Selective text retrieval system

A method for retrieving information related to selected text, the method comprising:

• providing a multiple page hardcopy text, the hardcopy text including spatial symbology;
• scanning the spatial symbology corresponding to selected text with an optical scanning device;
• providing the scanned image of the spatial symbology to a processor, the processor having a memory and being in communication with the optical scanning device;
• identifying the spatial symbology in the processor;
• locating a digital version of the multiple page text in a data source in communication with the processor in response to the spatial symbology;
• and
• reading the selected text from the digital version of the multiple page text from the data source.

A system for recording selected passages from written materials, the system comprising:

• a hard copy version of a multiple page text, the text including a plurality of paragraphs and a plurality of graphic symbols;
• spatial symbology corresponding to portions of the text;
• an optical scanning device for reading the spatial symbology;
• a data source having been loaded with an electronic version of the multiple page text independently of any operation of the optical scanning device;
• and
• a processor in communication with the optical scanning device, the processor having a memory and the processor identifying portions of the multiple page text in the electronic version in response to the spatial symbology.

A note taking system comprising:

• a written text recorded along with spatial symbology on a hardcopy version;
• a digital version of the written text;
• an optical scanning device for detecting the spatial symbology;
• a processor in communication with the optical scanning device and with the digital version of the written text;
• a memory in communication with the processor;
• and
• said note taking system arranged so that scanning spatial symbology associated with a selected portion of the written text identifies the selected text within the digital version so that the processor stores the selected portion in the memory.

A method for electronically taking notes comprising:

• reviewing a hardcopy human readable text including a plurality of paragraphs of text, the hardcopy including spatial symbology thereon;
• providing access to a digital version of the human readable text;
• scanning the spatial symbology corresponding to selected text with an optical scanning device;
• providing the scanned image of the spatial symbology to a processor;
• identifying the spatial symbology in the processor;
• and
• electronically storing the selected text from the digital version of the human readable text to a file.