Abstract: Information decoded from a barcode or other machine-readable code within an image file is stored as character-based data in an auxiliary field, such as a comment field, of the image file. Subsequently, the information can be extracted from the auxiliary field so as to avoid the need to repeat the image analysis and decoding operation. In one aspect, the extracted data is validated to ensure that it is consistent with the machine-readable code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to receive an image and to create a smaller representation of the image from a wavelet representation of the image is described. The size of the smaller representation of the image is selected to compensate for the content of the image and physical properties of the display device to display the smaller representation of the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a communications appliance is provided. The method comprising a communication station receiving semi-structured data from a personal digital assistant (PDA) in a format native to the PDA, and parsing the semi-structured data to identify a type of the semi-structured data. If the semi-structured data is destination data, sending a job to a destination indicated by the semi-structured data.

Abstract: A display showing an imported story track, an authored story track, and a story-in-progress track. Each story contains one or more objects. The display also shows a large photo corresponding to a selected object in a story. Furthermore, the display also provides visual forms showing audio clips associated with the large photo displayed. The photo may have more than one associated audio clips. Control buttons are available to navigate among the three tracks and among the objects on each track. Other control buttons allow a user to record audio clips and to author new stories.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for document management including assigning labels to gaps in document production. The gaps may correspond to events that caused an individual to begin and/or cease production/modification of documents. Such events can be, for example, a vacation, a business trip, a meeting, etc. The labels can be used for document retrieval purposes. In one embodiment predetermined events, either predefined or user-defined, are used to automatically label gaps in document production. In one embodiment, the invention provides links to documents that correspond to gaps in document production where the links can be used for document retrieval purposes.

Abstract: A method and a system that combine capabilities for storing, authoring, and viewing various forms of digital media are described. In one embodiment, an exemplary method includes accepting a cartridge having a slot for receiving a media card storing a plurality of media objects, displaying the plurality of media objects in reduced visual representations displayed in a plurality of tracks, and navigating among the reduced visual representations.

Abstract: A system for receiving, sending and creating multimedia messages includes an audio communication device, a visual output device, a remote access system and a multimedia message system. The audio communication device is coupled to the remote access system to provide audio input and control signals, and also for receiving the audio portions of multimedia messages. The remote access system also couples the visual output device to the multimedia message system for accessing the visual portions of multimedia messages. The multimedia message system has the capability to generate an image of the message in response to a user request and send that image to the remote access system, and then to the visual output device to the user. The image is augmented to include indices that the user may input via the audio communication device to perform specified actions with the various portions of the message.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a message is composed on a display, and a first set of documents including a user's current context pertaining to the message is identified. Further, a second set of documents related to the first set of documents is automatically provided, allowing for inclusion of any document in the second set of documents into the message being composed.

Abstract: Techniques for archiving audio information communicated between members of a group using an audio communication system such as a point-to-multipoint audio communication system. The archived audio information can then be retrieved by members of the group or by any other user at any time subsequent to the live transmission of the audio information. Audio information communications between communication devices used by members of a group are monitored and recorded. The recorded audio information is then analyzed to identify one or more conversation portions in the audio information. Audio information corresponding to the conversation portions is then archived. The archived information is then available for retrieval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning and/or printing barcodes is described. In one embodiment, the method includes scanning a barcode at a first location with a device, storing the scanned barcode in a memory in the device, and printing the barcode at a second location with the device, where the second location and first location are not the same.

Abstract: Techniques for techniques for printing stored or recorded information that may include information of one or more types and may be stored in one or more multimedia documents. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that facilitates printing of information stored by the one or more multimedia documents or portions of the information stored by the one or more multimedia documents.

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: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a network, a server and a browser client coupled to the network. The browser client is operable to receive server documents from the server via the network. The system also includes a printer coupled to the network. The printer is operable to retrieve server documents to be printed from the server upon receiving a command from the browser client. In another embodiment, the browser is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) coupled to the network. The PDA is operable to receive server documents from the server via the network. In this embodiment, the printer is adaptable to retrieve server documents to be printed from the server upon receiving a command from the PDA.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a customized digital image using one or more digital images. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the customized image generated by the present invention is composed using one or more digital images accessible to an image generation system. The positions of the one or more digital images in the customized image are determined by another digital image accessible to the image generation system.

Abstract: A multimedia message system automatically generates visual representations (thumbnails) of message or media objects and references (links) between media objects; nests messages within themselves; and automatically updates generated thumbnails. An object, including a thumbnail image of the object's contents and a link to the original content, is created in response to simple user inputs or commands. An image of the object is generated whether the object be a web page, a multimedia message, a hypertext link, a video clip, or a document. A link or reference to the original object from which the image was formed is also generated. The system retrieves and displays information referenced by an object and shown by the thumbnail image corresponding to the object. The system also automatically updates the thumbnail image(s) representing an object any-time the underlying object or information from which the image was generated has been modified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for document management including assigning labels to gaps in document production. The gaps may correspond to events that caused an individual to begin and/or cease production/modification of documents. Such events can be, for example, a vacation, a business trip, a meeting, etc. The labels can be used for document retrieval purposes. In one embodiment predetermined events, either predefined or user-defined, are used to automatically label gaps in document production. In one embodiment, the invention provides links to documents that correspond to gaps in document production where the links can be used for document retrieval purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for document management including assigning labels to gaps in document production. The gaps may correspond to events that caused an individual to begin and/or cease production/modification of documents. Such events can be, for example, a vacation, a business trip, a meeting, etc. The labels can be used for document retrieval purposes. In one embodiment predetermined events, either predefined or user-defined, are used to automatically label gaps in document production. In one embodiment, the invention provides links to documents that correspond to gaps in document production where the links can be used for document retrieval purposes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the writing instrument described herein comprises a pen-like device containing three accelerometers and three gyroscopes. Data from these sensors are processed via an Euler transform. Prior to using the writing instrument, the user holds the writing instrument in multiple predefined positions and sensor readings are taken. The sensor readings are mapped to the corresponding predefined positions. In addition, the sensor readings are compared to expected sensor readings to compensate for environmental variations such as altitude or temperature as well as for the possible tilt of a writing surface. The sensor readings are interpolated to map sensor readings other than those at the predefined positions to other writing instrument positions. When the user writes with the writing instrument, sensor outputs are used to track the writing instrument to define strokes made by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for document management including assigning labels to gaps in document production. The gaps may correspond to events that caused an individual to begin and/or cease production/modification of documents. Such events can be, for example, a vacation, a business trip, a meeting, etc. The labels can be used for document retrieval purposes. In one embodiment predetermined events, either predefined or user-defined, are used to automatically label gaps in document production. In one embodiment, the invention provides links to documents that correspond to gaps in document production where the links can be used for document retrieval purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to precisely track the position of the writing instrument, specifically the writing end, such as the tip, of a pen. One embodiment of the invention described herein includes a writing instrument containing acceleration sensors and angular velocity sensors. Data from these sensors are processed via an Euler transform to determine the strokes made with the writing instrument. Corrections may be made to improve upon the output of the Euler transform. The data describing the strokes may include graphical representations of the strokes actually made with the writing instrument. Data describing the strokes may be stored or processed to accomplish a variety of tasks such as recording information, faxing a message, recording an appointment, or other such tasks.