Retrieve information by sensing data encoded on a card

Abstract

A method of retrieving information using a device is disclosed. Data encoded on a surface of the print medium is read using a sensor module of the device. The data encodes a print media identifier which uniquely identifies the print medium and position data with respect to the surface of the print medium. The print media identifier and the position of the sensor module relative to the surface of the print medium are determined from the data encoded on the surface. Finally, information is retrieved from a database. The information is indexed by the print media identifier, a region with respect to the surface of the print medium, and an identity of the device, the position of the sensor module being within the region.

1 . A method of retrieving information using a device, the method comprising the steps of:
 reading data encoded on a surface of the print medium using a sensor module of the device, the data encoding a print media identifier which uniquely identifies the print medium and position data with respect to the surface of the print medium;   determining the print media identifier from the data encoded on the surface;   determining the position of the sensor module relative to the surface of the print medium from the data; and,   retrieving information from a database, the information being indexed by the print media identifier, a region with respect to the surface of the print medium, and an identity of the device, the position of the sensor module being within said region.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the print media identifier is encoded using a linear pattern. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a printer module and the method includes the further step of printing the information by the printer module. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the s device includes a display module and the method includes the further step of displaying the information by the display module. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information is stored in a memory of the device. 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the database is remote from the device and the information is retrieved over a communications channel. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , the method comprising the further step of storing the information in a memory of the device. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information is related to printed content provided on the print medium. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information is an audio file and the method comprises the further step of playing the audio file in the device. 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information is software, and the method includes the further step of executing the software in the device.