Abstract: A transaction system includes a computer (20) which performs a transaction method comprising steps of receiving a first data element indicating an item in a transaction, receiving a second data element indicating a party of the transaction, approving the transaction based upon the second data, and creating a record of the transaction. The first data element and the second data element are received via an electronic network (22). The second data element is read from a device (40) by an optical data reader (30) in communication with the electronic network (22).

Abstract: An interactive image display system includes a user interface to select a portion of a wide-angle image sequence. An image processor processes the portion of the wide-angle image sequence selected by the user interface to produce a perspective corrected image sequence. A display device displays the perspective corrected image sequence produced by the image processor. An accounting system monitors a usage parameter associated with the interactive image display system. A controller selectively inhibits an operative feature provided by at least one of the user interface, the image processor, and the display device based upon the usage parameter.

Abstract: A system for producing an animated image sequence comprises an image processor and an animated character generator. The image processor processes a portion of at least one wide-angle image to form an image signal representative of at least one perspective corrected image. The animated character generator is responsive to the image signal and at least one control signal for generating an animated character within the at least one perspective corrected image. The animated character has at least one graphical member which moves in dependence upon the at least one control signal. In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises at least one sensor for sensing a position of a body member of a user. The position of the body member is used to control the movement of a graphical member corresponding to the body member.

Abstract: A message is formed by capturing at least one image of an individual, and producing a first signal representative thereof. A signal is transmitted based upon both the first signal and a second signal which indicates a selected image from a plurality of predetermined images. The message is reconstructed from a received radio frequency signal which contains a third signal representative of the at least one image of the individual and a fourth signal indicative of the selected image. The selected image is retrieved from a plurality of prestored images based upon the fourth signal. At least one combined image is displayed based upon the at least one image of the individual, provided by the third signal, and the selected image.

Abstract: A broadcast for interactive viewing by a plurality of viewers is provided by contemporaneously capturing a plurality of wide-angle image sequences from a plurality of viewpoints. The viewpoints are selected from the group consisting of a space viewpoint, a terrestrial viewpoint, and an undersea viewpoint. The wide-angle image sequences are broadcasted to the viewers. Each of the viewers receives at least one of the wide-angle image sequences, and selects a portion of the at least one of the wide-angle image sequences. A perspective corrected view of the portion is displayed for view by the viewer. Optionally, prestored textual data and a perspective corrected view of a prestored image may also be displayed.