Online graphical message service

A method for providing an online graphical message service, the method comprising:

• receiving from a first user a request for at least a portion of a graphical image;
• transmitting the portion of the graphical image over a computer network to the first user and printing the graphical image together with a position-coding pattern having sufficient resolution to define a track of a drawing device when the drawing device is moved over the position-coding pattern;
• receiving over the computer network a modification of the graphical image from the first user, said modification comprising position information obtained from the position-coding pattern;
• updating the graphical image to include the modification;
• and
• making the updated graphical image available for viewing and modification by a second user, wherein the position information obtained from the position-coding pattern is used to provide a graphical image which is created by moving the drawing device over the position-coding pattern.

A method for providing an electronic information service in a computer system connected to a network, the method comprising:

• receiving a message from a user comprising position information obtained from a position-coding pattern having sufficient resolution to define a track of a drawing device when the drawing device is moved over the position-coding pattern;
• receiving from the user an indication of a position for the message on a virtual area;
• placing the message in the position on the virtual area;
• and
• making at least portions of the virtual area available for viewing and modification by a second user, wherein the position information obtained from the position-coding pattern is used to provide a graphical image which is created by moving the drawing device over the position-coding pattern.

A method for participating in an online graphical message service, the method comprising:

• sending a request over a computer network to a computer server for at least a portion of a graphical image that is available for modification and viewing by a plurality of users;
• receiving the portion of the graphical image over the computer network;
• displaying the portion of the graphical image to a first user included in the plurality of users;
• printing the portion of the graphical image together with a position-coding pattern, detectable by an optical sensor, in a known relationship to the portion of the graphical image;
• receiving a modification of the portion of the graphical image from the first user comprising a set of locations generated as a result of the first user moving an optical sensor over the position-coding pattern;
• and
• sending the modification over the computer network to the computer server.