MXPA02006342A

MXPA02006342A - Information management system with authenticity check.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02006342A
Application number: MXPA02006342A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Petter Ericson
Original assignee: Anoto Ab
Priority date: 1999-12-23
Filing date: 2000-12-22
Publication date: 2002-12-13
Also published as: KR20020063919A; SE9904746D0; KR100923813B1; EP1257947A1; CN1413331A; WO2001048654A1; RU2002119571A; JP2003518696A; SE9904746L; CA2393928A1; BR0017039A; AU2569401A

Abstract

A payment product has a writing area (6c) which is intented for a users signature. In the writting area there is a first positioncoding pattern (5) which makes possible digital recording of the signature. The first positioncoding pattern is a subset of a larger second positioncoding pattern. The payment product is used in a payment system which is based on electronic payment information, which has been recorded by means of the positioncoding pattern, being sent to a server unit, which utilises the positioncoding pattern to check that the payment information is valid.

Description

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH AUTHENTICITY VERIFICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a product for payment comprising at least one writing area that has the purpose of receiving written information by hand of a user and which is provided with a first position coding design that makes digital recording possible. the information written by hand. The invention also relates to a server unit, an information management system, use of an absolute position coding design and a handheld electronic user unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The security associated with payments through checks is a problem. There is always the risk that an unauthorized person gets checks from another person, falsifies the signature of this person and thus obtains money that belongs to the owner of the check or purchases goods that are charged to the owner of the check.

Many solutions have been proposed that try to make it harder for unauthorized people to forge signatures and use someone else's checks. Document EP 0 276 109 describes a check that is provided, in a writing area where the user will place his signature, with a shading that varies in intensity from the upper edge to the lower one. The user signs the check with a pen that has a sensor that records the intensity in the compass line. In this way the pen produces an output signal that has an intensity that varies with time, depending on the position of the pen in the writing area. As an alternative, the writing area can be provided with a large number of frames, which have shading with different intensity. Also in this case, the pen produces an output signal that varies in intensity over time, depending on the position of the pen in the writing area. The output signal from the pen can be used to compare the user's signature with a previously stored user's signature, in order to verify that it is actually the authorized user who is signing the check in question. EP 0 132 241 describes a similar method for verifying signatures, according to which a user whose signature is to be verified places his signature using a reading pen in a bar code consisting of parallel dark lines separated by lines or polar areas.

When the user places his signature the reading pen emits light and records the reflected light, which generates a train of impulses. The pulse train is compared on a computer with one or more pulse trains that were previously generated by the person and stored on the computer, in order to verify that the person is who they pretend to be. To increase security the barcode may contain information that is specific to that person, for example, the person's date of birth, encoded in the bar code. There are also problems related to other payments, such as credit card payments. An unauthorized person who finds a credit card of another person can forge the signature of the cardholder on a card and thus purchase goods that are charged to the cardholder. Security problems increase when credit card payments are made remotely through a computer network, since payments are normally withdrawn from the credit card account based only on the credit card number. No signature is required from the person requesting payment. Payments by check do not occur remotely through computer networks in any way. However, the general problem of verifying remotely and through computers the identity of a person sending information in a computer network is still continuing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a general objective of this invention to show a solution to the above problems. It is also a special objective to show a solution that makes it possible to increase security in association with payment orders that require the payer's signature on a product for payments. These objectives are achieved in whole or in part by means of a product for payments in accordance with claim 1, a server unit according to claim 12, a system for handling information according to claim 19, use according to claim 30 and a user unit according to claim 32. More specifically, according to With a first aspect, the invention relates to a product comprising at least one writing area that has the purpose of receiving written information by hand of a user and which is provided with a first position coding design that makes possible the recording digital information written by hand. The product is characterized in that the first position coding design is a subset of a second position coding design, which is an absolute position coding design that encodes coordinates of a plurality of points on an imaginary surface, the first design of Position coding is for digital recording of handwritten information and verification of authenticity. An advantage of using a position coding design that is a subset of a larger absolute position coding design is therefore that security can be increased by using checks that are based on the knowledge that a particular product is provided. with a specific subset of the largest position coding design. The first design of position coding in the product thus has a double function. It makes it possible to digitally record a position locally in the writing area in the product so that handwritten information can be recorded, and also makes it possible to determine a position globally in the second largest position coding design, whose position It can be used for verification of authenticity. It is necessary to point out that verification of authenticity does not need to be carried out when the information is being written by hand, but can be done later, either by means of a verification against the physical original or by means of a verification against information stored digitally. The second position coding design does not need to be stored in its entirety anywhere. Due to the fact that the first position coding design is a subset of a second design of position coding, means in the present invention that the coding is such that further unique first position coding designs can be created and that anywhere in a system where the product is used, one can make use of the fact that the position of the first position coding design within the second position coding design can be determined. The second position coding design as mentioned is an absolute position coding design that encodes coordinates for a plurality of points on an imaginary surface. The advantage of this type of coding is that the second position coding design does not need to be stored anywhere but can be described by coordinates. In addition, it is simpler and faster to determine the position of the first position coding design in the second position coding design. If an image that was unique in all its parts had been used in place of the second position coding design, it would have required matching of the first position coding design against different parts of the second position coding design to determine the position of the first design. of position coding in the second position coding design. Instead, the coded coordinates provide a position directly. In addition, the absolute position coding design makes it possible to determine the precise position at which written information was written by hand on the product. This can be valuable if in a moment Later you want to verify that the digital version actually originates from a particular physical product. The resolution of the first position coding design is appropriate in such a way that digital reproduction of the information written by hand becomes possible. It is thus possible to digitally display an image of how the handwritten information appears on the physical product. In addition, with knowledge of the appearance of the physical product, it is possible to create an accurate digital copy of the physical product, with the information written by hand. Absolute position coding designs are known, see for example document EUA 5,852,434, where each position is encoded by means of a unique symbol. This has the disadvantage that each symbol becomes rather complex, at least if a large number of positions are to be encoded, which in turn means that the symbols can not be made too small, since then they would be difficult to read and would increase the risk of errors. Additionally, in each position the device that is going to read the position coding design must read an area corresponding to four symbols to be sure to record a complete symbol. According to the invention, the first position coding design, on the other hand, is made up of a plurality of symbols, the coordinates of each point are coded by means of a plurality of symbols and each symbol contributes to the coding of more than one point. In this way, a high resolution is achieved. You can find examples of this type of position code in the international patent applications of the applicant WO 00/73983 and PCT / SE00 / 01895. These applications are incorporated herein by reference. In a convenient embodiment, the first position coding design is unique to the authorized user of the product. In this way, each user can be assigned their "own" subset of the largest position coding design. This subset can, for example, be ordered in checks or in some other product that belongs to the user and that is used to perform authenticity verification, where a user, for example, is supposed to be the one who pretends to be if he writes information by hand in its personal subset of the position coding design. As a second example, the user can be provided with personal payment card vouchers with the personal subset of the position coding design. You can use these payment card vouchers when you want to make a payment using your credit card through a computer network or in a store and want to make digital verification of your identity possible. As a further example, the first position coding design can be arranged on an identification card, in which the user writes, for example, his signature with a digital pen when he wishes to verify his identity digitally. The digital pen transmits the signature to the server unit that verifies the authenticity of the signature through comparison with a previously stored signature and verifying that the position coding design is correct. The server unit can then send a confirmation of the user's authenticity to a receiver. Alternatively, verification of authenticity can be performed on the pen. Since the first position coding design is uniquely associated with a user, the user can thus digitally verify his identity by writing which is digitally recorded by means of coordinates that are encoded by the first position coding design. Additionally, the first position coding design can be unique for each item of the product. This means that it is possible to determine precisely in which individual product the information was written by hand, which can be very valuable, for example when the product is a check or other instrument of value that can only be used once or that requires improved security in the verification of authenticity. Alternatively, the first position coding design may be unique for a type of product, so that, for example, it may be possible to determine that the information by hand was written in a particular category of product, for example checks so different from forms of money orders. . In a preferred embodiment, the handwritten information comprises the signature of the user. Many products, particularly payment products, require a signature from a user as confirmation of the transaction that defines the product. In such cases the signature can be recorded, verified and stored digitally by means of the first position coding design. Thus, it is possible to make transactions digitally that previously could only have been made with paper products. For example, it is possible to process checks digitally for payments remotely through computer networks. To date, a user has been forced to deliver a signed paper check, when he has wished to pay by check. With a product according to this invention, however, it is possible to identify the product by reading the unique position coding design in which the signature is written and thus it is possible to make electronic transactions. In addition, this has the advantage that the user keeps a paper copy of the payments he has made. In order for a signature to be accepted on a check, it is not enough that it resembles a previously stored signature., but must also be written in the "correct" subset of the position coding design. In one embodiment, the product may comprise a plurality of additional writing areas for recording additional handwritten information that is related to the product, whose additional writing areas are provided with position coding designs that enable digital recording of the additional handwritten information. In this way, the first position coding design can be repeated in the additional writing areas. Alternatively, the first position coding design may constitute a larger part of the second largest position coding design, so that the first position coding design can cover all writing areas and so that the positions within the different writing areas can be distinguished. As a further alternative, the additional writing areas may be provided with second subsets of the second largest position coding design, the subsets of which are not in continuous correspondence with the first position coding design. The additional information may be such information as is normally written on a check, a format or the like. By means of the position coding design, it is possible to precisely identify where a piece of information was written in the product and thus distinguish different parts of information from each other without needing to be written in any particular order. The product can be any product for which it is necessary to perform some form of authenticity verification, for example a sheet of paper with an agreement to be signed and which is provided with a first position coding design in a writing area where the parties are going to sign the agreement. Another type of product where authenticity verification is important, as shown above, are various types of payment products, in which a user writes information by hand, often by signing, when making a payment transaction. The product for payments can be, for example, a credit card voucher, a bank or postal money order, a check or a voucher. If a product for payments to be signed is provided with a position coding design that is unique to the user, it greatly increases security since an imposter must forge a signature and a specific position coding design that encodes coordinates for points within a particular coordinate area. A product according to the invention thus makes possible electronic payments under security conditions. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a server unit for handling information, whose server unit is ordered to receive information from a plurality of user units, the server unit is characterized in that the server unit it has access to a memory, in which information is stored on a plurality of regions, each of which represents an area of coordinates at least on an imaginary surface, because the server unit is arranged to receive said information in the form less than two coordinates for at least one point on the imaginary surface, and in that said server unit is ordered to determine to which region the coordinates belong in response to the receipt of the information from one of said user units, and to perform a verification of authenticity in the information received on the basis of region affiliation.

According to the invention, therefore at least one imaginary surface is used, which is divided into different regions (coordinate areas) to make authenticity verification possible. The information written by hand is channeled through the server unit that identifies to which region the coordinates belong. For example, different regions may be associated with different products, with different companies and / or with different users of a product. In this way, it is possible to build one or more levels of security in a system for information management. This system provides many advantages for different users.

An individual who uses the system can identify himself or herself in a secure manner without the use of passwords, personal identification numbers, smart cards or other security systems. As the information is recorded electronically, the user can keep the physical product as a reminder and / or as a proof of the information that was digitally recorded and sent to a server unit. A company that uses the system can lease a region or gain access to a region in some other way. The company can check later, or have the server unit verify, that the handwritten information that is received in digital form is represented by coordinates from the correct region. The coordinates that the user units record can be sent to the server unit in some form that requires processing for region affiliation to be determined. They can also be sent explicitly. In a preferred embodiment, at least one authorized user is associated with at least certain regions, the server unit is ordered to verify the user's authorization by means of the region membership when the authenticity check is performed. A company can thus mark its products with coordinates that belong to a particular region. Before a user is allowed to use the product, the user must register with the company. Thereafter, the user can use the product and the company can perform security checks verifying that the user is actually registered as an authorized user of the region. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the system that provides high security, there is only one authorized user for a region. In one embodiment, there exists at least one unique user identity associated with at least certain regions, whose user identity identifies the user unit that is authorized to record coordinates for points within the region, said information comprises the unique user identity and the server unit is ordered to use the unique user identity to verify the user's authorization when performing the authenticity check. In this case, security can be increased in this way. In order to be considered correct the written information by hand that in The digital unit receives the server unit, it must be written in the correct subset of the position coding design and must also be written using the correct user unit. For an impostor to succeed in passing himself as a particular person, he must write the information in the correct position coding design and he must also obtain the user unit of that person. The identity of the user may be a serial number of the user unit or some form of code that has been stored in the user unit specifically for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment, a signature of the authorized user of the region is associated with at least certain regions, said information comprises a digital representation of a user signature and the server unit is ordered to compare the signature in the received information with the signature associated with the region involved when an authenticity check is made. The signature is represented in the form of coordinates that are received from the user unit. The coordinates thus have the double function of representing the signature and indicating the region affiliation. It is possible to determine which coordinates represent the signature in the received information because the information that is stored in the server unit over whose coordinate area corresponds to the position coding design in the writing area where the signature is to be placed in the product.

By combining verification that the coordinates belong to the correct region, that the information is written using the correct user unit and that the signature is correct, a very high level of security can be achieved. It should also be noted that the signature verification can be carried out alternatively by signature verification software in the user unit. Only after the user unit has approved the signature, the rest of the handwritten information is forwarded to the server unit, where an additional authenticity check can be carried out based on which region the received coordinates belong to. and on the basis of the unique user identity of the user unit. The server unit can be the unit that finally processes the information received. However, the server unit is preferably only an intermediate unit that performs certain processing of the information that is received from the user units and then sends it to a receiver. The receiver can be specified in the received information, but in a favorable modality the receiver is determined by the region affiliation. The receiver can be the party that leases or in some other way that has the right to use the domain, for example a company, or another receiver whose address is associated with the domain. In addition, the receiver may be a final receiver or an intermediate receiver which in turn sends the payment information to the final recipient. He receiver also being one of said user units, for example the user unit from which the server unit received the information. The server unit may be ordered to include information regarding region membership in the information that is sent to the recipient. The recipient may have, for example, the right to a larger region or a large number of smaller regions. The receiver itself may have provided users with products with unique position coding designs that correspond to part or all of that region. Therefore the receiver must know to which region or part of it the information belongs. The server unit may also be ordered to include information about the result of the verification of authenticity in the information that is sent to the receiver. According to a third aspect of the invention, this refers to a system for handling information, which system comprises a server unit and a plurality of user units, each of which is arranged to record and send information to the server unit, whose system is characterized in that the information is stored in the server unit over a plurality of regions, each of which represents a coordinate area on at least one imaginary surface, because each of the user units is ordered to record the information in the form of at least two coordinates for at least one point on the imaginary surface, and because the server unit is ordered to determine, in response to the receipt of the Information from one of said user units, to which region the coordinates belong and perform a verification of authenticity in the information received on the basis of the region membership. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, this relates to the use of an absolute position coding design in a product in order to make it possible to verify that a user is entitled to use the product, the absolute position coding design is unique to the authorized user. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, this refers to a handheld electronic user unit, which is intended to be used in the system described above. In a favorable mode, the account number of the owner is stored in the user unit so that it can be sent to a server unit automatically, without the user having to record all the digits in the number each time. A handheld electronic user unit with at least one stored account number could be used in other systems than described above. The advantages of the system and its use are evident from the previous analysis.

It is understood that the features discussed above for the product and the server unit may also be applicable to the system, the use and the user unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 is a schematic internal view of a user unit. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a storage structure for region-based standards for information processing. Figure 4 is a graphical view of a product that is provided with a position coding design according to a preferred embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the marks can be designed and placed in a preferred embodiment of the position coding design. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing examples of 4 * 4 symbols that are used to encode a position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 1 shows an example of how a system according to the invention for information management can be constructed. In this example, the invention is illustrated by means of payment information. The system comprises mainly a plurality of payment products, a plurality of user units, a plurality of network connection units and a server unit. For the purpose of clarity, however, only one product for payment 1, a user unit 2, a network connection unit 3 and a server unit 4 are shown in figure 1.

The product for payment The product for payment 1 can be any product for payment that can be provided with coordinates so that these can be read by the user unit. The coordinates can be provided explicitly or coded. The product for payment 1 consists of this example of a check that is provided with a position coding design 5 across its entire surface. The design is very simplified and enlarged, like a number of points in the check. For the purpose of clarity, only part of the design is shown on the check. The position coding design 5 in the check constitutes a subset of a larger position coding design.

The check has three writing areas 6a, 6b, 6c, which are for handwritten information. The first writing area is for an amount, the second writing area for a payment receipt and the third writing area for the user's signature. Of course there may be additional writing areas for additional information that is required in relation to digital check processing. An example could be a writing area in which the user specifies to which bank account the payment will be made.

The position coding design The position coding design 5 can be elaborated in various ways, but has the general characteristic that if any part of the design of a particular minimum size is recorded, then the position of the latter in the coding design of position and therefore in the product for payments can be determined unambiguously. The position coding design 5 may be of the type shown in e! aforementioned US document 5,852,434, where each position is encoded by a specific symbol. However, it is desirable that the position coding design that is going to be used for serious information at a high resolution and also be used in a system that allows varied information processing. Therefore the design should be designed so that it can encode a very large number of positions given by coordinates absolute at high resolution. In addition, the position coding design should be graphically encoded in such a way that it does not dominate or interfere with the visual impression of the product surface. It should also be possible to detect the position coding design with high reliability. Therefore the position coding design is favorably of the type shown in the published international patent application WO 00/73983 filed on May 26, 2000, or in the PCT / SEOO / 01895 international patent application filed on 2 October 2000, both applications are assigned to the current applicant. In these designs each position is coded by a plurality of marks or symbols, and each symbol contributes to the coding of various positions. The position coding design is made up of a small number of symbol types. An example is shown in WO 00/73983 where a larger point represents a "one" and a smaller point represents a "zero". The currently most preferred design is shown in PCT / SEOO / 01895, where different frames of a point or mark in relation to a frame point encode four different values. This design is made by extremely small points at a nominal distance apart from 0.3 mm. Any part of the design that contains 6? 6 of said points define a pair of absolute coordinates. Each pair of absolute coordinates is thus defined by a large subset of 1.8 mm? 1.8 mm of the position coding design. By determination of the position of points 6? 6 on the sensor in the user unit that is used to read the design, an absolute position on the imaginary surface can be calculated by interpolation with a resolution of 0.03 mm. A more complete description of the position coding design is given in accordance with PCT / SE00 / 01895 in the accompanying appendix. This position coding design has the ability to encode a large number of absolute positions. As each position is coded by points 6 6, each of which can have one of four values, 436 positions can be coded, so that the aforementioned nominal distance between the points corresponds to an area of 4.6 million Km2. The position coding design can be printed on any base that has the capacity of a resolution of approximately 600 dpi. The base can be of any size and shape, depending on its intended use. The design can be printed using standard offset printing technology. Printing ink based on black carbon or some other printing ink that absorbs infrared light can be favorably used. This means that other inks can be used, including black ink that is not carbon-based and does not absorb infrared light to superimpose another print on the position coding design without interfering with reading it. The human eye will perceive a surface that is provided with the aforementioned design printed with an ink for printing based on Carbon only as a pale gray shading of the surface (density of 1-3%), which is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. Of course, fewer or more symbols can be used to define a position than what was described above, and larger or smaller distances between symbols can be used in the design. The examples are given only to show a currently preferred embodiment of the design.

The user unit Figure 2 shows an example of a user unit 2, which in this case consists of a digital pen. It comprises a frame 1 which approximately has the same shape as a feather. On one short side of the frame there is an opening 12. The short side is intended to be kept in contact or at a short distance from a base provided with a position coding design. Essentially the frame contains an optical part, a part of electronic circuits and a power supply. The optical part forms a digital camera and comprises at least one infrared-emitting diode 13 for illuminating the surface to be represented by an image and a light-sensitive area sensor 14, for example a CCD or CMOS sensor, for record a two-dimensional image. The user unit may also contain a lens system. Infrared light is absorbed by the symbols in the position coding design and in this way makes them visible to the sensor 14. The sensor records favorably at least 100 images per second. The power supply for the pen is obtained from a battery 15 which is mounted in a separate compartment in the frame. Alternatively, however, the pen may be connected to an external power source. The part of electronic circuits comprises a signal processor 16 for determining a position on the basis of the image recorded by the sensor 14 and more specifically a processing unit with a microprocessor that is programmed to record images from the sensor, identify symbols in the images and determining in real time absolute coordinates for positions on the imaginary surface on the basis of the subset represented by the images of the position coding design. In an alternative embodiment, the signal processor 16 is realized in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate) Array) (Programmable gate array field). The determination of the position is thus carried out by the signal processor 16 which must therefore have software to enable it to locate and decode the symbols in an image and to enable it to determine positions from the codes obtained in this way.

One skilled in the art will be able to design such software from the description in the aforementioned patent application PCT / SE00 / 01895.

The signal processor 16 is also programmed to analyze stored coordinate pairs and convert these into a polygon train which is a description of how the user unit 2 has moved through the surface that is provided with the position coding design. . Finally, the signal processor 16 is programmed to generate, automatically or in order, a message containing the polygon train and a unique user identity that are stored in the user unit and send this information to the central unit 4. The processor of signals 16 does not need to send all the information to the central unit 4. The signal processor 16 can be programmed to analyze the recorded coordinates and only send information that is represented by coordinates within a particular coordinate area. The signal processor 16 may also have software to encrypt the information that is sent to the server unit 4. The digital pen 2 comprises in this mode a compass 17 line, by means of which the user can perform writing based on pigments ordinary on the surface provided with the position coding design. The compass 17 line can be extended and retracted so that the user can control whether it is going to be used or not. A button (not shown) to extend and retract the compass tenth line, in the same way as an ordinary spherical tip pen, can also function as an on / off button for the pen, so that the pen is activated when extends the compass line. The pen also comprises buttons 18 by means of which the pen can be activated and controlled. The pen 2 is arranged to transmit payment information generated by the user to the server unit 4. In the example according to figure 1, the information is transmitted wirelessly to the network connection unit 3, which at its it transmits the information to the server unit 4. In this example, the network connection unit is a cell phone 3. Alternatively it can be a computer or other appropriate unit having an interface with a network, for example Internet, a network of a local company, or a telephone network. The network connection unit 3 can alternatively be an integrated part of the pen 2. All the recorded data can be stored in a buffer 20 waiting for transmission to the central unit 4. In this way the digital pen 2 can work in stand-alone mode , this is the pen 2 sends the information when it has the opportunity, for example when it makes contact with the network connection unit 3, thereby retrieving information recorded from the buffer 20. The communication between the pen 2 and the Connection of networks 3, which are usually located fairly close to each other, can be done by radio or infrared waves, for example in accordance with Bluetooth® technology, or some other technology for the transfer of information over short distances. For this purpose the pen 2 it has a transceiver 19 for wireless communication with external units, preferably a Bluetooth® transceiver. Alternatively, the transmission can be via cables. For example, the user unit 2 may be connected by a cable to the network connection unit 3. Alternatively, the network connection unit 3 may be designed as a docking unit (not shown) that can be connected by cables to a communications network, such as a telephone network or a computer network. Said berthing unit can favorably be designed as a boom base. When the user unit 2 is placed in the docking unit, the user unit 2 is made, automatically or in order, to communicate with the server unit 4. The docking unit can also be designed to charge the battery 15 ( figure 2) in the user unit 2. According to another alternative, the berth unit is designed to establish a wireless connection with the outside world. The above example is given only to show a currently preferred execution of the user unit. In an alternative embodiment, the user unit operates only as an image generator, that is, the images recorded by the sensor 14 are transmitted to a computer (not shown), which processes the images to determine coordinates as before, and which is communicated with the central unit 4 through a properly incorporated network connection.

In the above embodiment, the design can be read optically and the sensor 14 is therefore optical. The design, however, can be based on a parameter other than an optical parameter. In that case the sensor must of course be of a type that can read the parameter involved. Examples of such parameters are chemical, acoustic or electromagnetic marks. Capacitive or inductive marks can also be used. However, it is preferable that the design can be read in optical form since then it is relatively simple to apply it in different products and in particular in paper.

The server unit The server unit 4 in Figure 1 is a computer in a computer network. It can be built as a traditional server unit with one or more processors, memories of various types, peripherals and connections to other computers on the network, but it has new software to perform the functions described here. It also has information stored in its memory 4 'in order to be able to handle these functions. The server unit 4 can alternatively be of some other type of computer connected to a network or a local computer, with which the user unit 2 communicates wirelessly or by wires. As shown before, various user units 2 can be ordered to send their information to the server unit 4 which is thus a central part of the system. However, such systems together can form an even larger system. The server unit 4 does not need to be incorporated into a global network, but it can be incorporated into a local network and can be used to handle information, for example within a company. The memory 4 'of the server unit 4' comprises a database with information about the total area of positions that the position coding design can encode. The total surface forms an imaginary surface that can be said to be a surface in a coordinate system, whose surface thus contains a large number of positions that are systematically arranged in two dimensions with a particular specified resolution. This can also be expressed by saying that the total surface is made up of all the points or positions that the position coding design has the ability to encode. Each position can be defined by two associated coordinates that form a pair of coordinates. If there is more than one imaginary surface, more than two coordinates may be required to define a position. The imaginary surface is divided into a number of areas that are called regions. The regions can have different sizes and different shapes. The entire surface does not need to be occupied by regions. In the memory of the server unit there is stored information regarding the position and extent of these different regions. One region Rectangular, for example, can be described by means of a pair of coordinates representing the points at the corners of the domain. The smallest possible region consists of a single position on the imaginary surface. Regions can also have any shape. Regions do not need to be separated from each other either, but they can overlap each other and be defined by mathematical relationships or associations.

Standards In a computer structure, in the memory of the server unit, the information or rules define for each region how the information that may be associated with the region will be processed. Figure 3 shows an example of said structure, which consists here of a picture. In a first column 30 in the table, the regions on the imaginary surface are defined by means of coordinates (x1, y1; x2, y2; x3, y3, x4, y4) for the corners of the regions here assumed to be rectangular . In a second column 31 an owner of the region is defined, which is here the bank A. In a third column 32, a receiver of the information of the server unit is defined. In this example, the bank is the receiver and therefore the bank's email address is provided in the third column. In the fourth column 33, an authorized user of the region is defined. In this example, it is Anders Andersson who has checks with a position coding design of the region that is specifies in the first column. In a fifth column 34, a representation of the signature of the authorized user is stored so that the server unit can compare a received signature with the signature previously stored. In a sixth column 35, a user identity is stored in the form of a serial number of the server unit of the authorized user. Of course, this is a very simple structure that is used to illustrate the principles. Structures and rules for considerably more complex security checks are possible.

The function of the system In this mode the function of the system is as follows. A user writes, using the compass line 17 of the user unit 3, an amount, a payment receiver and his signature on the check 1. The payment information is recorded electronically at the same time as it is being written with the line manager. compass on the check by user unit 2 recording continuously the part of the position coding design that is within the field of view of the area sensor 14 during writing. The signal processor 16 converts the position coding design to absolute coordinates. The signal processor thus generates a sequence of pairs of coordinates that describe how the user has moved the user unit on the check during writing. The signal processor condenses the payment information by converting it into a polygonal train of coordinate pairs. Then the signal processor generates a message containing the polygon train and the unique user identity that is stored in the user unit. The message is transmitted to the network connection unit 3 which in turn transmits the message to the server unit 4. When the server unit 4 receives the message, it determines to which region one or more of the coordinate pairs belong to. the polygonal train. Then it uses the information associated with the region to carry out the verification of authenticity. In order to increase the capacity of the information handling system, it may comprise various server units 4, each of which contains information on at least part of the imaginary surface. In this case, however, each user unit 2 must know, or have the ability to obtain information, to which of the server units the recorded information is to be sent. For this purpose the memory of the user unit 2 may contain information about the association between server units and regions on the imaginary surface. The user unit 2 is thus arranged to determine, after recording the information, the region affiliation for at least one position, defined by a pair of coordinates, of the recorded information and based on the region affiliation it sends the information to a default server unit. The memory of the user unit 2 can favorably contain, for example, information that makes it possible for the user unit to recognize that certain positions or coordinate areas on the imaginary surface represent particular operations or commands that are to be initiated and / or performed with respect to the information that has been recorded or to be recorded. The preferred commands that can be recognized in user unit 2 are "send", "address" and other similar basic commands.

EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION 1 It is assumed that the product for payments is the check in figure 1. The user wishes to pay 1000 SEK by check to the Alfa company. The user fills the 1000 SEK amount in the writing area 6a and the name of the Alpha company in the writing area 6b. Then sign the check with your signature in the writing area 6c. To complete and sign the check the user uses his personal user unit 2 which records the payment information and includes this together with the unique identity of the user unit in a message that is sent to the server unit 4. The unit of server determines which region the coordinates belong to in the payment information. As stated before, with reference to Figure 3, the name of the authorized user, the unique user identity of the user unit of the authorized user, a previously recorded signature of the authorized user, and the name of the recipient are associated in this region. to whom the payment information will be sent in processed form.

The server unit starts by comparing the signature in the payment information with the signature previously stored in column 34 to verify that the signatures are the same. Then the server unit compares the identity of the user in the payment information with the identity of the user that is associated with the region in column 35 in order to verify that they are also the same. In addition, the server unit interprets the other payment information in the message and converts it into a character-encoded format. The payment information encoded by characters, the name of the user and the result of the comparison are sent to the receiver, which is the bank that issued the check. If the user is the authorized user, the bank makes the payment. Alternatively, the server unit may be the bank's own server unit that performs the authenticity check itself. In the previous example, the design of position coding in the check is unique to the user. It can also be unique for each individual check, so that the check number can be determined from the position coding design. The server unit can then also verify that the check has not been used yet and that it has a number that follows the most recently used check. To further increase security, the position coding design for consecutive checks may be randomly distributed within a region or may belong to regions that are not consecutive.

EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION 2 A user has been assigned a personal region by a credit card company, along with a notebook of credit card vouchers that are provided with the position coding design of this region. The position coding design can be the same in all receipts or different in the different receipts if the level of security is going to be higher. It is assumed that the user finds a product on the Internet that he wants to buy. Then you can pay using one of your credit card vouchers and your personal user unit. Write the amount to be paid, the recipient of the payment, a reference and any additional information required to identify the payment on the credit card voucher and finally sign it. The user unit includes the payment information electronically recorded in a message to the server unit and also complements this information with the user's credit card number that is stored in the user unit. The information is sent either to a server unit that performs the corresponding checks as in the case of the check, and sends a message with the payment information and the result of the verification of authenticity to the credit card company or direct to the server unit of the credit card company. Like a Additional alternative, a first server unit to which the payment information is sent can interpret the information and convert it into character-encoded format and then send the information to the credit card company that is specified as the recipient of information for the region involved. If, on the other hand, the user wishes to make a credit card payment in a store, he can use one of his personal credit card vouchers in the same way as described above, but instead uses the user unit of the store when he writes to the store. proof and also complements the payment information with your credit card number that you write on the voucher. The server unit then detects that the signature is the same signature previously stored for the user's personal domain, that the credit card number is the same as the credit card number previously stored for the domain, but that the identity of the The unique user of the user unit is not the same as the one that is specified for the user's personal region. The server unit can then verify the user's identity in a special box, on which it finds that the identity of the user refers to a company user unit to which the authorization information is to be returned. In this way, the store immediately receives information immediately that the payment is in order and the server unit then sends the payment information in the same way as described above.

EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION 3 It is assumed that a contract will be signed digitally. A unit that processes the signature and that can be the server unit in figure 1, sends the contract in digital form in a file to a computer that belongs to a person who is going to sign the contract. The file with the contract includes a design of position coding that has been specifically assigned for that contract and the person who is going to sign the contract. When the person receives the contract file, he prints the contract and signs it in the place designated in the position coding design using his personal user unit he sends the signature to the server unit 4, which he can determine, by means of the coordinates by which the signature is represented, that the signature is written in the contract that was sent to the contract party. If required, the authenticity of the signature can also be verified in a database that stores unique user identities and associated signatures. As an alternative, the user unit itself verifies the authenticity of the signature and only sends it if it is in order. In the above description, it has been assumed that the product for payments is provided with a position coding design from the beginning. However, a payment product that is not yet provided with a position coding design may have said design applied afterwards, by means of a printer, copier or the like. For this, the product for payments is placed in the paper input tray of the printer. The printer is programmed to print the first position coding design that is reserved for a particular person, by entering a personal identity code. The personal identity code means that the printer can print the correct design, which is assigned to the person who is authorized to use the product. In the case of a copier, the product is placed in the input tray and an original with the user's personal design is placed as the document to be copied. It is also possible to make the personal design on a plastic sheet, which is to be placed on the payment document and the information is filled in the plastic sheet. The plastic sheet is then saved to constitute a copy of the required payment. If the product for payments is a form of money order or bank draft, the plastic film can be permanently attached to the document, for example by adhesive. The natural way to write a document (product for payments) of this type is to first fill in all the information that is required, or verify that all the preprinted information is correct. The document is then signed and after that the document can not be modified. This method can also be used in the current situation. First everything that the pen writes is recorded in the memory and stamped in time and the document is signed. Then the pen waits a short time, to verify that no more writing will be done, for example 2-3 seconds. After this, the recorded movements of the pen are compiled into a file that closes and after that can not be modified. Finally, the The file is sent to a bank, for example by connection to a network, such as the Internet. The transmission can start when there is no additional writing in the writing area desired for the signature. Another way to indicate that the transmission is going to take place, when it is the user's pen that is being used, is as follows. When no additional writing is done for 2-3 seconds in the writing area desired for the signature, the software in the pen is activated what operates in the signature in the signature area and indicates if it is the same as the signature of the owner of the pen. If this is the case, the document is compiled, closed and sent, for example to the bank. The closure means that a digital signature procedure is performed where the document is encrypted with the key encryption of the user according to the prior art. The private key of the pen, which has been activated by the closing procedure by the correct signature that has been written, is used to sign the message. The physical signature, in digital format, can be included in the document that is sent to the bank. The bank can verify the signature again, possibly using even better software than the one used in the pen, to further improve security. Other combinations of measures can be used, for example the signature can be used to initiate the closing of the file, while the transmission is initiated in another way, for example by activating a switch in the pen or by marking a separate "send" box.

The transmission to the bank can be combined with a transmission for the person's own personal computer in order to achieve a record of the payments that have been ordered. Additionally, the bank can confirm receipt of a payment order, and confirm that the payment order can be interpreted and executed. Said confirmation may be sent to a cell phone used by the user and / or the user in person or to the user's personal site on an Internet-based server. In another scenario, it is possible for the owner of the pen to receive a confirmation from the recipient to whom the document is to be sent, for example by means of an indication on said cell phone. The user has the opportunity to approve the sending to the receiver using, for example, the telephone's numeric keypad. In this way, the receiver can be authorized.

Appendix The description of a preferred position coding design according to the international patent application PCT / SE00 / 01895 is reproduced below. Figure 4 shows a part of a product in the form of a sheet of paper A1, which at least in part of its surface A2 is provided with a position coding design that can be read in optical form A3 which makes it possible to determine position. The position coding design comprises A4 marks, which are systematically arranged across the surface A2, so that have an appearance "with geometric figures". The paper sheet has an axis of coordinates X and a coordinate axis Y. The determination of the position can be made on the entire surface of the product. In other cases, the surface that allows the determination of the position may constitute a small part of the product. The design can be used, for example, to produce an electronic representation of information that is written or drawn on the surface. The electronic representation can occur while writing on the surface with a pen, continuously determining the position of the pen on the sheet of paper when reading the position coding design. The position coding design comprises a virtual frame that is neither visible to the human eye nor directly detectable by a device that will determine positions on the surface, and a plurality of A4 marks, each of which, depending on its position, represents one of the four values "1" to "4" as described below. In relation to this, it should be noted that for the purpose of clarity the position coding design in Figure 4 is greatly enlarged. Also figure 4 only shows part of the sheet of paper. The position coding design is arranged in such a way that the positions of a partial surface on the total writing surface for any partial surface of a predetermined size is determined unambiguously by the marks on this partial surface. A first and a second partial surface A5a, A5b are shown by dashed lines in Figure 4. The second partial surface is partially superimposed on the first partial surface. The part of the position coding design (marks 4 * 4 here) that is on the first partial surface A5a encodes a first position, and the part of the position coding design that is on the second partial surface A5b encodes a second one. position. The position coding design is thus partly the same for the first and second adjoining positions. Said position coding design is referred to as "floating" in this patent application. Each partial surface encodes a specific position. Figures 5a-d show how a mark can be designed and how it can be positioned relative to its nominal position A6. The nominal position A6, which may also be referred to as a raster point, is represented by the intersection of the raster lines A8. The A7 mark has the shape of a circular point. It can be said that a mark A7 and a frame point A6 together constitute a symbol. In one embodiment, the distance between the frame lines is 300 μ? T? and the angle between the raster lines is 90 degrees. Other frame intervals are possible, for example 254 μ ?? to fit printers and scanners that often have a resolution that is a multiple of 100 dpi, which corresponds to a distance between points of 25.4 mm / 100, this is 254 μ ??. The value of the brand therefore depends on where the brand is located in relation to the nominal position. In the example in figure 5, there are four possible locations, one in each of the frame lines that extend from the nominal position. The displacement from the nominal position is the same size for all values. Each mark A7 moves relative to its nominal position A6, this is no mark is placed in the nominal position. In addition, there is only one mark per nominal position and this mark is displaced relative to its nominal position. This applies to the brands that make up the design. There may be other marks on the surface that are not part of the design and thus do not contribute to the coding. Said marks may be dust spots, unintentional marks or marks and intentional marks, for example from a drawing or figure on the surface. Since the position of the design marks on the surface is well defined, the design is not affected by such interference. In one modality, the marks are displaced by 50 μ? T? in relation to the nominal positions A6 along the lines of plot A8. the displacement is preferably 1/6 of the frame interval, since then it is relatively easy to determine to which nominal position a particular mark belongs. The displacement should be at least about 1/8 of the frame interval, otherwise it becomes difficult to determine a displacement, which is the requirement for the resolution to be large. On the other hand, the offset must be less than about ¼ of the frame interval, so that it is possible to determine to which nominal position a mark belongs.

The offset does not need to be along the weft line, but the marks can be placed in separate rants. However, if the marks are placed along the weft lines, the advantage is obtained that the distance between the marks has a minimum that can be used to recreate the weft lines, as described in more detail later. Each mark consists of one or more circular points with a radius that is approximately the same size as the displacement or a little smaller. The radius can be 25% to 120% of the displacement. If the radius is much larger than the offset, it can be difficult to determine the raster lines. If the radius is too small, a higher resolution is required to record the marks. The marks do not need to be circular or round, but any suitable shape, such as se or triangular, etc. can be used. Normally, each mark covers several pixels in a sensor integrated circuit and, in one embodiment, the center of gravity of these pixels is recorded or calculated and used in the subsequent processing. Therefore the precise form of the brand is of minor importance. In this way relatively simple printing procedures can be used, provided that it can be ensured that the center of gravity of the mark has the required displacement. Next, the mark in figure 5a represents the value 1, in figure 5b the value 2, in figure 5c the value 3 and in figure 5d the value 4.

Each brand can thus represent one of four values "1 to 4". This means that the position coding design can be divided into a first position code for the x coordinate and a second position code for the y coordinate. The division is made as follows: In this way, the value of each mark is translated into a first value, in this case bit, for the code x and a second value, in this case bit, for the code y. In this way, two completely independent bit designs are obtained by means of the design. Conversely, two or more bit designs can be combined in a common design that is graphically encoded by means of a plurality of marks according to FIG. 5. Each position is encoded by means of a plurality of marks. In this example, 4x4 marks are used to encode a position in two dimensions, that is, an x coordinate and a y coordinate. The position code is developed by means of a number series of ones and zeros, a series of bits, which has the characteristic that no bit sequence of four bits long occurs more than once in the series of bits. The series of bits is cyclical, which means that the characteristic also applies when the end of the series is connected to its start. So, a Four-bit sequence always has a certain position number unambiguously in the series of bits. The series of bits can be a maximum of 16 bits long if it will have the characteristics described above for four-bit bit sequences. In this example, however, a series of bits of seven bits long is used only, as follows: "0 0 0 1 0 1 0". This series of bits contains seven single-bit sequences of four bits that encode a position number in the series as follows: To encode the x coordinate, the series of bits is written consecutively in columns on the entire surface to be encoded, where the left column Ko corresponds to the coordinate x zero (0). In a column, the series of bits can thus be repeated several times in succession. The coding is based on differences or position shifts between adjacent bit sets in adjacent columns. The size of the difference is determined by the position number (this is the bit sequence) in the series of bits with which the adjacent column starts. More specifically, if you take the module seven of difference ?? between, on the one hand, a position number that is encoded by a sequence of four bits in a first column Kn and which can thus have the value 0 to 6 and, on the other hand, a position number that is coded by a sequence of four bits adjacent to a corresponding "height" in an adjacent column Kn + i, the difference will be the same regardless of where the difference is created in the two columns, this is at what "height". Using the difference between the position numbers for two bit sequences in two adjacent columns, it is thus possible to encode a coordinate x that is independent and constant for all the y coordinates. Since each position on the surface is encoded by a partial surface consisting of 4 * 4 marks in this example, four vertical bit sequences are available and therefore three differences, each with the value 0 to 6, to encode the coordinate x. The design is divided into F code windows with the feature that each code window consists of 4 * 4 marks. Therefore, four horizontal bit sequences and four vertical bit sequences are available, so that three differences in the x direction can be created and four position numbers can be obtained in the y direction. These three differences and four position numbers encode the position of the partial surface in the x direction and the y direction. The adjacent windows in the x direction have a common column, see figure 4. Thus, the first code window F0, or contains bit sequences of the columns K0, j, K2, K3, and bit sequences of the R0 rows , Ri, R2, R3. Since differences are used in the x direction, the next window diagonally in the address x and direction y, window F-, contain bit sequences of columns K3, K4, «5,? ß, and rows R4, R5, Re, Rz- Considering the coding only in the x direction, the window of code can be considered to have an unlimited extension in the address and. In the same way, considering the coding in only the and direction, the code window can be considered to have an unlimited extension in the x direction. Said first and second code window with extension limited in the direction y and direction x respectively together form a code window of the type shown in Figure 4, for example F0, or- Each window has FX window coordinates, which give the position of the window in the x direction, and FY, which gives the position of the window in the y direction. Thus the correspondence between the windows and columns is as follows: Kj = 3 FX Rj = 4 Fy The coding is done in such a way that for the three differences, one of the differences? 0 always has the value 1 or 2, which indicates the least important digit S0 for the number that represents the position of the code window in the x direction, and the other two differences? - ?, A, have values in the scale 3 to 6, which indicates the two most important digits Yes, S2, for the coordinate of the code window. In this way no difference is zero for the x coordinates, since that would result in a code design too symmetric. In other words, the columns are coded so that the differences are as follows: (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); (1 to 2); (3 to 6); (3 to 6); ... Each x coordinate is therefore encoded by two differences ? - ?,? 2 between 3 and 6 and a subsequent difference ??, which is 1 or 2. By subtracting one (1) from the smallest difference? 0, and three (3) from the other differences, you get three digits, S2, So, which on a mixed basis directly give the position number of the code window in the x direction, from which the x coordinate can be determined directly, as shown in the following example. The position number of the code window is: S2 * (4 * 2) + S-, * 2 + So * 1 Using the principle described above, it is thus possible to code the code windows 0, 1, 2, 31, using a position number for the code window consisting of three digits that are represented by three differences. These differences are encoded by a bit configuration that is based on the previous numerical series. The bit configuration can finally be encoded graphically by means of the marks in figure 5. In many cases, when you enter a partial surface consisting of 4 * 4 marks, you will not get a total position number that encodes the x coordinate, but parts of two position numbers, since the partial surface in many cases does not match a window code but covers parts of two adjacent code windows in the address x. However, since the difference for the least important digit So of each number is always 1 or 2, a total position number can easily be reconstructed, since it is known which digit is the least important. The and coordinates are coded according to approximately the same principle as that used for the x coordinate by means of code windows. The cyclic number series, this is the same number series that was used for the x coding, is written repeatedly in horizontal rows across the surface to be encoded by position. Precisely as for the x-coordinates, the rows are made to start at different positions, that is with different bit sequences, in the numerical series. For the coordinates and, however, no differences are used, but the coordinates are coded by values that are based on the start position of the number series in each row when the x coordinate has been determined for a partial surface with 4 * marks 4, the starting positions in the numerical series can in fact be determined for the rows that are included in the code and for the 4 * 4 marks. In the code y, the least important digit So is determined by allowing this to be the only digit that has a value on a particular scale. In this example, a row of four starts at position 0 to 1 in the number series, to indicate that this row involves the least important digit S0 > in a code window, and the other three rows start at any of the positions 2 to 6 to indicate the other digits S, Sz, S3, in the code window. In the direction and there exists a series of values as follows: (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (0 to 1); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (2 to 6); (0 to 1); (2 to 6); ... Each code window is thus encoded by three values between 2 and 6 and a subsequent value between 0 and. If zero (0) is subtracted from the low value and two (2) from the other values, a position is obtained in the direction and S3, S2, Si, S0, in mixed base correspondingly as for the x direction, of the which can be directly determined the position number of the code window, which is: S3 * (5 * 5 * 2) + S2 * (5 * 2) + S-, * 2 + S0 * 1 Using the above method, it is possible to encode 4 * 4 * 2 = 32 position numbers in the x direction for the code windows. Each code window comprises sequences of three-column bits, which give 3 * 32 = 96 columns or x coordinates. In addition, it is possible to encode 5 * 5 * 5 * 2 = 250 position numbers in the address and for the code windows. Each said position number comprises horizontal bit sequences of 4 rows, giving 4 * 250 = 1000 rows or y coordinates. In total, it is possible to encode 96000 coordinate positions. Since the x coding is based on differences, it is possible, however, to select the position at which the first number series starts in the first code window. If you take into consideration that this first numerical series can start in seven different positions, it is possible to encode 7 x 96000 = 672000 positions. The start position of the first number series in the first column Ko can be calculated when the x and y coordinates have been determined. The seven different starting positions for the first series can encode different pages or writing surfaces in a product. Theoretically, a partial surface with 4 * 4 symbols, each has four values, can code positions 44 * 4, that is 4,294,967,296 positions. To make it possible to determine the float of the position of a partial surface, there is thus a redundancy factor in excess of 6000 (4294967296/672000). Redundancy consists partly of restrictions on the size of the differences, and partly that only 7 bits of 16 are used in the position code. This last fact can be used, however, to determine the rotational position of the partial surface. If the next bit in the series of bits is added to the sequence of four bits, a sequence of five bits is obtained. The fifth bit is obtained by reading the adjacent bit immediately outside the partial surface that is being used. Said additional bit is usually readily available. The partial surface that the sensor reads can have four different rotational positions, which are rotated 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees relative to the code window. In those cases where the partial surface is rotated, the reading of the code will be, however, such that the reading of the code will be it will invert and revert in the x direction or the y direction, or both, in comparison as if it had been read at 0 degrees. This assumes, however, that a slightly different decoding of the value of the marks is used according to the following table.

The five-bit sequence mentioned above has the characteristic that it only occurs in the correct way back and not inverted and reversed in the seven-bit series. This is evident from the fact that the series of bis (0 0 0 1 0 1 0) contains only two "ones". Therefore all five-bit sequences must contain at least three zeros, which after inversion (and any reversion) result in three ones, which can not occur. Therefore, if it is found that a five-bit sequence does not have a position number in the series of bits, it can be concluded that the partial surface should probably be rotated and the new position tested. In order to further illustrate the invention in accordance with this embodiment, a specific example follows which is based on the described mode of the position code.

Figure 6 shows an example of an image with marks 4 * 4 that reads a device for position determination. These 4 * 4 marks have the following values: 4442 3234 4424 1324 These values represent the following binary code xyy: Code x: Code y: 0000 0001 1010 0100 0000 0010 1 00 1010 The vertical bit sequences in the code x code the following positions in the series of bits: 2046. The differences between the columns are -242, whose module 7 gives: 542, which in mixed base codes the position number of the code window: (5-3) * 8 + (4 -3) * 2 + (2-1) = 16 + 2 + 1 = 19. The first encoded code window has the position number 0. Thus the difference that is in the scale 1 to 2 and that appears in the marks 4 * 4 of the partial surface is the twentieth said difference. Additionally, since there is a total of three columns for each difference and there is a start column, the vertical sequence furthest to the right in the x 4x4 code belongs to column 61 (column 60) in the code x (3 * 20 + 1 = 61) and the vertical sequence furthest to the left belongs to column 58 (column 57). The horizontal bit sequences in the code and encode the positions 0 4 1 3 in the numerical series. Since these horizontal bit sequences start in column 58, the starting position of the rows are these values minus 57 modulo 7, which gives the start positions 6 3 0 2. Converted to digits in mixed base, this will be 6- 2, 3-2, 0-0, 2-2 = 4 1 0 0, where the third digit is the least important digit in the number involved. The fourth digit is then the most important digit in the next number. In this case, it must be the same as in the number involved. (The exception is when the number involved consists of the highest possible digits in all positions, so it is known that the beginning of the next number is one greater than the beginning of the number involved.) The position number is on a mixed basis 0 * 50 + 4 * 10 + 1 * 2 + 0 * 1 = 42. The third horizontal bit sequence in the code and thus belongs to the code window 43 that has a start position 0 or 1, and since they exist four rows in total for each said code window, the third row is number 43 * 4 = 172. In this example, the position of the upper left corner of the partial surface with marks 4 * 4 is (58.170). Since the vertical bit streams in the x-code in group 4 * 4 start in row 170, all x-columns in the design start at the positions of the number series ((2 0 4 6) - 169) module 7 = 1 6 3 5. Between the last starting position (5) and the first starting position, the numbers 0-19 are coded in the mixed base, and adding the representations of the numbers 0-19 on a mixed basis, the total difference between these columns is obtained. A primitive algorithm to do this is to generate these twenty numbers and directly add their digits. The sum obtained is called s. In this way the module 7 (5-s) will give the page or writing surface. An alternative method to determine which bit is the least important on a partial surface, in order to be able to identify a window code in this form, it is as follows: The least important bit (LSB) is defined as the digit that is the lowest in differences or position numbers of rows of a partial surface. In this way, the reduction (redundancy) of the maximum useful number of coordinates is relatively small. For example, the first code windows in the x direction in the previous example can all have LSB = 1 and the other digits between 2 and 6, which gives 25 code windows, the next can have LSB = 2 and the other digits between 3 and 6, which gives 16 code windows, the next can have LSB = 3 and the other digits between 4 and 6, which gives 9 code windows, the next can have LSB = 4 and the other digits between 5 and 6, which gives 4 code windows, the next one can have LSB = 5 and the other digits 6, which gives 1 code window, this is a total of 55 code windows, compared to 32 in the previous example.

In the previous example, a modality has been described where each code window is coded by 4 * 4 marks and a numerical series with 7 bits is used. This is, of course, just an example. The positions can be coded by more or less marks. It is not necessary that it be the same number in both directions. The numerical series can be of different length and does not need to be binary, but can be set in a different base, for example hexadecimal code. Different numerical series can be used to encode in the x direction and encode in the y direction. Brands can represent different numbers of values. The coding in the address and can also be carried out by differences. In a practical example, a partial surface consisting of 6 * 6 marks is used and where the series of bits as a maximum could consist of 26 bits, that is 64 bits. However, a series of bits consisting of 51 bits, and therefore 51 positions, is used to have the ability to determine the rotational position of the partial surface. An example of said series of bits is: 000001100011111010101101100110100010100111 011110010 Said partial surface consisting of six by six marks can encode 4 e positions, whereby said 0.3 mm frame dimensions are an extremely large surface.

In a similar manner as described above for the seven-bit series, according to this invention the feature is used so that the partial surface is enlarged to include a bit on said each side of the partial surface, at least at its center, at so that for the third and fourth rows in the partial surface of symbols 6 * 6, 8 symbols are read, one on each side of the partial surface, and in the same way in the y direction. The aforementioned series of bits containing 51 bits has the characteristic that a 6-bit sequence can only occur once and that an 8-bit bit sequence containing the aforementioned 6-bit bit sequence occurs only once. and never in an inverted or reversed and inverted position. In this way, the rotational position of the partial surface can be determined by reading 8 bits in row 3, row 4, column 3 and / or column 4. When the rotational position is known, the partial surface can be rotated to the correct position before that the processing be continued. It is desirable to obtain as random a design as possible, this is where areas with excessive symmetry do not occur. It is desirable to obtain a design where a partial surface with 6 * 6 marks contains marks with all the different positions according to figures 5a to 5d. In order to further increase randomness or avoid repetitive characteristics, a method called "reorganization" can be used. Each bit sequence in a code window starts at a predetermined start position. However, it is possible to move the start position in the horizontal direction for each row, if the displacement is known. This can be done for each least important bit (LSB) that is assigned to a separate displacement vector for the adjacent rows. The displacement vector sets how much each row moves in the horizontal direction. Visually it can be considered as if the y-axis in Figure 4 is "pointed". In the previous example, with a code window 4 * 4 the displacement vector can be 1, 2, 4, 0 for LSB = 0 and 2, 2, 3, 0 for LSB = 1. This means that after subtracting the numbers 2 and 0 respectively, the previous displacement will be subtracted (module five) from the position number of the bit sequence, before the calculation continues. In the previous example, for the coordinate and the digits 4 1 0 0 (S2, S-i, S0, S4) are obtained in mixed base, where the second digit from the right is the least important digit, LSB. Since the displacement vector 1, 2 4, 0 is going to be used (LSB = 0) for the digits 4 and 1, 2 is subtracted from 4 to give S2 = 2 and 4 is subtracted from 1 (module five) to give S ^. The digit S0 = 0 remains unchanged (the component of the displacement vector for the least important digit is always zero). Finally, the digit S4 belongs to the next code window, which must have LSB = 1, that is, be used the second displacement vector. So 2 subtracts from 0 (module five) that gives S4 = 3. A similar method can be used to change the codes for the x coordinates. However, there is less need to change the x-coordinates, as they are already relatively randomly distributed, as the difference zero is not used, in the above example.

In the previous example, the maca is a point. Naturally it can have a different appearance. For example, it may consist of a line or an ellipse, which starts at the virtual frame point and extends from it to a particular position. Other symbols than a point can be used, such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle or an ellipse, whether full or not. In the previous example, the marks are used within a square partial surface to code a position. The partial surface may have another shape, for example hexagonal. The marks do not need to be arranged along the weft lines in an orthogonal frame but may also have other arrangements, such as along the weft lines in a frame with 60 degree angles, etc. A polar coordinate system can also be used. Also, frames in the form of triangles or hexagons can be used. For example, a plot with triangles allows each mark to travel in six different directions, which provides even greater possibilities, corresponding to 66 * 6 partial surface positions. For a hexagonal pattern, a honeycomb design, each mark can be moved in three different directions along the weft lines. As mentioned before, the marks do not need to move along the weft lines but can be moved in other directions, for example to be placed in a separate quadrant of a square frame design. In the design of hexagonal frames the Marks can be moved in four or more different directions, for example in six directions along the raster lines and along the lines that are 60 degrees from the raster lines. For the position code to be detected, it is necessary to determine the virtual frame. This can be done, in a square weft design, by examining the distance between the different marks. The shortest distance between two marks must originate from two adjacent marks with the values 1 and 3 in the horizontal direction or 2 and 4 in the vertical direction, so that the marks are on the same frame line between two screen points. When said pair of marks has been detected, the associated raster points (the nominal positions) can be determined using the knowledge of the distance between the raster points and the movement of the marks from the raster points. Once the two raster points have been located, additional raster points can be determined using the distance measured for other marks and from the knowledge of the distance between the raster points. If the marks move 50 μ ?? along the weft lines, which are at a distance of 300 μ? apart, the smallest distance between two marks will be 200 μ, for example between marks with the values 1 and 3. The next smallest distance arises, for example, between marks with the values 1 and 2, and is 255 μ ?? . Therefore there is a relatively different difference between the smaller and the next smaller distance. Also the difference for any diagonal is great. However, if the displacement is greater than 50 μ? t ?, for example more than 75 μ? (1/4), diagonals can cause problems and it can be difficult to determine to which nominal position a brand belongs. If the offset is less than 50 μ, for example less than about 35 μ? (1/8), the smallest distance will be 230 μ? T ?, which does not give a very large difference for the next distance, which is then 267 μ ??. In addition, the demands on optical reading increase. The marks should not cover their own point of frames and therefore should not have a diameter larger than twice the displacement, this is 200%. This is not critical, however, and can allow a certain overlap, for example 240%. The smaller size is initially determined by the resolution of the sensor and the demands of the printing process used to reproduce the design. Nevertheless, the marks should not have a diameter smaller than approximately 50% of the displacement in practice, to avoid problems with particles and noise in the sensor. In the previous mode, the frame is an orthogonal grid. It can also have other shapes, such as a rhombic grid, for example with angles of 60 degrees, a triangular or hexagonal grid, etc. Displacement can be used in more or less four directions, for example displacement in three directions along a hexagonal virtual frame. In an orthogonal frame, only two displacements can be used, to facilitate the recreation of the frame. However, it he prefers a displacement in four directions, but six or eight directions are also possible. In the previous mode, the largest possible cyclic number series is not used. In this way a degree of redundancy is obtained, which can be used in various ways, for example to perform error correction, replace missing or hidden marks, etc.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION
CLAIMS 1- A product that includes at least one writing area (6c) which has the purpose of receiving written information by hand of a user and which is provided with a first position coding design (5) that makes possible the digital recording of handwritten information, wherein the first coding design of position is a specific subset of a second position coding design, which is an absolute position coding design that encodes coordinates for a plurality of points on an imaginary surface, the first position coding design is for digital recording of the information written by hand and for authenticity verification. 2. The product according to claim 1, further characterized in that the resolution of the first position coding design is such that the digital reproduction of the written information by hand becomes possible.
3. The product according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the first position coding design is made of a plurality of symbols (5a), the coordinates of each point are encoded by a plurality of symbols and each symbol it contributes to the coding of more than one point.
4. - The product according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the first position coding design is unique to the authorized user.
5. The product according to claim 4, further characterized in that the first position coding design is unique for each article of the product.
6. - The product according to any of claims 1-3, further characterized in that the first position coding design is unique for a product type.
7. The product according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the handwritten information comprises the signature of the user.
8. - The product according to claim 7, which product comprises a plurality of additional writing areas for recording additional handwritten information that relates to the product, whose additional writing areas are provided with position coding designs that make digital recording of additional written information possible.
9. - The product according to any of the preceding claims, whose product is a product for payments.
10. The product according to claim 9, whose product is a check.
11. - A server unit for handling information, whose server unit is arranged to receive information from a plurality of user units where the server unit has access to a memory, in which information is stored on a plurality of regions , each of which represents a coordinate area on at least one imaginary surface, the server unit is arranged to receive said information in the form of at least two coordinates for at least one point on the imaginary surface, and the unit of The server is ordered, in response to the receipt of information from one of said user units, to determine to which region the coordinates belong and to perform a verification of authenticity in the information received on the basis of the region membership.
12. - The server unit according to claim 11, further characterized in that at least one authorized user is associated with at least certain regions and in which the server unit is ordered when performing the authenticity check to verify authorization of the server. user through regional affiliation.
13. - The server unit according to claim 11 or 12, further characterized in that at least one unique user identity, identifying the user unit that is authorized to record coordinates for points within the region, is associated at least with certain regions, such information comprises the unique user identity and the server unit is ordered when performs authenticity verification to use the unique user identity to verify the user's authorization.
14. The server unit according to claims 11, 12 or 13, further characterized in that a signature of the authorized user of the region is associated at least with certain regions, said information comprises a digital representation of a user signature and the The server unit is ordered when it performs the authenticity check to compare the signature in the received information with the signature associated with the region involved.
15. The server unit according to any of claims 11-14, further characterized in that the server unit is arranged to send information to a receiver.
16. - The server unit according to claim 15, further characterized in that the receiver is determined by the region membership.
17. - The server unit according to claim 15 or 16, further characterized in that the server unit is ordered to include information regarding the region membership in the information that is sent to the receiver.
18. The server unit according to any of claims 11-17, further characterized in that the server unit is ordered to be incorporated into a system for electronic payments and in which said information is payment information.
19. - A system for handling information, which system comprises a server unit and a plurality of user units, each of which is arranged to record and send information to the server unit, where the information is stored in the server. server unit with respect to a plurality of regions, each of which represents a coordinate area on at least one imaginary surface, each of the user units is arranged to record the information in the form of at least two coordinates for at least one point on the imaginary surface, and the server unit is ordered, in response to the receipt of the information from one of said user units, to determine to which region the coordinates belong and to perform a verification of authenticity in the information received on the basis of regional affiliation.
20. - The system according to claim 19, further characterized in that at least one authorized user is associated at least with certain regions and in which the server unit is ordered to verify the authorization of the user by means of the region membership when you perform authenticity verification.
21. - The system according to claim 19 or 20, further characterized in that the user unit is arranged to include a unique user identity that is stored in the user unit in the information for the server unit, and in the that the server unit is ordered to use the unique user identity to verify the user's authorization when performing authenticity verification.
22. The system according to claims 19, 20 or 21, further characterized in that a signature of the authorized user of the region is associated at least with certain regions, said information comprises a digital representation of a user signature and the unit of The server is ordered to compare the signature in the information received with the signature associated with the region involved when the authenticity check is performed.
23. The system according to claim 19, further characterized in that the server unit is arranged to send the information to a receiver.
24. The system according to claim 23, further characterized in that the receiver is determined by the region membership.
25. - The system according to claim 23 or 24, further characterized in that the server unit is arranged to include information regarding the region membership in the information sent to the receiver.
26. - The system according to claim 23 or 24, further characterized in that at least one authorized user is associated with each region and in which the server unit is ordered to verify user authorization by means of region membership and in which the The server unit is ordered to include information regarding the user's authorization in the information sent to the recipient.
27. - The system according to any of claims 19-26, further characterized in that said plurality of user units is arranged to electronically record a signature for a user, the recording is made in the form of coordinates that are read from a product in which the user places his signature and the information that is sent to the server unit comprises at least certain read coordinates.
28. - The system according to claim 27, further characterized in that the server unit is ordered to compare the signature received from the user unit with a previously stored signature of the authorized user and to include information regarding the authenticity of the Sign in the information that is sent to the recipient.
29. - The system according to any of claims 19-28, further characterized in that the system is a system for electronic payments and in which the information that is received from the user unit is payment information.
30. - The system according to claim 29, further characterized in that the server unit is ordered to verify the payment information when verifying that the identity of the user It belongs to the authorized user of the product and to include information with respect to it in the payment information.
31. - The use of an absolute position coding design in a product to enable the verification of a user authorization to use the product, where the absolute position coding design is unique to the authorized user.
32. - The use as claimed in claim 31, wherein the absolute position coding design is used to electronically record the user signature.
33. - The use as claimed in claims 31 or 32, where the product is a product for payments.
34. - A handheld electronic server unit, according to any of claims 19-30, whose purpose is to be used in a system.
35. - The user unit according to claim 34, wherein an account number is stored.