Abstract: An improved universal remote control unit (URC) for controlling electronic appliance units. The URC unit has the typical remote controller module for controlling appliances such as TV, stereo, VCR or DVD. Additionally, the URC has a scratch pad memory for storing telephone numbers and web site information entered through the URC unit's alphanumeric keys. When activated, the key pad entries are stored in the memory, instead of being used to control the appliance. The URC unit further has a digital recorder module that can be implemented with a microphone, a voice recorder chip and a speaker, all integrated with the URC unit. The digital recorder module can even use the battery that is typically used by the URC unit. The URC unit further has a display screen to display the information stored in and recalled from the memory.

Abstract: A method and system of using the Internet to retrieve printed articles from printed media. The method of the present invention first tags each printed article that is to be published in print. The tag is also printed with the printed article to allow readers to identify. The printed article and its tag are collected and stored in a database, which is accessible through the Internet or the Worldwide Web. When a reader finds a printed article of interest to the reader on the print version of the media, the reader sends a request with the tag to the database. Upon receiving the request and the tag, the database is searched to locate the printed article. Upon locating the stored printed article in the database, it is transmitted to the reader's computer or to the reader's email address. Such article can now be stored, filed, distributed, shared in anyway the reader sees fit, all without having to labor through the traditional manual clipping tasks.

Abstract: An improved universal remote control unit (URC) for home entertainment units. The URC has the typical remote controller module for controlling appliances such as TV, stereo, VCR or DVD. Additionally, the URC has a built-in digital recorder module for recording the consumer's voice, or any audio messages from the appliances. The digital recorder module can be implemented with a microphone, a voice recorder chip and a speaker, all integrated with the URC unit. The digital recorder module can even use the battery that is typically used by the URC. The URC alternatively can be implemented with a memory and display screen, coupled to the number keys. Such arrangement allows the telephone information to be punched in, using the numeric keys on the URC, stored in the memory for display.

Abstract: A method and system of using the Internet to retrieve printed articles from printed media. The method of the present invention first tags each printed article that is to be published in print. The tag is also printed with the printed article to allow readers to identify. The printed article and its tag are collected and stored in a database, which is accessible through the Internet or the Worldwide Web. When a reader finds a printed article of interest to the reader on the print version of the media, the reader sends a request with the tag to the database. Upon receiving the request and the tag, the database is searched to locate the printed article. Upon locating the stored printed article in the database, it is transmitted to the reader's computer or to the reader's email address. Such article can now be stored, filed, distributed, shared in anyway the reader sees fit, all without having to labor through the traditional manual clipping tasks.

Abstract: An improved universal remote control unit (URC) for home entertainment units. The URC has the typical remote controller module for controlling appliances such as TV, stereo, VCR or DVD. Additionally, the URC has a built-in digital recorder module for recording the consumer's voice, or any audio messages from the appliances. The digital recorder module can be implemented with a microphone, a voice recorder chip and a speaker, all integrated with the URC unit. The digital recorder module can even use the battery that is typically used by the URC. The URC alternatively can be implemented with a memory and display screen, coupled to the number keys. Such arrangement allows the telephone information to be punched in, using the numeric keys on the URC, stored in the memory for display.