Computer system control via interface surface and sensor with identifier

• US 7,048,178 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US10/291,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20030102366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/435, 235/439
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting transparent or white coloured liquids, e.g. processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 19/02 starting with single sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0006 by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: B42P 2261/04 Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/34 from supports slid from under the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/04 for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling adhering replacement to expiring web during change of web roll B65H19/18
• 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 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 : resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 : Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 : Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 : Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 : Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 : multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 : Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 : the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 : with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00358 : Type of the scanned marks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00376 : Means for identifying a mark sheet or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 : Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 : by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 : attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3247 : Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A method and system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via an interface surface and a sensing device. The interface surface contains information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of a drawing field. When placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, the sensing device senses indicating data indicative of the drawing field and generates movement data indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface. The indicating and movement data are received in the computer system from the sensing device. The drawing field is identified and then the computer software is operated at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the drawing field.

Claims

1. A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of a drawing field, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a predetermined pattern; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and, using the sensed coded data;

generates indicating data indicative of the drawing field; and

generates at least one of movement data and position data, the movement data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface, the position data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s position relative to the interface surface;

the method including the steps of, in the computer system;

(a) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receiving at least one of the movement data and the position data from the sensing device;

(c) identifying the drawing field from the indicating data; and

(d) operating the computer software at least partly in reliance on at least one of the movement data and the position data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the drawing field.

2. A method according to claim 1, the method further including the steps of, in the computer system, associating at least one of the movement data and the position data with the drawing field.

3. A method according to claim 1, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the drawing field.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the drawing field is associated with a visible drawing zone defined on the interface surface.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each mark has a plurality of possible values.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the value of a mark is at least partially determined by its position relative to the predetermined pattern.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern includes a plurality of lines.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the lines are not visible.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than about 12 mm.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimetre diameter area of the coded data indicative of an interactive element includes sufficient information to identify the drawing field.

12. A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative an identity of the interface surface, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a predetermined pattern; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and, using the sensed coded data;

generates indicating data indicative of the identity of the interface surface; and

generates at least one of movement data and position data, the movement data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface, the position data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s position relative to the interface surface;

the method including the steps of, in the computer system;

(a) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receiving at least one of the movement data and the position data from the sensing device;

(c) performing written gesture recognition in relation to at least one of;

at least some of the movement data; and

at least some of the position data; and

p2 (d) in the event that a written gesture is recognised, operating the computer system in accordance with instructions associated with the written gesture and the interface surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the selection gesture includes at least one of circumscribing and underlining at least some of the information.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein position elements are disposed on the interface surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements as it is used to draw the hand-drawn user input onto the surface, the method including the step of generating the movement data in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device over time with respect to at least one of the position elements.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein each mark has a plurality of possible values.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the value of a mark is at least partially determined by its position relative to the predetermined pattern.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined pattern includes a plurality of lines.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the lines are not visible.

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than about 12 mm.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

21. A method according to claim 12, wherein any 10 millimetre diameter area of the coded data indicative of an interactive element includes sufficient information to identify the drawing field.

22. A system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of a drawing field, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a predetermined pattern; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and, using the sensed coded data;

generates indicating data indicative of the identity of the interface surface; and

generates at least one of movement data and position data, the movement data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface, the position data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s position relative to the interface surface;

the computer system being configured to;

(a) receive the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receive at least one of the movement data and the position data from the sensing device;

(c) identify the drawing field from the indicating data; and

(d) operate the computer software at least partly in reliance on at least one of the movement data and the position data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the drawing field.

23. A system according to claim 22, the computer system further being configured to associate at least one of the movement data and the position data with the drawing field.

24. A system according to claim 22, the computer system being configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the drawing field.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein the drawing field is associated with a visible drawing zone defined on the interface surface.

26. A system according to claim 22, wherein each mark has a plurality of possible values.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the value of a mark is at least partially determined by its position relative to the predetermined pattern.

28. A system according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined pattern includes a plurality of lines.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the lines are not visible.

30. A system according to claim 22, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than about 12 mm.

31. A system according to claim 22, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

32. A system according to claim 22, wherein any 10 millimetre diameter area of the coded data includes sufficient information to identify the drawing field.

33. A system of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative an identity of the interface surface, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a predetermined pattern; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and, using the sensed coded data;

generates indicating data indicative of the identity of the interface surface; and

generates at least one of movement data and position data, the movement data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface, the position data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s position relative to the interface surface;

the computer system being configured to;

(a) receive the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receive at least one of the movement data and the position data from the sensing device;

(c) perform written gesture recognition in relation to at least one of;

at least some of the movement data; and

at least some of the position data; and

(d) in the event that a written gesture is recognised, operate the computer software in accordance with instructions associated with the written gesture and the interface surface.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the selection gesture includes circumscribing or underlining at least some of the information.

35. A system according to claim 33, wherein position elements are disposed on the interface surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements as it is used to draw the hand-drawn user input onto the surface, the system the computer system being configured to generate the movement data in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device over time with respect to at least one of the position elements.

36. A system according to claim 33, wherein each mark has a plurality of possible values.

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein the value of a mark is at least partially determined by its position relative to the predetermined pattern.

38. A system according to claim 33, wherein the predetermined pattern includes a plurality of lines.

39. A system according to claim 38 wherein the lines are not visible.

40. A system according to claim 33, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than about 12 mm.

41. A system according to claim 33, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

42. A system according to claim 33, wherein any 10 millimetre diameter area of the coded data includes sufficient information to identify the drawing field.