Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest (ROI) for an object using an imaging system is provided. The imaging system may substantially exactly reconstruct the ROI with a straight line trajectory. In the straight line trajectory, the ROI is not bounded or encircled by the actual trajectory of the source (e.g., no chords that are composed from two points on the source trajectory intersect or fill the ROI to be imaged). However, the ROI may be substantially reconstructed by using “virtual” chords to reconstruct the ROI. The virtual chords are such that no point on the trajectory is included in the virtual chord (such as one that is parallel to the straight line trajectory). These virtual chords may intersect and fill the ROI, thus enabling substantially exact reconstruction. Further, in reconstructing the image, the straight line trajectory may be assumed to be infinite in length.

Abstract: A system for processing text captured from rendered documents is described. The system receives a sequence of one or more words optically or acoustically captured from a rendered document by a user. The system identifies an electronic version of the rendered document and associated an action. The system then performs the associated action with respect to the user.

Abstract: A handheld optical scanner and/or memory device for capturing images of text from a rendered document is described. The handheld device may include a data storage component, a scanning component configured to capture text from rendered documents, a power storage component, and a universal serial bus port configured to receive and store data from a computing device and transmit data to the computing device.

Abstract: A process-fluid chiller system for chilling a process fluid to be transported to a process load to remove thermal energy from the process load. The process-fluid chiller system includes a storage tank in which the process fluid can be stored, and a refrigeration system that can be selectively activated to chill the process fluid. The refrigeration system includes an evaporation device for evaporating a refrigerant from a liquid state to a gaseous state and a compressor for elevating a pressure of the refrigerant in the gaseous state. A temperature sensor is included for sensing a temperature of an exchange medium to which thermal energy from the process fluid can be transferred when the temperature of the exchange medium falls below a predetermined low temperature.

Abstract: A register interest system receives from a potential acquirer of assets an indication that the potential acquirer is interested in acquiring rights in a specific asset that is not currently on the market. The register interest system stores indications that the potential acquirers are interested in specific assets. When a notification criterion has been satisfied, then the register interest system notifies the owner of the specific asset that one or more potential acquirers are interested in acquiring rights to that asset. The owner and a potential acquirer can then negotiate the purchase of the rights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.

Abstract: A facility for navigating an electronic document is described. The facility receives user input selecting a portion of the content of a rendered document that constitutes a sentence fragment. In response to receiving the user input, the facility identifies an electronic document contained in a corpus of electronic documents, the identified electronic document containing the selected document portion. In response to receiving the user input, the facility further identifies a position within the identified electronic document at which the selected document portion occurs.

Abstract: A facility for initiating a purchase is described. The facility receives a text sequence captured by a user from a rendered document using a handheld text capture device. The facility identifies in the received text sequence a reference to a distinguished product. In response to identifying the reference, the facility presents to the user an opportunity to place an order for the established product. If the user accepts the presented opportunity to order the distinct product, the facility orders the distinct product on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A device identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to a service provider. The service provider associates the device with the portable scanner. Information is scanned from a printed source and communicated to the service provider and subsequent information is received in response at a device identified by the device identifier. In some embodiments, a communication session identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to the service provider rather than (or in cooperation with) the device identifier.

Abstract: A register interest system receives from a potential acquirer of assets an indication that the potential acquirer is interested in acquiring rights in a specific asset that is not currently on the market. The register interest system stores indications that the potential acquirers are interested in specific assets. When a notification criterion has been satisfied, then the register interest system notifies the owner of the specific asset that one or more potential acquirers are interested in acquiring rights to that asset. The owner and a potential acquirer can then negotiate the purchase of the rights.

Abstract: Information is scanned to a scanner memory. A user of the scanner is signaled when sufficient information has been obtained to determine at least one action associated with the scanned information.

Abstract: Information corresponding to a sentence or less of text is scanned from a rendered document and converted to text. The text is communicated to a search engine. Electronic content corresponding to the rendered document from which the text was scanned is identified from the search engine results.

Abstract: A system for interactive paper is described. Data fragments are captured at locations in a rendered document. A digital version of the document is optionally located. Markup data applied to the capture creates a rich set of interactions for the user. New models for publishing documents and new document-related services are described.

Abstract: A device for capturing rendered text is described. The device incorporates one or more visual sensors that receive visual information as a part of capturing rendered text. The visual sensors are collectively capable of capturing both text that is permanently printed on a page, and text that is displayed transitorily on a dynamic device. The device further incorporates a visual information disposition subsystem for disposing of visual information received by the visual sensors. The device further incorporates a package that bears the visual sensors and the visual information disposition subsystem, and is suitable to be held in a human hand.

Abstract: A facility for securing text captured from a rendered document is described. The facility receives data including an encryption of text captured from a rendered document. The facility decrypts the captured text included in the received data.

Abstract: A system for easily determining viewership of articles or ads in printed publications and using the determined viewership to determine author compensation, ad rates, or other historical or demographic related information is described. The system receives scan information of portions of a number of paper documents that is generated by scanners operated by a number of users. The system searches digital content using the received scan information, and determines a readership value for components of the paper document based upon the search.

Abstract: A handheld optical scanner for capturing images of text from a rendered document is described. The scanner includes a package suitable to be held in a user's hand. The package contains an optical sensor that captures images of text from a rendered document. The package also contains a proximity sensor that determines when the optical sensor is within a predetermined distance and orientation of a rendered document. The package further contains a triggering mechanism that causes the optical sensor to capture an image of text from a rendered document when the proximity sensor determines that the optical sensor is within a predetermined distance and orientation of a rendered document.

Abstract: Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for filling forms, including using a graphical capture device, are described herein.

Abstract: A facility for exposing an index of private documents is described. In a private network, the facility (1) identifies electronic versions of documents that are available inside the private network, including a distinguished document; (2) constructs an index covering the identified electronic versions of documents; and (3) exports the constructed index from the private network to an index publication server. At the index publication server, the facility (1) receives the exported index; (2) receives a query via a public network; and (3) uses an index, based upon the received index, to generate a query result for the received query that contains the distinguished document.