System and method for delivering a greeting card to a user

• US 7,446,893 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Jacqueline Anne, Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia, Gabriel I
• Application Number:
  US11/107,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.9, 358/3.28, 358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/448, 358/474, 358/402
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or 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 system for delivering a greeting card using a form, the form including information relating to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data relating to the at least one interactive element. The coded data is coincident with the information so that when a sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interactive element, the sensing device senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data is received by a computer system which identifies, using the indicating data, the at least one interactive element and deliveres, using the at least one interactive element, a greeting card to a recipient address.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a greeting card using a form, the form including information relating to at least one interactive element associated with the delivery of a greeting card and coded data relating to the at least one interactive element, t least some of the coded data being coincident with the information, and wherein the system includes a computer system for:

receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device when placed in an operative position relative to the information, sensing at least some of the coded data and generating indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the at least one interactive element;

identifying, using the indicating data, the at least one interactive element; and

,

delivering, using the at least one interactive element, a greeting card to a recipient address.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the coded data is at least partially indicative of an identity, and wherein the computer system is for:

determining, using the indicating data, the identity;

determining, using the identity, a page description; and

,

identifying, using the page description, the at least one interactive element.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the identity is at least one of:

an identity of the form;

an identity of a region of the form; and

,

an identity of the at least one interactive element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating data is at least partially indicative of a stroke, the stroke defining a sequence of sensing device positions determined from the sensed coded data, the sequence of sensing device positions being at least one of:

a sequence of relative positions; and

,

a sequence of absolute positions.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the coded data includes a number of data portions, each data portion having a unique data portion identity indicative of a location of the coded data portion on the form, and wherein the computer system is for:

determining, from the indicating data, the data portion identity of each sensed data portion;

determining, using each data portion identity and a map, the location of each sensed data portion;

determining from each location, the movement of the sensing device relative to the at least one interactive element.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the coded data includes a number of data portions, each data portion coincident with the at least one interactive element having an identical data portion identity, wherein the indicating data is generated by:

sensing a number of images of the coded data;

comparing the images to determine common features in sequential images; and

,

determine movement of the sensing device relative to the at least one interactive element by determining changes in position of the common features between the sequential images.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the stoke is indicative of a hand-written text input, and wherein the computer system is for performing text recognition on the handwritten text input, thereby to generate computer text.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the computer system is for:

determining, using the stroke, a handwritten signature; and

,

determining, using a user identity, a predetermined signature;

verifying the user by comparing the handwritten signature to the predetermined signature.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the indicating data includes an identifier obtained from the sensing device, and wherein the computer system is for:

determining, using the indicating data, the identifier; and

,

determining, using the identifier, the user identity.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes the sensing device, the sensing device comprising:

(a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface; and

(b) a processor adapted to;

(i) identify at least some of the coded data from at least one of the captured images;

(ii) determine an orientation and position, within at least one of the captured images, of at least some of the coded data;

(iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and

(iv) generate the indicating data using at least some of the decoded coded data and the determined orientation and position.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system includes a relay device for:

receiving the indicating data from the sensing device; and

,

transferring the indicating data to the computer system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the relay device is a printer, the printer including:

a first communications module for communicating with the sensing device; and

,

a second communications module for communicating with the computer system.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensing device includes a data store for storing a sensing device identifier, and wherein the sensing device generates the indicating data using the identifier, the relay device using the identifier to receive any response from the computer system.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the computer system is for:

transferring print data to a printer, the printer being responsive to the print data to print a form by printing;

the information; and

,

the coded data.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer system is for:

determining the information;

determining an identity, the identity being at least partially indicative of the at least one interactive element;

determining a layout defining an arrangement for at least one of;

coded data at least partially indicative of the identity; and

,

the information;

recording an association between the layout and the identity; and

,

generating the print data, the print data being at least partially indicative of;

the identity;

the layout; and

the information.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is for determining, using the interactive element, at least one of:

a message associated with the card;

a recipient address; and

,

a selected one of a number of available cards.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the form includes a list formed from a number of list items, including at least one of:

a number of card categories and images of the greeting cards of each category;

a number of recipient addresses;

a number of messages for inclusion in the card; and

,

wherein the computer is for determining, using the indicating data, a selected list item.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the recipient address corresponds to at least one of:

a printer address and the card is delivered by printing at that address;

an electronic mail address and an image of the card is delivered to that address; and

,

a street address and the card is sent to a proximate mail service for printing and delivery to the street address.