Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to print onto a print medium, the mobile device comprising: a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving data via a telecommunications network; and a printer; the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a geographical location of the mobile device; (b) determining a product or service available at, in or within a predetermined distance of, the geographical location; (c) formatting a voucher containing information associated with the product or service; and (d) printing the voucher using the printer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.