Method and system for creation and use of a photo album

• US 7,350,236 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• 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): JUNG, DAVID YIUK
• Application Number:
  US09/575,186
• Time in Patent Office: 2,863 Days
• Field of Search: 713200-202, 707 3- 10, 707100-102, 726/2, 726/26, 726/16, 726/17, 726/20, 715/502, 715/709
• US Class Current: 726/26
• 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 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• 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: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/60 for printing on both faces of the printing material
• 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: B43K 23/008 Holders comprising finger grips B43K23/004, B43K23/012 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 24/06 operated by turning means
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/02 : Clips
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/00 : Combinations of writing implements with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/003 : with optical equipment, e.g. magnifier, viewer
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/004 : with more than one object
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/08 : with measuring, computing or indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/093 : with calculators
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/10 : with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/005 : Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/02 : Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges B43K7/01 takes precedence
• 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: C09D 11/50 : Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4393 : Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 : Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 : using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 : Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• 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 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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 3/1285 : Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• 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: G06Q 20/3821 : Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 : involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 : Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/19 : by sensing codes defining pattern positions
• 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: G07D 7/005 : Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/128 : Viewing devices
• 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 1/00206 : Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence
• 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 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• 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 1/00355 : Mark-sheet input sensing record carriers G06K7/00; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40
• 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 1/107 : with manual scanning
• 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 1/32133 : on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32776 : using an interactive, user-operated device, e.g. a computer terminal, mobile telephone H04N1/32782, H04N1/32784 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 : By radio
• 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 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : 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 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 : of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3267 : of motion picture signals, e.g. video clip
• 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 2201/3278 : Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 : Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1798 : with liquid adhesive or adhesive activator applying means

Abstract

A method including providing a user with a photo album form printed on a surface, the photo album form containing information relating to a photo album activity and including coded data indicative of an identity of the photo album form and of a plurality of points on the form; receiving, in a computer system, data from a sensing device operated by the user, the data indicating the identity of the photo album form and a position of the sensing device relative to the photo album form; and identifying, in the computer system and from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to the photo album activity; the method enabling the user to compose and print pages of photos suitable for inclusion in a photo album.

Claims

1. A method of enabling the creation and use of a photo album via at least one photo album form printed on a surface, the photo album form containing graphic information relating to a photo album activity, said graphic information being superimposed with a plurality of coded data tags, each coded data tag containing a dot code identifying:

(i) the photo album form; and

(ii) the tag'"'"'s own location on the photo album form,

the method comprising the steps of;

maintaining, in a computer system, a page description for the photo album form, said page description describing a type and zone of an interactive element of the form;

receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from a sensing device operated by said user, said indicating data regarding the identity of the photo album form and a position of the sensing device relative to the photo album form, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the photo album form, generating the indicating data by sensing at least some of the code;

retrieving said page description to enable interpretation of the received indicating data; and

identifying in the computer system, using the indicating data, the retrieved page description and the zone relative to which the sensing device is located, at least one parameter relating to the photo album activity,

wherein said parameter relating to the photo album activity is associated with said zone of the photo album form.

2. The method of claim 1 which includes the steps of:

receiving, in the computer system, data regarding movement of the sensing device relative to the photo album form, the sensing device sensing its movement relative to the photo album form, using at least some of the sensed code; and

identifying, in the computer system and from said movement being at least partially within said at least one zone, said at least one parameter of the photo album activity.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the parameter is an action parameter of the photo album activity, the method including effecting, in the computer system, an operation in respect of the action parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, in which the action parameter of the photo album activity is selected from the group comprising:

creating a photo album;

selecting an existing photo album;

deselecting an existing photo album;

selecting an existing photo album page;

deselecting an existing photo album page;

inserting a page into a photo album;

moving a photo album page;

copying a photo album page;

zooming a view of a photo album page;

applying a background grid to a view of a photo album page;

updating a view of a photo album page;

inserting a photograph on a photo album page;

editing the appearance of a photograph on a photo album page;

arranging at least one photograph on a photo album page;

deleting a photograph from a photo album page;

converting handwritten annotation to electronic text;

listing available photo frames;

listing available photo album page background textures;

printing a photo album page; and

editing an individual photograph.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the parameter is an option parameter of the photo album activity, the method including identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered a hand-drawn mark by means of a sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the option parameter.

6. The method of claim 5 in which the option parameter is associated with at least one of:

selecting a photo album;

selecting a photo album page;

a graphic applicable to a photograph; and

a caption associated with a photograph.

7. The method of claim 1 in which the parameter is a text parameter of the photo album activity, the method including identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered handwritten text data by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the text parameter.

8. The method of claim 7 which includes converting, in the computer system, the handwritten text data to computer text.

9. The method of claim 7 in which the text parameter is associated with at least one of:

a photo album name;

a photo album page name; and

an annotation associated with a photograph.

10. The method of claim 1 in which the parameter is an authorization parameter of the photo album activity, the method including identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered a handwritten signature by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the authorization parameter.

11. The method of claim 10 which includes verifying, in the computer system, that the signature is that of the user.

12. The method of claim 11 in which the authorization parameter is associated with accessing a selected photograph.

13. The method of claim 1 in which the parameter is a graphical parameter of the photo album activity, the method including identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered hand-drawn graphical information by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the graphical parameter.

14. The method of claim 13 in which the graphical parameter is associated with an annotation associated with a photograph.

15. The method of claim 1 in which at least one of the one or more photo album forms contains information relating to at least one of:

an identity of the photo album user;

the date of the photo album activity;

the time of the photo album activity;

a photo album name;

a photo album page count;

a photo album page number;

a photograph image; and

a printed photo album page.

16. The method of claim 1, the surface being a paper page, the method including printing the page on demand.

17. The method of claim 16 which includes printing the page and, at the same time that the page is printed, printing the tags on the page.

18. The method of claim 17 which includes printing the tags to be substantially invisible in the visible spectrum.

19. The method of claim 1 which includes retaining a retrievable record of each photo album form generated, the photo album form being retrievable using its identity as contained in the code.

20. The method of claim 1 in which the photo album form comprises at least one printed photo album page.

21. The method of claim 1 in which the sensing device contains an identification means which imparts a unique identity to the sensing device and identifies it as being associated with a particular user and in which the method includes monitoring, in the computer system, said identity.

22. The method of claim 1 which includes providing all required information relating to the photo album activity on the at least one photo album form, to eliminate the need for a separate display device.

23. The method of claim 1 in which the photo album form is provided on multiple pages and in which the method includes binding the pages.

24. A system for enabling the creation and use of a photo album via at least one photo album form printed on a surface, the photo album form containing graphic information relating to a photo album activity, said graphic information being superimposed with a plurality of coded data tags, each coded data tag containing a dot code identifying:

(i) the photo album form and (ii) the tag'"'"'s own location on the photo album form,

said system comprising;

a computer system configured for;

maintaining a page description for the photo album form, said page description describing a type and zone of an interactive element of the form;

receiving indicating data from a sensing device operated by a user involved in the photo album activity;

said indicating data regarding the identity of the photo album form and a position of the sensing device relative to the photo album form, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the photo album form, generating the indicating data by sensing at least some of the code;

retrieving said page description; and

using the indicating data, the retrieved page description and the zone relative to which the sensing device is located, to identify at least one parameter relating to the photo album activity,

wherein said parameter relating to the photo album activity is associated with said zone of the photo album form.

26. The system of claim 24 in which said at least one parameter of the photo album activity is selected from the group comprising an action parameter of the photo album activity, an option parameter of the photo album activity, a text parameter of the photo album activity, an authorization parameter of the photo album activity, and a graphical parameter of the photo album activity.

27. The system of claim 26 in which the action parameter of the photo album activity is selected from the group comprising:

creating a photo album;

selecting an existing photo album;

deselecting an existing photo album;

selecting an existing photo album page;

deselecting an existing photo album page;

inserting a page into a photo album;

moving a photo album page;

copying a photo album page;

zooming a view of a photo album page;

applying a background grid to a view of a photo album page;

updating a view of a photo album page;

inserting a photograph on a photo album page;

editing the appearance of a photograph on a photo album page;

arranging at least one photograph on a photo album page;

deleting a photograph from a photo album page;

converting handwritten annotation to electronic text;

listing available photo frames;

listing available photo album page background textures;

printing a photo album page; and

editing an individual photograph.

28. The system of claim 26 in which the option parameter is associated with at least one of:

selecting a photo album;

selecting a photo album page;

a graphic applicable to a photograph; and

a caption associated with a photograph.

29. The system of claim 26 in which the text parameter is associated with at least one of:

a photo album name;

a photo album page name; and

an annotation associated with a photograph.

30. The system of claim 26 in which the authorization parameter is associated with accessing a selected photograph.

31. The system of claim 26 in which the graphical parameter is associated with an annotation associated with a photograph.

32. The system of claim 24 in which the sensing device includes a marking nib.

33. The system of claim 24 in which the sensing device contains an identification means which imparts a unique identity to the sensing device and identifies it as being associated with a particular user.

34. The system of claim 24 in which the surface is a printed paper page, and in which the system includes a printer for printing the photo album form on the paper page on demand.

35. The system of claim 34 in which the printer prints the tags at the same time as printing the photo album form on the paper page.

36. The system of claim 24 in which the code is substantially invisible in the visible spectrum.

37. The system of claim 24 in which the photo album form comprises at least one printed photo album page.

38. The system of claim 24 which includes a database for keeping a retrievable record of each photo album form generated, each photo album form being retrievable by using its identity as included in the code.

25. The system of including the sensing device, the sensing device sensing its movement relative to the photo album form, using at least some of the code.