Abstract: An independently verifiable system and method for the exchange of a sequence of tokens corresponding to units of currency. A credit or unit of currency is represented by a digital image referred to as a graphical token which may be displayed on an electronic viewing device or printed on paper. Each token contains a digital code that uniquely identifies the previous graphical token in a series of exchanges. After generating a token, a first user provides that token to a second user in order to initiate an exchange. The second user may choose to verify the validity and currency of the token before accepting the token. Either user may choose to register the token and any parameters associated with the exchange with a registry system. Once a user accepts a token, they may choose to issue a new token in the sequence. They may also choose to redeem the token for the credit associated with a sequence of tokens.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device including a wireless communication interface and a user interface, and instructions stored in a tangible computer-readable memory. The instructions include instructions to provide a graphical user interface, receive at the graphical user interface instructions for creating an invitation including a destination and a list of invitees, send to a server a description of the invitation, receive from the server a notification that the invitation was delivered, and instruct the first wearable device to indicate that the invitation was delivered.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request regarding a first document, retrieving a second document from a cache, the second document having a pre-existing relationship with the first document, extracting data from the second document image data, applying image processing to the first document using the extracted data from the second document image data to create a third document and printing the third document.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating and improving communication using a sponsored registry are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a client search module and a client info retrieval module. The client search module receives a search request from a first provider including one or more search parameters associated with a client, searches one or more distributed sponsored databases based on the one or more search parameters, obtains search results from the one or more distributed sponsored databases including a search result associated with the client, wherein any particular client is sponsored by one sponsored database at most, and sends the search results for display to the first provider. The client info retrieval module receives a request for the client's data and information including the selection of the client from the search results and retrieves the client's data and information from the sponsored database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for synchronizing distributed work. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first and second metadata entries, adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object, and providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, where the first and second unique identifiers are based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

Abstract: A system for converting a collection of data to a structured, printable and navigable document includes: an analyzer and a layout unit. The analyzer is coupled to receive a data collection source such as a web page associated with a wiki and other user parameters, and generates a representation of content associated with the data collection source. The output of the analyzer is coupled to an input of the layout unit to provide the representation of content. The layout unit is also coupled to receive a style sheet or other user preferences. The linearizer of the layout unit retrieves the necessary content using the representation of content. The retrieved content is then formatted by the layout selector of the layout unit to generate a paginated document and metadata. This output can then be printed on any conventional printer or manipulated and interacted with using applications or a web browser.

Abstract: Techniques for managing media objects are provided. The techniques include providing an algorithm configured to generate an identifier (ID) based on content of a first media object. The ID is then generated for the first media object. The ID allows the first device to identify the first media object to a second device. The second device is configured to use the ID to determine if a second media object associated with the ID is accessible to the second device. Also, the determination is made notwithstanding source information for the first and second media objects or digital rights restrictions imposed on the first and second media objects, where the first media object and second media object include substantially identical content.

Abstract: The system includes a registry server and devices. The registry server is coupled to the devices for publishing or registering spots, managing places and authenticating membership and places. The registry server includes a data store for constraint metadata, an authentication module, a spot manager module, a place manager module and a query response module. The devices are adapted to collect field values, create spots, access places, and interact and share information with other spots. In one embodiment, the devices include a constraint collection module, a spot creation module, a query module, a challenge creation module, a presentation module, a challenge response module, a spot action module and a spot communication module. The present invention includes methods for creating a spot, for generating and approving a challenge, for direct communication or sharing of documents, for performing an action based upon information space membership and for searching for available places.

Abstract: A workflow-enabled provider includes a service provider and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the service provider to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality. An advertisement monitor listens for broadcasts from the workflow manager regarding new clients. A request module and a response module handle the transfer of data and control signals between the workflow manager and the service provider. A process control module performs a plurality of processing functions including aggregating requests from clients, selecting requests it can service, presenting user interfaces, processing input via the service provider and controlling the service provider. The user interface module is coupled to the process control module and dynamically generates user interfaces for display by the service provider.

Abstract: A workflow-enabled client comprises a client and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the client to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality of the present invention. A communication manager of the workflow-enabled client has a registration unit that registers, and unregisters, the client with the workflow manager such as by providing a name, a data and other commands. A polling module uses a received location from the workflow manager to retrieve data. The process control module performs a plurality of processing functions such a processing polled data, storing it or providing it to other clients. The process control module can also initiate other clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for registering a client, a method for polling data, and a method for initiating other clients.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays a representation of stored information that may include information of one or more types. The displayed representation may include representations of information of the one or more types. The GUI enables a user to navigate and skim through the stored information and to analyze the contents of the stored information. The stored information may include information captured along the same timeline or along different timelines.

Abstract: An information stream (information stream) can be “bookmarked” with event markers to note points in time in the information stream of occurrences of interesting events. Repeat occurrences of an event are noted with the same event marker. The events of interest need not be a priori determined. In fact, unexpected events can be readily noted.

Abstract: A printing system enables the printing of enhanced documents using a semantic classification scheme. A printing system receives an image to be printed. The system classifies the image according to the semantic classification scheme and, based on this classification, performs enhancement processing on the image. Depending on the desired application, the printing system may recognize and classify any number of image types and may then perform various enhancement processing functions on the image, where the type of enhancement processing performed is based on the classification of the image.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling interactive whiteboard functionality using a disappearing writing medium. In one set of embodiments, an image of a surface can be received, where the image can include one or more physical marks made on the surface by a user. The physical marks can be made using a writing medium that is configured to disappear over time. Electronic representations of the physical marks can be generated based on the image, and the electronic representations can be displayed on the surface. The electronic representations can be displayed such that they visually replace the physical marks made on the surface as the physical marks fade and disappear.

Abstract: A system including a Multi Function Printer/Product/Peripheral (MFP) and a portable computing device adapted to allow automatic copying of documents by the MFP from the portable computing device. The portable computing device includes a display, a plurality of sensors for detecting light, a light detection module and a page changing module. The sensors are positioned to detect light from the MFP and trigger a page change automatically. The MFP in accordance with the present invention includes a scanner with a platen, a page change detection module, an image processing module, a device identification module, and a document matching & retrieval module. The page change detection module is adapted to receive the images presented by the portable computing device on the platen of the scanner for copying. The page change detection module detects changes and causes the MFP to scan and output a copy.

Abstract: The system includes a constraint-based registry server and a plurality of devices. The constraint-based registry server is coupled to the plurality of devices for publishing or registering spots, managing places and authenticating membership and places. The constraint-based registry server includes a data store for constraint metadata, an authentication module, a spot manager module, a place manager module and a query response module. The devices are adapted to collect field values, create spots, access places, and interact and share information with other spots. In one embodiment, the devices include a constraint collection module, a spot creation module, a query module, a challenge creation module, a presentation module, a challenge response module, a spot action module and a spot communication module.

Abstract: A workflow manager handles the communication between a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client. The workflow manager maintains a directory of clients, translates a transaction from a provider into multiple transactions suitable for the client, and handles security. In one embodiment, the workflow manager connects with the workflow-enabled client by registration and with the workflow-enabled provider by advertising and activation. Subsequent communications between the workflow manager and the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client are with a request/response protocol. The workflow manager also comprises data storage for storing data for transmission to the workflow-enabled client or the workflow-enabled provider, and workflow storage for storing information related to registered clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for a method for registering a client and a method for activating a provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for using rewritable sheets. In one embodiment, the method comprises representing a first collection of media objects using a first sheet having a first identifier and a first graphical content representing the media objects, creating a second collection of media objects from the first collection of media objects, and re-marking the first sheet to include a second identifier and to have a second graphical content representing the second collection of media objects.

Abstract: A system for editing audio objects in which a variety of audio objects are represented as images and laid out in a 2 dimensional visual environment. The system includes a display unit, a processing unit, a user interface unit, and a device for playing/receiving audio. The system has the capability to perform a variety of editing functions, such as the recording and playback of audio content, joining and splitting audio objects, and reordering audio objects. Additionally, the system includes functionality to automatically recording new content when sound is detected above a set threshold. Furthermore, the system includes functionality for linking portions of audio objects to media objects such as HTML documents and video.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling and/or providing delayed decryption is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving encrypted information and additional information and decrypting the encrypted information, using the additional information, no sooner than a specified time. The additional information includes data indicative of the time.