Abstract: A method of: enabling an entrant to enter a competition; and limiting subsequent communication between a competition administrator and the entrant; via a sensing device interacting with machine-readable coded data on a printed competition entry form, the method comprising the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving interaction data representing the interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data enabling the competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; transmitting the competition entry to the competition administrator; and enabling transmission of up to a predetermined number of electronic messages from the competition administrator to the entrant.

Abstract: Provided is a method for managing competition entry by means of products having printed labels, the labels having human-readable information relating to a competition and machine-readable coded information relating to an identity of the label and being uniquely indicative of the product item. The label includes regions selected from the group consisting of information fields, buttons, and entry fields. The method includes the steps of receiving from a sensing device the machine-readable coded data, generating interaction data based on the received coded data, correlating the interaction data with a competition, and recording an entry in the competition based on the correlated interaction data. The method also includes the step of transmitting information relating to the competition entry for display on a display device.

Abstract: A system for anonymous communication between a user and a software application is provided, via interaction of an optical imaging device with an interactive surface to generate interaction data. The device has a unique identity which is associated with the user's identity. The interaction data includes data on the application and device identities. The system has a computer system which receives the interaction data generated by the optical imaging device, identifies the application and the device from the identity data included in the received interaction data, translates the identified application and device identities into an alias identity, sends the alias identity and interaction data to the identified application, receives information from the identified application addressed to the alias identity, and forwards the information from the application to the user via the alias identity.

Abstract: A system for providing anonymous competition entry is provided. The system has a sensing device configured to sense coded data on a form and generate interaction data there from. The coded data has a plurality of tags each encoding data on an identity of the form and the location of that tag on the form. The interaction data represents the interaction of the sensing device with the tags. The system further has a computer system configured to identify a digital description associated with the form from the form identity represented by the interaction data, capture a competition entry by determining locations in the digital description associated with the locations of the interacted tags represented in the interaction data, and assign a competition alias identifier to the interaction data.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous entry to a competition via a printed competition entry form that includes 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 the competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; assigning a competition alias ID to the competition entry; and transmitting the competition entry to a competition administrator with the competition alias ID, thereby enabling the anonymous entry to the competition.

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, computer system and display device. 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. Interaction with at least one of the buttons using the sensing device causes the computer system to display information on the display device.

Abstract: A system for anonymous communication between a user and a software application is provided, via interaction of an optical imaging device with an interactive surface to generate interaction data. The device has a unique identity which is associated with the user's identity. The interaction data includes data on the application and device identities. The system has a computer system which receives the interaction data generated by the optical imaging device, identifies the application and the device from the identity data included in the received interaction data, translates the identified application and device identities into an alias identity, sends the alias identity and interaction data to the identified application, receives information from the identified application addressed to the alias identity, and forwards the information from the application to the user via the alias identity.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous communication between a user and an application server, via interaction of a sensing device with coded data disposed on a surface to generate interaction data, the method including the steps, performed in a computer system, of: identifying a first telecommunication address of the user from: an identity of the sensing device received or determined in the computer system; or the interaction data; associating a temporary telecommunication address with the first telecommunication address; sending the temporary telecommunication address and interaction data to an application; receiving information from the application addressed to said temporary telecommunication address; and forwarding the information from the application to the first telecommunication address.

Abstract: Provided is a method for managing competition entry by means of products having printed labels, the labels having human-readable information relating to a competition and machine-readable coded information relating to an identity of the label and being uniquely indicative of the product item. The label includes regions selected from the group consisting of information fields, buttons, and entry fields. The method includes the steps of receiving from a sensing device the machine-readable coded data, generating interaction data based on the received coded data, correlating the interaction data with a competition, and recording an entry in the competition based on the correlated interaction data. The method also includes the step of transmitting information relating to the competition entry for display on a display device.

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 enabling competition entry is provided using a printed product label provided on a product item. The system has a sensing device, computer system and display device. 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. Interaction with at least one of the buttons using the sensing device causes the computer system to display information on the display device.

Abstract: A method of limiting communication between an application and a user, via a sensing device interacting with machine-readable coded data printed on a surface, the method comprising the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving interaction data representing the interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data enabling identification of the application; transmitting information based on at least some of the interaction data to the application; and enabling transmission of up to a predetermined number of electronic messages from the application to the user.

Abstract: A product label for enabling entry to a competition, the product label comprising: machine-readable coded data indicative of at least an identity of the label, said machine-readable coded data being readable by a sensing device as the sensing device is moved across the product label, thereby to produce interaction data for enabling the competition entry; human-readable information pertaining to the competition, the human-readable information being at least partially coincident with the machine-readable coded data, the human-readable information including at least one field element that has a corresponding zone defined in relation to it in a page description stored in a remote computer system.

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 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: 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 of creating a series of font characters (101) on a computer system (150) is disclosed. A series of font outlines (111) and source artwork (112); a series of manipulation tools (116) for the manipulation of aspects of the outlines and artwork. Such an arrangement provides for the creation of substantially arbitrarily complex font structures from the outlines, artwork and manipulation tools. A series of font characters is then formed through the application of the complex font structures to each of a base font outline in the series of font characters. Preferably, the complex font structures can comprise a graphical expression tree of operations (120) to be performed in the creation of a font and the tree includes an outline of a font character. The manipulation tools can include tools for distorting, replacing or compositing the outline of a font and can further include the tools for the application of morphological and non-morphological effects to the font outlines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a user interface system which enables the parameters (eg character infilling, character color, character opacity, color saturation, etc) of a character font (or other image) to be selected in sequence. Of the maximum possible combination of selectable sequences, some are disabled in order to deliberately simplify the choice available to the user. The disablement is preferably selectively activatable to assist first time and new users but not inhibit experienced users. The characters (FIGS. 1 and 2) are able to be generated on a conventional general purpose computer (100). The interface system is vendible as a computer program product.

Abstract: The kerning of text modified in various ways is disclosed. The text can be modified by distortion or perturbation. In one way no unmodified text character pair kerning distance is stored. The kerning distance (x) is calculated as typesetting proceeds. In another way, an unmodified text character pair kerning distance (k1) is used but modified by the amplitude of the text perturbing functions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and computer program product for positioning a plurality of sub-images such as spheres or circles within a bounded image (such as a character). The size (eg radius) and/or packing density of the sub-images can be varied in accordance with the distance of a point where the sub-image is to be located from a reference line (131, 171) which can be internal or external of the bounded image. The use of actual and virtual dimensions (ra, rv) enables overlapping and spaced apart sub-images to be created. A threshold test is also able to prevent display of sub-images below a certain size.