Abstract:
A method and system for electronic data entry using an electronic reading device that detects at least one position of the electronic reading device relative to a predefined address pattern of a specially formatted surface. Data relating to the at least one detected position is transmitted, preferably via a wireless interface using a radio transceiver. The data is received by a separate electronic device that performs an operation using the received data, wherein the operation corresponds to an area on the address pattern that contains the at least one detected position. The operation, for example, can include initiating a hyperlink function.
Abstract:
A method and system for displaying feedback in an electronic reading device system. An electronic reading device is used to detect portions of an address pattern on a formatted surface. The detected portions are converted into feedback that is then displayed on an electronic display device. The feedback can include a textual representation of information written with the electronic reading device, help information for an application associated with the adress pattern, or a retrieval of other stored information.
Abstract:
A system and method for providing user input to a device of any type uses an electronic reader. The device can be any type of physical object and includes an address pattern statically printed thereon or generated in the background of a display. By detecting a portion of the address pattern, the device can be identified and a particular location on the device can be determined. This information can be used to control or otherwise provide input to the device, such as when the device is an electronic device, or to initiate a function or store information relating to one or more detected positions of the electronic reader.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for performing electronic commerce transactions uses an electronic reading device having a sensor that detects portions of an address pattern. An electronic commerce client communicates with a remote electronic commerce server to perform an electronic commerce transaction in accordance with portions of the address pattern detected by the sensor. For example, the detected portions of the address pattern can be converted by the electronic commerce client into electronic commerce transaction data and sent to the electronic commerce server.
Abstract:
A method and system for controlling, configuring, and unlocking an electronic device utilizes a reading sensor for detecting a portion of an address pattern on a formatted surface. In particular, the address pattern on the surface is formatted such that a position on the address pattern can be determined by detecting only a small portion of the address pattern. A processor identifies whether the detected position of the address pattern is within an electronic reading device configuration area and, if so, converts position data received from the reading sensor into a configuration setting or control function for the electronic device. The conversion can be performed, for example, by translating the detected position(s) into an alphanumeric character. The configuration setting is then stored in the electronic reading device and/or in a server associated therewith or the control function is performed. Alternatively, instead of converting detected positions into a configuration setting, detected positions can be converted into an unlocking code (e.g., a PIN or signature), which is then compared with a stored user identifier. If a match occurs, the electronic reading device is enabled or unlocked.
Abstract:
A method and system for scanning printed information involves detecting both a portion of information printed on a surface and an associated portion of an address pattern included on the surface. Both the portion of the printed information and the portion of the address pattern are detected at approximately the same time using a reading sensor on an electronic reading device. The printed information can be reconstructed electronically from the detected portions of the printed information using the positional information provided by the associated portions of the address pattern.
Abstract:
A method and system for operating a user interface uses an electronic reading device to detect a portion of an address pattern. A client device receives data identifying the detected portion of the address pattern and uses the data to request a corresponding application description. The request is sent to an application server that retrieves the corresponding application description and forwards it to the client device. The application description includes an address pattern grid description that is further forwarded to the electronic reading device. The electronic reading device stores the grid description and uses it to identify positions corresponding to successively detected portions of the address pattern, to determine whether the positions are within the current grid description, to generate strokes from the positions, and to initiate actions based on the generated strokes. Action data is then sent to the client device, which processes the data in accordance with the application description. In addition, by pre-establishing certain groupings of positions, positions detected by the electronic reading device that are within the same grouping can be manipulated in a consistent manner.
Abstract:
A method and system for electronic information sharing is implemented between two electronic reading devices. A first electronic reading device detects portions of an address pattern. The address pattern is formatted such that a position of the first electronic reading device relative to the address pattern can be determined from the detected portions of the address pattern. A communication interface between the first electronic reading device and a second electronic reading device facilitates a sharing of information between the electronic reading devices. For example, information relating to the portions of the address pattern detected by the first electronic reading device can be shared with the second electronic reading device.
Abstract:
A method of using a first communications device (2), such as a mobile telephone, together with at least one other communications device (27), such as a telephone, comprises the steps of playing back audio signals in the first communications device (2), transmitting the same audio signals to the other communications device (27), and playing back the audio signals in the other communications device (27). By transmitting the audio signals played back in the first communications device to the other device and playing them back there, shared audio listening is achieved and in this way the communications devices can be used also for the shared listening to e.g. music. Thus it is possible for two persons present at different locations to listen to the same audio signals simultaneously or at least almost simultaneously.