Abstract: A method of validating entry to a competition via interaction of a sensing device with a printed competition entry form comprising coded data indicative of a unique product identifier, the method comprising the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving, from the sensing device, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data including at least the unique product identifier and enabling a competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; and transmitting the product identifier and the competition entry to a competition administrator for validation of the competition entry at the competition administrator by verification of the product identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to listing classified advertising 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 classified listing transactions over a network.

Abstract: A method of enabling electronic redemption a plurality of tokens, wherein each the plurality of tokens is disposed on a product label and includes coded data that can be used to determine a unique product identifier of the product label with which it is associated, the method including the steps of: using a sensing device, and for each of the plurality of tokens: (a) generating interaction data by sensing at least some of the coded data of the token, the interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data; and (b) forwarding the interaction data to a computer system, for enabling the product identifier associated with the product label to be captured electronically in the computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to transmit further information to a token administrator; and receiving token redemption information from the token administrator after a predetermined combination of the further information has been transmitted to the token administrator.

Abstract: The invention concerns device control for enabling electrical or electronic devices to be controlled through computer systems. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more control interfaces which are capable of being used to interacting with a computer system or network, each interface typically comprising sheet material such as paper which has coded data disposed on it and which allows it to be used to interact with the computer system by use of a sensing device operated by a user. Through this interaction, data can be forwarded to the computer system from the control interface to effect in that system an operation relating to the functioning of the device.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous electronic redemption of a token printed as part of a product label, the product label including 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 electronic capture of: token data of the token; and a product identifier associated with the product label; assigning an alias ID to the token data; and transmitting the token data, the product identifier and the alias ID to a token administrator configured to redeem the token electronically.

Abstract: A method and system is described for enabling collaborative document markup, through the use of one or more forms which support interaction with a computer system or network. Each form is printed on sheet material such as paper and includes coded data which allows it to be used to interact with the computer system via a sensing device operated by a user. The method and system described can be employed by geographically distributed participants to mark up a shared document using interactive surface media, while engaged in a telephone conference or similar. Every time a participant adds a markup to the document the other participants can be provided with a printed copy of the updated page.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling collaborative document markup. The method includes the steps of providing a participant with at least one document markup form containing information relating to a collaborative document markup session and including coded data indicative of an identity of the document markup form, receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from a sensing device operated by said participant, said indicating data regarding the identity of the document markup form and a position of the sensing device relative to the document markup form, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position, sensing the indicating data, identifying at least one parameter relating to the document markup session, and providing at least one other participant remote from said participant with at least one document markup form containing information representative of the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A system for enabling handwritten note taking and retrieval, the system including at least one form printable on a surface, said form containing information relating to a notebook activity and including coded data indicative of an identity of said form and of at least one reference point of said form; and a computer system for receiving indicating data from a sensing device operated by a user involved in the notebook activity, said indicating data regarding the identity of said form and at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to said form, said computer system including means for identifying, from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to the notebook activity.

Abstract: A computer system for enabling collaborative document markup between participants is provided. The computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device operated by a participant involved in a collaborative document markup session in conjunction with at least one document markup form containing information relating to the document markup session and including coded data indicative of an identity of the document markup form and of a plurality of map references of the document markup form. The indicating data includes data regarding the identity of the document markup form and a position of the sensing device relative to the document markup form. The sensing device generates the indicating data using at least some of the coded data when placed in an operative position relative to the document markup form.

Abstract: A method for enabling collaborative document markup between participants is provided. The method is performed via a document markup form containing information relating to the document markup session and coded data indicative of an identity of the document markup form and of a plurality of map references of the document markup form.

Abstract: The invention enables a user to obtain a document associated with the program content of a video signal. Coded data on a surface is read by a sensing device which generates indicating data which is a request for the document. A computer system receives the indicating data from the sensing device and extracts document identity data from the video signal, in order to retrieve the document.

Abstract: A method of selecting and delivering a greeting card, including: obtaining a document with details of a selection of available greeting cards, the document having at least one user-interactive element with which a user interacts to select a card using a sensing device adapted to transmit interaction data to a computer system; indicating selection of a card using the sensing device; including a message using the sensing device; and sending the card to a recipient address via the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling remote conferencing between conference participants involves the use of one or more forms that support interaction with a computer system or network. Each form is printed on sheet material such as paper and includes coded data that allows it to be used to interact with the computer system via a sensing device operated by a user. The system and method can be employed by geographically distributed participants to communicate graphical ideas via a shared ‘whiteboard’ using interactive surface media while engaged in a telephone conference. Every time a participant adds a modification or a new diagram to the whiteboard, the other participants can be provided with a printed copy of the updated page.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user to search stored information by providing a user with a printed search request form. The search request form includes information relating to a search request and coded data. The coded data indicates to a sensing device information relating to an identity of the search request form, of at least one reference point of the search request form and/or at least one parameter of the search request. The sensing device communicates indicating data to a computer system based on the sensed coded data. The computer system is able to identify form this indicating data the identity of the search request form, movement of the sensing device as it relates to the parameters of the search request form and/or a search request.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to seeking auction bids 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 auction listing transactions over a network.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for enabling graphic design by means of a computer system. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more forms capable of interacting with a computer system or network, each form comprising sheet material such as paper which has coded data printed on it and which allows it to interact with the computer system by use of a sensing device operated by a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to accessing travel services 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 travel service transactions over a network.

Abstract: The invention concerns a computer system enabling collaborative document markup. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more forms which support interaction with a computer system or network. Each form is printed on sheet material such as paper and includes printed data readable by the user and coded data which allows interaction with the computer system via a sensing device operated by a user.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling searching of stored information, the system including: a search request form including information relating to a search request, the search request form including coded data indicative of an identify of the search request form and of at least one reference point of the search request form; and a computer system for receiving indicating data from a sensing device for identifying at least one parameter relating to the search request, the indicating data being indicative of the identify of the search request form and a position of the sensing device relative to the search request form, the sensing device sensing the indicating data using at least some of the coded data. The sensing device includes an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data and a processor.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling searching of stored information, the system including: a search request form including information relating to a search request, the search request form including coded data indicative of an identify of the search request form and of at least one reference point of the search request form; and a computer system for receiving indicating data from a sensing device for identifying at least one parameter relating to the search request, the indicating data being indicative of the identify of the search request form and a position of the sensing device relative to the search request form, the sensing device sensing the indicating data using at least some of the coded data.