Patent ID: 7110619

Claim:
An automated method for assisting a reader to read a printed or scribed document that cites, directly or indirectly, other information, said method comprising: a) providing an apparatus comprising a camera to focus down on to said document for generating video signals representing an image of the document in electronic form, and a processor linked to the camera for processing the image of the document captured by the camera, the processor being configured to fetch information from a database when a user, by pointing to a position on the document, selects a position within the image; b) placing the document within the field of view of the camera; c) searching for first predetermined images provided on top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left positions of the document; d) finding at least two of the first predetermined images provided on the document; e) based on the finding of the at least two of the first predetermined images, finding a second predetermined image provided on the document, the second predetermined image including information regarding a type of the document; f) pointing, by finger or pointing implement within the field of view of the camera, to a selected position on the document; g) capturing, by the camera, an image of the document and of the finger or pointing implement overlying the document; and h) processing, by the processor, the captured image to recognize the position on the document selected by the finger or pointing implement and fetching information from the database that is cited, directly or indirectly, at the recognized position in the document.