System, computer program product, computing device, and associated methods for form identification and information manipulation Number:7,091,959 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: System, computer program product, computing device, and associated methods for form identification and information manipulation

Abstract: A system, computer program product, computing device, and associated methods for identifying forms used with pen enabled computing devices and manipulating information associated therewith are provided. The system comprises a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus, a preprinted form, and a computer program product. The preprinted form is cooperable with the pen enabled computing device and comprises a page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to the user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface. The computer program product executes within the pen enabled computing device and cooperates therewith to determine the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface in order to actuate the pen enabled computing device. Subsequently, the pen enabled computing device is capable of detecting, capturing, and storing data input into the fields according to the nature of the page, wherein the nature of the page comprises a function and a specific identity. The nature of the page is also identifiable by the pen enabled computing device based on the data input into a plurality of the fields on the writing surface. The provided computer program product, the computing device, and associated methods cooperate with the system to enable form identification and subsequent data manipulation.

Patent Number: 7,091,959 Issued on 08/15/2006 to Clary

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Inventors:	Clary; Gregory J. (Apex, NC)
Assignee:	Advanced Digital Systems, Inc. (Apex, NC)
Appl. No.:	09/540,469
Filed:	March 31, 2000

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Current U.S. Class:	345/173 ; 345/179
Current International Class:	G09G 5/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	345/173,174,175,176,179 178/18.01,18.03,18.05,18.09,19.01,20.01

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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Other References

WEBSITE: info@anoto.com; http://www.anoto.com/main.asp, dated Jul. 26, 2000, 16 total pages, Copyright 2000. cited by other . WEBSITE: http://www.ecritek.com/company/company.html; Ecrio User Manual (pp. 1-52), 54 total pages, Ecritek Corporation; Copy right 2000 Ecritek Corporation. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Lefkowitz; Sumati
Assistant Examiner: Kumar; Srilakshmi K
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alston & Bird LLP

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Parent Case Text

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/127,196, filed Mar. 31, 1999, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

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Claims

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That which is claimed is:

1. A system for identifying a preprinted form and interacting therewith, said system comprising: a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus; a preprinted form cooperable with the pen enabled computing device and comprising a page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to the user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface; and a computer program product executing within the pen enabled computing device and cooperating therewith to: determine the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface in order to actuate the pen enabled computing device; detect, capture, and store data input into the fields according to the nature of the page, the nature of the page comprising a function and a specific identity; and identify the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device based upon the data input into a plurality of the field.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an electronic handwriting tablet capable of interacting with the pen enabled computing device and the preprinted form so as to sense the position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to a page engaged with the handwriting tablet.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the preprinted form comprises a plurality of pages having a predetermined order and the system is further capable of determining a function and a specific identity for each page corresponding to the order.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the fields have a predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature of the page and the pen enabled computing device detects and captures data input in a plurality of the fields to determine the nature of the page from the spatial arrangement of the plurality of the fields in which data is input.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein data is input into each of a plurality of the fields and said pen enabled computing device and computer program product cooperate to process the data-containing fields to define a corresponding base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said pen enabled computing device and said computer program product cooperate to define a base n number that corresponds to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns forming (n)*(m+1) matrix elements, each matrix element having a value corresponding to j*n.sup.i and being represented by the coordinates (j, i), with i varying from 0 to m and j varying from 0 to n-1.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said computer program product further cooperates with said pen enabled computing device to access data stored within the pen enabled computing device, wherein the data accessed by said computer program product is selected from the group consisting of data that is associated with the specific identity of the page and data that is independent of the specific identity of the page.

8. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a user interface, wherein the computer program product is further adapted to cooperate with the user interface to provide data to the user.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein, after the computer program product has determined the nature of the page, the pen enabled computing device and the computer program product cooperate to further determine whether data input into the fields continues to correspond to the determined nature of the page and to indicate an error if the input data fails to correspond.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the user interface is further capable of indicating the error to the user and prompting the user to correct the error through the pen enabled computing device.

11. A system according to claim 9 wherein the user interface is further capable of indicating to the user at least one of the fields containing data, the data contained within the data-containing fields, and the number of fields containing data.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer program product cooperates with the pen enabled computing device to detect, capture, and store handwritten data input into a field with the writing stylus by spatially segmenting the handwritten data and correlating the spatial segments with the nature of the page.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the computer program product is further capable of assigning a stamp to data input into a field, the stamp corresponding to the nature of the page and comprising at least one of a time, a date, and a unique identifier.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the computer program product is further capable of determining whether data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp and prompting the user through the user interface to verify that the user intends to edit the data within the field if data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the pen enabled computing device further comprises an editing actuator and the computer program product is further capable of cooperating with the pen enabled computing device to edit data upon actuation of the editing actuator.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein, upon actuation of the editing actuator, the computer program product cooperates with the pen enabled computing device to allow at least one of addition of data to data contained within a field, insertion of data between data elements contained within a field, deletion of data contained within a field, and replacement of data contained within a field with alternate data.

17. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer program product is further capable of cooperating with the pen enabled computing device to at least one of export data and import data in relation to at least one of an external computing device and the pen enabled computing device.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the computer program product is further capable of reconciling transmission of data corresponding to the nature of a page at least one of between the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device, within the pen enabled computing device, and within the external computing device.

19. A system according to claim 17 wherein the computer program product is capable of allowing at least one of the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device to access data corresponding to the nature of a page and to examine and manipulate data contained within the fields thereof.

20. A system according to claim 17 further comprising a conversion actuator capable of selectively directing data contained within a field to be converted into text.

21. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is further capable of selectively converting data contained within a field into text.

22. A computer program product having a computer readable storage medium storing computer readable program code portions adapted to execute within a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus and to identify the nature of a preprinted form to the pen enabled computing device, the form comprising a page having a writing surface defining a plurality of fields, the nature of the page comprising a function and a specific identity, said computer program product comprising: a first executable portion for determining the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface such that the writing stylus is capable of interacting with the fields in order to actuate the pen enabled computing device; a second executable portion for detecting, capturing, and storing data input into the fields with the writing stylus, the data being input according to the nature of the page; and a third executable portion for identifying the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device based upon data input into a plurality of the fields.

23. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the computer program product is further adapted to facilitate interaction between the pen enabled computing device and an electronic handwriting tablet capable of sensing position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to a page engaged therewith.

24. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the form comprises a plurality of pages having a predetermined order and the computer program product further comprises a fifth executable portion for determining a function and a specific identity for each page corresponding to the order.

25. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the fields have a predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature of the page and the second executable portion of the computer program product defects and captures data input in a plurality of the fields to enable the pen enabled computing device to determine the nature of the page from the spatial arrangement of the plurality of the fields in which data is input.

26. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein data is input into each of a plurality of the fields and said computer program product then processes the data-containing fields to define a corresponding base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device.

27. A computer program product according to claim 26 wherein the computer program product is capable of defining a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns and forming (n)*(m+1) matrix elements, each matrix element having a value corresponding to j*n.sup.i and being represented by the coordinates (j, i), with i varying from 0 to n and j varying from 0 to n-1.

28. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the fourth executable portion is further capable of accessing data stored within the pen enabled computing device, wherein the data accessed by said computer program product is selected from the group consisting of data that is associated with the specific identity of the page and data that is independent of the specific identity of the page.

29. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the pen enabled computing device further comprises a user interface and the computer program product further comprises a sixth executable portion adapted to cooperate with the user interface to provide data to the user.

30. A computer program product according to claim 29 further comprising a seventh executable portion for determining whether, after the third executable portion has determined the nature of the page, data input into the fields continues to correspond to the determined nature of the page and to indicate an error if the input data fails to correspond.

31. A computer program product according to claim 30 wherein the seventh executable portion is further capable of indicating the error to the user through the user interface and prompting the user to correct the error through the pen enabled computing device.

32. A computer program product according to claim 30 wherein the seventh executable portion is further capable of indicating to the user through the user interface at least one of the fields containing data, the data contained within the data-containing fields, and the number of fields containing data.

33. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the second executable portion detects, captures, and stores handwritten data input into a field with the writing stylus by spatially segmenting the handwritten data and correlating the spatial segments with the nature of the page.

34. A computer program product according to claim 33 further comprising an eighth executable portion for assigning a stamp to data input into a field, the stamp corresponding to the nature of the page and comprising at least one of a time, a date, and a unique identifier.

35. A computer program product according to claim 34 further comprising a tenth executable portion for determining whether data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp and prompting the user through the user interface to verify that the user intends to edit the data within the field if data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp.

36. A computer program product according to claim 22 wherein the pen enabled computing device further comprises an editing actuator and the computer program product further comprises a ninth executable portion for enabling editing of data upon actuation of the editing actuator.

37. A computer program product according to claim 36 wherein the ninth executable portion, upon actuation of the editing actuator, at least one of adds data to data contained within a field, inserts data between data elements contained within a field, deletes data contained within a field, and replaces data contained within a field with alternate data.

38. A computer program product according to claim 22 further comprising an eleventh executable portion capable of at least one of exporting data to and importing data in relation to at least one of an external computing device and the pen enabled computing device.

39. A computer program product according to claim 38 wherein the eleventh executable portion is further capable of reconciling transmission of data corresponding to the nature of a page at least one of between the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device, within the pen enabled computing device, and within the external computing device.

40. A computer program product according to claim 38 further comprising a twelfth executable portion capable of allowing at least one of the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device to access data corresponding to the nature of a page and to examine and manipulate data contained within the fields thereof.

41. A computer program product according to claim 38 wherein the pen enabled computing device further comprises a conversion actuator and the computer program product further comprises a thirteenth executable portion capable of selectively directing data contained within a field to be converted into text by at least one of the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device upon actuation of the conversion actuator.

42. A computer program product according to claim 22 further comprising a fourteenth executable portion capable of selectively converting data contained within a field into text.

43. A pen enabled computing device adapted for use with a preprinted form comprising a page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to a user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface and arranged to correspond to the nature of the page, the nature of the page comprises a function and a specific identity, said pen enabled computing device comprising: a writing stylus; and a sensing device adapted to engage the preprinted form and cooperating with the writing stylus such that the pen enabled computing device is actuated when the writing stylus is disposed adjacent to the writing surface in interactable relation with the fields and is thereby enabled to determine the nature of the page as data is input into the fields with the writing stylus according to the user-identified nature of the page.

44. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 43 wherein the sensing device comprises an electronic handwriting tablet adapted to engage the preprinted form and capable of sensing position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to the page.

45. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 43 wherein the pen enabled computing device is configured to be capable of determining the nature of a form comprising a plurality of pages having a predetermined order where each page has a function and a specific identity corresponding to the order.

46. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 43 wherein the fields having a predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature or the page and the pen enabled computing device is configured to require data to be input into a plurality of the fields in order to determine the nature of the page from the spatial arrangement of the plurality of the fields in which data is input.

47. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 43 wherein the pen enabled computing device is configured to define a base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page from data input into each of a plurality of the fields.

48. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 47 wherein the pen enabled computing device is configured to define a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns forming (n)*(m+1) matrix elements, each matrix element having a value corresponding to j*n.sup.i and being represented by the coordinates (j, i), with i varying from 0 to m and j varying from 0 to n-1.

49. A pen enabled computing device according to claim 43 wherein the pen enabled computing device is configured to enable access to other data stored therein associated with the specific identity of the page after the nature of the page is determined.

50. A method for identifying the nature of a page of a preprinted form with a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus and interacting therewith, the nature of the page comprising a function and a specific identity, the page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to a user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface, said method comprising: determining the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface such that the writing stylus is capable of interacting with the fields; receiving data into the fields via the writing stylus and according to the nature of the page; determining the nature of the page from a plurality of the fields in which data is received; and identifying the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device, wherein at least the determining, the nature of the page and the identifying steps are performed by the pen enabled computing device.

51. A method according to claim 50 further comprising allowing access to other data stored within the pen enabled computing system and associated with the specific identity of the page.

52. A method according to claim 50 wherein the form comprises a plurality of pages having a predetermined order and the method further comprises determining a function and specific identity for each page corresponding to the order.

53. A method according to claim 50 wherein the fields are defined by the writing surface according to a predetermined spatial arrangement and the method further comprises determining the nature of the page from the spatial arrangement of the plurality of the fields in which data is received.

54. A method according to claim 50 wherein determining the nature of the page from a plurality of the fields in which data is received further comprises processing the data input into each of the plurality of the fields to define a base n number uniquely corresponding to the nature of the page.

55. A method according to claim 54 wherein processing the data input further comprises defining a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns to form (n)*(m+1) matrix elements, each matrix element having a value corresponding to j*n.sup.i and being represented by the coordinates (j, i), with i varying from 0 to m and j varying from 0 to n-1.

56. A method according to claim 50 further comprising sensing the position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to the page with an electronic handwriting tablet engaged with the page.

57. A method according to claim 50 further comprising allowing access to other data stored within the pen enabled computing system that is independent of the specific identity of the page.

58. A method according to claim 50 further comprising providing data to the user via a user interface cooperable with the pen enabled computing device.

59. A method according to claim 58 further comprising, after the nature of the page has been identified to the pen enabled computing device, determining whether data input into the fields continues to correspond to the determined nature of the page and indicating an error if the input data fails to correspond.

60. A method according to claim 59 further comprising indicating an error to the user through the user interface and prompting the user to correct the error using the pen enabled computing device.

61. A method according to claim 59 further comprising indicating to the user via the user interface at least one of the fields containing data, the data contained within the data-containing fields, and the number of fields containing data.

62. A method according to claim 50 further comprising detecting, capturing, and storing handwritten data input into a field with the writing stylus by spatially segmenting the handwritten data and correlating the spatial segments with the nature of the page.

63. A method according to claim 62 further comprising assigning a stamp to data input into a field, the stamp corresponding to the nature of the page and comprising at least one of a time, a date, and a unique identifier.

64. A method according to claim 63 further comprising determining whether data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp and prompting the user through the user interface to verify that the user intends to edit the data within the field if data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp.

65. A method according to claim 50 further comprising actuating an the editing actuator so as to enable the pen enabled computing device to edit data.

66. A method according to claim 65 further comprising, after actuating the editing actuator, enabling the pen enabled computing device to at least one of add data to data contained within a field, insert data between data elements contained within a field, delete data contained within a field, and replace data contained within a field with alternate data.

67. A method according to claim 50 further comprising enabling the pen enabled computing device to at least one of export data and import data in relation to at least one of an external computing device and the pen enabled computing device.

68. A method according to claim 67 further comprising reconciling transmission of data corresponding to the nature of a page at least one of between the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device, within the pen enabled computing device, and within the external computing device.

69. A method according to claim 67 further comprising allowing at least one of the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device to access data corresponding to the nature of a page and to examine and manipulate data contained within the fields thereof.

70. A method according to claim 67 further comprising selectively directing data contained within a field to be converted into text.

71. A method according to claim 50 further comprising selectively concerning data contained within a field into text.

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Description

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to data processing with pen enabled computing devices and, more particularly, to a system, computer program product, computing device, and associated methods for electronically identifying preprinted forms used in conjunction with pen enabled computing devices and accessing and manipulating information associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pen-enabled computing is a relatively recent development wherein a user interfaces with a computing system by way of a writing stylus instead of a mouse or a keyboard. In some instances, a pen-enabled computing system provides an electronic writing tablet having an overlaid writing surface. Such a writing surface may comprise, for example, a blank sheet of paper or a preprinted form. The writing stylus, in turn, may comprise a device capable of inputting data (a "handwriting input") into the pen-enabled computing system while providing both a visible, or "written ink," copy of the data on the writing surface and an "electronic" copy of the data within the pen-enabled computing system. Such a writing stylus may comprise, for example, a conventional pen, a conventional pencil, a radio transmitter, a magnetic or electric field device, an ultrasound transceiver, or combinations thereof.

Once the electronic copy of the data is entered into the pen-enabled computing system, the data may be stored as an "electronic ink" copy, wherein the handwriting input is captured as written, typically as a sequence of (x, y) coordinate pairs, a bit map or the like, or as a "text" copy, wherein the handwriting input is captured, recognized, and translated into the corresponding text, typically by automatic online handwriting recognition or the like. In some instances, the pen-enabled computing system may be capable of producing both an electronic ink and a text copy of the handwriting input. Since the writing stylus is generally capable of providing a written ink copy of the handwriting input on the writing surface, the user is automatically provided with a hard copy, or visual feed back, of the entered data. It is understood, however, that a written ink copy of the handwriting input may not be provided in some instances, wherein the handwriting input is then just captured by the electronic writing tablet and stored in the pen-enabled computing system as an electronic copy. Examples of pen enabled computing devices include the CrossPad.TM. portable digital notepad by the A. T. Cross Company and the Palm Connected Organizer.TM. personal data assistant (PDA) by Palm, Inc.

One example of the capabilities of pen enabled computing devices is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,499 to Flickinger et al., the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Flickinger describes an electronic board used to capture and store electronic ink data. According to Flickinger, a page having a writing surface is secured to the electronic board with clip. Pen input data is then entered by writing on the writing surface with a pen, wherein the writing is electronically captured by the board to create an electronic ink copy thereof. However, the electronic board is described by Flickinger as only being capable of recording pen input data for subsequent transfer of the pen input data to a processing device. Thus, there exists a need for a pen enabled computing device having the innate capability to process or otherwise manipulate recorded pen input data without having to transfer or otherwise interface with a separate or external processing device.

The Flickinger electronic board is also described as being usable with a blank piece of paper or a preprinted form, wherein a user-initiated operation indicates to the board that a page has been positioned thereon. A subsequent operation is then required to identify the page to the board. In one embodiment, the user must activate a switch outside the writing area to identify the page. However, having a separate switch for indicating each type of form supported by the device limits the capabilities and form type capacity thereof while disadvantageously adding components to the device. Further, a toggle switch requiring multiple actuations in order to scroll through the list of form types supported by the device may be inconvenient and may also limit the capacity of the device. Thus, there exists a further need for a pen enabled computing device having the capability to detect the presence of a page engaged with the device and to determine the type of form with a minimum of separate identification devices and required user-initiated operations. Another embodiment of Flickinger describes a bar code imprinted on the back of the page, opposite to the writing surface, wherein the bar code indicates the form identity. A complementary bar code reader is then provided on the electronic board to read the bar code and identify the form. However, the process of adding a bar code to each page used with the device undesirably adds printing expense and complexity since the proper bar code must first be determined to identify the type of form and then a double-sided print or copy must be made such that the bar code is imprinted on the back of the page. In addition, the bar code reader disadvantageously adds components to the device. Thus, there exists a still further need for a pen enabled computing device having the capability of determining the type of form engaged therewith without requiring additional components and special modification of the form to indicate the form type to the device.

In addition, another embodiment of the Flickinger device discloses a single small printed box provided on the form that must be checked by the user with the pen to indicate the form type. Accordingly, each form has a separate box disposed in a different position about the writing surface. Once a box is checked by the user to identify the particular form being used, the identification data corresponding to the marked box must be transmitted to another computing device to identify the corresponding form type. However, having a dedicated box for each form type, with each box being disposed in a dedicated position on the writing surface, further limits the capacity of the device at the expense of the available area of the writing surface. This limitation is magnified if the form comprises multiple pages, wherein a separate box must be provided to identify each page of the form. In addition, this form type indicating system does not provide for the identification of multiple pages of a single form type. Thus, there exists yet a further need for a method of identifying a form to a pen enabled computing device that is capable of indicating form type while also uniquely identifying forms having multiple pages as well as multiple pages of a single form type and while occupying minimal space on the writing surface of the page. In some instances, it may be desirable for the pen enabled computing device to be capable of identifying the form without requiring dedicated identification boxes on the writing surface which must be specifically checked by the user.

Flickinger further discloses a device capable of receiving and storing pen input data which is then subsequently processed by a separate computing device. This device limitation may undesirably affect portability and the size of the device. Also, the combination of a remote processing device and a simple form identification process does not provide the capability for identifying a specific page on which future revisions or additions to the entered data can be expediently and efficiently performed by way of the corresponding form on the electronic board. The Flickinger form identification process has a further limitation in that accessing of previously stored data is limited to a general form type and does not allow the user to access a more focused data set such as, for example, data input into a specific field on a specific page of a certain type of form. More generally, Flickinger's inability to specifically identify the page being used with the electronic board may preclude a wide range of data manipulation processes that depend on the specificity and focus of a data set that can be sorted by a specific page identifier. Thus, there exists a need for a pen enabled computing device capable of specifically identifying the page being used therewith in order to facilitate future data modification, access, and manipulation in an efficient and expedient manner to provide "seamless" operation with minimal inconvenience and enhanced flexibility for the user.

Thus, there exists a need for a pen enabled computing device having the innate capability to process or otherwise manipulate recorded pen input data. It may also be desirable for the pen enabled computing device to have the capability of detecting the presence of a page engaged with the device and to determine the type of form with a minimum of separate identification devices and required user-initiated operations. Still further, the pen enabled computing device should have the capability of determining the type of form engaged therewith without requiring additional components and special modification of the form to indicate the form type to the device. In addition, it would be desirable to have an associated method of identifying a form to a pen enabled computing device that is capable of indicating form type as well as uniquely identifying forms having multiple pages and multiple pages of a single form type, while occupying minimal space, if any, on the writing surface of the page. In some instances, it may also be desirable for the pen enabled computing device to be capable of identifying the form without requiring dedicated identification boxes on the writing surface which must be specifically checked by the user. Thus, there exists a need for a pen enabled computing device capable of specifically identifying the page being used therewith in order to facilitate future data modification, access, and manipulation in an efficient and expedient manner to provide "seamless" and automatic operation with minimal inconvenience and enhanced flexibility for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a system for identifying a preprinted form and interacting therewith. The system comprises a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus, a preprinted form, and a computer program product. The preprinted form is cooperable with the pen enabled computing device and comprises a page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to the user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface. The computer program product executes within the pen enabled computing device and cooperates therewith to determine the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface in order to actuate the pen enabled computing device. Subsequently, the pen enabled computing device is capable of detecting, capturing, and storing data input into the fields according to the nature of the page, wherein the nature of the page comprises a function and a specific identity. The nature of the page is also identifiable by the pen enabled computing device based on the data input into a plurality of the fields on the writing surface.

In some instances, the system further comprises an electronic handwriting tablet capable of interacting with a pen enabled computing device and the preprinted form so as to sense the position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to a page engaged with the handwriting tablet. In addition, the preprinted form may comprise a plurality of pages having a predetermined order such that a function and a specific identity may be determined for each page according to the order. To facilitate determination of the nature of the page, the fields may have predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature of the page such that the pen enabled computing device detects and captures data input in a plurality of the fields to determine the nature of the page. Alternatively, data may be input into each of a plurality of the fields, wherein the pen enabled computing device and the computer program product cooperate to process the data-containing fields to define a corresponding base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device. For example, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to cooperate with the computer program product to define a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns, thereby forming an (n)*(m+1) matrix elements with each element corresponding to a field on the writing surface. Each matrix element thereby has a value corresponding to the j*n.sup.i, wherein i may vary from 0 to m and j varies from 0 to n-1. Therefore, the base n number may be, for example, the summation of the values of all of the elements within the matrix corresponding to field on the writing surface in which the user entered data. Once the nature of the page is determined, the pen enabled computing device may be further configured to enable access to other data stored therein that is associated with the specific identity of the page.

Once the nature of the page has been identified by the pen enabled computing device, data stored therein that is associated with and/or independent of the specific identity of the page may be accessed. In some instances, the data may be provided to the user via a user interface. Still further, after the nature of the page has been determined, the pen enabled computing device cooperates with the computer program product to determine whether data input into the fields continues to correspond to the determined nature of the page. The pen enabled computing device accordingly indicates an error if the input data fails to correspond. If an error is indicated, the error is indicated to the user via the user interface. As such, the user may thereafter be prompted to correct the error through the pen enabled computing device. In some instances, the user interface is further capable of indicating to the user the fields containing data, the data contained within the data-containing fields, and/or the number of fields containing data.

The computer program product generally cooperates with the pen enabled computing device to detect, capture, and store handwritten data input into a field with the writing stylus. The handwritten data are then spatially segmented such that the spatial segments correlate with the nature of the page. In some instances, the computer program product is further capable of assigning a stamp to data input into a field, wherein the stamp corresponds to the nature of the page and may comprise a time, a date, and/or a unique identifier. Thus, in some cases, the nature of a page may comprise a function, a specific identity, and a stamp.

The pen enabled computing device may further comprise an editing actuator, wherein the computer program product is capable of cooperating with the pen enabled computing device to edit the data upon actuation of the editing actuator. When the editing actuator is actuated, the computer program product may cooperate with the pen enabled computing device to allow the addition of data to data contained within a field, to allow insertion of data between data elements contained within a field, to allow deletion of data contained within field, and/or to allow replacement of data contained within field with alternate data. The computer program product may also be capable of determining whether data is being input into a data-containing field having a preassigned stamp. If this is the case, the user is prompted, through the user interface, to verify that the user intends to edit the data within the data-containing field.

For further manipulation of data, the computer program product may be capable of cooperating with the pen enabled computing device to allow the exportation of data or importation of data in relation to an external computing device or within either of the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device. In such instances, the computer program product may be capable of reconciling the transmission of data corresponding to the nature of a page between the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device, within the pen enabled computing device, and/or within the external computing device. In such a system, the computer program product is capable of allowing the pen enabled computing device and/or the external computing device to access data corresponding to the nature of the page and to examine and otherwise manipulate data contained within the fields thereof. In some instances, the pen enabled computing device may cooperate with the computer program product to selectively direct data contained within a field to be converted into text by the pen enabled computing device and/or the external computing device upon actuation of a conversion actuator. Still more generally, the system may be capable of selectively converting data contained within a field into text.

Another aspect of the present invention comprises a computer program product adapted to execute within a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus and to identify the nature of a preprinted form to the pen enabled computing device, wherein the form comprises a page having a writing surface defining a plurality of fields and the nature of the page comprises a function and a specific identity. The computer program product generally comprises a number of executable portions executing within the pen enabled computing device. More specifically, the computer program product may comprise a first executable portion for determining the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface such that the writing stylus is capable of interacting with the fields in order to actuate the pen enabled computing device. A second executable portion directs the pen enabled computing device to detect, capture, and store data input into the fields with the writing stylus, wherein the data is input according to the nature of the page. A third executable portion identifies the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device based upon data input into a plurality of the fields.

In some instances, the computer program product is adapted to facilitate interaction between the pen enabled computing device and an electronic handwriting tablet capable of sensing position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to a page engaged therewith. Where the form comprises a plurality of pages having a predetermined order, the computer program product may further comprise a fifth executable portion for determining a function and a specific identity for each page according to the order. Further, the fields may have a predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature of the page such that the second executable portion of the computer program product detects and captures data input in a plurality of the fields to enable the pen enabled computing device to determine the nature of the page. Alternatively, data may be input into each of a plurality of the fields, wherein the computer program product then processes the data containing fields to define a corresponding base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device. For example, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to cooperate with the computer program product to define a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns, thereby forming an (n)*(m+1) matrix elements with each element corresponding to a field on the writing surface. Each matrix element thereby has a value corresponding to the j*n.sup.i, wherein i may vary from 0 to m and j varies from 0 to n-1. Therefore, the base n number may be, for example, the summation of the values of all of the elements within the matrix corresponding to field on the writing surface in which the user entered data.

After the nature of the page has been determined, the fourth executable portion may also access data stored within the pen enabled computing device, wherein the data may be with and/or be independent of the specific identity of the page. Where the pen enabled computing device further comprises a user interface, the computer program product further comprises a sixth executable portion adapted to cooperate with the user interface to provide data to the user. The computer program product may also comprise a seventh executable portion for determining whether data input into the fields continues to correspond to the determined nature of the page and indicating an error if the input data fails to correspond. In instances where an error is indicated to the user through the user interface, the seventh executable portion may also prompt the user to correct the error through the pen enabled computing device. In other instances, the seventh executable portion may be capable of indicating to the user through the user interface the fields containing data, the data contained within the data-containing fields, and/or the number of fields containing data.

Further, the second executable portion of the computer program product may detect, capture, and store handwritten data input into a field with the writing stylus by spatially segmenting the handwritten data and correlating the spatial segments with the nature of the page. In some instances, the computer program product may further comprise an eighth executable portion for assigning a stamp to data input into a field, wherein the stamp corresponds to the nature of the page and may comprise a time, a date, and/or a unique identifier.

Once a page is sufficiently identifiable, such as by a function, specific identity, and/or stamp, the data may be accessed and otherwise manipulated. In some instances, the pen enabled computing device may comprise an editing actuator, wherein the computer program product further comprises a ninth executable portion for enabling editing of data upon actuation of the editing actuator. The ninth executable portion may also be capable of adding data to data contained within a field, inserting data between previous data elements contained within a field, deleting data contained within a field, and/or replacing data contained within a field with alternate data. Also, the computer program product may further comprise a tenth executable portion capable of determining whether data is being input into a data containing field having a preassigned stamp and, if so, prompting the user, through the user interface, to verify that the user intends to edit the data within the field.

The computer program product may further comprise an eleventh executable portion capable of exporting data to and/or importing data in relation to an external computing device or within either the pen enabled computing device or the external computing device. The eleventh executable portion may be capable of reconciling transmission of data corresponding to the nature of the page between the pen enabled computing device and the external computing device, within the pen enabled computing device, and/or within the external computing device. The computer program product may further comprise a twelfth executable portion capable of allowing the pen enabled computing device and/or the external computing device to access data corresponding to the nature of a page and to examine and otherwise manipulate data contained within the fields thereof. In some instances, the pen enabled computing device may further comprise a conversion actuator, wherein the computer program product also further comprises a thirteenth executable portion that is capable of selectively directing data contained within a field to be converted into text by the pen enabled computing device and/or the external computing device upon actuation of the conversion actuator. Still more generally, the computer program product may further comprise a fourteenth executable portion capable of selectively converting data contained with a field into text.

Yet another aspect of the present invention comprises a pen enabled computing device adapted for use with a preprinted form, the preprinted form comprising a page having a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to a user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface and arranged to correspond to the nature of the page, further wherein the nature of the page generally comprises a function and a specific identity. Such a pen enabled computing device comprises a writing stylus and a sensing device, wherein the sensing device is adapted to engage the preprinted form and cooperates with the writing stylus such that the pen enabled computing device is actuated when the writing stylus is disposed adjacent to the writing surface in interactable relation with the fields, thereby enabling the pen enabled computing device to determine the nature of the page as data is input into the fields with the writing stylus according to the user-identified nature of the page.

The sensing device may comprise an electronic handwriting tablet adapted to engage the preprinted form and capable of sensing position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to the page. In some instances, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to be capable of determining the nature of a form comprising a plurality of pages having a predetermined order where each page has a function and specific identity corresponding to the order. In order to determine the nature of the page, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to require data to be input into a plurality of the fields in order to determine the nature of the page therefrom, wherein the fields have a predetermined spatial arrangement on the writing surface according to the nature of the page. Alternatively, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to define a base n number that uniquely identifies the nature of the page from the data input into each of a plurality of the fields. For example, the pen enabled computing device may be configured to cooperate with the computer program product to define a base n number corresponding to a transposable matrix having n rows and m+1 columns, thereby forming an (n)*(m+1) matrix elements with each element corresponding to a field on the writing surface. Each matrix element thereby has a value corresponding to the j*n.sup.i, wherein i may vary from 0 to m and j varies from 0 to n-1. Therefore, the base n number may be, for example, the summation of the values of all of the elements within the matrix corresponding to field on the writing surface in which the user entered data. Once the nature of the page is determined, the pen enabled computing device may be further configured to enable access to other data stored therein that is associated with the specific identity of the page.

A still further aspect of the present invention comprises a method for identifying the nature of a page of a preprinted form with a pen enabled computing device having a writing stylus and interacting therewith. Generally, the nature of the page comprises a function and a specific identity, wherein the page further has a writing surface, a visual form identifier disposed on the writing surface and adapted to identify the nature of the page to a user, and a plurality of fields defined by the writing surface. Such a method comprises determining the disposition of the writing stylus adjacent to the writing surface such that the writing stylus is capable of interacting with the fields and actuating the pen enabled computing device, receiving data into the fields via the writing stylus and according to the nature of the page, determining the nature of the page from a plurality of the fields in which data is received, and identifying the nature of the page to the pen enabled computing device.

In some instances, the method may further comprise allowing access to other data stored within the pen enabled computing system, wherein the data may be associated with and/or independent of the specific identity of the page. Where the form comprises a plurality of pages having a predetermined order, the method may also further comprise determining a function and specific identity for each page corresponding to the order. In some cases, the fields may be defined by the writing surface according to a predetermined spatial arrangement, wherein the method then further comprises determining the nature of the page from the spatial arrangement of the plurality of the fields in which data is received. Alternatively, the method may comprise determining the nature of the page from a plurality of the fields in which data is received, wherein the data input into each of the plurality of the fields i