Abstract: In an input unit arrangement use is made of an input unit in combination with a mouse pad, which is provided with a position-coding pattern which codes coordinates for a plurality of positions on the mouse pad. Areas on the mouse pad are provided with subsets of the position-coding pattern which are dedicated to different functions. The input unit can be caused to optically read the position-coding pattern, whereupon the input unit arrangement decodes the positions that are coded locally on the mouse pad. By placing the input unit within the various areas on the mouse pad, a user can make the input unit arrangement carry out various functions, such as automatically switching from a mouse function, in which a cursor is controlled on a display on the basis of the decoded position, to an input function, in which information via the input unit is inputted into an electronic device, such as a computer, telephone, PDA etc.

Abstract: A device for recording hand-written information in the form of characters, symbols, graphs, drawings, calligraphy and similar hand-written information defined by a hand movement, comprises recording means (3) which are adapted to be moved by a hand which carries out the hand movement and to record a plurality of images with partially overlapping contents while the recording means are being moved. The device further comprises image-processing means (4) which are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the aid of the partially overlapping contents for providing a description in digital format of how the unit has been moved and, in this way, a digital representation of the hand-written representation. A method of recording hand-written information is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a computer program are described for developing a product (110), and services associated with the product, which product has at least one activation area (308) which is provided with a position code (403) that codes at least one position on an imaginary surface (601), which position causes a device (710) that detects the position code (403) to initiate an operation that utilizes information recorded by the device (710). A digital representation of at least part of the product comprising image points is produced, each image point in the digital representation of the activation area (308) corresponding to a position on the imaginary surface (601). A digital template that can be used for making the digital representation of the product is also described.

Abstract: A method and a computer program are described for developing a product (110), and services associated with the product, which product has at least one activation area (308) which is provided with a position code (403) that codes at least one position on an imaginary surface (601), which position causes a device (710) that detects the position code (403) to initiate an operation that utilizes information recorded by the device (710). A digital representation of at least part of the product comprising image points is produced, each image point in the digital representation of the activation area (308) corresponding to a position the imaginary surface (601).

Abstract: A hand-held user unit (1), which can be part of a network-based information management system, allows for the writing down and recording of handwritten information. The user unit (1) has a memory for storing the recorded information. The memory comprises a first memory part (M1) located in the user unit and a second memory part (M2) located in an external data storage device, which memory parts are connected in such a way that, from the point of view of a user, they form a coherent memory unit. Methods for memory management in such a user unit are also described.

Abstract: A product for electronic transmission of handwritten information, a user unit for recording and sending the information, and a computer program for controlling a user unit are disclosed. The product may include at least one writing area for the handwritten information and an address area indicating an address to which the handwritten information is to be sent. A position-coding pattern in the form of a plurality of symbols may be reproduced in the writing area, an arbitrary position area of a predetermined size of the position-coding pattern unambiguously defining a position on the product. The address area may include an address-coding pattern with a plurality of symbols, an arbitrary address portion of a predetermined size of the address-coding pattern unambiguously defining part of the address.

Abstract: An input unit has a mouse function and at least one inputting function. The input unit comprises image-recording means (8) which record images. These images are used for providing both the mouse function and the inputting function. The images are processed in the input unit or in some other unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of effecting in a computer system transmission of data between a digital user unit and a computer resource, the user unit being adapted to detect positions on a base which is provided with a part of a global position-coding pattern. The invention is characterized in that a request for access to a computer resource is received, using a first protocol stack, by the computer system from the user unit, said request containing a position indication, relating to which part of the global position-coding pattern that has been detected by the user unit. The computer system gains access to a computer resource using a communication mode and a second protocol stack. The communication mode is chosen based on the position indication. Only the second protocol stack comprises TCP/IP functionality, so that only data transmitted between the computer system and the computer resource comprises routing information.

Abstract: A product for electronic transmission of handwritten information, a user unit for recording and sending the information, and a computer program for controlling a user unit are disclosed. The product may include at least one writing area for the handwritten information and an address area indicating an address to which the handwritten information is to be sent. A position-coding pattern in the form of a plurality of symbols may be reproduced in the writing area, an arbitrary position area of a predetermined size of the position-coding pattern unambiguously defining a position on the product. The address area may include an address-coding pattern with a plurality of symbols, an arbitrary address portion of a predetermined size of the address-coding pattern unambiguously defining part of the address.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a printer for printing graphical information on a surface. The printer includes a print head for printing indicia on the surface and an image sensor for recording an image of the surface. The recorded image contains a position-coding pattern that identifies a position on the surface. A processor converts the recorded image into a recorded position, and the print head then prints indicia on the surface based on a comparison of the recorded position with the graphical information to be printed.

Abstract: A payment product has a writing area (6c) which is intended for a user's signature. In the writing area there is a first position-coding pattern (5) which makes possible digital recording of the signature. The first position-coding pattern is a subset of a larger second position-coding pattern. The payment product is used in a payment system which is based on electronic payment information, which has been recorded by means of the position-coding pattern, being sent to a server unit, which utilizes the position-coding pattern to check that the payment information is valid.

Abstract: A calendar comprises a plurality of pages and a plurality of calendar areas, each of which identifies a unique time period and is adapted to receive handwritten entries for that time period. The calendar areas are provided with a code which makes it possible to create an electronic back-up of a handwritten entry which is made in the calendar area. An arrangement for electronic storage of the entry which is made in the physical calendar is adapted to record the handwritten entry electronically and to determine the unique time period with which the entry is associated so that the entry can be stored in the correct position in a digital calendar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in connection with transfer of information, a system and a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable components for transfer of information. The invention is based on the idea that a user telecommunication address is associated with a temporary telecommunication address. The temporary address, designating the server, is then sent to a service handler. The service handler sends information to said temporary telecommunication address. The server knows the coupling between the temporary address and the user address, and forwards the service handler information to the user address. By employing this concept, it is not possible for a service handler to send information directly to the user telecommunication address, since the service handler does not know said user address, but must send its information to the user address via the server, which knows the coupling between the temporary telecommunication address and the user telecommunication address.

Abstract: A position-coding pattern (3) which extends across a surface and codes a plurality of positions (7a, 7b) on the surface is described. The coding in a first dimension is based on the use of a first and a second string of symbols, each containing a predetermined number of symbols and each having the characteristic that if a specific number of symbols is taken from the first string of symbols, the location of these symbols in the string of symbols is unambiguously determined. By means of displacements between these strings of symbols, a large number of positions can be coded in the first dimension. A third string of symbols of the same type is used for the coding in a second dimension.

Abstract: In a method for matching two images, each consisting of a plurality of pixels and having partially overlapping contents, the degree of correspondence between the contents of the images is determined for different displacement positions representing different overlappings of the images. More specifically, a plurality of numbers are determined for each one of a plurality of said displacement positions. Each number is formed with the aid of pixel values from both images and is used to simultaneously retrieve predefined overlap assessment values for at least two of said displacement positions. The overlap assessment values retrieved are subsequently used to determine the degree of correspondence between the images for the different displacement positions. The method is carried out with the aid of a computer and can be implemented as a computer program.

Abstract: A payment product has a writing area (6c) which is intended for a user's signature. In the writing area there is a first position-coding pattern (5) which makes possible digital recording of the signature. The first position-coding pattern is a subset of a larger second position-coding pattern.

Abstract: A product is provided with a coding pattern, which codes position information in the form of coordinates for a plurality of points on the product with the aid of a plurality of marks belonging to each point. The marks have a first parameter which varies for coding of the position information. The marks additionally have a second parameter which varies for coding of further information in the coding pattern. A method and a device for coding of the coding pattern and a method and a device for decoding of the coding pattern are also described.

Abstract: An information management system is intended for management of digitally represented information which is associated with absolute positions on an imaginary surface (200). The imaginary surface (200) contains at least two regions (201-208), each of which is dedicated to predetermined management of the digitally represented information. In the system the management of the digitally represented information is carried out on the basis of the region affiliation of the absolute positions associated with the information. The system is suitably based on use of a position-coding pattern which defines the imaginary surface (200) and which in parts is applicable on different bases. The system makes possible both digital recording of information and control of how the information thus recorded is to be managed.

Abstract: A system for information management comprises a look-up unit (4), in which are stored particulars about a plurality of regions (5′), each of which represents an area on at least one imaginary surface (5) and is allocated an address. A user unit (2) records electronically information which comprises one or more positions on the imaginary surface (5) and sends all or parts of the recorded information to the look-up unit (4). When the look-up unit (4) receives the recorded information, it identifies, based on the position content of the recorded information, a region (5′) on the imaginary surface (5) and sends the address which is allocated to the identified region to the user unit (2).

Abstract: An arrangement for handling charge card purchases has a digital pen (1; 1′) which is arranged to record the signature of a charge card purchaser in digital form when the purchaser writes the signature on a physical charge card receipt (2; 40) using a pen point (17) arranged on the digital pen. The arrangement also has a signal-processing means (16; 33) which is arranged to produce a digital charge card receipt, which corresponds to the physical charge card receipt, by storing the digital signature together with digital purchase information relating to the charge card purchase to which said physical charge card receipt relates. A charge card receipt and a method of handling charge card purchases are also disclosed.