Abstract: A method for handling information in an information management system is provided. The system includes a digital pen capable of reading a position code and communicating at least part thereof in a communication network. Each digital pen is associated with a respective pen identifier. The method includes associating an alias with a pen identifier in dependence on an interactive element which is coded by part of the position code printed on a surface. The alias is indicative of a role or behavior of a pen user when the user communicates via a digital pen with the information management system.

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 system for enabling competition entry is provided using a printed product label provided on a product item. The system has a sensing device, computer system and display device. The sensing device senses coded data from the label attached to the product item and generates interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data. The coded data is uniquely indicative of the product item and the label has regions including information fields, buttons and/or entry fields. The computer system receives the interaction data and correlates the interaction data with a competition. Interaction with at least one of the buttons using the sensing device causes the computer system to display information on the display device.

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 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 method of interacting with a printed substrate. The comprises the steps of: interacting with the substrate using an optically imaging pen having a nib; optically imaging target elements and coded data; calculating a position of the nib; and generating digital ink in the pen, the digital ink being indicative of the identity of the substrate and the position of the nib relative to the substrate; and sending the digital ink to a computer system such that the computer system can identify the interaction with the substrate. The position of the nib is calculated using the coded data, a perspective transform and a known spatial relationship between an optical axis of the pen and the nib. The perspective transform is determined using the imaged target elements which are perspective-distorted due to a tilt of the pen.

Abstract: A method is provided of enabling a function(s) of a telephone to be controlled. The telephone is operative to perform the function(s) in response to command(s) from a printer. The method includes providing a control interface which contains information relating to the function(s) and has coded data on an identity and a reference point(s) of the control interface, receiving, in the printer, indicating data from a sensing device regarding the control interface identity and a position and/or movement of the sensing device relative thereto, and effecting, in the printer and from the indicating data, an operation(s) relating to the command(s). The coded data incorporates substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions. The sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the control interface, generates the indicating data using at least some of the coded data.

Abstract: A system for interactive note-taking is provided having a receiver for receiving interaction data from a note-taking device used to interact with a note-taking form having note-taking information and a plurality of coded tags printed thereon, and a processor for recording or retrieving the note-taking by identifying, from the received interaction data, at least one parameter relating to the note-taking. Each tag encodes data on an identity of the form and a location of that tag on the form. The note-taking device senses the tags and generates the interaction data with data on the sensed form identity and a position of the note-taking device relative to the sensed tags.

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: A method of enabling at least one function of a telephone to be controlled is provided. The telephone is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a computer system. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a control interface containing information relating to the function, the control interface including coded data indicative of at least one operation relating to the command; (b) receiving, in the computer system and from the sensing device, indicating data regarding the operation and movement data regarding movement of the sensing device relative to the control interface, the sensing device, when moved relative to the control interface, generating the indicating data using at least some of the coded data and generating the movement data; and (c) effecting, in the computer system and from the indicating data and the movement data, the at least one operation.

Abstract: A method of enabling conferencing using printed forms includes, in a computer system, receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device through interaction with conference information and coded tags printed on a first form, determining a parameter relating to the conference information and outputting a second form with coded tags and information on the parameter and a form version hierarchial tree. Each tag encodes an identity of, and the location of that tag on, the respective form. The indicating data includes the first form's identity and a sensing device position relative to the tags sensed on the first form. The computer system has a form description associated with the first form's identity and produces the hierarchical tree by associating the second form's identity with the form description by determining whether any other form is associated therewith. The parameter is determined from the indicating data and digital description.

Abstract: A method of performing a search is disclosed. A search request form including information relating to a search request and coded data portions is printed. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the search request form and of a position of that coded data portion on the search request form. Indicating data is received from a sensing device which is responsive to movement of the sensing device relative to the search request form to sense at least some of the coded data portions and generate the indicating data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the search request form, and movement of the sensing device. Using the indicating data, movement of the sensing device is determined and using the determined movement, a search request is determined. A search is then performed using the determined search request and results of the search are printed.

Abstract: A system for providing information is disclosed. The system has a server which stores page descriptors. A printer is also includes which prints a printed page with visible and invisible data. The invisible data is indicative of one or more of the page descriptors. A sensing device senses the invisible data when placed in an operative position relative to the printed page, and transmits information extracted from sensed invisible data to the server. The server is configured to interpret the positioning of the sensing device based upon the page descriptors indicated by sensed invisible data and to provide information associated with the page descriptors.

Abstract: A method of sensing a message to a number using a print medium is disclosed. The method starts by sensing coded data on a surface of the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device. From the coded information a print media identifier and a position of the sensor module relative to the print medium are determined. Next, using the print media identifier and the position, the number is obtained from a database. Finally, a message editor is opened in the mobile telecommunications device, with a current message being addressed to the number.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online payments via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting payment transactions over a network.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online bill management via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting online bill management, including bill payment, over a network.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous communication between a user and an application server, via interaction of a sensing device with coded data disposed on a surface to generate interaction data, the method including the steps, performed in a computer system, of: identifying a first telecommunication address of the user from: an identity of the sensing device received or determined in the computer system; or the interaction data; associating a temporary telecommunication address with the first telecommunication address; sending the temporary telecommunication address and interaction data to an application; receiving information from the application addressed to said temporary telecommunication address; and forwarding the information from the application to the first telecommunication address.

Abstract: A method of enabling users to perform a search using a search request form. The search request form has coded data indicative of an identity of the search request form and of a plurality of reference points, with some of the coded data being coincident with a search field. In use, the computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device, which is generated when the sensing device is moved within the search field. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the search request form, movement of the sensing device within the search field and, an identifier stored in a store within the sensing device. The computer system determines the movement of the sensing device within the search field and uses this to perform the search, with the results being provided to the user using the identifier.