Abstract: A method for creating a personalized animated storyteller for audibilizing content, the method comprises the steps of converting a digital image into a wire mesh and a texture model; providing instruction for directing the wire mesh; selecting or creating the content to be made audible; and directing the instructions to move the wire mesh in accordance with the selected content and to audibilize the selected or created content in synchronization with the wire mesh for providing the storyteller that audibilizes the content.

Abstract: A method for extracting additional information from an image, the method comprises the steps of obtaining a wire mesh and a texture model; providing instructions for directing the wire mesh which in combination with the wire mesh and texture model forms an animated object; and directing the animated object to deliver audibilized information further defining information contained within the image or content.

Abstract: A method of producing an animated electronic message in which at least a portion of a fee associated with producing the animated electronic message is paid for by a sponsor. The method comprises the steps of a user accessing a database which includes at least one sponsor message and software for producing the animated electronic message; the user using the software to produce the animated electronic message; the user agreeing to use the sponsor message which will provide a credit for some of the fee for producing the animated electronic message; and attaching the sponsor message and the animated electronic message which is sent to one or more recipients. In a further embodiment, a sponsor coupon is distributed with the sponsor message and the animated message. In a still further embodiment, the sponsor message is animated. In yet a further embodiment, the credit for some of the fee is paid by the sponsor to a service provider or to the user.

Abstract: A system, method and computer software product for controlling the operation of a device in accordance with a user's personal profile or local environment. The device is designed for interaction with a user based on the personal or an environment profile and includes a wireless communication device for communicating with a computer. The computer providing instructions to the device for controlling the operation of the device based on gathered data and in response to a stored user's personal profile.

Abstract: A method for authenticating playback of animated content of an object, the method comprises the steps of receiving a wire mesh having a plurality of line segments for describing the object; receiving texture data which describes a covering for the wire mesh; receiving movement data for directing movement of the wire mesh; (d) receiving a decrypted version of the movement data; (e) comparing the movement data and encrypted movement data for verifying that the movement data is substantially the same as the encrypted movement data which verification determines security status of the animated object; and (f) indicating first and second levels of security status for indicating a result of the comparison step.

Abstract: A method for authenticating animation, the method comprises the steps of capturing an image; converting the captured image into a wire mesh data for permitting animation of the image; providing movement data, which directs movement of the wire mesh data, and texture data indicating the covering for the wire mesh; electronically transmitting the wire mesh data, texture data and movement data; encrypting the movement data; and electronically transmitting the encryption the movement data for verifying that the animation is unaltered during transmission from its source.

Abstract: A method of securing an animation service. The method comprises providing a requestor with an identifier; associating the identifier with an identity of the requester; associating the identity and identifier with the animation service; using the identity to retrieve the animation service; requesting the identifier from the requestor; and providing the animation service to the requester after verifying the association of the identifier and the identity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating an animation model. The method comprises providing an image capture device, the image capture device having an image display; displaying a template in the image display; capturing an image of a subject when the subject is framed by the template; and generating an animation model using the captured image.

Abstract: A method for preventing premature termination of video content, the method comprises the steps of creating the video content from data; creating a blank segment on a latter portion on the video content; and initiating digital writing for recording the video content on a recording media so that the blank segment remains on the latter portion of the video content for preventing premature termination of video content.

Abstract: A method for generating sales of compact discs from a predetermined origin, the method comprises the steps of programming a compact disc writer to write only to compact discs containing a predetermined code; encoding a compact disc with a predetermined digital code; searching for a digital code on a compact disc via the programmed compact disc writer; and if the code is located, transferring data from memory captured by another device to the encoded compact disc.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image to animate a figure in the image. The method includes the steps of providing the digital still image; identifying the figure in the digital still image to be animated; generating an animation model of the figure; substituting the animation model for the figure in the digital still image; detecting an area of missing detail in the digital still image resulting from the substitution; identifying information in the digital still image adjacent the area of missing detail; replicating the identified information; and inserting the replicated identified information into the area of missing detail to generate an animated image.

Abstract: A personal electronic apparatus includes a case and a flat battery located in the case and having power and ground electrodes on one side of the battery, and a plurality of interconnection electrodes extending from one side of the battery to the other. A first circuit board is located in the case on one side of the battery and has a first set of power supply contacts for contacting the power and ground electrodes on the one side of the battery, and one or more first signal contacts for contacting one or more of the interconnection electrodes. A second circuit board is located in the case on the other side of the battery and has one or more second signal contacts for contacting one or more of the interconnection electrodes.

Abstract: A data recording element includes a data recording medium and a recording medium support; data recorded on the data recording medium; and c) a unique ID corresponding to the data on the recording medium, recorded on the recording medium support.

Abstract: A camera includes a microphone for generating audio signals, a memory separate from the film for storing the audio signals, a generator for generating for each film frame a unique identification signal that is synchronized to advance of the film in the camera, and a processor for embedding the unique identification signal with the audio signal in the memory. More specifically, the unique identification signal is a tone signal, and in particular a DTMF tone signal. Furthermore, a photofinishing system receives the audio signal together with the unique identification signal embedded in each audio signal that identifies the frame to which the audio signal pertains. A decoder decodes the unique signal embedded in each audio signal and a processor thereupon associates the audio signal with a particular frame of film by reference to the decoded unique tone signal. Finally, a transfer mechanism transfers the audio signal to an output product, such as a print, associated with each particular frame of film.

Abstract: Electrographic printing apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium includes: a magnetic brush having a rotatable magnetic core and a stationary outer cylindrical shell; a developer supply for supplying a magnetic developer powder to the magnetic brush; an array of microchannels on the outer shell for forming a plurality of parallel lines of developer in the channels; means for selectively transferring developer from the lines to a receiver; and a receiver electrode arranged in spaced relation to the array of microchannels to define a recording region through which the receiver can be moved.

Abstract: A jacket for one or more printed sheets, such as photographic prints, has a holder having at least one pocket. The pocket defines a space for the printed sheet. The holder has a transparent ink receptive layer exterior to the space. The ink receptive layer can have a deposit of invisible ink that is an encodement of information that, preferably, relates to the respective printed sheet. Two or more such jackets can be bound together to provide an album.

Abstract: A system includes a data reader and media bearing fluorescent indicia. A method includes the steps of: pulsing a light emitting diode at a forward current level above continuous use operating limits to produce pulsed radiation within an absorption spectrum of the fluorescent material and at a flux density sufficient to induce a fluorescent emission from the indicia; illuminating the indicia with the pulsed radiation to produce the fluorescent emission; and imaging the indicia on a radiation image sensor sensitive to radiation within an emission spectrum of the fluorescence.

Abstract: A speech recognition camera 10 comprises a camera body 11 for providing a protective housing; a display (20, 25, 30) disposed on the camera body 11; a microphone 15 for receiving voice commands; and a microcontroller 40 disposed in said camera body 11 that signals said display (20, 25, 30) to display initial words or phrases representative of voice commands pre-programmed in said microcontroller 40, and to display a pull-down menu, upon receiving any of the initial words or phrases, containing preprogrammed words or phrases that are voice commands, and that are further descriptive of the initial words or phrases.

Abstract: A light modulator for modulating a beam of light of wavelength .lambda. including a substrate, a fixed electrode formed over the substrate and arranged to reflect light; an insulative transparent layer defining a modulating region formed over the fixed electrode wherein the height of the insulative transparent layer is substantially an odd multiple of .lambda.

Abstract: Electrographic printing apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium includes: a magnetic brush having a rotatable magnetic core and a stationary outer shell; a developer supply for supplying a magnetic developer powder to the magnetic brush; a print head on the outer shell; and a receiver electrode arranged in spaced relation to the print head to define a recording region through which the receiver can be moved.