MXPA02006340A

MXPA02006340A - General information management system.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02006340A
Application number: MXPA02006340A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Petter Ericson
Original assignee: Anoto Ab
Priority date: 1999-12-23
Filing date: 2000-12-22
Publication date: 2002-12-13
Also published as: EP1244955A1; EP1259933A2; CA2394922A1; WO2001048591A1; AU2567801A; AU2569301A; JP2003518698A; BR0016610A; EP1244996A1; WO2001048678A1; AU2567901A

Abstract

An information management system is intended for management of digitally represented information which is associated with absolute positions on an imaginary surface (200). The imaginary surface (200) contains at least two regions (201208), each of which is dedicated to predetermined management of the digitally represented information. In the system the management of the digitally represented information is carried out on the basis of the region affiliation of the absolute positions associated with the information. The system is suitably based on use of a positioncoding pattern which defines the imaginary surface (200) and which in parts is applicable on different bases. The system makes possible both digital recording of information and control of how the information thus recorded is to be managed. A database, a method for management of information, a method for compiling a pattern layout, a product and use are also described.

Description

GENERAL INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of information management and communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Often, the information is written and communicated through a pen and paper. However, it is difficult to manage and communicate such information based on paper efficiently. Computers are increasingly used to manage and communicate information. The information is entered through a keyboard and stored in the computer's memory, for example, on a hard drive. However, the introduction of information through the keyboard is slow and is easily mistakes are made. It is also not particularly convenient to read large volumes of text on a computer screen. Graphic information, such as drawings and images, is usually entered by means of a separate image reader, such as a scanner or something similar, into a procedure that is time-consuming, inconvenient and often provides unsatisfactory results. However, once the information is on the computer, it is easy to communicate it to others, for example as an email or SMS through an Internet connection or as a fax via a fax modem. In the applicant's Patent Application PCT / SE00 / 01895, which claims the priority of Swedish patent application No. 9903541-2, filed on October 1, 1999, and is included herein by reference, it is described a system where a pen and paper are used to write information in a traditional way, while at the same time creating a digital graphic that consists of several strokes or lines of movement of the pen on paper and that can be transmitted to a computer. This type of system combines the advantage of using pen and paper, which many users are accustomed to, with the superior ability of the computer to communicate and store information. The sheet of paper is provided with a coding pattern, for example, dots or other symbols. The pen consists of a sensor, preferably optical, that registers the coding pattern and, using a mathematical algorithm, calculates the position of the pen in the coding pattern. In this way, the traditional pen becomes an excellent input device for the computer and the computer can be used to store the recorded information, instead of the sheet of paper having to be stored in a file. In addition, the information can be easily communicated through the computer. Registered information comprises parts that can be used for different purposes. 1) The digital graphic contains an image, such as figures or interrelated lines, that can be interpreted by people, for example, letters, a symbol, a figure or a drawing. This is the actual message that was written and that the user wants to handle in some way, for example, file or send to a recipient. This information, the so-called message information, is stored in a graphic format, for example a vector format or a collection of pixels. 2) The part of the message information consisting of letters (handwritten) may be subjected to subsequent processing in the form of OCR interpretation (optical character recognition) or ICR (intelligent character recognition) interpretation to convert it into a format of characters that the computer can use, for example, for search purposes or for cataloging purposes. The symbols can also be interpreted, for example, stenographic symbols or icons, for which the user determines a particular meaning. In the following, this information is called character information. 3) The information may also include an identification of which pen was used to write the information. 4) Finally, the graph contains information about the place where the graph was written, the so-called absolute position information. 5) In addition, it is possible to obtain a printed copy of the recorded information if the pen makes physical marks on the sheet of paper.

The prior art comprises other systems for obtaining information on absolute or relative position when writing on a surface. However, these previously known systems only describe the use of said information to create message information and / or character information, i.e. information belonging to groups 1) and 2) above. Said prior art includes, for example, the optical detection of a pattern of coding positions on a base in accordance with US-A-5,051, 736, US-A-5,442,147, US-A-5,852,434, US-A- 5,652,412 and EP-B-0 615 209. The information about the position can also be obtained, as described in EP-B-0 615 209, by acceleration sensors or inductive / capacitive / magnetic sensors. Other alternatives are a base that includes pressure sensors, as described in US-A-5,790,105, the triangulation of signals (light, sound, infrared radiation, etc.) with the use of a plurality of transmitters / receivers, according to it is described in US-A-5,012,049, or the mechanical detection of movement in relation are a surface, as described in US-A-4,495,646. Information about the position can also be obtained through the combination of techniques. For example, a system is described in WO 00/31682 which combined the optical detection of symbols to determine the information on the absolute position at low resolution, and acceleration sensors to determine the information on the relative position of high resolution.

Although, according to the prior art, there are different techniques for recording message information and / or characters as described above, there is no system that facilitates the user to handle this information in a simple, flexible and structured manner . Known systems for managing information, such as the database system described in US-A-5,842,196, generally comprise a central server unit and user units in the form of personal computers or terminals communicating with the unit of the server The server unit contains a database with information stored in data records. The search for these data records and updating them with new information are delayed operations that should be as efficient as possible. For this reason, the database is often organized in a tree structure, where searchable indexes or key values are assigned to the data records, or data fields in them. However, it is not clear how this type of database system could be successfully combined with the techniques for recording message and / or character information described above. US-A-5,932,863 discloses a technique for improving the user interface with electronic means. Paper products are provided with a symbol, which can be read by a machine, to which a preprogrammed command is assigned on a computer. When the user enter the symbol through a hand scanner, this is transmitted to the computer, where the preprogrammed command is executed, for example to cause the computer to extract interactive software from a central data bank and run it on the computer. In this case, it is also not very clear how this type of user interface could be combined with the techniques for recording information of messages and / or characters described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the improvement of information management that is recorded by means of a user unit. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to increase the possibilities of managing digitally recorded information. Likewise, it is convenient to show a technique for information management that is easy to use for the user. Another objective is to provide a technique that allows quick, simple and unambiguous administration of information. Another objective is to provide a technique that is general, but allows the individual management of information from different parts. These and other objectives, which will be evident from the following description, have been achieved in whole or in part by means of a information management system ading to claims 1 and 12, a database ading to claim 22, a method for information management ading to claims 31 and 37, a method for compiling a pattern scheme of ading to claim 41, a product ading to claim 47 and the use ading to claim 50. The dependent claims define the preferred embodiments. Ading to a first aspect, the invention relates to an information management system. In adance with the prior art, a position coding pattern is used locally for the sole purpose of recording handwritten information. The position coding pattern then only has to be used to encode positions locally on the surface where the information is written. In adance with the invention, absolute positions are used instead on an imaginary surface that is composed of all points or positions that can be encoded by the position coding pattern. Each position is defined by at least two coordinates. If there are several imaginary surfaces, a third coordinate can be used to define the imaginary surface in question. By devoting different parts of the imaginary surface to different types of information management, it is possible to both record information and control how information should be administered using the position coding pattern. In this way, different bases are provided with different subsets of the position coding pattern, depending on the way in which the information written in the database should be administered. The pattern of position coding covers an imaginary total surface, since it is very large and, therefore, never fully present in the base. The imaginary surface is an imaginary surface that is composed of all the positions that the coding pattern of positions can encode. The imaginary surface can be divided into main regions which, in turn, can be divided into additional subregions, etc. The main regions may have different size and shape. Together, they do not need to cover the entire imaginary surface, but they can. Each main region can be dedicated to a particular type of information management. The subregions that have already been mentioned can be dedicated to variants of the information management to which the associated main region is assigned. The subregions can also be dedicated to different people, products, services, operations in registered information or similar. It should be noted that not all the information that is administered in the system needs to be represented by absolute positions on the imaginary surface. The information can be registered through a combination of techniques, of which one identifies the absolute positions and the other identifies the relative positions. An example of this type of combination is provided in the document mentioned above WO 00/31682. In this case, the information may comprise only one or more absolute positions and a sequence of local positions related to these absolute positions. Because local positions can be converted into absolute positions, this digitally represented information, which is linked in some way to the absolute positions on an imaginary surface, can also be administered in the system ading to the invention. Therefore, the system increases the possibilities of managing information. A user can write, and at the same time record digitally, information in a pattern of position coding. The management of digitally recorded information in this way is then controlled by locating the data recorded on the imaginary surface. In this way, the system allows data collection, that is, the digital record of information written on a writing surface or something similar, and the distribution of data, that is, the communication of information to or from the user. All or parts of the digitally recorded information, for example in the form of message information, may be sent to a recipient. Alternatively, a user may receive additional information from a particular person, for example, about a product or service, by recording information on a portion of the imaginary surface designed for this purpose.

Therefore, the system is easy to use, since the user does not need to define in each situation how the recorded information should be managed. Instead, the administration is controlled by the coordinates of the recorded information, that is, its affiliation to regions on the imaginary surface. Broadly speaking, the user can work as he does with pen and paper, but also taking advantage of all the possibilities of electronics. The registered information can be administered quickly, easily, unequivocally and transparently for the user in the system according to the invention. The system according to the invention is general, but allows the individual handling of information from different parties, thanks to the fact that different parties with different needs can gain access to different regions on the imaginary surface in the system and can control the administration of your own information. - As an example it can be mentioned that a main region can be dedicated to information that must be sent to a predetermined address in a computer network. As another example, it can be mentioned that another main region can be dedicated to information in the form of notes that must be stored in a user's computer. The different regions on the imaginary surface can be dedicated to different purposes for several periods of time. The Different regions can be reserved on the one hand for different periods of time, for markets and special applications. The system can be called global because the division of the imaginary surface into different unique regions is applied throughout the system, however, it does not need to be global in the sense that it is global. It is considered that the global information management system arises and exists when any of the parties uses the property of a pattern of coding positions, that different areas or regions of coordinates encoded by different subsets of the pattern can be dedicated to different management purposes. information. In a preferred embodiment, the information management system comprises a computer system that stores information about the position of the different regions on the imaginary surface. The computer system may include one or several computers that store the aforementioned information. It is essential to locate, in a coordinated way, the different regions so that they are used consistently in the system. Also, the information is stored appropriately with respect to unused or unreserved regions and to what the different reserved regions are dedicated. In one embodiment, at least one command region representing an operation is defined on the imaginary surface, so that the detection of the absolute coordinates for a point within this command region produces the initiation, and subsequent execution, of said operation. In addition to the regions dedicated to different information management purposes, there may be one or several regions of commands on the imaginary surface. The above regions are used to record information that is processed in different ways, depending on the region. The command region is used primarily, not to record information, but to define a command or operation that must be performed. In an extreme case, the command region may comprise a single point, since the command region does not need to facilitate the recording of handwritten information. However, in the normal case, the command region comprises a plurality of points on the imaginary surface for a corresponding subset of the coding pattern of positions that can be read with high reliability. In general, it is intended that the command or operation be performed with respect to information that has been registered or that must be recorded through a subset of the position coding pattern that encodes one of said regions dedicated to different purposes of the administration of information. In accordance with an example, a user writes information in a notebook, whose surface consists of a field to write provided with a first subset of the position coding pattern, which encodes the coordinates within a region on the imaginary surface dedicated to notes. Afterwards, the user registers the coordinates absolute values of a command region, which is encoded by a second subset of the position coding pattern, which is reproduced in a frame on the writing surface of the notebook. The command can, for example, store the information registered in the user's computer in which case the box is marked with "store". As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the detection of the second subset of the position coding pattern causes the information, written in the first subset, to be stored in the user's computer. The above descriptions with respect to regions for information management also apply to command regions. The command region can be a universal region on the imaginary surface, i.e., a corresponding subset of the position coding pattern can be applied at several different bases and combined with other subsets of the position coding pattern associated with other regions on the surface imaginary Alternatively, the command region can be part of one of the above-mentioned regions for information management, for example, a primary region dedicated to the transmission of information to an external unit. Conveniently, the primary region also comprises at least one message registration region, dedicated to the digital recording of a sequence of positions on the imaginary surface. The primary region conveniently comprises a plurality of identical standard regions, each of which includes at least one command region and at least one message registration region. The primary region therefore has a hierarchical structure that offers the advantage that detailed information about this part of the imaginary surface can be stored in a compact form, for example as a database based on algorithms. In addition, it is considered that all the information that is registered within a standard region forms a set that can be an advantage when the registered information must be administered in the system. In a preferred embodiment, information on the position of at least one command region on the imaginary surface is stored in the computation system that was already described, to gather information about the positions of all the different regions on the imaginary surface and facilitate consistent use. The command or operation defined by the command region can, for example, be one of the commands to store information, send information or convert information. The information can be sent in different formats and through different "transport systems". The information can, for example, be sent as an email message, SMS or fax. It is possible to send it from a user unit, for example in the form of a digital pen, through a mobile telephone, a computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) to a recipient who, for example, can also be a mobile phone, PDA, a computer, particularly a computer connected to the Internet, or a program on a computer. The information is preferably sent in graphic form, that is, as sequences of registered positions. All registered positions that represent information can be sent or processed in a compressed form or some other format. In addition, character recognition can be performed so that the information can be sent in a character encoded format. The information can be stored in a unit that is synchronized with the user unit, for example a computer, or in a storage site in a server connected to the Internet. The conversion command can comprise a command which means that the information, for example, must be translated into a predetermined language, submitted to character recognition, encryption or converted in some other way. It is not necessary for a single person to administer all the information in the information management system, but different parties may have access to different regions on the imaginary surface. However, the party responsible for the information management system must, as mentioned above, know the reserved regions and the free regions on the imaginary surface. The system of The computation advantageously stores information about an owner of at least one of said information management regions. In addition, the computer system may require the compression of information about what the information management regions and particular commands are dedicated to, so that the computer system can perform a part of information management. Particular information, represented by coordinates of positions within particular regions, can, for example, always be sent to the computer system that can perform the particular processing of the information and forward it to a recipient. In a preferred embodiment, the information management system may also include at least one user unit, preferably in the form of a handheld device, such as a digital pen, which allows recording absolute positions from a base provided with, at least , a subset of said position coding pattern and which can also be considered as at least a subset of the imaginary surface. The user unit may comprise a sensor capable of detecting the position coding pattern. As indicated above, the information may alternatively be recorded by a combination of techniques, in which case the user unit may include one or more additional sensors, such as an acceleration sensor, a mechanical translation sensor, etc.

Conveniently, the user unit may possess an ordinary pen point so that the information can be written to a base provided with a subset of the position coding pattern and at the same time be recorded digitally by the sensor. The information recorded by the user unit in the form of absolute positions generally represents, therefore, message information, that is, graphic information written / drawn on the base with the user unit. However, alternatively it can represent a command (an operation). When a command is detected, it originates that the user unit initiates at least one predetermined operation, although possibly with some delay. In some cases, the user unit can perform the entire operation on its own. In other cases, the user unit may, for example, transfer all or parts of the recorded information to an external unit, such as a computer or a mobile telephone, which concludes the operation. This transmission can be done directly or at a later time. "Start" means that the user unit ensures that the operation is carried out, even if it is not the one that performs the operation, so that the user does not have to issue additional commands to the user unit or the external unit to be perform the operation. However, the user may need to provide information or confirm the operation / information. In its simplest modality, the user unit is not able to recognize or interpret the coordinates that correspond to the different command regions, but ensures that it is perform a required operation by sending all coordinates to an external unit that can interpret them. Conveniently, the information management system may also comprise at least one base provided with at least a subset of said position coding pattern. The base can be incorporated or incorporated in several products. Examples of these products include forms, brochures, newspapers, notepads, calendars, desk mats, etc., made from plastic materials, a plastic writing board or a display screen. Products that are particularly suitable to be provided with coordinates include all kinds of product forms with writing surfaces. Writing surfaces do not need to be appropriate for writing with a normal pen tip, but they can be writing surfaces in which the writing is done by moving the pen as if it were being written. The products are provided with different subsets of the position coding pattern, depending on how the information should be handled. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a database containing information about the imaginary surface that was already mentioned. In the database, at least one position on the imaginary surface is assigned a rule for information management, so that information, associated with the absolute coordinates for said position, is managed based on this rule.

This database can, in the information management system described above, be stored in its entirety in a central administration unit and / or divided among a plurality of units. The different types of database structures can be used in different units. All types of conventional database structures can be employed, for example, network-based or hierarchical structures. In a user unit, which generally consists of limited memory and processor capacity, the structure of the database is preferably based on algorithms. The database conveniently comprises additional information related to positions on the imaginary surface, such as an owner, a recipient address, an encryption instruction, a link to a program or file of documents to be executed or sent to a recipient, etc. . The advantages of the database according to the invention are evident from the above description of the system. According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing information, the advantages of which are evident from the above description of the system. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, this refers to a method for compiling a pattern scheme intended for application to a product.

The method allows a person or a user to create a pattern scheme that can be used for digital recording and information management in a system or method according to the invention. The advantages of this method are evident from the above description of the system. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, this relates to a product intended to be used in an information management system as described above. The product comprises a messaging field provided with a first subset of the position coding pattern to allow digital recording of graphic information written in said first subset, and a command field provided with a second subset of the position coding pattern. , which defines an operation that must be performed with respect to the registered graphic information. ~ The advantages of this product are evident from the previous description of the system. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, this refers to the use of positions on, at least, an imaginary surface divided into regions for the control of information management. There is a rule associated with each region about the way in which the information contains the coordinates of, at least, one position within the region to be administered.

The advantages of said use are evident from the above description of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention and its features, objectives and distinctive advantages will be described below in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the currently preferred embodiments for purposes of explanation. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an information management system according to the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first imaginary surface with main regions dedicated to different purposes. Figure 3 is a schematic internal view of a digital pen that can be used in an information management system according to the invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing in greater detail a second imaginary surface with main regions dedicated to different purposes. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing in more detail the subregions in a hierarchically organized main region on the imaginary surface of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the scheme of the sub-regions at the lower level of the main region of figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a product provided with a pattern of coding positions according to a preferred embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the marks can be designed and placed in a preferred embodiment of the position coding pattern. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing examples of the 4 * 4 symbols that are used to encode a position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES As an introduction, the overall construction of a system for managing information according to the invention will be described, with reference to figures 1 and 2. Subsequently, the components that are part of the system will be described, among other things, in relation to Figure 3, and several examples of applications with reference to Figure 2. Next, examples of different forms of communication and data processing located in the information management system follow. Finally, a more detailed example of the schema of the imaginary surface that is part of the information management system, in relation to figures 4-6. Figure 1 shows an example of the construction of a system according to the invention. The system comprises mainly a plurality of products, a plurality of user units and one or more external units. However, for purposes of clarity, in Figure 1 only one product 1, one user unit 2 and one external unit 3 are shown. The product 1 in figure 1 is provided with a message field 1A to receive graphic information, for example, text, numbers or figures that are written by the user unit 2, and a command field 1 B to start / implement different operations with the user unit 2. The system allows the structured administration of the information that a user registers in the product 1 through the user unit 2. The product 1 is provided with a pattern of position coding interpreted by the user unit 2 as an absolute coordinate on the surface of the product. The pattern of position coding, which will be described in more detail below, encodes positions on a total or imaginary surface much larger than the surface of the product 1. When the user traverses the surface of the product 1 with the user unit, records the information comprising one or more pairs of absolute coordinates. This registered information is communicated, automatically (online) or through a command, to external unit 3 for storage and / or processing. In the system according to the invention, the administration of the recorded information depends on the location of the imaginary surface where the information was recorded, that is, the content of the coordinate of the recorded information. This system allows the structured processing of information. Different people with different needs can have access to different parts of the imaginary surface and can control the way they manage their own information. The system is general, but also allows the individual management of information of different people. Figure 2 shows, schematically, an example of an imaginary surface 100 comprising or composed of all points or positions whose absolute coordinates can encode a pattern of position coding. Four different coordinate areas or major regions 101-104 are defined on the imaginary surface 100. The major regions 101-104 are of different size and shape. They are separated from each other and do not overlap. The main regions can be divided, in turn, into additional subregions, etc. The main regions may have a more or less regular shape, not only rectangular as shown in the example, and the The relationship between the size of the main regions and the size of the imaginary surface can be completely different from the one shown. It is not necessary for regions to be separated from each other, but they can be physically superimposed and defined by mathematical relationships or associations. The different major regions 101-104 are dedicated to different purposes. In this example, the first main region 101 can be dedicated to the record of notes, the second major region 102 can be dedicated to the recording of calendar information, that is, it must be stored in relation to a particular time or a particular time interval; the third main region 103 can be dedicated to the registration of handwritten information that must always be sent to a predetermined server unit on the Internet and the fourth main region 104 can be dedicated to one or more specific commands. - In a real information management system, the number of dedicated main regions can be much larger. The information on the extension of the imaginary surface and the location and extension of the different main regions that have been dedicated to different information management purposes or different commands that must be performed with respect to the information administered in the system, is stored complete or partially in one or several computing systems, for example the external unit 3 of figure 1. Said computer system can constitute a passive part of the administration system of information. You do not need to perform all the parts of the actual information management and, therefore, do not need to connect to other units in the information management system. However, the computer system is properly an interactive part of the information management system, as will be shown in more detail below.

The pattern of position coding The information management system is based, as shown previously, on the use of a position coding pattern. This pattern can be constructed in different ways, but it always has the general property of if an arbitrary part of the pattern of a particular minimum size is recorded, then the position of this part in the position coding pattern can be unequivocally determined. The position coding pattern may be of the type described in previously cited US-A-5,852,434, wherein each position is encoded by a specific symbol. However, it is convenient to use the position coding pattern to record high resolution information and, also, in a system that allows the varied processing of information. Therefore, the pattern must be designed in such a way that it can encode a very large number of positions provided by pairs of absolute coordinates. In addition, the position coding pattern must be encoded graphically so that it does not dominate or interfere with the visual appearance of the product surface. Likewise, it must be possible to detect the coding pattern of high reliability positions. Therefore, the pattern of position coding is conveniently of the type described in published International Patent Application WO 00/73983, filed May 26, 2000, or in International Patent Application PCT / SE00 / 01895, filed on October 2, 2000, both issued to the present applicant. In these patterns, each position is encoded by a plurality of symbols or marks, and each symbol contributes to the coding of several positions. The pattern of position coding is constructed from a small number of symbol types. An example is shown in PCT / SE00 / 01085, where a larger dot represents a "one" and a smaller dot represents a "zero". The most preferred pattern is currently shown in PCT / SeOO / 01895, where four different offsets of a point or mark in relation to a nominal grid point encode four different values. This pattern consists of small dots with a nominal separation of approximately 0.3 mm. Any part of the pattern, which contains 6 x 6 of these points, defines a pair of absolute coordinates. Each pair of absolute coordinates is defined by a subset with a size of approximately 1.8 x 1.8 mm of the position coding pattern.

By determining the position of the 6 x 6 points on the sensor, the user unit that is used to read the pattern, an absolute position on the imaginary surface can be calculated through interpolation with a resolution of approximately 0.3 mm. A more complete description of the position coding pattern in accordance with document PCT / SE00 / 01895 is provided in the annex. This position coding pattern is capable of encoding a large number of absolute positions. Because each position is coded by 6 x 6 points, of which each can have one of four values, 436 positions can be coded, which, with the nominal distance between the points already mentioned, correspond to an area of 4.6 million km2. The position coding pattern can be printed on any base that allows a resolution of approximately 600 dpi. The base can have any size and shape, depending on its intended use. The pattern can be printed using standard offset printing technology. Conveniently, conventional carbon black ink can be used for printing or some other printing ink that absorbs infrared light. This means that other inks, including non-carbon based black ink that does not absorb infrared light, can be used to superimpose another print on the position coding pattern without interfering with the reading thereof.

A surface provided with the above-mentioned pattern, printed with a carbon-based black ink for printing, will be visually perceived as a pale gray shading of the surface (density 1-3%) that is pleasing to the user and aesthetic. Of course, fewer or more symbols may be used to define a position than those described above, and shorter or longer distances between the symbols in the pattern. The examples are provided solely to show a presently preferred embodiment of the pattern. The pattern of position coding described above can be applied to all conceivable products where information must be recorded through the coordinate register. Examples of such products are forms, notebooks, calendars, desk mats, etc. The products can be of different material, such as paper, plastic, etc. Alternatively, the pattern of position coding can be integrated or arranged on a computer screen. As a result, different positions can be read on the screen, through a digital pen that detects the pattern. In this way, a screen is provided with the same function as a touch screen, but with the advantage that the environment will not affect it and that the screen can be doubled. Alternatively, the pattern of position coding can be displayed electronically on a computer screen. However, the currently preferred mode is that the pattern is applied on paper.

The user unit Figure 3 shows an example of a user unit which, in a preferred embodiment, is used to electronically record graphic information produced on a writing surface and to initiate / execute commands or operations with respect to this information. The user unit comprises a case 11 which has the same shape as a pen. A short side of the case defines an opening 12 and is intended to remain in contact with or a short distance from a base provided with the position coding pattern. The user unit, hereinafter referred to as a digital pen, essentially comprises an optical part, a part of electronic circuits and a power source. The optical part forms a digital camera and comprises at least one infrared-emitting diode 13 for illuminating the surface to be displayed and a sensor for the light-sensitive area 14, for example a CCD or CMOS sensor, for recording a two-dimensional image. The pen can also include a lens system (not shown). The infrared light is absorbed by the symbols in the position coding pattern, making them visible to the sensor 14. The sensor conveniently records at least 100 images per second. The power source for the pen is obtained from a battery 15 mounted in a separate compartment in the case. However, the pen can alternatively be connected to an external power source.

The part of electronic circuits comprises a signal processor 16 for determining a position based on the image recorded by the sensor 14 and, more specifically, a processing unit with a microprocessor programmed to receive sensor images and determine, in real time, the absolute coordinates for points on the imaginary surface based on the visualized subset of the position coding pattern. In an alternative embodiment, the signal processor 16 is realized as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Set of Field Programmable Gates). The determination of positions is carried out by the signal processor 16, which must comprise software for locating and decoding the symbols in an image and for determining positions from the codes obtained in this way. A person skilled in the art would be able to design this type of software from the description in the patent applications WO 00/73983 and PCT / SE00 / 01895 mentioned above. The signal processor 16 may also have limited information about the different regions of the imaginary surface and about what they are dedicated to. Conveniently, the signal processor 16 may, for example, comprise information that allows it to recognize that certain points or regions on the imaginary surface represent certain commands or operations that must be initiated and / or implemented, for example with respect to information that was recorded or will register The preferred commands that the pen can recognize are "save", "send", "do", "address" and other similar basic commands. Conveniently, the pen consists of indicating means (not shown), for example a light emitting diode, a buzzer or a vibrator, which emit signals when the pen detects a command. The signal serves to warn the user that a command has been registered. Of course, these indicator means can also be used to indicate that the pen has recorded handwritten information. Conveniently, the pen can also comprise information that allows it to distinguish between, for example, information that must be stored in the pen, information that must be transferred to the user's personal computer, information that must be sent to a fax number through a modem and information that must be sent to a predetermined IP address. More specifically, as described above, a major region on the imaginary surface may be dedicated for which information recorded by means of a subset of the position coding pattern that corresponds to this main region and is, therefore, represented by coordinates for points that are within the main region, will always be sent to that IP address for further administration. In this embodiment, the digital pen comprises a pen tip 17, by means of which the user can perform writing based on conventional pigments on the surface provided with the position coding pattern. The pen tip 17 can be extended and retracted so that the user can control whether or not it should be used. A button (not shown) to extract and retract the pen tip, in the same way as a conventional pen tip, can also function as an on / off button for the pen, so that the pen is activated when its tip is extended. The digital pen can also include the buttons 18 by which it is activated and controlled. It also comprises a transceiver 19 for wireless transmission over short distances, for example through infrared light or radio waves, from information to and from the boom. In the currently most preferred mode, the transceiver 19 is a Bluetooth® transceiver. Conveniently, the digital pen is provided with a pressure sensor 20 which measures the pressure at the tip of the pen 17 when in use. The signal processor 16 may comprise software that determines the angle between the pen tip and the paper and also the rotation of the pen based on the recorded images. Software for this purpose is described in Swedish Patent Application No. 0000952-2 of the applicant. In a preferred embodiment, the signal processor 16 determines the following information based on each registered image: pair of coordinates, the angle between the pen and the paper, the rotation of the pen, the pressure on the paper and, in addition, a date-based clock based on the time of recording the image. However, depending on the construction of the information management system, it may be sufficient to record the pair of coordinates, possibly in conjunction with one of the other parameters. The registered pair of coordinates can be processed and stored in a compressed format. The signal processor 16 can, for example, be programmed to analyze a sequence of coordinate pairs and convert them into a series of polygons that constitute a description of the movement of the pen on the surface provided with the pattern of position coding. All recorded data can be stored in a temporary memory 21 waiting for transmission to an external unit. The digital pen can work in an independent mode, that is, the pen sends the information when it has an opportunity, for example, when it makes contact with an external unit, with which it extracts recorded information from the temporary memory 21. It should also be noted that the signal processor 16 does not need to send all the information to an external unit, but it can be programmed to analyze the registered coordinates and send only the information represented by coordinates within a particular coordinate area. The information can also be sent immediately online.

The signal processor 16 may also comprise software to encrypt the information that is sent to the external units. The pen can, but does not necessarily have to, possess knowledge about that to which all the different regions on the imaginary surface are dedicated. In fact, no individual unit in the system needs to have this knowledge, but it can be distributed through several different units. However, for the administration of the system, knowledge must be gathered about what the main regions (and their subregions) are dedicated to and what the main regions (and their subregions) are free. However, only the person who at the moment has the exclusive right to use a particular region (main region or subregion) has information about its precise use. Of course, as an alternative, all the information can be compiled in a central unit, such as in a memory 3 'of unit 3 of figure 1. ~ Likewise, it is convenient for a simpler, less delayed processing and that occupies less memory of the recorded information and the security-sensitive processing that must be done on the pen. The most complicated processing can be done in a local computer, with which the pen communicates and in which software is installed to process the information from the pen, and / or in a server unit that can include very powerful software for, among others things, character recognition (OCR), a greater amount of memory, for example for information from databases, and faster signal processors for more advanced information processing. This distribution of information processing facilitates the manufacture of pens at relatively low costs. In addition, new applications can be added to the information management system without the need to increase the capacities of existing pens. Alternatively, the user can update his pen at periodic intervals so that he can receive information about new dedicated regions and the management of information related to these regions, as well as new functions. The above example is provided solely to show a currently preferred embodiment of the digital pen. In an alternative embodiment, the pen operates only as an image generator, that is, the images recorded by the sensor 14 are transmitted to an external unit, for example a computer, which processes the images to determine the coordinates as described above. , and communicates, if necessary, with other external units. In the previous mode, the optically readable pattern and, therefore, the sensor is optical. However, the pattern may be based on a parameter other than an optical parameter. In this case, the sensor must, of course, be able to read the parameter in question. Examples of these parameters are chemical, acoustic and electromagnetic marks. Capacitive or inductive marks can also be used. However, it is preferable that the pattern is optically readable, because in this way it is relatively simple to apply it in different products and, in particular, on paper.

Examples of applications in the information management system Next, the information management system according to the invention is illustrated by several examples of applications with reference to the imaginary surface of Figure 2. The applications in a management system of Information in accordance with the present invention can be divided into three groups or types: 1) applications with analog input signal and digital output signal; 2) communication applications and 3) service applications. The applications that belong to the first group use the digital pen and a writing surface with a pattern of positions coding mainly for the introduction of information to a computer, a PDA or a mobile phone. A product with a writing surface, for example a notepad, can be provided on the actual writing surface with a position coding pattern taken from a first region, which encodes coordinates for points within a main region dedicated to notes , such as the main region 101 in FIG. 2. Likewise, the product may be provided with a box marked "store" and comprising a pattern of coding the positions of a second main region dedicated to the commands, such as the main region 104 in figure 2. When the user writes on the writing surface, the pen records a representation of what is written, in the form of a sequence of coordinate pairs for points within the first region on the imaginary surface, continuously recording the images of that part of the position coding pattern that is within the field of view of the pen. The pen stores these absolute coordinates in its temporary memory. When the user places the pen in the box marked "store" or marks this box, the pen records the coordinates for at least one point in the main region 104 and stores them in the temporary memory. At the same time, the pen notes that these coordinates represent a command. In the memory of the pen, it is stored that precisely this command (which will be explained in more detail later) means that the information must be stored in a nearby computer. As soon as the pen starts communicating with the computer with which it is synchronized, the pen transfers the information about the coordinates registered to the computer through its transceiver. The computer stores the received information as an image that, for example, can be displayed directly on the computer screen. Subsequently, the search can be performed by the stored information, based on the time of storage (or registration) of the information and based on key words that were written in capital letters in the write surface and, therefore, could be stored in the encoded character format (ASCII) after character recognition (OCR). Other commands, which can be found in a product of the type described above are, for example, the "address book" which is a table provided with a different subset of the position coding pattern that codes for a sub region of the main region 104, which is dedicated to a command from the address book. When the pen recognizes the coordinates for this command, it sends information about handwritten directions, for example in uppercase letters, in a subset of the position coding pattern for this purpose, to the computer that stores the address information in a passbook. digital addresses. The different sub-regions of the subregion dedicated to the command of the address book on the imaginary surface can be dedicated to different types of address information. Information with a content that requires interpretation so that certain measurements can be made in the system is currently written, preferably in uppercase letters in special character recognition fields, the so-called "combs", provided with a subset of the coding pattern of positions dedicated to the interpretation of characters. This means that the user is induced to write legible characters that facilitate their interpretation.

Communications applications, that is, applications that belong to the second group above, are a bit more demanding. They generally also require access to the Internet. Individual pages, pages in a calendar, a notebook or something similar, can be designed as forms for the transmission of electronic mail, SMS, graphic faxes or similar. The fields are printed on the page to indicate the address, the subject and the text of the message. The address and the subject must be written in capital letters in order to easily convert them into the encoded character format and so that other digital units designed for the management of information in the encoded character format can understand them. The information in the message field can comprise any graphic information. Likewise, the page is provided with a dialing box that, when marked, originates the connection of the pen, through its transceiver, with the mobile phone with which it is synchronized. The mobile phone identifies the message as a graphic email message destined to a unit of the default server incorporated in the information management system. The identification can be made by information stored in the pen or in some unit with which the mobile phone is communicated, while the mobile phone works, preferably only as a link or a modem. The mobile phone transfers the message to the base station via GSM or GPRS, etc., and then via TCP / IP to the default server unit that decodes the address field and sends the message via Internet to the addressee. A delivery confirmation can be sent to the mobile phone and displayed on your display. The page mentioned above can be provided with a subset of the position coding pattern that encodes a main region on the imaginary surface dedicated to the transmission of electronic mail (graphic). The different parts of this main region can represent the different fields and checkboxes. This type of hierarchical structure of the main region will be described in more detail later, with reference to Figures 5-6. Alternatively, the different fields and checkboxes can be provided with different subsets of the coding pattern of positions that encode coordinates for points within the main regions on the imaginary surface, which are dedicated to information about directions, the indication of the subject, transmission, etc. This type of general structure of the main regions on the imaginary surface will be described in more detail below, with reference to Fig. 4. The advantage of using a universal "send" box is that it can be represented by the same subset each time which is used, regardless of whether it is found, for example, on a note sheet or an e-mail form. This is more economical with the imaginary surface available. Another advantage is that the decoding in the pen is simple, since the pen only needs to recognize that it is a "send" box that has been marked to start an operation.

The service applications, that is, those belonging to the third group above, are applications where information management is controlled through one or several predetermined server units. An example is an advertisement in a newspaper provided with a subset of the position coding pattern that encodes the coordinates for points within a region on the imaginary surface dedicated to information that must be sent to a predetermined server unit. This particular subset encodes the coordinates for points within a particular subregion of the main region, over which the advertiser has acquired the exclusive right. As is evident, there may be larger major regions on the imaginary surface dedicated to a particular information management purpose. These major regions can be subdivided into subregions over which different people may have the exclusive right. In the server unit, which also manages the main regions in this example, it warns which person has the right to the different subregions. Therefore, a subset of the position coding pattern can facilitate the identification of an owner of the subregion within which the pattern encodes the points. In the case of the advertisement, a user can place an order using his digital pen, specifying a recipient address in the field destined for it and marking a "send" box. If the order requires a payment to be made, a payment number can be provided credit card. If the order is for the user, it is not necessary to indicate a recipient address, since an address for the previously stored pen can be used. If the order refers to a gift for another recipient, a handwritten greeting for the recipient may be added in a writing area for free graphic information in the advertisement. When the user dials the "send" box, the user unit 2 identifies that information was recorded within the main region 104 and, therefore, sends the recorded information to the predetermined server unit on the Internet. In the server unit, it is determined that the registered information is located in a particular subregion, thus identifying the owner of this subregion. Subsequently, the decoded information, together with a greeting, is sent to the owner who processes the delivery of the ordered product or service.

Communication between the pen and external units Certain operations can be performed entirely by the pen itself, for example the storage of a note in the pen and the input of information for a user program in the pen. The pen can perform these operations always in the independent mode. Other operations require communication with the outside world. These operations can be started in the independent mode, but they are not concluded until the pen connects to the outside world. Alternatively, the operation can be carried out online.

In local applications, for example the recording of notes or calendar notes, the pen communicates, conveniently, directly with a local unit, computer, mobile phone or PDA. In communication and service applications, the pen can transmit the recorded information, conveniently together with the information about the operation performed, to a nearby computer that, for example, adapts the information as an email message and sends them to an address default or to an address registered by the pen. Alternatively, the pen can communicate directly, through its transceiver, with a nearby external unit, for example a fax machine, printer or the like, also provided with a transceiver for it to perform the required operation by means of the recorded information. Alternatively, the pen can communicate, through its transceiver, with a mobile phone, which acts as a pen module, to send the recorded information to, for example, a server unit, another mobile phone or a fax machine . As a further example, the pen may comprise or be integrated into a transceiver of a mobile telephone to perform operations that require direct communication. In the previous case, the wireless transmission of information from the pen is described. However, the transmission can be effected alternatively through cables. For example, the user unit 2 can be connected through a cable to a network connection unit, such such as a mobile phone, PDA, computer or some other appropriate unit that consists of an interface to a network of computers, for example the Internet or a local network of a company. Alternatively, the network connection unit can be designed as an anchor unit (not shown) that can be connected via cables to a communication network, such as a telephone or computer network. This anchor unit can be conveniently designed as a base of the boom. When the pen is placed in the anchoring unit, it originates that the pen, automatically or upon request, communicates with the external world. The anchoring unit can also be designed to charge the battery 15 (figure 3) in the boom. In accordance with the other alternative, the anchor unit is designed to establish the wireless connection with the external world. The above communication can be achieved by a subset of the position coding pattern that encodes the coordinates for points within a main region on the imaginary surface dedicated to the pen sending all the recorded information, or parts thereof, to the external unit when it detects coordinates within this main region. The pen allows you to send information to the external unit, immediately or after a certain period of time. Alternatively, the pen can send the information after having detected a "send" box. The "send" box can, in this case, be located within said main region, and the pen stores information which relates the coordinates within this main region to the address of the external unit, for example its Bluetooth® address. Alternatively, as already explained, the "send" box can be placed in a region of special commands, assigning an instruction that causes the pen to send information to the external unit. In this case, no main region is required, dedicated to sending registered information to the external unit, since the information can, for example, be recorded in a writing field whose position coding pattern encodes the coordinates for points within a main region dedicated to handwritten notes, an address field whose position encoding pattern encodes the coordinates for points within a main region dedicated to the interpretation of OCR, etc. Consequently, the pen only needs to store information that relates the coordinates within the "send" box or a subregion with different command boxes, with the address of the external unit.

Processing of information in the system Registered information can be processed in the system according to the invention. The processing can be implemented in different parts of the system, depending on the application and / or the communication capabilities with the external units. Finally, the recorded information can be processed within the pen itself.

Alternatively, only preliminary processing, such as the decoding of an image recorded in a pair of coordinates, the compression of the recorded information or the conversion in the form of interpretation, translation, character coding, etc., can be performed in the pen. Registered information can be sent to a local unit for processing, for example, a local computer or a PDA. The local unit may comprise information about the imaginary surface, or at least parts of it, and be designed in such a way that, in response to the reception of the recorded information, it identifies the region to which its coordinates belong and determines, Based on the affiliation of the region, how the information should be processed. Alternatively, the pen comprises said information about the imaginary surface, or parts thereof, which is capable of identifying the region to which the coordinates belong and determining, based on the affiliation of the region, how the information should be processed. In this case, the pen conveniently sends a processing instruction to the local unit. Registered information can also be processed by an external service provider that only has information about its imaginary surface part. This external service provider, which has the exclusive right over this part (main region / subregion) of the imaginary surface, and does not have information about other parts, can, for example, be an operator of telecommunications that provides communication services or a company that offers goods or services through advertisements. The pen may comprise information so that a particular part of the imaginary surface belongs to said external service provider, in which case the pen sends the recorded information directly to this service provider for further processing. Alternatively, the pen can be designed to send the recorded information to a predetermined central unit, typically a server unit, comprising information about all or parts of the imaginary surface. The central unit can identify, in response to the reception of the registered information, the region to which its coordinates belong and determine, based on the region's affiliation, how the information should be processed. Then, the central unit can send the information to the external service provider. Alternatively, the central unit can implement the service or communication application in question. In accordance with a further alternative, the pen can be designed to send the recorded information, preferably one or more pairs of coordinates thereof, to a search unit, typically a server unit or a local computer, comprising information about all or part of the imaginary surface. In this modality, the search unit is designed to identify, in response to the reception of the pen information, the region to which the received information belongs and Forward to the pen an address for the external service provider to which the identified region is assigned. The pen is designed to send the recorded information to this address for final processing, in response to receipt of the address.

Detailed example of the imaginary surface Figure 4 shows in schematic form, similar to Figure 2, an imaginary surface 200 that constitutes or is composed of all points or positions whose absolute coordinates can be encoded by a position coding pattern. Several major regions 201-206 are defined on imaginary surface 200. Major regions are generally divided into subregions (not shown) that, in turn, can be divided into additional subregions, etc. In the descriptions of the modality shown in Figure 4, it is assumed that the total surface 200 is composed of pairs of x and binary coordinates, that is, consisting of ones and zeros, where the pairs of coordinates have a 36 bits length for both the x coordinate and the y coordinate. The position coding pattern encodes the coordinates that make up an imaginary surface with 436 points or positions. The position number in this example can possibly be further increased by interpolation. In the example according to FIG. 4, a region of "send" 201 is dedicated to be used for the generation of commands of "send" from the digital pen. The region of "send" can, for example, be defined as all pairs of coordinates whose value x starts with 0001 and whose value begins with 0001. For example, the first four bits in a pair of coordinates indicate, therefore, their affiliation with a main region. With a division according to the present example, 256 main regions are obtained. In the example in question, the first four bits indicate the affiliation of the main region and a particular number of the last bits indicates the size of the subregions in the main region. In the "send" region 201, the size of sub-regions 207 is the minimum, a so-called atom, consisting of 64 * 64 positions or corresponds to the last six bits. With a distance of approximately 0.3 mm between the points in the position coding pattern, this corresponds to a pattern surface of approximately 20 * 20 mm2. The other 26 bits (36 - 4 - 6) are directed to the different subregions 207 (corresponding to a "send" box) in the "send" region. The total number of subregions is then 426, that is, more than 4,500 billion (4,503,599,627,370,496). Each sub-region 207 ("send" box) can thus be identified by a number consisting of the fifth to the thirtieth bit of the x and y coordinates. The first four bits in each registered pair of coordinates indicates, therefore, the region in which the pen is located, the next 26 bits identify a sub-region (eg a particular "send" box) within the main region, and the last six bits indicate the subregion in which the pen is located.

These "send" boxes conveniently belong to different recipients in a network connected to an information management system in accordance with the present invention. Information about such affiliation is stored in the information management system, either on the pen itself or on an external unit that communicates with the pen, such as a local computer, a mobile phone or a server unit. The second main region 202 is dedicated to notepad information and also comprises a large number of subregions 208 (corresponding to write fields). The information on the position of these subregions 208 is preferably stored in a computer with which it communicates one or several pens, or in the pens themselves. The position of subregions 208 is predetermined so that all users of the system know in advance that the notes produced in these subregions 208 belong to the main region 202 dedicated to the notebook. For the notepad region 202, it is desirable that each subregion 208 (write field) be larger than a letter-size page, for example, of a size of approximately 1 m2, which corresponds to approximately 12 bits, to provide essentially all the notebook formats. The number of subregions 208 (writing fields) in the main region 202 for the scrapbook is, therefore, equivalent to 4, that is, approximately one billion (1, 099, 511, 627, 776). The third major region 203 is dedicated to general availability. The information about the position of this main region is stored in a unit of the server with which it communicates one or more pens. No user can reserve a main region for their own use. This main region can also be divided into subregions, but the user can determine the sizes of the subregions by themselves. The fourth major region 204 is, contrary to the main general region 203, dedicated to providing exclusive availability to the owner, i.e., it is assumed that the subregions are only available for one boom at a time or in the manner determined by the owner. The information on the position of this main region 204 and its subregions is stored in a unit of the server with which they communicate one or more pens. The fact that the owner can reserve parts of their main region for their own use, means that collisions are avoided, since two or more pens can not simultaneously use an identical copy of the same part of the printed position coding pattern that makes up this main region, or at least that it has complete control over this. A large number of private sub-regions in one or several private master regions 205 may be considered as subscription objects, ie they may be reserved for a user for a shorter or longer period of time. Information on the positions of the Main regions 205 or its sub-regions can be stored, together with the identity of the pen, in a server unit with which they communicate one or more pens. As a matter of principle, each person and each company in the world can have their own private area (sub-region) with a size of 1 m2. The sixth major region 206 is intended to be available for local administration of communication between a pen and a local computer, without necessarily having to be in contact with a computer / server unit in a network. Because the pen communicates directly with the local computer, the pen must understand information about the position of this main region 206. This can be achieved, of course, by means of the pen containing information on the division of the entire imaginary surface. However, it is convenient to minimize the information that will be stored in the pen, since this implies less memory requirements in the pen and a higher speed for data processing. A preferred structure for the main region 206, intended for local communication, is shown in Figure 5 and is described below. However, it should be noted that the structure, which is described below, can be used equally well for service and communication applications, particularly when there is a need for the pen to perform operations on its own with the recorded information. Therefore, it is necessary that it contain detailed information about the imaginary surface.

In the embodiment according to Figure 5, the main region 206 is divided into subregions 210-213 which contain basic elements in the form of pages 213. Each page 213 has a particular size and consists of several fields for the administration of predefined information , as will be described in more detail in relation to figure 6. For example, each main region 206 can be divided into several sections 210, each of which is divided into different books 211, each of which comprises pages 213 which they are mentioned before. At a particular level within subregions 210-212, all pages 213 have the same size and schema. For example, sections 210 may include different pages, while each section 210 comprises shelves 211 and books 212 with identical pages 213. Alternatively, the shelves 211 of each section 210 may comprise different pages 213, while all the books 212 within each shelf 211 have identical pages 213. Alternatively, the different books 212 may include different pages 213, while the pages within each book 212 are identical. As a further alternative, the entire main region 206 may, of course, comprise identical pages 213 in all subregions 210-212. The modality with a large number of identical pages allows the use of a simplified database, preferably based on algorithms in the pen memory. The pen stores a number of page templates that define the size and configuration of the pages for the different sub-regions 210-212 in the main region 206. This type of page template can be assigned to the highest level of sub-regions containing identical pages. With a small database, the pen can independently and quickly calculate what information should be sent to the local computer, for example all the information that has been registered in one or several pages. Conveniently, each section, shelf, book or page has a designation that identifies them, for example a number. A particular sub-region, for example a page, can be simply routed by providing a sequence of numbers, such as the following: section.stay.book.page. For example, 35.100.4.0 can be interpreted as all pages in book number 4 on shelf 100 in section number 35. In addition,, the different fields in each page can be routed in a corresponding way: section.stay.book.page. countryside. Each section 210 can be dedicated to a particular type of information management, for example notes, calendar information, etc. Within each section one or more shelves, books or pages can be assigned to an owner. For example, a manufacturer of calendars can rent a shelf with 1024 books with 16384 pages in letter format. Alternatively, each hierarchically organized main region can be dedicated to a particular type of information management, such as notebooks, calendars, graphic messages, etc. or for a private owner. In this way, each main region can be divided into any number of subregional levels.

As mentioned above, each section 210, shelf 211, book 212, page 213 or field can be assigned particular properties. In addition to the previously indicated configuration of the pages, these properties can, for example, indicate the time that the pen will store recorded information without having been sent to an external unit, for example the local computer that was already mentioned. Other properties may be that all registered information will be sent to a predetermined address, such as a Bluetooth® node, that all recorded information will be interpreted by character (ICR), that all recorded information will be sent directly, that is, without the record in a "send" box. Each page 213 is coded by a subset of the position coding pattern, which is intended to be applied to the surface of the projected product. This subset can be applied, either continuously or discontinuously, to the surface of the product, as will be explained in greater detail in relation to Figure 6 which shows an example of the configuration of page 213 on the imaginary surface. The example shown is not limited to the record of information that will be stored on a local computer, but also facilitates communication and service applications. The page 213 in figure 6 is rectangular and, therefore, can be identified by the coordinate for two opposite angular points, C1, C2. Page 213 contains several fields 214-220 with a full or partially predetermined function. A central writing field 214 is dedicated to the recording of graphic information. The fields of ICR 215 are dedicated to the interpretation of characters of the information registered therein, wherein one or several ICR fields can be predefined to imply information about addresses, for example an email address, a fax number or a mailing address, or can be devoted to the decoding of only numbers or only letters. The "send" boxes 216 are dedicated to initiating the sending of registered information, where certain "send" boxes may have predefined properties, for example, initiating the sending of an email message, a fax message or an SMS message . If a general "send" box 216 is used, service selection fields 216 'can be assigned to it indicating the different "transport systems" that may be employed, such as email, fax or SMS. The local command fields 217 are dedicated to starting operations in the memory of the pen, for example to eliminate all previously recorded information on the page in question from the memory of the pen, to compress the existing information in the memory of the pen. pen, to insert a signal to facilitate the new creation of the sequence of coordinates, which was recorded in the writing field when the signal was recorded, or to display information, recorded previously on the page in question, in a display, such as a mobile phone or a local computer. The property field 218 is dedicated to initiating the sending of information stored in the pen to an external unit, for example a local computer or a server unit. This property field 218 can, for example, initiate the sending of the user's credit card number, postal address, e-mail address, etc. The general command fields 219 are dedicated to initiating common operations in many different applications, for example, encrypting the information that will be sent or assigned to a particular priority, or that the information recorded in the write field 214 receives certain visual properties, for example. example regarding the color, line thickness or line type, which is reproduced when the information recorded in the writing field 214 is displayed, for example on a computer screen, or when it is printed. A signature field 220 is dedicated to registering pairs of coordinates, the angle between the boom and the base, the rotation of the boom and the pressure on the base. In the previous example, page 213 contains a plurality of message fields, such as the write field 214, the ICR field 215 and the signature field 220, a plurality of command fields, such as the "send" boxes "216, the local command fields 217, the property fields 218 and the general command fields 219 and a plurality of selection fields 216 ', for example to choose a service. The pen can, as already mentioned, store information about page 213 in the form of a page template based on algorithms More specifically, the different fields 214-220 can be identified as one or more positions on page 213. For example, each "send" box can have a particular content and be placed in a particular position on each page 213. Similarly, each ICR field can have a particular content and a particular position on each page 213. An advantage of this type of hierarchical structure is that the boom can identify and initiate operations, which indicate the fields 214-220 above, in an independent manner And simple. Therefore, the result of these operations can be displayed to the user in a deployment, for example on a mobile phone, a computer or on the pen itself or in relation to it. In this way, the user has the opportunity to confirm that the result is correct before the recorded information is subsequently managed in the system. The owner of a particular page, book or shelf has the opportunity to design the surface of a product with a pattern of coding positions, based on a page of the type mentioned above. This can be done in two different ways. The product surface can be constructed from a position coding pattern comprising a discontinuous configuration. This can be considered as if all or parts of the different fields 214-220 on page 213 above were "cut out" and arranged to provide a required appearance. Therefore, the actual location of the Fields on the surface of the product are not related to the position of the fields on the imaginary surface, since the different subsets of the pattern of coding positions on the surface of the product are extracted from different parts of the imaginary surface. This type of discontinuous configuration facilitates the placement and sizing of different fields on the surface of the product, because the patterns of position coding, which encode parts of a "send" box, a writing field, etc. They can be placed anywhere on the surface of the product. This case is analogous to the above descriptions in relation to the command regions in Figures 2 and 4. The surface of the product can be constructed alternatively from a position coding pattern consisting of a continuous configuration. This can be considered as if a part of the previous page was "trimmed" to create a finished configuration, so that the entire product surface was provided with a position coding pattern that encodes the coordinates for a continuous coordinate area on the surface imaginary Three of these configurations are indicated in figure 6 by dotted lines. Reference A refers to a page of a notebook, reference B refers to a sheet of notes, of the type that is distributed under the trade name "Post-lt", and reference C refers to a format for send a graphic message One skilled in the art will realize that there are many alternatives for dividing the imaginary surface. The above modalities have in common that the different regions on the imaginary surface are dedicated to different purposes. In this way, both the information register and the control over information management can be performed.

APPENDIX The description of a position coding pattern in accordance with International Patent Application PCT / SE00 / 01895 is reproduced below. Figure 7 shows a part of a product in the form of a sheet of paper A1 which, on at least a part of its surface A2, is provided with a coding pattern of optically readable positions A3 which facilitates the determination of positions. The pattern of coding positions includes the marks A4, which are systematically distributed on the surface A2, to provide a "configured" aspect. The sheet of paper consists of an axis of the x coordinate and an axis of the y coordinate. The determination of positions can be made on the entire surface of the product. In other cases, the surface that facilitates the determination of positions can constitute a small part of the product. The pattern can, for example, be used to provide an electronic representation of information that is written or drawn on the surface. The electronic representation is made by writing on the surface with a pen, continuously determining the position of the pen on the sheet of paper by reading the position coding pattern.

The position coding pattern comprises a virtual grid that is neither visible to the naked eye nor can be detected directly by a device for determining the positions on the surface, and a plurality of A4 marks, each of which, depending on its position , represents one of four values "1" to "4", as described below. In this context it should be noted that for purposes of clarity, the position coding pattern is enlarged in Figure 7. In addition, only a part of the sheet of paper is shown. The position coding pattern is arranged in such a way that the position of a partial surface on the total writing surface for any partial surface of a given size is unequivocally determined by the marks on this partial surface. A first and second partial surface A5a, A5b are shown with dotted lines in Figure 7. The second partial surface partially overlaps the first partial surface. The part of the position coding pattern (here 4 * 4 marks) which is located on the first partial surface A5a encodes a first position and the part of the position coding pattern, which is on the second partial surface A5b, encodes a second position. The pattern of position coding is, therefore, the same for the second and first contiguous positions. In this application, this type of position coding pattern is called "floating". Each partial surface encodes a specific position.

Figures 8a-d show how a mark can be designed and how it can be positioned in relation to its nominal position A6. The nominal position A6, which may also be referred to as a grid point, is represented by the intersection of the grid lines A8. The A7 mark has the shape of a circular point. A mark A7 and a grid point A6 can, together, constitute a symbol. In one embodiment, the distance between the grid lines is 300 μ? T? and the angle between the grid lines is 90 degrees. Other grid intervals are possible, for example, 254 μ ?? to adapt to printers and scanners, which often have a resolution that is a multiple of 100 dpi, corresponding to a distance between points of 25.4 mm / 100, that is, 254 μ? t ?. Therefore, the value of the brand depends on the location of the brand in relation to the nominal position. In the example of Figure 8, there are four possible locations, one on each of the grid lines that extend from the nominal position. The displacement from the nominal position has the same size for all values. Each mark A7 moves in relation to its nominal position A6, that is, no mark is in the nominal position. In addition, there is only one mark per nominal position and this mark is displaced in relation to its nominal position. This applies to the brands that make up the pattern. There may be other marks on the surface that are not part of the pattern and, therefore, do not contribute to the coding. Such brands can be dust spots, unintentional marks or marks and intentional marks of, for example, an image or figure on the surface. Because the position of the pattern marks on the surface is so clearly defined, the pattern is not affected by such interference. In one modality, the marks move by 50 μ ?? in relation to the nominal positions A6 along the grid lines A8. The displacement is preferably 1/6 of the interval of the grid, since it is thus relatively easy to determine the position to which a particular brand belongs. The displacement must be at least about 1/8 of the grid interval, otherwise the determination of a displacement is difficult, that is, a higher resolution is required. On the other hand, the offset must be less than about 1/4 of the grid interval so that the position to which a mark belongs can be determined. ~ The offset does not have to be along the grid line, but the marks can be placed in separate quadrants. However, if the marks move along the grid lines, the advantage is obtained that the distance between the marks has a minimum that can be used to create the grid lines again, as described in more detail below . Each mark consists of a more or less circular point with a radius that is approximately the same size as the displacement or a little less. The radius can be from 25% to 120% of the displacement. If he radius is much larger than the displacement, it can be difficult to determine the grid lines. If the radius is too small, a higher resolution is required to register the marks. The marks do not need to be circular or round, but any suitable form can be used, such as square or triangular shapes, etc. Normally, each mark covers several pixels on a sensor chip and, in one embodiment, the center of gravity of these pixels is recorded or calculated and used in subsequent processing. Therefore, the precise form of the brand is of less importance. Relatively simple procedures can be used, provided that it can be ensured that the center of gravity of the mark exhibits the required displacement. Next, the mark in figure 8a represents the value 1, in figure 8b the value 2, in figure 8c the value 3 and in figure 8d the value 4. In this way, each mark can represent one of four values "1 to 4" This means that the position coding pattern can be divided into a first position code for the x coordinate and a second position code for the y coordinate. The division is made as follows: The value of each mark thus becomes a first value, here a bit, for the code x and a second value, here a bit, for the code y. In this way, two completely different bit patterns are obtained by the pattern. Conversely, two or more bit patterns may be combined in a common pattern that is graphically encoded by a plurality of marks in accordance with FIG. 8. Each position is encoded by a plurality of marks. In the present example, 4 * 4 marks are used to encode a position in two dimensions, i.e., an x coordinate and a y coordinate. The position code is constructed by a series of numbers of ones and zeros, a series of bits, which has the characteristic that no sequence of bits with a length of four bits occurs more than once in the series of bits. The series of bits is cyclical, which means that the characteristic also applies when the end of the series is connected to its start. Therefore, a four-bit sequence always has a unique position number unequivocally in the series of bits. The series of bits may have a maximum length of 16 bits if it has the characteristic described above for four-bit sequences. However, in this example only a series of seven bits is used, as follows: "0 0 0 1 0 1 0".

This series of bits contains seven unique four-bit bit sequences that encode a position number in the series as follows: To encode the x coordinate, the series of bits is written sequentially in column on the entire surface to be coded, where the left column K0 corresponds to the coordinate x zero (0). In a column, the series of bits can be repeated several times in succession. The coding is based on differences or displacements of position between series of adjacent bits in adjacent columns. The size of the difference is determined by the position number (ie, the bit sequence) in the bit sequence with which the adjacent columns begin. More specifically, if you take the difference? module seven between, on the one hand, a position number coded by a sequence of four bits in a first column Kn which, therefore, can have the value of 0 to 6, and, on the other hand, a coded position number by a sequence of four bits adjacent to a corresponding "height" in an adjacent column Kn + i, the difference will be the same regardless of the place, it is say, the "height", of the two columns where the difference is taken. Therefore, when using the difference between the position numbers for two-bit sequences in two adjacent columns, it is possible to encode a coordinate x that is independent of and constant for all y coordinates. Because each position on the surface is encoded by means of a partial surface consisting of 4 * 4 marks in this example, there are four vertical bit sequences available and, hence, three differences, each with the value of 0 to 6, for the encoding of the x coordinate. The pattern is divided into F code windows with the characteristic that each code window consists of 4 * 4 marks. There are four horizontal bit sequences and four vertical bit sequences available so that three differences in the x direction can be created and four position numbers can be obtained in the y direction. These three differences and four position numbers encode the position of the partial surface in the x direction and the y direction. The adjacent windows in the x direction have a common column, see figure 7. Therefore, the first code window Fo, or contains bit sequences of the columns K0, Ki, K3 and bit sequences of the rows Ro, Ri , R2, R3- Because the differences are used in the x direction, the next window diagonally in the x direction and y direction, the window Fi, i, contains bit sequences of the columns K3, K4, K5,? ß and rows R4, R5, R6, R7. When considering coding only in the x direction, the code window can be considered having a Unlimited extension in the x direction. These first and second code windows with an unlimited extension in the direction and direction x, respectively, together form a code window of the type shown in figure 7, for example Fo, or- Each window has window coordinates Fx , which provide the position of the window in the direction of x, and Fy, which provide the position of the window in the direction of y. Therefore, the correspondence between the windows and the columns is as follows: K¡ = 3 Fx R¡ = 4 FX The coding is done in such a way that, for the three differences, one of the differences? 0 always has the value 1 or 2, which indicates the least significant digit So for the number that represents the position of the code window in the direction of x, and the other two differences ??,? 2 have values in the scale of 3 to 6, which indicates the two most significant digits Si, S2 for the coordinate of the code window. Therefore, no difference can be zero for the coordinates of x, since this would result in a coding pattern that is too symmetric. In other words, the columns are coded in such a way that the differences are as follows: (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); ...

Each coordinate x is encoded by means of two differences ?? 2 between 3 and 6 and a subsequent difference ?? which is 1 or 2. By subtracting one (1) from the smaller difference? 0 and three (3) from the other differences, we get three digits, S2, Si, So, which, in a mixed base, directly provide the position number of the code window in the x direction, from which the x coordinate can be determined directly, as shown in the example below. The position number of the code window is: S2 * (4 * 2) + If * 2 + S0 * 1 When using the principle described above, it is possible to code the code windows 0, 1, 2, 31 , by means of a position number for the code window consisting of three digits represented by three differences. These differences are coded by a bit pattern that is based on the previous series of numbers. Finally, the bit pattern can be encoded graphically through the marks in Figure 8. In many cases, when you enter a partial surface of 4 * 4 marks, you do not get a complete position number that encodes the coordinate x, but parts of two position numbers, since, often, the partial surface does not match a code window but covers parts of two adjacent code windows in the x direction. However, because the difference for the least significant digit So of each number is always 1 or 2, a complete position number can easily be reconstructed, since the least significant digit is known.

The coordinates of y are coded according to approximately the same as that used for the coordinates of x through the code windows. The series of cyclic numbers, that is, the same series of numbers as the one used for the coding of x, is written repeatedly in horizontal rows on the surface from which its position must be coded. Exactly the same as for the coordinates of x, the rows are made to start in different positions, that is, with different bit sequences, in the series of numbers. However, for the coordinates of y, the differences are not used, but the coordinates are encoded by means of values based on the initial position of the series of numbers in each row. When the x coordinate has been determined for a partial surface with 4 * 4 marks, the initial positions in the series can be determined, in fact, for the rows included in the y-code for the 4 * 4 marks. In the y-code, the least significant digit So is determined by letting it be the only digit that has a value on a particular scale. In the present example, a row of four starts at the 0 to 1 position in the series of numbers, to indicate that this row refers to the least significant digit So in a code window, and three other rows start in any of the positions 2 to 6 to indicate the other digits Si, S2, S3 in the code window. In the y direction, there are a series of values as follows: (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (0 to 1); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (0 to 1); (2 to 6); ...

Consequently, each code window is encoded by means of three values between 2 and 6 and a subsequent value between 0 and 1. If zero (0) is subtracted from the lower value and two (2) of the other values, a position in the direction and S3, S2, Si, S0 in mixed base is obtained in a corresponding manner as for the address x, from from which you can directly determine the position number of the code window, which is: S3 * (5 * 5 * 2) + S2 * (5 * 2) + S1 * 2 + S0 * 1 When using the previous method , it is possible to code 4 * 4 * 2 = 32 position numbers in the address of and for the code windows. Each code window comprises sequences of three-column bits, which provides 3 * 32 = 96 columns or coordinates of x. In addition, it is possible to encode 5 * 5 * 5 * 2 = 250 position numbers in the address of and for the code windows. Each of these position numbers comprises sequences of horizontal bits of 4 rows, which provides 4 * 250 = 1000 rows or coordinates of y. Therefore, a total of 96,000 coordinate positions can be coded. Because the coding of x is based on differences, it is possible to select the position in which you must start the first series of numbers in the first code window. If you take into account that this first series of numbers can start in seven different positions, it is possible to code 7 * 96,000 = 672,000 positions. The initial position of the first series of numbers in the first column Ko can be calculated when the coordinates of x and y. The seven previous initial positions for the first series can encode different pages or writing surfaces in a product. Theoretically, a partial surface with 4 * 4 symbols, each with four values, can encode 44 * 4 positions, that is, 4,294,967,296 positions. To facilitate the floating determination of the position of a partial surface, there is therefore a redundancy factor greater than 6000 (4294967296/672000). The redundancy consists partly in the restrictions of the size of the differences, and partially in only 7 bits of 16 that are used in the position code. However, this latter fact can be used to determine the rotational position of the partial surface. If the next bit in the series of bits is added to the four-bit sequence, a five-bit sequence is obtained. The fifth bit is obtained by reading the adjacent bit immediately outside the partial surface that is being used. Usually, this additional bit is easily available. The partial surface that the sensor reads can have four different rotational positions, rotated by 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees in relation to the code window. However, in those cases when the partial surface is rotated, the reading of the code will be such that the reading of the code is reversed, either in the direction of x or in the direction of y or both, compared to a reading at 0 degrees. However, this assumes that used a slightly different decoding of the value of the marks, according to the following table.

The five-bit sequence, which was already mentioned, has the characteristic that it only occurs in the correct sense and not in inverted form in the seven-bit series. This is evident from the fact that the series of bits (0 0 0 1 0 1 0) contains only two "ones". Therefore, all five-bit sequences must comprise at least three zeros, which, after inversion (and any reversion) produce three ones, which should not occur. Therefore, if a five-bit sequence is found that does not have a position number in the series of bits, it can be concluded that the partial surface should probably be rotated and the new position analyzed. To further illustrate the invention in accordance with the present embodiment, a specific example is presented which is based on the described mode of the position code. Figure 9 shows an example of an image with marks of 4 * 4 that are read with a device for the determination of positions. These 4 * 4 marks have the following values: 4 4 4 2 3234 4424 1324 These values represent the following codes of x and y and binary: Code x: Code y: 0000 0001 1010 0100 0000 0010 1100 1010 The vertical bit sequences in the code x encode the following positions in the series of bits: 2046. The differences between the columns are -242, what module 7 provides: 542, which in mixed base codes the position number of the window of code: (5-3) * 8 + (4-3) * 2 + (2-1) = 16 + 2 + 1 = 19. The first encoded code window has the position number 0. Therefore, the difference found on the scale of 1 to 2 and appears on the 4 * 4 marks of the partial surface is the twentieth of said differences. As additionally there are three columns in total for each of these differences and a start column, the vertical sequence of the right end in the 4 * 4 code x belongs to the 61st column (column 60) in the code x (3 * 20 + 1 = 61) and the vertical sequence of the left end belongs to the 58th column (column 57).

The horizontal bit sequences in the code and encode the positions 0413 in the series of numbers. Because these sequences of horizontal bits begin at the 58th column, the initial position of the rows is these values minus 57 modulo 7, which provides the initial positions 6 3 0 2. Converted into digits on a mixed basis, this becomes 6-2, 3-2 , 0-0, 2-2 = 4 1 0 0, where the third digit is the least significant digit in the number in question. The fourth digit is then the most significant digit in the next number. In this case, it must be the same as the number in question. (Except when the number in question consists of the highest possible digits in all positions, in this case it is known that the beginning of the next number is by one larger than the beginning of the number in question). The position number is, on a mixed basis, 0 * 50 + 4 * 10 + 1 * 2 + 0 * 1 = 42. The third horizontal bit sequence in the code y belongs to the 43rd code window having the initial position 0 or 1, and there are four rows in total for each of these code windows; the third row is the number 43 * 4 = 172. In the present example, the position of the upper left corner of the partial surface with marks of 4 * 4 is (58.170). Because the bit sequences in the x code in the 4 * 4 group start in row 170, the x columns of all the patterns start at positions ((2 0 4 6) -169) mod 7 = 1 6 3 5 of the series of numbers. Between the last initial position (5) and the first initial position, the numbers 0-19 are coded on a mixed basis and when adding the representations of the numbers 0-19 on a mixed basis, the total difference between these columns is obtained. A primitive algorithm to do this is to generate these twenty numbers and add their digits directly. Let us name the sum obtained s. The page or writing surface is then obtained by (5-s) module7. An alternative method for determining the least significant bit in a partial surface, in order to identify a code window is explained below. The least significant bit (LSB) is defined as the lower digit in the differences or row position number of a partial surface. In this way, the reduction (redundancy) of the maximum usable number of coordinates is relatively small. For example, all the first code windows in the x direction, in the previous example, can have LSB = 1 and other digits between 2 and 6, which provides 25 code windows; the following can have LSB = 2 and other digits between 3 and 6, which provides 16 code windows; the following can have LSB = 3 and other digits between 4 and 6, which provides 9 code windows; the following can have LSB = 4 and other digits between 5 and 6, which provides 4 code windows; the following can have LSB = 5 and other digits 6, which provides 1 code window, that is, a total of 55 code windows, compared to 32 in the previous example. In the previous example, a modality was described in which each code window is encoded by 4 * 4 marks and a series of numbers with 7 bits is used. This is, of course, just an example. Positions can be coded by fewer or more marks. It is not It is necessary that there is the same number in both directions. The series of numbers can have different lengths and do not necessarily have to be binary, but they can be based on a different base, for example the hex code. Different series of numbers can be used to code in the direction of x and to code in the direction of y. Brands can represent different numbers of values. The coding in the direction of and can also be carried out by differences. In a practical example, a partial surface consisting of 6 * 6 marks is used and wherein the series of bits can comprise a minimum of 26 bits, that is, 64 bits. However, a series of bits consisting of 51 positions is used to have the possibility to determine the rotational position of the partial surface. An example of this type of bit series is: 00000110001111101010110110011 0100010100111011110010 This type of partial surface, consisting of six by six marks, can encode 46 * 6 positions, which is, with the above grid dimensions of 0.3 mm, a surface extremely large In a manner similar to that described above for the seven-bit series, in accordance with the present invention, the feature is used that the partial surface is extended to include one bit on each side of the partial surface, at least at its center, so that 8 symbols are read, one on each side of the partial surface, for the third and fourth rows in the partial surface of 6 * 6 symbols, and similarly in the direction of y. The aforementioned series of bits, which contains 51 bits, has the characteristic that a 6-bit sequence occurs only once and never in an inverted or reversed and inverted position. In this way, the rotational position of the partial surface can be determined by reading 8 bits in row 3, row 4, column 3 and / or column 4. When the rotational position is known, the partial surface can be rotated to the position correct before continuing the processing. It is convenient to obtain a pattern as random as possible, that is, where there are no areas with excessive symmetry. It is desirable to obtain a pattern wherein a partial surface with 6 * 6 marks contains marks with all the different positions in accordance with Figures 8a to 8d. To increase randomness even more or avoid repetitive characteristics, a so-called "random" method can be used. Each sequence of bits in a code window starts at a predetermined starting position. However, it is possible to move the initial position in the horizontal direction for each row, if the displacement is known. This can be done by assigning each of the least significant bits (LSB) to a separate displacement vector for the adjacent rows. The displacement vector indicates the displacement of each row in the horizontal direction. Visually it looks as if the axis in Figure 7 and was "bristly".

In the previous example, with a code window of 4 * 4, the displacement vector can be 1, 2, 4, 0 for LSB = 0 and 2, 2, 3, 0 for LSB = 1. This means that after subtracting the numbers 2 and 0, respectively, the previous displacement must be subtracted from (module 5) of the position number of the bit sequence, before proceeding with the calculation. In the previous example, for the y coordinate, the digits 4 1 0 0 (S2, S-i, S0, S4) are obtained in mixed base, where the second digit on the right is the least significant digit, LSB. Because the displacement vector 1, 2, 4, 0 must be used (LSB = 0) for the digits 4 and 1, 2 is subtracted from 4 to give S2 = 2 and 4 is subtracted from 1 (modulo five) to give Yes = 2. The digit So = 0 remains unchanged (the component of the displacement vector for the least significant digit is always zero). Finally, the digit S4 belongs to the following code window, which must have LSB = 1, that is, the second displacement vector must be used. Therefore, 2 is subtracted from 0 (module five) which gives S4 = 3. A similar method can be used to change the codes for the coordinates of x. However, there is less need to modify the coordinates of x, because they already have a relatively random distribution, since the difference zero in the previous example is not used. In the previous example, the d is a point. Naturally, it may look different. For example, it may consist of a line or an ellipse that starts at the point of the virtual grid or extends from it to a particular position. Others can also be used symbols other than the point, such as a square, rectangle, triangle, circle or ellipse, with or without filling. In the previous example, the marks are used within a square partial surface to code a position. The partial surface may have another shape, for example, hexagonal shape. The marks do not need to be arranged along the grid lines in an orthogonal grid, but may also present other arrangements, such as along the grid lines in a grid with angles of 60 degrees, etc. Also, a polar coordinate system can be used. Grids in the shape of triangles or hexagons For example, a grid with triangles facilitates the movement of each mark in six different directions, which provides even more possibilities, corresponding to 66 * 6 positions in the partial surface. For a hexagonal grid, a honeycomb pattern, each mark can be moved in three different directions along the lines of the grid. As already mentioned, the marks do not need to be moved along the grid lines, but they can be moved in other directions, for example to be placed each in a different quadrant of a square grid pattern. In the hexagonal grid pattern, the marks can be moved in four or more different directions, for example in six directions along the grid lines and along lines that make up 60 degrees with the grid lines.

In order to detect the position code, it is necessary to determine the virtual grid. This can be done, in a square grid pattern, by examining the distance between the different marks. The shortest distance between two marks must originate from two adjacent marks with the values 1 and 3 in the horizontal direction or 2 and 4 in the vertical direction, so that the marks are on the same line of the grid between two grid points . When said pair of marks has been detected, the associated grid points (the nominal positions) can be determined based on the distance between the grid points and the offset of the marks from the grid points. Once two grid points have been located, additional grid points can be determined by the distance measured with other markers and based on the knowledge of the distance between the grid points. If the marks move 50 μ? T? along the grid lines, which are at a distance of 300 μp? between each other, the smallest distance between two marks will be 200 μ ??, for example between marks with the values 1 and 3. The next shortest distance arises between, for example, marks with the values 1 and 2, and is 255 μ ? t ?. Therefore, there is a relatively marked difference between the shortest distance and the next shortest distance. The difference in the diagonals is also great. However, if the displacement is larger than 50 μ? T ?, for example greater than 75 μ? (1/4), diagonals can cause problems and it may be difficult to determine the nominal position to which a brand belongs. If the displacement is less than 50 μ, for example less than about 35 μ? (1/8), the smaller distance will be 230 μ? T ?, which does not provide a very large difference to the next distance, which is 267 μ ??. In addition, they increase the requirements of optical reading. Marks should never cover their own grid point and, therefore, should not have a diameter larger than twice the displacement, that is, 200%. However, this is not critical and can allow a certain overlap, for example 240%. The smaller size is initially determined by the resolution of the sensor and the requirements of the printing procedure used to reproduce the pattern. However, the marks should not have a diameter smaller than approximately 50% of the displacement in practice, to avoid problems with particles and noise in the sensor. In the previous mode, the grid is an orthogonal template. It can also have other shapes, such as a rhombic grid, for example with angles of 60 degrees, a triangular or hexagonal grid, etc. A displacement in more or less four directions can be used, for example the displacement in three directions along the hexagonal virtual grid. In an orthogonal grid, only two offsets can be used to facilitate the re-creation of the grid. However, a four-way offset is preferred, but six or eight directions are also possible.

In the previous mode, the longest possible cyclic number series is not used. Therefore, a degree of redundancy is obtained that can be used in different ways, for example to correct an error, replace missing or hidden marks, etc.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1: - A global information management system comprising at least one base (1) provided with at least one subset of a position coding pattern and intended for the management of registered information of said base (1) and represented in the form of absolute coordinates of at least one position coded by the position coding pattern, characterized in that the position coding pattern defines an imaginary surface (100; 200), which consists of all positions whose absolute coordinates the pattern of Coding of positions can encode, and that is imaginary in the system, since it is never present in its entirety on any basis; and that at least two unique regions (101-104; 201-213) are defined on the imaginary surface (100; 200), each dedicated to a predetermined information management, so that the information management represented by the absolute coordinates of at least one position on the imaginary surface (100; 200) is performed depending on the affiliation to a region of at least one of said positions. 2. The information management system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said information comprises a sequence of positions on the imaginary surface (100; 200), which make up the message information, in the form of interrelated lines. 3. - The information management system according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that at least one command region (104; 201, 207; 216-219) representing an operation is defined on the imaginary surface ( 100; 200) so that the detection of the absolute coordinates for a position within this command region (104; 201, 207; 216-219) produces the initiation of said operation. 4. - The information management system according to claim 3, further characterized in that said operation is one of the operations to store information, send information and convert information. 5. - The information management system according to claims 2, 3 or 4, further characterized in that a main region (206) on the imaginary surface (100; 200) is dedicated to a predetermined information management and comprises at least less one of said command regions (216-219) and at least one message registration region (214, 215, 220) dedicated to the digital registration of a sequence of positions on the imaginary surface (200), which make up the information of the message, in the form of interrelated lines. 6. - The information management system according to claim 5, further characterized in that the main region (206) comprises a plurality of identical standard regions (213), at least one of said message registration regions (214, 215, 220) and at least one of said command regions (216-219) included in said standard region (213). 7. - The information management system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises a computer system (3) that allows storing information about the division of the imaginary surface (100; 200) in said regions. 8. - The information management system according to claim 7, further characterized by the computer system (3) allows to store information about an owner of at least one of said regions. 9. - The information management system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises at least one user unit (2) that allows detecting said absolute coordinates of the base (1). 10. - The information management system according to claim 9, further characterized in that the absolute coordinates detected by the user unit (2) represent graphic information written by means of the user unit (2) in at least one of said subsets of the position coding pattern. i 1. The information management system according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized because the imaginary surface (100; 200) can be arbitrarily subdivided, with respect to the shape and / or size of said regions. 12. An information management system intended for the management of information represented digitally and associated with the absolute positions in an imaginary surface (100; 200), said information management system comprises at least one base (1) whose surface is provided with at least a subset of said imaginary surface (100; 200) and designed in such a way that the imaginary surface (100; 200) is never present in its entirety in any base, where the imaginary surface (100; 200 ) comprises at least two regions (101-104; 201-213), each of which is dedicated to the predetermined administration of said information, so that the administration of said information is carried out depending on the affiliation to a region of the absolute positions associated with said information. 13. The information management system according to claim 12, further characterized in that at least one command region (104; 201; 207; 216-219) is defined on the imaginary surface (100; 200); the command region represents an operation so that the detection of at least one of the absolute positions within this command region (104; 201, 207; 216-219) produces the initiation of said operation. 14. The information management system according to claim 13, further characterized in that said operation is a of operations to store information, send information and convert information. 15. - The information management system according to any of claims 12-14, further characterized in that it comprises a computer system (3) that allows storing information about the absolute positions to which a particular region belongs. 16. - The information management system according to claim 15, further characterized in that the computer system (3) allows storing information about an owner to which at least one of said regions is assigned. 17. - The information management system according to any of claims 12-16, further characterized in that it comprises a hand device (2) set to register at least one absolute position in the base (1). - 18.- The information management system according to claim 17, further characterized in that at least one of said absolute positions recorded by the handheld device (2) is associated with written graphic information with the handheld device (2). ) in the base (1). 19. The information management system according to claim 17 or 18, further characterized in that a position coding pattern allows to define at least one of said absolute positions and the handheld device (2) allows detecting and decoding the position coding pattern to determine at least one of said absolute positions on the imaginary surface (100M; 200) and said affiliation to a region. 20. - The information management system according to claim 19, further characterized in that the position coding pattern comprises marks (A7) arranged with a displacement from its nominal position (A6). 21. - The information management system according to any of claims 12-20, further characterized in that the imaginary surface (100; 200) can be arbitrarily subdivided, with respect to the shape and / or size of said regions. 22. - The information management system according to any of claims 1-21, further characterized in that it has included a database containing the imaginary surface (100; 200) consisting of positions defined by absolute coordinates, characterized in that to at least one position on the imaginary surface (100; 200) a rule is assigned for information management so that the information associated with the absolute coordinates of at least one of said positions is handled based on this rule. 23. The information management system according to claim 22, further characterized in that it includes a database in which at least two of regions (101-104; 201-213) is assigned a rule for administration of information. 24. - The information managt system according to claim 22 or 23, further characterized in that it has included a database in which the imaginary surface (100; 200) comprises at least one message registration region (101-103) 202-215, 220) to which a rule is assigned for the digital recording of a sequence of positions on the imaginary surface (100; 200), which make up the information of the message, in the form of interrelated lines. 25. - The information managt system according to claim 22, 23 or 24, further characterized in that it has included a database in which the imaginary surface (100; 200) comprises at least one command region (104).; 210, 207; 216-219) to which a rule representing an operation is assigned, so that the detection of the absolute coordinates within this command region (104; 201, 216-219) produces the initiation of said operation . 26.- The information managt system according to claims 24 and 25, further characterized in that it includes a database in which at least one message registration region (214, 215, 220) and at least a region of commands (216-219) are included in a main region (206) to which a rule for the administration of predetermined information is assigned. 27. The information managt system according to claim 26, further characterized in that it includes a database in which the main region (206) comprises a plurality of identical standard regions (213), in which at least one of said message registration regions (214, 215, 220) and at least one of said command regions (216-2 9) are incorporated. 28. - The information managt system according to any of claims 25-27, further characterized in that it has included a database in which said operation is one of the operations to store information, send information or convert information. 29. - The information managt system according to any of claims 21-28, further characterized in that it has included a database in which it is stored completely or partially in a memory (21; 3 ') in a unit (2; 3) incorporated into an information managt system. 30. - The information managt system according to any of claims 21-29, further characterized in that it has included a database in which the imaginary surface (100; 200) can be arbitrarily subdivided, with respect to the form and / or the size of said regions. 31. - A method for managing information represented by absolute coordinates and registered from a base (1) provided with at least a subset of a position coding pattern, characterized in that it comprises the step of defining, on an imaginary surface ( 100; 200), which consists of all positions whose absolute coordinates the coding pattern of positions can be coded and that is imaginary because it is never present in its entirety on any basis, at least two unique regions (101-104; 201-213), each of which is dedicated to the administration of predetermined information, so that the information represented by the absolute coordinates in the imaginary surface (100; 200) is managed depending on the affiliation to a region of at least one of said positions. 32. - The method according to claim 31, further characterized by comprising the step of granting a party the exclusive right to use a subset of the position coding pattern, which encodes at least one position within a predetermined region (101-104; 201-220) on the imaginary surface (100; 200). 33. - The method according to claim 31 or 32, further characterized in that it comprises the step of creating said information when moving a handheld device (2) on the base (1), said information is formed as a sequence of absolute positions on the imaginary surface (100; 200), which make up the message information, in the form of interrelated lines. 34. - The method according to any of claims 31-33, further characterized by comprising the step of starting an operation, when at least one of said positions is within a region of commands (104; 201, 216- 219) on the imaginary surface (100; 200). 35. - The method according to claims 33 and 34, further characterized in that said operation refers to all or parts of the information of the recorded message. 36. - The method according to claim 34 or 35, further characterized in that said operation is one of the operations to store information, send information or convert information. 37. A method for managing information digitally represented that is related to at least one absolute position on an imaginary surface (100; 200) and that is recorded from a base (1) provided with at least a subset of the imaginary surface (100; 200), characterized in that the imaginary surface (100; 200), which is imaginary because it is never present in its entirety on any basis, comprises at least two regions (101-104; 201-220) that include the steps of determining whether at least one of said absolute positions, related to said information, lies within said regions (101-104; 201-220) and handling said information in a predetermined manner depending on the region (101-104); 201-220) to which at least one of said absolute positions belongs. 38. - The method according to claim 37, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of producing said information when moving a handheld device (2) on the base (1), determining the absolute position of the handheld device (2) during , at least, part of said movement and relate said information to the absolute position thus determined. 39. - The method according to claim 38, further characterized in that said information comprises a graph representing said movement. 40. - The method according to claim 38, further characterized in that said information is composed of characters that correspond to said movement after interpretation by a character interpretation program. 41.- A method to compile the configuration of a pattern destined to be applied in a product (1) that encodes absolute positions in an imaginary surface (100; 200); this surface (100; 200) consists of all the absolute positions that a position coding pattern can encode, characterized in that the imaginary surface (100; 200), which is imaginary because it is never present in its entirety on any basis, is divided in regions (101-104; 201-220), of which at least the first region is assigned a rule with respect to the manner of information management, which contains at least one position within the first region, which it comprises the step of creating a pattern configuration from at least a subset of the position coding pattern, so that the pattern configuration encodes positions within said first region on the imaginary surface (100; 200). 42. The method according to claim 41, further characterized in that at least one of said first regions comprises a message registration region (101-103; 202-215, 220) to which a rule is assigned for the digital registration of a sequence of positions on the imaginary surface (100; 200), which make up the message information, in the form of interrelated lines. 43. - The method according to claim 41 or 42, further characterized in that said regions (101-104; 201-220) comprise at least one second region (104; 201, 216-219) to which a rule representing an operation, so that the detection of the absolute coordinates for a position within said second region (104; 201, 216-219) produces the initiation of said operation. 44. - The method according to claim 43, further characterized in that it comprises the step of creating the pattern configuration to encode positions within a plurality of identical standard regions (213) on the imaginary surface (100; 200), which it contains at least one of said first regions and one of said second regions (214-220). 45. The method according to any of claims 41-44, further characterized in that it comprises the step of creating the pattern configuration from a single coherent subset of the position coding pattern. 46. - The method according to any of claims 41-44, further characterized in that it comprises the step of creating the pattern configuration by combining at least two separate subsets of the position coding pattern. 47.- A product included in a system according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that this product (1) comprises a message field (1A) provided with a first subset of the position coding pattern to facilitate registration digital graphic information written in said first subset, and a command field (1B) provided with a second subset of the position coding pattern, said second subset defines an operation to be performed with respect to the recorded graphic information. 48. The product according to claim 47, further characterized in that the first subset of the position coding pattern in the message field (1A) is continuous with respect to the second subset of the position coding pattern in the command field (1B), so that the product (1) is provided with a position coding pattern that encodes positions within a coherent coordinate area on the imaginary surface (100; 200). 49. The product according to claim 47, further characterized in that the first subset of the position coding pattern in the message field (1A) is discontinuous with respect to the second subset of the position coding pattern in the field of commands (1B), by means of the first and second subsets that encode positions within separate coordinate areas on the imaginary surface (100; 200). 50. - Use of a position coding pattern for the control of information management, said use includes a product (2) provided with at least a subset of the position coding pattern, characterized in that an imaginary surface (100; 200), consisting of a large number of positions coded by the position coding pattern and which is imaginary because never it is present in its entirety on no basis, it is divided into regions (101-104; 201-213) and a rule is related to each region (101-104; 201-213) with respect to the way information is administered which comprises coordinates for at least one position within this region (101-104; 201-213), wherein said subset in the product (2) encodes at least one position within at least one of said regions (101 -104; 201-220). 51. - The use as claimed in claim 50, further characterized in that the imaginary surface (100; 200) comprises all the positions that the position coding pattern can encode.