Abstract: The method discloses: scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier; comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers; adding the identifier to the set of prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than a predetermined similarity with any identifier within the set of prerecorded identifiers; linking the identifier to a set of information; scanning the original copy a second time; matching the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of the original copy; and retrieving the set of information in response to the matching. The system discloses: a computer system; a handwritten identifier; an imaging device for scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier; an image processing and matching module for comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers; a linking module for linking the identifier to a set of information.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a protocol for communications across a securable communication channel between a first device and a second device. The protocol includes the transmission of a plurality of uniquely identifiable messages which each include security-related data, from the first device to the second device. The protocol includes determining whether a subset of messages that are received by the second device comply with at least one predetermined message criterion and are identifiable as having been sent from the first device. In the event that said subset of messages are determined to comply with the predetermined verification criterion (or criteria) and are identifiable as having been sent from the first device, the security-related data is determined to have been successfully communicated to the second device.

Abstract: In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for verifying that a secure association has been formed between a first device and a second device. The method includes, enabling a user of the first device to select a verification indicator, and encrypting the verification indicator using an encryption key of the first device to form cipher text. The cipher text is then communication to the second device using a multi-part communication protocol, and decrypted using an encryption key of the second device to obtain a received verification indicator. The method includes verifying the association is secure if the received verification indicator is the same as the selected verification indicator.

Abstract: A system and methodology associated with identifying physical objects using computer network technology. Objects having electronically obtainable identifiers include a URL associated with the identifier that is to a web page of identifying material associated the corresponding object. The identifying material may include hyperlinks to the Internet. Authentication for hyperlinks from physical entities to web resources is provided. One embodiment is a system for authenticating an https-URL hyperlink associated with a physical object, including: an indentifier mechanism allied with the physical object, having an output signal; and associated with said output signal, a web page providing identifying material associated with the physical object along said hyperlink associated therewith, wherein only a designated set of certificates limited to actual physical location of said physical object to authenticate the https-URL.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilizing visually distinctive bar code symbols are described. An article is provided with a bar code symbol including a bar code. The bar code comprises a sequence of first and second element types. The bar code symbol is made visually distinctive through one of the following features: a) at least one bar code element is not a single straight line segment; b) a contour of a bounding shape of the smallest area encompassing the bar code has at least two adjacent sides that are not perpendicular; or c) a contour of a bounding shape of the smallest area encompassing an encoding region has no side such that one end of all the bar code elements within the region touches that side. A selectable resolver is used to identify a resource for the encoded value. The resolver may access the resource to provide additional information about the article.