Patent ID: 7227527

Claim:
A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via: an interface surface containing information relating to the computer software and including coded data indicative of a text field, the interface surface having disposed thereon position elements; and a sensing device comprising: (a) an image sensor adapted to capture images of at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements when the sensing device is used to write handwritten user input onto the interface surface; and (b) a processor adapted to: (i) identify at least some of the coded data from one or more of the captured images; (ii) determine an orientation, within the captured images, of at least some of the coded data; (iii) decode at least some of the coded data; and (iv) generate, using at least some of the decoded coded data: (A) indicating data indicative of the text field; and (B) movement data being indicative of the sensing device's movement relative to the interface surface, wherein the movement data is in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device over time with respect to at least one of the position elements disposed on the interface surface; the method including the steps ot in the computer system: (a) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device; (b) receiving the movement data from the sensing device; (c) identifying the text field from the indicating data; and (d) operating the computer software at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the text field.