but only for number sequences of a second predetermined length that exceeds the first predetermined length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system and a computer-readable medium storing computer-executable components in connection with transfer of information data to a recipient. The invention is based on the idea that generation of random number data and the calculation of digital signatures are performed before information data is accessible to a digital pen. Since asymmetric encryption of data is a demanding operation for said digital pen to perform in terms of processing power, a lot of time can be saved if the generation of random number data and asymmetric encryption of said random number data is performed in advance, when the pen is in an idle, non-communicating mode, for example during battery loading of the pen or when the pen is lifted from the position-coded paper. This alleviates delay times when the pen is in its communicating mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of editing data generated by handwriting. The method comprises the steps of detecting an initiation of an editing; identifying a marking stroke which marks data that is to be edited; determining an essentially minimal convex envelope which surrounds the marking stroke; identifying the remaining data, in addition to the data of the actual marking stroke, which is positioned within the convex envelope; and performing an editing operation on said data positioned within the convex envelope. The invention also relates to a handheld device and a computer program for editing of data generated by handwriting.

Abstract: A position code is recorded by capturing a sequence of images while writing on the base with a user unit. The position code may be decoded to a sequence of absolute positions reflecting the movement of the user unit over the base. If the position code in any image is not sufficiently recorded, e.g. because it is obscured by other graphics on the base, the spatial relationship of the image to another image in the sequence is determined. If the position code in this other image in the image sequence is decodable to an absolute position, the absolute position of the image in which the position code is not decodable could nevertheless be determined by using the spatial relationship. In this way the movement of the user unit can be recorded even though the position code is obscured, which could be the case when the same printing ink is used for both the position code and other graphics on the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a message that is intended to be sent to a destination. The method is characterized by the steps of sending an address parameter, that corresponds to the destination, to a printer unit; printing out a sheet of paper using the printer unit, which sheet of paper comprises a position-coding pattern and the address parameter; generating an information sequence by writing on the sheet of paper with a drawing device, which drawing device is capable of detecting positions on the sheet of paper by reading the position-coding pattern; recording the address parameter using the drawing device; and combining the recorded address parameter with the information sequence into a message.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a unit provided with a processor. The method includes receiving at least one graphical notation in the form of positions representing a sensor device's movement across a base that is provided with a position-coding pattern, while the graphical notation was made, identifying, based on the at least one graphical notation, at least one command for the unit provided with a processor, receiving an address to the unit provided with a processor, and controlling the unit provided with a processor by sending the at least one command to the address. A computer program product contained within a medium and a device for implementing the method is also provided. The method for controlling a unit provided with a processor uses a sensor device and a product kit for controlling a unit provided with a processor.

Abstract: A method is provided for decoding data stored in a partial area of a coding pattern on a surface, based on a recorded image of the partial area. The coding pattern contains elements which each have at least two possible decoding values. The method identifies in the image a plurality of elements. The method further calculates, for each identified element, an associated value probability for each possible decoding value that the element has this decoding value. Additionally, the method performs the decoding of data based on the decoding values and the corresponding value probabilities. A device and a memory medium storing a computer program with instructions for performing such a data decoding technique are also provided.

Abstract: In a method for position decoding, a position is calculated on the basis of information determined from a partial area, imaged by a sensor, of a position-coding pattern. If the position calculation fails, the information from the partial area recorded by the sensor is matched with information about how the position-coding pattern is designed in a plurality of matching partial areas, which each define a position in the position-coding pattern. The position of the positions defined by the matching partial areas, which according to the matching step is the most probable position in the position-coding pattern for the imaged partial area is accepted as the decoded position. A device and a computer program for carrying out the method are also described.

Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a writing means (7) which extends into the interior of the pen, a guiding element (9) for the writing means (7), a sensor (15a) for recording images and an image processor (30) for calculating positions of the pen based on said images. The sensor (15a) is part of an imaging detector unit (15). The guiding element (9) and the detector unit (15) are arranged in a common mounting part (5) which is fixedly mounted in the interior of the pen. In such a pen, it is possible to minimize the tolerance chain between the components that convert a pen stroke on a base into a sequence of positions. This enables serial production of the pen with a small number of rejects.

Abstract: A system for information management consists of a product, for instance a notepad sheet, which has a writing surface (3) with a position code (5), which codes a plurality of positions on the surface, and a device, which is adapted to record the information which is being written on the writing surface by detecting the position code. Moreover, on the product there are a number of activation icons (7a–g). When such an activation icon is detected by the device, the device initiates a predetermined operation which utilizes the recorded information. Such an operation can, for instance, consist of sending the recorded information to an indicated address. A product, a device, a method and a computer program for information management are also shown.

Abstract: A product is provided with a coding pattern, which codes position information in the form of coordinates for a plurality of points on the product with the aid of a plurality of marks belonging to each point. The marks have a first parameter which varies for coding of the position information. The marks additionally have a second parameter which varies for coding of further information in the coding pattern. A method and a device for coding of the coding pattern and a method and a device for decoding of the coding pattern are also described.

Abstract: A hand-held user unit (1), which can be part of a network-based information management system, allows for the writing down and recording of handwritten information. The user unit (1) has a memory for storing the recorded information. The memory comprises a first memory part (M1) located in the user unit and a second memory part (M2) located in an external data storage device, which memory parts are connected in such a way that, from the point of view of a user, they form a coherent memory unit. Methods for memory management in such a user unit are also described.

Abstract: According to a method for recording of electronic handwriting, a handwriting movement is digitized into a sequence of points along a writing curve that corresponds to the handwriting movement. The sequence of points is resampled by eliminating those points that are judged not to be necessary for being able to reconstruct the writing curve later with the required visual quality. A resampled representation of the writing curve is created from the points remaining—that is not eliminated—after the resampling. The resampling is carried out on successive and partially overlapping partial sequences of the points, the resampled representation of the writing curve being extended successively after resampling of a respective partial sequence.

Abstract: A user of a digital pen in an information management system is allowed to have a number of aliases when communicating in the system. The system includes a plurality of products, which are provided with a position code, a plurality of digital pens capable of reading the position code, and a server communicating with said digital pens. The server includes a position database which associates positions coded by the position code with rules for information management. A pen identifier is associated with a digital pen and at least one alias is associated with the pen identifier, the alias being indicative of a role of a pen user when the user communicates via the digital pen in the information management system. The alias information is communicated to the system, e.g., when the digital pen is operated to mark an activation icon on a product, which includes position codes whose associated rules manage the association between alias and pen identifier.

Abstract: In a method for position decoding, a position is calculated on the basis of information determined from a partial area, imaged by a sensor, of a position-coding pattern. If the position calculation fails, the information from the partial area recorded by the sensor is matched with information about how the position-coding pattern is designed in a plurality of matching partial areas, which each define a position in the position-coding pattern. The position of the positions defined by the matching partial areas, which according to the matching step is the most probable position in the position-coding pattern for the imaged partial area is accepted as the decoded position. A device and a computer program for carrying out the method are also described.