Method and system for delivery of a facsimile using coded marks

• US 6,989,911 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• 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, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLERSON, MARK E
• Application Number:
  US10/291,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.5, 358/1.12, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 358/1.18, 358/400, 358/403, 358/407, 358/440, 358/468, 235/487
• 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 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 of delivering a facsimile, including: providing a printed form for entering a message thereon using a sensing device adapted to read coded data on the form; receiving, in a computer system, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data allowing the message to be electronically captured in the computer system; and transmitting the message to a designated recipient address for facsimile delivery.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a facsimile, including:

providing a printed form for entering a message thereon using a sensing device, said printed form having user information and coded data printed thereon, said sensing device being adapted to read the coded data when placed in an operative position relative to the form, the coded data comprising a plurality of undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, each mark having a minimum radius and a maximum radius, wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius;

receiving, in a computer system, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data allowing the message to be electronically captured in the computer system; and

transmitting the message to a designated recipient address for facsimile delivery.

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

3. A method according to claim 2, 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.

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

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

6. A method according to claim 1, 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.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data includes sufficient information to identify the form.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message is delivered with a reply number for sending a return message, the reply number being valid for a predetermined time only.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a sender of the message indicates on the form, using the sensing device, whether a reply number is to be transmitted with the message.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recipient address is entered on the form in writing, using the sensing device, and the writing is electronically captured and converted into digital form to facilitate transmission of the message.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recipient address is selected from a document provided with an address list and associated user interactive elements with which the sensing device is adapted to interact in order to select the address.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, including receiving, in the computer system, indicating data derived from the coded data, regarding the identity of the form and a position of the sensing device relative to the form in order to identify the form and determine when the sensing device is used to interact with the form.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, including receiving, in the computer system, at least one of movement data and position data regarding at least one of a movement and a position of the sensing device relative to the form.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, including the sensing device sensing at least one of its movement and position relative to the form using at least some of the coded data.

15. A system for delivering a facsimile, including:

a form with user information and coded data printed thereon, the coded data comprising a plurality of undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions, each mark having a minimum radius and a maximum radius, wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius;

a sensing device for reading the coded data and transmitting interaction data, representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, to allow for electronic capture of a message generated by moving the device relative to the form; and

a computer system for receiving the interaction data from the device and transmitting the message to an address for facsimile delivery.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein each mark represents one of a plurality of coded values.

17. A system according to claim 16, 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.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined nominal mark positions are arranged relative to a plurality of nominal lines.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

20. A system according to claim 15, 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.

21. A system according to claim 15, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data includes sufficient information to identify the form.

22. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer system is adapted to deliver the message with a reply number, valid for a predetermined time only.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the computer system includes the reply number dependent upon a sender'"'"'s instruction, indicated by interaction of the device with an appropriate user interactive element on the form.

24. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the computer system includes a fax application for receiving and formatting the message for transmission to a fax server, the fax application further serving to allocate the reply number.

25. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coded data serves to identify the form and at least one point of the form.

26. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer system is adapted to receive at least one of movement data and position data regarding at least one of a movement and a position of the sensing device relative to the coded data, in order to capture the message.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the sensing device senses at least one of the movement and position of the sensing device relative to the form using at least some of the coded data.