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 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: A method of allowing a user to participate in an auction. The method includes, in a computer system, determining, information relating to the auction, and generating coded data indicative of at least one parameter relating to the auction. The computer system then determines a layout defining an arrangement for at least one of the coded data and the and the information before causing printing of a form by causing printing of the coded data and the information using the layout. The coded data is adapted to be sensed by a sensing device which can generating indicating data indicative of the at least one parameter. The computer is responsive to the indicating data to determine the at least one parameter, thereby allowing the user to participate in the auction.

Abstract: The present invention provides determines a route using a computer system, a map and a user operated sensing device, wherein: the map shows a geographic area and includes coded data that is indicative of the map, and reference points on the map; the sensing device is operable to sense the coded data and generate indicating data relating to the map's identity and one or more of the reference points; and, the computer system is operable to identify a geographic location from the indicating data. The sensing device is positioned relative to the map to generate indicating data specifying a point on the route; and, the indicating data is sent to the computer system for it to determine a route incorporating the specified point.

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 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 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.

Abstract: A method of authorising 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 authorisation parameter. The computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device which is indicative of the authorisation parameter, movement of the sensing device and an identifier. The computer system determines the authorisation parameter and movement of the sensing device using the indicating data, and then authorises the user using the determined movement, the authorisation parameter and the identifier, before performing a search in response to a successful authorisation.

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 enabling users to perform a search. The method includes providing a user with a search request form including information relating to a search request, the search request form having coded data indicative of an identity of an interactive element. A computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device, via a relay device, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of an identifier and at least one of the identity, movement of the sensing device at least partially within the interactive element, or a position of the sensing device at least partially within the interactive element. The computer system determines the interactive element, using the indicating data, and from this determines a search request. The search is performed using the search request, with the results being provided to the relay device using the identifier, the relay device being responsive to the results to provide the results of the search to the user.

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 of enabling a user to search stored information via an interactive search request form is provided. The form includes a search field for inputting a handwritten search request and coded data indicative of an identity of the form and of a plurality of locations within the search field. The method comprises the steps of: (a) inputting a handwritten search request in the search field using a sensing device; (b) receiving in a computer system indicating data from the sensing device, the indicating data comprising data regarding the identity of the form and data regarding the position and/or movement of the sensing device relative to the at least one search field, the sensing device generating the indicating data when writing the handwritten search request; and (c) identifying in the computer system, using at least some of the indicating data, a search request corresponding to the handwritten search request.

Abstract: A method of producing an interactive map using a computer system. The method includes determining graphic data indicative of a visible representation of a map of a geographic area and determining an identity. The computer system then generates coded data indicative of the identity and of a plurality of reference points of the map, and records an association between the identity and a page description, the page description being indicative of a layout of the coded data and the graphic data. The computer system then causes the map to be printed by printing of the graphic data and the coded data onto a surface using the layout.

Abstract: A method of performing data searches on a network includes the step of maintaining a database of electronic documents on a computer system forming a node on the network, such that each electronic document is associated with at least one resource description. Search form print data is generated at the computer system 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. Print instructions are received from the computer system at a printer via the network. The search form is printed at the printer. The coded data is sensed at a sensing device operatively connected to the printer. Search instructions generated by the sensing device are written to the computer system, via the printer and the network. A search is carried out on the network, in response to the instructions, based on the, or each, parameter. Search result print data is generated at the computer system, representing the results of the search.

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 method of enabling Internet-based requests for data includes the step of maintaining a database of electronic documents, each of which are associated with at least one resource description. A document representing one of the electronic documents is printed such that the document carries information relating to the search to be carried out and coded data representing at least an identity of the printed document, the coded data being capable of being read by a sensor device. A signal carrying the coded data is received from the sensor device. The signal is decoded to extract the identity of the printed document. Information based on the resource description associated with said one of the electronic documents is retrieved from the Internet. A further document carrying said information is printed.

Abstract: A method of conferencing between two or more remote conference participants via an interactive conference form is provided.

Abstract: A computer system for enabling handwritten note taking and retrieval utilizing 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, the computer system including a processor and being adapted to receive 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 processor being adapted to identify, from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to the notebook activity.

Abstract: A method of interacting with an Internet webpage via a corresponding printed page is provided. The webpage has at least one web interactive element and the printed page has at least one corresponding interactive element. The printed page further includes coded data indicative of an identity of the webpage and of at least one reference point of the printed page.

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.