WO2001061629A2 - Retour d'information d'assistance et recherche d'information au moyen d'un pointeur electronique - Google Patents

Retour d'information d'assistance et recherche d'information au moyen d'un pointeur electronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001061629A2
WO2001061629A2 PCT/EP2001/001399 EP0101399W WO0161629A2 WO 2001061629 A2 WO2001061629 A2 WO 2001061629A2 EP 0101399 W EP0101399 W EP 0101399W WO 0161629 A2 WO0161629 A2 WO 0161629A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic pen
feedback
application
electronic
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2001/001399
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001061629A3 (fr
Inventor
Magnus Hollström
Torbjörn GÄRDENFORS
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/774,141 external-priority patent/US20010033293A1/en
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority to EP01927659A priority Critical patent/EP1256088A2/fr
Priority to AU54633/01A priority patent/AU5463301A/en
Publication of WO2001061629A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001061629A2/fr
Publication of WO2001061629A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001061629A3/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G06F3/016—Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • B41J29/393—Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
    • 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
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/36—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for portability, i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/955—Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
    • 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
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0317—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
    • G06F3/0321—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet
    • 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
    • G06F3/03545—Pens or stylus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00281—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal
    • H04N1/00307—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal with a mobile telephone apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
    • H04N1/10—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces
    • H04N1/107—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces with manual scanning

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to the communications field, and in particular to an interaction of an electronic reading device with an address pattern. Description of Related Art
  • a keyboard can be used to accept typed input and other types of commands
  • a mouse or a track-ball can be used to provide relative motion input as well as various types of point-and-click selections
  • a keypad can be used to provide input of numerical data and functional commands
  • navigational keys can be used for scrolling lists or otherwise repositioning a cursor
  • various types of touchpads or touchscreens can be used to provide absolute positional coordinate inputs.
  • Each type of mechanism for accepting input and for supporting user interaction has benefits and disadvantages in terms of size, convenience, flexibility, responsiveness, and easy of use. Generally, the selection of a particular type of input mechanism is dependent upon the function of the application and the degree and type of interaction required.
  • the present invention comprises a method and system for displaying feedback in connection with the use of an electronic reading device.
  • the system includes an electronic reading device for detecting portions of an address pattern on a formatted surface and a separate electronic device that includes a display screen.
  • the separate electronic device is used to display feedback relating to the detected portions of the address pattern.
  • the feedback can include, for example, a textual representation of information written using the electronic reading device, help information for an application associated with the address pattern, or other information associated with a detected portion of the address pattern.
  • portions of an address pattern are detected with an electronic reading device.
  • Information relating to the detected portions of the address pattern are sent to an electronic display device, and the information is converted into feedback relating to the detected portions of the address pattern. Finally, the feedback is displayed on the electronic display device.
  • FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a system in which an electronic pen can be used as an input device
  • FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for supporting use of the electronic pen described in connection with FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is an illustration of the protocol stacks that can be used in the case of local communications between an electronic pen and an electronic pen client;
  • FIGURE 4 is an illustration of protocol stacks that can be used when an electronic pen and an electronic pen client communicate with one another via an Internet connection;
  • FIGURE 5 is an illustration of a protocol stack for communications between an electronic pen client and each of the supporting entities when the electronic pen client is not located within a server on the Internet;
  • FIGURE 6 is an illustration of protocol stacks that are used for communications between an electronic pen client and each of the supporting entities when the electronic pen client is located on the Internet
  • FIGURE 7 is a block diagram of the electronic pen logic that handles positions, strokes, actions, and grid descriptions ;
  • FIGURE 8 is a block diagram of a state machine for the electronic pen control block shown in FIGURE 7;
  • FIGURE 9 is a block diagram of a state machine for an electronic pen client;
  • FIGURES 10A-10C are a message flow and signaling diagram illustrating the operation of the electronic pen system shown and discussed in connection with FIGURE 2; and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention relates to a system in which an electronic reading device, such as an electronic pen, an electronic mouse, or a hand scanner, works in cooperation with an address pattern (e.g., a specially formatted paper) to provide for a detection of a location of the electronic reading device over the address pattern.
  • an electronic reading device such as an electronic pen, an electronic mouse, or a hand scanner
  • a pattern of dots can be defined such that, by examining a very small portion of the pattern, a precise location in the overall pattern can be determined.
  • a pattern that has the size of 73,000,000,000,000 A4 pages which is equivalent to half the size of the entire United States. Portions of the pattern can be placed on sheets of paper or other objects.
  • the pen can detect its position (e.g. , using a built in camera) by detecting a 3 mm by 3 mm portion of the pattern. By taking approximately 100 pictures per second, the pen is capable of determining its exact position to within 0.1 mm or less.
  • This system can be used to provide user input, to facilitate user interaction, or to store handwritten notes or drawings.
  • by associating portions of the overall pattern with certain applications such a system can be used to interact with wide variety of applications.
  • the electronic pen 10 includes an ink cartridge and is capable of writing in a typical fashion.
  • the electronic pen 10 includes some type of sensor (e.g., a built-in camera) that is used for detecting an address pattern on a specially formatted piece of paper 12.
  • the paper 12 is formatted with a small portion of a large address pattern such that when the electronic pen 10 is used to write on or otherwise make marks on the paper 12, the writings or markings can be electronically detected and stored.
  • the paper 12 might constitute a form that can be used for sending an email.
  • the paper 12 might include a space for writing in the email address of an intended recipient, a space for writing a subject of the email, and a space for writing the body of the email.
  • the position and movement of the electronic pen 10 on the paper 12 can be determined by repeatedly detecting the current x, y coordinates of the pen 10 (e.g., at rate of 100 frames per second) .
  • the markings can then be converted into ASCII text using an appropriate handwriting recognition program.
  • the email can be sent, for example, by checking a send box at a predetermined location on the paper 12.
  • the coordinate information collected by the pen 10 is sent by a short range radio transmitter in the electronic pen 10 to a nearby mobile station 14 using a short range radio interface 16 such as a local wireless radio link
  • a local wireless radio link such as that is supported by Ericsson' s BluetoothTM wireless communications technology
  • the coordinate information could also be sent to, for instance, a desktop or portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television, or a Bluetooth terminal.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • the coordinate information could also be sent to, for instance, a desktop or portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television, or a Bluetooth terminal.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a local wireless radio link other types of local wireless links, such as inductive coupling and infrared light; other types of radio links, such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) ; or wired transmission media, such as a cable can also be used.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
  • the information can then be forwarded via an appropriate link, such as a cellular air interface 18, to a base station 20 or other network node.
  • FIGURE 2 there is illustrated a schematic diagram of a system 2 for supporting use of the electronic pen 10 described in connection with FIGURE 1.
  • the system 2 is described primarily in connection with an electronic pen 10. It will be understood, however, that the invention and the underlying system 2 can instead use any type of electronic reading device, such as an electronic pen, an electronic mouse, or a hand scanner.
  • the system 2 includes six different entities, including the electronic pen 10, electronic pen client 22, a control node 24, a name server 26, a base translator 28, and an application server 30.
  • these various devices are described and depicted separately, it is also possible to combine two or more of the entities into the same device (e.g., the electronic pen 10 and electronic pen client 22 can be contained in the same device) .
  • the electronic pen 10 is responsible for detecting positions on the address pattern, producing actions, and sending information to the electronic pen client 22. In addition to being able to leave pen markings, some electronic pens can also have the ability to produce other types of output, such as sound, vibration, or flashing lights.
  • the electronic pen 10 includes a memory for storing a current grid, which comprises information relating to an area of the address pattern that is near the most recently detected position of the electronic pen 10. When the electronic pen 10 is loaded with the current grid, it knows what actions to take based on the positions that are read from the address pattern. When the electronic pen 10 ..s first turned on or when it moves to an area outside of the current grid, the electronic pen 10 must first request a new grid description before it can continue processing information. In such a situation, the electronic pen 10 requests a new grid description from the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 can be located in a mobile station 14, in a PDA, in a desktop or portable computer, in the electronic pen 10 itself, in a server somewhere on the Internet, or in another device.
  • the electronic pen client 22 serves as the center of communications in the overall system 2.
  • the electronic pen client 22 receives new grid requests and action requests from the electronic pen 10 and responds to these requests by contacting an appropriate entity within the overall system 2 to properly respond to the request from the electronic pen 10.
  • the electronic pen client 22 can store the application and/or any corresponding data received from the electronic pen 10 to facilitate processing and use of the application.
  • the name server 26 is used for translating a detected position on the address pattern into a Uniform Resource Location (URL) associated with that position. Different portions of the address pattern are assigned to different applications. Neither the electronic pen 10 nor the electronic pen client 22, however, is aware of all of the different applications and the particular areas assigned to each application. Thus, when the electronic pen 10 detects a new or unknown position, it forwards the position information to the electronic pen client 22, which in turn sends the information to the name server 26. The name server 26 then identifies an application associated with the received position and retrieves a URL where a description of the particular application can be found. The retrieved URL can then be used by the electronic pen client 22 to retrieve the application description.
  • URL Uniform Resource Location
  • the name server 26 can comprise a global name server that keeps track of a location, in the form of URLs to local name servers, where more information can be found about different addresses in the pattern.
  • each local name server can use other local name servers to obtain the necessary information, i.e., to convert a position into a URL where an application description can be found.
  • the local electronic pen client should know all the paper addresses that are within a specific application or applications. There are some services that should be available in the overall system 2 for which it is inconvenient or not feasible to support such services in the electronic pen 10 or the electronic pen client 22. In such a case, the base translator 28 can be used to support the services.
  • the base translator 28 might contain handwriting recognition software for converting pen actions into text or for converting pen actions into a predefined set of symbols.
  • the electronic pen client 22 can send a request to the base translator 28 along with the necessary data, and the base translator 28 can perform the requested service.
  • control node 24 Another entity in the system 2 is a control node 24.
  • the control node 24 is used for responding to actions in a standardized way.
  • the control node 24 can be used to respond to certain generic functions, such as "cancel” or "submit” functions, in a consistent manner without regard to the particular application that is currently active.
  • control node 24 is used for creating streaming-like applications . For instance, some applications might require that the positions on the address pattern that are detected by the electronic pen 10 be immediately sent, upon detection, to the electronic pen client 22 for use by the application (i.e., the electronic pen 10 does not wait to transmit the position data until a complete stroke is detected or until a "send" field is touched) .
  • One example is an application that is used to control an industrial robot in a warehouse.
  • the application description that is loaded onto the electronic pen server 22 can include instructions that all positions be streamed to a control node 24.
  • the control node 24 can receive the positions in real time and can control the robot without waiting for the form (i.e., the current grid) to be completed.
  • the control node 24 can perform a real-time translation from detected positions to a responsive action, such as moving an object (e.g., a robot, a valve, etc.) or controlling a process .
  • the application server 30 is a regular web or wireless application protocol (WAP) server that supports an application associated with a particular area of the address pattern.
  • the application server 30 stores an application description and provides the application description to the electronic pen client 22 upon request.
  • the application server 30 receives input data from the electronic pen 10 via the electronic pen client 22.
  • the application description might define a number of data entry areas on a form.
  • FIGURES 3 through 6 there are illustrated various examples of protocol stacks that can be used for communicating between the entities shown in FIGURE 2. Generally, however, such protocols apply however, only if the two communicating entities are implemented in different devices. If two or more entities are combined into one device, a proprietary protocol can be used to communicate between the entities.
  • FIGURE 3 illustrates the protocol stacks that can be used in the case of local communications (e.g., using Bluetooth) between the electronic pen 10 and the electronic pen client 22. If, on the other hand, the electronic pen 10 and the electronic pen client 22 communicate with one another via an Internet connection, the protocol stacks depicted in FIGURE 4 will be used.
  • local communications e.g., using Bluetooth
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates a protocol stack for communicating between the electronic pen client and each of the supporting entities, such as the name server 26, the control node 24, the base translator 28, and the application server 30, when the electronic pen client 22 is not contained within a server on the Internet (e.g., such as when the electronic pen client 22 is located in a mobile phone 14) .
  • FIGURE 6 depicts the protocol stacks that are used when the electronic pen client 22 is located on the Internet.
  • the electronic pen 10 detects a position on the address pattern that is not within its currently loaded grid or when the electronic pen 10 has no currently loaded grid, the electronic pen 10 initiates a new grid procedure.
  • the new grid procedure involves sending a new grid request object to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the new grid request object contains the newly detected position, a description of the actions that the electronic pen 10 can natively support, and a description of the output signals that the electronic pen 10 supports.
  • the reply to a new grid request object is a grid description, which can be provided by the electronic pen client 22 from its own internal memory or from the information provided by an application server 30.
  • the electronic pen client 22 extracts the grid description from an application description received from the application server 30.
  • the grid description should only contain action-field-types that the electronic pen 10 has indicated that it natively supports, which means that the electronic pen client 22 in some cases should convert the extracted grid description into a format that the electronic pen 10 can understand.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends an empty grid description to the electronic pen 10, thereby causing the electronic pen 10 to unload its current grid.
  • the grid exception comprises a rectangle or other shape indicating the area around the detected position where no registered applications can be found.
  • the indicated area is as large as possible so that the electronic pen 10 and/or electronic pen client 22 know the extent of the surrounding area that is unassigned and do not have to repeatedly send requests to the name server 26.
  • the empty grid description with a grid exception causes the electronic pen 10 to unload its current grid and also informs the electronic pen 10 of an area surrounding the detected position that can essentially be ignored because its is not associated with any application.
  • the procedure that is used when the electronic pen 10 detects a new position is a find application description location procedure. This procedure is used by the electronic pen client 22 to translate a detected position received from the electronic pen 10 into a URL where a description of an application corresponding to that position can be found. The procedure involves sending a request from the electronic pen client 22 to the name server 26 containing identification of the detected position.
  • the name server 26 responds by sending a reply to the electronic pen client 22 containing a URL where an application description can be found or, if the detected position is not registered in the name server 26, containing an indication that no associated application is known to exist
  • the electronic pen client 22 can initiate a get application description procedure, which allows the electronic pen client 22 to retrieve the application description from the application server 30.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends an application description request containing a unique ID for the requesting electronic pen 10 and/or electronic pen client 22 to the application server 30 located at the URL address provided by the name server 26.
  • the application server 30 provides an application description object to the electronic pen client 22, which loads the application onto the electronic pen client 22.
  • the application description object is similar to an HTML form with some additions and modifications. Furthermore, the application description object can be sent from the application server 30 to the electronic pen client 22 in response to a submitted form (i.e., a submission of one completed form might automatically result in a new form being loaded onto the electronic pen client 22) .
  • a related procedure is the application submit procedure, which is used by the electronic pen client 22 when the user of the electronic pen 10 selects a "submit" field in a form.
  • the electronic pen client 22 will submit the form content in accordance with instructions received in the application description.
  • the electronic pen client 22 will submit the form content, in the same way as a regular web browser, to a URL specified in a form tag of the application description.
  • an action procedure is initiated by the electronic pen 10 to send an action request object to the electronic pen client 22. If the electronic pen client 22 cannot translate the action into a field value itself, the electronic pen client 22 further forwards the request to a base translator 28 for translating the action into a field value.
  • an action reply object is sent from the electronic pen client 22 to the electronic pen 10.
  • the action reply object contains output information that indicates to the electronic pen 10 which outputs signals to use. The output information, however, cannot be of type that the electronic pen 10 has previously indicated that it does not support.
  • the action reply object might contain a new grid description. In such a case the electronic pen 10 will unload its current grid description and load the new grid description. Similarly, if the action reply object contains an empty grid description, the electronic pen 10 will simply unload its current grid description.
  • the action request object is also sometimes used to specify actions that should be processed by the control node 24.
  • the electronic pen client 22 initiates a control procedure by forwarding the received action to the appropriate control node 24.
  • the control node 24 sends an action reply object to the electronic pen client 22
  • Each electronic pen 10 has a unique pen ID, which is sent to the application server 30 when an application description is requested.
  • the electronic pen ID allows the application to identify the particular user that is using the application and to distinguish between multiple concurrent users of the same application, such as when different electronic pens 10 are being used in connection with separate sheets of paper that each contain the same portion of the address pattern.
  • the electronic pen 10 includes a control block 32 for controlling the operation of the electronic pen 10.
  • a grid description block 34 represents a memory location that stores a current grid description. At any given time, the electronic pen 10 can be in either of two modes. In a first mode, a grid description is loaded, while in a second mode, the grid description block 34 is not loaded with a current grid description.
  • the electronic pen 10 As the electronic pen 10 moves across an address pattern, the electronic pen 10 periodically (e.g., every 1/100 of a second) detects a position by detecting all of the dots within, for example, a 3mm by 3mm area. Each detected position is forwarded (as indicated at 36) to a position first in first out (FIFO) block 38, acts as a buffer for temporarily storing the detected positions.
  • FIFO position first in first out
  • the clocking of the position FIFO block 38 is controlled by the control block 32 (as indicated at 40) .
  • the detected position is fed from the position FIFO block
  • the in grid detector 44 retrieves data from the grid description block 34 (as indicated at 46) and determines whether the received position is within the loaded grid description. If not, the in grid detector 44 notifies the control block 32, which in turn initiates a request for a new grid.
  • the position is then sent (as indicated at 50) from the in grid detector 44 to a stroke engine 52.
  • the stroke engine 52 converts the received positions into strokes, which are then sent (as indicated at 54) to an action engine 56.
  • a complete stroke is created when the electronic pen 10 is lifted from the paper or when it moves outside of the grid field where the stroke began.
  • the action engine 56 converts the received stroke into an action that can be sent to the electronic pen client 22.
  • FIGURE 8 there is illustrated a block diagram of a state machine for the control block 32 shown in FIGURE 7.
  • events are indicated in capital letters, while tasks associated with the event are depicted in brackets.
  • the process starts at step 60 with a start up event 62, which causes the position FIFO block 38 to begin receiving detected positions.
  • the electronic pen 10 is in a no grid loaded state 64, which means that the electronic pen 10 does not have a grid loaded in the grid description block 34.
  • the control block 32 generates an outside grid indication 66, thereby causing the electronic pen 10 to send the request for a new grid description to the electronic pen client 22 (i.e., in accordance with the new grid procedure) and to stop the FIFO buffer 38.
  • the electronic pen 10 enters a waiting for grid state 68.
  • the control block 32 moves to a grid loaded state 72, at which time the new grid is loaded into the grid description block 34 and the position FIFO block 38 resumes operation.
  • the control block 32 moves to a grid loaded state 72, at which time the new grid is loaded into the grid description block 34 and the position FIFO block 38 resumes operation.
  • no grid is received (as indicated at 74)
  • the grid exception area if any, in the received empty grid description. Accordingly, all positions stored in the FIFO buffer 38 that are within the grid exception area should be erased. If no grid exception is received, the stroke associated with the position is erased.
  • the FIFO block 38 resumes operation and the control block 32 moves into the no grid loaded state 64.
  • control block 32 When the control block 32 is in the grid loaded state 72, a current grid is loaded in the grid description block 34. While the control block 32 remains in this state 72, the position FIFO block 38 continues to receive detected positions and passes them on to the stroke engine 52 and action engine 56. Actions produced by the action engine 56 are sent (as indicated at 58) to the electronic pen client 22 (i.e., in accordance with the action procedure described above) .
  • an outside grid indication 74 may be received by the control block 32 from the in grid detector 44.
  • the outside grid event 74 causes the FIFO block 38 to stop generating new positions.
  • the electronic pen 10 enters a flushing stroke and action state 76 wherein the strokes that are currently in the stroke engine 52 and the actions that are currently in the action engine 56 are flushed to the electronic pen client 22. Once the stroke engine 52 and action engine 56 have been fully flushed (as indicated at 78) , the electronic pen 10 sends a request for a new grid to the electronic pen client 22 and unloads the current grid. The control block 32 then moves back into the waiting for grid state 68.
  • the electronic pen 10 may be capable of supporting various different types of output, including audio, such as warning tones; visual, such as a flashing light; tactile, such as vibration; and/or ink.
  • audio such as warning tones
  • visual such as a flashing light
  • tactile such as vibration
  • ink it might be desirable to allow the user of the electronic pen 10 to turn off the ink of the pen 10, such as when the electronic pen is being used on a portion of the address pattern that is public or shared or when the user wants to be able to reuse the current sheet of paper.
  • the electronic pen client 22 will now be described in greater detail.
  • the electronic pen client 22 is analogous to a regular web browser. It is responsible for loading applications from application servers 30 and for handling input form the electronic pen 10.
  • the electronic pen client 22 is located in a separate device from the electronic pen 10 itself. This is because it is desirable to minimize the size and power supply requirements of the electronic pen 10, which will likely be adversely affected by the processing resources and memory necessary to support the functions of the electronic pen client 22.
  • FIGURE 9 there is illustrated a block diagram of a state machine for the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 is in a no application loaded state 80.
  • the electronic pen client 22 recognizes only one signal when in this state 80, namely a new grid request from the electronic pen 10. Such a request causes a load grid indication event 82.
  • the electronic pen client 22 responds by sending a request to the name server 26 to translate a position contained within the new grid request into a URL where the application description can be found (i.e. , in accordance with the find application location procedure) .
  • the electronic pen client 22 enters a waiting for application description URL state 84.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends a new grid reply to the electronic pen 10, wherein the reply contains an empty grid description with a grid exception. As a result, the electronic pen client 22 returns to the no application loaded state 80.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends a request to the application server 30 to retrieve the application description (i.e., in accordance with the get application description procedure) . Accordingly, the electronic pen client 22 enters a waiting for application description state 90.
  • the electronic pen client 22 does not receive an application description from the application server 30 (as indicated at 92), a new grid reply is sent by the electronic pen client 22 to the electronic pen 10 wherein the reply contains an empty grid. Thus, the electronic pen client 22 returns to the no application loaded state 80. If, however, the electronic pen client 22 does receive an application description from the application server 30 (as indicated at 94) , the electronic pen client 22 sends a new grid reply to the electronic pen 10 containing a new grid description, and the electronic pen client 22 loads the application in its memory. In addition, the electronic pen client 22 moves into an application loaded state 96.
  • a received action can include a request that the electronic pen client 22 cannot handle itself, in which case the electronic pen client 22 will send the action to the base translator 28 (as indicated at 98) .
  • the electronic pen client 22 then moves into a waiting for response from the base translator state 100.
  • a base translator response 102 is received by the electronic pen client 22, the electronic pen client 22 updates a current form or other data associated with the currently loaded application and sends an action reply to the electronic pen 10 with appropriate output information.
  • Another type of action that the electronic pen client 22 can receive from the electronic pen 10 is a request that should be forwarded to a control node 24.
  • the action is sent to a control URL specified in the application description (as indicated at 104), and the electronic pen client 22 enters a waiting for response from the control state 106.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends an action reply to the electronic pen 10 with appropriate output information.
  • a third type of action is a submit form request, in response to which the electronic pen client 22 will submit the current form to the application server 30 that is identified by the URL in the application description (as indicated at 110) .
  • the electronic pen client 22 then enters a waiting for response from the application server state 112. If the application server 30 responds by sending an empty application description to the electronic pen client 22 (as indicated at 114), the current application is unloaded from the electronic pen client 22 and an action reply is sent to the electronic pen 10 with an empty grid. As a result, the electronic pen client 22 returns to the no application loaded state 80.
  • the application server 30 responds with a non-empty application description
  • the old application is unloaded from the electronic pen client 22
  • the new application description is parsed and loaded in the electronic pen client 22
  • an action reply is sent to the electronic pen 10 with a new grid description and with appropriate output information
  • the electronic pen client 22 returns to the application loaded state 96.
  • a fourth type of action that can be received by the electronic pen client 22 from the electronic pen 10 is a request to load a new grid. This action occurs, for example, when a position outside of the current grid is detected by the electronic pen 10.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends a request to the name server 26 (as indicated at 116) and the electronic pen client 22 returns to the waiting for application description URL state 84.
  • a fifth type of action that can be received by the electronic pen client 22 is an action that the electronic pen client 22 can handle itself, in which case the electronic pen client 22 updates the current form and sends an action reply to the electronic pen 10 with appropriate output information (as indicated at 118) .
  • the electronic pen client 22 then remains in the application loaded state 96.
  • One type of action that the electronic pen client 22 might be able to handle itself is a local application.
  • the electronic pen client 22 might be capable of performing certain basic functions that are defined by a local application.
  • the electronic pen client 22 receives a new grid request, the position associated with the new grid request can be analyzed to determine if it corresponds to a local application.
  • the electronic pen client 22 can load the application description from its local memory, send a new grid description to the electronic pen 10 without having to communicate with the name server 26 or the application server 30.
  • Another action that might be handled locally by the electronic pen client 22 relates to the selection of fields within a form.
  • the electronic pen client 22 receives an action, the field that corresponds to that action receives focus.
  • the electronic pen client 22 might display the field' s value on its display or output the value by audio.
  • the electronic pen client 22 might allow the user to edit the value of the field by means other than the electronic pen 10.
  • Yet another type of action that might be handled by the electronic pen client 22 itself are actions that relate to a clipboard function.
  • FIGURES 10A through IOC there is shown, by way of example, a message flow and signaling diagram illustrating the operation of the electronic pen system 2 depicted in and discussed in connection with FIGURE 2.
  • the electronic pen 10 detects a first position on the address pattern at step 120 (e.g., at a location on a sheet of paper designated for composing and sending emails) .
  • a first position on the address pattern e.g., at a location on a sheet of paper designated for composing and sending emails.
  • the electronic pen 10 is in a no grid loaded state.
  • the electronic pen 10 sends a new grid request 122, which contains the detected position information, to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends an application location request 124 containing the detected position information to the name server 26, at step 126.
  • the name server 26 translates the detected position into a URL where an application description that corresponds to the detected position can be found (e.g., a URL address for a server containing an email application) , and returns an application location reply 128 containing the retrieved URL to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 then sends an application description request 130, which contains the unique pen ID for the electronic pen 10, to the application server 30.
  • the application server 30 retrieves the application description at step 132 and sends an application description reply 134 containing the retrieved application description to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 then parses and stores the application description at step 136. This step further involves generating a current grid description from the application description and sending the grid description to the electronic pen 10 in a new grid reply 138.
  • the electronic pen 10 stores the received grid description at step 140 and resumes processing of the detected positions.
  • the electronic pen 10 uses the detected positions and the information in the grid description (e.g., so that the electronic pen 10 knows which fields of the email form are being filled in) to generate strokes at step 142 and generates actions at step 144 using the stroke engine 52 and action engine 56 shown in FIGURE 7.
  • an action request 146 coniaining a description of the action is sent from the electronic pen 10 to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 should determine what type of action has been received so that it can respond to the action in an appropriate manner.
  • a local application at step 148.
  • Very basic applications or frequently used applications e.g., delete entered text
  • the electronic pen client 22 retrieves the local application at step 150 and sends an action reply 152, which can contain a new grid description cr other appropriate information.
  • step 148 it is determined whether the received action requires processing by an external translator (e.g., handwriting recognition) . If so, an action request 156 containing a description of the action is sent by the electronic pen client 22 to the base translator 28.
  • the base translator 28 processes the action at step 158 and sends an action reply 160 containing output information responsive to the received action (e.g., text corresponding to written characters) to the electronic pen client 22, which can forward the output information to the electronic pen 10 in an action reply 162, if necessary.
  • an external translator e.g., handwriting recognition
  • step 154 If it is determined at step 154 that the received action does not require processing by an external translator, it is next determined whether the action relates to a control application at step 164. If so, an action request 166 containing a description of the action is sent by the electronic pen client 22 to the control server 24.
  • the control server 24 processes the received action at step 168 and, if a response is necessary, returns output information responsive to the received action in an action reply 170, which is forwarded from the electronic pen client 22 to the electronic pen 10 in an action reply 172.
  • step 164 it is next determined whether the action comprises a request to submit a form at step 174 (e.g., a selection of a "send" area on the email form) . If so, an action request 176 containing the data entered onto the form is sent by the electronic pen client 22 to the application server 30.
  • the application server 30 processes the form at step 178 and sends an action reply 180 containing a new application description (or an empty application description) to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the electronic pen client 22 parses and stores the new application description at step 182 and generates a new grid description from the newly received application description.
  • the electronic pen client 22 then sends an action reply 184 containing the new grid description.
  • the electronic pen 10 will typically respond to the receipt of a new grid description by unloading its current grid description and loading the new grid description into its memory. At some point, it is assumed that the electronic pen 10 detects a position that is outside of the currently loaded grid at step 186. In response to such an event, the electronic pen 10 sends a new grid request 188 containing the newly detected position data to the electronic pen client 22. In response, the electronic pen client 22 again generates an application location request 190 containing the detected position data and sends the request to the name server 26. The name server 26 determines whether a URL for an application description that corresponds to the newly detected position is available at step 192.
  • the name server 26 sends an application location reply 194 containing a retrieved URL to the electronic pen client 22, which in turn sends an application description request 196 containing the unique pen ID for the electronic pen 10 to the application server 30 at the identified URL address, just as previously discussed in connection with messages 128 and 130.
  • the application server 30 determines that the requested application description is unavailable at step 198.
  • the application server 30 sends an application description reply to the electronic pen client 22 containing an empty application description.
  • the electronic pen client 22 unloads the current application at step 202 and sends a new grid reply 204 containing an empty grid description to the electronic pen 10.
  • the electronic pen 10 responds to the receipt of the empty grid description by unloading the current grid description at step 206.
  • the name server 26 determines at step 192 that a URL corresponding to the detected position is not available.
  • the name server 26 sends an application location reply 208 to the electronic pen client 22.
  • the reply 208 may simply be empty to indicate that a URL is not available.
  • the reply 208 contains a grid exception defining the largest area possible around the detected position for which there is no corresponding URL.
  • the electronic pen client 22 sends a new grid reply 210 containing an empty grid description with a grid exception.
  • the electronic pen 10 unloads the current grid description at step 212.
  • the electronic pen 10 may subsequently be able to determine that certain detected positions on the address pattern are not associated with any application without having to send a request to the name server 26 or the application server 30.
  • the electronic reading device system 2 makes it possible to send a digital copy of what is written on a piece of paper or a whiteboard, for example, as an email, fax, or SMS. This is simply performed by writing the message on the specially formatted paper 12.
  • a digital copy of what is written on a piece of paper or a whiteboard for example, as an email, fax, or SMS. This is simply performed by writing the message on the specially formatted paper 12.
  • an electronic pen 10 with a writing functionality e.g., an ink cartridge
  • the user gets direct feedback of what he or she has written on the paper (i.e., because of the ink that is left on the paper) . It is, however, also desirable that the user gets feedback when the document or notes have been electronically sent and how they will look at the receiving end.
  • Another aspect of the invention is that the user will frequently want to retrieve information, such as a phone number from a mobile phone or an email address from the Internet, as the user writes on the paper 12.
  • This type of feedback can also be given on the display of a mobile phone, a PDA, or a PC.
  • the user can selectively choose when he or she wants the mobile phone, PDA, or PC to display the help text or other information that relates to the functions that are built into the paper 12.
  • Help button one can download information about the paper application from a server on the Internet to a client located either in an electronic pen, mobile phone, PDA, or PC when the user checks a help button or field on a formatted paper.
  • This will provide the user of the electronic pen 10 with help and information feedback related to each paper application on a display screen. Accordingly, a user of the electronic reading device system 2 can receive help or information retrieval while using the electronic pen 10
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 an illustrative example of the invention vill now be described.
  • the positions detected by the electronic pen 10 can be forwarded to the electronic pen client 22, which can be located in a mobile phone 14, computer, PDA, electronic pen, or other electronic device, and converted into an electronic textual representation of the handwritten information.
  • the electronic textual representation can then be displayed on a display screen of a mobile phone 14, computer, PDA, or other device including a display screen.
  • a display of information would occur after selecting an appropriate field (e.g., a "Display Writing" field) on the formatted surface.
  • an appropriate field e.g., a "Display Writing" field
  • a user can use the electronic pen 10 to select a "help" field on a formatted surface that is associated with a particular application.
  • the electronic pen client 22 could retrieve help information from a local memory or from an application server 30 and display the information on a display screen.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système permettant l'affichage d'une information de retour dans un système de lecture électronique. Un dispositif de lecture électronique permet de détecter des portions d'une structure d'adresse sur une surface formatée. Les portions détectées sont converties en une information de retour qui est ensuite affichée sur un afficheur électronique. L'information de retour peut comprendre une représentation en texte de l'information écrite au moyen du dispositif de lecture électronique, une information d'assistance relative à une application associée à la structure d'adresse ou une autre information extraite d'une mémoire.
PCT/EP2001/001399 2000-02-16 2001-02-09 Retour d'information d'assistance et recherche d'information au moyen d'un pointeur electronique WO2001061629A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01927659A EP1256088A2 (fr) 2000-02-16 2001-02-09 Retour d'information d'assistance et recherche d'information au moyen d'un pointeur electronique
AU54633/01A AU5463301A (en) 2000-02-16 2001-02-09 Electronic pen help feedback and information retrieval

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18274200P 2000-02-16 2000-02-16
US60/182,742 2000-02-16
US19034300P 2000-03-16 2000-03-16
US60/190,343 2000-03-16
US19266200P 2000-03-28 2000-03-28
US60/192,662 2000-03-28
US24480300P 2000-10-31 2000-10-31
US60/244,803 2000-10-31
US09/774,141 US20010033293A1 (en) 2000-02-16 2001-01-30 Electronic pen help feedback and information retrieval
US09/774,141 2001-01-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001061629A2 true WO2001061629A2 (fr) 2001-08-23
WO2001061629A3 WO2001061629A3 (fr) 2002-03-14

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Country Link
EP (1) EP1256088A2 (fr)
AU (1) AU5463301A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001061629A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1406150A1 (fr) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Procédé et dispositif de rétroaction tactile et dispositif portable l'incorporant
WO2008114147A1 (fr) * 2007-03-20 2008-09-25 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. Procédé, système et programme d'ordinateur pour permettre un support de vente en direct
US7478756B1 (en) 2003-03-04 2009-01-20 Data Recognition Corporation Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage
WO2013130060A1 (fr) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-06 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Affichage d'une annotation spatialement associée pour contenu écrit

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5477012A (en) * 1992-04-03 1995-12-19 Sekendur; Oral F. Optical position determination
GB2306669A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-07 Ricoh Kk Manual entry interactive paper and electronic document handling and processing system
WO1999039277A1 (fr) * 1998-01-29 1999-08-05 Interval Research Corporation Procedes et systemes destines a fournir un contenu par adressage indirect

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5477012A (en) * 1992-04-03 1995-12-19 Sekendur; Oral F. Optical position determination
GB2306669A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-07 Ricoh Kk Manual entry interactive paper and electronic document handling and processing system
WO1999039277A1 (fr) * 1998-01-29 1999-08-05 Interval Research Corporation Procedes et systemes destines a fournir un contenu par adressage indirect

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1406150A1 (fr) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Procédé et dispositif de rétroaction tactile et dispositif portable l'incorporant
US7478756B1 (en) 2003-03-04 2009-01-20 Data Recognition Corporation Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage
WO2008114147A1 (fr) * 2007-03-20 2008-09-25 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. Procédé, système et programme d'ordinateur pour permettre un support de vente en direct
WO2013130060A1 (fr) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-06 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Affichage d'une annotation spatialement associée pour contenu écrit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1256088A2 (fr) 2002-11-13
WO2001061629A3 (fr) 2002-03-14
AU5463301A (en) 2001-08-27

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