Abstract: A system and method for identifying temporal positions in audio data and accessing the identified temporal positions are disclosed. “Audio bookmarks” are created by using various types of input, such as accessing a printed control with a smart pen, providing a voice command to the smart pen or providing a written command to the smart pen to identify temporal positions within the audio data. Alternatively, one or more rules are applied to audio data by a pen-based computing system to identify temporal positions in the audio data. The audio bookmarks are associated with one or more visual, auditory or tactile indicators showing the location of the audio bookmarks in the audio data. When an indicator is accessed, a portion of the audio data is played beginning from the temporal position associated with the accessed indicator. Additional data, such as written data, may also be associated with an indicator.

Abstract: A “self-addressing” writing surface, such as paper, includes an encoded identifier that is uniquely associated with the recipient or a group of recipients. A pen-based computing system is used to capture writing made on the writing surface. The captured writing and the recipient identifier are sent electronically to a routing system, which identifies the recipient to which the content is to be routed based on the recipient identifier. The routing system forwards the message to the identified recipient, thereby enabling communication from the writer to the recipient associated with the writing surface.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a user-specific smart pen application is created from a template application using customer authoring tools. The template application contains computer program code that is to be executed by a processor of a smart pen. Application content and a representation for printed content are received. The application content, provided by user or customer, defines functional interactions between the printed content representation and a smart pen. The template application is combined with application content to generate a user-specific application comprising instructions for being executed on a processor of a smart pen. The user-specific application is stored on a storage medium.

Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, a user-specific smart pen application is created from a template application using customer authoring tools. The template application contains computer program code that is to be executed by a processor of a smart pen. Application content and a representation for printed content are received. The application content, provided by user or customer, defines functional interactions between the printed content representation and a smart pen. The template application is combined with application content to generate a user-specific application comprising instructions for being executed on a processor of a smart pen. The user-specific application is stored on a storage medium.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying captured written data associated with a writing surface using a pen-based computing system are described. In one embodiment, a series of writing surfaces, such as notebooks, are produced, each including a plurality of pages that have an encoded pattern. In an embodiment, each writing surface is also associated with an identifier recognizable by a smart pen or other data capture device. When the smart pen captures written data from a writing surface, the smart pen determines whether the pen-based computing system includes stored written data previously captured from a writing surface having the same encoded pattern as the writing surface from which written data is currently being captured.

Abstract: Interactive digital content for printed materials is provided using applications executing in a smart pen computing system. The applications and the printed materials may be developed by separate entities but appear well integrated from the perspective of a user of the smart pen computing system. Printed content produced by a first entity is obtained. The printed content is associated with a dot pattern. An application associated with the printed content and linked to the dot pattern is produced by a separate second entity. The application includes computer program instructions for, responsive to a selection within the dot pattern, invoking a function related to the printed content. The selection within the dot pattern may be made using a smart pen device, and the function may include presenting output to a user through an output device (e.g., a display or speaker) of the smart pen device.

Abstract: Interactive digital content for printed materials is provided using applications executing in a smart pen computing system. The applications and the printed materials may be developed by separate entities but appear well integrated from the perspective of a user of the smart pen computing system. Printed content produced by a first entity is obtained. The printed content is associated with a dot pattern. An application associated with the printed content and linked to the dot pattern is produced by a separate second entity. The application includes computer program instructions for, responsive to a selection within the dot pattern, invoking a function related to the printed content. The selection within the dot pattern may be made using a smart pen device, and the function may include presenting output to a user through an output device (e.g., a display or speaker) of the smart pen device.

Abstract: A tutorial apparatus is disclosed. The tutorial apparatus is to be operated by a user, and includes a processor unit and a memory unit coupled to the processor unit. The memory unit includes code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus, code for forming a problem using the user-selected study material, and code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material.