Abstract: A method for improving the startup time of a six-degrees of freedom tracking system is described. An augmented reality system receives a device initialization request and activates a first set of sensors in response to the device initialization request. The augmented reality system receives first tracking data from the first set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives an augmented reality experience request and in response to the augmented reality request, causes display of a set of augmented reality content items based on the first tracking data and simultaneously activates a second set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives second tracking data from the activated second set of sensors. The augmented reality system updates the display of the set of augmented reality content items based on the second tracking data.

Abstract: A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for improving the startup time of a six-degrees of freedom tracking system is described. An augmented reality system receives a device initialization request and activates a first set of sensors in response to the device initialization request. The augmented reality system receives first tracking data from the first set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives an augmented reality experience request and in response to the augmented reality request, causes display of a set of augmented reality content items based on the first tracking data and simultaneously activates a second set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives second tracking data from the activated second set of sensors. The augmented reality system updates the display of the set of augmented reality content items based on the second tracking data.

Abstract: A method for improving the startup time of a six-degrees of freedom tracking system is described. An augmented reality system receives a device initialization request and activates a first set of sensors in response to the device initialization request. The augmented reality system receives first tracking data from the first set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives an augmented reality experience request and in response to the augmented reality request, causes display of a set of augmented reality content items based on the first tracking data and simultaneously activates a second set of sensors. The augmented reality system receives second tracking data from the activated second set of sensors. The augmented reality system updates the display of the set of augmented reality content items based on the second tracking data.

Abstract: A computer that performs product authentication is described. During operation, the computer may provide, addressed to the electronic device, information specifying a document at a location in a network, where the document is associated with an online marketplace and comprises second information associated with a product or a service. Moreover, the information may include authentication information that confirms an authenticity of the product or the service, and the authentication is specific (or unique) to the product or the service and the document.

Abstract: A computer that performs product authentication is described. During operation, the computer may provide, addressed to the electronic device, authentication information for a product, where the authentication information confirms authenticity of the product throughout a fulfillment chain of the product. Note that the fulfillment chain may include display of the product in a document at a location in a network. For example, the document may include a web page or a website. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication information may confirm the authenticity of a displayed instance of the product. Moreover, the authenticity may be invalid when a displayed instance of the product is different from a delivered instance of the product.

Abstract: A computer that performs product authentication is described. During operation, the computer may receive, from the electronic device, a request to authenticate authenticity of a product, where the request includes information specifying the product. Moreover, the computer may determine the authenticity of the product, where the determining includes providing a set of questions addressed to the electronic device and receiving answers to the set of questions associated with the electronic device, and at least some of the questions in the set of questions are dynamically selected based at least in part on at least some of the answers. Furthermore, the computer may provide, addressed to the electronic device, information specifying the determined authenticity.

Abstract: A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

Abstract: A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

Abstract: A computer that performs authenticity verification is described. During operation, the computer may receive information from an electronic device, where the information specifies an identifier of a product and at least one of: an environment that includes the product, or an individual associated with the product. Then, the computer may access, based at least in part on the identifier, stored second information about the product that specifies: an expected environment, an expected type of individual, and/or a history of the product. Moreover, the computer may determine a product authenticity score based at least in part on a comparison of the information and the second information. Next, the computer may selectively provide a notification to the electronic device based at least in part on the product authenticity score.

Abstract: A computer system is described. This computer system may include: a network interface that communicates with an electronic device (which may be remotely located from the computer system); a processor; and memory that stores program instructions. During operation, the computer system may generate, in a decentralized manner, a globally unique product identifier for a product based at least in part on a smart contract. For example, the smart contract may be based at least in part on a blockchain. Moreover, the globally unique product identifier may be globally authenticated or may be capable of global authentication. Then, the computer system may associate the globally unique product identifier, one-to-one or many-to-one, with a non-fungible token (NFT) based at least in part on the smart contract. Next, the computer system may provide the globally unique product identifier intended for an electronic device associated with a recipient or a client.

Abstract: A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

Abstract: There is provide a computing system configured to receive an object identifier and contextual information from an end-user, to compute the object identifier and contextual information based on pre-defined set of rules, to map said object identifier and contextual information to an entry point associated with a specific computer application among a plurality of applications, and to provide access to said specific computer application to said end-user. There is also provided a method to do the same, and a tag for use with a physical object, the tag comprising a redirection identifier embodying a unique identifier of the object and an HTTP address of a server permitting to redirect or provide access to the user to a specific computer application about the object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes obtaining information about an object at a device; providing at least some of the information to an identification mechanism; obtaining an identifier for the object from the identification service; and using the identifier to access and store information about the object at an information mechanism. The information about the object may be determined from at least one image of the object. The information mechanism may include at least one object information application, and the information mechanism may have an Application Program Interface (API) to the at least one object information application, wherein the device uses the identifier to access the at least one object information application via the API. The identifier may be a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that is resolvable to the information mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a client device accessing a host virtual desktop (HVD) server in a network. At the client device, a session is initiated with the HVD server to access a virtual desktop hosted by the HVD server. The client device launches via the virtual desktop a communications application hosted by the HVD server to cause the communications application to obtain communication identifier information from a communications manager server. The communication identifier information is forwarded from the HVD server to the client device. The client device registers with the communications manager server using the communication identifier information to enable the client device to take on a persona of a user that is associated with the communication identifier information.

Abstract: The invention provides water removal and storage system adapted for use in a building structure, said system comprising a water storage vessel for the removal and storage of water from one or more supply lines and resupply of water stored on demand. The system of the invention provides either a solution to the problems of flooding due to pipe rupture, interrupted water supply due to freezing, pipe rupture due to freezing, and water damage due to uncontrolled thaw. In one aspect the invention provides a controller adapted to receive control signals remotely, said signals control the valve to regulate the water supply pressure and/or flow rate to a desired set point.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, at a device running an application, and in response to a user attempting to enable or use an aspect of said application, using said device to obtain image information about an object, said object including indicia, and said image information comprising information about said indicia; using said image information to ascertain identifier information for an object; providing said identifier information to an authorization service; and responsive to said providing in (c), obtaining a response from said authorization service, said response comprising a credential; and (d) using said credential within said application to enable or use said aspect of said application. The aspect of said application to be enabled or used may be (i) a feature of said application; (ii) an amount of a virtual currency within said application; (iii) a reward within said application; or (iv) a purchase within said application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes obtaining information about an object at a device; providing at least some of the information to an identification mechanism; obtaining an identifier for the object from the identification service; and using the identifier to access and store information about the object at an information mechanism. The information about the object may be determined from at least one image of the object. The information mechanism may include at least one object information application, and the information mechanism may have an Application Program Interface (API) to the at least one object information application, wherein the device uses the identifier to access the at least one object information application via the API. The identifier may be a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that is resolvable to the information mechanism.

Abstract: There is provide a computing system configured to receive an object identifier and contextual information from an end-user, to compute the object identifier and contextual information based on pre-defined set of rules, to map said object identifier and contextual information to an entry point associated with a specific computer application among a plurality of applications, and to provide access to said specific computer application to said end-user. There is also provided a method to do the same, and a tag for use with a physical object, the tag comprising a redirection identifier embodying a unique identifier of the object and an HTTP address of a server permitting to redirect or provide access to the user to a specific computer application about the object.