System enabling initiation of requested action via printed substrate
A system enabling a user to initiate a requested action via a printed substrate. The system comprises: a printed substrate comprising user information and a position-coding pattern; an optically imaging pen comprising a nib, an image sensor and a processor; and a computer system for identifying and initiating the requested action. The processor is configured for decoding the imaged position-coding pattern, determining a first position using the decoded position-coding pattern, and determining a second position using the first position. The second position is different than the first position, and is used by the computer system to identify the requested action.
1. A system enabling a user to initiate a requested action via a printed substrate, the system comprising:
a printed substrate comprising user information and a position-coding pattern, said position-coding pattern identifying a plurality of locations on the substrate;
an optically imaging pen comprising:
a nib for interacting with the substrate;
an image sensor for imaging at least part of the position-coding pattern; and
a processor configured for:
decoding the imaged position-coding pattern;
determining a first position using the decoded position-coding pattern; and
determining a second position using the first position, wherein said
second position is different than said first position; and
a computer system configured for receiving the second position, identifying the requested action based on the second position, and initiating the requested action.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second position corresponds to a nib position.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said nib position is determined using a multiple degree-of-freedom perspective transform, a known spatial relationship between the nib and the image sensor and the first position.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein said perspective transform is determined from a perspective distortion of the imaged position-coding pattern.
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein said position-coding pattern identifies a page identity associated with the printed substrate.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the computer system receives the page identity together with the second position.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the computer system is configured to retrieve a page description corresponding to the page identity.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the page description describes a zone of at least one interactive element on the printed substrate.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the interactive element is selected from the group consisting of: a hyperlink, a button and a field.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the field is adapted for receiving handwritten input.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the computer system is configured to identify the action by comparing the second position with the zone of at least one interactive element.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein said pen stores a unique pen identity.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein said nib is coupled to a force sensor.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein said nib is retractable.
15. An optically imaging pen enabling a user to initiate an action via a printed substrate, the printed substrate comprising user information and a position-coding pattern identifying a plurality of locations on the substrate, said pen comprising:
a nib for interacting with the substrate;
an image sensor for imaging at least part of the position-coding pattern;
a processor configured for:
decoding the imaged position-coding pattern;
determining a first position using the decoded position-coding pattern; and
determining a second position using the first position, wherein said second position is different than said first position; and
means for sending the second position to a computer system so to enable the action to be identified and initiated using the second position.