CA2400604A1 - Method and device for processing of information - Google Patents
Method and device for processing of information Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2400604A1 CA2400604A1 CA002400604A CA2400604A CA2400604A1 CA 2400604 A1 CA2400604 A1 CA 2400604A1 CA 002400604 A CA002400604 A CA 002400604A CA 2400604 A CA2400604 A CA 2400604A CA 2400604 A1 CA2400604 A1 CA 2400604A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- information
- user unit
- pattern
- coding pattern
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F40/00—Handling natural language data
- G06F40/10—Text processing
- G06F40/166—Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
- G06F40/174—Form filling; Merging
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J21/00—Column, tabular or like printing arrangements; Means for centralising short lines
- B41J21/16—Column, tabular or like printing arrangements; Means for centralising short lines controlled by the sensing of marks or formations on the paper being typed, an undersheet, or the platen
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
Abstract
This invention concerns a method for generating a form, a method for recording form data, which arises when a corresponding form is completed, for an information entry, and a corresponding form. The form comprises a form layout with at least one entry field which is printed on a base in the form of a sheet. It is characterised in that the base is provided with a position-coding pattern, the entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit which is arranged to optically detect positions on the sheet, utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of information entered in the entry field; and by and identity pattern on the sheet, a marking of the identity pattern using the user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify the form layout.
Description
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING OF INFORMATION
Field of the Invention This invention concerns a method in a system com-prising at least one printer, for generating a form, a corresponding arrangement, and a digital storage medium containing a corresponding computer program. The invention also concerns a method in a computer system for recording form data for an information entry, a cor-responding arrangement and a digital storage medium containing a corresponding computer program. The invention also concerns a form.
Technical Background Forms and the like are used to a considerable extent in today's society. The aim of such forms is to ensure that a user fills in the correct information and that this is carried out in a structured way. Therefore forms usually consist of a sheet of paper containing printed form layouts, with instructions concerning what informa-tion is to be filled in and directions concerning where on the sheet this is to be carried out.
With modern computer technology it is possible to automatically record the information which is entered on a form. The simplest way of doing this is with a flat-bed scanner connected to a computer system. In a simple embo-diment an information file is then created in a graphical format (for example in tiff format). Such simple record-ing makes it possible to create a copy of the form at a later stage. The copy can then be printed and interpreted manually.
It is also possible to process the created file by OCR technology which can recognise text, both in the lay-out of the form and in the fields which have been filled in by a user. Creating a corresponding database form from a scanned image of a form requires, however, comprehen-sive and complicated image analysis software. The identi-ty and orientation of the form is to be determined and the entries on the form are to be identified and distin-guished from the layout of the form. In addition there are many potential sources of error in this process, which means that it must be monitored carefully.
Automatic recording of information which is entered in various forms also requires completed forms to be sent to a place where they can be recorded by a scanner, as it cannot of course be assumed that, for example, an indivi dual filling in a form for a market research survey will have access to an advanced flat-bed scanner with the com-prehensive and expensive software that is required for the subsequent image analysis of the scanned image.
The use of a flat-bed scanner also makes considera-bly more difficult mobile recording of a form in the field, for example in connection with market research surveys.
Summary of the invention An object of this invention is to completely or par-tially solve the above-mentioned problems.
This object is achieved by a method in a system for generating a form according to claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 8, and a digital storage medium containing a computer program according to claim.9; a method in a computer system for recording form data for an information entry according to claim 10, an arrangement according to claim 15, and a digital storage medium containing a computer program according to claim 16; a form according to claim 17 and a method according to claim 21.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for generating a form is provided in a system com-prising at least one computer and at least one printer.
The method comprises the steps, in any order: printout, by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, which base is provided with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect posi-tions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of the information entered in the entry field; and printout, by means of said printer, of an identity pattern on said base, a marking of the iden-tity pattern using said user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions, which identify said form layout.
Such a position-coding pattern can be designed in the way described in Applicant's Patent Applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667, which are herewith incor porated by reference. Moreover, reference is made to WO 01/16691, the content of which is included in the specification by reference.
A form which is printed in accordance with the above-mentioned method is thus intended to be complet-ed using a user unit which at the same time records the entered information. When the form has been completed (or before it is completed), the identifying pattern is marked or a line is drawn through it using the user unit.
This operation can link the information entered in the form to a particular database form in the computer sys-tem. This means at the same time that the information en-tered in a particular entry field can be linked to a par-ticular information entry in the database form, that is position information within a particular area on the sheet is connected to a particular entry on the form. The structuring of the completed information is thus carried out automatically.
Recording of a form created in accordance with the above-mentioned method does not therefore require a flat-bed scanner equipped with advanced software for image analysis. The completion of the form and recording of the information entered is carried out in a single stage. The form does not therefore need to be sent away, but can, for example, be retained as a copy of what was entered on it. Mobile recording can be carried out in the field. The computer system can process the entered information in a simple and structured way and the danger of errors aris-ing in the recording is reduced.
Generally according to the invention, the positional relationship of a form layout and a position-coding pattern is established so that they may be co-ordinated.
Boxes to be ticked or a set of parallel juxtaposed lines can preferably be part of the identity pattern.
These are also found in other contexts and a user under-stands intuitively how they are to be marked.
The positions which identify the form layout can preferably also consist of a description of the scale in which said layout has been printed in relation to the position-coding pattern. This makes it possible for a re-cording system to compensate for a printout which, for example, has been made in too small a scale. As an alternative, the printer may be provided with a position-coding pattern reader device, in order to facilitate the printing of a form layout that is adapted to the position-coding pattern.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, this additionally comprises the step: generation of a database form in the computer system, comprising an information entry which corresponds to the entry field of the printed form, information cor-responding to said digital recording of information en-tered in the entry field being intended to be stored in the information entry. This makes it possible for the same system which prints the form, or a system communi-cating with this, to carry out the recording of the en-tered information into a database form. A form which is printed can then suitably be provided with an identi-fying pattern which not only identifies the form layout but also the individual printed form, which is thus given a unique identifying pattern.
The information which is stored in the information entry can then preferably consist of output data when the 5 computer system applies a rule to input data correspond-ing to said digital recording of information entered in the entry field. The rule's output data is then a proc-essing of its input data. This also permits interpreta-tion of information entered in the information field.
This aspect of the invention also comprises a correspond-ing arrangement for the generation of a form and a digi-tal storage medium containing a computer program for gen-erating a form. These have advantages corresponding to those of the method and can also be varied in an essen-tially similar way.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided in a computer system for inputting form data into an information entry, said form data aris-ing when an entry field in a form, which comprises a form layout printed on a base in the form of a sheet, is com-pleted using a user unit. The method comprises the fol-lowing steps, in any order: recording of a first set of position information corresponding to form data which arises when the entry field is completed by means of the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern; and recording of a second set of position information which arises in the same way when an identity pattern which is printed on the sheet is marked by the user unit, which second set of position informa-tion is intended to identify said form layout.
This aspect of the invention goes together with the first aspect of the invention like a lock and key and thus has corresponding advantages.
Field of the Invention This invention concerns a method in a system com-prising at least one printer, for generating a form, a corresponding arrangement, and a digital storage medium containing a corresponding computer program. The invention also concerns a method in a computer system for recording form data for an information entry, a cor-responding arrangement and a digital storage medium containing a corresponding computer program. The invention also concerns a form.
Technical Background Forms and the like are used to a considerable extent in today's society. The aim of such forms is to ensure that a user fills in the correct information and that this is carried out in a structured way. Therefore forms usually consist of a sheet of paper containing printed form layouts, with instructions concerning what informa-tion is to be filled in and directions concerning where on the sheet this is to be carried out.
With modern computer technology it is possible to automatically record the information which is entered on a form. The simplest way of doing this is with a flat-bed scanner connected to a computer system. In a simple embo-diment an information file is then created in a graphical format (for example in tiff format). Such simple record-ing makes it possible to create a copy of the form at a later stage. The copy can then be printed and interpreted manually.
It is also possible to process the created file by OCR technology which can recognise text, both in the lay-out of the form and in the fields which have been filled in by a user. Creating a corresponding database form from a scanned image of a form requires, however, comprehen-sive and complicated image analysis software. The identi-ty and orientation of the form is to be determined and the entries on the form are to be identified and distin-guished from the layout of the form. In addition there are many potential sources of error in this process, which means that it must be monitored carefully.
Automatic recording of information which is entered in various forms also requires completed forms to be sent to a place where they can be recorded by a scanner, as it cannot of course be assumed that, for example, an indivi dual filling in a form for a market research survey will have access to an advanced flat-bed scanner with the com-prehensive and expensive software that is required for the subsequent image analysis of the scanned image.
The use of a flat-bed scanner also makes considera-bly more difficult mobile recording of a form in the field, for example in connection with market research surveys.
Summary of the invention An object of this invention is to completely or par-tially solve the above-mentioned problems.
This object is achieved by a method in a system for generating a form according to claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 8, and a digital storage medium containing a computer program according to claim.9; a method in a computer system for recording form data for an information entry according to claim 10, an arrangement according to claim 15, and a digital storage medium containing a computer program according to claim 16; a form according to claim 17 and a method according to claim 21.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for generating a form is provided in a system com-prising at least one computer and at least one printer.
The method comprises the steps, in any order: printout, by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, which base is provided with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect posi-tions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of the information entered in the entry field; and printout, by means of said printer, of an identity pattern on said base, a marking of the iden-tity pattern using said user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions, which identify said form layout.
Such a position-coding pattern can be designed in the way described in Applicant's Patent Applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667, which are herewith incor porated by reference. Moreover, reference is made to WO 01/16691, the content of which is included in the specification by reference.
A form which is printed in accordance with the above-mentioned method is thus intended to be complet-ed using a user unit which at the same time records the entered information. When the form has been completed (or before it is completed), the identifying pattern is marked or a line is drawn through it using the user unit.
This operation can link the information entered in the form to a particular database form in the computer sys-tem. This means at the same time that the information en-tered in a particular entry field can be linked to a par-ticular information entry in the database form, that is position information within a particular area on the sheet is connected to a particular entry on the form. The structuring of the completed information is thus carried out automatically.
Recording of a form created in accordance with the above-mentioned method does not therefore require a flat-bed scanner equipped with advanced software for image analysis. The completion of the form and recording of the information entered is carried out in a single stage. The form does not therefore need to be sent away, but can, for example, be retained as a copy of what was entered on it. Mobile recording can be carried out in the field. The computer system can process the entered information in a simple and structured way and the danger of errors aris-ing in the recording is reduced.
Generally according to the invention, the positional relationship of a form layout and a position-coding pattern is established so that they may be co-ordinated.
Boxes to be ticked or a set of parallel juxtaposed lines can preferably be part of the identity pattern.
These are also found in other contexts and a user under-stands intuitively how they are to be marked.
The positions which identify the form layout can preferably also consist of a description of the scale in which said layout has been printed in relation to the position-coding pattern. This makes it possible for a re-cording system to compensate for a printout which, for example, has been made in too small a scale. As an alternative, the printer may be provided with a position-coding pattern reader device, in order to facilitate the printing of a form layout that is adapted to the position-coding pattern.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, this additionally comprises the step: generation of a database form in the computer system, comprising an information entry which corresponds to the entry field of the printed form, information cor-responding to said digital recording of information en-tered in the entry field being intended to be stored in the information entry. This makes it possible for the same system which prints the form, or a system communi-cating with this, to carry out the recording of the en-tered information into a database form. A form which is printed can then suitably be provided with an identi-fying pattern which not only identifies the form layout but also the individual printed form, which is thus given a unique identifying pattern.
The information which is stored in the information entry can then preferably consist of output data when the 5 computer system applies a rule to input data correspond-ing to said digital recording of information entered in the entry field. The rule's output data is then a proc-essing of its input data. This also permits interpreta-tion of information entered in the information field.
This aspect of the invention also comprises a correspond-ing arrangement for the generation of a form and a digi-tal storage medium containing a computer program for gen-erating a form. These have advantages corresponding to those of the method and can also be varied in an essen-tially similar way.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided in a computer system for inputting form data into an information entry, said form data aris-ing when an entry field in a form, which comprises a form layout printed on a base in the form of a sheet, is com-pleted using a user unit. The method comprises the fol-lowing steps, in any order: recording of a first set of position information corresponding to form data which arises when the entry field is completed by means of the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern; and recording of a second set of position information which arises in the same way when an identity pattern which is printed on the sheet is marked by the user unit, which second set of position informa-tion is intended to identify said form layout.
This aspect of the invention goes together with the first aspect of the invention like a lock and key and thus has corresponding advantages.
The information entry can preferably be incorporated in a database form. This enables a complete corresponding virtual form to be created in the computer system.
A rule is suitably applied to the first set of posi-tion information so that output data from the ru=a which is obtained by processing the first set of position in-formation constitutes input data for the information en-try. This also permits field-specific interpretation of information entered in the information field.
The format of the output data of the rule is prefer-ably from the group: Boolean variable, whole number, real number, text string or a graphical format. These Formats can then be processed in various general ways by she com-puter system concerned or by another computer system to which this information is transmitted.
The computer system can preferably be com a=ned in the user unit. This enables both mobile recording and in-terpretation of information which is entered on ~ form.
Processed data can thereafter be forwarded to other sys-terns.
In this aspect of the invention there is also a cor-responding arrangement for entry of form data and a digi-tal storage medium containing a computer program, for en-tering form data. These have corresponding advar.~ages to those of the method and can also be varied in essentially corresponding ways.
According to a third aspect of the inventic~, a form is provided comprising a form layout, with at least one entry field, which is printed on a base in the form of a sheet. The form is characterised in that the base is pro-vided with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect positions on the sheet, utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital re-cording of information entered in the entry field; and by an identity pattern on said sheet, a marking of the iden-tity pattern using the user unit being intended ~o be de-tected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify said form layout.
The form has advantages corresponding to the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
The base in the form of a sheet preferably consists ef a sheet of paper.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. l shows a computer system in which the methods according to the invention can be carried out, a base in the form of a sheet and a user unit of a preferred tv~e.
Fig. 2 shows a form according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the identifying pat-tern.
Fig. 4 shows the application of a number of rules with position information as input data.
Fig. 5 shows a flow chart describing a method for generating forms according to the invention.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart describing a method fcr recording form data for an information entry.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows a computer system 100 in which the methods according to the invention can be carried out, a base 101 in the form of a sheet and a user unit 102 of a preferred type. The user unit preferably comprises an optical sensor.
The described computer system 100 comprises a per-sonal computer 103 to which is connected a display 104 and a keyboard 105. The methods according to the inven-tion can, however, be applied in both larger and smaller computer systems. In the described computer system 100 there is also a printer 106. This can be a laser printer or an ink-jet printer. Other types of printers are also possible.
A rule is suitably applied to the first set of posi-tion information so that output data from the ru=a which is obtained by processing the first set of position in-formation constitutes input data for the information en-try. This also permits field-specific interpretation of information entered in the information field.
The format of the output data of the rule is prefer-ably from the group: Boolean variable, whole number, real number, text string or a graphical format. These Formats can then be processed in various general ways by she com-puter system concerned or by another computer system to which this information is transmitted.
The computer system can preferably be com a=ned in the user unit. This enables both mobile recording and in-terpretation of information which is entered on ~ form.
Processed data can thereafter be forwarded to other sys-terns.
In this aspect of the invention there is also a cor-responding arrangement for entry of form data and a digi-tal storage medium containing a computer program, for en-tering form data. These have corresponding advar.~ages to those of the method and can also be varied in essentially corresponding ways.
According to a third aspect of the inventic~, a form is provided comprising a form layout, with at least one entry field, which is printed on a base in the form of a sheet. The form is characterised in that the base is pro-vided with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect positions on the sheet, utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital re-cording of information entered in the entry field; and by an identity pattern on said sheet, a marking of the iden-tity pattern using the user unit being intended ~o be de-tected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify said form layout.
The form has advantages corresponding to the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
The base in the form of a sheet preferably consists ef a sheet of paper.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. l shows a computer system in which the methods according to the invention can be carried out, a base in the form of a sheet and a user unit of a preferred tv~e.
Fig. 2 shows a form according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the identifying pat-tern.
Fig. 4 shows the application of a number of rules with position information as input data.
Fig. 5 shows a flow chart describing a method for generating forms according to the invention.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart describing a method fcr recording form data for an information entry.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows a computer system 100 in which the methods according to the invention can be carried out, a base 101 in the form of a sheet and a user unit 102 of a preferred type. The user unit preferably comprises an optical sensor.
The described computer system 100 comprises a per-sonal computer 103 to which is connected a display 104 and a keyboard 105. The methods according to the inven-tion can, however, be applied in both larger and smaller computer systems. In the described computer system 100 there is also a printer 106. This can be a laser printer or an ink-jet printer. Other types of printers are also possible.
Fig. 1 shows as mentioned also a base 101 in the form of a sheet of the type which is intended to be used in connection with the invention. The base 101 can con-sist of a sheet of paper, but other materials, such as plastic or a laminate of several materials, are also pos-sible.
The base 101 is provided with a position-coding pat-tern 107 (shown enlarged). This cars be arranged by means of printing. It is, however, also possible to print the position-coding pattern 107 using tie computer systems printer 106. The position-coding pastern 107 is so arranged that if a part of the pattern of a certain mini-mum size is recorded optically then this part of the pat-tern's position in the pattern and hence on the base can be determined unambiguously. The position-coding pat-tern can advantageously be of such a type as shown in Ap-plicant's previous Applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667, where each position is coded by a plurality of symbols and where one symbol is used to code a plurality of positions. The position-coding pattern 107 shown is constructed as shown in WO 00/73983, where a larger dot represents a "one" and a smaller dot represents a "zero". It is, however, also possible to design the position-coding pattern 107 as described in PCT/SE00/01667, where different displacements of a dot in relation to a raster code different symbol values.
Fig. 1 also shows a user unit 102 designed as a pen.
The user unit 102 has a pen point 108 which can be used to write text and numbers or draw figures on the base.
The user unit 102 also comprises optics which, utilis-ing the position-coding pattern 107 on the base 101, can detect positions on this. When a figure 109 is drawn on the base 101, a sequence of positions on the base 101 are therefore detected, corresponding to the movement of the user unit 102 over the base 101. This sequence of posi-tions forms a digital record of the figure 109 drawn on the base 101. In the same way, hand-written numbers and letters can also be recorded digitally.
The information recorded by the user unit 102 can be transmitted to another unit, such as a personal computer or a cellular mobile telephone, for further processing, storage or transmission. This can be carried out using a cable, by means of an infrared link, or preferably via a short-range radio link, for example in accordance with the BLUETOOTH (trademark) standard. The information which is transmitted can be the direct sequence of positions in the form of a set of pairs of co-ordinates or a polygon train which represents this set. The information may also be stored locally in the user unit and transmitted later, when a connection is established.
Fig. 2 shows a form 200 according to the invention.
The form 200 consists of a base (or other surface) 201 of the type previously described, provided with a position-coding pattern (not shown), as described in connection with Fig. 1. A form layout 203 is printed on the base 201. The form layout 203 comprises a plurality of entry fields 204-207.
The form 200 is used to collect information. The informa-tion arises when a user writes, for example, text or a number in any of the entry fields 204-207. This can ccn-cern a piece of text such as a name or an address. It can be a whole number, such as the age of a person in whole years, or a real number, for example a patient's body temperature in degrees Celsius to two decimal places. It can also be the reply to a mufti-choice question. There can also be other types of entered information, which will be described below. The user may preferably download the form layout from an Internet server. The layout may also be stored in other computer systems, such as a user unit of the above-mentioned type. The user unit may then communicate directly with the printer. While the surface disclosed in the figure comprises a single, discrete surface such as a sheet of paper, the term surface as used herein may refer to multiple surfaces or multiple pages of a mufti-page form.
When an entry field 204-207 is completed by a user using a user unit of the type described in connection 5 with Fig. 1, the user unit records a sequence of posi-tions corresponding to a digital record of the entered information. The user completes all the required entry fields in the form. The recorded information can then be processed or stored locally in the user unit. Alterna-10 tively, it can be transmitted to another computer system for processing or storage. The whole of the recording computer system can be incorporated in the user unit.
The form 200 also comprises an identifying pattern or identity pattern 208, which is marked when the entry fields 204-207 of the form layout 203 are completed. The marking can, for example, consist of parts of the identi-fying pattern being marked with a cross, a line being drawn through it or by it being circled. Alternatively, the user could for example be invited to fill in a missing feature in a figure.
It is also possible to let a larger scale position-coding pattern, printed by the printer on top of the original position-coding pattern, constitute the identifying pattern. The user unit must then be capable of detecting both types of position-coding patterns.
In the example shown the identifying pattern consists of four boxes 209-212 to be marked with a cross.
When these are marked with a cross using the user unit, a set of positions is recorded which identifies the form layout 203 which has been completed. At the same time the recording computer system is informed about which coordinates the position-coding pattern codes. If the pattern is continuous over the form, the computer is also informed about the coordinates for the complete form.
The sequence of completing the entry fields 204-207 and the identifying pattern 208 can be reversed. In this way information arises indicating how the digitally re-corded information which arose when the entry fields 204-207 were completed is to be processed. The entry fields 204- 207 and the four boxes may be completed in any order and the information is still usable.
The identifying pattern 208 can also be utilised to record the scale in which the form layout has been print-ed in relation to the position-coding pattern. The boxes 209- 212 may be placed near the different corners of the sheet in order to facilitate this and provide higher resolution. The information can then be used to normalise the position information which arises, so that the correct position information is associated with the correct information entry. As an alternative to this method of normalising, the printer can be provided with a position-coding pattern reading device, in order to allow the printer to adapt the form layout to the position-coding pattern. At such a printer, another solution is to print the form in the normal manner and, during the printing process, sense the position coordinates and feed back to the computer system, the position coordinates corresponding to a reference position at the form layout and some scale information.
Such a method then generally involves the steps of:
printout, by means of a printer, of a form layout, com-prising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet; detecting, in connection with the printout, of positions in a position-coding pattern with which the base is provided, by means of a reading device in the printer, and transferring of information, regarding the positional relationship between the form layout and the position-coding pattern, to a computer system.
The identifying pattern is preferably overspecified, that is, a marked identifying pattern results in more position information than what is required to identify a form layout unambiguously. This makes possible the above-mentioned recording of scale or other information.
The base 101 is provided with a position-coding pat-tern 107 (shown enlarged). This cars be arranged by means of printing. It is, however, also possible to print the position-coding pattern 107 using tie computer systems printer 106. The position-coding pastern 107 is so arranged that if a part of the pattern of a certain mini-mum size is recorded optically then this part of the pat-tern's position in the pattern and hence on the base can be determined unambiguously. The position-coding pat-tern can advantageously be of such a type as shown in Ap-plicant's previous Applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667, where each position is coded by a plurality of symbols and where one symbol is used to code a plurality of positions. The position-coding pattern 107 shown is constructed as shown in WO 00/73983, where a larger dot represents a "one" and a smaller dot represents a "zero". It is, however, also possible to design the position-coding pattern 107 as described in PCT/SE00/01667, where different displacements of a dot in relation to a raster code different symbol values.
Fig. 1 also shows a user unit 102 designed as a pen.
The user unit 102 has a pen point 108 which can be used to write text and numbers or draw figures on the base.
The user unit 102 also comprises optics which, utilis-ing the position-coding pattern 107 on the base 101, can detect positions on this. When a figure 109 is drawn on the base 101, a sequence of positions on the base 101 are therefore detected, corresponding to the movement of the user unit 102 over the base 101. This sequence of posi-tions forms a digital record of the figure 109 drawn on the base 101. In the same way, hand-written numbers and letters can also be recorded digitally.
The information recorded by the user unit 102 can be transmitted to another unit, such as a personal computer or a cellular mobile telephone, for further processing, storage or transmission. This can be carried out using a cable, by means of an infrared link, or preferably via a short-range radio link, for example in accordance with the BLUETOOTH (trademark) standard. The information which is transmitted can be the direct sequence of positions in the form of a set of pairs of co-ordinates or a polygon train which represents this set. The information may also be stored locally in the user unit and transmitted later, when a connection is established.
Fig. 2 shows a form 200 according to the invention.
The form 200 consists of a base (or other surface) 201 of the type previously described, provided with a position-coding pattern (not shown), as described in connection with Fig. 1. A form layout 203 is printed on the base 201. The form layout 203 comprises a plurality of entry fields 204-207.
The form 200 is used to collect information. The informa-tion arises when a user writes, for example, text or a number in any of the entry fields 204-207. This can ccn-cern a piece of text such as a name or an address. It can be a whole number, such as the age of a person in whole years, or a real number, for example a patient's body temperature in degrees Celsius to two decimal places. It can also be the reply to a mufti-choice question. There can also be other types of entered information, which will be described below. The user may preferably download the form layout from an Internet server. The layout may also be stored in other computer systems, such as a user unit of the above-mentioned type. The user unit may then communicate directly with the printer. While the surface disclosed in the figure comprises a single, discrete surface such as a sheet of paper, the term surface as used herein may refer to multiple surfaces or multiple pages of a mufti-page form.
When an entry field 204-207 is completed by a user using a user unit of the type described in connection 5 with Fig. 1, the user unit records a sequence of posi-tions corresponding to a digital record of the entered information. The user completes all the required entry fields in the form. The recorded information can then be processed or stored locally in the user unit. Alterna-10 tively, it can be transmitted to another computer system for processing or storage. The whole of the recording computer system can be incorporated in the user unit.
The form 200 also comprises an identifying pattern or identity pattern 208, which is marked when the entry fields 204-207 of the form layout 203 are completed. The marking can, for example, consist of parts of the identi-fying pattern being marked with a cross, a line being drawn through it or by it being circled. Alternatively, the user could for example be invited to fill in a missing feature in a figure.
It is also possible to let a larger scale position-coding pattern, printed by the printer on top of the original position-coding pattern, constitute the identifying pattern. The user unit must then be capable of detecting both types of position-coding patterns.
In the example shown the identifying pattern consists of four boxes 209-212 to be marked with a cross.
When these are marked with a cross using the user unit, a set of positions is recorded which identifies the form layout 203 which has been completed. At the same time the recording computer system is informed about which coordinates the position-coding pattern codes. If the pattern is continuous over the form, the computer is also informed about the coordinates for the complete form.
The sequence of completing the entry fields 204-207 and the identifying pattern 208 can be reversed. In this way information arises indicating how the digitally re-corded information which arose when the entry fields 204-207 were completed is to be processed. The entry fields 204- 207 and the four boxes may be completed in any order and the information is still usable.
The identifying pattern 208 can also be utilised to record the scale in which the form layout has been print-ed in relation to the position-coding pattern. The boxes 209- 212 may be placed near the different corners of the sheet in order to facilitate this and provide higher resolution. The information can then be used to normalise the position information which arises, so that the correct position information is associated with the correct information entry. As an alternative to this method of normalising, the printer can be provided with a position-coding pattern reading device, in order to allow the printer to adapt the form layout to the position-coding pattern. At such a printer, another solution is to print the form in the normal manner and, during the printing process, sense the position coordinates and feed back to the computer system, the position coordinates corresponding to a reference position at the form layout and some scale information.
Such a method then generally involves the steps of:
printout, by means of a printer, of a form layout, com-prising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet; detecting, in connection with the printout, of positions in a position-coding pattern with which the base is provided, by means of a reading device in the printer, and transferring of information, regarding the positional relationship between the form layout and the position-coding pattern, to a computer system.
The identifying pattern is preferably overspecified, that is, a marked identifying pattern results in more position information than what is required to identify a form layout unambiguously. This makes possible the above-mentioned recording of scale or other information.
A user who wants to generate a number of forms pref-erably acquires a pack of sheets which are already pro-vided with the preferred position-coding pattern and loads a number of such sheets into his/her printer. All the sheets in such a pack can be identical but it is also possible for each sheet in a pack to be unique and code a separate coordinate area. The user can also in principle print the position-coding pattern himself using a printer having sufficiently high printing resolution. The position-coding patterns described in Applicant's previous applications WO 00/73983 and PCT/SE00/01667 are able to define a very large total area (for example counted in the number of A4 pages) with good resolution.
The areas which are used in the packs of sheets that a user can acquire are preferably known to the computer system which records the form information. It could be appropriate to reserve a certain part of the above-mentioned total area for form applications. When all the sheets in a pack are identical, the system knows where on a sheet a position in the position-coding pattern is located. If a pack contains unique sheets (at least pack-unique), the system also knows on which sheet a position in the position-coding pattern is located. This makes possible parallel recording of a plurality of forms.
Parallel recording can also be achieved when a1.1 the sheets are identical by recording the identities of the user units so that the system can connect the information from different user units with different database forms.
This can also be achieved without knowledge of user unit identity, if all users mark their (unique) identifying patterns after each form field entry.
Such a database form may be contained in an Internet server.
If the printer can print the form layout and identi-fying pattern accurately, the absolute positions in the position-coding pattern which are recorded when the boxes are marked with a cross can be utilised to identify the document. If the accuracy is insufficient, the relative positions of the different items, such as boxes, in the position-coding pattern can be used instead.
As shown above, the identifying pattern 208 can be boxes 209-212 which are marked with a cross. However, it can also consist of, for example, dots which are to be circled. An advantage of marking boxes 209-212 with a cross is that the width and intensity of the four lines which make up the box can be made such that the position recording temporarily ceases when the lines of the box are passed when a cross is marked in the box. This means that the system can determine more precisely where in the position-coding pattern the box is located.
This principle is also used in the embodiment of the identifying pattern 300 which is shown in Fig. 3. Here the pattern 300 consists of a set of parallel lines 301, 302, etc., of different widths arranged beside each other as a bar-code. If these are printed on a position-coding pattern and marked by having a line drawn through them essentially at right angles to the lines 301, 302 etc.
using a user unit of the type described, the position recording can be commenced and terminated several times.
The positions which are recorded can be used to identify a form layout.
The above-described method for generating a form may be used in connection with a large number of different activities such as market surveys, tests, income-tax returns, etc.
Fig. 4 shows the application of a number of rules or functions with position information as input data. On the left side of the Figure is shown a number of entry fields 401-404, which are completed by a user. On the right side of the figure is shown the information 405-408 which is inserted in the corresponding information entries in a database form when field-specific rules 409-412 of various kinds are applied to the items of position information that are generated when the form is complet-ed. Output data from such a rule is generally cbtained by processing the rule's input data.
A user has entered a name 413 in a first entry field 401. On the position information which then arose, a rule 409 is applied, which corresponds to OCR recognition of text on a sheet of paper. Output data 405 from this rule is thus a text string which can be stored or processed in the computer system. It is also possible to store the position information. in an unprocessed state, fir example if a signature is to be able to be reproduced.
In a second entry field 402 the form layout con-sisted of a scale 414 from 1 to 10 where a user were to describe, for example, how satisfied he was with a parti-cular product. The user has here put a line 415 slight-1y to the right of the centre. When a rule 411 is applied to the position information which arose when the user marked the line 415, the output data 406 is a real num-ber 6.5 which can be stored in an information entry in a database form.
In a third entry field 403 a user was to answer yes or no to a question. The form layout 416 consists of the words "yes" and "no" with associated boxes to be marked with a cross. The user has put a cross in the box signi-fying no. When a rule is applied to the positicn infor-mation which arose, the output data 407 is a logical or Boolean zero.
In a fourth entry field 404 a user was to answer, for example, how many items of a particular product he wants to order. The form layout 417 consists of a number of circles in which the user is to mark a cross. The user has marked a cross in three circles. When a rule is ap-plied to the position information which arose, the output data 408 is the whole number 3.
Fig. 5 shows a flow chart, which describes a method 500 for generating of forms according to the invention.
The invention also concerns a corresponding arrangement and corresponding software. In a simple embodiment this comprises three steps which can be carried out in any or-der. In a first step 501 the required form layout is printed. Needless to say, the actual form layout may be accompanied by graphics and text, that is not necessarily 5 strictly related to the form functionality. In a second step 502 the identifying pattern is printed, which corresponds to the form layout. In a possible third step 503 a database form is created in an associated computer system. The database form comprises a virtual copy of the 10 real form now created. Of course printing of the layout and printing of the identifying pattern could be performed simultaneously. In fact, also the position-coding pattern could be printed simultaneously. The layout may in principle also be printed before the 15 position- coding pattern.
If the printer prints both the form layout and the position-coding pattern in one run, no identifying pattern is required, since the computer program already is aware of the relationship between the form layout and the position-coding pattern. However, if the position-coding pattern is printed in a first run, and the form layout is printed in a second run, some kind of cali-bration is required.
The printer may be a conventional laser printer or ink-jet printer having a desired resolution for printing the form layout, such as 300 dpi.
The position-coding pattern is preferably printed with a colour material which absorbs infrared light and the form layout may be printed with a colour which does not absorb infrared light. If the sensor is arranged to sense the pattern by means of infrared light only, the layout print does not disturb the reading of the position-coding pattern.
The position coding pattern is preferably arranged on the paper in advance, for instance by an offset printer having a required resolution such as above 1000 dpi, and the paper is inserted in the printer for printing the form layout on top of the pattern. However, the opposite order is also possible. For example, the position-coding pattern may be applied to the paper by a separate printer after printing the form layout, or with the same printer in the second run. It is also possible to use a copying machine for providing the paper with the form layout and/or the position-coding pattern.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart which describes a method 600 for recording form data for an information entry. The invention also concerns a corresponding arrangement and corresponding software. The method comprises at least two steps which can be carried out in any order. In a first step 601 a first set of position information is recorded, that is the information which arises when an entry field is completed using a user unit. In a second step 602 a second set of position information is recorded, which arises when an identifying pattern is marked using the user unit.
The scope of protection applied for is not restrict-ed to the embodiments described above. The invention can be varied within the scope of the appended claims.
The areas which are used in the packs of sheets that a user can acquire are preferably known to the computer system which records the form information. It could be appropriate to reserve a certain part of the above-mentioned total area for form applications. When all the sheets in a pack are identical, the system knows where on a sheet a position in the position-coding pattern is located. If a pack contains unique sheets (at least pack-unique), the system also knows on which sheet a position in the position-coding pattern is located. This makes possible parallel recording of a plurality of forms.
Parallel recording can also be achieved when a1.1 the sheets are identical by recording the identities of the user units so that the system can connect the information from different user units with different database forms.
This can also be achieved without knowledge of user unit identity, if all users mark their (unique) identifying patterns after each form field entry.
Such a database form may be contained in an Internet server.
If the printer can print the form layout and identi-fying pattern accurately, the absolute positions in the position-coding pattern which are recorded when the boxes are marked with a cross can be utilised to identify the document. If the accuracy is insufficient, the relative positions of the different items, such as boxes, in the position-coding pattern can be used instead.
As shown above, the identifying pattern 208 can be boxes 209-212 which are marked with a cross. However, it can also consist of, for example, dots which are to be circled. An advantage of marking boxes 209-212 with a cross is that the width and intensity of the four lines which make up the box can be made such that the position recording temporarily ceases when the lines of the box are passed when a cross is marked in the box. This means that the system can determine more precisely where in the position-coding pattern the box is located.
This principle is also used in the embodiment of the identifying pattern 300 which is shown in Fig. 3. Here the pattern 300 consists of a set of parallel lines 301, 302, etc., of different widths arranged beside each other as a bar-code. If these are printed on a position-coding pattern and marked by having a line drawn through them essentially at right angles to the lines 301, 302 etc.
using a user unit of the type described, the position recording can be commenced and terminated several times.
The positions which are recorded can be used to identify a form layout.
The above-described method for generating a form may be used in connection with a large number of different activities such as market surveys, tests, income-tax returns, etc.
Fig. 4 shows the application of a number of rules or functions with position information as input data. On the left side of the Figure is shown a number of entry fields 401-404, which are completed by a user. On the right side of the figure is shown the information 405-408 which is inserted in the corresponding information entries in a database form when field-specific rules 409-412 of various kinds are applied to the items of position information that are generated when the form is complet-ed. Output data from such a rule is generally cbtained by processing the rule's input data.
A user has entered a name 413 in a first entry field 401. On the position information which then arose, a rule 409 is applied, which corresponds to OCR recognition of text on a sheet of paper. Output data 405 from this rule is thus a text string which can be stored or processed in the computer system. It is also possible to store the position information. in an unprocessed state, fir example if a signature is to be able to be reproduced.
In a second entry field 402 the form layout con-sisted of a scale 414 from 1 to 10 where a user were to describe, for example, how satisfied he was with a parti-cular product. The user has here put a line 415 slight-1y to the right of the centre. When a rule 411 is applied to the position information which arose when the user marked the line 415, the output data 406 is a real num-ber 6.5 which can be stored in an information entry in a database form.
In a third entry field 403 a user was to answer yes or no to a question. The form layout 416 consists of the words "yes" and "no" with associated boxes to be marked with a cross. The user has put a cross in the box signi-fying no. When a rule is applied to the positicn infor-mation which arose, the output data 407 is a logical or Boolean zero.
In a fourth entry field 404 a user was to answer, for example, how many items of a particular product he wants to order. The form layout 417 consists of a number of circles in which the user is to mark a cross. The user has marked a cross in three circles. When a rule is ap-plied to the position information which arose, the output data 408 is the whole number 3.
Fig. 5 shows a flow chart, which describes a method 500 for generating of forms according to the invention.
The invention also concerns a corresponding arrangement and corresponding software. In a simple embodiment this comprises three steps which can be carried out in any or-der. In a first step 501 the required form layout is printed. Needless to say, the actual form layout may be accompanied by graphics and text, that is not necessarily 5 strictly related to the form functionality. In a second step 502 the identifying pattern is printed, which corresponds to the form layout. In a possible third step 503 a database form is created in an associated computer system. The database form comprises a virtual copy of the 10 real form now created. Of course printing of the layout and printing of the identifying pattern could be performed simultaneously. In fact, also the position-coding pattern could be printed simultaneously. The layout may in principle also be printed before the 15 position- coding pattern.
If the printer prints both the form layout and the position-coding pattern in one run, no identifying pattern is required, since the computer program already is aware of the relationship between the form layout and the position-coding pattern. However, if the position-coding pattern is printed in a first run, and the form layout is printed in a second run, some kind of cali-bration is required.
The printer may be a conventional laser printer or ink-jet printer having a desired resolution for printing the form layout, such as 300 dpi.
The position-coding pattern is preferably printed with a colour material which absorbs infrared light and the form layout may be printed with a colour which does not absorb infrared light. If the sensor is arranged to sense the pattern by means of infrared light only, the layout print does not disturb the reading of the position-coding pattern.
The position coding pattern is preferably arranged on the paper in advance, for instance by an offset printer having a required resolution such as above 1000 dpi, and the paper is inserted in the printer for printing the form layout on top of the pattern. However, the opposite order is also possible. For example, the position-coding pattern may be applied to the paper by a separate printer after printing the form layout, or with the same printer in the second run. It is also possible to use a copying machine for providing the paper with the form layout and/or the position-coding pattern.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart which describes a method 600 for recording form data for an information entry. The invention also concerns a corresponding arrangement and corresponding software. The method comprises at least two steps which can be carried out in any order. In a first step 601 a first set of position information is recorded, that is the information which arises when an entry field is completed using a user unit. In a second step 602 a second set of position information is recorded, which arises when an identifying pattern is marked using the user unit.
The scope of protection applied for is not restrict-ed to the embodiments described above. The invention can be varied within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (26)
1. A method in a system comprising at least one printer for generating a form, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the steps, in any order:
- printout (501), by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, which base is already provided with a position-coding pattern; and - printout (502), by means of said printer, of an identity pattern on said base, wherein a marking of the identity pattern using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, is intended to be detected by the user unit as a set of positions which identify said form layout.
- printout (501), by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, which base is already provided with a position-coding pattern; and - printout (502), by means of said printer, of an identity pattern on said base, wherein a marking of the identity pattern using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, is intended to be detected by the user unit as a set of positions which identify said form layout.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said entry field is intended to be completed using the user unit, for digital recording of information entered in the entry field.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said identity pattern comprises a box intended to be marked with a cross using the user unit.
4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said identity pattern comprises a set of essentially parallel lines arranged beside each other, intended to be marked by having a line drawn through them essentially at right angles to the lines using a user unit.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said set of positions which identify said form layout are also intended to constitute a description of the scale in which said form layout has been printed in relation to the position-coding pattern.
6. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the method also comprises the step: generation (503) of a database form in the computer system, compris-ing an information entry which corresponds to the entry fields of the printed form, information corresponding to said digital recording of information entered in the en-try field being intended to be stored in the information entry.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the infor-mation which is stored in the information entry consists of output data, when the computer system applies a rule to the input data comprising said digital recording of information entered in the entry field, the output data of the rule being obtained by processing its input data.
8. An arrangement in a system, comprising at least one computer and at least one printer, for generating a form, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by means for causing said printer to print a form layout comprising at least one entry field on a base in the form of a sheet, which base is already provided with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intended to be completed using a user unit which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of information entered in the entry field; and means for causing said printer to print an identity pattern on said base, a marking of the identity pattern using the user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify said form layout.
9. A digital storage medium, which can be read by a computer system, the storage medium containing a com-puter program for generating, in a system comprising at least one computer and at least one printer, a form, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the computer program contains instructions corresponding to the following steps, in any order:
- printout, by means of said printer, of a form lay-out, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of sheet, which base is already provided.with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intend-ed to be completed using a user unit which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of infor-mation entered in the entry field; and - printout, by means of said printer, of an identi-ty pattern on said base, a marking of the identity base using said user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify said layout.
- printout, by means of said printer, of a form lay-out, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of sheet, which base is already provided.with a position-coding pattern, said entry field being intend-ed to be completed using a user unit which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of infor-mation entered in the entry field; and - printout, by means of said printer, of an identi-ty pattern on said base, a marking of the identity base using said user unit being intended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the position-coding pattern, as a set of positions which identify said layout.
10. A method in a computer system for recording form data in an information entry, said form data arising when an entry field in a form, which comprises a form layout printed on a base in the form of a sheet, is completed using a user unit, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the fol-lowing steps, in any order:
- recording (601) of a first set of position infor-mation corresponding to form data which arises when the entry field is completed using the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern; and - recording (602) of a second set of position infor-mation which in the same way arises when an identity pat-tern which is printed on the sheet is marked with the user unit, which second set of position information is intended to identify said form layout.
- recording (601) of a first set of position infor-mation corresponding to form data which arises when the entry field is completed using the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern; and - recording (602) of a second set of position infor-mation which in the same way arises when an identity pat-tern which is printed on the sheet is marked with the user unit, which second set of position information is intended to identify said form layout.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the in-formation entry is incorporated in a database form.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein a rule is applied to said first set of position information and output data from this rule, which is obtained by process-ing said first set of position information, constitutes input data for the information entry.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the for-mat of the output data of the rule is from the group:
Boolean variable, whole number, real number, text string or a graphical format.
Boolean variable, whole number, real number, text string or a graphical format.
14. A method according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the computer system is incorporated in the user unit.
15. An arrangement in a computer system for record-ing form data for an information entry, said form data arising when an entry field in a form, which comprises a form layout printed on a base in the form of a sheet, is completed using a user unit, characterised by means for recording a first set of position information corresponding to form data which arises when the entry field is completed using the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position-coding pattern; and means for recording a second set of position information which in the same way arises when an identity pattern, which is printed on the sheet, is marked using the user unit, which second set of position information is intended to identify said form layout.
16. A digital storage medium, which is readable by a computer system, the storage medium containing a com-puter program for recording form data for an information entry, said form data arising when an entry field in a form, which comprises a form layout printed on a base in the form of a sheet, is completed using a user unit, characterised in that the computer program in-cludes instructions corresponding to the following steps, in any order:
- recording of a first set of position information corresponding to form data, which arises when the entry field is completed using the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position coding pattern; and - recording of a second set of position information which in the same way arises when an identity pattern which is printed on the sheet is marked using the user unit, which second set of position information is intend-ed to identify said form layout.
- recording of a first set of position information corresponding to form data, which arises when the entry field is completed using the user unit, by the base being provided with a position-coding pattern and by the user unit being arranged to optically detect positions on the base utilising the position coding pattern; and - recording of a second set of position information which in the same way arises when an identity pattern which is printed on the sheet is marked using the user unit, which second set of position information is intend-ed to identify said form layout.
17. A form comprising a form layout (203), with at least one entry field (204-207), which is printed on a base (201) in the form of a sheet, character-ised in that the base (201) is provided with a posi-tion-coding pattern, said entry fields (204-207) being intended to be completed using a user unit, which is arranged to optically detect positions on the base, util-ising the position-coding pattern, for digital recording of information entered in the entry field (204-207); and by an identity pattern (208) on said base, a marking of the identity pattern (208) using the user unit being in-tended to be detected by the user unit, utilising the po-sition-coding pattern, as a set of positions which iden-tify said form layout (203).
18. A form according to claim 17, wherein said base in the form of a sheet consists of a sheet of paper.
19. A form according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said identity pattern comprises a box (209-212) to be marked with a cross, intended to be marked with a cross using the user unit.
20. A form according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said identity pattern comprises a set of essentially parallel lines arranged beside each other, to be marked with a line drawn through them essentially at right angles to the lines using the user unit.
21. A method in a system comprising at least one printer for generating a form, characterised by the steps:
- printout, by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, - detecting, in connection with said printout, of positions in a position-coding pattern with which said base is provided, by means of a reading device in said printer, and - transferring of information, regarding the positional relationship between said form layout and said position-coding pattern, to a computer system.
- printout, by means of said printer, of a form layout, comprising at least one entry field, on a base in the form of a sheet, - detecting, in connection with said printout, of positions in a position-coding pattern with which said base is provided, by means of a reading device in said printer, and - transferring of information, regarding the positional relationship between said form layout and said position-coding pattern, to a computer system.
22. A method for electronically collecting information from forms, the method comprising:
providing a user with a form, the form containing printed indicia on a foreground thereof prompting the user to associate written information with the printed indicia, wherein the form further includes preprinted coded information in the background thereof;
encouraging the user to fill in portions of the form using an implement capable of marking the form, the implement being further capable of detecting the preprinted coded information over which the implement passes and generating a signal in response thereto; and electronically receiving the signal and translating the signal into reflecting an intention of the user.
providing a user with a form, the form containing printed indicia on a foreground thereof prompting the user to associate written information with the printed indicia, wherein the form further includes preprinted coded information in the background thereof;
encouraging the user to fill in portions of the form using an implement capable of marking the form, the implement being further capable of detecting the preprinted coded information over which the implement passes and generating a signal in response thereto; and electronically receiving the signal and translating the signal into reflecting an intention of the user.
23. The method of claim 22, further including storing in a database the information reflective of the user's intention.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the form is printed on a material chosen from the group consisting of paper stock, plastic and laminate.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the written information is hand-written.
26. The method of claim 22, wherein the implement is in the form of a pen having an optical code reader therein.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE0001236-9 | 2000-04-05 | ||
| SE0001236A SE519356C2 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2000-04-05 | Procedure and apparatus for information management |
| PCT/SE2001/000586 WO2001075779A1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2001-03-21 | Method and device for processing of information |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2400604A1 true CA2400604A1 (en) | 2001-10-11 |
Family
ID=20279171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002400604A Abandoned CA2400604A1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2001-03-21 | Method and device for processing of information |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1275080A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2003529852A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20030005259A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100483313C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2001239654A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2400604A1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE519356C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001075779A1 (en) |
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| US7649637B2 (en) | 2001-04-05 | 2010-01-19 | Anoto Ab | Method for printing a global position-coding pattern |
| SE519012C2 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-12-23 | Anoto Ab | Ways to handle information |
| US7418160B2 (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2008-08-26 | Anoto Ab | Method and device for processing of information |
| SE520748C2 (en) | 2001-12-27 | 2003-08-19 | Anoto Ab | Activation of products with embedded functionality in an information management system |
| JP2003295969A (en) | 2002-03-29 | 2003-10-17 | Fujitsu Ltd | Automatic information input program |
| SE520537C2 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2003-07-22 | Printdreams Europ Ab | Printer, has interface for connecting it to digital pen in order to print out messages written with this pen |
| JP4102105B2 (en) * | 2002-05-24 | 2008-06-18 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Document entry system using electronic pen |
| US7099522B2 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2006-08-29 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method to create and reconstruct image presentation system |
| AU2002952106A0 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2002-10-31 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Methods and systems (npw008) |
| JP4406430B2 (en) | 2003-05-26 | 2010-01-27 | アノト アクティエボラーク | Method for compressing a digital representation containing page description code sent from a computer to a printer |
| KR20060024410A (en) * | 2003-06-13 | 2006-03-16 | 아노토 아이피 엘아이씨 에이치비 | On-demand printing of coding patterns |
| SE0301729D0 (en) * | 2003-06-13 | 2003-06-13 | Anoto Ab | Need-controlled printing of coding patterns |
| GB0321170D0 (en) * | 2003-09-10 | 2003-10-08 | Hewlett Packard Development Co | Generation and processing of position identification pattern |
| GB0321169D0 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2003-10-08 | Hewlett Packard Development Co | Methods and apparatus for generating images |
| US20050052700A1 (en) * | 2003-09-10 | 2005-03-10 | Andrew Mackenzie | Printing digital documents |
| SE0303370D0 (en) | 2003-12-16 | 2003-12-16 | Anoto Ab | Method, apparatus, computer program and storage medium for recording a movement of a user unit |
| KR100628463B1 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2006-09-26 | 핑거시스템 주식회사 | System and Method of Detecting Absolute Coordinates |
| KR100673005B1 (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2007-02-28 | 핑거시스템 주식회사 | Input Device Having the Function of Recognizing Hybrid Coordinates and Operating Method of the Same |
| JP4618042B2 (en) | 2005-08-10 | 2011-01-26 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Printing system, printing apparatus, printing processing method, and program |
| JP4717560B2 (en) * | 2005-09-01 | 2011-07-06 | 大日本印刷株式会社 | Server, control program and aggregation system |
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| JP5589596B2 (en) * | 2010-06-22 | 2014-09-17 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, function setting method, and control program |
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| DE102010054344A1 (en) * | 2010-12-13 | 2012-06-14 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | System for creating and inspecting static and variable content printing |
| JP6171676B2 (en) * | 2013-07-25 | 2017-08-02 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Input device |
| CN108664833A (en) * | 2017-04-02 | 2018-10-16 | 田雪松 | The processing method of coding pattern in a kind of substrate and substrate |
| CN112200290A (en) * | 2020-11-04 | 2021-01-08 | 核工业理化工程研究院 | Data acquisition and management device based on SD card |
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-
2000
- 2000-04-05 SE SE0001236A patent/SE519356C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2001
- 2001-03-21 CA CA002400604A patent/CA2400604A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-21 AU AU2001239654A patent/AU2001239654A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-21 WO PCT/SE2001/000586 patent/WO2001075779A1/en active Application Filing
- 2001-03-21 JP JP2001573382A patent/JP2003529852A/en active Pending
- 2001-03-21 EP EP01914308A patent/EP1275080A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-03-21 CN CNB018068057A patent/CN100483313C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-03-21 KR KR1020027013285A patent/KR20030005259A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR20030005259A (en) | 2003-01-17 |
| SE0001236L (en) | 2001-10-06 |
| SE0001236D0 (en) | 2000-04-05 |
| WO2001075779A1 (en) | 2001-10-11 |
| SE519356C2 (en) | 2003-02-18 |
| JP2003529852A (en) | 2003-10-07 |
| AU2001239654A1 (en) | 2001-10-15 |
| EP1275080A1 (en) | 2003-01-15 |
| CN100483313C (en) | 2009-04-29 |
| CN1425168A (en) | 2003-06-18 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
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