69 results about "Tangible object" patented technology

Systems and methods for permitting consumers to securely purchase, access, download and/or stream entertainment content such as musical and audio visual works, including a remote terminal or terminals. Consumers subscribe to the system and obtain a terminal or terminals. The terminals permit the subscribers to access the system to obtain content, either by downloading same to the terminal or by directly perceiving the content while streaming the content to the terminal. The invention prevents unauthorized copying, distribution and/or performance of protected works while at the same time eliminating the need for consumers to possess the tangible objects, e.g. CDS and DVDs, upon which detectable works normally reside. The software associated with the system regulates the transmission of content from the database(s) upon which it is stored, through a central server associated with the system, to the subscriber terminals for storage or immediate, i.e., "streaming", playback.

A tangible object (such as a microprocessor, wristwatch, pharmaceutical, compact disc, vehicle part, etc) is surface-textured to encode a plural-bit code thereon. In one arrangement, this encoding conveys date information. In use, the object can be imaged by a scanner apparatus, and the resulting scan data analyzed to discern the plural-bit code. The decoded date information can be used in a determination relating to the object. For example, at a port of entry, date information encoded on a Rolex wristwatch can be used to determine whether importation of the wristwatch should be permitted. The texture-encoded data can also convey other information, such as a vehicle identifier for an automotive part, a place of fabrication, a specification with which the part complies, etc.

A digitized image of a tangible object is displayed in an operator's field of view of the object almost simultaneously as the digitized image is being captured. The image is projected onto a screen in an orientation, position and scale corresponding to an orientation and position of the object within the field of view of the operator so as to be perceived as an overlay to the object. The image may be a one-, two, three, or other multi-dimensional representation of the object and may be captured by an imaging system, such as an intra-oral imaging device.

A virtual penetrating mirror device for visualizing at least one virtual object within an augmented reality environment includes a tracking system tracking a plurality of markers attached to a tangible object, and a displaying device associated with at least one additional marker, characterized in that the displaying device displays a first view of the tangible object and at least one virtual penetrating mirror virtually reflecting a second view of the tangible object according to a localized position of the displaying device relative to the markers attached to the tangible object, wherein the virtual penetrating mirror is virtually disposed within the first view of the tangible object.

A method and system for distributing digital information is disclosed. Preferably, a user acquires a tangible object which contain a code authorizing access to the digital information. The user reads the tangible object through a reader, which sends the code to a server on which the digital information is stored. The server then authorizes access to the digital information to one or more access devices listed in registries belonging to the user. The user may use the digital information on the terms he agrees to, and, while in use by the user, access to the digital information to other users or other playback devices is disabled. Once the user no longer is using the digital information, the access device erases the digital information, and signals the server that the digital information is no longer in use, thereby re-enabling access to the digital information by the other playback devices listed in the registry.

A method for managing sample selection bias is disclosed. Embodiments of the method can include automatically determining an unbiased estimate of a distribution from occurrence data via a special purpose processor. The occurrence data that is utilized in determining the estimate may have an occurrence data sample selection bias that is substantially equivalent to a background data sample selection bias associated with background data. Additionally, the occurrence data may be related to the background data, and the background data may be chosen with the background data sample selection bias. Furthermore, the occurrence data may represent a physically-measurable variable associated with one or more physical and tangible objects or substances.

A method, system for encoding or decoding information in physical properties of an object. A tangible product comprises a three dimensional tangible object having modified physical properties; and wherein the modified physical properties are a modification of physical properties, wherein the modification encodes information. A method comprising: obtaining a representation of a three dimensional object having physical properties; obtaining information to encode; determining modified physical properties by modifying the physical properties to encode within the modified physical properties the information; and producing a tangible product, wherein the tangible product is the three dimensional object having the modified physical properties.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for the usage of enhanced pictures (e.g., photos) of tangible objects (e.g., property, cars, etc.) damaged in an accident and answers to questions about the accident to better assess the effect of the damage (e.g., repair expenses and accompanying changes to an insurance policy). A pre-FNOL system may receive responses to one or more questions regarding an accident and one or more enhanced pictures of the tangible property damaged in the accident. The pre-FNOL system may use the responses to the one or more questions and the one or more enhanced pictures to determine repair costs associated with the damaged property and accompanying changes to the insurance policy if an insurance claim were to be filed to cover the determined repairs costs.

A video image based tracking method and apparatus for identifying and tracking encoded color surface. Encoded color patterns are integrated with tangible objects such as tangible toys or tangible input objects so that they can be used as a tangible input device for a computing system to control virtual multimedia objects and trigger game interactions. The color pattern within the field of sight of a video image capturing device is identified and tracked and by a computing system. Method to configure the color pattern is included. A great number of encoded patterns can be created. Method to identify the encoded color pattern is included. Method to estimate the 6-DOF (degree-of-freedoms) orientation and coordinates information of the tangible object with encoded color pattern is included. Multiple encoded color patterns can be identified and tracked simultaneously. Tangible toys or tangible input objects configured with encoded color patterns can retain their color identity while capable of being identified and their 6-DOF orientation and coordinates tracked by the computing system.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide strong authentication of users on behalf of commercial entities and other parties to electronic transactions. In these embodiments of the present invention, a user interacts with an authentication service provider to establish policies for subsequent authentication of the user. Thus, in these embodiments of the present invention, a user controls the level and complexity of authentication processes carried out by the authentication service provider on behalf of both the user and commercial entities and other entities seeking to authenticate the user in the course of conducting electronic transactions, electronic dialogues, and other interactions for which user authentication is needed. The policies specified by a user may include specification of variable-factor authentication, in which the user, during the course of an authentication, provides both secret information as well as evidence of control of a tangible object.

The current invention is a method for bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the physical world of tangible object media, such as print advertising. More particularly, a method for multimedia-based Internet Advertisers to expand the promotion of their products and web pages by encouraging Affiliates to post uniquely identified printed versions of the virtual advertising to be posted or otherwise physically distributed in the tangible world.

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive information associated with a wagering game machine capable of engaging in the process of presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered, print a first portion of the information in human perceivable form on a tangible object, such as a wagering game machine ticket, and record a second portion of the information in a wireless memory device to be attached to the wagering game machine ticket. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for the usage of enhanced pictures (e.g., photos) of tangible objects (e.g., property, cars, etc.) damaged in an accident and answers to questions about the accident to better assess the effect of the damage (e.g., repair expenses and accompanying changes to an insurance policy). A pre-FNOL system may receive responses to one or more questions regarding an accident and one or more enhanced pictures of the tangible property damaged in the accident. The pre-FNOL system may use the responses to the one or more questions and the one or more enhanced pictures to determine repair costs associated with the damaged property and accompanying changes to the insurance policy if an insurance claim were to be filed to cover the determined repairs costs.