Abstract: Techniques for scanning and generating fingerprints for articles prior to the use of the articles. The fingerprinting of the articles is performed such that it is decoupled from the process of using the articles. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the use of the articles. In one embodiment, a printer is provided that is configured to generate fingerprints for paper sheets loaded into the printer prior to the paper sheets being available for printing. The pre-fingerprinted sheets are then made available for printing. In this manner, the process of fingerprinting of the paper sheets is decoupled from the printing operations performed by the printer. As a result, the fingerprinting process does not act as a bottleneck to the printing process.

Abstract: Techniques for sharing data between users in a manner that maintains anonymity of the users. Tokens are generated and provided to users for sharing data. A token comprises information encoding an identifier and an encryption key. A user may use a token to upload data that is to be shared. The data to be shared is encrypted using the encryption key associated with the token and the encrypted data is stored such that it can be accessed using the identifier associated with the token. A user may then use a token to access the shared data. The identifier associated with the token being used to access the shared data is used to access the data and the encryption key associated with the token is used to decrypt the data. Data is shared anonymously without revealing the identity of the users using the tokens.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a token that can be used to transfer value. The token may be used to transfer value in a value-based transaction with a vendor in a way that is secure and safe and maintains anonymity of the source of the value and preserves secrecy of information that should preferably not be disclosed to an untrusted third party such as a vendor. The token comprises sufficient information that enables value to be transferred from an account associated with the token to a vendor during a value-based transaction. Such a token may be presented by a user to a vendor in a value-based transaction with the purpose of transferring value involved in the transaction to the vendor in order to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A system for using accelerometer-based detection of physical movement for document sharing provides easy and intuitive ways to securely share documents, even without passwords, between computing devices. The system of the present invention includes: at least two computing devices that each have a motion detection device capable of detecting sudden movements and generating a unique signature. The unique signature can then be used to generate signatures or shared secrets for controlling the transfer of data between devices. The motion detection device is capable of detecting sudden movement such as the tapping of the two computing devices together, tapping a stack of computing devices, tossing a computing device in the air. The system may optionally include an intermediary device such as a server for transferring the documents or files between computing devices such that only a small decryption key and file pointer is needed to share records between computing devices.

Abstract: A multilayer input/output device with a low power and a high resolution display suitable for use in paper-like computing includes a first display layer, a second display layer, an input layer and control logic. The first display layer is a low power display. The second display layer is a fast, transparent display positioned on top of the first layer. The input layer is a layer for detecting input movements or gestures by the user. The control logic is coupled to the first display layer, the second display layer and the input layer for controlling their operation according the method of the present invention. The method of the present invention selectively operates the second display layer to present movement detected by the input layer. At a predetermined time, the information presented on the second display is transferred to and presented on the first display.

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: A method and apparatus for automatically scanning and/or rewriting a machine readable code (MRC) of a document are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes capturing an original machine-readable code (MRC) at a location of a document and generating a new MRC based on the original MRC. The new MRC represents the same data as the original MRC. The method also includes replacing the original MRC with the new MRC in the electronic version of the document at substantially the same location as the original MRC in the document. The electronic version of the document may then be stored and/or printed.

Abstract: User interface for creating and using media keys. A user interface is provided for outputting media data corresponding to one or more media keys. The same user interface may be used to output media data of different types. The user interface provides user selectable options for performing various actions such as scanning one or more media keys, accessing and loading media data corresponding to media keys, performing actions on the media data accessed for the media keys, generating media keys, creating collections and media keys for collections, performing actions on collections, and other actions.

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: Using a digital camera, special markers, and a computer system, an image is taken of an existing surface that is usually a driveway or a walkway. The boundary of the surface to be modified is manually or automatically selected and the markers are also either manually or automatically selected. The user selects a simulation material and, using the boundary and marker geometry, a new surface is calculated to cover the original surface in the image to give the old surface the appearance of being made of the new chosen material.

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: 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: 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 system for quickly finding a point in a virtual environment "on the gro" or beneath another point involves finding the intersection of a "ground" polygon representing the terrain with a single ray representing the direction of gravity emanating from the original point. After appropriate polygons are selected, they are intersected with the gravity vector to determine which ones are just under the point in question, with the closest point being returned as the ground point. Polygons are sorted into a variable depth quadtree structure, where the leaves contain a predetermined maximum number of polygons, with each quadtree node being subdivided based on a polygon vertex located inside the current quadtree node. A planar space subdivision of each quadtree node is created using the edges of the polygons that overlap that node. The system for rapid ground point determination intersects lines of a predetermined orientation, e.g.

Abstract: A system for virtual environments in which graphical objects are depicted in a space to achieve the required high accuracy regardless of location through establishing locales or subdivisions of the global coordinate system and establishing an origin for each locale, such that the specification of position and movement of a graphical object in the locale can be made with greater precision than using a global coordinate system, thus eliminating the need for high-precision floating point processors or emulation. The system permits designers of virtual environments to work independently on their locales, with overlap being controlled through specifying distance between locale origins as well as relative orientation between the locales. The system also permits ignoring information from non-relevant distant locales to, minimize processing and network bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A system for unencumbered measurement of body posture or attitude utilizes on-encumbering force or proximity sensors to monitor an individual, where the individual need not be aware of the presence or action of the sensors. Outputs from these sensors are analyzed to infer body posture or attitude. In one embodiment, a set of sensors is attached to a chair, or other surroundings such as the floor, at locations where a person may be in contact with or in close proximity to one or more of the sensors or where movement of the chair could be detected. Each sensor has an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of the sensor to forces exerted by or motions of the individual. The outputs of the sensors are processed to estimate the body posture of the individual.