Abstract: A document authentication system and method combine digital and non-electronic (or visual) authentication methodologies in an integrated, unified manner. As well as providing indicia of digital authentication, the invention generates a physical artifact that can be validated by unaided human visual perception. The present invention thus provides an opportunity to improve the level of trust in authentication of documents, while preserving the advantages of both traditional and digital authentication mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a communications appliance is provided. The method comprising a communication station receiving semi-structured data from a personal digital assistant (PDA) in a format native to the PDA, and parsing the semi-structured data to identify a type of the semi-structured data. If the semi-structured data is destination data, sending a job to a destination indicated by the semi-structured data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling and/or providing delayed decryption is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving encrypted information and additional information and decrypting the encrypted information, using the additional information, no sooner than a specified time. The additional information includes data indicative of the time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for retrieving electronic documents based upon images captured using an image capture device. One or more images captured by a user using an image capture device are used to search a set of documents to retrieve one or more documents that match the search query. The one or more documents retrieved by the search may then be provided to the user or some other recipient.

Abstract: A networked information appliance for use on a network, comprising a plurality of agency base units, wherein each base unit is configured on the network with an address and a plurality of agent cards, wherein each agent card includes state for at least one functionality that is provided to a user of the network at an address dependent on the address of the agency base unit into which the agent card is mounted.

Abstract: According to the invention, a visitor kiosk for the capture and storage of personal information about visitors. The visitor kiosk is placed at the entry point to a facility being monitored. Each visitor signs in at the kiosk. Their business card and an image of their face are scanned. If they do not have a business card, their name and company are entered manually. They also enter the name of the person they are visiting and the purpose for their visit. The person they are visiting is notified of the arrival of the visitor by email or by voice telephone. The data about the visitor is stored locally or remotely. Automatic lookups of various information about the visitor are performed and communicated to the person being visited. A network interface allows users to enter information about visitors they are expecting to arrive. A telephone interface is provided for input of voice greetings as well as checking on the arrival status of visitors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for synchronizing distributed work. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first and second metadata entries, adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object, and providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, where the first and second unique identifiers are based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for digital story authoring, viewing and storing is described. A display showing an imported story track, an authored story track, and a story-in-progress track. Each story contains one or more objects. The display also shows a large photo corresponding to a selected object in a story. Furthermore, the display also provides visual forms showing audio clips associated with the large photo displayed. The photo may have more than one associated audio clips. Control buttons are available to navigate among the three tracks and among the objects on each track. Other control buttons allow a user to record audio clips and to author new stories.

Abstract: Information decoded from a barcode or other machine-readable code within an image file is stored as character-based data in an auxiliary field, such as a comment field, of the image file. Subsequently, the information can be extracted from the auxiliary field so as to avoid the need to repeat the image analysis and decoding operation. In one aspect, the extracted data is validated to ensure that it is consistent with the machine-readable code.

Abstract: According to the invention, a visitor kiosk for the capture and storage of personal information about visitors. The visitor kiosk is placed at the entry point to a facility being monitored. Each visitor signs in at the kiosk. Their business card and an image of their face are scanned. If they do not have a business card, their name and company are entered manually. They also enter the name of the person they are visiting and the purpose for their visit. The person they are visiting is notified of the arrival of the visitor by email or by voice telephone. The data about the visitor is stored locally or remotely. Automatic lookups of various information about the visitor are performed and communicated to the person being visited. A network interface allows users to enter information about visitors they are expecting to arrive. A telephone interface is provided for input of voice greetings as well as checking on the arrival status of visitors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing paper-based upload and tracking of documents is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning a version of a document to obtain an image, the document having machine readable information, decoding the machine readable information from the image to obtain a destination specification, and uploading information corresponding to the image to a destination host specified by the destination specification.

Abstract: An exchange system for intangible goods comprises a first user system, a second user system, a registry system, a clearinghouse system and a hash module coupled for communication with each other. The first and second user systems includes a content module for acting as a repository for intangible goods, a pricing module for setting the price of intangible goods, a transaction generator module for creating transactions between seller and buyer, and a transaction log module for recording any transaction in which the user system participates. These systems are used to consummate transactions with other users for exchanging intangible goods. As part of each transaction, the user and the transaction must be entered or registered in the registry system. The registry system comprises an account module and a transaction log module for maintaining the anonymity of the sellers and buyers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for using rewritable sheets. In one embodiment, the method comprises representing a first collection of media objects using a first sheet having a first identifier and a first graphical content representing the media objects, creating a second collection of media objects from the first collection of media objects, and re-marking the first sheet to include a second identifier and to have a second graphical content representing the second collection of media objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for specifying ranges using a paper document. Each range is characterized by a start time and an end time. One or more ranges may be specified by a user using the paper document. Portions of recorded information corresponding to the ranges are then determined. One or more actions may be performed on the portions of information determined for the ranges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing digital objects are described herein. In one embodiment, multiple digital objects are displayed in a first mode, where each of the digital objects is displayed without overlapping. In response to a first input, at least two digital objects are selected and displayed in a second mode in which at least one selected digital object overlaps at least a portion of another selected digital object. In response to a second input, the selected at least two digital objects are redisplayed in the first mode from the second mode. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a network, a server and a browser client coupled to the network. The browser client is operable to receive server documents from the server via the network. The system also includes a printer coupled to the network. The printer is operable to retrieve server documents to be printed from the server upon receiving a command from the browser client. In another embodiment, the browser is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) coupled to the network. The PDA is operable to receive server documents from the server via the network. In this embodiment, the printer is adaptable to retrieve server documents to be printed from the server upon receiving a command from the PDA.

Abstract: In a system for inputting and managing document collections, the order in which documents are presented to the system dictates the organization and hierarchy for the electronically stored document collection. Users can add annotations to documents and collections by writing on a coversheet; the system scans the coversheet, reads the written material, and adds the material to the electronically stored document and/or collection. In addition, in one aspect the invention provides a mechanism for granting different levels of access to different individuals, by generating coversheets that point to the same collection but that provide different levels of access to the collection.

Abstract: An information stream (information stream) can be “bookmarked” with event markers to note points in time in the information stream of occurrences of interesting events. Repeat occurrences of an event are noted with the same event marker. The events of interest need not be a priori determined. In fact, unexpected events can be readily noted.

Abstract: A document distribution system provides free form routing of documents through the system. Recipients can annotate documents, and track their progress through the system. Flexibility of routing is provided by facilities which allow recipients, as well as the originating user, to modify the document routing through the system.

Abstract: A document sharing system includes producing an updatable collection of multimedia documents. A collection overview sheet provides a facile medium for handling and distributing large collections of documents. The system includes techniques for subsequent access to the collection, including printing all or portions of the collection.