Computer system interface surface with coded marks

• US 6,789,731 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Kia, Silverbrook, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US10/291,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20030094496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/487, 235/494, 235/470, 235/435
• US Class Current: 235/380
• 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 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• 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 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to 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 3/1284 : Local printer device
• 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 20/346 : Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 : Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 : Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 : Character recognition
• 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: G06V 30/1426 : by sensing position defining codes on a support
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1448 : based on markings or identifiers characterising the document or the area
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• 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 2201/3243 : 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

Abstract

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

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 at least one interactive element relating to the computer software, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, 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; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses indicating data indicative of the at least one interactive element 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 at least one interactive element 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 an accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each mark represents one of a plurality of coded values.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the coded value represented by a mark is at least partially determined by the position of the mark relative to the set of predetermined nominal mark positions.

5. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the predetermined nominal mark positions are arranged relative to a plurality of nominal lines.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

7. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than 12 millimeters.

2. A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system, the method including the steps of:

providing an interface surface containing;

information relating to the computer software; and

coded data indicative of at least one interactive element relating to the computer software, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, 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; and

in the computer system;

(a) receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the indicating data being indicative of;

the at least one interactive element; and

at least one of movement data and position data generated by the sensing device,

the movement data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface system,

the position data being indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s position relative to the interface system,

the indicating data being generated when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface and senses at least some of the coded data;

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

(c) identifying the at least one interactive element 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 at least one interactive element.

8. 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 at least one interactive element relating to the computer software, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, 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; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses indicating data indicative of the at least one interactive element 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 system being configured to, in the computer system;

(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 at least one interactive element 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 at least one interactive element.

10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data includes information to identify the interactive element.

11. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interactive element is a checkbox field relating to the computer software, the computer system being configured to:

identify that the user has entered a hand-drawn mark by means of the sensing device; and

effect an operation associated with the checkbox field.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the computer system is configured to associate a true value with the checkbox field.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the computer system is configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the checkbox field.

14. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interactive element is a text field relating to the computer software, the computer system being configured to:

identify that the user has entered handwritten text data by means of the sensing device; and

effect an operation associated with the text field.

15. A system according to claim 14, the computer system being configured to convert the handwritten text data to computer text.

16. A system according to claim 15, the computer system being configured to associate the computer text with the text field.

17. A system according to claim 15, the computer system being configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the text field.

18. A system according to claim 15, the computer system being configured to convert the handwritten text data to computer text using an online handwriting recognition program.

19. A system according to claim 8 or 9, further including the sensing device.

20. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interactive element is a signature field relating to the computer software, the computer system being configured to:

identify that the user has entered a handwritten signature by means of the sensing device; and

effect an operation associated with the signature field.

21. A system according to claim 20, the computer system being configured to verify that the signature is that of the user.

22. A system according to claim 21, the computer system being configured to use a signature key associated with the user to generate a digital signature of at least data indicative of a name and/or value of at last one field related to the computer software.

23. A system according to claim 22, the computer system being configured to associate the digital signature with the signature field.

24. A system according to claim 20, the computer system being configured to send, to the computer software, data indicative of at least the signature field.

25. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interactive element is a drawing field related to the computer software, the computer system being configured to:

identify that the user has entered a hand-drawn picture by means of the sensing device; and

effect an operation associated with the drawing field.

26. A system according to claim 25, the computer system being configured to send, to the computer software, data indicative of at least the drawing field.

9. A system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system, the system including:

an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of at least one interactive element relating to the computer software, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, 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;

the system being configured to, in the computer system;

(a) receive indicating data from a sensing device, the indicating data being indicative of the at least one interactive element, wherein the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses the indicating data 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;

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

(c) identify the at least one interactive element 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 at least one interactive element.