Abstract: A decentralized method of negotiating for the exchange of products over a communications network can include generating a request specifying at least one product attribute within a requesting device and forwarding the request to other authorized devices having a presence on the communications network. Each of the devices can include a distributed search engine for locating descriptions of products stored in the devices which match the request. One or more descriptions of products matching the request can be received from selected ones of the authorized devices. The matching descriptions can be stored within the requesting device.

Abstract: A streaming multimedia communication network includes a broadcaster providing program content by air wave or direct line to a network service provider, e.g. an Internet Radio Service provider (IRSP) which operates a web site for distribution of the content to remote end users over the network. The IRSP reformats the broadcast content into industry-standard streaming format, such as Real Audio. End users are coupled to the IRSP through a local network service provider, e.g. an Internet Service provider (ISP). An alternate content source is connected by airwaves or direct line to the ISP. The end user accesses the IRSP web site to select and receive program content over the network from a remote broadcaster listed on the site. The ISP transparently switches the network content at predefined intervals and substitute alternative content for the selected content during the predetermined interval for delivery of the alternative content to the end user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of deterring the illicit copying of electronically published documents. It includes utilizing a computer system to electronically publish a plurality of copies of a document having electronically created material thereon for distribution to a plurality of subscribers and operating programming within the computer system so as to perform the identification code functions. The steps are to encode the plurality of copies each with a separate, unique identification code, the identification code being based on a unique arrangement of the electronically created material on each such copy; and, creating a codebook to correlate each such identification code to a particular subscriber. In some embodiments, decoding methods are included with the encoding capabilities.

Abstract: A self-verifying identification card having an image area which may contain a portrait, a finger print, a retinal image, or all of these together with an image signature which is derived from scanned intensity measurements taken from the image area. In the verification process, the image is scanned and aligned with respect to reference points corresponding to the original printing process which created the card, and intensity values, their averages, or any other function are compared to information provided by the image signature. Mathematical transformations, such as a one-way hash, an encryption, a compression algorithm, or a truth table may be used to encode the image signature. Alignment markers aid in scanning the image and the image signature. The use of average values aids in reducing noise and the use of comparison functions makes the process less sensitive to variations among scanners.

Abstract: A self-verifying identification card having an image area which may contain a portrait, a finger print, a retinal image, or all of these together with an image signature which is derived from scanned intensity measurements taken from the image area. In the verification process, the image is scanned and aligned with respect to reference points corresponding to the original printing process which created the card, and intensity values, their averages, or any other function are compared to information provided by the image signature. Mathematical transformations, such as a one-way hash, an encryption, a compression algorithm, or a truth table may be used to encode the image signature. Alignment markers aid in scanning the image and the image signature. The use of average values aids in reducing noise and the use of comparison functions makes the process less sensitive to variations among scanners.

Abstract: A method is provided that deters the illicit copying of electronically published documents. It includes publishing a plurality of copies of electronically created material to be distributed to a plurality of subscribers. Each copy of subscriber's document has a unique identification code embedded in the document. The arrangement of the code on the document is based on the line-shifting and word-shifting techniques. This is to minimize the effects from noise and distortions on future illicit copies to simplify detection and decoding of the unique code. A codebook is created to correlate each unique code with each subscriber.

Abstract: A method of locating an object which has a straight edge is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the invention orients the object's edge so that it is at an oblique angle to the axis of the coordinate system of the sampling plane of the input device scanning the object. A subset of the pixels associated with the object's edge are identified and used to estimate the location of the object or edge.

Abstract: A method of reducing the size of an image of a document page selected rows and columns are eliminated from an image of a document page. The image is made up of a plurality of pixels which form rows and columns. Low information areas in the image are identified. An overall percentage of size reduction of the image is determined. Up to a predetermined maximum percentage of each low information area corresponding to the overall percentage of reduction is selectively removed so that the overall formatting of the document page is maintained.

Abstract: A magnetically-actuated switch has a stationary mounting base to which a plurality of magnetically-actuated reed-type switches are secured in a layer parallel to the base. A moveable portion of the switch is pivotably mounted to the mounting base, and contains a plurality of magnets positioned to actuate the reed-type switches in any desired sequence. A second layer of magnetically-actuated, reed-type switches is positioned, parallel to the mounting base, below the above-mentioned layer, and additional magnets are added to the moveable portion, to supplement the existing magnets, and increases the magnetic field in certain portions of the moveable portion to effect the lower layer of reed-type switches.

Abstract: A magnetically-actuated switch has a stationary mounting base to which a plurality of magnetically-actuated reed-type switches are secured in a layer parallel to the base. A moveable portion of the switch is pivotably mounted to the mounting base, and contains a plurality of magnets positioned to actuate the reed-type switches in any desired sequence. A second layer of magnetically-actuated, reed-type switches may be positioned, parallel to the mounting base, below the above-mentioned layer, and additional magnets may be added to the moveable portion, to supplement the existing magnets, and increases the magnetic field in certain portions of the moveable portion to effect the lower layer of reed-type switches.