Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system provides a method to associate related documents. The method acquires two associated documents and associates the related portions together. When the method acquires a portion of one of the document, it identifies the portion acquired, and provides the related portion of the other document.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for using document separator sheets is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning a plurality of sheets having a plurality of documents to be added to one or more collections, identifying the start of each of the plurality of documents based on a separator page preceding each of the plurality of documents, and adding the plurality of documents to the one or more collections.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable network architecture comprising networked office appliances which provide network addressing, network naming, service discovery, and user identification in one system. The network architecture provides automatic configuration services for unadministered networks while being automatically adaptable within administered environments.

Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media and is operated via a user interface. The user interface includes a touch screen for accepting command inputs and providing information to a user. Time-based media data is received by the printer from a media source specified via the user interface. A user specifies one or more multimedia processing functions for the printer to apply to the data. The printer performs the specified functions, and previews the output to the user via a display of the user interface. If the user decides to print the previewed output, the user specifies one or more output devices, such that the printer can print conventional printed output and/or to a specified electronic output.

Abstract: Methods and method and apparatus are disclosed herein for marking electronic documents with one or more persistent selection marks. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving input representing one or more marks on a document image; determining whether the one or more marks represents a selection of a persistent selectable area that delineates information in the document image; and storing data corresponding to the selection to enable a user in the future to obtain the information in the document image by performing an action with respect to the one or more marks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and/or using a stamp sheet is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first image of a first overview of a first collection of media objects, where the first image has graphical content representing the media objects and a first machine readable pointer to identify the first collection. The method also includes receiving a second image of a second overview of a second collection of media objects, wherein the second image has graphical content representing the media objects and a second machine readable pointer to identify the second collection, and identifying at least one location in at least one indication area on the first image having a mark therein, where the location being associated with graphical content represents at least one of the media objects. The method also includes adding the at least one media object to the second collection.

Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media. Based on received time-based media data, the printer produces a paper or other printed output as well as a related electronic output. Together, the printed and electronic outputs provide a representation of the time-based media. Depending on the desired application for the printer, the printer may include any combination of mechanisms for receiving media data, printing the printed output, and producing the electronic output.

Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media and is operated via a user interface. The user interface includes a touch screen for accepting command inputs and providing information to a user. Time-based media data is received by the printer from a media source specified via the user interface. A user specifies one or more multimedia processing functions for the printer to apply to the data. The printer performs the specified functions, and previews the output to the user via a display of the user interface. If the user decides to print the previewed output, the user specifies one or more output devices, such that the printer can print conventional printed output and/or to a specified electronic output.

Abstract: A distributed peer-to-peer document archive system provides version-control, security, access control, linking among stored documents and remote access to documents usually associated with centralized storage systems while still providing the simplicity, personalization and robustness to network outages associated with personal and peer-to-peer storage systems. A “keyring” is an encrypted repository that allows a user to recover and access a user's entire digital archive with a single master key. After the key is created, it does not need to be updated, and can be stored in a safe, safety-deposit box or other secure location. In the event the user's computer is stolen or destroyed, the user need only install the system on a new machine and import the master key. The system will then use that key to browse nearby servers to find and decrypt all files necessary to recreate the full digital archive in its most recent state.

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 displaying information related to collection hierarchies. In one embodiment, an integrated direct-manipulation image-based interface is provided for displaying information related to collections. The interface also enables operations to be performed on collections and their elements. Multiple levels of the collection hierarchy are made visible and editable at the same time by the user interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording associations with logs are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a first media identifier corresponding to a first media; accessing a log that contains one or more entries that associate two or more media identifiers with each other; and determining that the first media is related to a second media based on the log indicating that a second media identifier is associated with, but different from, the first media identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and/or using trustworthy timestamps and certifiable clocks using logs linked by cryptographic hashes. In one embodiment, the method comprises maintaining a first, chained-hash log; associating a first clock with the chained-hash log, and entangling the first log; with a second by adding a time-stamped synchronization entry to the chained-hash log, where the synchronization entry has a second time indication associated with the second log and a hash of one or more entries in the first log.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for searching unconsciously captured documents and publishing the results are disclosed. Documents processed by one or more networked devices are saved to a storage device coupled to the network. The documents can be searched to retrieve desired documents. In one embodiment, the desired documents are published in response to a single user action, for example, a mouse click or a spoken command. The documents can be published, for example, on the World Wide Web via a Web server or other devices. The documents can also be published to other networks, distributed via electronic mail, or published in any other manner.

Abstract: A system and method for a printer that receives a data containing multimedia information or a pointer to multimedia content and performs various actions in accordance with the received document. The printer may retrieve the multimedia content based on pointers within the document or the document itself may include multimedia content.

Abstract: A graphical user interface that presents document destinations in terms of recipient objects readily familiar to the user is provided by the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for specifying delivery information for electronic documents can include the step of displaying a plurality of potential recipients to a user. Responsive to input from the user, the method can select at least one potential recipient from the plurality of potential recipients to form a plurality of selected recipients. The method then performs a scanning operation of a document to form an electronic copy of the document. The electronic copy of the document can be transmitted to the plurality of selected recipients. A step of incorporating the electronic copy of the document into a database belonging to each of the plurality of selected recipients is also included in the method.

Abstract: Techniques that enable a device to advertise its mode of operation using an RFID tag attached to the device. Techniques are provided for programmatically controlling an RFID tag. An RFID tag attached to a device is programmatically enabled or disabled depending upon the mode(s) of operation of the device. The RFID tag is able to transmit a signal when enabled and not able to transmit a signal when disabled. Using such a controllable RFID tag, a device can efficiently indicate or advertise its mode of operation to an RFID reader or sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for providing relevant information to a user based on information or documents accessed or viewed by the user. The relevant information is provided automatically to the user without requiring user input. The information provided to the user is selected from information provided by various content provider systems. The present invention uses several techniques to determine relevancy between the contents of the document accessed by the user and between the information provided by the content provider systems. The relevancy information is used to select information to be provided to the user.

Abstract: A multimedia output device having embedded encryption functionality enables the outputting of content in an encrypted form. The multimedia output device receives the content to be encrypted, encrypts the content, and generates an electronic output of the encrypted content. The multimedia output device also generates an associated paper output that provides information about the decryption, such as a key, an identification of the electronic output of the encrypted content, and optionally a description of the contents of the content encrypted.

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.