Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Zhenya Alexander Yourlo

Sue-Ken Yap

Cathryn Anne Chamley

William Simpson-Young

Andrew Timothy Robert Newman

Hayden Graham Fleming

Robert Smeallie

Zhi-Lei Wang

Anthony Timothy Robert Newman

A method () and apparatus () for encoding a sequence of images for transmission over a communication network is disclosed. Initially () an object-based first image is rendered from a computer graphics application (). The rendered first image is then () encoded () according to a predetermined encoding scheme and transmitted () for remote display (). A test () is then performed to determine if any more images are to be rendered. If so, the next (further) image is rendered () from the computer graphics application (). Changes between the first image and the further image are then determined () from a change indicating output () of the computer graphics application (). The identified changes are then used () to determine a manner in which the further image is to be encoded according to the predetermined format. The further image is then encoded () based upon the changes, and transmitted () for remote display. Further images are rendered and encoded using changes from the preceding image.

Efficient video coding

A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a user of a user interface card () is disclosed. The card () is configured for insertion into a card read device () that has a receptacle () to receive the interface card (). The interface card () comprises a substrate () with indicia () formed thereon. The apparatus also comprises a central processing unit for receiving a service identifier and data stored on the card (), from the read device (). The data is related to a user selected indicia (), wherein the central processing unit is configured to provide a service. The service is identified by the service identifier.

System for card-based service access

A customizable data filter system is disclosed, that is adapted to reduce the dimension of a searchable data base (), and to enable performance of a database search and/or a data item selection, in relation to the reduced search space. The system comprises a Portable Customizable data Filter and Interface (PCFI) () storing at least a base data filter parameter, and able to provide a user interface by means of user selectable icons. The system also comprises a reader () for the PCFI (), and database processing means () responsive to the data filter parameter and a user icon selection, wherein the reduced search space is defined by the filter parameter, and the database search and/or the data item selection is performed using the selectable icons.

Customizable filter interface

Disclosed is a smart card device having a surface onto which are formed a plurality of user interpretable icons and electronic apparatus attached to the card portion. The electronic apparatus includes a memory in which are retained at least a plurality of character strings each associated with a corresponding one of the icons, a processor means coupled to the memory means, and communication means for coupling the processor means to a reading device configured to facilitate reading of the secure access device. The processor means is configured to relate reading signals generated from a user selection of at least one of the icons and received via the communication means with at least one of the retained character strings to thus perform a secure access checking function for enabling or rejecting user access to a desired service. Also disclosed is a multiple level user interface card for interfacing between a user provided with a card reader communicating with a computer and an application program having a multiplicity of hierarchical operating or ordering levels operating on, or operated by, the computer. The card comprises a smart card or interface card (known per se) having a plurality of user activatable regions thereon and an electronic memory with data stored therein corresponding to each of the regions. Then regions and the data are arranged in a hierarchy with a multiplicity of levels corresponding to the application program levels, and each level has a plurality of regions. Selection of a region of each level in the sequence of the hierarchy activates the stored data in the hierarchical sequence to operate, the application program at the operating or ordering level corresponding to the last selected region.

User customizable secure access token and multiple level portable interface

A system ( ) for distributing at least one item from a set of media content items is disclosed. The system comprises the set of media content items, which can be warehoused in a vending machine ( ) or in a remote server ( ). The system further comprises a portable storage device ( ) having at least one user selectable icon ( ) and an associated reference pointer to a corresponding media content item in the set. Also, the system comprises the vending machine ( ), which is responsive to a signal from the portable storage device ( ), the signal being dependent upon a user selection of the icon ( ). The vending machine is capable of locating the corresponding media content item, and reproducing the item on an output medium ( ).

Apparatus and method for distributing audio and video content

A system and method for querying a music database, the database containing a plurality of indexed pieces of music, where the query is performed by forming a database request consisting of a conditional expression relating to the name and/or attributes of the desired piece of music. Associated features are derived from the database query, and compared with corresponding features for the other pieces of music in the database. A desired piece of music is determined by searching for a minimum distance between the database query features and those associated with the pieces of music in the database.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, Australia

Zhenya Alexander Yourlo