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 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 embodiment, an MMR document is retrieved based on recognition of a paper document. Responsive to the comparison of the paper document and the virtual multimedia document, an action is performed. For example, the media of the matching MMR document can be displayed, or an action associated with the matching MMR document can be performed.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system 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 as a second medium. The MMR system of the present invention provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system 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 as a second medium. The MMR system of the present invention provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.

Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system associated techniques are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes a MMR brokerage network having a customer, an MMR broker, an MMR service bureau and an MMR clearinghouse. The MMR brokerage network allows these entities to interact to provide a unified point of business access for the customer who wants to add MMR functionality to a document. Furthermore, the MMR system of the present invention facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a cellular camera phone, and a paper document. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for operation of a MMR brokerage network, a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for returning an object which has been lost to its proper owner. A protective shipping container is sent to a person who has found a lost object (“finder”) at the address specified by the finder. Upon receiving the shipping container, the finder inserts the found object and removes a separable portion of the shipping container on which the finder's address is identified. In doing so, address identifying information of the object owner, which is pre-printed and/or pre-affixed to the shipping container, is exposed which facilitates the sending of the shipping container containing the found object to its owner. The separable portion of the shipping container also contains a reward which is provided to the finder as an incentive for returning the item. The finder seals the shipping container so that it may be sent via a courier such as the U.S. Postal Service or Federal Express.

Abstract: A system for providing insurance associated with a lost-and-found service, according to which a person and/or item (the “insured”) is covered by an insurance policy that provides compensation in the event of at least one of loss, theft, damage, and/or destruction of an item, and in association with said insurance, also receives one or more services that facilitate the return of the item if it is lost or stolen. The insurance policy pays for the facilitation of the return of an item if it is lost by the insured and subsequently found and reported to a lost-and-found service provider. The insured pays the insurance provider a deductible for the return of the previously insured and/or lost item.

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 mixed media document may also include hotspot images that uniquely identify a user associated with the mixed media document. Such individualized mixed media documents are used to identify users of the mixed media document, when orders for products or services are made using the mixed media documents through the MMR system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for process logging are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises accessing a log having one or more log entries that contain a first data indicative of a set of one or more processing operations, a second data indicative of an input to the one or more processing operations, and a third data indicative of an output of the one or more processing operations; and verifying one or more processing operations were performed based on information in one or more of the log entries of the log.

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.