Abstract:
One aspect of the invention provides a method for annotating a content bearing medium having a memory. The method includes obtaining data representing the content borne on the medium and storing the data representing the content borne on the medium in the memory of the medium. The stored data in the memory is conveyed to a location remote from the medium and annotation data is obtained from the remote location. The remotely obtained annotation data is stored in the memory.  
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method for annotating a plurality of content bearing mediums and includes coupling a transponder having a memory to each one of the mediums, obtaining data representing the content borne on the mediums, storing data representing the content borne on each medium in the memory of the transponder coupled to the medium, archiving the mediums in a storage area. The data stored in the memory of a transponder coupled to a selected one of the mediums, including data representing the content borne on the selected one of the mediums is conveyed to a location remote from the mediums. Annotation data for association with selected one of the medium is remotely obtained. The remotely obtained annotation data is stored in the memory of the transponder coupled to the selected one of the mediums.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to methods and systems for annotating an archival medium.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Important writings, images and other content are often preserved by recording the content on an archival medium such as paper or film. Often, it is important that such recordings are preserved in their original form. However, it is also important that annotations to such recordings can be made. Such annotations can include written notes, editing suggestions, voice annotations, video annotations and other forms of annotations that communicate information regarding the content of the recordings or that are otherwise associated with the recordings. Of particular interest to many users is the ability to annotate a recording with notes, comments and markings that highlight areas of interest in the recording and provide content relevant to the areas of interest so that a person observing the original recording can identify the areas of interest and will have access to the annotation.  
           [0003]    The need to store detailed information about a recording without modifying the content of the recording is an important requirement when the original recording is used, for example, for medical and legal purposes. An example of such a recording is a diagnostic medical image, such as an image obtained by scanning using x-rays, ultrasound, or computerized axial tomography (CAT). While the diagnostic image preserved on the recording is of value, important annotations are often associated with the recordings that add great value to the diagnostic image. For example, identifying information regarding the patient&#39;s name, the patient&#39;s physician&#39;s name, the testing facility name and the date and time can be associated with the recording of the diagnostic image. Other information such as a physician&#39;s opinion regarding the test results can accompany the recording to ensure that the recording is correctly analyzed and tracked. In addition, under certain circumstances, it can be useful to permit a physician to highlight areas of interest in the diagnostic image and record conclusions and findings in association with the highlighted markings. The physician preferably could have the ability to record annotations in a manner that does not cause important information on the diagnostic image to be modified or obscured by the recorded annotations and, in particular, by the markings used to highlight the image.  
           [0004]    Thus, what is needed, is a way of physically associating annotations with a recording in a manner that does not require modification of the recording, yet provides the holder of an original recording to see a visual representation of the annotations associated with the recording so that the content and existence of the annotations is apparent when the recording is observed.  
           [0005]    It is known in the art to associate annotations with a recording by recording such annotations on separate sheets of medium which are then stored in physical association with the recording. Often the medium bearing the recording and the medium during annotations are stored in a common file folder or binder which, in turn, is stored in a storage facility. Each time the recordings or annotations are to be accessed, the medium bearing the recording and other medium in the file must be located physically, removed from storage, taken to the user, reviewed and/or further annotated and then returned to storage. It will be appreciated that this storage system requires a substantial investment in labor and facilities. Further, the movement of medium in and out of such a system creates a risk that important annotations and/or the original recording can be lost in storage or transit.  
           [0006]    Alternatively, is known to convert the content of such recordings and the content of any annotations into digital data and to store the digital data in electronic files that can be electronically indexed, accessed and linked. However, in this approach there is no physical association between the recording and the digital files and the holder of the original recording does not have access to these electronic files where the original recording is separated from the electronic files or if the electronic files are otherwise unavailable.  
           [0007]    Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags having an integrally attached memory that is used to store unique identifying information and a transponder that communicates information stored in the memory with a reading/writing device can be used to provide a link between a recording and an electronic system. The RFID tag is attached to the item to which the identifying information is stored and identifying information can be extracted to identify the item. RFID tags have been proposed for use in applications with passports and credit cards, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,222 entitled RADIO FREQUENCY CIRCUIT AND MEMORY IN THIN FLEXIBLE PACKAGE to Moskowitz et al. A commercially available “TAG-IT INLAY”™ RFID tag available from Texas Instruments, Incorporated, located in Dallas, Tex., USA, can be used to provide identifying information about a medium to which it is attached. This relatively thin, flexible type of RFID tag can be used in any application that previously required a label or bar code. The RFID tags of the prior art are typically used for identification purposes, such as for employee badges, inventory control, and credit card account identification. These devices are useful for tracking the location of, characteristics of and usage of tangible things. For example, such tags can be used to track the location of documents and track the chain of custody of such documents within a document management system.  
           [0008]    It is also known to use the memory of an RFID tag to carry data regarding the characteristics of a consumable medium used as the input “raw material” for an image processing apparatus. An example of this is disclosed in commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/334,375 entitled “A PRINTER AND METHOD THEREFOR ADAPTED TO SENSE DATA UNIQUELY ASSOCIATED WITH A CONSUMABLE LOADED INTO THE PRINTER”. This co-pending patent application discloses the use of an RFID tag connected to a consumable medium such as a sheet of receiver medium or donor medium. The RFID tag is pre-programmed with information regarding the consumable. With this feature, an image processing apparatus can identify the characteristics of each consumable loaded therein and adapt its operation accordingly to record an optimum image using the consumable.  
           [0009]    However, the prior art RFID systems do not teach or suggest the use of RFID tags for document annotation purposes and do not solve the problem of ensuring that annotations to be associated with a recording are available to the holder of the recording.  
           [0010]    Also of particular interest to many users is the ability to physically associate annotations such as editing instructions with a recording and to be able to render or otherwise present original and edited versions of the original recording and any other annotations to the recording without modifying or physically accessing the recording. Thus, what is also needed is a method and system for remotely accessing the content of an original recording and remotely creating an annotation version of a recording without modifying the recording.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    One aspect of the invention provides a method for annotating a content bearing medium having a memory. The method includes obtaining data representing the content borne on the medium and storing the data representing the content borne in the memory of the medium. The stored data in the memory is conveyed to a location remote from the medium and annotation data is obtained from the remote location. The remotely obtained annotation data is stored in the memory.  
           [0012]    In another aspect, the invention provides a method for annotating a plurality of content bearing mediums and includes coupling a transponder having a memory to each one of the mediums, obtaining data representing the content borne on the mediums, storing data representing the content borne on each medium in the memory of the transponder coupled to the medium, archiving the mediums in a storage area. The data stored in the memory of a transponder coupled to a selected one of the mediums, including data representing the content borne on the selected one of the mediums, is conveyed to a location remote from the mediums. Annotation data for association with the selected one of the mediums is remotely obtained. The remotely obtained annotation data is stored in the memory of the transponder coupled to the selected one of the mediums.  
           [0013]    In still another aspect, the invention provides a system for virtual annotation of selected ones of a plurality of content bearing mediums. The system has a plurality of transponders with at least one transponder associated with each of the mediums. Each transponder has a memory adapted to store data. A transceiver is adapted to exchange data with selected ones of the plurality of transponders. An input system is adapted to convert content borne on each of the plurality of mediums into content data and to cause the transceiver to store the content data in the memory of the at least one transponder associated with each medium. A remote processor is adapted to cause the transceiver to extract content data from the memory of at least one transponder associated with at least one of the plurality of mediums. The remote processor has an output device for presenting an output based on the extracted content data. The remote processor further has an annotation input for receiving an annotation to the at least one of the plurality of mediums and converting the annotation into data. The remote processor is further adapted to cause the transceiver to store data representing the annotations to the at least one of the plurality of mediums in the memory of the at least one transponder associated with the at least one of the plurality of mediums.  
           [0014]    In still another aspect, what is provided is a system for remotely annotating at least one of a plurality of content bearing mediums, each medium having a transponder with a memory and the memory having content data representing the content borne on the medium stored therein. The system has a transceiver adapted to exchange data with the transponders. A remote processor is adapted to cause the transceiver to extract content data stored in the memory of the at least one transponder associated with at least one of the plurality of mediums. The remote processor has an output device for presenting an output based on the content data. The remote processor further has an annotation input for receiving an annotation to the at least one of the plurality of mediums and converting the annotation into data. The remote processor is further adapted to cause the transceiver to store data representing annotations to the at least one of the plurality of mediums in the memory of the at least one transponder associated with the at least one of the plurality of mediums. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a medium bearing an original recording, said medium having an attached transponder;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 shows a close up view of a transponder mounted to a medium;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation showing communication between a transponder and a transceiver, the transponder being attached to a medium;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing use of a hand-held device for exchanging data with a transponder that is attached to a recording;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a transponder antenna provided on a medium;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a diagram of a transponder integrated circuit to be attached to the transponder antenna shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a system for annotating a recording;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a method for annotating a recording;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 shows a diagram of one embodiment of an output device in accordance with the present invention; and,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 shows a diagram of another embodiment of an output device in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    The present description is directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, an apparatus in accordance with the invention. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of medium  20  having content bearing elements  22  thereron comprising recording  24 . Elements  22  can comprise for example, text, drawings, images or other content that can be recorded using medium  20 . By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, medium  20  can comprise any of a paper, rag, fabric, film, cardboard, textile, vinyl, or other material upon which elements  22  can be formed. Conventional methods of recording can be used to record elements  22  on medium  20  such as applying ink, dye or toner to medium  20 . Where medium  20  is a photosensitive film, element or paper, known exposure methods can be used to expose the photosensitive film, element or other medium to a light source and to develop the respective film, element or other medium in a subsequent chemical process for creating an image on a medium  20 . Although medium  20  is described in the following description as being in sheet form, it will be appreciated that a recording  24  can be made on other forms of medium  20  such as rolls or strips.  
         [0028]    As is shown in FIG. 1, a transponder  30  is fixed to medium  20  in a manner that does not alter the content recorded in elements  22  of recording  24 . This can be done as is shown, by positioning the transponder  30  on a side  26  of the medium  20  containing elements  22  but separated from elements  22  so as to not interfere with the process of extracting content from elements  22 . Alternatively, transponder  30  can be positioned on a reverse side (not shown) of medium  20  or it can be incorporated into medium  20  (not shown).  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 shows a close up view of transponder  30 . As is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, transponder  30  includes a memory  32 , a transponder antenna  34 , radio frequency communication circuit  36  and a power supply circuit  38 . Transponder  30  is shown attached to medium  20 . Adhesive-tape backing or other attachment arrangement, can be used to join transponder  30  to medium  20  as described herein below. It is useful to note that similar methods of attachment to the medium  20  as described herein below may alternately be used to join transponder  30  to any type of medium  20  including but not limited to a medium  20 , such as a photographic X-ray film or element.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 shows, in schematic form, a system for associating annotations with recording  24 , which has a transponder  30  attached thereto. In this arrangement, transceiver  40  is connected to a computer  50 . Transceiver  40  also connects to an antenna  42 . The transceiver  40  and antenna  42  serve as a memory interface allowing the computer  50  to communicate with memory  32 . In one embodiment of the present invention, transceiver  40  is capable of transmitting a first electromagnetic field  44  of a first predetermined frequency, for reasons disclosed presently. Transceiver  40  is also capable of receiving a second electromagnetic field  46  of a second predetermined frequency, also for reasons disclosed presently. In another embodiment, transceiver  40  can use the same frequency for both first and second electromagnetic fields  44  and  46 .  
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, transponder  30  is a relatively low-power device having a power supply circuit  38  that derives its source power from the first electromagnetic field  44  emitted by transceiver  40 . In this way, communication via antenna  42  between transceiver  40  and transponder  30  can take place over a limited distance. Alternatively, transponder  30  can be equipped with a power supply  38  such as a chemical battery or a capacitive energy storage unit.  
         [0032]    Transceiver  40  is electrically coupled to computer  50 , by means of a signal interface  52 . Signal interface  52  may be, for example, a standard RS-232C serial connection, a Universal Serial Bus connection, or other type of signal interface known to those of skill in the art. This allows computer  50  to control the operation of transceiver  40  so that transceiver  40  can successively poll one or more transponders  30  in order to selectably access information about one or more recordings  24 . Computer  50 , which may be a standard personal computer or other programmable logic device is programmed to cause transceiver  40  to read data that is stored in memory  32  of transponder  30  and then to render an output based upon the stored data. Computer  50  can also cause transponder  30  to store data in memory  32  of a selected transponder  30 .  
         [0033]    It is important to note that computer  50  may alternately be joined with transceiver  40  in the form of a unitary “hand-held” device. Using this alternate arrangement, an operator can associate information with transponder  30  fixed to recording  24  or decode information that has already been stored in the memory  32  of such a transponder  30  without requiring connection to a separate computer. This arrangement would be advantageous, for example, for portable data gathering or annotation purposes. As will be discussed in greater detail below, other forms of reading and rendering devices are contemplated, an important feature of which is the ability to make available the content of the recording  24  and the content of the annotations. This can be done, for example by rendering an output image that combines the original content data and the annotation data.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of such a hand-held device  60 . For this configuration of the invention, control-processing unit  62  performs logic control functions necessary to operate transceiver  40 , which communicates with transponder  30  joined to recording  24  in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 2. A display  64  can comprise a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting display, or other type of display that is well known in the electronics instrumentation art. Display  64  can be used for example to present an output image that displays information read from transponder  30 .  
         [0035]    A data entry device  66  such as a keyboard, touchpad, keypad, stylus, mouse or voice recognition apparatus allows the entry of annotation data. Processor  68  causes this annotation data to be recorded in memory  32  of transponder  30 .  
         [0036]    Communication between Transponder and Transceiver  
         [0037]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , it is instructive to discuss in detail how transceiver  40  communicates with transponder  30 . Transponder  30  is tuned to a first frequency of a first electromagnetic field  44  emitted by transceiver  40 . By way of example only, but not by way of limitation, first electromagnetic field  44  is in the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this manner, the invention uses a transceiver  40  and transponder  30  tuned to a radio frequency. However, the first electromagnetic field  44  and/or second electromagnetic field  46  need not be in the radio frequency range; rather, the first electromagnetic field  44  and/or second electromagnetic field  46  may be at a microwave frequency or at other useful frequencies known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0038]    Upon receiving a first electromagnetic field  44  from transceiver  40 , transponder power supply circuit  38  obtains, from the first electromagnetic field  44 , sufficient energy to provide source voltage for use in generating a response to the first electromagnetic field. Thus, no battery is needed to separately power transponder  30 .  
         [0039]    The first electromagnetic field  44  can contain a store instruction accompanied by data such as original content data or annotation data. When transponder  30  receives the store instruction, transponder  30  stores accompanying data in memory  32  associated with transponder  30 . Where memory  32  stores data in separately addressable pages, the store instruction can select a particular page for the storage of particular data. Further, the store instruction can include a locking instruction to prevent future modification or alteration of the data stored in a particular page of memory  32 .  
         [0040]    The first electromagentic field  44  can also contain a send instruction which causes transponder  30  to generate a second electromagnetic field  46  containing data that is stored in memory  32 . The send instruction can include a page identifier to cause transponder  30  to generate a second electromagnetic field  46  that contains only the contents of selected pages of memory  32 .  
         [0041]    When transceiver  40  communicates with more than one transponder  30 , each transponder  30  is preferably individually programmed with a unique identifying address code (ID). To communicate with a selected one transponder  30 , transceiver  40  encodes the unique identifying address code as part of its first electromagnetic signal  44 , along with a send command data from a store command. The transponder  30 , having the appropriate address responds to transceiver  40  by transmitting data stored in memory  32  to transceiver  40  or stores additional information in memory  32  as is appropriate. Alternatively, where transceiver  40  communicates with more than one transponder  30 , each transponder  30  can be adapted to respond only to a first electromagnetic field  44 , having a predefined frequency. In this alternative embodiment, transceiver  40  can selectably communicate with a single transponder  30  by transmitting a first electromagnetic field  44  at a frequency that is associated with only that transponder  30 . Storage facility transceiver  94  can be used to poll a collection of multiple mediums  30 , each having an attached transponder  30 , and to locate and communicate with a specific medium  30  in the collection. As noted above, this can be accomplished by recording a transponder ID number in each transponder  30  and then polling each transponder  30  until the transponder  30  having the appropriate ID number is located.  
         [0042]    Another alternative polling technique employs a “non-collision” algorithm for communicating with more than one transponder  30 . According to one embodiment, the algorithm uses a loop that proceeds in steps to increase the output power used to generate the first electromagnetic signal from an initial relatively low value transceiver  40  repeatedly polls for a particular one transponder  30 . As soon as it detects a transponder  30 , transceiver  40  communicates with the transponder  30 , and then temporarily disables the transponder  30 . Transceiver  40  then sequentially repeats polling in this fashion, incrementing its output power level with each polling operation, to locate, communicate with, and then temporarily disable the next available transponder  30 . In this way transceiver  40  communicates with multiple transponders  30  in order of their return signal strength, until each transponder  30  has been contacted.  
         [0043]    This polling capability facilitates archiving, where multiple recordings  24  might be included in a cabinet, desk or other storage facility. This same capability would, for example, automate scanning of a collection of recordings  24 , such as where multiple recordings  24  are collected in a folder, file or cabinet, to determine if a desired recording  24  is in that folder, file or cabinet.  
         [0044]    Methods for Associating a Transponder with the Original Recording  
         [0045]    In one embodiment described above, transponder  30  is provided on adhesive-backed material for attachment to the medium  20 . However, other methods of attachment are possible for transponder  30  within the scope of the present invention. For example, as one method of attachment, transponder  30  can be laminated onto medium  20 . That is, medium  20  comprising the recording  24 , will undergo a lamination process during final preparation with transponder  30  being laminated to medium  20 .  
         [0046]    Alternately, transponder  30  can be embedded within medium  20  as during a manufacture of medium  20  or during preparation of medium  20  for imaging. In this regard, transponder  30  may be embedded within, for example, layers of paper of a paper type medium  20  or within the film substrate used for an X-ray or other diagnostic image. Where transponder  30  is joined to medium  20  in this fashion, information such as data characteristic of the composition, type of medium, and recommended method for processing of medium  20  can be stored in memory  32  of transponder  30  and later be used by an image forming device to optimize the appearance of image elements  22  formed on medium  20  when a recording is made.  
         [0047]    In the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 4 , transponder antenna  34  is packaged with transponder  30 . However, transponder  30  can also be formed by combining a transponder antenna  34  (FIG. 5) and a separate transponder circuit package  68 . (FIG. 6), with the separate transponder circuit package  68  having a memory  32 , radio frequency communications circuit  36 , and a power supply circuit  38 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 5, shows a trace pattern of transponder antenna  34  provided on medium  20 . In the embodiment of FIG. 5, transponder antenna  43  comprises a pair of transponder antenna contacts  34   a  and  34   b  which are accessible for connection to radio frequency communication circuit  36  which provides a mating pair of circuit contacts  70  and  72 . Alternately, transponder antenna  34  can be embedded within medium  20 , with antenna contacts  34   a  and  34   b  extended to the surface of medium  20  for connection with circuit contacts  36   a . In still another embodiment, transponder antenna  34  can be embedded in medium  20  and circuit contacts  70  and  72  can be pressed into medium  20  to join with antenna contacts  34   a  and  34   b . In the latter embodiment, circuit contacts  70  and  72  can be pressed through antenna contacts  34   a  and  34   b  and then deformed to grip medium  20  so as to effectively staple or rivet medium  20 , transponder antenna  34  and transponder circuit package  68  together.  
         [0049]    It will be appreciated that other methods of associating a transponder with the recording can be used. For example, a transponder  30  can be provided within a medium  20  used for the original recording. Further, transponder  30  can be formed on medium  20  itself using lithographic, ink jet and other technologies that permit electronic circuits to be formed on a substrate.  
         [0050]    Programming the Memory and Memory Contents  
         [0051]    Memory  32  of transponder  30  is adapted to receive information of at least two types: digital data representing the content recorded in elements  22  of recording  24  referred to hereafter as recorded content data and digital data representing annotations referred to hereafter as annotation data. The recorded content data can be in any useful digital form that can be reconstituted to form an output that conveys the content of recording  24 . Preferably, the recorded content data is compressed or otherwise encoded so as to reduce the portion of memory  32  required for storing the recorded content data. Annotation data is data that can be stored in association with the recorded content data and that digitally represents markings, editing instructions, audio content, video content or other content that is to be associated with recording  24 .  
         [0052]    An embodiment of one possible data structure that can be used in memory  32  of transponder  30  is shown in Table 1.  
                             TABLE 1                           Data Stored in Transponder 30            Page   Data Stored   Description               1   Medium Data   Data regarding characteristics of               medium e.g., density color gamut,               sensitivity.       2   Medium ID   Identifies characteristics of medium,           Data   identity of subject of recording etc.       3   Recorded   Digital Data Representing Recorded           Content Data   Content.       4   Annotation   Digital Data Representing First           Data 1   Annotation.       5   Annotation   Digital Data Representing Second           Data 2   Annotation.       6   Annotation   Digital Data Representing Third           Data 3   Annotation.       N   Annotation   Digital Data Representing nth           Data n   Annotation.                  
 
         [0053]    As shown in Table 1, memory  32  is partitioned into multiple pages. Each page can be separately addressed by transceiver  40  in the manner described above. In the embodiment of Table 1, page 1 of memory  32  contains medium data which includes data regarding characteristics of medium  20  such as the density of the medium, the color gamut of the medium and/or other information that can affect the content conveyed by the elements  22  recorded on medium  20  such as the relative sensitivity of the medium to concentrations of applied donor materials such as ink or to exposure to light, or heat. The latter characteristics are useful where the medium  20  is photosensitive or thermally sensitive. This information can be used to adjust the operation of a device such as a printer that records elements  22  on medium  20  to ensure that the content recorded in the form of elements  22  accurately represents the intended content.  
         [0054]    Page 2 of memory  32  contains medium ID data such as data that identifies the subject of the recording on the medium, the date that the recording was made, the characteristics of the recording such as exposure conditions, characteristics of a donor material such as an ink, toner or dye used to record elements  22  and the time and date that elements  22  were recorded on medium  20 . Other information such as a document identification number, patient identification number, patient name, and information indicating routing and distribution of this information can also be stored on page 2.  
         [0055]    Page 3 contains recorded content data. Preferably, the recorded content data is appropriately transformed into a digital form that occupies a relatively low portion of the capacity of memory  32 . For example, known data compression techniques can be applied to the recorded content data. However, care must be taken to ensure that no vital data is lost in the transformation. Preferably, page 3 is locked after the recorded content data has been stored. By locking page 3 of memory  32  subsequent users of the transponder  30  are blocked from modifying altering or deleting the contents of the recorded content data. This locking feature can be used for two purposes. The first purpose is to provide a representation of the original recording that can be checked against the content of the recording  24  to ensure that the content of the recording  24  has not been altered. The second purpose is to provide users with access to the content of the recording without having to physically access recording  24 . Thus, this embodiment of the present invention is not necessary to remove recording  24  from a storage facility in order for a user to obtain the content of recording  24 .  
         [0056]    Pages 4-n of memory  32  contain annotation data. Annotation data, as described above, is digital data that represents an annotation to be associated with recording  24 . As noted above, the annotations can comprise a text message, an image, digitized forms of markings, digitized audio, and/or digitally encoded video signals. The annotation data can be accessed remotely in the same manner as recorded content data. Accordingly, it is possible for user to remotely review the recorded content data and any existing annotation data despite not having access to the recording  24  itself. Further, it is possible to record additional annotations for storage in memory  32 . It will be appreciated that this can be done remotely and without the preparation of additional recordings (not shown) that must be physically associated with recording  24 .  
         [0057]    It will be appreciated that, in accordance with the present invention, in the event that recording  24  is physically transferred, the recorded annotations travel with recording  24  by virtue of the physical association of transponder  30  and recording  24 . Thus, to the extent the original recording  24  is transferred to a remote user, the recorded annotations are available to such a user without risk of loss or separation.  
         [0058]    Any of pages 4-n memory  32  can be selectively locked to prevent unauthorized modification to an annotation. In a preferred embodiment, the author of an annotation can assign a key to a locked page of annotation data. This key permits the author or other person having access to the key to unlock the locked page of annotations in order to permit correction of an annotation or other modification of an annotation. Although not required, memory  32  can be defined so that changes and alterations to the contents of any page of memory can be tracked. Such tracking data itself can be stored on a locked page of memory  32  to prevent unauthorized modification or alteration.  
         [0059]    Table 2 shows an embodiment of memory  32  allocated into multiple pages of storage.  
                             TABLE 1                           Data Stored in Transponder 30            Page   Data Stored   Description               1   Medium Data   Data regarding characteristics of               medium e.g., density color gamut,               sensitivity.       2   Medium ID Data   Identifies characteristics of medium,               identity of subject of recording etc.       3   Recorded   Digital Data Representing Recorded           Content Data   Content.       4   Recorded Content   Associates Recorded Content Data with           Grid Data   Grid Coordinate System       5   Annotation Data 1   Digital Data Representing First               Annotation. (Optionally references               grid coordinates)       6   Annotation Data 2   Digital Data Representing Second               Annotation. (Optionally references               grid coordinates)       N   Annotation Data n   Digital Data Representing nth               Annotation. (Optionally references               grid coordinates)                  
 
         [0060]    As shown in Table 1, memory  32  is partitioned into multiple pages. Each page can be separately addressed by transceiver  40  in the manner described above. In the embodiment of Table 1, page 1 of memory  32  contains medium data which includes data regarding characteristics of medium  20  such as the density of the medium, the color gamut of the medium and/or other information that can affect the content conveyed by elements  22  recorded on medium  20  such as the relative sensitivity of the medium to concentrations of applied donor materials such as ink or exposure to light or heat. The latter characteristics are useful where the medium  20  is photosensitive or thermally sensitive. This information can be used to adjust the operation of a device such as a printer that records elements  22  on medium  20  to ensure that the content recorded in the form of elements  22  accurately represents the intended content.  
         [0061]    Page 2 of memory  32  contains medium ID data such as data that identifies the subject of the recording on the medium, the date that the recording was made, the characteristics of the recording such as exposure conditions, characteristics of a donor material such as an ink, toner or dye used to record elements  22  and the time and date that elements  22  were recorded on medium  20 . Other information such as a document identification number, patient identification number, patient name, and information indicating routing and distribution of this information can also be stored on page 2.  
         [0062]    Page 3 contains recorded content data. Preferably, the recorded content data is appropriately transformed into a digital form that occupies a relatively low portion of the capacity of memory  32 . For example, known data compression techniques can be applied to the recorded content data. However, care must be taken to ensure that no vital data is lost the transformation. Preferably, page 3 is locked after the recorded content data has been stored. By locking page 3 of memory  32  subsequent users of the transponder  30  are blocked from modifying altering or deleting the contents of the recorded content data. This locking feature can be used for two purposes. The first purpose is to provide a representation of the original recording that can be checked against the content of the recording  24  to ensure that the content of the recording  24  has not been altered. The second purpose is to provide users with access to the content of the recording without having to physically access recording  24 . Thus, this embodiment of the present invention is not necessary to remove recording  24  from a storage facility in order for a user to obtain the content of recording  24 .  
         [0063]    Page 4 of the embodiment of table 2 contains a recorded content grid data. This recorded content grid data associates the recorded content data with a grid coordinate system. The grid coordinate system provides convenient geographic reference within the original content data to permit annotation of selected areas of the original content data and so as to facilitate highlighting and editing of the same. For example, where the original content of recording  24  is a map image, the grid coordinate system can be used to associate portions of the map with particular coordinates. These coordinates can be referenced in later annotations and editing instructions so that the appropriate portions of the recorded content are identified and properly annotated or edited. In this regard, it will be appreciated that pages 5-n of memory  32  of Table 2 contain annotations data which includes optional grid coordinate references. These grid coordinate references can identify either a particular point in the grid as a starting point for editing and annotation data or can identify a set of grid positions so as to define a region within the original content that is to be associated with an annotation or that is to be edited.  
         [0064]    Within the scope of the present invention are any number of possible arrangements of memory contents, as indicated in the exemplary description for Tables 1 and 2 hereinabove. Any one of known digital data encoding methods could be used to compress stored data in memory. Where it is advantageous to store more information than can be contained on a single transponder  20 , multiple transponders can be affixed to the medium  20 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 7 shows a representative diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system  74  in accordance with the present invention. As is shown in FIG. 7, system  74  comprises an input system  75 , a storage system  80 , a network  96 , a local processing station  88 , a remote processing station  98 , and second remote processing station  100 . Input system  75  has an input device  76  that obtains content from original recording  70 . Input device  72  can comprise known information capture devices such as a scanner, a digital video image capture device, an analog video image capture with digital converter, a digital still camera, a facsimile devices, and other any other device known in the image capture arts for capturing data that represents elements  22  recorded on a recording  24 . Because it is increasingly common for recording  24  to be made by printing or otherwise recording the content of a digitally encoded file such as a word processing file, a graphics file, and an image file on medium  20 , input device  72  can comprise a network or computer or other device that obtains the digitally encoded file used in making the recording.  
         [0066]    Input system  75  also has an input processor  78  such as a personal computer. It will be appreciated that other forms of processors including servers, hand held devices and including conventional and custom signal processors can be used. Input processor  78  receives recorded content data from input device  72  and can also receive annotation data from the operator of input processor  78 . Input processor  78   is  connected to a transceiver  40  that transmits a first electromagnetic field  44  to a transponder  30 . Transponder  30  is joined to recording  24  in the manner described above.  
         [0067]    A storage system  80  is provided for receiving the transponder  30  and recording  24 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, storage system  80  comprises for example, at least one drawer  82  for receiving recording  24 . Drawer  82  can conveniently be located in a cabinet  84  or desk  86 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a storage facility processor  88  is provided at desk  86  and has a display  90  and keyboard  92 . Storage facility processor  88  is further connected to a storage facility transceiver  94  that communicates with a selected transponder  30  to controllably store or extract original content data and/or annotation data with the memory  32  of the selected transponder  30 . An operator can use keyboard  92  to cause storage facility processor  88  to extract recorded content data and any annotation data stored in a transponder  30  associated with a selected recording  24  and to display this extracted data on an output device such as display  93 . Storage facility processor  88  then presents on display  90 , output that is based upon the content of the recorded content data and the annotation data extracted from the memory  32  of the transponder  30  located within storage system  80 . The operator can then enter additional annotations that storage facility processor  88  causes to be stored in the memory  32  of the transponder  30  associated with the selected recording  24 .  
         [0068]    Remote Annotation of Stored Recording  
         [0069]    In the embodiment of FIG. 7, storage facility processor  88  also serves as a gateway between storage facility transceiver  94  and remote processors  98  that are connected to the storage facility processor  88  by way of the communication network  96 . In this role, storage facility processor  88  receives requests to access original content data and/or annotation data that is stored in the memory  32  of a transponder  30  that is joined to a selected recording  24  stored in storage facility  80 , accesses this data and packages this data for transmission to the remote processors  98 . In this role, storage facility processor  88  also receives requests to store additional annotation data on the memory  32  of the transponder  30  that is joined to the selected recording  24 , processes this data for storage in the memory  32  and causes storage facility transceiver  94  because this data to be stored in the selected memory  32 . In this way, remote users can access the content of a recording  24 , annotations that are associated with recording  24  and can further generate additional annotations to the associated with recording  24 .  
         [0070]    It will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, storage facility transceiver  94  can be adapted to directly connect to network  96  so that storage facility transceiver  94  can be remotely operated by remote processors  98 .  
         [0071]    Remote Annotation of Recording  
         [0072]    As is also shown in FIG. 7, it will be appreciated that a recording  24  can be physically removed from storage facility  80  and physically conveyed to a remote user such as a physician at a hospital that is, for example, not connected to be storage facility  88  by way of network  96 . For this physician to access the original content data and annotations, the remote physician is provided with processor  100  such as a pen computer having an attached transceiver  102  and antenna  104 . The processor  100  exchanges data with the transponder  30  so that processor  100  can display both the original content data and annotations for review by the physician at the other hospital. Further, the remote physician can by way of processor  100  and transceiver  102  store additional annotations in transponder  30 . In this way, the bearer of recording  24  has access to both recording  24  and any associated annotations and, further, can record additional annotations that will travel with recording  24  but do not require either the storage of additional medium with recording  24  or the marking of recording  24 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of the present invention, using system  74 . In this embodiment, recorded content data is obtained by capturing the content contained in elements  22  of recording  24 . (step  110 ) In this embodiment, the recorded content data can be further processed (block  112 ). For example, where the recorded content data is obtained by capturing an image of element  22 , the captured image can be improved by applying algorithms to the recorded content data to correct variations that may have occurred during the image capture process so that recorded content data derived therefrom more accurately represents the content of the original recording  24 . Improvements of this type can include image manipulation sequences such as are described by EP-A-0 961,482 (Buhr et al.), EP-A-0 961,483 (Buhr et al.), EP-A-0 961,484 (Buhr et al.), EP-A-0 961,485 (Buhr et al.) and EP-A-0 961,486 (Buhr et al.) Additional image manipulation may be used including, but not limited to, scene balance algorithms (to determine corrections for density and color balance based on the densities of one or more areas within the processed film), tone scale manipulations to amplify film underexposure gamma as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,573 (Goodwin et al.), non-adaptive or adaptive sharpening via convolution or unsharp masking, red-eye reduction, and non-adaptive or adaptive grain-suppression. Besides digital manipulation such further image processing can be used to change physical characteristics of the image, such as “windowing” and “leveling” (used in computed tomography scanning) or other manipulations known in the art.  
         [0074]    The recorded content data can also be further processed to ensure that the recorded content data can be stored within the storage capacity limitations of memory  32 . Preferably, so-called “loss less” compression algorithms known by those of ordinary skill in the art can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, so-called lossy compression algorithms can also be used. Lossy algorithms can advantageously be used where the limitations of the systems used to observe or render output images based upon the stored and compressed original image data are limited. For example, if it is known that the recorded content data will be observed using video or printing technology having a predetermined resolution that is lower than the resolution of elements  22  on recording  24 , then lossy image recording algorithms can be used advantageously. However, it will be recognized that, in certain circumstances, it will be necessary to store more information than can be contained in memory  32  of a single transponder  30 . When this occurs, more than one transponder  30  can be affixed to recording  24  to increase the data storage capacity that is associated with an image.  
         [0075]    After the recorded content data is obtained (step  110 ) and optionally further processed (step  112 ) the recorded content data is stored in memory  32  of transponder  30 . (step  114 ) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a feature of transponder  30  is its ability to temporarily disable a device or to lock individual memory pages in memory  32 . As described above, this feature prevents erasure and loss of recorded content data.  
         [0076]    The transponder  30  is joined to medium  20  used for recording  24 . (block  116 ) This can occur at any time before or after recording  24  is made. However, it is particularly advantageous to join transponder  30  to recording  24  as soon as practical so as to reduce the risk that transponder  30  will be mistakenly joined to the wrong recording  24 . Annotation data stored in transponder  30  before or after transponder  30  is joined to recording  24  (block  118 ).  
         [0077]    Rendering Output Based Upon Content of Recording and Annotations  
         [0078]    In accordance with the present invention, an output is rendered based upon the recorded content and any annotations associated with recording  24 . (block  120 ) In a first embodiment, this is done in electronic form. In this regard, a device such as a personal computer, handheld reader, or other electronic device can be provided and adapted to extract recorded content data, annotation data, and other data from memory  32  as described above. In one embodiment, the output device can comprise a display or a printer that presents the recorded content and annotation data. For example, where the recorded content comprises an image and the annotation data comprises text annotations of the image, the display of the output device can present both the image and annotations. Similarly, where the recorded content comprises written data such as the results of a diagnostic or other scientific test and the annotations comprise audio data, output device can provide an audio signal generator that an audio output reflecting the content of the annotations.  
         [0079]    In another embodiment, the output device can comprise a personal computer, handheld reader, or other electronic device having a display or another output means such as a printer that renders an output comprising the recorded content modified in accordance with the annotations. For example where the recorded content comprises a photograph of a crime scene, annotations regarding revocation and content of important evidence in the scene can be overlayed onto the image of the crime scene so that an integrated output product is formed. Similarly, where the recorded content comprises for example, a written text, the output device can receive the recorded content data in annotations containing instructions for editing the written text and can, on the basis of this received data render an output that reflects the recorded content has edited in accordance with the editing instructions.  
         [0080]    It will be appreciated that, certain recordings  24  are preferably viewed in the original form. However, it is also useful for such recordings used in association with annotations. An example of this can comprise a medical image such as a CAT scan. Where it is desired to permit the user to view recording  24  and also view, in the context of the original recording, annotations regarding recording  24  output device can comprise a projector type display which, when positioned in alignment with recording  24  extracts data from transponder  30  and generates a projected image which is aligned with and projected onto recording  24  so that the annotations appear concurrently with recording  24  and yet do not modify the appearance of recording  24 . In this way, a minute medical condition evidenced in, for example, a recording  24  of a CAT scan can be highlighted for observation without risking modification of the appearance of the CAT scan to accommodate the marking.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a projector system  130  which applies the projected image of annotation data to the rear of a recording  24 . This latter embodiment is useful where the medium  20  is of a translucent or transparent nature such as, x-ray. It will be understood that use of recorded content great data information can be helpful in aligning and presenting the annotations information in either of these embodiment. FIG. 9, also shows a background of a coordinate grid which is used to position an annotation  138  of FIG. 9 in a proper relation with the nose  110  of a face  112  in recording  24 .  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a front projector display system  142  of this type which applies the projected image to the front of the original recording and is useful for the original recording  24  is formed on the medium  20  that is generally reflective in nature such as a paper.  
         [0083]    Where the annotation data includes editing instructions the projector systems  130  and  142  of FIGS. 9 and 10 can display an image that represents the appearance of the recorded content data as modified by the editing instructions. In this regard, where the nature of the edits permits such a display can be presented by projecting the edited image through onto the original image as discussed above. However, where the editing instructions call for significant changes, it may be necessary to provide a projected output that is not projected onto recording  24 , but rather is projected onto a screen or other image receiving surface. In such a circumstance an output image is formed based upon the recorded content data and editing instructions. The output image is then displayed, printed by a conventional printer (not shown) or otherwise rendered.  
         [0084]    Finally, where annotation data includes audio signal devices such as computer  50 , handheld device  60 , storage facility processor  88 , remote processor  98 , or projector  130  or  140  can be adapted with appropriate electronic circuits for converting audio signals into annotation data for storage in a memory  32  of a transponder  30  and for converting such audio annotation data into audio signals.  
         [0085]    It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention shown and described above incorporate a transceiver arrangement as a memory interface for exchanging data with a memory  32  joined to a medium  20 . It will be appreciated that a memory  32  without a transponder  30  can also be used in conjunction with the present invention. In such an embodiment a wire or optical fiber based data path, infrared light based communication path or another connection can be used to exchange data with a memory  32 . In such embodiments the memory interface can comprise an appropriate transducer for converting data and control signals into a form that can be used to store data and extract data from memory  32 .  
         [0086]    Therefore, what is provided is a medium having information associated with the medium stored in a memory coupled to the medium.  
         [0087]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       Parts List  
       [0088]    [0088] 20  medium  
         [0089]    [0089] 22  elements  
         [0090]    [0090] 24  recording  
         [0091]    [0091] 26  side of medium bearing elements  
         [0092]    [0092] 30  transponder  
         [0093]    [0093] 32  memory  
         [0094]    [0094] 34  transponder antenna  
         [0095]    [0095] 34   a  antenna contact  
         [0096]    [0096] 34   b  antenna contact  
         [0097]    [0097] 36  RF radio frequency communication circuit  
         [0098]    [0098] 38  power supply circuit  
         [0099]    [0099] 40  transceiver  
         [0100]    [0100] 42  transceiver antenna  
         [0101]    [0101] 44  first electromagnetic field  
         [0102]    [0102] 46  second electromagnetic field  
         [0103]    [0103] 50  computer  
         [0104]    [0104] 52  signal interface  
         [0105]    [0105] 60  hand held device  
         [0106]    [0106] 62  control processing unit  
         [0107]    [0107] 64  display  
         [0108]    [0108] 66  data entry device  
         [0109]    [0109] 68  transponder circuit package  
         [0110]    [0110] 70  circuit contact  
         [0111]    [0111] 72  circuit contact  
         [0112]    [0112] 74  system  
         [0113]    [0113] 76  input system device  
         [0114]    [0114] 78  processor  
         [0115]    [0115] 80  storage system  
         [0116]    [0116] 82  drawer  
         [0117]    [0117] 84  cabinet  
         [0118]    [0118] 86  desk  
         [0119]    [0119] 88  storage facility processor  
         [0120]    [0120] 90  display  
         [0121]    [0121] 92  keyboard  
         [0122]    [0122] 94  storage facility transponder  
         [0123]    [0123] 96  network  
         [0124]    [0124] 98  remote processor  
         [0125]    [0125] 100  non-networked processor  
         [0126]    [0126] 102  transceiver  
         [0127]    [0127] 110  obtain recorded content step  
         [0128]    [0128] 112  optionally process recorded content step  
         [0129]    [0129] 114  store recorded content data in memory step  
         [0130]    [0130] 116  join transponder to recording step  
         [0131]    [0131] 118  recorded annotation data step  
         [0132]    [0132] 120  render output step  
         [0133]    [0133] 130  rear projector system  
         [0134]    [0134] 132  coordinate grid  
         [0135]    [0135] 134  nose  
         [0136]    [0136] 136  face  
         [0137]    [0137] 138  annotation  1   
         [0138]    [0138] 140  front projector system