Abstract:
Issuing a debit card associated with only non-personally identifying information includes communicating among an input device, a network coupling, and a card dispenser. The input device is configured to receive a new account request. The new account request includes only non-personally identifiable information. The network coupling is configured to send the new account request to an acquirer processor and to receive an approval response from the acquirer processor. The card dispenser is configured to dispense a debit card to the user based on the approval response received from the acquirer processor. The debit card includes only non-personally identifiable information. The non-personally identifiable information includes the account number.
Abstract:
A system for selectively storing recorded material onto a storage medium (74) such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD) includes a terminal (22) having access to recorded material and configured to download recorded material selected by a user to a storage medium (74), and a dispenser (24)connected to the terminal (22) configured to distribute the storage medium (74) to a user. A method of purchasing a customized storage medium (74), such as a CD or DVD includes the steps of accessing a terminal (22); selecting at least one recorded item; adding the at least one recorded item to a list; recording the at least one item to the storage medium (74); placing the storage medium (74) in a case (70) and dispensing the storage medium (74) to a user. The system and method may also include storing sales data on a server (34) and accessibility of the sales data on the server (34) by a third party.
Abstract:
Collecting images of a patron in an entertainment venue is performed by facial recognition of the patron's face within the images, simplifying the storage (37) and distribution of the images (39) for a patron. In order to enhance the reliability of the facial recognition system (31), information about the patron (33) that is not directly related to most facial recognition systems (31), including clothes, height, other associated people, use of glasses and jewelry, disposition of facial hair, and more, can be used. Some of the characteristics used can be specific to a particular date or event, and which will not be more generally characteristic of the patron. The facial recognition system (31) can also be used to identify (37) the patron requesting images to be collected. The present invention also relates to the use of facial recognition in sorting and collecting images from an electronically-stored image collection, enabling the easy retrieval of images that are related to a particular person or set of people.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for inclusion of customizable or personalized digital content (132) in digital greeting cards and other digital media, activated at a point of sale (92) or direct purchase over the Internet (90). Methods for customization of the content of a digital audio or video object or objects or material, delivered as a downloadable file(s) or in streaming form, where additional or incidental content has been included based on information provided or incidental content created by the individuals involved in customizing, sending or receiving the material. These methods can be applied to digital content associated with greeting or gift cards sold through retail using point-of-sale activation or for digital audio or video material or objects purchased directly over the Internet. PIN numbers may be used with point-of-sale activation to limit unlicensed access or unlicensed copying to protect intellectual property rights.
Abstract:
Techniques for dispensing postage from a kiosk (104) using a communications network (108). A method for obtaining a postage stamp at a kiosk (104), where the kiosk (104) includes a computer system (300) and a printer (310), includes a user inputting a request for the postage stamp into the kiosk (104). The request is sent to a server (102) via a communications network (108). The kiosk then receives a markup language response back from the server (102), and processes the markup language response to obtain an indicium. The printer (31) prints the indicium on a label (400), where the label (400) includes one or more security features, thereby providing the postage stamp.
Abstract:
A method for providing printing service of a content over a client/server system built through a network, characterized in that a content in a server is directly edited by a server instructed to edit by a client, and the finished content is printed on a predetermined printing medium.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a document for transmitting secret information and to a method for creating said document. In a first embodiment, the document consists of a sheet of paper and a multipart form set which are joined to each other by means of an adhesive for instance. To print said document a mechanical printer is used to inscribe secret information in the multipart form set and a non-mechanical printer is used to print the sheet of paper. In a further embodiment, the secret information is printed directly onto the sheet of paper. The secret information is covered by an irreversibly detachable film. It is possible to detect if said film has been detached.