Computer system interface surface with reference points and processing sensor

• US 7,289,103 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• 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): LAO, LUN YI
• Application Number:
  US10/291,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,813 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-179, 178/18.03, 178 1901- 1907, 178/18.01, 382/100, 382/112, 358/3.28, 235/487, 235/494, 347/86, 347/98, 106/31.14
• 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 2/1752 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. A user is provided with an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of an identity of the interface surface and of at least one reference point of the interface surface. The user places a sensing device into an operative position relative to the interface surface. In this operative position, the sensing device senses indicating data indicative of: the identity of the interface surface; and a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface, using at least some of the coded data. The computer system receives the indicating data from the sensing device, and uses the indicating data to identify at least one interactive element relating to the computer software. The computer software is then operated in accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element.

Claims

1. A method of enabling users to interact with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface having disposed therein or thereon information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of an identity of the interface surface and of at least one reference point of the interface surface, wherein the coded data is in invisible in the visible spectrum and wherein the information relating to the computer software is visible in the visible spectrum; and

a sensing device comprising;

(a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface; and

(b) a processor adapted to;

(i) identify at least some of the coded data from one or more of the captured images;

(ii) determine an orientation, within the captured images, of at least some of the coded data;

(iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and

(iv) generate, using at least some of the decoded coded data, indicating data indicative of;

the identity of the interface surface; and

at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface;

the method including the steps of, in the computer system;

(a) storing a page instance defining an association between the identity and a description of the interface surface;

(b) providing at least the description and the identity to a printer;

(c) controlling the printer to print the interface surface using the description and the identity provided to the printer, wherein the coded data is printed at the same time as the information;

(d) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device operated by the user;

(e) using the indicating data and the description to identify at least one interactive element relating to the computer software; and

(f) operating the computer software in accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interactive element is associated with a zone of the interface surface, and step (b) includes using at least one of the position and the movement of the sensing device to identify the zone and thereby the interactive element.

5. The method of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the processor is housed within the sensing device.

6. The method of claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the processor is adapted to operate at processing speeds ranging from 1 instruction per second to 1×

10¹² instructions per second.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the processor is adapted to operate at processing speeds ranging from 10 instructions per second to 1×

10⁶ instructions per second.

8. The method of claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the image sensor is housed within the sensing device.

9. The method of claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the image sensor is adapted to capture images at rates ranging from 1 image per second to 1,000 images per second.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the image sensor is adapted to capture images at rates ranging from 10 images per second to 200 images per second.

11. The method of claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the coded data comprises non-barcode coded data.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the interactive element is a checkbox field relating to the computer software, the method including the steps of identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered a hand-drawn mark by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the checkbox field.

13. The method according to claim 12, including the step of associating, in the computer system, a true value with the checkbox field.

14. The method according to claim 12, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the checkbox field.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the interactive element is a text field relating to the computer software, the method including the steps of identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered handwritten text data by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the text field.

16. The method according to claim 15, including the step of converting, in the computer system, the handwritten text data to computer text.

17. The method according to claim 16, including the step of associating, in the computer system, the computer text with the text field.

18. The method according to claim 15, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the text field.

19. The method according to claim 16, including the step of converting, in the computer system, the handwritten text data to computer text using an online handwriting recognition program.

20. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the interactive element is a signature field relating to the computer software, the method including the steps of identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered a handwritten signature by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the signature field.

21. The method according to claim 20, including the step of verifying, in the computer system, that the signature is that of the user.

22. The method according to claim 21, including the step of generating, in the computer system and using a signature key of the user, 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. The method according to claim 22, including the step of associating, in the computer system, the digital signature with the signature field.

24. The method according to claim 20, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the signature field.

25. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the interactive element is a drawing field related to the computer software, the method including the steps of identifying, in the computer system, that the user has entered a hand-drawn picture by means of the sensing device and effecting, in the computer system, an operation associated with the drawing field.

26. The method according to claim 25, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the drawing field.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the identity being directly associated with the description of the interface surface.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the association is recorded prior to the printing of the interface surface.

3. A method of enabling users to interact with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface having disposed therein or thereon information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of an identity of the interface surface and of at least one reference point of the interface surface, the coded data comprising a plurality of dots positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal dot positions, wherein the coded data is invisible in the visible spectrum and wherein the information relating to the computer software is visible in the visible spectrum; and

in the computer system;

(a) storing a page instance defining an association between the identity and a description of the interface surface;

(b) providing at least the description and the identity to a printer;

(c) controlling the printer to print the interface surface using the description and the identity provided to the printer, wherein the coded data is printed at the same time as the information;

(d) receiving indicating data from a sensing device operated by the user, the indicating data being indicative of;

the identity of the interface surface; and

at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface;

(e) using the indicating data and the description to identify at least one interactive element relating to the computer software; and

(f) operating the computer software in accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element,

wherein the sensing device comprises;

(a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface; and

(b) a processor adapted to;

(i) identify at least some of the coded data from one or more of the captured images;

(ii) determine an orientation, within the captured images, of at least some of the coded data;

(iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and

(iv) generate at least some of the indicating data using at least some of the decoded coded data.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the interactive element is associated with a zone of the interface surface, and step (b) includes using at least one of the position and the movement of the sensing device to identify the zone and thereby the interactive element.

29. A system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface having disposed therein or thereon information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of an identity of the interface surface and of at least one reference point of the interface surface, wherein the coded data is invisible in the visible spectrum and wherein the information relating to the computer software is visible in the visible spectrum; and

a sensing device comprising;

(a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface; and

(b) a processor adapted to;

(i) identify at least some of the coded data from one or more of the captured images;

(ii) determine an orientation, within the captured images, of at least some of the coded data;

(iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and

(iv) generate, using at least some of the decoded coded data, indicating data indicative of;

the identity of the interface surface; and

at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface;

the system including a computer system for;

(a) storing a page instance defining an association between the identity and a description of the interface surface;

(b) providing at least the description and the identity to a printer;

(c) controlling the printer to print the interface surface using the description and the identity provided to the printer, wherein the coded data is printed at the same time as the information;

(d) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device operated by the user;

(e) using the indicating data and the description to identify at least one interactive element relating to the computer software; and

(f) operating the computer software in accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the interactive element is associated with a zone of the interface surface, the system being configured to use at least one of the position and the movement of the sensing device to identify the zone and thereby the interactive element.

33. The system according to claim 29 or 31, further including the sensing device.

34. The system of claim 29 or 31, wherein the processor is housed within the sensing device.

35. The system of claim 29 or 31, wherein the processor is adapted to operate at processing speeds ranging from 1 instruction per second to 1×

10¹² instructions per second.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the processor is adapted to operate at processing speeds ranging from 10 instructions per second to 1×

10⁶ instructions per second.

37. The system of claim 29 or 31 wherein the image sensor is housed within the sensing device.

38. The system of claim 29 or 31, wherein the image sensor is adapted to capture images at rates ranging from 1 image per second to 1,000 images per second.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the image sensor is adapted to capture images at rates ranging from 10 images per second to 200 images per second.

40. The system of claim 29 or 31, wherein the coded data comprises non-barcode coded data.

41. The system according to claim 29 or 31, 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.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the computer system is configured to associate a true value with the checkbox field.

43. The system according to 42, wherein the computer system is configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the checkbox field.

44. The system according to claim 29 or 31, 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.

45. The system according to claim 44, the computer system being configured to convert the handwritten text data to computer text.

46. The system according to claim 45, the computer system being configured to associate the computer text with the text field.

47. The system according to 44, the computer system being configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the text field.

48. The system according to claim 45, the computer system being configured to convert the handwritten text data to computer text using an online handwriting recognition program.

54. The system according to any one of claims 29 and 31, 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.

55. The system according to claim 54, the computer system being configured to send, to the computer software, data indicative of at least the drawing field.

31. 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 an identity of the interface surface and of at least one reference point of the interface surface, wherein the coded data is invisible in the visible spectrum and wherein the information relating to the computer software is visible in the visible spectrum;

a computer system for;

(a) storing a page instance defining an association between the identity and a description of the interface surface;

(b) providing at least the description and the identity to a printer;

(c) controlling the printer to print the interface surface using the description and the identity provided to the printer, wherein the coded data is printed at the same time as the information;

(d) receiving indicating data from a sensing device operated by the user, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the interface surface and at least one of a position and a movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface;

(e) using the indicating data and the description to identify at least one interactive element relating to the computer software; and

(f) operating the computer software in accordance with instructions associated with the at least one interactive element,

wherein the sensing device comprises;

(a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface; and

(b) a processor adapted to;

(i) identify at least some of the coded data from one or more of the captured images;

(ii) determine an orientation, within the captured images, of at least some of the coded data;

(iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and

(iv) generate at least some of the indicating data using at least some of the decoded coded data.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the interactive element is associated with a zone of the interface surface, the system being configured to use at least one of the position and the movement of the sensing device to identify the zone and thereby the interactive element.

49. The system according to 29 or 31, 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.

50. The system according to claim 49, the computer system being configured to verify that the signature is that of the user.

51. The system according to claim 50, 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.

52. The system according to claim 51, the computer system being configured to associate the digital signature with the signature field.

53. The system according to claim 49, the computer system being configured to send, to the computer software, data indicative of at least the signature field.