Method and system for information association

• US 20020011989A1
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Original Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Inventors: Westerberg, Ida, Ericson, Petter, Burstrom, Stefan, Andersson, Jan B., Skantze, Kristofer
• Granted Patent: US 7,094,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/17 using hand-held instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/19 by sensing codes defining pattern positions

Abstract

Method and system for information association based on an absolute position coding pattern comprising dots or markings which codes coordinates for a position on an imaginary surface. The imaginary surface comprises several regions which are divided in areas, each defined by said coordinates. Handwritten information is digitized by a handheld device which is moved over a surface provided with said pattern and acts like a pen to make notes on the surface. At the same time, the pattern is sensed and coordinates for the pen is calculated regularly. By passing the handheld device over the borderline between areas having different coordinates, a hyperline is generated having a discontinuity. Such a hyperline is easily recognized by the computer system and is used for connecting information at different areas, giving information some properties, like color, or performing an action on the information, such as encryption, or transferring the information to a recipient.

Claims

1. A method for generating an association with regard to information, which is arranged on at least one support provided with an absolute position coding pattern, by means of a handheld device arranged to sense said absolute position coding pattern, characterized by

passing said handheld device over said support for sensing said absolute position coding pattern;

sensing when said handheld device passes over a discontinuity in the absolute position coding pattern;

interpreting said discontinuity as an association regarding the information present on said support.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said support comprises a first area in which said absolute position coding pattern codes continuous first coordinates, and that said information is provided on said first area and is connected to said first coordinates, and in that said support comprises a second area provided with an absolute position coding pattern which codes second coordinates which are discontinuous with said first coordinates;

passing said handheld device in a single movement from one area to the other area, for sensing said discontinuity.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said association involves that a predetermined action is undertaken on said information.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said action comprises sending the information as a message, such as an e-mail, SMS or fax, to a recipient.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said recipient is defined in the information.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said recipient is defined by said association.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said recipient is defined by the coordinates in said second area, which are connected to information about the recipient.

8. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said action comprises storing said information in a predetermined location in a computer system.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said location is a predetermined folder in a personal computer defined by the coordinates of the second area.

10. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said action comprises an operation to be performed on said information, such as encryption or character recognition.

11. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said association involves a qualification of the information.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said qualification is selected from the group comprising:

underline, color, line width, yellow mark, secret, and personal.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the information which is qualified is selected by passing said handheld device from said second area, to said first area and encircling said information to be qualified.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the information which is qualified is selected by passing said handheld device from said second area, to said first area and encircling said information to be qualified and back to said second area.

15. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said first area comprises first information and that said second area comprises second information, and that said association involves that said first and second information are interconnected to a single piece of information.

16. A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in providing at least a further area comprising coordinates which are discontinuous with said first and second coordinates, and passing said handheld device in a single movement over all areas.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said further area comprises a link to personal information, such as a v.card file.

18. A system for generating an association with regard to information, which is arranged on at least one support provided with an absolute position coding pattern, by means of a handheld device arranged to sense said absolute position coding pattern, characterized by

a means for sensing when said handheld device passes over a discontinuity in the absolute position coding pattern;

interpretation means for interpreting said discontinuity as an association regarding the information present on said support.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that said support comprises a first area in which said absolute position coding pattern codes continuous first coordinates, and that said information is provided on said first area and is connected to said first coordinates, and in that said support comprises a second area provided with an absolute position coding pattern which codes second coordinates which are discontinuous with said first coordinates;

which discontinuity is sensed by the handheld device when it passes in a single movement from one area to the other area, for sensing said discontinuity.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said association involves that a predetermined action is undertaken on said information.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said action comprises sending the information as a message, such as an e-mail, SMS or fax, to a recipient.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said recipient is defined in the information.

23. A system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said recipient is defined by said association.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that said recipient is defined by the coordinates in said second area, which are connected to information about the recipient.

25. A system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said action comprises storing said information in a predetermined location in a computer system.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that said location is a predetermined folder in a personal computer defined by the coordinates of the second area.

27. A system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said action comprises an operation to be performed on said information, such as encryption or character recognition.

28. A system as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said association involves a qualification of the information.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that said qualification is selected from the group comprising:

underline, color, line width, yellow mark, secret, and personal.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the information which is qualified is selected by passing said handheld device from said second area, to said first area and encircling said information to be qualified.

31. A system as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the information which is qualified is selected by passing said handheld device from said second area, to said first area and encircling said information to be qualified and back to said second area.

32. A system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said first area comprises first information and that said second area comprises second information, and that said association involves that said first and second information are interconnected to a single piece of information.

33. A system as claimed in claim 20, characterized in providing at least a further area comprising coordinates which are discontinuous with said first and second coordinates, and passing said handheld device in a single movement over all areas.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33, characterized in that said further area comprises a link to personal information, such as a v.card file.