Abstract: Provided is a system for providing information to a user via an interactive medium. The system includes a server with a memory, a printer and a wireless interface. The printer is configured to supply the interactive medium in the form of a printed page with visible and invisible data thereon, said invisible data indicative of page descriptors stored in the memory. The system also includes a monitoring device configured to sense user interaction with the medium and to sense and transmit the invisible data to the server via the wireless interface. The server is configured to interpret the user interaction in relation to the sensed page descriptors.

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: The present invention relates to a pen for sensing coded data on a page. The coded data is printed on the page as a collection of tags using invisible ink. The pen includes an elongate housing defining an internal space. An ink marking implement is movably mounted within the space and includes an ink marking nib to mark the page with ink. A sensor is mounted within the space and is configured to sense the coded data. A transmitter is mounted within the space and is configured wirelessly to communicate data sensed by the sensor to a printer.

Abstract: A system for performing data searches on a network includes a computer system forming a node on the network and having a database of electronic documents. Each electronic document is associated with at least one resource description. The computer system is programmed to generate print data representing a search form such that the search form carries information relating to at least one parameter of a search to be carried out and coded data associated with that information and representing a search instruction input field. A printer is connected to the network for receiving the print data from the computer system to print the search form. A sensing device is capable of sensing the coded data and is operatively connected to the printer to write search instructions to the computer system, via the printer and the network.

Abstract: A method for recording information from a surface of a substrate. The substrate is provided with a first position code and a second position code. The method comprises: (i) obtaining an image of the surface of the substrate using an optically imaging pen; (ii) determining whether the first position code or the second position code is present in the image; and (iii) determining the location of the pen. If the first position code is detected in the image, then the location is interpreted as handwritten input on the surface. Alternatively, if the second position code is detected in the image, then the location is used to determine if the pen is in a particular zone of the surface and a predetermined function associated with the zone is performed.

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 system for printing an interactive document on demand. The system comprises a computer system and a printer. The computer system is configured for: identifying a document for printing; allocating a document identity to the document; recording an association between the document identity and the document; and sending print data to a printer associated with said computer system. The print data instructs the printer to print a document image for the document superimposed with a coded data pattern. The coded data pattern identifies the document identity and a plurality of locations on the printed document. The printer associated the said computer system is configured for: receiving the print data from the computer system; and printing a document image simultaneously with the superimposed coded data pattern, thereby providing the interactive printed document.

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

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 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: 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 system for delivering a greeting card using a form, the system including a computer system for determining 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. The computer system generates print data indicative of the information and the identity, and then transfers the print data 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 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: 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: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online banking 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 banking transactions over a network.

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 for delivering a greeting card using a form, the form including information relating to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data relating to the at least one interactive element. The coded data is coincident with the information so that when a sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interactive element, the sensing device senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data is received by a computer system which identifies, using the indicating data, the at least one interactive element and deliveres, using the at least one interactive element, a greeting card to a recipient address.

Abstract: A system for facilitating searches for data stored on a network includes a computer system forming a node on the network and having a database of electronic documents, each of which are associated with at least one resource description. A printer is connected to the network for receiving print instructions from the computer system to print a first document representing one of the electronic documents such that the first document carries information relating to the search to be carried out and coded data representing at least an identity of the printed document. A sensing device is capable of sensing the coded data and is operatively connected to the printer to write data representing the identity of the printed document to the computer system, via the printer and the network, the computer system being programmed to retrieve information from the network based on the resource description and to instruct the printer to print the information on a second document.

Abstract: A system for enabling user interaction with computer software is provided which has a printer. The printer receives print data, prints a form using the print data, receives indicating data from a sensing device and transfers the indicating data to a computer system. The form is printed by printing information related to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data indicative of the interactive element. At least some of the coded data is printed to be coincident with the information. The sensing device senses at least some of the coded data and generates the indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data generated is at least partially indicative of the interactive element. The computer system interprets the transferred indicating data.