JP2008077633A - Infrastructure for management and communication of information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management system in which information recorded from a product subjected to position coding is managed based on its position contents. <P>SOLUTION: The information management system includes a plurality of products provided with a position code, a plurality of digital pens capable of reading the position codes, and a server means communicating with the digital pens in a communication network. The server means includes a position database which associates positions coded by the position code with rules for information management. The digital pens are arranged to transmit information registered on the product in the form of a position which is coded by the code position to the server means through a first communication path. The server means further includes an interface unit, and actors in the system, are allowed to enter data into and retrieve data from the database of the system through a second communication path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the field of digital communications, and more particularly to an infrastructure for managing and communicating information registered with a digital pen.

  Traditionally, information has been written and distributed with pen and paper. However, such paper-based information is difficult to efficiently manage and communicate.

  Computers are increasingly being used for information management and communication. Information is typically entered with a keyboard and stored on a computer memory, eg, a hard disk. However, the process of entering information with a keyboard is slow and there is a significant risk of errors in such a process. Graphic information such as drawings and images is typically supplied to the computer via a separate device such as a scanner or the like. This process of supplying such information to a computer is time consuming, tedious and often produces unsatisfactory results. Only after this information is placed in the computer can it be communicated to others via e.g. email or SMS over the internet connection or as a fax via a fax modem.

  In the international application WO 01/16691, the applicant refers to and is incorporated herein by reference, in which the applicant considers the use of a product having a writing surface with a position code. Proposals for improving this problem are proposed. This position code codes multiple positions on the surface, but allows the information written on the writing surface to be recorded electronically by a digital pen that detects the position code. The product also has one or more activation icons, and upon detecting these icons, the digital pen initiates a respective predetermined action that uses the information recorded by itself.

  More specifically, position-coded products have built-in functionality, and various positions on the product, such as the position in the launch icon and the position in the writing surface, are dedicated to various functions. ing. Furthermore, the position code can code coordinates of positions much more than the number of required positions on the product. Thus, the position code can be viewed as forming a virtual space defined by all the positions where the position code can be coded, and various positions in this virtual space can have different functions and / or actors. Is dedicated to.

  The above concept can be used for many different purposes. A combination of a pen and a position-coded product can be used as an input device to a computer, PDA, mobile phone or the like. For example, text and sketches written on a position-coded notepad can be transferred to a computer via a pen. In addition, with this combination of pen and position-coded product, it is possible to communicate globally directly from the product via the pen with the position code on the product dedicated to such communication. For example, information registered by the pen can be converted to a fax message, email, or SMS and then sent from the pen to the recipient. Furthermore, this combination of pen and position-coded product can be used for electronic commerce. For example, the digital pen can be used to order items from position-coded advertisements in magazines with position codes in advertisements that are dedicated to such services.

  The above concept is further illustrated by the system or infrastructure shown in FIG. 1 disclosed in Applicants' international patent applications PCT / SE00 / 02640, PCT / SE00 / 02641, and PCT / SE00 / 02659, which are incorporated herein by reference. Implemented in the structure. The system of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of digital pens DP, a plurality of products P with a position code PC, a lookup unit ALS, and a plurality of service handler units SH. The lookup unit ALS comprises one or more computer servers that communicate with the virtual space and a database containing information about the virtual space. For example, the database associates one or more locations in the virtual space with a network address to a particular service handler unit SH. The service handler unit SH is a server unit that performs a service for storing or relaying digital information or starting transmission of information or items to a recipient.

  When the digital pen DP is manipulated to mark the activation icon AI on the position-coded product P, the pen DP, for example, transmits over a short distance to a mobile phone MP that functions as a modem for connection to the lookup unit ALS. Starts the operation of sending a message to the lookup unit (step 1). This message includes a unique pen identifier and at least one position obtained from digital information electronically recorded on the writing surface of product P. Based on the location content of this message, the lookup unit ALS instructs the digital pen DP to contact the specific service handler unit SH at the above network address (step 2). Next, this pen DP sends this message to the service handler unit SH (step 3), and this unit then tells the pen DP what data to send, how to format this data and tag it. It is instructed whether to attach (step 4). When the requested data is received from the pen DP (step 5), the service handler unit SH returns the confirmation to the pen DP (step 6).

  The information management system of FIG. 1 is involved with a number of interdependent actors, including the company that manufactures the digital pen (the “pen manufacturer”), the position-coded product. The company that manufactures ("paper manufacturer"), the company that provides various services by the service handler unit ("service handler"), the company that manages the location code based on the virtual space database ("pattern management" There are many users of digital pens ("pen owners"), operators ("network operators") who provide communication links between digital pens and various units.

One major problem that remains unsolved is how to coordinate the various actors in the system easily and efficiently.
International Publication No. 01/16691 Pamphlet

  The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problems or at least to alleviate the problems.

  This object is achieved according to the invention by an information management system according to claim 1, a host unit according to claim 17, and a method according to claims 21, 37, 40, 42, 44 and 46. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

  In the following, a system according to the invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. After generally showing the structure of the system and the flow of data in the system, the structure of the interface to the database of the system will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. An example of how various actors can access the system will now be illustrated with reference to FIGS.

  The system of FIG. 2 includes a number of digital pens DP and position-coded products P (only one is shown in FIG. 2), a lookup unit ALS, and a plurality of service handler units SH (only one is shown in FIG. 2). Included). The configuration and interrelationships of the various parts of the system and the communication of information between these parts have already been described and will not be repeated here.

  However, it should be noted that the information can be transmitted from the digital pen DP to the lookup unit ALS and the service handler unit SH in any suitable way. In one embodiment, information is wirelessly transmitted from the digital pen DP to the network connection unit, which then transmits this information to the lookup unit ALS and the service handler unit SH, respectively. This network connection unit may be the cellular phone MP shown in FIG. 1, or any other suitable unit having an interface with a PDA, a computer, or a computer network such as the Internet or a LAN. In an alternative example, the network connection unit may be the main body of the digital pen DP.

  The lookup unit ALS is connected to a virtual space database GSDB, which contains data about the actors associated with each position coded directly or indirect by the position code PC. Direct coding means that the actual position coded with the position code PC is communicated to the units in the system. Indirect coding means that the actual position coded with the position code PC is converted before being communicated from the digital pen DP to the unit of the system. For example, only a subset of the data representing each actual location may be communicated. In one such embodiment, the actual locations are grouped into standard sized regions in the database GSDB, where each actual location is identified with a region identifier that identifies the associated region and within this region. It is possible to convert to the local position of The region may be a digital page corresponding to the position-coded product P. This reduces the amount of data transmitted from the digital pen DP, but this requires that the region identifiers only need to be transmitted if the actual position changes from region to region, sometimes from region to region. This is because the local position can be expressed in a more compact form than the actual position. A more detailed example can be found in the above PCT / SE00 / 02640.

  The virtual space database GSDB also stores data relating to the functionality of the location coded by the location code PC, but such data is instead or in addition to each service handler unit. You may store during SH.

  The lookup unit ALS is also connected to a pen database PDB, which contains data about all digital pens in the system, such as a unique pen identifier for each pen and all settings or associated with each pen. Including characteristics. The pen database PDB also includes data regarding the manufacturer of each pen. In addition, the lookup unit ALS is connected to the event database GEDB, which contains data relating to transactions occurring in the lookup unit ALS, ie address requests and pens made by pens in the system. Includes any errors that occur during this process in addition to the address response returned to.

  As an alternative to the individual database shown in FIG. 2, instead of connecting the lookup unit ALS as described above, it can be connected to one comprehensive database, or each individual database can be connected to more than one Or distributed to physical units.

  The system also includes one or more networks on which the network operator handles communication between the digital pen DP and the lookup unit ALS and between the digital pen DP and the service handler unit SH. For this purpose, the pen owner subscribes at one of these network operators. The network operator also acts as a service handler in the system, in which case the pen owner is based on information written in the digital pen DP on the position-coded product P. , Using a server unit OP that provides a communication service that allows electronic messages such as e-mail, SMS or fax to be sent. The network operator's server unit OP can also store information generated in the system, for example entries in a position-coded calendar or notebook, on the network. When this network operator acts as a service handler, it maintains an application database ASDB, which stores data about user-specific settings for various applications, such as signatures or electronic business cards to be attached to emails, Including where and how to store sent messages.

  Actors in the system disclosed in FIG. 2 include pen owners, pen manufacturers, paper makers, service handlers, network operators, and pattern managers.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the system includes two Internet portals P1 and P2, which are hosted by one or more web servers that interface to the system database. One portal P1 allows so-called partner portals, ie, pen manufacturers, paper manufacturers, pattern managers, service handlers, and network operators to access selected portions of the system database. It is a portal to do. The other portal P2 is a so-called pen owner portal, that is, a portal that allows the pen owner to access selected portions of the database in the system. In an alternative embodiment, the functionality of these two portals is merged into one general portal.

  2 to 3 show how the interface unit IF connects the portals P1 and P2 to the database of the lookup unit ALS. This interface unit IF, described in more detail below, handles low level access to the databases GSDB, GEDB and PDB in the system. The portal P2 is connected to an external database such as a network operator application database ASDB by an external interface unit XIF having a similar design.

  The Internet portals P1 and P2 are implemented on one or more Internet-connected servers that provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for actors over the Internet. However, the Internet represents a preferred use of the present invention, but the present invention can be applied to other networks or combinations of networks and should not be considered limiting. I want you to pay attention to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an actor in the system can access the portals P1 and P2 by a web browser on any appropriate client station CS such as a personal computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone.

  As is apparent from FIG. 3 illustrating the interaction of the actor with the system, the Internet portals P1 and P2 operate as hubs in the system according to the invention, using the interface unit IF. Therefore, the interface unit IF includes the database GSDB, PDB, GEDB, and the communication path set up between each digital pen and the lookup unit and its database GSDB, PDB, and GEDB. Provide an auxiliary communication path to the ASDB.

  Using the interface unit IF, via the portal P1, the pen manufacturer can retrieve a list of unique pen identifiers to be entered into the digital pen hardware or software as these pens are manufactured. It becomes possible. As already mentioned, such pen identifiers are stored in the pen database PDB. As a further advantage, the interface unit IF allows the use of public key encryption in the system, which allows the pen manufacturer to easily transfer the public encryption key for each digital pen DP to the pen database PDB for look-up. It is possible to retrieve the public encryption key for the up unit ALS and store it in the digital pen. Additional security data, such as pen-specific pin codes, can be transferred to the pen database PDB along with the public encryption key.

  In addition, paper and product manufacturers can search for the portion of the virtual space that will be placed on the product. For example, a notebook manufacturer licenses a section of the virtual space, searches for the corresponding position code and the algorithm that calculates this position code, and divides the licensed section into the desired number of page size position code areas. This position code area can be printed on the physical page of the notebook. In addition, the paper and product manufacturer can specify the characteristics in the virtual space database GSDB, such as the network address of the service handler unit SH with which the lookup unit ALS should point the pen, the expiration date of this address, the encryption settings, etc. It is possible to input or change. In the alternative, the pattern manager can access the virtual space database on behalf of the paper and product manufacturer.

  Service handlers, such as companies that promote and / or sell services and items via position-coded products, like paper and product manufacturers, use in advertising, order forms, and the like For the purpose, it is possible to retrieve the location code through the internet portal. The service handler can also enter or change settings in the virtual space database GSDB.

  By means of the interface unit IF, via the portal P1, the network operator registers for example a new subscription in the pen database PDB or locks a particular digital pen in the pen database PDB and puts the pen in the system. It is possible to block from the lookup unit ALS. The network operator can also search the event database GEDB for troubleshooting purposes.

  The interface unit IF allows the pen owner to view, change and / or add settings associated with his digital pen via the portal P2. These settings are stored in the pen database PDB and / or the application database ASDB. Settings in the pen database PDB include name, postal address, delivery address, email address, home phone number, mobile phone number, home fax number, business fax number, business phone number, credit card number, etc. May contain personal data. Settings in the pen database PDB may also relate to feedback, for example, to what extent the pen user should be prompted to confirm before anything is sent from the pen. It is also conceivable to have the pen owner set up filters that specify personal data that can be requested by the various service handler units SH. In addition, user-controllable settings in the pen database PDB include the pen operation, eg, the degree of data compression in the pen, the maximum dwell time of registered information in the pen, and any pen-specific PIN used for pen authentication. May be related to code etc. The data in the application database ASDB can be, for example, a personal signature or electronic business card to be attached to the email message, a customized layout of the fax message, the location and means of the sent message, the default of the email message May be related to cc address etc. When a pen owner has more than one pen, the owner can use the import / export function to copy his settings between his various pen entries to the pen database. is there.

  By means of the interface unit IF, via the portal P2, the pen owner also locks his digital pen, for example if it is lost or stolen, in the pen database PDB and puts the pen in the system. It is possible to shut off from the lookup unit ALS.

  By means of the interface unit IF, via the portal P2, the pen owner can also view the events stored in the event database GEDB.

  Furthermore, by the external interface unit XIF, via the portal P2, the pen owner accesses another database (not shown) of the network operator OP, browses the billing data, and browses the sent message. It is possible to access a personal electronic calendar or notebook.

  Portals P1 and P2 can be hosted by any party, as any authorized server hosting a site on a public network, such as the Internet, can interface with the interface unit IF. Note that it is allowed to connect remotely. As one of such parties, there is a pattern manager who decisively controls the lookup unit ALS and the databases GSDB, GEDB, and PDB and can provide the interface unit IF. Another such party may be one or more network operators, which can host a portal that the user accesses to the system database in addition to the operator database.

  Also, it should be recognized that portals P1 and P2 use a customized GUI, but can be designed based on knowledge common to those skilled in the art. These portals may also include a membership database in addition to a database for web content management. The latter also includes user account information and may store attributes for accessing the interface unit in addition to attributes for personalizing the website.

  One advantageous aspect of the system shown in FIGS. 2-3 is that the pen owner can store, add and change personal data to the system. For example, the pen owner can write personal data in a dedicated OCR field on the product, or provide personal data by interacting with a network connection unit (MP in FIG. 1). It is possible to provide personal data to the service handler unit SH within the system, either automatically or on demand, without the obligation to enter personal data each time a combination of finished products is used. This makes it possible to use the digital pen intuitively and rationally, allowing the digital pen to be used like a normal pen, and this functionality is useful for position-coded products. Embedded in the surface. Furthermore, the risk of type / recognition errors is minimized by using certain settings in the system.

  In one embodiment, at least some of the settings in the pen database PDB are also stored in the digital pen's internal memory M (FIG. 2). One advantage of this scheme is that these settings are, for example, a process that requires confirmation, typically interacting with the pen owner via a display on the network connection unit (MP in FIG. 1). It can be used directly. Such an interaction can be virtually instantaneous, since the pen does not need to retrieve settings from the remote pen database PDB. Furthermore, storing pen settings in the pen itself reduces both the load on the lookup unit ALS and the amount of data transferred over the network of the system, since these settings are necessary. This is because it is possible to transfer directly from the pen DP to the service handler unit SH at any time.

  By installing the interface unit IF, the pen owner can access the pen database PDB via a public Web site such as the Internet portal described above. For example, by incorporating a browser (WAP, i-mode, etc.) into a mobile phone, PDA or personal computer that connects the pen to the network, the pen owner can change his pen settings at any time. .

  The system will perceive any changes in the pen database PDB and send any updated or new settings to the pen the next time it connects to the lookup unit ALS. It is desirable to be configured. Since the pen settings are updated via the interface unit IF, synchronization conflicts are avoided.

  Next, an overview of the portal platform will be presented with reference to FIG. 4, and the elements contained therein will be briefly described. The structure and function of these included elements will now be described in somewhat more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows the logical composition of the portal platform, whose elements are arranged in three main layers.

  The outermost layer is the portal layer, which is the GUI and contains elements that interact with actors in the system. This tier includes a pen owner portal and a partner portal. The partner portal is used by both people who manage internal functions, such as system database management, and partners who manage functions related to their business. The specific role determines which functions are available. The pen owner portal is used by pen owners who manage their pen settings.

  The intermediate layer is an interface layer, which forms an interface unit and is an interface to the internal system databases GSDB, PDB and GEDB. These interfaces are under access control, so that only the required interfaces are available to the calling application. The interface layer has two elements: a pen service element and a pattern service element.

  The inner layer is the database layer, which contains the data source of the lookup unit ALS, which in this case contains the virtual space database GSDB, the pen database PDB, the event database GEDB and the user database UDB. This user database UDB contains data about the account (login / password) and connected roles and privileges. The user database UDB is accessed for authentication and handling of access rights to data structures in the database.

  Outside these layers, the platform further includes one package (DevCore) that contains common functions used by all interface layer elements and another package that contains logic for location code generation and management ( PatternCore).

  The pen service element is designed to allow management of user settings for pens, management of system settings for pens, and registration of pens. The pattern service element is designed to enable registration of paper application services and management of paper application service properties such as data routing destinations, expiration dates, and encryption.

  The interface layer element is accessed using the standard http (s) protocol, and each request for the interface element returns an http (s) response containing an XML document.

  The role of each interface layer element is to check the received request (type, scope), determine the access rights of the requesting user / system, locate the appropriate database, retrieve data from it, and perform this search The converted data is converted into an XML document as defined by the interface specification of the interface layer element, and the XML document is returned to the requesting user / system. The above database is communicated from the interface layer using IIOP and Corba.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the architecture of the interface layer elements. This architecture defines a number of packages: For example, a request controller (Servlet) that handles incoming http requests and confirms interface access rights; a reaction controller (JSP) that generates reaction content; includes logic and flows of internal programs, maps database resources , An access controller (Java (registered trademark) class) that applies the access right; a helper utility class, an object abstraction of a data entity, a utility service responsible for the parser (Java (registered trademark) class); and a Corba access A persistence service that wraps up database instances, and an authentication service that manages fine-grained access rights to resources. Examples of the utility services are the pattern core class and the Corba helper class.

  The authentication service package contains the authentication required by the interface layer element. The role of this package is to represent all access rights (roles and privileges) that an authorized user or system is allowed. All information needed for access restrictions is supplied from this package. Other packages can use this information to remove the correct data before passing it.

  The persistence service package contains the actual Java®-Corba mapping for remote access to the Corba interface of the database, but these interfaces are written in IDL. The server side portion of the persistence service is placed in the Oracle8 database and is implemented as Java code using JDBC to access the table.

  All elements inside the interface layer follow a common design pattern as shown in FIG. The controller servlet listens to incoming http requests. Servlet instantiates a Java (registered trademark) class and operates as a facade controller for application logic. The facade object uses some internal Java objects to perform business rules for retrieving and storing data from the persistence service package. Eventually, the controller servlet determines what type of results should be returned to the caller from the facade controller and sends an http request to the appropriate browsing JSP page. This JSP page generates an XML document using information sent from the facade controller to the Servlet, and this document is returned to the caller.

  This design pattern has the advantage of separating the presentation and application logic and also including the logic inside Java components.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the security problem of connecting the portal to the interface unit IF. At present, two methods of connecting the portal to the interface unit IF are being considered. Either a VPN (virtual private network) is set up (shown on the right side of FIG. 7) or the portal is connected over the Internet (shown on the left side of FIG. 7) using SSL. In both embodiments, an encrypted communication link is established between the portal and the interface unit IF. Since encryption is very CPU intensive, hardware devices may terminate SSL or VPN links instead of Web servers. If the portal is connected to the interface via VPN, the VPN hardware can be used at both ends. When using SSL, no extra hardware is required, but it is recommended to use it on the portal side. The web server always receives a normal http request from the portal.

  Along with the request, everything the portal sends to the interface unit is accompanied by a portal ID and password. These are received by the servlet, which communicates with the UDB to authenticate this portal. Once the portal is authenticated, the appropriate roles and privileges for the interface layer elements are determined. There is an option that all portals are required to submit a client certificate for the request to the web server to authenticate the portal.

  The portal operation is described below with reference to an example of a user scenario.

  In the first scenario shown in FIG. 8, the pen owner views the current pen settings using the pen owner portal. Here, it is assumed that the pen owner portal is implemented on a servlet / JSP enabled web server. The pen owner logs in to the pen owner portal by submitting his username and password from the login web page. This user name and password are encrypted by SSL. The pen owner portal verifies the pen owner with the member package. If the user is authenticated, the pen owner portal initiates a web session with the pen owner by using a servlet session. The pen owner portal displays a welcome page with a list of available functions. The pen owner is now logged into the portal. Next, the pen owner selects the ViewPen Settings function. The pen owner portal retrieves a code (pen identifier and PIN code) associated with the user from the member package. Next, the pen owner portal issues an HTTP request to the PenServices element of the Internet unit and submits the pen identifier and PIN code. The pen owner portal also submits its login information (systemName and system-Password) to the PenServices element for authentication. The Pen Services element is implemented as an HTTP Servlet on a servlet / JSP enabled Web server. Initially, the PenServices element communicates with the authentication package to authenticate the calling system and determine the role it will have. This operation is executed using the User class and the UDB class. In this case, this role gives the pen owner portal access rights to the pen settings interface and has the privilege to perform “get all settings” operations. The Pen Services element retrieves pen information from the pen database PDB. This element compares the retrieved PIN code with the code submitted in the request by the portal. If they do not match, no pen settings are returned to the portal. If there is a match, the PenServices element removes the property and returns only the settings for which the system has access (as determined by the User object). The PenServices element returns a list of settings to servlet. Servlet builds an XML document based on these settings, which is sent as a response to the pen owner portal. The pen owner portal converts this XML document into an HTML page suitable for viewing by the user. This HTML page is returned to the pen owner's web browser.

  In the second scenario shown in FIG. 9, the pattern manager creates a new location code license via the partner portal. The pattern manager starts with a standard login procedure. The servlet determines that the user has the privilege to create a service license using the authentication package. A request for a section of the virtual space is submitted by the user, for example, by specifying a desired section size. Based on this request, this license is created by the corresponding location section being assigned by the servlet in the virtual space database GSDB. Before or after this assignment, the servlet may subscribe to the user and indicate the assigned section. When an acceptance for this application is received, the servlet sends a license file to the licensee. This license file contains, among other things, a position code corresponding to this assigned section and an algorithm for calculating this position code. In a similar procedure, a paper or product manufacturer or service handler can create a service license by logging into the partner portal and accessing the interface unit.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, the second scenario also allows the system to register a network address. Here, this network address is submitted to the servlet, which stores this network address in the virtual space database GSDB in association with the assigned section. This network address identifies the service handler unit SH to which the requesting digital pen is directed by the server means ALS upon receiving a position in the allocated section.

  It is also conceivable that the interface unit IF is directly accessed by an application design program executed on the network computer at the paper / product manufacturer or in the service handler. This application design program allows a paper / product manufacturer or service handler to design a position-coded product with the desired layout and embedded functionality. Such an application design program is further disclosed in the applicant's international patent application PCT / SE01 / 01842, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  In a third scenario, shown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11, for the manufacturer (client) side and for the actions taken in the interface unit respectively, the pen manufacturer logs into the partner portal, Request a series of pen identifiers (pen IDs) for the pen to be manufactured. The interface unit IF assigns a series of pen identifiers to the pen manufacturer in the pen database PDB and returns this series of pen identifiers along with the public encryption key of the lookup unit ALS to the partner portal. In producing the pen, the pen manufacturer stores in the internal memory M of each pen the unique pen identifier taken from the series of pen identifiers and the public encryption key of the lookup unit ALS. Furthermore, a public encryption key such as a PIN code or a password and an authentication code are generated for each pen, and a secret encryption key is generated and stored together with the authentication code in the internal memory M of each pen. Once the pens are produced, the pen manufacturer logs all accepted pens into the partner portal, submits their pen identifiers, public encryption keys, and authorization codes to the interface unit IF, and the pen database. Register by storing in PDB. A confirmation message is then submitted to the pen manufacturer via the partner portal.

  It should be noted that the third scenario is generally applicable to any type of handheld electronic unit that is to be registered for use in an information management system. It should also be noted that one or more of the above operations may be modified or omitted, or these operations may be performed in a different order.

  Instead of submitting feedback data such as a license file, a series of pen identifiers and confirmation messages to the user via the partner portal, such feedback data is sent by other electronic means such as email. Or electronically downloaded, stored in a computer-readable medium, and sent by ordinary mail.

  The foregoing description of the implementation of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and changes are possible in light of the above teachings and may also be obtained by practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
1 illustrates a prior art system for information management and communication. FIG. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system for management and communication of information including an interface unit according to the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates how the present invention allows various actors to input data into and retrieve data from the system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the platform of the portal in the system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of an interface unit in detail. It is a figure which shows the structure of an interface unit in detail. It is a figure which shows two examples of the communication link between a portal and an interface unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of data in the system for various user scenarios. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of data in the system for various user scenarios. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of data in the system for various user scenarios. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of data in the system for various user scenarios.

Claims (49)

Multiple products with position codes,
A plurality of digital pens capable of reading the position code;
Server means for communicating with the digital pen over at least one communication network;
In an information management system with
The server means comprises one or more databases including a location database associating a location coded with the location code with a rule for information management;
The digital pen stores information registered on the product in the form of at least one position coded by the position code on a first communication path formed between the digital pen and the server means. Configured to communicate with the server means;
The server means includes an interface unit for forming a second communication path different from the first communication path,
The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit enables an actor in the system to access at least one of the one or more databases on the second communication path.   The system of claim 1, wherein the interface unit is configured to be connected to a host unit that provides a graphical user interface.   The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface unit is configured to be connected to a host unit that provides a site on a public network.   The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the host unit is a Web server.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to the location database.   The interface unit allows an actor providing the location code on the product to assign one or more locations for specific information management in the location database. A system according to any of the above.   The actor includes a service handler, and the server means transmits information registered using the digital pen to the service handler based on the rules for information management. The described system.   The system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the actor includes a manufacturer of the product.   The system according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the interface unit enables the actor to associate the one or more locations with a network address. The server means includes an event database;
The event database stores transaction data relating to communication between the digital pen and the server means,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to the event database.   The system of claim 10, wherein the interface unit allows an owner of the digital pen to access at least a portion of the transaction data in the event database. The server means includes a pen database;
The pen database stores a unique pen identifier for each of the digital pens;
The system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to the pen database.   The system of claim 12, wherein the interface unit allows a manufacturer of the digital pen to register the pen identifier of the digital pen in the pen database.   14. A system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pen database includes settings for each of the digital pens.   15. The system of claim 14, wherein the interface unit allows an owner of the digital pen to store and / or change individual pen settings in the pen database. The pen database associates each of the digital pens with a public encryption key,
16. A system according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the interface unit allows a manufacturer of the digital pen to store the public encryption key in the pen database.   17. A host unit configured to communicate with the interface unit of the system according to any of claims 1-16, wherein the host unit provides a site for a public network.   18. A host unit according to claim 17, configured to communicate with at least one operator database of the at least one operator of the at least one communication network. The host unit allows the owner of the digital pen to access transaction data from the at least one operator database;
The host unit according to claim 18, wherein the transaction data relates to communication with the digital pen in the system.   20. A host unit according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the host unit allows an owner of the digital pen to store and / or change individual application settings in the at least one operator database. A method used in an information management system,
The system comprises a plurality of products having a position code, a plurality of digital pens capable of reading the position code, and server means for communicating with the digital pen over at least one communication network,
The server means comprises one or more databases including a location database associating a location coded with the location code with a rule for information management;
The digital pen stores information registered on the product in the form of at least one position coded by the position code on a first communication path formed between the digital pen and the server means. Configured to communicate with the server means;
Providing an interface unit for forming a second communication path different from the first communication path in the server means;
The method of claim 1, wherein the interface unit allows an actor in the system to access at least one of the one or more databases of the system on the second communication path.   22. The method of claim 21, comprising connecting to the interface unit a host unit that provides a graphical user interface.   23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, comprising connecting to the interface unit a host unit that provides a site on a public network.   The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the host unit is a Web server.   25. A method according to any of claims 21 to 24, comprising connecting the interface unit to the location database.   26. An actor according to any of claims 21 to 25, enabling an actor providing the location code on the product to assign one or more locations for specific information management in the location database. Method.   27. The actor according to claim 26, wherein the actor includes a service handler, and the server means conveys information registered by the digital pen to the service handler based on the rules for information management. Method.   28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein the actor includes a manufacturer of the product.   29. A method according to any of claims 26 to 28, comprising associating the one or more locations with a network address for the actor.   30. A method according to any of claims 21 to 29, comprising the step of connecting the interface unit to an event database that stores transaction data relating to communication between the digital pen and the server means.   31. The method of claim 30, comprising allowing an owner of the digital pen to access at least a portion of the transaction data in the event database.   32. A method according to any of claims 21 to 31, comprising connecting the interface unit to a pen database storing a unique pen identifier for each of the digital pens.   35. The method of claim 32, comprising allowing the digital pen manufacturer to register the pen identifier of the digital pen in the pen database.   34. A method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the pen database includes settings for each of the digital pens.   35. The method of claim 34, comprising allowing the digital pen owner to store and / or change individual pen settings in the pen database. The pen database associates each of the digital pens with a public encryption key,
The method
36. A method according to any of claims 32-35, comprising allowing the digital pen manufacturer to store the public encryption key in the pen database. A method of creating a service license in an information management system in which information recorded from one or more position-coded products is managed based on the position content,
The service license activates one or more locations for information management;
The method
Sending a request for a service license from a client station;
Receiving at the client station an application to assign one or more locations for information management;
Sending an acceptance in response to the application;
Receiving an information object that permits creation of a position code corresponding to the one or more positions;
A method comprising the steps of:   38. The method of claim 37, wherein the request defines a range of the one or more locations to be assigned.   39. A method according to claim 37 or 38, comprising submitting at the client station a network address to be associated with the one or more locations. A method of handling a service license in an information management system in which server means manages information recorded from one or more position-coded products based on the location content of the information,
The service license activates one or more locations for information management;
The method
Receiving at the server means a request from a customer for a service license;
Assigning one or more locations for information management in the database of the server means;
Sending an application to the customer to assign the one or more locations;
Receiving an acceptance for the application, sending an information object allowing creation of a position code corresponding to the one or more positions;
A method comprising the steps of: Receiving at the server means a network address from the customer;
Storing the network address in the database in association with the one or more locations;
41. The method of claim 40, comprising: In a method in the production of a digital unit for communication with a server means in an information management system,
The method
Sending a request for a specified number of unique identifiers from a client station;
Receiving the unique identification code;
Storing the unique identification code in the memory of each digital unit;
A method comprising the steps of: Receiving a public encryption key associated with the server means;
Storing the public encryption key in the memory of each digital unit;
43. The method of claim 42, comprising: In a method for managing a digital unit in an information management system,
The method
Receiving from the digital unit manufacturer a request for a specified number of unique identification codes at server means arranged for communication with said digital unit;
Assigning the specified number of unique identification codes in the database of the server means at the server means;
Sending the designated number of unique identification codes to the digital unit manufacturer;
A method comprising the steps of: Retrieving at the server means a public encryption key associated with the server means;
Sending the public encryption key to the digital unit manufacturer;
45. The method of claim 44, comprising: In a method for registering one or more digital units for communication with server means in an information management system,
The method
Generating a unique public encryption key for each digital unit;
Sending at the client station one or more associated pairs of a unique identification code for each digital unit and the public encryption key;
Receiving confirmation that the one or more pairs have been stored in the server means;
A method comprising the steps of: Generating a unique authentication code for each digital unit;
Sending at least one associated pair of identification code and authentication code at the client station;
Receiving confirmation that the one or more pairs have been stored in the server means;
47. The method of claim 46, comprising: A method of registering one or more digital units in a server means within an information management system comprising:
The method
Receiving at the server means one or more associated pairs of identification codes and public encryption keys for each digital unit;
Storing the pair in the database of the server means;
Issuing a confirmation that you've stored,
A method comprising the steps of: Receiving at the server means one or more associated pairs of the identification code and authentication code for each digital unit;
Storing the identification code and authentication code pair in the database;
Issuing a stored confirmation,
49. The method of claim 48, comprising: