1. An automated method for assisting a reader to read a printed or scribed document that cites, directly or indirectly, other information, which method comprises: a) providing apparatus comprising a camera to focus down on to a said document for generating video signals representing an image of the document in electronic form, and a processor linked to the camera for processing the image of the document captured by the camera, the processor being configured to fetch information from a database when a user, by pointing to a position on the document, selects a position within the image; b) placing the document within the field of view of the camera and pointing by finger or pointing implement within the field of view of the camera to a selected position on the document; c) the camera capturing an image of the document and of the finger or pointing implement overlying the document; and d) the processor then processing the captured image to recognise the position on the document selected by the finger or pointing implement and fetching information that is cited, directly or indirectly, at that position in the document.