Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.

Abstract: A method for providing automatic communication addressing comprising the steps of: locating a communication mark, if one is present, on a medium containing information; obtaining at least one address directly or indirectly from the communication mark; inputting the address into an address function of a communication device; and initiating a communication of the information to the address through the communication device.

Abstract: A method and system in which an electronic document corresponding to a hardcopy of the document is processed. A mark is placed on the hardcopy, the mark containing identification information of the electronic document. The hardcopy document is viewed by an image capture device that captures an image of the hardcopy document. The mark on the image captured by the image capture device is decoded to determine the identification information of the electronic document. The electronic document identified based on the identification information is then processed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing payment when duplicating a document containing copyrighted material, comprising the steps of: locating and electronically reading a billing mark, if it exists, on a document to be copied/scanned; obtaining machine readable billing data by way of the billing mark; authorizing payment of a fee to a copyright owner; and duplicating the document.

Abstract: A barcode system for generating and decoding a barcode with visual significance. The barcode system of the present invention includes an encoding module for receiving a message and a logo and generating a visually significant barcode based on these inputs. A decoding module is also provided for receiving an acquired version of a visually significant barcode that may have been degraded in a typical document handling channel (e.g., through the printing, scanning, or copying process) and for recovering the message specified by the visually significant barcode.

Abstract: A barcode system for generating and decoding a barcode with visual significance. The barcode system of the present invention includes an encoding module for receiving a message and a logo and generating a visually significant barcode based on these inputs. A decoding module is also provided for receiving an acquired version of a visually significant barcode that may have been degraded in a typical document handling channel (e.g., through the printing, scanning, or copying process) and for recovering the message specified by the visually significant barcode.

Abstract: A method and system in which an electronic document corresponding to a hardcopy of the document is processed. A mark is placed on the hardcopy, the mark containing identification information of the electronic document. The hardcopy document is viewed by an image capture device that captures an image of the hardcopy document. The mark on the image captured by the image capture device is decoded to determine the identification information of the electronic document. The electronic document identified based on the identification information is then processed.

Abstract: In a bar code encoding process, two or more images and two or more data items may be encoded together to form a bar code image. A bar code image encoding two or more images and two or more data items may also be decoded to regenerate the encoded images and data items. In addition, the bar code image is preferably a visually significant image that resembles one of the images encoded in the bar code.

Abstract: A method of controlling a computing device, comprising the steps of: capturing an image; electronically comparing the captured image to at least one stored image having a command associated therewith, and determining if there is a match within a predetermined threshold; and executing the associated command.

Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.