Machine-readable form configuration and system and method for interpreting at least one user mark

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine-readable form configuration (and associated method). Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for interpreting at least one user mark (and associated methods). In one example, a plurality of user marks may be interpreted. In another example, the machine-readable form may be a lottery play slip, survey, test, or the like. In another example, the system may interpret user mark(s) made on a lottery play slip, survey, test or the like. In another example, the system may interpret user mark(s) made on a paper or the like having non-planar distortion(s).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting user marks, comprising:
 placing a form in a field of view of a camera, wherein the form includes thereon at least a first fiducial mark and a second fiducial mark;   utilizing the camera to generate an electronic image of at least a portion of the form;   calculating with a processor mechanism in operative communication with the camera, based at least in part upon the electronic image, a distance between at least the first fiducial mark and the second fiducial mark;   detecting with the processor mechanism at least a first user marking cell on the form, wherein the first user marking cell is bounded by at least one indicium that is visible to the camera, and wherein the first user marking cell is detected based at least in part upon the calculated distance between the first fiducial mark and the second fiducial mark.