Abstract: An automated test to tell computers and humans apart is disclosed, comprising displaying on a computer screen an animation comprising of a foreground and a background, one of the foreground comprising a plurality of typographical characters and the other comprising partial obstruction of the typographical characters, and wherein the animation comprises relative motion between the background and foreground. The automated test may comprise displaying on a computer screen an image, and requiring the user to perform operation on the image to resolve an encoded solution. The test may also comprise displaying on a computer screen a video clip, and requiring a user to provide an input corresponding to subject matter presented in the video clip.

Abstract: A system that assures a user that two specific devices have exchanged information correctly over an insecure communication channel. In a typical application, the channel would be a wireless network connection and the information would consist of the public keys of the two devices. The exchanged public keys would subsequently be used to secure any further communication between the two devices. The system requires that both devices have an output modality interpretable by a human. One of the devices must have an input modality that can be operated by the user. The input and output modalities can be very simple e.g., they can consist of a button and LEDs. The users would press the button multiple times. On each press, the LEDs on both devices display a color and the user compares the colors and that they are synchronous. A noticeable delay or color difference signifies a security threat.

Abstract: Techniques for media segmentation are disclosed. A number of measures used to generate similarity values are compared. Two different approaches to calculate feature vectors based on pairwise frame similarity in combination with different kernel functions are disclosed. A supervised classification method is used with the feature vectors to assess segment boundaries.

Abstract: Passive wands, tracked by one or more cameras, are used as user interface devices. The wands are inexpensive, and are a natural way for users to interact with devices such as large displays. Each wand may be used to specify a full 6 degrees of freedom, which can be helpful for manipulation of 3D applications. The wands may also be used to identify 3D world points, which is useful for multi-camera calibration, and for building 3D models of physical spaces. The described methods provide a more precise estimation of wand pose, and can be implemented with a single camera. Also described is a method for estimation wand pose using information available along a one dimensional ‘line scan’ within the image, which simplifies processing.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining relevant information from a document based on document structure. A document is selected and structural elements within the document having a dominance relationship are determined. A first location within the document is selected. The structural element surrounding the first location is determined and the surrounding and non-surrounding structural elements are characterized. Additional documents are associated with the first location in the surrounding structural element based on the surrounding structural element characterization and the non-surrounding structural element characterization. Techniques for dynamically determining annotations for images based on document structure are also provided.

Abstract: A system for providing a dynamic audio-visual environment using an eSurface situated in a room environment; a projector situated for projecting images onto the eSurface; a camera situated to picture the room environment; a central processor coupled to the eSurface, the projector and the camera. The processor receives pictures from the camera for detecting the location of the eSurface; and controls the projector to aim its projection beam onto the eSurface. The eSurface is a sheet-like surface having the property of accepting optically projected image when powered, and retaining the projected image after the power is turned off.

Abstract: Described is a method and a system for providing user interaction with various devices that incorporates adaptable visual and haptic stimuli. Both the visual and tactile elements of this user interface are aligned with each other and are animated in such a way as to convey more information to the user of such a system than is possible with traditional user interfaces. An implementation of the inventive user interface device includes a flexible and/or stretchable two-dimensional (2D) display membrane covering a set of moving parts, forming a hybrid two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) user interface. The flexible display membrane provides detailed imagery, while the moving parts provide a low relief tactile information to the user. Both the detailed imagery and the low relief tactile information are coordinated together as to the timing, to enable a coordinated user interface experience for the user.

Abstract: A system that assures a user that two specific devices have exchanged information correctly over an insecure communication channel. In a typical application, the channel would be a wireless network connection and the information would consist of the public keys of the two devices. The exchanged public keys would subsequently be used to secure any further communication between the two devices. The system requires that both devices have an output modality interpretable by a human. One of the devices must have an input modality that can be operated by the user. The input and output modalities can be very simple e.g., they can consist of a button and LEDs. The users would press the button multiple times. On each press, the LEDs on both devices display a color and the user compares the colors and that they are synchronous. A noticeable delay or color difference signifies a security threat.

Abstract: Passive wands, tracked by one or more cameras, are used as user interface devices. The wands are inexpensive, and are a natural way for users to interact with devices such as large displays. Each wand may be used to specify a full 6 degrees of freedom, which can be helpful for manipulation of 3D applications. The wands may also be used to identify 3D world points, which is useful for multi-camera calibration, and for building 3D models of physical spaces. The described methods provide a more precise estimation of wand pose, and can be implemented with a single camera. Also described is a method for estimation wand pose using information available along a one dimensional ‘line scan’ within the image, which simplifies processing.

Abstract: A layer that assumes either opaque or transparent state depending on the applied voltage is utilized to secure printed matter. The layer may also require an electrical or optical switching signal to switch between the opaque and transparent states. The layer is provided above the document to be secured and is set to the opaque state so as to obscure the contents of the document. When a prescribed voltage is applied, the layer turns to its transparent state. However, the voltage can only be applied to the security layer in the presence of a security key. A recording system may be employed to log all key-enabled access to the document.

Abstract: An automated test to tell computers and humans apart is disclosed, comprising displaying on a computer screen an animation comprising of a foreground and a background, one of the foreground comprising a plurality of typographical characters and the other comprising partial obstruction of the typographical characters, and wherein the animation comprises relative motion between the background and foreground. The automated test may comprise displaying on a computer screen an image, and requiring the user to perform operation on the image to resolve an encoded solution. The test may also comprise displaying on a computer screen a video clip, and requiring a user to provide an input corresponding to subject matter presented in the video clip.

Abstract: Described is a technique for providing shared access to an encrypted portable memory device which improves both usability and security by allowing the owner of the encrypted storage device to designate access to specified files only to the next host to mount the secure disk. The number of steps required to perform a file sharing operation is greatly reduced with this system and access to the contents of the protected storage device can be granted with greater granularity.

Abstract: A system for providing a dynamic audio-visual environment using an eSurface situated in a room environment; a projector situated for projecting images onto the eSurface; a camera situated to picture the room environment; a central processor coupled to the eSurface, the projector and the camera. The processor receives pictures from the camera for detecting the location of the eSurface; and controls the projector to aim its projection beam onto the eSurface. The eSurface is a sheet-like surface having the property of accepting optically projected image when powered, and retaining the projected image after the power is turned off.

Abstract: Techniques for generating temporary digital ink on media are provided. Marks or gestures are made using one or more temporary digital inks on media, such as an digital document. Digital ink may be dynamically determined to be permanent or temporary. Each mark or gesture using temporary digital inks may fade based on at least one condition. The conditions include a predetermined time determined based on, a first stroke of the temporary digital ink, completion of the temporary digital ink, appearance of the temporary digital ink to another user, a first stroke of a succeeding group of digital ink, and a stroke of the succeeding digital ink is completed. Conditions may also include changing display attributes, such as color and thickness of digital ink, and fading or switching in reaction to an audio or video signal.

Abstract: Techniques for generating temporary digital ink on media are provided. Marks or gestures are made using one or more temporary digital inks on media, such as an digital document. Digital ink may be dynamically determined to be permanent or temporary. Each mark or gesture using temporary digital inks may fade based on at least one condition. The conditions include a predetermined time determined based on, a first stroke of the temporary digital ink, completion of the temporary digital ink, appearance of the temporary digital ink to another user, a first stroke of a succeeding group of digital ink, and a stroke of the succeeding digital ink is completed. Conditions may also include changing display attributes, such as color and thickness of digital ink, and fading or switching in reaction to an audio or video signal.

Abstract: A programmable smart membrane and methods therefor. The smart membrane conducts an overall function on at least one of a sorting function, a filtering function and an absorbing function of at least one object having an attribute. The smart membrane includes a plurality of module units disposed adjacent each other. Each of the plurality of module units obtains information from an environment around each of the plurality of module units. The plurality of module units also each perform a function based on at least a first control method that determines the function based on the information for each of the plurality of module units. Wherein the plurality of module units individually perform function to collectively perform the overall function of the membrane based on the attribute of the object.

Abstract: A programmable smart membrane and methods therefor. The smart membrane conducts an overall function on at least one of a sorting function, a filtering function and an absorbing function of at least one object having an attribute. The smart membrane includes a plurality of module units disposed adjacent each other. Each of the plurality of module units obtains information from an environment around each of the plurality of module units. The plurality of module units also each perform a function based on at least a first control method that determines the function based on the information for each of the plurality of module units. Wherein the plurality of module units individually perform function to collectively perform the overall function of the membrane based on the attribute of the object.