Infrastructure for management and communication of information

• US 7,788,315 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Original Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Inventors: Johansson, Örjan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Philip C
• Assistant Examiner(s): RECEK, JASON D
• Application Number:
  US10/101,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,085 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/223
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

An information management system comprises a product provided with a position code a digital pen capable of reading the position code, a look-up unit, and a plurality of databases connected to the digital pen via a first communication path. The databases include a pen database, a position database, and an event database. The information management system also includes an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path.

Claims

1. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region; and

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction; and

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via the second communication path.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is arranged for connection to a host unit providing a graphical user interface.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the host unit is a web server.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is arranged for connection to a host unit providing a site on a public network.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to the position database via the second communication path.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the interface unit allows actors that provide the position code on the product to allocate, in the position database, one or more positions for specific information management.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the actors include the additional entity or a service handler that receive information registered with the digital pen.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the additional entity includes a manufacturer of the product.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit allows the additional entity to associate said position data with a network address.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit allows an owner of the digital pen to access at least part of said transaction data in the event database.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is unique to the digital pen, and wherein the interface unit is connected to the pen database.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit allows a manufacturer of the digital pen to register said identifier in the pen database.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the digital pen is locked by changing the setting.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the digital pen is changed to block communication between the look-up unit and the digital pen.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein the pen database associates a public encryption key with the digital pen, and wherein the interface unit allows a manufacturer of the digital pen to store said public encryption key in the pen database.

16. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a host unit which is arranged for communication with the interface unit, said host unit providing a site on a public network.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the host unit arranged for communication with at least one operator database of at least one operator of a communication network.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein an owner of the digital pen accesses transaction data from said at least one operator database, said transaction data relating to communication to and from the digital pen in the system.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein an owner of the digital stores or changes individual application settings in said at least one operator database.

20. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction; and

an application database storing user-specific data of an application program associated with the digital pen; and

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

21. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction; and

an application database storing user-specific data of an application program associated with the digital pen;

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path; and

an external interface unit, separate from the interface unit, and used to provide access to the application database,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

22. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction; and

an application database storing user-specific data of an application program associated with the digital pen;

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path; and

a server unit configured to send an electronic message based on information written on the product by the digital pen,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the user-specific data includes information corresponding the user of the digital pen, and the information is included in the electronic message.

24. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region; and

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction;

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path; and

a server unit configured to send an electronic message based on information written on the product by the digital pen,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

25. An information management system comprising:

a product provided with a position code;

a digital pen capable of reading the position code;

a look-up unit communicating with the digital pen via a first communication path, wherein the look-up unit includes an identifier corresponding to the digital pen;

a plurality of databases including;

a pen database storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen, wherein the pen database is configured to communicate with the digital pen via the first communication path and by using the identifier;

a position database storing position data which associates said position code with rules for information management, wherein the digital pen communicates a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

an event database storing event data tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen, the event database configured to store error information when an error is caused during the transaction; and

an application database storing user-specific data of an application program associated with the digital pen;

an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, and used to provide access to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path;

an external interface unit, separate from the interface unit, and used to provide access to the application database; and

a server unit configured to send an electronic message based on information written on the product by the digital pen,

wherein the user-specific data includes information corresponding the user of the digital pen, and the information is included in the electronic message,

wherein a user of the digital pen or an additional entity changes the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path,

wherein the user or the additional entity retrieves the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path, and

wherein the user or the additional entity views the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

26. A method of coordinating actors in an information management system including a product provided with a position code and a digital pen capable of reading the position code, the method comprising:

linking the digital pen and a look-up unit of the information management system via a first communication path;

providing an identifier corresponding to the digital pen to the look-up unit;

storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen in a pen database;

linking the digital pen and the pen database via the first communication path;

storing position data in a position database, the position data associating said position code with rules for information management;

sending, from the digital pen, a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen by storing event data corresponding to the transaction in an event database;

storing error information in the event database when an error is caused during the transaction;

linking an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path;

changing the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path;

retrieving the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path; and

presenting the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path.

27. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

linking the interface unit with a host unit that provides a graphical user interface.

28. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

linking the interface unit with a host unit that provides a site on a public network.

29. A method to claim 26, further comprising:

allocating one or more positions for specific information management in the position database.

30. A method to claim 26, wherein the actors include one of a service handler, a manufacturer of the product, or a manufacturer of the digital pen.

31. A method to claim 26, further comprising:

associating said position data with a network address.

32. A method to claim 26, further comprising:

enabling a subscription service corresponding to the digital pen.

33. A method to claim 26, further comprising:

locking the digital pen by changing the setting.

34. A method to claim 26, further comprising:

blocking communication between the look-up unit and the digital pen by changing the setting.

35. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

associating a public encryption key with the digital pen; and

storing the public encryption key in the pen database.

36. A method of coordinating actors in an information management system including a product provided with a position code and a digital pen capable of reading the position code, the method comprising:

linking the digital pen and a look-up unit of the information management system via a first communication path;

providing an identifier corresponding to the digital pen to the look-up unit;

storing a setting corresponding to the digital pen in a pen database;

linking the digital pen and the pen database via the first communication path;

storing position data in a position database, the position data associating said position code with rules for information management;

sending, from the digital pen, a region identifier to the position database by using the look-up unit to access the position database via the first communication path, the region identifier identifying a region including at least one position which is coded by the position code and including a local position corresponding to a location of the one position in the region;

tracking a transaction performed by using the look-up unit in association with the digital pen by storing event data corresponding to the transaction in an event database;

storing error information in the event database when an error is caused during the transaction;

storing, in an application database, user-specific data of an application program associated with the digital pen;

linking an interface unit, separate from the look-up unit, to the pen database, the position database, and the event database via a second communication path that is separate from the first communication path;

changing the setting by using the interface unit to access the pen database via the second communication path;

retrieving the position data by using the interface unit to access the position database via the second communication path;

presenting the event data by using the interface unit to access the event database via second communication path;

send an electronic message based on information written on the product by the digital pen; and

including the user-specific data in the electronic message.