Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a manufactured physical object includes surface features that encode information according to a code. Each respective surface feature consists of a bump on, or recess in, a surface of the object. Each respective surface feature by itself, regardless of any state of any other surface feature, encodes a sequence of multiple bits. The sequence is determined, at least in part, by a discrete elevation of the respective surface feature. At least three different discrete elevations of surface features are significant in the code. Also, one or more other parameters of the surface features may be significant in the code, such as discrete rotational orientation, discrete overall shape, discrete color, or presence or absence of the feature.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a manufactured physical object includes surface features that encode information according to a code. Each respective surface feature consists of a bump on, or recess in, a surface of the object. Each respective surface feature by itself, regardless of any state of any other surface feature, encodes a sequence of multiple bits. The sequence is determined, at least in part, by a discrete elevation of the respective surface feature. At least three different discrete elevations of surface features are significant in the code. Also, one or more other parameters of the surface features may be significant in the code, such as discrete rotational orientation, discrete overall shape, discrete color, or presence or absence of the feature.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a knowledge processing system performs decentralized knowledge acquisition from human experts. The system may store the acquired knowledge in a knowledge database. The system may include an AI expert system to apply computer reasoning to data stored in the knowledge database. The system may provide humanly perceptible outputs to human experts to increase the likelihood that the human experts will pay attention to requests for information or to other communications, contribute knowledge objects in response to a query, provide “high quality” information, tag knowledge objects in the database, or review knowledge objects.

Abstract: Described is a method for entry of information into a directory accessible to a caller telecommunications device. Information associated with a called telecommunications device is transmitted from the called telecommunications device over an auxiliary communication channel to a caller telecommunications device. The information is sent in response to an initiation of a communication, such as a voice communication, between the devices over a primary communication channel. An inquiry is presented to a user of the caller telecommunications device to determine if the received information is to be stored. If the user responds affirmatively, the information is stored in a directory in the caller telecommunications device or in a directory on a remote server accessible to the caller telecommunications device. In other embodiments one or more additional auxiliary communications channels are used to transmit or retrieve the information.

Abstract: A participant in a three dimensional computer-generated virtual environment is able to control a dispersion pattern of his Avatar's voice such that the Avatar's voice may be directionally enhanced using simple controls. The audio dispersion envelope is designed to extend further in front of the Avatar and less to the sides and rear of the Avatar. The audio dispersion envelope may be static or controllable by the participant to enable the distance that the Avatar's voice travels within the virtual environment to be adjusted. This enables the Avatar to whisper or “shout” in the virtual environment such that other Avatars normally outside of hearing range of the Avatar may selectively receive audio generated by the user. Separate audio streams are mixed for each user from audio generated by users with Avatars within their Avatar's dispersion envelope. The volume of audio from a user in the mixed audio stream depends on the separation of the Avatars within the virtual environment.

Abstract: A headset unit for interfacing user-supplied communications and audio player devices with a speaker or headphones. The headset unit includes a cradle having a first area for releasably holding the communications device and a second area for releasably holding the audio player. The cradle includes circuitry for electrically connecting the audio outlets of the telephone and audio player with a cradle audio outlet which may then be connected to headphones. Additional circuitry provides a plurality of audio control modes selectable by a user. Specifically, audio signals may be selectively received by the cradle audio outlet only from the telephone, only from the audio player, from both simultaneously, or only from the telephone during a call. A rechargeable power source is attached to the cradle for selectively recharging the telephone or audio player.

Abstract: A quasi-passive wake-up function for an electronic device that employs a continuous low power standby mode compares a received signal to a predetermined signal and wakes up the device when the received signal is the same as the predetermined signal. An electronic device having a quasi-passive wakeup function includes a receiver for receiving at least one stimulus signal, a comparator for comparing the received signal to a predetermined signal, and at least one logic gate for waking up the electronic device when the received stimulus signal is the predetermined signal. In one application, identification tags are used to distinguish a unique tagged item from among a plurality of items with a similar appearance. When an interrogation signal is not present, the tags sleep at a very low power level.

Abstract: Interaction with a computer network is facilitated or restricted based on a tangible token, such as a small card or disk, a small everyday article, a toy, or a product container. The token comprises a machine-readable indication, or “tag,” that identifies the token and which may be wirelessly read by a tag reader. The tag reader communicates the identifier to a computer connected to the network as a node. The computer, in response, determines and implements a network-access criterion based on the token. Generally, the computer maintains a database relating token identifiers to associated network-access criteria, and consults the database when presented with an identifier. The access criterion specifies information governing interaction between the computer and the network, and can serve to initiate connections or restrict them.