System for recording recordation of packaged item

• US 7,959,079 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2010
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): St Cyr; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/834,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20100276481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/383, 235/385, 235/494, 705/10, 705/14, 705/23
• US Class Current: 235/383
• 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 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/171 by use of digital ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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

Abstract

A system for recording a transaction of a packaged item. The system includes the item having a product contained in a package and an optically imaging pen. The package has a printed interface surface containing information relating to the item and coded data indicative of an identity of the item and of coordinates of a plurality of locations on the interface surface. The pen has a marking nib for marking the interface surface; an image sensor for optically imaging the coded data when said marking nib is used to mark the interface surface; a processor for generating indicating data indicative of the identity of the item and of a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and a transceiver for communicating the indicating data to a computer system so as to initiate recordation of the transaction.

Claims

1. A system for recording a transaction of a packaged item, the system including:

(A) the item comprising a product contained in a package, said package having a printed interface surface containing information relating to the item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the item and of coordinates of a plurality of locations on the interface surface; and

(B) an optically imaging pen comprising;

a marking nib for marking the interface surface;

an image sensor for optically imaging at least some of the coded data in the vicinity of the sensing device when said marking nib is used to mark the interface surface;

a processor for generating indicating data indicative of the identity of the item and of at least one position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and

means for communicating the indicating data to a computer system so as to initiate recordation of the transaction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured for identifying that the user has entered a handwritten signature onto the interface surface by means of the pen.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer system is configured for effecting an operation associated with the handwritten signature.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured for:

receiving user data from the pen regarding an identity of the user, the pen being programmed with the user data; and

recording, with reference to the user data and the indicating data, the transaction of the packaged item.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said package comprises a label having said interface surface.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pen contains an identifier which imparts a unique identity to the sensing device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said recordation of the transaction is a recordation in a shipping or transportation service.