Abstract: A method and system for automatically producing a page using frames of a video stream. A plurality of video frames from a video stream or clip are read, and multiple frames are extracted from the video stream, based on the content of each frame. Frames which neighbor the extracted frames in the video stream are also extracted, with the number of neighboring frames to be extracted being controlled by parameters provided to the page production system. The resolution of the images in the extracted video frames is enhanced, based on the information in each extracted frame and each respective extracted neighboring frame. The enhanced images are automatically cropped to enhance the important features in each image, and the cropped images are composed into one or more pages that are representative of the content of the video stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for market-based document layout selection use an automated auction or bartering system, i.e., an automated page layout system, to place objects within a page and automatically generate a page layout that is pleasing to a user. An object refers to any item that can be individually selected and manipulated, and may include shapes and pictures that appear on a display screen. The method and apparatus improve the quality of page layout in terms of user preferences, and optimize the speed at which various objects are arranged on a page in a pleasing manner. In addition, the resulting page layout may be consistent among pages because all pages are arranged according to a common algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically producing a page using frames of a video stream. A plurality of video frames from a video stream or clip are read, and multiple frames are extracted from the video stream, based on the content of each frame. Frames which neighbor the extracted frames in the video stream are also extracted, with the number of neighboring frames to be extracted being controlled by parameters provided to the page production system. The resolution of the images in the extracted video frames is enhanced, based on the information in each extracted frame and each respective extracted neighboring frame. The enhanced images are automatically cropped to enhance the important features in each image, and the cropped images are composed into one or more pages that are representative of the content of the video stream.

Abstract: A secure document access method and apparatus is described. The method includes the steps of capturing contents of a document and generating a key from a cryptographic engine. The method may also include encrypting the contents of the document using the key. The encrypted document may be stored and the key may be encoded. The encoded key may be submitted to at least one authorized user for accessing the contents of the encrypted document. The encryption may be performed by a multi-function peripheral.

Abstract: A method of automating a workflow includes transmitting, to a multifunction peripheral, information that identifies the name and a present state of the workflow at the multifunction peripheral. The method continues with accepting, by way of a user input to the multifunction peripheral, a modification to the workflow, and inserting the modification into the workflow at the multifunction peripheral.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for document content trading use a content trading system (CTS) to automatically allocate publication resources in a production workflow or manufacturing process. The CTS acts as a marketplace infrastructure for providing goods, services and processes for CTS vendors and CTS customers. Specifically, the CTS enables the CTS customers, such as advertisers, to buy publication spaces from the CTS vendors, such as publishers. The CTS also enables the advertisers to trade among other advertisers for the other advertisers' publication spaces. Publication spaces thus become a fungible entity, and the publishers no longer need to manually lay out content of a publication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for market-based document layout selection use an automated auction or bartering system, i.e., an automated page layout system, to place objects within a page and automatically generate a page layout that is pleasing to a user. An object refers to any item that can be individually selected and manipulated, and may include shapes and pictures that appear on a display screen. The method and apparatus improve the quality of page layout in terms of user preferences, and optimize the speed at which various objects are arranged on a page in a pleasing manner. In addition, the resulting page layout may be consistent among pages because all pages are arranged according to a common algorithm.