Abstract: A voice channel connection and a data channel connection are established with a structured voice interaction system. Navigation information for and provided by the structured voice interaction system is received over the data channel connection. The data channel navigation information is coordinated with navigation information provided by the structured voice interaction system over the voice channel connection.

Abstract: A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A participant or player can participate in various virtual world activities including transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The participant or player may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world activities and transactions. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can be involved in the virtual world and real-world activities and transactions. Some embodiments include arrangements for real-world informational data to be made available in the virtual world environment to a participant or player, based on virtual world activities related to a topic of interest to a real-world entity.

Abstract: A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A participant or player can participate in various virtual world activities including transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The participant or player may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world activities and transactions. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can be involved in the virtual world and real-world activities and transactions. Some embodiments include arrangements for real-world informational data to be made available in the virtual world environment to a participant or player, based on virtual world activities related to a topic of interest to a real-world entity.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil that is easy to use and that can be easily transported, disassembled and assembled and comprises a slotted cooking member with side walls, bottom wall and a rim around the upper periphery of the cooking member with at least one slot in the rim, a bottom housing unit for charcoal or wood pieces that fits beneath the cooking member, a metal frame with hinged legs with an opening large enough for the cooking member and bottom housing unit to be suspended within, and a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil which corresponds in size to the slots in the rim of the cooking member. The connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil allows the user to lift the cooking member out of the metal frame by connecting the connecting means of the utensil into the slots in the rim of the cooking member and lifting the cooking member vertically out of the metal frame.

Abstract: A method and system provides credit arrangements in simulated environments. A user can participate in credit transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback is provided to the user regarding results of the credit transactions. In some embodiments multiple users can make simulated purchases or incur simulated credit obligations posted to virtual accounts, and can also make simulated compensation against balances due or obligations owed. The user may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world financial transactions. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can use virtual charge accounts and/or real world accounts for arranging or resolving a virtual credit transaction. Some embodiments enable a debtor obligation and/or a creditor right arising from a virtual credit transaction to be transferred to another party, in some instances without having to obtain any permission for such transfer.

Abstract: A method and system provides credit arrangements in simulated environments. A user can participate in credit transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback is provided to the user regarding results of the credit transactions. In some embodiments multiple users can make simulated purchases or incur simulated credit obligations posted to virtual accounts, and can also make simulated compensation against balances due or obligations owed. The user may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world financial transactions. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can use virtual charge accounts and/or real world accounts for arranging or resolving a virtual credit transaction. Some embodiments provide for consequences based on a player's performance record of compliance or non-compliance with an obligation arising from a simulated credit transaction.

Abstract: A technique includes obtaining an operational capacity of an imaging device. The technique can also include estimating one or more operational resources to perform an image transformation that estimates whether the imaging device has adequate operational capacity to transform one or more images.

Abstract: Provided is a computer system and methods for a map-based guide. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map-based guide; determining a location associated with the request; preparing a route in accordance with the location associated with the request and in accordance with at least one of a profit-motive and/or a goodwill factor; and transmitting the map-based guide.

Abstract: Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, an article of manufacture method is provided that includes a writing portion that accepts at least one hand-formed mark. The article of manufacture also includes a tag portion displaying at least two machine-distinguishable tags, each machine-distinguishable tag of the at least two machine-distinguishable tags being unique and keyed to a data recipient.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes generating a content signal indicative of a hand-formed mark on a surface. The method also includes generating a label signal indicative of a machine-distinguishable tag associated with the hand-formed mark. The machine-distinguishable tag being selected from at least two machine-distinguishable tags. The method further includes distributing a representation of the hand-formed mark to a data recipient in response to the machine-distinguishable tag.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving an annotation environment signal that includes a context information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item. The method also includes receiving an expression signal that includes an annotation information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item. The method further includes electronically associating the context information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item and the annotation information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item.

Abstract: Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a display surface that includes a machine-distinguishable form identifier keyed to an electronic version of the form and at least two fields. Each field of the at least two fields respectively includes a unique machine-distinguishable field identifier keyed to a field of the electronic version of a form, a content area that accepts a hand-formed entry, and a unique user-understandable field identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, system is provided that includes at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers, each identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers being respectively keyed to a data recipient and associatable with a hand-formed mark on a surface. The system also includes a commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers and the commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, method, and computer program product. In an embodiment, a device includes a handheld writing device that includes a writing element, and a writing detector module operable to generate information indicative of a handwriting movement of the writing element. The device also includes a context detector module operable to generate information indicative of a content portion of a document proximate to the handwriting movement of the writing element.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a request for a content of a computer-readable file. The method also includes searching the computer-readable file for the requested content, the computer-readable file including at least one representation of a hand-formed mark distributed to the computer-readable file in response to a machine-distinguishable tag associated with the hand-formed mark. The method further includes outputting the at least one representation of a hand-formed mark.

Abstract: Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a writing surface having at least two regions that accept handwriting. Each region of the at least two regions that accept handwriting respectively includes a unique user-understandable identifier and a unique machine-distinguishable identifier keyed to a data receptor.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, and method. In an embodiment, a portable system is provided. The system includes a context-detecting device operable to generate information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item, and an annotating device operable to generate information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, and method. In an embodiment, a human wearable apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an annotation environment capture device operable to generate information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item and an annotating device operable to generate information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that electronically monitors a condition associated with a physical state of an item, and obtains a user assistance corresponding to the condition associated with the physical state of an item.

Abstract: Provided is a computer system and method for mapping a visual path. The method includes receiving one or more images included in a predefined area; receiving one or more parameters associated with the image; and integrating the images and parameters into a map of the predefined area to enable mapping the visual path through the predefined area in response to one or more -input path parameters.