Abstract: An input arrangement for controlling an electronic device. The arrangement comprises a substrate have a position-coding pattern printed thereon. The position-coding pattern codes first and second sets of absolute positions on spatially separate areas of the substrate. The first and second sets of absolute positions are mutually exclusive and coded by first and second subsets of the position-coding pattern. A handheld image-recording device comprises an image sensor for recording images of the position-coding pattern a processor is configured for deriving an absolute position from the position-coding pattern in the recorded image and providing an instruction to the electronic device to perform a first function when the absolute position belongs to the first set and a second function when the absolute position belongs to the second set.

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 system is provided for delivering a greeting using an interactive form. The system has means for generating print data to include an interactive element associated with the delivery of the greeting card and an identity indicative of the interactive element, and means for transferring the generated print data to a printer. The printer is responsive to the received print data to print the form with the interactive element and coded data encoding the identity coincident with the interactive element such the interaction with the printed interactive element using a sensing device enales sensing of the coded data.

Abstract: A method of sending a message using a print medium is disclosed. A tag on a surface of the print medium is sensed using a sensor module. The surface includes a plurality of tags with each tag encoding an identifier which uniquely identifies the surface and a position with respect to the surface. From the tag sensed by the sensor module the identifier and the position with respect to the surface of the tag sensed by the sensor module are determined. A communications address is obtained, using the identifier and the position, from a database where the communications address is indexed by the identifier and the position. A message editor in a communications device is then opened, with a current message being addressed to the communications address.

Abstract: A system for anonymous communication between a user and a software application is provided, via interaction of an optical imaging device with an interactive surface to generate interaction data. The device has a unique identity which is associated with the user's identity. The interaction data includes data on the application and device identities. The system has a computer system which receives the interaction data generated by the optical imaging device, identifies the application and the device from the identity data included in the received interaction data, translates the identified application and device identities into an alias identity, sends the alias identity and interaction data to the identified application, receives information from the identified application addressed to the alias identity, and forwards the information from the application to the user via the alias identity.

Abstract: Provided is a pen-shaped scanning device for scanning a surface having coded data disposed thereon which is substantially invisible to the average unaided human eye. The device is configured to determine at least two dimensions of a rotational orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface, the coded data being indicative of at least two dimensions of the rotational orientation of the sensing device. The device includes an orientation sensor configured to generate, when positioned or moved relative to the surface, using at least some of the coded data, orientation data indicative of the at least two dimensions of the orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving an electronic information service (also called an online graphical message service) hosted by a computer system (e.g., a server) connected to a network. Remote users can write information into and read information from the information service over the network. In response to a request from a first user, the service may create a first information object that comprises a virtual whiteboard. The virtual whiteboard may include information written by the remote users. Then, the service may transmit the first information object via the network to the first user. Later, the service may receive a second information object from the first user corresponding to part of the virtual whiteboard. The second information object may include modifications the first user made to the virtual whiteboard. The service may then update the virtual whiteboard utilizing the received second information object.

Abstract: A method of 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: A method for initiating payment of a bill via a printed billing form. The form contains information relating to a payment and coded data printed as a collection of tags. Each tag identifies a bill identity and a location of the tag on the bill. The method comprises the steps of: (i) interacting with the printed billing form by operatively positioning an optically imaging pen relative to the form; (ii) imaging a tag on the form; (iii) generating indicating data regarding the identity of the form and a position of the pen relative to the form; and (iv) transmitting the indicating data to a computer system. Payment of the bill is initiated in the computer system using a payment parameter identified from the indicating data.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a printed form. The method includes the steps of: maintaining a page description corresponding to a printed form; receiving, indicating data from an optically imaging pen operated by the user, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the form and of a position of a nib of the pen relative to the form; retrieving the page description using the identity of the form; and identifying an interaction with the form using the position of the nib and the retrieved page description. The position of the nib is determined by inferring a perspective transform from perspective-distorted corners of a tag of known size when sensing the coded data and using the perspective transform together with a known geometry of pen optics to compute the position of the nib.

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.

Abstract: A system for providing anonymous competition entry is provided. The system has a sensing device configured to sense coded data on a form and generate interaction data there from. The coded data has a plurality of tags each encoding data on an identity of the form and the location of that tag on the form. The interaction data represents the interaction of the sensing device with the tags. The system further has a computer system configured to identify a digital description associated with the form from the form identity represented by the interaction data, capture a competition entry by determining locations in the digital description associated with the locations of the interacted tags represented in the interaction data, and assign a competition alias identifier to the interaction data.

Abstract: A system for recording information from a surface. The system includes a base having a surface provided with a first position code coding locations of a plurality of first points and. In a zone of the surface, a second position code codes locations of a plurality of second points. The system also includes a sensing device having an image sensor for obtaining an image of the surface. A processor is configured for determining whether or not the second position code is present in the image of the surface, determining a location by means of the second position code and determining whether the sensing device is placed in a field on the surface of the base, wherein the field is associated with a function to be performed by the sensing device.

Abstract: A method of enabling users to perform a search using a search request form including information relating to a search request, the search request form having disposed therein or thereon coded data indicative of a search parameter. The method includes, in a computer system, receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device, the indicating data being indicative of the search parameter and an identifier of the sensing device. The computer system uses the indicating data to determine the search parameter and then performs an operation at least partially associated with a search using the search parameter, before providing results of the search to the user using the identifier.

Abstract: A method of authorizing users to perform a search using a computer system. The method includes providing a user with a search request form having coded data indicative of an authorization parameter. The computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device which is indicative of the authorization parameter, movement of the sensing device and an identifier. The computer system determines the authorization parameter and movement of the sensing device using the indicating data, and then authorizes the user using the determined movement, the authorization parameter and the identifier, before performing a search in response to a successful authorization.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling a function of a device. The device is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a printer. The method starts by printing a control interface containing information relating to the function and coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the control interface and of at least one reference point of the control interface. Next, indicating data is received by the printer from a sensing device. The indicating data contains the identity of the control interface and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the control interface. The sensing device forms the indicating data when placed in an operative position relative to the control interface using the coded data. Finally, the printer issues the command relating to the function to the device.

Abstract: A method of enabling users to perform a search by providing a search request form. The search request form is generated by a computer system which determines search information indicative of a visible representation of a search request form including at least one interactive element, and an identity which is at least partially indicative of the interactive element. Coded data is generated which is indicative of the identity and of a plurality of reference points, and a page description determined which is indicative of a layout of the coded data and the search information. The computer system records an association between the identity with the page description and then causes the search request form to be printed by printing the coded data and the search information using the layout, at least some of the coded data being printed coincident with the at least one interactive element.

Abstract: A method of 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: A system for digitizing a freehand graphic. The system comprises: a base including a surface; a position-coding pattern printed on the surface and detectable by an optical sensor; a first area of the surface; and a second area of the surface. The system further comprises a drawing device including an optical sensor for detecting a position in the position-coding pattern; and a transmitter for transmitting interaction data to a processor. The interaction data identifies the detected position. The processor 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.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous entry to a competition via a printed competition entry form that includes machine-readable coded data, the method including the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving interaction data representing interaction of a sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data enabling the competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; assigning a competition alias ID to the competition entry; and transmitting the competition entry to a competition administrator with the competition alias ID, thereby enabling the anonymous entry to the competition.