Abstract: A system for recording and retrieving note taking on a notebook form is provided. The system has a printer for printing information relating to note taking and a plurality of coded tags substantially simultaneously on a surface to generate the form, and a processor for receiving interaction data generated by a sensing device through sensing interaction with the tags printed on the form during the note taking. Each coded tag encodes data on an identity of the form and a location of that tag on the form. The interaction data is generated to include data on the form identity and at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the sensed tags. The processor records or retrieves the note taking by identifying, from the interaction data, at least one parameter relating to the note taking.

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: An input unit arrangement for controlling an electronic device is provided. The arrangement comprises: a base; a position-coding pattern provided on the base and coding a first and second sets of absolute positions on spatially separate areas of the base. the first and second sets of absolute positions being mutually exclusive and coded by spatially separate first and second subsets of the position-coding pattern; a handheld image-recording device for recording images of the position-coding pattern; and a processor for deriving a position from the position coding pattern in the recorded image, the processor 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. The arrangement enables a user to select different functions by selecting differing areas of the base on which the position-coding pattern is provided.

Abstract: An interactive product is provided. The product comprises a surface having a writing position-code region. The writing position-code region has a first subset of a position-code provided thereon which codes a plurality of positions on the writing position-code region to enable electronic recording of information which is being written on the writing surface position-code region, by means of a sensing device which detects the position-codes. At least one activation icon is coded by a second subset of the position-code representing the activation icon and coding at least one position. The activation icon, when detected by the sensing device, causes the sensing device to initiate a predetermined operation. The sensing device detects the activation icon by reading a flag from at least the second subset of the position-code. The flag distinguishes the second subset of position-code from the first subset of the position-code.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic device is provided. The method comprises: (i) receiving digital ink in the form of positions representing a sensor device's movement across a base that is provided with a position-coding pattern; (ii) determining a subarea of the position-coding pattern and at least one command for said electronic device, based on said digital ink; (iii) determining an address for the electronic device; (iv) and controlling the electronic device by sending said at least one command to the address.

Abstract: An interactive notebook is provided which facilitates an interaction with a computer system. The notebook comprises: (i) one or more sheets having a position-coding pattern disposed thereon; (ii) at least one input field accepting: first markings from an optically-imaging pen which digitally records information entered in the input field, and second descriptive information characterizing the digitally recorded information, wherein the descriptive information facilitates searching of the digitally recorded information; and (iii) an initiation icon which, upon activation by the pen, signals the computer system to record the digitally recorded information based upon the descriptive information.

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 and a computer system. 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.

Abstract: A system for determining a route is provided. The system comprises a map of a geographic area, a sensing device and a computer system. The map includes coded data indicative of the map and a plurality of reference points on the map. The sensing device is operable to sense the coded data, generate indicating data relating to the map's identity and one or more of the reference points, and communicate the indicating data to the computer system. The computer system is operable to receive the indicating data, identify a geographic location from the indicating data and determine a route incorporating the geographic location.

Abstract: A method of interacting with the internet via a printed page is provided. The page has an interactive element and includes graphical information and coded data identifying a page identity and a plurality of locations on the page. The method includes the steps of: interacting with the interactive element on the page using a sensing device, the sensing device sensing some of the coded data; generating indicating data in the sensing device using the sensed coded data, the indicating data identifying the page identity and a position of the sensing device on the page; and sending the indicating data from the sensing device to a first computer system. The method thereby causes the first computer system to identify a URL using the indicating data and a stored page description associated with the page identity.

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 a device to be controlled via a printed control interface is provided. The method includes the steps of: positioning an optical sensing device in an operative position relative to the control interface; sensing coded data on the control interface; generating indicating data in the sensing device using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the control interface and the position of the sensing device relative to the control interface; and transmitting the indicating data to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify a parameter relating to the control instructions and control the device accordingly.

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: Disclosed is a method for inputting graphical information into a computer system. The graphical information may arise when a drawing device is moved relative to a base having a position-coding pattern detectable by an optical sensor in the drawing device. The computer system may record position information arising from a first area of the base as graphical input while recording position information arising from a second area of the base as the selection of a property associated with the graphical input. Such a property may be a visual property, such as line type, line thickness, and color.

Abstract: A method of dialling a number using a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining a print media identifier from the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the print media identifier having been linked to the number; and, automatically dialling, using the mobile telecommunications device, the number.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to access travel services is provided. The method uses a printed form containing information relating to a travel service transaction. The form includes coded data indicative of an identity of the form and of at least one map reference on the form. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from an optically-imaging pen regarding the identity of the form and a position of the pen relative to the form, the pen, when placed in an operative position relative to the form, sensing at least some of the coded data and generating the indicating data using at least some of the sensed coded data; and (b) identifying, in the computer system and from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to the travel service transaction.

Abstract: A computer system configured for operating graphic design software to enable a user to perform graphic design activity using an interface surface. The interface surface contains information relating to the graphic design software. The interface surface includes coded data having a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity. The computer system is configured to receive indicating data from a sensing device. When the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, the sensing device is adapted to sense at least one coded data portion and generate indicating data at least partially indicative of the identity. The computer system then determines, using the indicating data, a determined identity. The computer system is then adapted to retrieve, using the determined identity, a layout indicative of the information on the interface surface.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a game of the type comprising the steps of noting written information on a surface with the aid of a writing means. The surface is provided with a position-coding pattern and the writing means is a combined writing and reading unit, which continually reads its movement across the surface. The information is converted into transmittable data and is sent via a communication system to a recipient which returns feedback on the received information.

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: 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 system 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.