Abstract: A device is configured to process data from a touch-sensitive apparatus for the purpose of identifying a reduced performance of components in the apparatus. The apparatus may be an FTIR system that comprises a light transmissive panel, an illumination arrangement for introducing light into the panel, and a light detection arrangement for receiving the light propagating in the panel and for measuring the energy of the received light. The device comprises a processor unit which is configured to obtain a signal comprising a time series of signal values that represent the energy of the light received by the light detection arrangement; calculate a parameter value representing a temporal variability of the signal values in the signal; and identify, based on the parameter value, a reduced performance of any of the illumination arrangement and the light detection arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an interaction between an object and a touch surface of a panel. An illumination arrangement introduces light into the panel for propagation by internal reflection between the touch surface and an opposite surface and towards a receiving light detection arrangement. A processor unit is configured to iteratively i) determine, based on the received light, a current light status representing a two-dimensional distribution of light in the panel, ii) determine the interaction with the object as a function of the current light status and a previously updated background status representing a two-dimensional distribution of light in the panel caused by contaminations, and iii) update the background status as a function of the interaction. A method and computer readable medium are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for determining a location of at least one object on a touch surface of a light transmissive panel. The method comprises the steps of: introducing light into the panel for propagation by internal reflection between the touch surface and an opposite surface; receiving the light propagating in the panel; and iteratively i) determining a current signal profile of light received by the light detection arrangement, ii) updating, when a condition is met, a background signal profile of light received by the light detection arrangement, iii) calculating a current compensated signal profile as a function of the background signal profile and the current signal profile and iv) determining, when the object touches the touch surface and thereby attenuates the light propagating in the panel, the location as a function of the compensated signal profile.

Abstract: A touch sensing apparatus is controlled to determine the position of one or more objects (7) that interact with a touch surface (1). The apparatus includes a group of emitters (2) arranged to emit light to illuminate at least part of the touch surface (1), a light detector (4) arranged to receive light from the group of emitters (2), and a processing element (7). Each emitter (2) is controlled to transmit a code by way of the emitted light such that the code identifies the respective emitter (2). The codes may at least partly be transmitted concurrently. The codes may be selected such that a value of an autocorrelation of each code is significantly higher than a value of a cross-correlation between any two codes of different emitters (2).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is designed for printing on regular digital printers of a coding pattern consisting of regularly spaced code symbols. In the method, a page-describing code (e.g. in PostScript programming language) is generated for the printer. The generation of the page-describing code is based a character definition set which assigns a set of characters to represent a set of mutually unique groups of the code symbols. By mapping the set of mutually unique groups against the coding pattern, the location of corresponding groups within the coding pattern can be identified. Each of the corresponding groups is then represented by its assigned character in the page-describing code. The resulting page-describing code is small in size and has a reduced set of printer instructions that can be processed efficiently by the receiving printer.

Abstract: An information management system is intended for management of digitally represented information which is associated with absolute positions on an imaginary surface (200). The imaginary surface (200) contains at least two regions (201-208), each of which is dedicated to predetermined management of the digitally represented information. In the system the management of the digitally represented information is carried out on the basis of the region affiliation of the absolute positions associated with the information. The system is suitably based on use of a position-coding pattern which defines the imaginary surface (200) and which in parts is applicable on different bases. The system makes possible both digital recording of information and control of how the information thus recorded is to be managed. A database, a method for management of information, a method for compiling a pattern layout, a product and use are also described.

Abstract: A payment product has a writing area (6c) which is intended for a user's signature. In the writing area there is a first position-coding pattern (5) which makes possible digital recording of the signature. The first position-coding pattern is a subset of a larger second position-coding pattern. The payment product is used in a payment system which is based on electronic payment information, which has been recorded by means of the position-coding pattern, being sent to a server unit, which utilizes the position-coding pattern to check that the payment information is valid.

Abstract: In an input unit arrangement use is made of an input unit in combination with a mouse pad, which is provided with a position-coding pattern which codes coordinates for a plurality of positions on the mouse pad. Areas on the mouse pad are provided with subsets of the position-coding pattern which are dedicated to different functions. The input unit can be caused to optically read the position-coding pattern, whereupon the input unit arrangement decodes the positions that are coded locally on the mouse pad. By placing the input unit within the various areas on the mouse pad, a user can make the input unit arrangement carry out various functions, such as automatically switching from a mouse function, in which a cursor is controlled on a display on the basis of the decoded position, to an input function, in which information via the input unit is inputted into an electronic device, such as a computer, telephone, PDA etc.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device which is adapted to carry out at least one operation. The device is controllable by a user using the device as a pen and writing a command for initiating said operation, such as “dial the following telephone number”. A method for initiating the operation in an electronic device and software used for implementing the method.

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: An electronic pen has a body, a cap and an actuation device. The actuation device comprises a sensor arrangement for sensing presence or absence of the cap on the body. The actuation device is operable to activate the electronic pen in response to removal of the cap from the body or in response to placement of the cap on a portion separated from a front end portion of the body. The actuation device is further operable to deactivate the electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said body. Methods for activating and deactivating an electronic pen are also described.

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: 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 computer-implemented method is designed for printing on regular digital printers of a coding pattern consisting of regularly spaced code symbols. In the method, a page-describing code (e.g. in PostScript programming language) is generated for the printer. The generation of the page-describing code is based a character definition set which assigns a set of characters to represent a set of mutually unique groups of the code symbols. By mapping the set of mutually unique groups against the coding pattern, the location of corresponding groups within the coding pattern can be identified. Each of the corresponding groups is then represented by its assigned character in the page-describing code. The resulting page-describing code is small in size and has a reduced set of printer instructions that can be processed efficiently by the receiving printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filing appliance, a system for information management, a method in a computer system, a computer program and a memory medium. The filing appliance includes a holder for holding a plurality of sheets, with at least one input field, which is provided with a position-coding pattern and is adapted to be filled in using a drawing device, which while using the position-coding pattern records positions in the input field in order to record information entered in the input field, and an initiation icon provided with a position-coding pattern, a marking of the initiation icon using the drawing device being adapted to initiate an operation in a computer system communicating with the drawing device, in which operation an information object is created, which is identifiable at least by information entered in the input field.

Abstract: In an input unit arrangement use is made of an input unit in combination with a mouse pad, which is provided with a position-coding pattern which codes coordinates for a plurality of positions on the mouse pad. Areas on the mouse pad are provided with subsets of the position-coding pattern which are dedicated to different functions. The input unit can be caused to optically read the position-coding pattern, whereupon the input unit arrangement decodes the positions that are coded locally on the mouse pad. By placing the input unit within the various areas (110–120) on the mouse pad, a user can make the input unit arrangement carry out various functions, such as automatically switching from a mouse function, in which a cursor is controlled on a display on the basis of the decoded position, to an input function, in which information via the input unit is inputted into an electronic device, such as a computer, telephone, PDA etc.

Abstract: In an input unit arrangement use is made of an input unit in combination with a mouse pad, which is provided with a position-coding pattern which codes coordinates for a plurality of positions on the mouse pad. Areas on the mouse pad are provided with subsets of the position-coding pattern which are dedicated to different functions. The input unit can be caused to optically read the position-coding pattern, whereupon the input unit arrangement decodes the positions that are coded locally on the mouse pad. By placing the input unit within the various areas on the mouse pad, a user can make the input unit arrangement carry out various functions, such as automatically switching from a mouse function, in which a cursor is controlled on a display on the basis of the decoded position, to an input function, in which information via the input unit is inputted into an electronic device, such as a computer, telephone, PDA etc.

Abstract: A device for recording hand-written information in the form of characters, symbols, graphs, drawings, calligraphy and similar hand-written information defined by a hand movement, comprises recording means (3) which are adapted to be moved by a hand which carries out the hand movement and to record a plurality of images with partially overlapping contents while the recording means are being moved. The device further comprises image-processing means (4) which are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the aid of the partially overlapping contents for providing a description in digital format of how the unit has been moved and, in this way, a digital representation of the hand-written representation. A method of recording hand-written information is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inputting graphical information into a computer system. The graphical information may arise when a drawing device is moved relative to a base having a position-coding pattern detectable by an optical sensor in the drawing device. The computer system may record position information arising from a first area of the base as graphical input while recording position information arising from a second area of the base as the selection of a property associated with the graphical input. Such a property may be a visual property, such as line type, line thickness, and color.

Abstract: An input unit has a mouse function and at least one inputting function. The input unit comprises image-recording means (8) which record images. These images are used for providing both the mouse function and the inputting function. The images are processed in the input unit or in some other unit.