System For Printing An Interactive Document On Demand

Abstract

A system for printing an interactive document on demand. The system comprises a computer system and a printer. The computer system is configured for: identifying a document for printing; allocating a document identity to the document; recording an association between the document identity and the document; and sending print data to a printer associated with said computer system. The print data instructs the printer to print a document image for the document superimposed with a coded data pattern. The coded data pattern identifies the document identity and a plurality of locations on the printed document. The printer associated the said computer system is configured for: receiving the print data from the computer system; and printing a document image simultaneously with the superimposed coded data pattern, thereby providing the interactive printed document.

1 . A system for printing an interactive document on demand, said system comprising:
 (A) a computer system configured for:
 identifying a document for printing; 
 allocating a document identity to said document; 
 recording an association between the document identity and the document; 
 sending print data to a printer associated with said computer system, said print data instructing the printer to print a document image for said document superimposed with a coded data pattern, said coded data pattern identifying the document identity and a plurality of locations on said printed document; and 
   (B) said printer associated with said computer system, said printer being configured for:
 receiving the print data from the computer system; and 
 printing a document image substantially simultaneously with said superimposed coded data pattern, thereby providing the interactive printed document. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (C) an optically imaging pen for interacting with said coded data pattern on said printed document, said optically imaging pen comprising:
 a nib for contacting said printed document; 
 an image sensor for sensing at least part of said coded data pattern; and 
 a processor for generating indicating data using the sensed coded data pattern, said indicating data being indicative of the identity of the printed document and one or more positions of the pen. 
   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said computer system is further configured for:
 receiving the indicating data from the pen; and   interpreting the indicating data using the recorded association between the document identity and the document.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said printed document comprises:
 a field for accepting handwritten input, said computer system interpreting pen interactions within said field as handwriting; and   an interactive element positioned outside said field, said computer system interpreting pen interactions within a zone of said interactive element as an instruction for said computer system.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said indicating data is further indicative of an orientation of the pen relative to the printed document. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said indicating data is indicative of the identity of the printed document and a position of a nib of the pen, the position of the nib being calculated using a first position determined from the sensed coded data pattern, wherein the first position is different from the nib position. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pen comprises a force sensor for sensing when said nib is in contact with said printed document. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said pen comprises a buffer for storing said indicating data. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said pen comprises a transceiver for communicating the indicating data to the computer system. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said coded data pattern is printed using infrared absorptive ink.