Software interaction using an interface surface

• US 7,190,346 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• 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): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABDULSELAM, ABBAS I
• Application Number:
  US11/039,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/156, 345/166, 345/179, 178/19.05, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 382/312, 382/314, 707/101, 715/862, 717/106
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system. The includes generating coded data indicative of at least one interactive element, determining a page description defining a layout of information and coded data relating to the computer software, and printing an interface surface using the page description. The interface surface is then used to allow a sensing device to sense some of the coded data when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface. The sensing device generates indicating data indicative of a user identity stored in the sensing device and the interactive element. The indicating data is then transferred to the computer system which uses the indicating data and the page description to determine instructions associated with the at least one interactive element. The computer system then operates the computer software at least in part using the instructions and user data determined using the user identity.

Claims

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

generating coded data indicative of at least one interactive element;

determining a page description for an interface surface, the page description defining a layout for information relating to the computer software and the coded data;

causing printing of the interface surface by printing the information and the coded data using the page description;

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

a user identity stored in the sensing device; and

,

the interactive element;

identifying, using the indicating data and the page description, instructions associated with the at least one interactive element;

identifying, using the indicating data, user data; and

operating the computer software at least in part using the instructions and the user data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

generating an identity, the coded data being at least partially indicative of the identity; and

,

recording an association between the identity and the page description.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the indicating data is at least partially indicative of an identity, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the indicating data, the identity; and

,

determining, using the identity, the page description.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the coded data and the indicating data are at least partially indicative of an identity, the identity being an identity of at least one of:

the interactive element;

the interface surface; and

,

at least one region of the interface surface.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the coded data is at least partially indicative of a plurality of reference points, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the indicating data, the position of the sensing device; and

,

identifying, using the position and the page description, the interactive element.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the coded data is at least partially indicative of a plurality of reference points, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of movement of the sensing device relative to the interactive element, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the indicating data, the movement of the sensing device; and

,

interpreting, using the page description, the movement as it relates to the interactive element.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the interactive element is a text field relating to the computer software, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

identifying, using the movement, that the user has entered a handwritten text input; and

,

effecting an operation associated with the handwritten text input.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the text field is a signature field, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the movement data, that the user has entered a handwritten signature;

verifying, using the user data, that the signature is that of the user.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the interactive element is a drawing field relating to the computer software, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the movement data, that the user has entered a hand-drawn picture; and

,

effecting an operation associated with the hand-drawn picture.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

receiving indicating data from the sensing device via a relay device;

operating the computer software so as to generate a response; and

,

providing the response to the relay device using the user data, the relay device being responsive to the results to provide the response to the user.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the relay device is a printer, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system, transferring the response to the printer thereby causing the printer to print the response.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the interactive element is indicative of a parameter, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

determining, using the indicating data, a parameter selected by the user; and

,

performing an operation associated with the determined parameter.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data includes sufficient information to identify the at least one interactive element.

14. A method of interacting with computer software running in a computer system, the method including:

requesting an interface surface from a computer system, the computer system being responsive to;

generate coded data indicative of at least one interactive element;

determine a page description for the interface surface, the page description defining a layout for information relating to the computer software and the coded data;

cause printing of the interface surface by printing the information and the coded data using the page description;

designating the at least one interactive element by placing a sensing device in an operative position relative to the interactive element, the sensing device being responsive to;

sense some of the coded data; and

,

generate, using the sensed coded data indicating data at least partially indicative of;

a user identity stored in the sensing device; and

,

the interactive element;

transfer the indicating data to the computer system, the computer system being responsive to the indicating data to;

identify, using the indicating data and the page description, instructions associated with the at least one interactive element;

identify, using the indicating data, user data; and

operate the computer software at least in part using the instructions and the user data.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes, requesting the interface surface using the sensing device.

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

generating coded data indicative of at least one interactive element;

determining a page description for an interface surface, the page description defining a layout for information relating to the computer software and the coded data;

causing printing of the interface surface by printing the information and the coded data using the page description;

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

a user identity stored in the sensing device; and

,

the interactive element;

identifying, using the indicating data and the page description, instructions associated with the at least one interactive element;

identifying, using the indicating data, user data; and

operating the computer software at least in part using the instructions and the user data.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system further includes a printer for printing the interface surface.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the system printer forms a relay device for:

receiving indicating data from the sensing device; and

,

transferring the indicating data to the computer system.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the relay device communicates wirelessly with the sensing device.

20. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system further includes the sensing device, the sensing device including a memory for storing a user identity.