Abstract: A recycling and fabrication appliance is provided. The recycling and fabrication appliance is generally configured to convert solid waste, solid materials and/or solid objects into a usable or reusable product. The recycling and fabrication appliance generally comprises a single unit with one or more inputs and one or more outputs. The unit may be a cuboid, or may be any appropriate shape, and may specifically be configured to recycle or repurpose solid waste, solid materials or solid objects into a reusable form at or near the point of consumption or disposal, such as a household or office. The components of the recycling and fabrication appliance may be housed within the unit and may enable the recycling and fabrication appliance to receive various solid waste pieces as an input and to produce a single usable output, referred to herein as a output object.

Abstract: Techniques for transacting via an animated assistant are provided. A kiosk processes an animated assistant that entices users to approach. Once a user approaches the animated assistant attempts to recognize the user and engages the user via an unspoken universal language using symbol imagery when the user is not recognized. When the user is recognized, the user is engaged via a preferred spoken language. The animated assistant guides the user through one or more automated transactions via the kiosk.

Abstract: Techniques for transacting via an animated assistant are provided. A kiosk processes an animated assistant that entices users to approach. Once a user approaches the animated assistant attempts to recognize the user and engages the user via an unspoken universal language using symbol imagery when the user is not recognized. When the user is recognized, the user is engaged via a preferred spoken language. The animated assistant guides the user through one or more automated transactions via the kiosk.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes; receiving on one or more computers the content of one or more books, one or more advertisements; information regarding the target audience criteria for each of the one or more advertisements, information and a request from the subscriber for the content of the one or more books; determining if the information from the subscriber satisfies the target audience criteria for each of the one or more advertisements; providing to the subscriber the content of the one or more books requested and one or more advertisements having associated target audience criteria that is satisfied by the information from the subscriber requesting the content of the one or more books electronically; and replacing at least the one or more advertisements having associated target audience criteria that is satisfied by the information from the subscriber with one or more new advertisements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing specifically targeted advertisements and preventing various forms of advertising fraud in electronic books.