Abstract: The pages of a children's book are marked in a machine-readable manner (e.g., by imperceptible digital watermark technology). When such a page is shown to a camera-equipped computer device, the watermark is decoded, and the story text from that page is read aloud to a child. A number of variants are contemplated, including using book pages as entry points to corresponding videos; using books to link to corresponding interactive web sites or multi-player games; incorporating the camera in a plush toy; evoking different responses from the system by using the book to convey gestures to the camera; providing such functionality in cell phones, set top boxes, and Bluetooth-equipped devices; customizing read-aloud stories using words provided by the child or a parent; etc.

Abstract: A study support system comprises computer means and a text in which the subject for study, a problem and a bar code representing the problem are printed; the computer means including a bar code reader, output means, processing means, and storage means in which the answer to the problem, an explanation thereof, and a similar exercise are stored, whereby, when the bar code is read by the bar code reader, the processing means reads out from the storage means the data such as the answer, explanation and the like relating to the data read by the bar code reader, and the data are output by the output means as sight information displayed on a screen and/or printed on paper and/or as aural information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of integrating multimedia materials with didactic printed materials present selected relevant multimedia material in response to the sensing of control codes embedded in context sensitive and/or content sensitive didactic printed material. A store of multimedia information is created, and the store is correlated to related context and/or content sensitive didactic printed material. The store is categorized to transmit certain categories of the stored information from the store to a multimedia display in response to the reception of certain input signals obtained from certain codes embedded in the didactic printed material. The printed didactic material controls the display of the multimedia material. Either preexisting didactic printed material or currently created didactic printed material can be efficiently and economically integrated with multimedia materials to display certain selected multimedia materials at sensitive places of the printed materials.

Abstract: An identification code signal is impressed on a carrier to be identified (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned and the carrier thereby identified. The method and apparatus are characterized by robustness despite degradation of the encoded carrier, and by permeation of the identification signal throughout the carrier.

Abstract: A method and a system for locating and accessing information on a continuous image presentation medium, such as information from a video medium, e.g. a video tape or disk. The system and method use an index which contains topics of interest on the medium and a code of indicia, such as a time elapse code identifying a portion of the video tape or disk in which desired information may be obtained. Corresponding time elapse codes are visually presented on the video images. Thus, the user will locate the time code from the index representing the time elapse period from the beginning of the tape or disk and move the tape until the time code is identified visually on the visual presentation from the tape or disk. In a preferred embodiment, the video or other visual presentation is used with printed material. The printed material may adopt the form of a multi-page document, such as a manual, and the manual may be provided with an index for identifying pages from which selected information may be obtained.

Abstract: An image access, retrieval, and display system provides a simplified system for randomly accessing stored images. Image access documents having a human readable representation of an image and machine readable image access information are placed in an image access document reader which transmits the image access information to the image display system causing the image to be displayed.

Abstract: Access to a complete data base stored on optical disk media is limited to portions of the data base to which individual users are entitled by provision of an additional code on the optical disk, indicating the portions of the data base which the customers may access. The disk reader comprises an additional reader for reading the additional code and means for preventing access to other portions of the data base. The additional code may be conventional bar code.

Abstract: An improved audio-visual machine for projecting visual information segments carried by a transparency holder in an audio-visual cartridge, and for reproducing corresponding narrative and control information recorded on a movable storage medium carried by the cartridge, is disclosed. The teaching machine includes an optical system which incorporates a movable focusing lens which is mounted on a very long lever arm. The lever arm is pivoted at one end and is adjustably mounted on a threaded post at the other end to permit motion of the lens toward and away from the transparency for focusing while still permitting maintenance of the focus across the entire width of the transparency. A drive mechanism is provided to selectively align specified visual segments with the optical system. The movable storage medium is movable independently of the transparency holder, and a transducer for reproducing audio frequency signals from the storage medium is provided.