Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING BY USING PRODUCT CATALOGUE HAVING UNIT-SELL PATTERN, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM WITH

PROGRAM THEREFOR Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method and system for selling by using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on its surface, an apparatus and a computer-readable recording medium with program therefore. Specifically, when a specific point in a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on a surface is clicked by a detection device having an IC card, X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value of the specific point are extracted by a specific program, and product information corresponding to the extracted X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value is outputted, thereby corresponding product can be purchased by transmitting a selling request signal to a selling server when there is a selling request corresponding to the product information. Background Art

[2] Today, since an information-oriented society is in progress by development of an information-communication technology, the internet and the mass media are important. Recently, a selling method that a user can buy a product at home without visiting a store has appeared by development of a communication network technology.

[3] One of the selling methods is a TV home shopping. The TV home shopping is that a bill is settled by an ARS and a credit card, when a user wants to buy a product during watching TV.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] However, since the TV home shopping broadcasts not a product selected by a user but a product according to a TV schedule, there is a disadvantage that a user may purchase one on impulse.

[5] Another one of the selling methods is an internet shopping mall. In order to use the internet shopping mall, a user connects to corresponding shopping mall site by inputting an URL and then a bill is settled by an ARS and a credit card when a user wants to buy a product in the shopping mall site.

[6] However, according to the internet shopping mall, there is a disadvantage that a user visits corresponding site and then searches a product directly. Further, there is a disadvantage that an unskilled person such as an old person cannot use the internet

shopping mall. Technical Solution

[7] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, that is, when a specific point in a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on a surface is clicked by a detection device having an IC card, X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value of the specific point are extracted by a specific program, product information corresponding to the extracted X-coordinates value and Y- coordinates value is outputted, thereby corresponding product can be purchased by transmitting a selling request signal to a selling server when there is a selling request corresponding to the product information.

[8] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selling apparatus using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on its surface, the selling apparatus comprising a product catalogue having a product picture, a product information and an unit-cell pattern on a surface; a detection device for detecting coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits in the unit-cell pattern with respect to a specific point of the product catalogue; an user terminal for extracting an X-coordinates value and an Y-coordinates value of the specific point from the coded binary data or the coded data, extracting a product code data corresponding to the X-coordinates value and the Y-coordinates value by using a product identifying table, extracting and outputting a product information corresponding to the product code data, transmitting a selling request signal to a selling server when the selling request signal with respect to the product information is inputted, and receiving an acknowledgment signal with respect to the selling request signal.

[9] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selling by using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on a surface, the method comprising (a) detecting and transmitting coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits within a unit cell pattern corresponding to a specific point on the product catalogue in a detection device; (b) extracting an X-coordinates value and an Y-coordinates value corresponding to the specific point by decoding and combining the coded binary data or the coded data in a user terminal; (c) extracting a product code data corresponding to the X-coordinates value and the Y-coordinates value by using a product identifying table in the user terminal; (d) extracting and outputting a product information corresponding to the product code data in the user terminal; (e) confirming whether a selling request signal with respect to the product information is inputted or not in the user terminal; (f) transmitting the selling request signal to a selling server when the selling request signal is inputted in the user terminal; and (g) receiving an acknowledgment signal with respect to the selling

request signal from the selling server in the user terminal.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- readable recording medium with program using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on its surface, the computer-readable recording medium comprising a communication module; an information memory module for recording a product identifying table and a product information; and a control module for controlling receiving coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits with respect to a specific point form the communication module, extracting an X- coordinates value and an Y-coordinates value of the specific point by decoding and combining the coded binary data or the coded data, extracting a product code data corresponding to the X-coordinates value and the Y-coordinates value by using the product identifying table, extracting and outputting the product information corresponding to the product code data, transmitting a selling request signal to a selling server when the selling request signal with respect to the product information is inputted, and receiving an acknowledgment signal with respect to the selling request signal.

[11] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for selling by using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on its surface, the system comprising a selling apparatus for transmitting a product selling request signal; a selling server for acknowledging or canceling the product selling request signal; and a communication network for connecting the selling apparatus to the selling server, wherein the selling server transmits a product selling confirming mail to the selling apparatus, confirms whether the product selling request signal is received, and accomplishes selling process base on the received product selling request signal.

Advantageous Effects

[12] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention is advantageous in that a buying process is reduced because a user can buy a product easily without trou- blesomeness that a user visits corresponding internet site and then searches a product directly; and an unskilled person such as an old person can buy a product by using a product catalogue according to the present invention easily. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for selling by using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on a surface according to the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detection device according to the present

invention;

[16] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a selling method according to the present invention;

[17] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a shopping program according to the present invention; [18] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary product catalogue having a unit-cell pattern on its surface according to the present invention;

[19] FIGs. 6 to 9 show an exemplary method for assigning the X coordinate of a unit- cell pattern according to the present invention;

[20] FIGs. 10 to 13 show an exemplary method for assigning the Y coordinate of a unit- cell pattern according to the present invention; [21] FIG. 14 shows another exemplary product catalogue having a unit-cell pattern on its surface according to the present invention as a combination of those shown in FIGs. 8 and 12; [22] FIG. 15 shows an exemplary construction of a direction flag which has no directive feature; [23] FIG. 16 shows the number of odds of the distribution of direction flag cells on a coordinate window; [24] FIG. 17 shows exemplary coding of binary data displayed on the first cell according to the present invention; [25] FIG. 18 shows X, Y coordinate values corresponding to values given to respective line segments shown in FIG. 17; [26] FIG. 19 shows the codes of binary data displayed on the second cell according to the present invention; [27] FIG. 20 shows another example of codes of binary data displayed on the second cell according to the present invention; [28] FIG. 21 shows another example of codes of binary data displayed on the second cell according to the present invention; [29] FIG. 22 shows exemplary X, Y coordinate values of each page of a product catalogue according to the present invention; [30] FIG. 23 shows exemplary codes of binary data recorded on a unit-cell pattern of a product catalogue according to the present invention; [31] FIG. 24 shows an exemplary product catalogue having a positioning code pattern according to the present invention; [32] FIG. 25 shows an exemplary product identifying table with respect to a positioning code pattern according to the present invention; [33] FIG. 26 shows an exemplary product catalogue having an object code pattern according to the present invention; [34] FIG. 27 shows an exemplary product identifying table with respect to an object

code pattern according to the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[35] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements throughout the specification. In addition, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein is omitted to avoid making the subject matter of the present invention unclear.

[36] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for selling by using a product catalogue having unit-cell pattern on a surface according to the present invention.

[37] The system according to the present invention may comprise a product catalogue

110, a detection advice 120, a user terminal 130, a communication network 140, a selling server 150 and mobile terminal 160.

[38] A selling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises the product catalogue 110, the detection advice 120 and the user terminal 130.

[39] Pictures of various products such as electronic products, clothes or food, etc. and corresponding product name and price are printed on the product catalogue 110. The product catalogue 110 includes a unit cell pattern 510 to extract X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value on its surface. The unit cell pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 5-21. The product catalogue 110 has one or more pages as electronic medium showing information and a picture corresponding to a product. An example of the product catalogue 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22.

[40] The product catalogue 110 may have a positioning code pattern or a object code pattern according to an array of X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value. The positioning code pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 24-25, the object code pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 26-27.

[41] The detection device 120 detects coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits in the unit-cell pattern displayed on an area of a surface of the product catalogue 110 and then transmits the coded binary data or the coded data to the user terminal 130. Pictures of various products, a product name and a price, etc. are printed on the area of the product catalogue 110.

[42] The detection device 120 has an IC card 260, which transmits a code key, member information and credit card information recorded in the IC card 260 to the user terminal 130 when there is a request from the user terminal 130. The detection device 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[43] The user terminal 130 can receive various web-based data through the com-

munication network 140, which may be one of a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a mobile terminal. The user terminal 130 comprises a web browser for connecting to the selling server 150 through the communication network 140, a memory for storing a program and a controller for driving the program.

[44] The user terminal 130 includes a shopping program 132 according to the present invention. The shopping program 132 can confirm whether a certification with respect to the detection device 120 succeeds or not by comparing a code key received from the detection device 120 with a stored certificate or based on an inputted password when the detection advice 120 is connected to the user terminal 130. The shopping program 132 allows connecting the detection device 120 to the user terminal 130 when the certification succeeds.

[45] The shopping program 132 extracts X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value of a specific point by decoding and combining the codes which are received from the detection device 120. The shopping program 132 extracts product code data corresponding to the extracted X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value by using a product identifying table and then outputs product information corresponding to the product code data as at lest one of a voice, a text and a picture to be displayed.

[46] The shopping program 132 confirms whether a buying signal corresponding to product information is inputted. The shopping program 132 generates and transmits a product selling request signal to the selling server 150 after receiving member information and a credit card information from the detection advice 120 when the buying signal is inputted, and then the shopping program 132 receives a product selling confirming signal from the selling server 150.

[47] The communication network 140 may provide TCP/IP protocol service and its upper level service such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Domain Name System (DNS), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (STMP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNTP), Network File Service NFS) and Network Information Service (NIS). The communication network 140 connects the user terminal 130 to various web servers.

[48] The communication network 140 is connected the mobile terminal 160 wirelessly.

The communication network 140 may provide voice communication service, wireless data service, wireless internet service and message service, etc.

[49] The selling server 150 may be provided by an enterprise for selling electronic products, clothes or food, etc. For example, the selling server 150 may be a server for providing internet shopping sites.

[50] The selling server 150 confirms whether a user will buy a corresponding product by transmitting product selling confirming message via email to the user terminal 130 or by transmitting a SMS message to the mobile terminal 160 of the user through the

communication network 140 when a product selling request signal is received from the user terminal 130. The selling server 150 achieves corresponding selling process when a selling decision signal is received from the user terminal 130 or the mobile terminal 160.

[51] Mobile communication service including voice communication service and wireless internet service is provided to the mobile terminal 160 which may be one of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a Hand-Held PC, a GSM(Global System for Mobile)-based phone, a WCDMA(Wideband CDMA)-based phone, a CDMA 2000-based phone, a MBS(Mobile Broadband System)-based phone, a notebook PC, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) and a Play Station Portable (PSP).

[52] The mobile terminal 160 receives a product selling confirming SMS message from the selling server 150 through the communication network 140, and then transmits a corresponding response to the selling server 150.

[53] For example, the selling server 150 achieves corresponding selling process when a selling confirming key of the mobile terminal 160 is selected by a user after the mobile terminal 160 has received the SMS message including an order date, a product name and a settlement price, etc. In contrast, the selling server 150 cancels the corresponding selling process when a selling cancel key is selected by the user.

[54] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detection device 120 according to the present invention.

[55] The detection device 120 comprises an optical system/lens 210, an image sensor

220, a micro controller 230, a communication interface 240, a memory 250 and an IC card 260.

[56] The optical system/lens 210 transfers an image of a unit cell pattern 510 printed on the product catalogue 110 to the image sensor 220.

[57] The image sensor 220 generates and transmits image information of the unit cell pattern 510 to the micro controller 230. Coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits are shown in FIG. 17 and FIGs. 19-21.

[58] The micro controller 230 controls the detection device 120 generally, and conducts the image information inputted from the image sensor 220. That is, the micro controller 230 controls the detection device 120 to transmit the image information to the user terminal 130 through the communication interface 240 after receiving the image information from the image sensor 220.

[59] The micro controller 230 may be designed to transmit an X-coordinates value and a

Y-coordinates value corresponding to a specific point of the image information to the user terminal 130 through the communication interface 240 after abstracting the X- coordinates value and the Y-coordinates value.

[60] The communication interface 240 is for communicating with another device. The communication interface 240 communicates with the user terminal 130 according to control of the micro controller 230. The communication interface 240 may comprise at least one of USB, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IRDA) and serial port.

[61] The memory 250 may be one of Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read

Only Memory (EEPROM), Flash Memory and Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) to store any information

[62] The IC card 260 may be an electronic credit card having a storage element which may store huge amounts of data. The IC card 260 stores a code key for certifying a device, member information and credit card information and transmits them.

[63] The detection device 120 is made as a small size such as a pen shape so that a user can shop with carrying it. The optical system/lens 210 is positioned at a front end of the pen so that a user can use the pen on the product catalogue 110 having the unit cell pattern.

[64] The detection device 120 may not comprise the IC card 260 if not necessary to certify it.

[65] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a selling method according to the present invention.

[66] A user connects the detection device 120 with the user terminal 130 (S310). A method for connecting between the detection device 120 and the user terminal 130 may be one of USB, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IRDA) and serial port.

[67] The shopping program 132 confirms whether the certification is achieved or not by comparing a code key received from the detection advice with a stored certificate or an inputted password so as to certify the detection device 120 when the detection device 120 is connected with the user terminal 130 (S320). That is, the shopping program 132 allows that the detection device 120 is connected with the user terminal 130 when the certification is achieved.

[68] The detection device 120 detects coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits in the unit cell pattern 510 displayed on the product catalogue 110 on which various product pictures, product name or price, etc., are printed, and then transmits them to the user terminal (S330). Pictures of various products such as electronic products, clothes or food, etc. and corresponding product name and price are printed on the product catalogue 110. The product catalogue 110 includes a unit cell pattern 510 to extract X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value on its surface.

[69] The shopping program 132 in the user terminal 130 extracts X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value of a specific point by decoding and combining the codes which are received from the detection device 120 (S340).

[70] The user terminal 130 extracts product code data or action code data corresponding

to the extracted X-coordinates value and Y-coordinates value by using a product identifying table (S350)

[71] The user terminal 130 outputs product information corresponding to the product code data as at lest one of a voice, a text and a picture to be displayed (S360). The product identifying table is shown in FIGs. 25 and 27. The product identifying table may be updated by the selling server 150 which provides the product catalogue at regular interval. The shopping program 132 of the user terminal 130 confirms whether a selling request signal with respect to the outputted product information is inputted (S360).

[72] For example, in a product catalogue having a position code pattern, when a user see product information outputted from the user terminal 130 and then clicks a buying button on the shopping program 132, the shopping program 132 recognizes that a buying signal of a corresponding product is inputted. In case of a product catalogue having a object code pattern, the shopping program 132 recognizes that a buying signal of a corresponding product is inputted when a user selects a specific area on the product catalogue to buy the product.

[73] After step S360, the shopping program 132 receives member information and credit card information and then generates a product selling request signal (S370). That is, the shopping program 132 generates the product selling request signal including the member information of a user and the credit card information.

[74] The shopping program 132 transmits the product selling request signal to the selling server 150 through the communication network 140 (S380).

[75] The selling server 150 transmits a product selling confirming message by using email or SMS to the user terminal 130 or the mobile terminal 160 through the communication network 140, thereby the selling server 150 can confirm whether the user buy corresponding product or not (S380). That is, the user terminal 130 receives the product selling confirming message from the selling server 150 by using email and the mobile terminal 160 receives the product selling confirming message by using SMS from the selling server 150.

[76] After step S390, the selling server 150 achieves corresponding selling process when the user wants to buy the corresponding product (S392, S394). For example, the selling server 150 achieves corresponding selling process when the user see the SMS message or the email message including an order date, a product name and price through the mobile terminal 160 or the user terminal 130 and then selects a buying confirming button.

[77] After step S390, the selling server 150 cancels corresponding selling process when the user wants not to buy the corresponding product (S392, S394). For example, the selling server 150 cancels corresponding selling process when the user see the SMS

message or the email message including an order date, a product name and price through the mobile terminal 160 or the user terminal 130 and then selects a buying cancel button.

[78] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a shopping program according to the present invention.

[79] The shopping program 132 comprises an information storing module 410, a control module and a communication module 403.

[80] The information storing module 410 stories various data for operating the shopping program 132. Further, the information storing module 410 stories product identifying codes, product information formed of text, voice or video, etc., a certificate for certifying a code key of the detection device 120, and a password.

[81] The information storing module 410 transmits at least one data of a certificate, a password, a product identifying code and product information.

[82] The control module 420 controls total functions of the shopping program 132. The control module 420 confirms whether a certification is succeeded by comparing a code key with a stored certificate and a password through the information storing module 430 after receiving the code key from the detection device 120 through the communication module 430 when the detection device 120 is connected to the user terminal 130.

[83] The control module 420 allows that the detection device 120 is connected with the user terminal 130 when the certification is succeeded.

[84] The control module 420 extracts an X-coordinates value and an Y-coordinates value of the specific point by decoding and combining coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits corresponding to the specific point in the unit-cell pattern 510 after receiving the coded binary data or the coded data of the specific point in the unit-cell pattern 510 on the product catalogue 110 through the communication module 430.

[85] The control module 420 extracts a product code data corresponding to the extracted

X-coordinates and Y-coordinates values by using the product identifying code of the information storing module 410, and then extracts and outputs product information corresponding to the product code data.

[86] The control module 420 confirms whether a buying signal with respect to the product information is received or not through the communication module 430. The control module 420 generates a product selling request signal including product information, credit card information and member information after receiving the credit card information and the member information of the IC card 260 in the detection device 120 through the communication module 430 when the buying signal is received. The control module 420 transmits the product selling request signal by

controlling the communication module 430 to the selling server 150 through the communication network 140, and then receives a selling confirming signal from the selling server 150.

[87] The communication module 430 communicates with the detection device 120 and the selling server 150. The communication module 430 may comprise at least one of USB, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IRDA) and serial port to communicate with the detection device 120. The communication module 430 communicates with the selling server 150 through the communication network 140.

[88] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary product catalogue having a unit-cell pattern on its surface according to the present invention.

[89] As shown in FIG. 5, a unit-cell pattern 510 according to the present invention includes first cells 501 displaying coded binary data; second cells 502 displaying binary data coded in a manner different from that of the first cells 501 or displaying no data; and the unit cell pattern 510 consisting of a group of at least a predetermined number of first and second cells 501 and 502.

[90] As shown in FIG. 2, according to the present invention, each cell 101 displays binary data information regarding both X and Y coordinates, e.g. (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), or

(1,1).

[91] Although it is assumed in the present embodiment that respective cells 101 and 102 display coded binary data, the type of data is not limited to that, and the data may be three-digit data, four-digit data, etc.

[92] As shown in FIG. 5, according to the present embodiment, the unit cell patterns 510 consist of a group of NxM (4x4) cells 501 and 502, which constitute a specific size of cells separately read and recognized as a whole by the detection device 120 such as a sensing means (e.g. pen's pointer), and which will hereinafter be referred to as a window. The 4x4 unit cell patterns 510 consist of thirteen first cells 501 and three second cells 502. Although N and M of the unit cell patterns 510 are the same in the present embodiment, the relationship between them is not limited to that (i.e. N and M may differ from each other).

[93] The combination of binary data corresponding to the thirteen first cells 501 indicates the absolute coordinate value (or window value) of the corresponding unit cell pattern. The three second cells 502 are in a specific position within the unit cell patterns 510 (e.g. lower right corner), and are connected to one another by line segments in a specific shape (e.g. +). Such a group of three second cells 502 in a specific position within the unit cell pattern 510 and in a specific shape will be referred to as a direction flag 503. The position of the direction flag 503 makes it possible to distinguish a specific unit cell pattern 510 from other neighboring unit cell patterns, and the shape makes it possible to identify the direction of the product (e.g. paper) and

determine the degree of rotation of it, as will be described later in more detail. Although the direction flag 503 has the shape of + in the present embodiment, the shape is not limited to that, and may be varied in any manner as long as it tells the rotational condition of the product (e.g. +, -).

[94] An exemplary method for assigning the X and Y coordinates of the absolute positioning patterns according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGs. 6 to 13.

[95] Method for assigning X coordinate on absolute positioning pattern

[96] FIG. 6 shows exemplary unit cell patterns 510 in the same row on an absolute positioning pattern according to the present invention. As has been mentioned with reference to FIG. 5, each cell has data regarding both X and Y coordinates, but data regarding the X coordinate only will be separately described with reference to FIG. 6.

[97] As shown in FIG. 6, the binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 gradually increases by 1 in the X direction (rightward direction) in the following manner: 0000000000000 → 0000000000001 → 0000000000010 → 000000000011. Particularly, the binary window value is a sequence of binary digits, which correspond to the thirteen first cells 501 within each unit cell pattern 510, placed in the order of 1-13 shown in FIG. 7. Such a regular increase of the binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 in the X direction (rightward direction) makes it possible to restore the actual window value, even if the coordinate window does not exactly conform to the actual window. As used herein, the coordinate window refers to a group of N xM cells actually read by a coordinate sensing means (e.g. pen's pointer). It is to be noted that, when actually applied, images observed by the pen pointer may be larger than the coordinate window.

[98] Then, the unit cell patterns arranged in the same row, as shown in FIG. 6, are repeatedly arranged in the Y direction (upward/downward direction) over a plurality of rows, as shown in FIG. 8.

[99] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment alternative to that shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG.

9, the window value does not necessarily begin from 0, and any digit may be used in the initial position. Based on this fact, when the window value is to be read by the pen relative to the starting point, an arbitrary value is subtracted from the currently read window value. If the maximum value that can be displayed by any window value is reached, the next window value may be set to 0.

[100] Method for assigning Y coordinate on absolute positioning pattern

[101] FIG. 10 shows exemplary unit cell patterns 510 in the same column on an absolute positioning pattern according to the present invention. As has been mentioned with reference to FIG. 5, each cell has data regarding both X and Y coordinates, but data regarding the Y coordinate only will be separately described with reference to FIG. 10.

[102] As shown in FIG. 10, the binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 gradually increases by 1 in the Y direction (downward direction) in the following manner: 0000000000000 → 0000000000001 → 0000000000010 → 000000000011. Particularly, the binary window value is a sequence of binary digits, which correspond to the thirteen first cells 501 within each unit cell pattern 510, placed in the order of 1-13 shown in FIG. 11. Such a regular increase of the binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 in the Y direction (downward direction) makes it possible to restore the actual window value, even if the coordinate window does not exactly conform to the actual window.

[103] For reference, FIG. 7 shows the order of assigning the X coordinate to each cell, and FIG. 11 shows the order to assigning the Y coordinate to each cell. However, the assigning order is not limited to that. For example, the order shown in FIG. 7 or 8 may be applied to both X and Y coordinates. Alternatively, the order shown in FIG. 7 is applied to the Y coordinate, and that shown in FIG. 11 to the X coordinate. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the cells in the same window may be positioned in a helical direction away from the center so that they correspond respective places of the binary data in the ascending order.

[104] Then, the unit cell patterns arranged in the same column, as shown in FIG. 10, are repeatedly arranged in the X direction (transverse direction) over a plurality of columns, as shown in FIG. 12.

[105] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment alternative to that shown in FIG. 10. As shown in

FIG. 13, the window value does not necessarily begin from 0, and any digit may be used in the initial position. Based on this fact, when the window value is to be read by the pen relative to the starting point, an arbitrary value is subtracted from the currently read window value. If the maximum value that can be displayed by any window value is reached, the next window value may be set to 0.

[106] As mentioned above, the unit cell patterns 510 according to the present invention are constructed by assigning X coordinate values to respective cells as shown in FIG.8, assigning Y coordinate values to respective cells as shown in FIG. 12, and combining the X coordinate values with the Y coordinate values in the same cell position. The resulting unit cell patterns 510 are shown in FIG. 14.

[107] It is clear from the comparison between the unit cell patterns shown in FIGs. 2 and

11 that the binary data value assigned to the corresponding cells slightly differ from each other. Such a difference results from the manner of assigning/combining binary data corresponding to the second cells in the unit cell patterns, as has been described with reference to FIGs. 7 and 11. Particularly, the unit cell patterns shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to an example of applying the order of assigning/combining binary data shown in FIG. 11 to both X and Y coordinates, and the unit cell patterns shown in FIG.

14 corresponds to an example of applying/combining the orders of assigning/ combining the binary data shown in FIGs. 7 and 11 to the X and Y coordinates, respectively. However, in either case, the unit cell patterns shown in FIGs. 5 and 14 have the same absolute coordinate value of corresponding unit cell patterns.

[108] The direction flag 503 shown in FIG. 5 will now be described in more detail.

[109] The second cells 502 constituting the direction flag 503 must be arranged in such a manner that the direction flag itself has a directive feature. At least three second cells must be used to this end. If fewer second cells are used, at least two directive features exist no matter how the second cells are arranged. It is to be noted that, if the direction flag 503 is not used to sense rotation but just to correct errors, two or more cells are enough to constitute the direction flag. Furthermore, if the direction flag 503 is used just to differentiate adjacent unit cell patterns from one another, only a single second cell 502 may constitute the direction flag.

[110] Those skilled in the art can understand that, if the direction flag 303 is not used to correct errors but just to sense rotation, the second cells 502 constituting the direction flag 503 contain no information or information coded and displayed in a manner different from that of the first cells 101.

[I l l] When the direction flag 103 is used just to sense rotation, three second cells 102 containing no information are enough, and line segments preferably connect them in the shape of +.

[112] When three cells are arranged in a straight line with no central point as shown in

FIG. 15, they have no directive feature and are useless. Such an arrangement must be excluded.

[113] Assuming that a direction flag in the shape of + is used, there are three types of distribution of the second cells that may be considered on the coordinate window to find the angle of rotation (90, 180, 270) of a piece of paper having an absolute positioning pattern printed thereon, as shown in (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 16. Particularly, in FIG. 16, (a) shows a single group of cells on the coordinate window, (b) shows two separate groups of cells, and (c) shows three separate groups of cells.

[114] In any case of (a), (b), or (c) of FIG. 16, the cell c acting as the central point is initially identified, and it is confirmed if the other cells spaced from the cell c die, in the opposite position relative to the central point. As a result, the rotated direction flag is restored.

[115] It can be said that, if the restored direction flag has the shape of +, it has been rotated by 90 clockwise. Likewise, the shape of + corresponds to 180 rotation, and the shape of + corresponds to 90 counterclockwise rotation. For example, the direction flag shown in (a) of FIG. 16 has undergone no rotation; the direction flag shown in (b) of FIG. 16, when restored, gives the shape of +, which corresponds to 90 clockwise

rotation; and the direction flag shown in (c) of FIG. 16, when restored, gives the shape of +, which corresponds to 180 rotation. Such a relationship is used to determine the angle of rotation of the product (e.g. paper) and to rotate the matrix of cells on the coordinate window accordingly.

[116] The correction of errors of unit cell patterns according to the present invention will now be described.

[117] For error correction, the second cells of the direction flag for identifying the window display two-bit binary data that has been coded in a manner different from that of the first cells. The two-bit values correspond to the error correcting code of the X and Y coordinates, respectively. The error correcting codes for the X and Y coordinates are separately operated in a similar manner. Therefore, the error correcting code will be described with reference to only the X coordinately for clarity.

[118] A single 4x4 window contains 13 bits of information regarding the X coordinate, but it must have at least 4 bits of redundancy for 2-bit error correction. The optimal

Ic Ic algorithm for block codes, i.e. RS (Reed-Solomon) code, has the code type of (2 -1, 2 - 1-k). In other words, data of 2 -1-k bits is reconstructed into a codeword of 2 -1 bits, so that errors of up to 2 bits can be corrected. In this case, k refers to the number of codes for error correction. If k=4, 12 out of 16 cells are used for data, and 4 cells are used as error correcting codes. To this end, the number of second cells constituting the direction flag must be increased by one (i.e. a total of four). In this case, 11 of the 12 cells are subjected to error correction, and the remaining one cell is subjected to error processing in the upper layer.

[119] Except for the upper one bit, the remaining bits are corrected in the following manner:

[120] The number of second cells constituting the direction flag is changed to four.

Respective second cells are coded based on representation different from that of the first cells so that the second cells can contain 2-bit information. Even if four second cells are used, the position of patterns is calculated in the same manner, except that the number of the first cells in the window is reduced by one. Then, the RS coding, which is one of error correcting codes, is used to calculate (encode) an error correcting code regarding all or some of information in the data cells and to display the coding result on the direction flag cells. If the window is not correctly read, the error correcting code cannot function properly. However, it is also possible to correct errors by calculating the position according to the original position calculating method and conducting RS decoding. This, however, may not provide correct restoration because an estimated codeword, not the original RS-encoded codeword, is subjected to RS decoding.

[121] A method for correcting the error of lower bits only will now be described.

[122] Considering that digits in higher places of binary data constituting a window

undergo lesser changes than those in lower places, the number of second cells constituting a direction flag can be reduced if digits in lower places are solely subjected to error correction. This makes it possible to realize a larger number of different unit cell patterns (windows). From another point of view, the possibility that all of three cells may not be recognized simultaneously is lower than the possibility that all of four cells may not be recognized simultaneously. As a result, the error correction function is more likely to work properly.

[123] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that, although the RS coding has been adopted to correct errors of the unit cell pattern 510 in the above description, the coding type is not limited to that.

[124] The codes of binary data displayed on the first and second cells will now be described.

[125] FIG. 17 shows the codes of binary data displayed on the first cells 501 according to the present invention. Assuming virtual X and Y axes intersecting with each other at the center of each cell, FIG. 17 (a) shows a first line segment lying on the X axis with the intersection point at its center; FIG. 17 (b) shows a second line segment lying on the Y axis with the intersection point at its center; FIG. 17 (c) shows a third line segment lying on the first and third quadrants with the intersection point at its center; and (d) shows a fourth line segment lying on the second and fourth quadrants with the intersection point at its center.

[126] FIG. 18 shows a table enumerating X and Y coordinate values corresponding to the meaning value of respective line segments shown in FIG. 17. Particularly, the first line segment shown in FIG. 17 (a) has a meaning value of 0, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate value is (1,1); the second line segment shown in FIG. 17 (b) has a meaning value of 1, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate value is (0,1); the third line segment shown in FIG. 17 (c) has a meaning value of 2, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate value is (1,0); and the fourth line segment shown in FIG. 17 (d) has a meaning value of 3, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate is (0,0). Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the table shown in FIG. 18 is only an example, and the matching between the meaning values and the X and Y coordinate values may be varied as desired.

[127] FIG. 19 shows the codes of binary data displayed on the second cells according to the present invention. Assuming virtual X and Y axes intersecting with each other at the center of each cell, FIG. 19 (a) shows a first line segment lying on the first and second quadrants in a direction parallel to the X axis; FIG. 19 (b) shows a second line segment lying on the third and fourth quadrants in a direction parallel to the X axis; FIG. 19 (c) shows a third line segment lying on the second and third quadrants in a direction parallel to the Y axis; and FIG. 19 (d) shows a fourth line segment lying on

the first and fourth quadrants in a direction parallel to the Y axis.

[128] Referring to FIG. 18, the first line segment shown in FIG. 19 (a) has a meaning value of 0, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate value is (1,1); the second line segment shown in FIG. 19 (b) has a meaning value of 1, and the corresponding X and

Y coordinate value is (0,1); the third line segment shown in FIG. 19 (c) has a meaning value of 2, and the corresponding X and Y coordinate value is (1,0); and the fourth line segment shown in FIG. 19 (d) has a meaning value of 3, and the corresponding X and

Y coordinate value is (0, 0).

[129] Alternatively, the codes of binary data displayed on the second cells according to the present invention may be displayed by line segments in the same manner as in the case of the first to fourth line segments of the first cells shown in FIG. 14 (a)-(d), except that the length is varied to different them from the line segments of the first cells.

[130] FIG. 20 shows another example of binary data codes displayed on the second cells according to the present invention. Assuming virtual X and Y axes intersecting with each other at the center of each cell, FIG. 20 (a) shows a first line segment extending from the intersection point to a point on the first quadrant; FIG. 20 (b) shows a second line segment extending from the intersection point to a point on the second quadrant; FIG. 20 (c) shows a third line segment extending from the intersection point to a point on the third quadrant; and FIG. 20 (d) shows a fourth line segment extending from the intersection point to a point on the fourth quadrant. These line segments correspond to X and Y coordinate values of (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1), respectively.

[131] FIG. 21 shows another example of binary data codes displayed on the second cells according to the present invention. Assuming virtual X and Y axes intersecting with each other at the center of each cell, FIG. 21 (a) shows a first line segment lying on the positive portions of the X and Y axes with the intersection point at its center; FIG. 21 (b) shows a second line segment lying on the negative portion of the X axis and on the positive portion of the Y axis with the intersection point at its center; FIG. 21 (c) shows a third line segment lying on the negative portions of the X and Y axes with the intersection point at its center; and FIG. 21 (d) shows a fourth line segment lying on the positive portion of the X axis and on the negative portion of the Y axis with the intersection point at its center. These line segments correspond to X and Y coordinate values of (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1), respectively.

[132] Those skilled in the art can understand that each of the various line segments described as means to coding binary data displayed on the first or second cells according to the present invention can not only regarded as a portion of line having a predetermined length, but also as a plurality of points lying on the same line. In this regard, the maximum distance between points constituting a line segment must be

shorter than the distance between any point in the corresponding cell and any point in an adjacent cell, in order to preventing such neighboring points from constituting a line segment.

[133] In addition, although it has been assumed in the above description that respective cells display coded binary data, the type of data is not limited to that, and the data may be three-digit data, four-digit data, etc.

[134] FIG. 22 shows exemplary X, Y coordinate values of each page of a product catalogue according to the present invention.

[135] The product catalogue 110 which may include one or more pages may be documents and electronic media showing information and picture corresponding to various products. The product catalogue 110 has a plurality of unit cell patterns 510 on its one surface, as shown in FIG. 22. In fact, not X, Y coordinate values as shown in FIG. 22 but binary data codes as shown in FIG. 3 are displayed in the unit cell pattern 510 on the product catalogue 110.

[136] As shown in FIG. 22, the number of unit cell patterns of X axis may be 99 and the number of unit cell patterns of Y axis may be 99. However, the number of unit cell patterns may be variable according to a size of the product catalogue 110.

[137] The product catalogue 110 has at least one page which is X, Y coordinate values of each page are set. X, Y coordinate values according to each page may be changed according to setting method.

[138] That is, FIG. 22 shows exemplary X, Y coordinate values of page one of a product catalogue 110. For example, X, Y coordinate values of each unit cell pattern 510 of page one of a product catalogue 110 are 0-99, X, Y coordinate values of each unit cell pattern 510 of page two of a product catalogue 110 are 100-199, X, Y coordinate values of each unit cell pattern 510 of page three of a product catalogue 110 are 200-299. X, Y coordinate values of each unit cell pattern 510 increases according to an increase of pages. Therefore, a page number of the product catalogue 110 is calculated based on X, Y coordinate values.

[139] The product catalogue 110 may have a position code pattern or an object code pattern according to an array pattern of X, Y coordinate values. The position code pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 24-25 and the object code pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 26-27

[140] FIG. 23 shows exemplary codes of binary data recorded on a unit-cell pattern of a product catalogue according to the present invention.

[141] FIG. 23 is for describing FIG. 22 in detail, calculation process of X, Y coordinate values of the unit cell pattern 510 as shown in FIG. 22 will be described in detail as bellows.

[142]

[143] In case that the unit cell pattern 510 of the product catalogue 110 comprises 4x4 cells, the unit cell pattern 510 includes first cells 501 displaying coded binary data or displaying coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits, second cells 502 displaying data coded in a manner different from the first cells 501 or having no data, and the unit cell pattern 510 formed by a group of at least a predetermined number of the first and second cells 501 and 502.

[144] As shown in FIG. 23, binary data codes as shown in FIG. 17 are displayed in the first cell 501. For reference, X, Y coordinate values corresponding to binary data codes as shown in FIG. 18 are displayed additionally.

[145] The unit cell pattern 510 shown in FIG. 23 consist of thirteen first cells 501 and three second cells 502. The binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 gradually increases by 1 in the X direction (rightward direction) in the following manner: 0000000000000 → 0000000000001 →OOOOOOOOOOOIO → 000000000011. That is, the binary value of X coordinate is converted to decimal number so that X coordinate value is extracted.

[146] The unit cell pattern 510 shown in FIG. 23 consist of thirteen first cells 501 and three second cells 502. The binary window value of the unit cell patterns 510 gradually increases by 1 in the Y direction (downward direction) in the following manner: 0000000000000 → 0000000000001 →OOOOOOOOOOOIO → 000000000011. That is, the binary value of Y coordinate is converted to decimal number so that X coordinate value is extracted.

[147] FIG. 24 shows an exemplary product catalogue having a positioning code pattern according to the present invention.

[148] As shown in FIG. 24, the unit cell patterns 510 including X coordinate value and Y coordinate value which gradually increases are illustrated on one surface of the product catalogue 150 applying position code pattern, and a product picture and its description are printed on the unit cell patterns 510.

[149] The product picture such as clothes is printed on the range of X coordinate 21 -40 and Y coordinate 21 ~ 40.

[150] FIG. 25 shows an exemplary product identifying table with respect to a positioning code pattern according to the present invention.

[151] As shown in FIG. 25, the product identifying table defines ranges of X, Y coordinate value and product codes corresponding to the ranges. The product identifying table may be updated by the selling server 150.

[152] For example, when a user clicks a product picture or product information printed on a surface of the product catalogue 110 by the detection device 120, the detection device 120 detects binary data codes as shown in FIG. 23 and transmits the detected codes to the shopping program 132, the shopping program 132 decodes the codes,

thereby X,Y coordinate values corresponding to the codes are extracted.

[153] As shown in FIG. 24, the product picture of clothes is printed on the range of X coordinate values 21 -40 and Y coordinate values 21 ~ 40 of the product catalogue 110. When a user clicks a specific point of the area on which the product picture is printed by using the detection device 120, the detection device 120 detects coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits in the unit-cell pattern with respect to the specific point and then transmits the detected coded data to the shopping program 132, thereby the shopping program 132 extracts X, Y coordinate values corresponding to the coded data. In the present invention, for example, it assumes that the extracted X, Y coordinate values are (23,21).

[154] In case that X,Y coordinate values are (23,21), the shopping program 132 extracts the product code MC0002 corresponding to X, Y coordinate values (23,21) by using the product identifying table as shown in FIG. 25, and then outputs product information corresponding to the product code MC0002. The product information may be formed as at least one of text, voice and video.

[155] FIG. 26 shows an exemplary product catalogue having an object code pattern according to the present invention.

[156] As shown in FIG. 26, one surface of the product catalogue 110 in which object code pattern is applied is divided to each of specific areas 610. Unit cell patterns 510 having same X,Y coordinate value are illustrated on each specific area 610. A product picture, detailed information, image information and delivering information, etc. are printed on the specific areas 610, respectively.

[157] In FIG. 26, X coordinate value indicates corresponding product and Y coordinate value indicates each of divided areas.

[158] For example, as shown in FIG. 26, X,Y coordinate value corresponding to an area in which a product picture such as clothes is printed are (1,1).

[159] FIG. 27 shows an exemplary product identifying table with respect to an object code pattern according to the present invention.

[160] A product identifying table shown in FIG. 27 (a) is an example for using it during a product selecting process and a product identifying table shown in FIG. 27 (b) is an example for using it during a product buying process.

[161] The product identifying tables as shown in FIG.27 (a)(b) have action code data corresponding to X,Y coordinate values. The product identifying tables may be updated by the selling server 150.

[162] For example, when a user clicks a product picture or product information printed on a surface of the product catalogue 110 by the detection device 120, the detection device 120 detects binary data codes as shown in FIG. 23 and transmits the detected codes to the shopping program 132, the shopping program 132 decodes the codes,

thereby X,Y coordinate values corresponding to the codes are extracted.

[163] As shown in FIG. 26, the product picture of clothes is printed within a specific area

610 of one surface of the product catalogue 110. X, Y coordinate values of the specific area 610 are (1,1). For example, when a user clicks a point of the specific area 610 by using the detection device 120, the detection device 120 detects coded binary data or coded data expressed in terms of at least three digits with respect to the point and then transmits the detected coded data to the shopping program 132, thereby the shopping program 132 extracts X, Y coordinate values corresponding to the coded data. As a result, the extracted X, Y coordinate values are (1,1).

[164] In case that X,Y coordinate values are (1,1), the shopping program 132 extracts an action code data corresponding to X, Y coordinate values (1,1) by using the product identifying table as shown in FIG. 27 (a), and then is operated according to the extracted action code data. That is, the shopping program 132 outputs product information according to the extracted action code data. The product information may be formed as at least one of text, voice and video.

[165] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[166] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention is advantageous in that a buying process is reduced because a user can buy a product easily without trou- blesomeness that a user visits corresponding internet site and then searches a product directly; and an unskilled person such as an old person can buy a product by using a product catalogue according to the present invention easily.