System and method for information management using handwritten identifiers

1. A method for information management, comprising:

receiving a first image produced from scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command;

comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers;

adding the identifier to the set of prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than a predetermined similarity with any identifier within the set of prerecorded identifiers;

linking the identifier to a set of information;

receiving a second image produced from scanning the original copy a second time in response to a second user command;

matching the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of the original copy;

retrieving the set of information in response to the matching;

computing a signature of the identifier; and

requesting a new identifier if the signature shares more than a predetermined similarity with a prerecorded identifier;

wherein computing includes selecting a set of identifier features for the signature which are scale and rotation invariant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier includes scanning the original copy using a first imaging device; and

scanning the original copy a second time includes scanning the original copy using a second imaging device.

3. The method of claim 1 :

wherein the identifier includes a hand-delimited existing mark.

4. The method of claim 1 :

wherein the identifier is a human created surface irregularity.

5. The method of claim 1 :

wherein the identifier is a hand drawn scribble.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

requesting a new identifier in response to determining that the original copy of the handwritten identifier shares more than the predetermined similarity with a prerecorded identifier.

7. The method of claim 1 :

wherein scanning includes imaging the identifier and a set of background information; and

further comprising distinguishing the set of background information from the identifier.

8. The method of claim 1 :

further comprising,

partitioning the set of prerecorded identifiers into a predefined set of groups;

selecting one of the predefined groups; and

wherein comparing includes comparing the identifier only against prerecorded identifiers within the selected group.

9. The method of claim 1 :

wherein computing includes normalizing the identifier in scale and rotation.

10. The method of claim 1 :

wherein linking the identifier to the set of information includes linking the identifier to at least one of a GUID, a SKU, a URL, and a telephone number, and

wherein retrieving the set of information comprises retrieving at least one of the GUID, SKU, URL, and telephone number in response to the matching.

11. The method of claim 1 :

wherein linking includes associating the set of information with a set of action types.

12. The method of claim 1 :

further comprising, displaying information in response to the set of information.

13. The method of claim 1 :

further comprising, effecting an action in response to the set of information.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

placing the identifier on a physical object.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

placing the identifier on paper.

16. A method for information management, comprising:

partitioning a set of prerecorded identifiers into a predefined set of groups;

selecting one of the predefined groups;

scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command;

comparing the identifier only against prerecorded identifiers within the selected group;

adding the identifier to the set of prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than a predetermined similarity with any identifier within the selected group ;

requesting a new identifier, if the identifier shares more than the predetermined similarity with a prerecorded identifier in the selected group;

linking the identifier to a set of information;

scanning the original copy a second time in response to a second user command;

matching the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of the original copy;

retrieving the set of information in response to the matching; and

effecting actions associated with the set of information.