| DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120129143 | System and method for generating a plot of a digital print - There is provided a system and method for generating a plot of a digital print. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes presenting a micro event of the digital print, the digital print having a plurality of micro events, each micro event having a plurality of outcomes and polling for user input for the micro event while presenting the micro event. The method further includes determining an outcome of the micro event based on the polling for user input and selecting a scenario from a scenario map based on the outcome of said micro event. Finally, the method includes generating a storyline of the plot based on the scenario selected from the scenario map. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123854 | DATA MINING TO DETERMINE ONLINE USER RESPONSES TO BROADCAST MESSAGES - In a networked system, a method and apparatus for measuring advertising effectiveness involves broadcasting an advertisement at a broadcast time, monitoring at least one social network or other online forum following the broadcast time, filtering social network traffic to identify messages, search engine queries to identify queries, or other traffic entries, that appear to be responsive to the broadcast advertisement, determining a time of initiation for at least a plurality of entries that appear to be responsive to the broadcast advertisement, and determining at least one demographic for at least the plurality of the entries that appear to be responsive to the broadcast advertisement. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122554 | System and method for in-game interactive advertising - Provided are systems and methods for execution by a processor of an electronic gaming device to provide in-game interactive advertising. One example method includes placing an advertisment within an electronic game environment configured for execution by the electronic gaming device, detecting when a player reaches the advertisement, notifying the player of an option to bookmark the advertisement, receiving a selected option from the player and storing the selected option in a bookmark record. Another method additionally includes communicating a bookmark in the bookmark record corresponding to the selected option to the player upon the player leaving the electronic game environment and listing an in-game reward for choosing to follow the bookmark. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117612 | SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATION AND/OR AUTHORIZATION - A computing platform constructs an application from source code such that the application detects an attempt to access at least one secured entity of the application. Further, the at least one secured entity is registered with an authorization system by providing metadata that is descriptive of the at least one secured entity to the authorization system so that authorization metadata is generated based upon the metadata and a global unique identifier is assigned to the application and the metadata to identify the application and the metadata. The authorization metadata indicates an access policy to the at least one secured entity. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120105644 | Automated Personalized Imaging System - Systems and associated methods for capturing media content for a plurality of guests and intelligently parsing the media content to produce a customized/personalized media product for a particular guest or group of guests are described. A system is configured for combining video data and position tracking data to record a group guest experience or show and automatically provide custom media products. Embodiments record a plurality of guests throughout an experience or show, and simultaneously position track each guest individually. Embodiments utilize the tracking data to extract a sub-sampled video of each guest. This sub-sampled video is combined with additional media automatically according to a script. The result is a personalized video take-away for each guest, which can be created entirely without human intervention. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102616 | INFANT BODYSUIT - An infant bodysuit having a pair of rows of snap sockets either one of which can receive a curved row of snaps studs, the rows of snap sockets and snap studs being provided along a gentle curve that is easy for a caregiver to match up the studs and sockets. Reinforcement, through a woven fabric facing, is provided in the region of the snap sockets on the front panel to provide two-dimensional stability throughout the region. Rib binding is used along the leg openings and covers the facing material for improved comfort to the infant. A flat, straight edge bottom is provided along the bottom edge of the front panel to reduce bulkiness. An improved leg opening is achieved by significantly narrowing the width of the front panel from the top of the leg opening down to the attachment portion. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120098941 | VOLUMETRIC PROJECTION DEVICE - A three-dimensional (3D) display device creating 3D illusions or effects within a contained space or volume. The device includes a front sidewall providing a viewing window to an interior of the display device. The device includes a transparent rear projection screen with a front surface facing the viewing window that is spaced apart a distance from the front sidewall. A media source projects a two dimensional (2D) image onto a back surface of the projection screen in a direction that is oblique to the front sidewall. The projection screen is positioned such that the front surface is angled away from the front sidewall, whereby the front surface is oblique to the viewing window. A leading edge of the projection screen is proximate to the front sidewall and a trailing edge of the projection screen is distal to the front sidewall with the front surface angled away from the front sidewall. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120088592 | GRAVITY SLIDE RIDE SYSTEM - A rotating hub ride configured to position passenger vehicles at different vehicle radii relative to the hub's axis of rotation. The ride includes curved support arms extending outward from the hub, with a first end coupled to the hub at a lower height than a second end of the arm. A vehicle is attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, e.g., at two or more hub rotation rates. The arm or track defines a travel path for radial movement of the vehicle. When hub rotation is halted, the vehicle slides inward on the track to a load position corresponding to a minimum vehicle radius. At increasing hub speeds, the vehicle slides outward to position the vehicle in any of a number of vehicle radii. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086720 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE TEXTURE MAP STORAGE AND FILTERING - A method for a computer system including receiving a file comprising textures including a first and a second texture, and metadata, wherein the first texture need not have a predetermined geometric relationship to the second texture, wherein the metadata includes identifiers associated with textures and includes adjacency data, associating the first texture with a first location on an object in response to an identifier associated with the first texture, associating the second texture with a second location on the object in response to an identifier associated with the second texture, determining an edge of the first texture is adjacent to an edge of the second texture in response to the adjacency data, and performing a rendering operation with respect to the first and the second surface on the object to determine rendering data in response to the first texture and to the second texture. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084450 | Audio challenge for providing human response verification - There is provided a system and method for audio challenges for providing human response verification. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to verify whether a client is human controlled, generating, using a database, a challenge question and a corresponding answer set, selecting a plurality of images and an audio instruction corresponding to the challenge question, presenting the plurality of images and the audio instruction to the client, receiving a submission to the challenge question from the client, and responding to the request by verifying whether the submission is contained in the answer set to determine whether the client is human controlled. By utilizing easily understood elements such as common shapes and objects, familiar characters, colors, sizes, orientations, and sounds, even young children can solve the challenge question, whereas automated systems are deterred by the complex audio and image analysis required. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083182 | INTERACTIVE TOY WITH EMBEDDED VISION SYSTEM - Systems and associated methods for providing a play device capable of capturing an image stream through a camera module and process the images through computer vision software. Embodiments provide interactive toys that recognize a set of pre-programmed images and provide responses to images presented by a user. For example, embodiments provide for a toy that requests a certain image and provides a response based upon whether the user presents the correct image. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082439 | Systems and Methods for Dynamic Content Play List Creation - Systems and associated methods for dynamic content play list creation are described. A fastplay application provides for dynamic play list generation, using feature categorization and local storage to present a set of custom play list(s) that are tailored to a user's preference(s). The settings may be stored locally on the media player storage device such that the preference(s) can be utilized across titles. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082434 | Systems and Methods for Settings Management Across Multiple Titles - Systems and associated methods for managing application settings across titles are described. A settings management application allows for setting, saving and accessing preferences for one or more applications. Users can manage their application settings as desired and once saved, these application settings can be accessed repeatedly, even upon loading of a new title/disc into the media player. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082432 | System and Method of Playback and User Interface for Video Players - A method and a system of displaying a user interface to control playback and features that may be associated with a prerecorded media. A media player, such as a DVD player, a personal computer, a home media server, a high definition video player, an optical player, a hard drive based player, or a software DVD-ROM player receives streams of video from different media and displays its content. Simultaneously, and without interrupting the video playback, a user interface is overlaid on the video image. The user interface may include menu selections to control the playback of the video including scene selection, settings, and viewing rights. The user interface may include menu selections to control features associated with the video such as Documentaries, Games, Purchases, Activities, Commentaries, Outtakes, Karaoke, Trailers, Songs, Wishlists, and Events. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082426 | Systems and Methods for Incentivizing Content Engagement - Systems and associated methods for incentivizing content engagement are described. Embodiments provide a recommended feature application to offer premier/recommended content. This can take place at a variety of times, for example during the primary content selection interface display, as well as offering said content interactively as an overlay during the conclusion of a piece of content. Embodiments employ a weighted process for selecting a recommended feature based on one or more stored preference files. The recommended feature application can be utilized across titles. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081524 | TWO DIMENSIONAL MEDIA COMBINER FOR CREATING THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAYS - A three-dimensional (3D) display device combining two-dimensional (2D) images from two image sources to create a 3D image. The 3D display device utilizes a beam combining film that includes a prismatic front surface and a planar back surface. The film transmits light striking its back surface at particular incidence angles. A first 2D image source provides a foreground image and a second 2D image source to provide a background image. First and second liquid crystal displays may be arranged with display surfaces proximate to top and bottom edges of the beam combining film and at angular offsets to emit light corresponding with a 2D image stream onto the back surface of the beam combining film at one of the film's incidence angles. The 2D image streams striking the back surface of the film are combined by the film and transmitted from the front surface as a single autostereoscopic video image. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079360 | Storytelling Engine - Systems and associated methods for generating custom media products along various story arcs are described. The story arcs correspond to sub-themes for organizing media content within a larger theme, or story, into a custom media product. The media content can include stock media content, guest-specific or custom media content, which can include rendered content. Embodiments utilize authoring tools and automated workflow mechanisms to take various forms of raw media content and create customized media products for individual guests or groups of guests. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120079121 | System and method for dynamic adaptive player cells for multi-player environments - There is provided a system and method for dynamic adaptive player cells for multi-player environments. There is provided a method comprising establishing connections to host clients over a network, evaluating matching criteria to assign the clients to player cells, reevaluating the matching criteria to determine client transitions of the clients within the player cells, and sending, using the connections, data of the client transitions to output a visual translation of the client transitions to displays connected to the clients. By continually reevaluating the matching criteria and reconfiguring the composition of the player cells using low cost distributed server infrastructure, users may be optimally matched to the most relevant and interesting users. Additionally, by using the visual translation to depict the client transitions in a natural looking manner, the operation of the player cells can be made transparent to users, thereby removing interface complexity and attracting novice users. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074213 | STORED VALUE PRODUCTS, PACKAGES, THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) GLASSES AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - Stored value products, their packages, packaging content, displays, and associated methods for providing the same, are described. The stored value products described herein include gift cards having one or more 3D images and 3D glasses. The stored value product packing described herein include gift card package having one or more 3D images. The packaging content described herein includes collapsible 3D glasses. The displays described herein include displays having one or more 3D images and sample 3D viewers. Methods for production and use of the stored products, their packages, packaging content, and displays are also described. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072843 | Figment collaboration system - There is provided a system and method for the Figment collaboration system, providing intuitive user interfaces for collaboration. There is provided a system comprising an input surface, a display outputting on the input surface, and a server having a processor configured to receive a first input from the input surface, convert the first input into a first content box, generate contextual content suggestions based on the first content box, and show the first content box and the contextual content suggestions in a workspace canvas output to the display. By utilizing data sources accessible through a network, the contextual content suggestions may provide highly relevant data and remote user access to facilitate enhanced collaboration. At the same time, by supporting familiar workflows similar to working with conventional whiteboards, users can readily use the Figment collaboration system without the stress of having to learn poorly designed and complicated collaboration interfaces. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120072451 | MEDIA PLAYBACK IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A framework is provided for selecting media files for playback in a computer game. In one embodiment, user actions in the computer game are monitored. Further, user characterizations of media files may also be retrieved. The user characterizations may be input by a plurality of users via a media player application. A media file may be then selected for playback based on the monitored user actions and retrieved user characterizations. The selected media file may better suit an emotional experience of a user playing the computer game. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071251 | FREE SWING FERRIS WHEEL - A Ferris wheel-type ride. A lever arm is mounted to the wheel rim to freely pivot between front and rear stops. Passenger gondolas, pivotally attached to the lever arms, travel through four zones experiencing differing ride dynamics. In the first zone, the lever arm abuts the front stop while, in the second, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and the lever arm is supported from above by the wheel via the lever arm causing the gondola to be vertically lifted and to rotate slower than the hub rotation rate. In the third zone, the lever arm abuts the rear stop and, in the fourth zone, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and is supported from below by the wheel as it falls toward the front stop at a rate greater than the hub rotation rate. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071240 | MUSICAL ACTION RESPONSE SYSTEM - A framework is disclosed for associating visual elements of a computer game with musical scores of a computer game. In one embodiment, a visual element is moved in a virtual environment of the computer game, in response to user input. Playback of a musical score may be altered based on movement of the visual element. A visual effect in the scene may also be generated, based on the altered playback of the musical score. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071063 | MULTI-LANE TRACK SYSTEM - A toy vehicle track kit which imparts a self-guiding capability to a toy vehicles via guide rails interposed between wheels of toy vehicles. The self-guiding capability also permits passing or side-by-side racing of one toy vehicle with respect to another. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071060 | DISPLAY PACKAGING FOR SOFT TOYS - Display packaging for soft toys, in particular, dolls, that allows a doll to be stably displayed upright in a standing or upright position on a retail display shelf, while allowing the doll's costumes and other attributes to be displayed to a purchaser and/or and child accompanying the purchaser unimpeded by any packaging elements and in a more life-like manner is described. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067772 | DISPLAY PACKAGING FOR PLUSH TOYS - Display packaging for plush toys or dolls that allows the packaged toy to be neatly displayed on a retail shelf in an upright, sitting position so that the toy's features can be readily seen is described. In particular, the display packaging facilitates, and encourages, a child accompanying an adult purchaser at a retail location to hug or cuddle the toy without the display packaging impeding that experience. The display packaging also uses much less packaging material than previous packaging for similar products. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066203 | ONLINE CONTENT RANKING SYSTEM BASED ON AUTHENTICITY METRIC VALUES FOR WEB ELEMENTS - Methods and systems for identifying and ranking search results and online advertisements based on authenticity are described. A search server includes an authenticity index, which includes authenticity metric values associated with one or more web elements. The authenticity metric values may indicate the relative authority of the web element with respect to a specific category, keyword, search term, phrase, context, filter, etc. Search results may be generated and ranked based on the authenticity metric values. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120066052 | Method and System for Associating a Consumer with Product Redemption Data - There is presented a method and system for using a product redemption data associated with an identity of a consumer in a memory of a computer having a processor. The method comprises receiving the product redemption data, searching the memory using the processor to find the product redemption data, and identifying the consumer in response to finding the product redemption data associated with the identity of the consumer in the memory. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062490 | Game Pieces for Use with Touch Screen Devices and Related Methods - There is provided a system and method for communicating with a first peripheral device, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitive system that has a processor and a touch surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method additionally includes communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of the first peripheral device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120058833 | HIGH AND LOW FLYER RIDE - A round ride is selectively placing passenger vehicles in one of two or more workspaces or vehicle fly zones. The ride includes a drive assembly including a rotating hub structure and a plurality of vehicle support assemblies mounted to the hub. Each of the vehicle support assemblies includes: (a) a vehicle; (b) a support arm supporting the vehicle proximate to a first end; (c) a base pivotally supporting the arm; and (d) a base angle mechanism mounted to the rotatable structure and selectively operable to position the base into a low position and a high position. The vehicle support assemblies are grouped into first and second sets including alternating ones of the vehicle support assemblies. The base angle mechanisms positions the first set of vehicle support assemblies in the low position and the second set of vehicle support assemblies in the high position and later swaps the positions. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120058820 | USING REAL-TIME CONSTRUCTIVE SOLID GEOMETRY TO PROVIDE PAINTING AND THINNING GAME MECHANICS - Techniques are described for providing a painting and thinning mechanic within a computer-generated environment (e.g., in a video game). The painting and thinning mechanic allows geometry within the computer-generated environment to be “painted” or “thinned.” Painting and thinning refers to a mechanic that involves making parts of the virtual environment visibly and collidably transparent (thinning) or visibly and collidably opaque (painting). The painting/thinning mechanic may be achieved using binary space partitioning (BSP) trees. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120058819 | Gated unlock codes for videogame features and content - There is provided a system and method for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content. By maintaining a redemption database where master unlock codes are used to provide access to specific subsets of feature unlock codes, unique exclusive content may be provided for different retailers. In this manner, a universal game media containing all possible additional content may be utilized for retail distribution, reducing publishing costs while still providing customized versions for retailers with desirable exclusive content. By restricting each gaming device or user account to a single group or hierarchy of master unlock codes, the use of ancillary unlock codes with videogames purchased from different retailers may be discouraged, thereby preserving user incentives to purchase primary and secondary items with feature unlock codes at a single retailer. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057006 | AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An autostereoscopy apparatus that typically includes a passive autostereoscopic panel such as a lenticular poster. The panel has a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of static images. Dining use, the autostereoscopic panel is configured or designed to reflect light to generate, passively or without power, a three dimensional (3D) display of images based on the static images. The apparatus includes an image source selectively operating to project two dimensional (2D) images onto the back surface of the autostereoscopic panel, which is non-opaque such that the two dimensional images are projected outward from the front surface within the 3D display, e.g., the 2D images are inserted or injected into the volumetric display so as to also appear to have depth and dimensions. The two dimensional images may be video images precision masked based on at least one of the static images. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120047542 | System and method for rule based dynamic server side streaming manifest files - There is provided a system and method for rule-based dynamic server-side streaming manifest files. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to provide a first video content for playback, evaluating a plurality of rules for the first video content, generating a dynamic manifest file referencing the first video content, and providing the dynamic manifest file in response to the request, thereby enabling an application to playback the first video content for output on a display by interpreting the dynamic manifest file. The rules may implement various features such as dynamic advertisement insertion, load balancing, client customization, user and device targeting, enhanced security mechanisms, global announcements, and others. As streaming protocols are widely supported by default on many client platforms, the dynamic manifest files can be utilized in a user friendly and transparent manner compared to client-side solutions requiring cumbersome client software installations. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120047222 | System and method for enabling client-side initiated identification of media content - There is provided a system and method enabling client-side initiated identification of media content rendered on a client-side media player. In one embodiment, the system comprises the client-side media player including a controller and a memory, a media content database accessible by the client-side media player over a network, and a media content identifier application to be run on the client-side media player. The media content identifier application, when executed by the client-side media player controller, performs a method comprising sampling the media content, sending a first data corresponding to the sample to the media content database over the network, and receiving a second data over the network identifying the media content, thereby enabling client-side initiated identification of the media content rendered on the client-side media player. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120040766 | ROUND RIDE WITH PASSENGER-INITIATED MOTION PROFILE - A round ride with passenger-initiated motion profiles controlling vertical vehicle movements. The ride includes a drive assembly with a rotating hub that includes support arms extending outward from the structure supporting passenger vehicles. Each of the vehicles includes a triggering device capable of generating either an onboard or offboard discrete signal when operated by a passenger causing a controller to select a motion profile from a number of stored profiles that each defines an actuator motion profile (or angular movement of a support arm about its pivotal mounting point to the rotatable central hub). The motion profiles define different angular rotations for a support arm to cause a vehicle to jump to differing heights, and the profile may be chosen by the controller based on vehicle height and position along the circular path and other environmental inputs such as a game state for the vehicle or a show/ride status. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120040754 | System and Method for Dynamic Video Game Recap - There is provided a system and method for providing dynamic recap sequences to a player of a video game. There is provided a method for use by a processor to present a recap sequence to a player of a video game, the method comprising storing, in a memory, identification data identifying the player and associated event data relating to the video game played by the player after a first game play, receiving the identification data to identify the player for a second game play, retrieving the event data from the memory, creating a prioritized event list including a number of events from the event data, generating the recap sequence based on the prioritized event list, and presenting the recap sequence to the player prior to the second game play. Creation of the prioritized event list can be customized to suit particular requirements of the video game. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120040752 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYING A MULTIPLAYER GAME - A system and method for playing a multiplayer game are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes, queuing a player for a multiplayer game, determining that at least one criterion for beginning the multiplayer game has not been met, beginning a queuing game for the queued player, and determining that the criterion has been met. In response to determining that the criterion has been met, the method continues by ending the queuing game for the player, determining a queuing game outcome for the player, and beginning the multiplayer game, wherein the multiplayer game is based, at least in part, on the queuing game outcome. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120033036 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIDEO - A system and method for displaying three-dimensional video are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving three-dimensional video comprising first video comprising a plurality of first frames and second video comprising a plurality of second frames, receiving a synchronization signal, and displaying interleaved first and second frames based on the synchronization signal. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030249 | REAL-TIME STORY GENERATION - Systems, methods and computer-readable media are disclosed for providing a framework for generating problem situations in a computer game. In one embodiment, the framework includes a data structure representing solution candidates, fact patterns, and a solution designator. The data structure also includes a chain of inference between the solution designator and each candidate. The computer game may generate a problem situation from the data structure and present the problem situation to a user playing the computer game. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028700 | ONLINE PARALLEL PLAY - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for providing concurrent gameplay of a single-player mode of a computer game. In one embodiment, a first instance of the single-player mode of the computer game is being played by a first player and receives, from a second instance of the single-player mode of the computer game, data associated with an avatar controlled by a second player. The first instance may provide, to the first player, an indication of the avatar controlled by the second player, as both players play the computer game. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028694 | System and method for image recognized content creation - There is provided a system and method for image recognized content creation. There is provided a method comprising capturing an image from a camera, analyzing the image to recognize a plurality of elements, converting the plurality of elements into custom content data, and executing an interactive application using the custom content data. In one embodiment, the interactive application may comprise a racing video game, and the image may comprise a racetrack layout for use in the racing video game. Thus, a user can provide a racetrack by drawing simple lines and curves on a piece of paper, which are detected by the camera and converted into valid data assets for the video game. In this manner, even young children can leverage common drawing skills using familiar physical drawing implements for quick and simplified content creation, bypassing the need to use complex, tedious, and proprietary conventional on-screen user interfaces. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120021785 | Method and System for Transmission and Display of Rich-Media Alerts - There is provided a method and system of generating a rich-media message using a short message service (SMS) message. In one aspect, the method comprises encoding data and rich-media content information to generate an encoded rich-media message, and formatting the encoded rich-media message into a rich-media SMS message. In one aspect, the method includes transmitting the rich-media SMS over a network, In another aspect, the method includes receiving the rich-media SMS by a mobile device, decoding the SMS, and displaying the message. The method may include obtaining rich-media content from a server. In one embodiment, a system for communicating a rich-media message to a mobile device comprises an alerts generator configured to encode a rich-media message and format the message into a rich-media SMS, a content server configured to provide rich-media content to a mobile device configured to decode and display the rich-media SMS. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016937 | System and Method for Customized Experiences in a Shared Online Environment - There is provided a system and method for providing customized experiences to a plurality of client stations in a shared environment. There is provided an accounts database having data relating to a plurality of clients, an online server having a server processor and hosting the shared environment for access by the plurality of client stations, and an online client application for execution by a client processor of a client station. The server processor is configured to retrieve client data from the accounts database relating to a client, determine client preferences of the client based on the client data, create a customized environment from the shared environment according to the client preferences, and send the customized environment to the online client application of a client station associated with the client for rendering the customized environment on a client display. User interactions may be filtered to maintain a shared environment perception. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013618 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING POINT CONNECTIVITY ON A TWO MANIFOLD IN 3D SPACE - One particular implementation of the present invention may involve a method for determining connectivity of a plurality of points on a surface of a computer-generated object in 2D or 3D space. In general, the method may utilize a recursion process to determine or approximate a plurality of association region boundaries related to the points on the computer-generated object. The method may include a first stage of a refinement operation that may recursively search the surface of the computer model for the region boundaries of the set of points, a stopping operation that may cease the recursive search when an acceptable tolerance is achieved and a connecting operation that may use the determined region boundaries to connect the series of points on the surface of the model to form a connectivity graph of the points. The connectivity information obtained through the above method may be utilized as part of an interpolation process to generate hair or fur along the surface of the object. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120009395 | Method for the translation of a white light color palette to a black light color palette - One particular implementation of the present invention may involve a method for creating a color sample that provides a first color under white light and a second color under UV or black light. In general, the first color and second color may each include a perceived hue and value (shade and tint). However, the second color may also include a luminous effect under the UV light. In some implementations, the hue and value of the first color and the second color may be the same such that the difference between the first color and the second color is a luminous effect of the color sample under the black light. In another implementation, the hue and value of the first color and the second color may differ, such that the color scheme appears as one color under white light and glows a separate color under black light. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007817 | Physical pieces for interactive applications using touch screen devices - There are provided systems and methods for facilitating an interaction with a first peripheral device using a touch-sensitive system having a processor and a touch surface. An example method includes detecting, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, and determining, using the processor, that the first peripheral device has an accessory attached thereto. A method may include determining, using the processor, transformation of the first peripheral device. Another method may include determining, using the processor, a position of the first peripheral device with respect to digital elements displayed on the touch surface, and interacting with the first peripheral device based on the position of the first peripheral device with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007808 | Interactive game pieces using touch screen devices for toy play - There is provided a system and method for facilitating an interaction using first and second peripheral devices and related structures. Each of the first and second peripheral devices have a plurality of touch points for touching a touch surface of a touch-sensitive system. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises detecting a plurality of contemporaneous touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system. One of the first and second peripheral devices is identified based on the plurality of contemporaneous touches as compared to the plurality of touch points of one of the first and second peripheral devices. In some embodiments, orientation of the one of the first and second peripheral devices can be determined based on the plurality of contemporaneous touches as compared to the plurality of touch points of the one of the first and second peripheral devices. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006221 | Intersecting Path Ride - An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120002014 | 3D Graphic Insertion For Live Action Stereoscopic Video - Systems and methods for the insertion of graphics into stereoscopic live action 3D video using image models taking into account positional data from the stereoscopic camera rig. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319179 | Roller Coaster Vehicle - Ride systems providing guest compartment(s) with a roll degree of freedom through radial mount(s) are described. The guest compartment of the vehicles is attached to a track via a chassis. The guest compartment and the chassis are configured such that the guest compartment has a roll degree of freedom relative to the chassis. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319173 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLABORATION - Techniques are disclosed for facilitating a shared activity conducted by multiple participants via remote devices, particularly when there are more players then available remote devices. For example, the shared activity may be users playing electronic versions of a variety of card games or board games (or other game types). Users interact with a central device and one or more remote devices. The central device may be used to present “public” information on a central game play field—such as a game board, draw and discard piles, place cards, current scores, whose turn it is, etc. And the remote devices are used to present “private” game information to individual players—such as a player's “hole cards” or letter tiles. Further, users may make game choices and provide game input by interacting with the handheld device. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110312428 | TELESCOPING-ARM ROUND RIDE FOR AMUSEMENT PARKS - An amusement park ride that provides an interactive flying experience in a round ride setting by allowing vehicle passengers to move their vehicle in and out horizontally through a fly zone. The ride includes a central support assembly with a structure rotatable about a central axis at one or more rotation speeds. The ride also includes passenger vehicles and, for each vehicle, a support arm assembly that extends outward from the rotatable structure. The support arm assembly includes a support arm and a variable radius mechanism. The support arm is mounted to the rotatable structure and supports the passenger vehicle. The variable radius mechanism operates during rotation of the rotatable structure to vary the arm length or support location of the vehicle on the arm to vary the vehicle's rotation radius. The variable radius mechanism may include a telescoping arm that reciprocates the vehicle along a linear displacement path. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110312422 | CELL PHONE MULTIMEDIA CONTROLLER - A system and method is provided for remotely controlling and interacting with a multimedia device using a mobile phone. This is accomplished by utilizing cell and mobile phones capable of establishing persistent Internet connections. A software application is provided for the mobile phone that receives inputs entered by a user on the mobile phone's keypad and translates the inputs into commands that are recognized by a multimedia device. For example, the multimedia device may be a television, set top box, or a digital video recorder such as a Tivo or ReplayTV. The software application transmits the data input by the user to the device, either directly, or through at least one central server. Mapping of the commands entered on the mobile phone into commands recognized by the remote device may occur on the phone, at a central server, or at the device itself. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310310 | System and method for imagination park tree projections - There is provided a system and method for multiple sided video projection mapping on arbitrarily shaped objects. By using the same shape data to manufacture the object and to configure the projection mapping onto the object, stray light, reflections, and other distortions can be reduced or eliminated. By constructing the object using a non-opaque layer and a projection coating layer, video content projected onto the object can be seen on multiple sides. Thus, the number of projectors required for multi-sided viewing can be reduced, simplifying deployment and reducing costs. The invention may be of particular use for retail spaces or other public venues where display of image or video content for information, entertainment, or atmosphere enhancement is desirable. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307830 | System and method for simplifying discovery of content availability for a consumer - There is presented a system and method for simplifying discovery of content availability for a consumer. The system comprises a content availability database storing content records accessible through a server, and an aggregator configured to update the content records. The system also comprises a content discovery application configured to display an information pane corresponding to one of the content records according to a data related to the consumer, the information pane including one or more selectable display features indicating the distribution status of a content unit corresponding to the content record. The content discovery application is further configured to receive an input from the consumer selecting one of the selectable display features indicating distribution status and to identify at least one provider of the content unit according to the selected distribution status. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307783 | System and method enabling visual filtering of content - There is presented a system and method enabling visual filtering of content. The system comprises a server, a content database storing content units and accessible through the server, and a filtering and display application. The filtering and display application is configured to enable visual filtering of the content units by filtering a plurality of graphical representations corresponding to a plurality of content units stored by the system, to extract a first plurality of graphical representations for displaying to a user, displaying the first plurality of graphical representations as active graphical representations selectable by the user in a first featured display, and dynamically filtering the first plurality of graphical representations and replacing the first featured display with another featured display of a first subset of active graphical representations selectable by the user according to an input received from the user. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304623 | System and method for artist friendly controls for hair shading - There is provided a system and method for artist friendly control of three-dimensional object shading, particularly hair. A methodology is disclosed for deriving a pseudo scattering function over a domain of Artist Friendly Controls (AFCs) from a physically based scattering function over a domain of Physically Based Controls (PBCs). The pseudo scattering function can provide intuitive decoupled adjustments of specific important visual characteristics while still providing a convincing and aesthetically pleasing result. An end user such as an artist may thus control the values, or AFCs, to implement specific aesthetic features for the shading of objects as seen on a display. The pseudo scattering function may be utilized for single scattering and multiple scattering models of hair shading. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110300957 | AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE WITH CABLE-SUSPENDED VEHICLES - A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297296 | ROTOCAST COMPOSITE HYBRID PROCESS FOR MOLDING COMPOSITE PARTS - A rotocast composite hybrid method for efficiently making strong but lightweight parts. The method includes filling a mold with a volume of resin through an access port and then sealing the access port by positioning a lid over the access port. The method includes mounting the mold in a rotocasting machine and then operating the rotocasting machine to rotate the mold about two orthogonal axes until a layer of the resin is applied uniformly over an inner surface of the mold to form an outer wall of a part. The method includes removing the lid and then applying a reinforcement material (e.g., sheets of woven fiberglass) to an inner surface of the outer wall of the part through the access port. The applying of the reinforcement material also involves wet layup such as by binding the reinforcement material to the inner surface by applying additional resin to the reinforcement material. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110296944 | THREE-AXIS ROBOTIC JOINT USING FOUR-BAR LINKAGES TO DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL SIDE GEARS - A robotic joint configured as a 3-axis joint. The joint includes an input roll assembly and a pitch-output roll assembly. The pitch-output roll assembly includes: a housing; a differential mechanism including left and right input gears, an output gear, a cross element interconnecting the gears, and a clevis supporting the gears and the cross element; a left four-bar linkage coupled to the left input gear; a right four-bar linkage coupled to the right input gear; and first and second linear actuators connected to the left and right four-bar linkages. The first and second linear actuators selectively drive the left and right input gears to rotate the output gear about an output roll axis and to rotate the cross element about a pitch axis passing through the cross element and input gears. A linear actuator in the input roll assembly rotates the pitch-output roll housing about an input roll axis. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110292055 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANIMATING NON-HUMANOID CHARACTERS WITH HUMAN MOTION DATA - Systems, methods and products for animating non-humanoid characters with human motion are described. One aspect includes selecting key poses included in initial motion data at a computing system; obtaining non-humanoid character key poses which provide a one to one correspondence to selected key poses in said initial motion data; and statically mapping poses of said initial motion data to non-humanoid character poses using a model built based on said one to one correspondence from said key poses of said initial motion data to said non-humanoid character key poses. Other embodiments are described. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110288858 | AUDIO NOISE MODIFICATION FOR EVENT BROADCASTING - An signal processing apparatus, system and software product for audio modification/substitution of a background noise generated during an event including, but not be limited to, substituting or partially substituting a noise signal from one or more microphones by a pre-recorded noise, and/or selecting one or more noise signals from a plurality of microphones for further processing in real-time or near real-time broadcasting. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286065 | INTERACTIVE ZOETROPE FOR ANIMATION OF SOLID FIGURINES AND HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110285964 | DISPLAY SYSTEM USING PROJECTION SCREENS FORMED OF FLOWING SNOW - A display system for use in winter and other low temperature venues. The system includes a projection screen generation assembly that includes a snow making machine. The snow making machine receives an input flow of a liquid, such as water plus one or more additives to increase opacity and/or reflectivity of the snowflakes. The machine forms snow from the input flow and discharges a volume of flowing snow as a sheet or curtain providing a projection screen. The system includes a high-brightness projector directing light onto the projection screen to provide an image on surfaces of the flowing snow. In some embodiments, the snow making machine includes a nozzle configured such that the flowing snow is output in a substantially planar sheet, e.g., with the use of a diffuser or the like for increasing the laminar nature of the flow and the sheet may be relatively thin. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110285854 | System and method for theatrical followspot control interface - There is provided a system and method for controlling a tracking device to follow a location of a performer on a stage. The tracking device may comprise a lighting fixture such as a high output video projector or an automated mechanical moving light such as a DMX lighting fixture to provide a followspot, or a microphone to record audio from a particular performer. The method comprises capturing a video feed of the stage using a camera, presenting the video feed on a display of a control device, receiving input data indicating a position of the performer in the video feed, translating the input data into the location of the performer on the stage, and adjusting the tracking device to follow the location of the performer on the stage. The control device thereby provides lighting operators with an intuitive interface readily implemented using cost effective commodity hardware. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110265679 | Anti-Roll Back Assembly with Linear Magnetic Positioning - An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110258656 | System and method for television application channel sync (TACS) - There is provided a system and method for providing television application channel sync (TACS). There is provided a method comprising determining a channel presently tuned from a plurality of tunable channels, applying a plurality of business rules to the channel to present, on a display, a list of selectable television applications from a plurality of television applications requiring access to a network, associating the channel to a selection of television applications from the list, and rendering the selection of television applications concurrently with the channel on the display while the channel is presently tuned. The business rules may be flexibly configured to prevent television applications from displaying unsuitable, unrelated or irrelevant content with channel video content, thus providing a unified and coherent presentation for viewers while preserving the intended messages of primary programming content providers and advertising partners. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALUATING A PLAYER IN A FANTASY DRAFT BASED ON USER-DEFINED LEAGUE RULES - A system and method for valuating a player in a fantasy draft based on user-defined league rules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing a list of players, each player associated with a base value, receiving one or more user-defined rules for the draft, and determining adjusted values for each of the list of players based at least in part on base values of the players and the user-defined rules. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256915 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-SEQUENTIAL AUTOMATED FANTASY DRAFTING - A system and method for non-sequential automated fantasy drafting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing a ranked list of players, each player associated with one or more characteristics from a predefined set of characteristics, defining one or more rules which specify the maximum number of active players having each of the characteristics and a maximum number of players having of each of the characteristics, storing a roster of previously selected players having the maximum number of active players for a particular characteristic and less than the maximum number of players for the particular characteristic, and automatically selecting, in an electronic device, based on the stored roster, a player for the roster from the ranked list of players satisfying the one or more rules such that a player is selected with a lower rank than a player with the particular characteristic. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256910 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY VALUATING PLAYERS DURING A FANTASY DRAFT - A system and method for dynamically valuating players during a fantasy draft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing, in an electronic device, a list of players, each player associated with a base value, receiving one or more player selections, and determining one or more adjusted values for a respective one or more particular players based at least in part on the base values of the particular players and the player selections. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256909 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED FANTASY DRAFTING - A system and method for automated fantasy drafting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to a list of players, wherein each player on the list is associated with one or more characteristics from a set of predefined characteristics and wherein at least one of the user-defined rules specifies a particular characteristic and selecting a player from the list of players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110249201 | PROJECTING AN ANIMATED OBJECT AND CONCURRENTLY MOVING THE OBJECT'S PROJECTION AREA THROUGH AN ANIMATION PATTERN - A projection assembly and projection method for accurately reproducing animated and live characters, objects, and effects. The projection assembly uses a high precision robotic mirror system to achieve very high levels of image resolution, brightness, and contrast. The assembly includes a projector receiving an input image stream, and a mirror assembly is positioned proximate to the projector outlet. The mirror assembly uses positionable mirrors to reflect the projected images onto a display surface at positions that define an animation pattern on the display surface for the projected image or character. The assembly includes a motor controller assembly positioning the mirrors based on position data defining the animation pattern. The projected images may be provided in a projection area that is a fraction of the size of the display surface, such that the resolution and output light of the projector are concentrated on the display surface within this projection area. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249012 | COMPUTING THE IRRADIANCE FROM A DISK LIGHT SOURCE AT A RECEIVER POINT - Techniques are disclosed to determine the irradiance from a disk light source with much higher accuracy than may be obtained using the common approximation often used currently. By pre-computing, SH coefficients using a specific coordinate frame, only six SH coefficients need to be stored in a first and second texture, one used to determine irradiance of a point within the radius of a disk light source and another for more distant points. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249007 | COMPUTER RENDERING OF DRAWING-TOOL STROKES - A drawing-tool renderer provides real-time rendering of lines with the look of artistic line drawings. A tip of a drawing tool (e.g., pencil) can be modeled as a constellation of points representing locations on the surface (or within the volume) of the tip. For a given point on a line being rendered, the location of the point and corresponding tool-tip parameters are used to determine which points in the tool tip model touch which portions of the paper. The effect of pigment transfer on cell color is modeled realistically. Various parameters of the model can be tuned to achieve a desired balance between rendering speed and accuracy of the simulation. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248998 | IRRADIANCE RIGS - Techniques are disclosed for using a local lighting representation to explicitly model spatial variation of a character in a graphics scene as well as for using error driven criteria to determine whether to evaluate a given light source analytically or in a lighting rig. For near light sources, the error driven criteria may be used to determine when a spherical light source should be evaluated in the lighting rig verses analytically. For large characters, local irradiance models may be used to provide a limited form of spatial variation. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248996 | EMBEDDING IMAGES INTO A SURFACE USING OCCLUSION - A three-dimensional relief can be produced from one or more two-dimensional digital (2D) images. A height field is computed from the one or more 2D images and illumination direction information. The height field comprises a multiplicity of geometric surface elements arrayed in a 2D field corresponding to the pixels of the one or more 2D images. Each geometric surface element corresponds to a pixel of each of the digital images and has at least one height parameter representing a displacement from a surface floor. Once the height field is computed, optimizations or adjustments can optionally be made to the height field. The height field can be used to fabricate relief elements in a material, such that each relief element corresponds in shape, position in the height field, and height above the surface floor, to one of the geometric surface elements in the height field. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248987 | INTERACTIVE THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAYS ON HANDHELD DEVICES - Techniques are disclosed for rendering an anamorphic projection of 3D scene geometry on a handled device using a correct asymmetric perspective geometry projection. Once pose of the handheld device is determined, a relative eye position may be inferred when the device is tilted away from an initial or default pose, based on data supplied by accelerometers. Thus, embodiments of the invention result in a holographic style display without the need for glasses or external sensing attachments. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248913 | MOTIONBEAM INTERACTION TECHNIQUES FOR HANDHELD PROJECTORS - An image projection system may be configured to project objects which respond to movements and gestures made using a handheld projector, as well as to methods for controlling the projected objects based on such user input. For example, users may interact with and control objects in a projection frame by moving and/or gesturing with the handheld projector. Further, objects or characters projected using the handheld projector may be configured to perceive and react to physical objects in the environment. Similarly, elements of the physical environment may be configured to respond to the presence of the projected objects or characters in a variety of ways. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248837 | Generating Virtual Stimulation Devices and Illusory Sensations Using Tactile Display Technology - Systems and methods providing tactile displays that present two-dimensional moving tactile stroke sensations are described herein. Systems and methods provide for controlling the characteristics of stimulation devices arranged in a grid topology to generate virtual stimulation devices and illusory sensations. Embodiments provide for the generation of illusory sensations including, but not limited to, continuous linear movement and shapes such as curves, squares, and circles. According to embodiments, a tactile display apparatus is provided that facilitates user interaction with the tactile display. The tactile display apparatus includes an interface embedded with stimulation devices and a control device that controls the operation of the stimulation devices to generate illusory sensations. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247039 | Navigation and discovery of video on demand content via tv schedule on handheld devices - There is provided a system and method for a user interface for viewing video on demand (VOD) content organized by corresponding television broadcast schedules. There is provided a method comprising receiving a time period for navigation, retrieving VOD programming data and television broadcast schedule data, generating a plurality of program listings by matching the VOD programming data to the television broadcast schedule data within the time period, displaying the plurality of program listings on a display, and outputting, to the display, video corresponding to a first program listing selected from the plurality of program listings. Users are thereby enabled to quickly and optimally navigate to VOD content of interest using a familiar broadcast schedule format. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110246661 | Streaming playback and dynamic Ad insertion - There is provided a system and method for dynamically generated client side streaming playlists. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to stream a video asset for playback, retrieving, from a network, a video asset playlist corresponding to the video asset and an ad campaign playlist, generating a consolidated video playlist including the video asset playlist and the ad campaign playlist, and processing the consolidated video playlist using a media playback framework to stream a plurality of video files from the network for decoding and output to a display. Discontinuity tags within the video asset playlist may be utilized as insertion points for portions of the ad campaign playlist. The consolidated video playlist may be accessed through a local HTTP web server, advantageously allowing the use of commonly installed media playback framework models such as QuickTime X to trigger adaptive bitrate support through HTTP Live Streaming. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242326 | System and Method for Utilizing Motion Fields to Predict Evolution in Dynamic Scenes - Described herein are methods, systems, apparatuses and products for utilizing motion fields to predict evolution in dynamic scenes. One aspect provides for accessing active object position data including positioning information of a plurality of individual active objects; extracting a plurality of individual active object motions from the active object position data; constructing a motion field using the plurality of individual active object motions; and using the motion field to predict one or more points of convergence at one or more spatial locations that active objects are proceeding towards at a future point in time. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239099 | System and method for video poetry using text based related media - There is provided a system and method for creating video poetry using text based related media. There is provided a method for creating a video poetry media, the method comprising receiving an ordered list of text phrases selected from a defined plurality of text phrases, presenting a plurality of video clips, wherein each of the plurality of video clips is associated with one or more of the ordered list of text phrases, receiving an ordered list of video clips selected from the plurality of video clips, and generating the video poetry media using the ordered list of video clips. In this manner, the barrier of entry for creating video poetry media is reduced, encouraging increased user participation and the creation of the “viral” effect by sharing video poetry online. Positive publicity for associated brands and media properties and additional channels for commercial promotions are thereby provided. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110238503 | System and method for personalized dynamic web content based on photographic data - There is provided a system and method for providing personalized dynamic online content based on photographic data. There is provided a method comprising receiving photographic data of a user, determining user preferences by analyzing the photographic data, generating personalized dynamic online content using the user preferences and a profile associated with the user, and providing the personalized dynamic online content for output on a display of the user. In particular, the photographic data may be analyzed to identify creative properties, such as favored brands and characters. Through the immediate user preference feedback provided by the photographic content, a higher degree of optimal targeted content can be provided to the user without requiring conventional burdensome procedures such as manually completed user surveys or lengthy periods of behavioral monitoring. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235998 | CONTINUOUS FREEZE-FRAME VIDEO EFFECT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A number of adjacent regions in input video and a corresponding number of adjacent regions in output video are defined. The adjacent regions are defined so that they span the path of motion of a subject as it moves across a scene in the input and output video. For each region, a plurality of sequential region frames defining video within the region are captured. For each region, playback of the captured plurality of sequential region frames is provided in a substantially continuous loop. The playback of the captured plurality of sequential frames defining video within each region is positioned in the output video adjacent the playback of the captured plurality of sequential frames defining video within an adjacent region in the output video so that the combined effect of the adjacent regions of played-back video is to provide output video that spans the scene. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234493 | System and method for interacting with display floor using multi-touch sensitive surround surfaces - There is provided a system and method for the interactive display floor with multi-touch surround surfaces that is integrated with an interactive computer system. There is provided a system comprising an interactive video floor, a sensitized peripheral surface, an interactive computer and video system. When the user makes contact with sensitized peripheral surface, digital input data is transmitted to interactive computer. After analyzing the digital input data, the interactive computer sends digital output data back to interactive video floor through video system, and back to sensitized peripheral surface. The interactive video floor redisplays its graphics based on the content of the digital output data, and the sensitized peripheral surface reconfigures itself with respect to the information within digital output data. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110231013 | MAGNETIC SPHERICAL BALANCING ROBOT DRIVE - A drive system is presented for controlling rotation of a sphere. The system facilitates holonomic motion of a drive with respect to a sphere such that a holonomic drive or drives may be maintained at a relative position with respect to a sphere. The motion of a sphere may be controlled by controlling the position of a drive with respect to the sphere. The drive may be controlled by way of a controller. A holonomic drive may be urged against a sphere by way magnetic interaction of the holonomic drive and a second structure. Also, a support structure is facilitated that allows a sphere to pass through a support column without breaks or interruptions in the sphere. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110222493 | Cellular Wireless LAN with Frequency Division Multiplex in TV White Space - Systems, methods, and devices for operating a multiplex wireless local area network using separated uplink and downlink channels in the 802.11 and television white space (TVWS) spectra are disclosed. Opportunistic detection and use of available TVWS frequency channels allows for fixed and mobile wireless devices to more efficiently use the available wireless bandwidth. By using separated uplink and downlink channels, a fixed wireless device can listen to incoming uplink frames from other mobile and fixed wireless devices and monitor for uplink frame collisions. In the event of an uplink frame collision, the fixed wireless device can immediately send a stop frame in the downlink channel to all involved wireless devices to avoid lost channel time due to the delay caused by most acknowledgement-based collision recovery protocols. Similarly, communicating mobile and fixed wireless devices can transmit and receive data frames in both directions simultaneously. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110209375 | TWO-PIECE WRISTBAND WITH SLIDABLE EXTENSION FOR USER-SELECTABLE SIZING - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a body extending from a first to a second end, and the body may include a recessed surface or other receiving portion. The wearable band further includes a second band element or slidable extension with a body extending from a first to a second end. To provide user-selectable sizing, the second band element may be selectively positioned by sliding within the receiving portion of the first band element body so as to extend inward a desired engagement depth from the second end of the first band element body. A portion of the second band element body extends outward from the opening of first band element body such that this extending portion and a length of the first band element body combine to define an overall length of the wearable band assembly. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110209374 | IDENTIFICATION BRACELET WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SEGMENTS PROVIDING USER SELECTABLE SIZING - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a base band element with an elongated, thin body extending a first length from a first sidewall to a second sidewall. The body may include a user identification member that stores user ID information for a wearer of the band. The band includes a band sizing assembly with one, two, three, or more band sizing segments that are detachable linked together such as via a tongue and groove interlocking mechanism. The band sizing assembly extends a second length from first sidewall to a second sidewall, and these sidewalls are configured for coupling or linking with the sidewalls of the base band element body so as to form a closed loop or bracelet with a third length. A user may size the band by selecting the number and size of the sizing segments used in the band sizing assembly. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110209373 | TWO-PIECE WRISTBAND WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LASSO BAND ELEMENT FOR USER SELECTABLE SIZING - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a raised center or identification member. The band includes a second band element with a body having a loop or lasso at one end defined by an inner surface of a sidewall. The outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall when the center member is received within and captured by the loop such as by a snap detent arrangement. To allow sizing, the second band element includes both an inner band sizing element including the loop-defining sidewall at one of its ends and an outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element. The length of the second band element is defined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizing elements. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110209372 | WEARABLE BANDS WITH INTERCHANGEABLE RFID MODULES ALLOWING USER SIZING AND PERSONALIZATION - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length and with an interchangeable identification (ID) element. The band includes a first band element with a recessed surface for receiving and retaining the identification element such as with its included ID module extending through a hole in the first band element body. To allow user sizing, the wearable band includes a second band element with a planar body extending from a first to a second end. The second band element body is greater in length than the first band element body and includes a hole for receiving the first band element body. The band includes a coupling mechanism that detachably connects an outer sidewall of the first band element body to the inner sidewall of the second band element body, e.g., to allow the two band elements to be selectively disconnected and reassembled without tools. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110209313 | Wristbands With Interchangeable Layers Allowing Sizing By End User - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element and a second band element with a planar body extending from a first to a second end. The second band element body is greater in length than the first band element body and includes a hole for receiving the first band element body. The band includes a coupling mechanism that detachably connects an outer sidewall of the first band element body to the inner sidewall of the second band element body, e.g., to allow the two band elements to be selectively disconnected and reassembled without tools. The coupling mechanism includes a first coupling component extending along the outer sidewall of the first band element and a second coupling element extending along the inner sidewall of the second band element such that the two band elements are connected along the periphery of the hole. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110202605 | Multi-User Interactive Communication Network Environment - A system and method for initiating communication in real-time between users in a multi-user communication environment are described. To limit the receipt of unwanted messages, communication may be limited to a pre-prepared library of chat messages. The pre-prepared library of chat messages may include one or more of predetermined words, phrases and actions. Users are enabled to communicate and/or perform gaming actions based on the prepared library of chat messages, in one or more languages. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202397 | Systems and Methods to Deliver Event-Driven Content - In some embodiments, event data is displayed by receiving, at a client device in communication with a remote content engine, an event message, the event message including data identifying an event type and event data. A determination is made whether the event type of the event message is an ad event, and an event display module is updated with the event data. If the event type is an ad event type, an ad request message is transmitted to the remote content engine, where the ad request message includes data identifying the client device and the event type. An ad response message is received from the remote content engine where the ad response message includes data identifying an advertisement. The advertisement is displayed for the user using the event display module. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201427 | ELECTRONIC GAME WITH OVERLAY CARD - Systems and methods related to game consoles, game software and games for play on a game console having a touch screen interface. A card having a pattern defined therein is overlaid on the touch screen. The defined pattern is used to activate portions of the touch screen by guiding user interaction with a touch pad or touch screen. The activated portions of the touch pad or touch screen launch responsive activity in a computer program implemented on the game console. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110197483 | TWO-PIECE WRISTBAND WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BAND ELEMENT FOR USER SELECTABLE SIZING - A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The assembly includes a base band element with a body extending from a first end to a second end containing an RFID module. The assembly includes a sizing band element for sizing the assembly to a particular wrist size. The band assembly includes an interlocking fastener that slidably couples the base band element to the sizing band element so as to define a one-piece band with a desired length/size. The interlocking fastener includes a first portion provided on the second end of the base band element body and a second portion on an end of the sizing band element body. The fastener may be a tongue and groove mechanism, with the first portion being a tongue member extending from the base band body and with the second portion being a groove in the end of the sizing band body. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110193958 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM PERFORMANCE - A system for determining radio frequency identification (RFID) performance includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprising at least one antenna and at least one reader configured to receive an RF indication from an RFID tag, the RFID system configured to provide RFID data and an RFID time stamp relating to the at least one antenna. The system also includes a motion capture video system comprising at least one camera and a processing system. The motion capture video system also includes a recognizable element located proximate to the RFID tag, the motion capture video system also configured to provide position data relating to the position of the recognizable element and a motion capture time stamp. The system also includes an RFID/motion capture system configured to receive the RFID data and the RFID time stamp from the RFID system, the RFID/motion capture system also configured to receive the position data relating to the position of the recognizable element and the motion capture time stamp from the motion capture video system. The RFID/motion capture system is also configured to correlate the RFID data from the RFID system and the position data relating to the position of the recognizable element from the motion capture video system and provide a correlated RFID and motion capture signal. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110181606 | AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF IMAGE FEATURES SUGGESTIVE OF MOTION FOR COMPUTER-GENERATED IMAGES AND VIDEO - In an animation processing system, generating images to be viewable on a display using a computer that are generated based on scene geometry obtained from computer readable storage and animation data representing changes over time of scene geometry elements, but also images can be modified to include shading that is a function of positions of objects at other than the current instantaneous time for a frame render such that the motion effect shading would suggest motion of at least one of the elements to a viewer of the generated images. Motion effects provide, based on depiction parameters and/or artist inputs, shading that varies for at least some received animation data, received motion depiction parameters, for at least one pixel, a pixel color is rendered based on motion effect program output and at least some received scene geometry, such that the output contributes to features that would suggest the motion. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110177753 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING REALISTIC EYES - Realistic electronically controlled eyes for a figure such as a doll, toy, animatronic being, robot, etc., are provided by displaying a sequence of images simulating eye movement on an electronic display screen mounted to a portion of the figure. A convex lens, which serves to simulate the figure's eye, is mounted substantially in contact with a surface of the display screen system from which the light defining the sequence of images is emitted. To an observer looking at the convex surface of the lens, the lens appears as an eye characterized by realistic eye movement. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176067 | COMPENSATION FOR SELF-SCATTERING ON CONCAVE SCREENS - Projection systems and methods handle images to be viewable on a concave surface, wherein the projected image is modified to account for surface-to-surface reflections due to the concave surface, by determining geometric surface parameters, determining the ideal image, determining a model for reflected light that is a result of surface-to-surface reflections given the ideal image, wherein the model is expressible in closed form, determining a compensation image to compensate for at least some of the surface-to-surface reflections, taking into account at least the ideal image and the reflected light, and combining the compensation image and the ideal image to form a projectable image that can be projected onto a surface having the determined geometric parameters. The surface can be defined by a portion of an interior of a sphere and the reflection of a given pixel can be modeled as a constant over the concave surface. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175916 | VECTORIZATION OF LINE DRAWINGS USING GLOBAL TOPOLOGY AND STORING IN HYBRID FORM - An animation system can vectorize an image by generating, from an input drawing, a dataset corresponding to vector and digital representations of the input drawing such that a rendering engine could render an image having features in common with the input drawing from the representations, as a collection of strokes and/or objects rather than merely a collection of pixels having pixel color values. A vectorizer might receive an input image, generate a particle clustering data structure from a digitization of the input image, generate a stroke list, wherein strokes in the stroke list correspond to clusters of particles represented in the particle clustering data structure, generate a graph structure that represents connections between strokes on the stroke list, and determine additional characteristics of a stroke beyond the path of the stroke, additional characteristics being stored such that they correspond to strokes. The strokes might be generated using global topology information. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175913 | MODULAR RADIANCE TRANSFER - Modular radiance transfer pre-computes a spectral decomposition of a one bounce transport operator for each of a set of shapes and replaces a scene dependent direct-to-indirect transfer lighting computation with an art-directable mapping step. Modular radiance transfer provides an approach for rendering an approximate indirect lighting which requires small amounts of data, can be used to model very large (or even random scenes), and propagates much of the indirect lighting using a small number of spectral coefficients, so that rendering scales well to large scenes. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175904 | PERCEPTUALLY-BASED COMPENSATION OF UNINTENDED LIGHT POLLUTION OF IMAGES FOR PROJECTION DISPLAY SYSTEMS - Where images are displayed such that unintended light is also included and that light cannot be fully subtracted from the displayed image, an image processor compensates by compensating for the remaining light using perceptual models. In some cases, the perceptual model includes a plurality of user sensitivities and computation is performed, at least in part, based on expected user sensitivity to light pollution in portions of the images. The perceptual model might include a contrast sensitivity function, threshold-vs-intensity, saliency prediction and visual masking. The model might include artist indications of view attention. A light pollution likelihood map might be used to reduce the amount of computation needed, using a likelihood measure to determine an amount of computation to perform. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110167167 | Method and system for providing real-time streaming media content - There is provided a method for execution by a processor of a media playback device to provide media content. The method includes receiving streaming audio data. The streaming audio data comprises a plurality of audio data clips, each audio data clip having a clip size. The method includes providing a circular queue. The circular queue is characterized by a queue size that is at least two or more clip sizes. The circular queue is used to store a plurality of queue clips, each with a clip size. Each of the plurality of audio data clips is stored into one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue. After the circular queue has been filled, the method includes sequentially reading and playing the streaming audio data from each one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue. Finally, the method includes a step to continue storing a next one of the plurality of audio data clips into a read one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110166964 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEARCHING FOR ENTERTAINMENT TICKETS VIA INTERNET - Systems and methods are provided for collecting and listing entertainment ticket information from multiple data sources, and facilitating the sales of entertainment tickets over a network. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for offering to sell entertainment tickets over a network. The method includes the steps of providing exhibition data importation rules for importing exhibition data, electronically receiving the exhibition data from multiple exhibition data feeds in accordance with the exhibition data importation rules, and electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data. The method further includes the step of providing, over the network, to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, in which the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider. In the method, the exhibition data may include an entertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164116 | Video capture system control using virtual cameras for augmented reality - There is provided a system and method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a video capture system using flexible camera control to provide an augmented reality. There is provided a method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a video capture system for outputting a composite render to a display, the method comprising obtaining, from the virtual rendering system, a virtual camera configuration of a virtual camera in a virtual environment, programming the video capture system using the virtual camera configuration to correspondingly control a robotic camera in a real environment, capturing a video capture feed using the robotic camera, obtaining a virtually rendered feed using the virtual camera, rendering the composite render by processing the feeds, and outputting the composite render to the display. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164030 | Virtual camera control using motion control systems for augmented reality - There is provided a system and method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a motion control system to provide an augmented reality. There is provided a method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a motion control system for outputting a composite render to a display, the method comprising obtaining, from the motion control system, a robotic camera configuration of a robotic camera in a real environment, programming the virtual rendering system using the robotic camera configuration to correspondingly control a virtual camera in a virtual environment, obtaining a virtually rendered feed using the virtual camera, capturing a video capture feed using the robotic camera, rendering the composite render by processing the feeds, and outputting the composite render to the display. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110158504 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INDICATING DEPTH OF ONE OR MORE PIXELS OF A STEREOSCOPIC 3-D IMAGE COMPRISED FROM A PLURALITY OF 2-D LAYERS - Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D image to a stereoscopic 3-D image and displaying the depth of one or more pixels of the 3-D image through an output image of a user interface. The pixels of the output image display the perceived depth of the corresponding 3-D image such that the user may determine the relative depth of the pixels of the image. In addition, one or more x-offset values or z-axis positions may be individually selected such that any pixel of the output image that correspond to the selected values is indicated in the output image. By providing the user with a visualization tool to quickly determine the perceived position of any pixel of a stereoscopic image, the user may confirm the proper alignment of the objects of the image in relation to the image as a whole. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110157483 | Active Mask Projector Providing Diffracted Light with Animation and Non-Random Patterns - A projector for projecting diffracted light in a selectable pattern and/or animation on a display surface. The apparatus includes a light source providing one or more beams of coherent light from one or more lasers. The apparatus includes a diffraction assembly in the path of the light source to generate diffracted light by diffracting the laser light with one, two, or more diffraction grating patterns and, optionally, with a diffraction glass or other material. An active mask is provided with a raster that receives the diffracted light and that includes a plurality of optical shutter elements that are selectively operable to project a portion of the diffracted light from the active mask toward the display surface. In one example, the active mask includes a liquid crystal display panel to provide a grid of addressable programmable pixels that are turned on and off to project portions of the diffracted light. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110157155 | LAYER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR CHOREOGRAPHING STEREOSCOPIC DEPTH - Implementations of the present disclosure include an interface that provides display and management of depth and volume information for a stereoscopic 3-D image. More particularly, the interface provides information for the one or more layers that comprise the stereoscopic 3-D image. Depth information for the one or more layers of the stereoscopic image may include aspects of a pixel offset, z-axis position and virtual camera positions. The adjustment of one aspect of the depth information may affect the values for the other aspects of depth information for the layers. This information may be used by an animator to confirm the proper alignment of the objects and layers of the image in relation to the image as a whole. In addition, the interface may maintain such depth information for several stereoscopic 3-D images such that the information and adjustment to any number of 3-D images may be obtained through the interface. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110150430 | Media playback system and method for monitoring usage of media contents - There is provided a media playback system for monitoring usage of a plurality of media contents. The system includes a memory configured to store an analytic log file corresponding to each of the plurality of media contents. The system also includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify the analytic log file corresponding to one of the plurality of media contents. The processor is further configured to collect data relating to a plurality of events. At least one of the plurality of events relates to the usage of one of the plurality of media contents. The processor is further configured to store at least one of the plurality of events in the analytic log file. In addition, the processor is configured to send the analytic log file to a remote network server if the network connection has been detected. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150267 | Human verification by contextually iconic visual public turing test - There is provided a system and method for human verification by a contextually iconic visual public Turing test. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to verify whether a client is human controlled, selecting, by contextual criteria, a plurality of images each having one or more associated tags from a database, generating a challenge question and a corresponding answer set based on associated tags of a subset of the plurality of images, presenting the plurality of images and the challenge question to the client, receiving a submission to the challenge question from the client, and responding to the request by verifying whether the submission is contained in the answer set to determine whether the client is human controlled. The contextual criteria may comprise subject matter, branding, or intended audience of a content provider sending the request, thereby facilitating human responses while deterring automated systems. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110142429 | HANDHELD LOW-VOLTAGE FOG EFFECTS SYSTEM - A fog effects system includes a control system, a fog fluid reservoir, an elongated insulator, an elongated electric heating element, an air supply subsystem, a fog fluid supply subsystem, and a handheld body. The control system can include a battery-operated power supply and a user-operable control. The heating element extends along the insulator. The control system electrically energizes the heating element during system operation. The air supply subsystem directs a flow of air along the heating element during system operation. The fog fluid supply supplies fog fluid to the flow of air. The heating element vaporizes the fog fluid, which is emitted from an end of the system. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140383 | VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITH A MECHANISM COMPENSATING FOR A VARYING WHEEL RADIUS - A non-circular wheel assembly for vehicles. The wheel assembly includes a wheel body having a first radius and a second radius, measured from a center of rotation of the wheel body. The wheel assembly includes a compensation mechanism compensating for changing height values of the center of rotation with respect to an external contact surface of the wheel during rotation. The compensation mechanism includes a linear support member with a first connector mounting a vehicle frame to the wheel body. A second connector adjustably connects the compensation mechanism to the wheel body and is positioned at the center of rotation but apart from the first connector. The compensation mechanism includes a linear position assembly adjusting positions of the second connector relative to the first connector during rotation, which allows a distance between the first connector and the outer contact surface to remain constant to provide a single ride height. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110138304 | User generated media list interfaces with social networking - There are provided interfaces for user generated media lists with social networking. There is provided a method for providing an interface on a display for user generated media lists with social networking, the method comprising: presenting, on the display, a plurality of media assets for selection into a user media list, determining that the user media list is fully populated, receiving a request to share the user media list through a social networking service, validating credentials for a user account to be associated with the user media list, generating a unique locator for viewing of the user media list, and sending an update including the unique locator via the social networking service. In this manner, users can leverage the dynamics of social networking to motivate others to create and share lists, providing a “viral” effect to drive additional traffic and create promotional opportunities. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110132994 | SELECTABLE AND TWISTING NOZZLE FOR FLUID EFFECTS PLATFORM - A fluid effects apparatus for producing a water display or show. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal mechanism and a fluid outlet manifold with an inlet for receiving fluid. The fluid outlet manifold is pivotally supported upon the center point gimbal mechanism and includes a nozzle manifold with a pivotally mounted nozzle for dispersing the received fluid and a nozzle drive assembly coupled to the nozzle that selectively rotates the nozzle about its rotation axis. The drive assembly includes a motor mounted to pivot with the fluid outlet manifold upon the center point gimbal. The drive assembly includes an output drive element of the motor that is coupled to the nozzle to selectively rotate the nozzle. The nozzle manifold includes a second nozzle and switching means for selectively directing the received fluid to one of the two nozzles. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110132993 | MECHANICAL LINKAGES FOR PIVOTABLE FLUID EFFECTS PLATFORM - A fluid effects apparatus for creating a fluid display. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal. A fluid outlet manifold is provided with an inlet for receiving fluid and a nozzle. The fluid outlet manifold is supported on the center point gimbal to pivot with the gimbal. A drive assembly is provided with first and second drive mechanisms that each drive input arms attached to the fluid outlet manifold at an angular offset. Each of the input arms is configured with three pivot points to translate rotational input from a crank arm of the drive mechanism into linear movement, and each input arm includes a first swing arm pivotally coupled to the crank arm, a second swing arm coupled to an end of the first swing arm, and a collar receiving a portion of the fluid outlet manifold and pivotally supported by the second swing arm. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110128300 | Augmented reality videogame broadcast programming - There is provided a system and method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a video capture system using flexible camera control to provide an augmented reality. There is provided a method comprising receiving input data from a plurality of clients for modifying a virtual environment presented using the virtual rendering system, obtaining, from the virtual rendering system, a virtual camera configuration of a virtual camera in the virtual environment, programming the video capture system using the virtual camera configuration to correspondingly control a robotic camera in a real environment, capturing a video capture feed using the robotic camera, obtaining a virtually rendered feed using the virtual camera showing the modifying of the virtual environment, rendering the composite render by processing the feeds, and outputting the composite render to the display. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110127914 | KINETIC FLAME DEVICE - An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110124399 | LOCATION BASED REWARD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate a location based rewards distribution system. Various embodiments of the invention provide rewards, for example video game unlock codes, based on a user physically visiting a specific physical location. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120340 | Anti-Roll Back Assembly with Linear Magnetic Positioning - An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110110073 | KINETIC FLAME DEVICE - An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110109720 | STEREOSCOPIC EDITING FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION, POST-PRODUCTION AND DISPLAY ADAPTATION - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for stereoscopically editing video content. In one embodiment, image pairs of a sequence may be stereoscopically modified by altering at least one image of the image pair. The at least one image may be altered using at least one mapping function. The at least one image may also be altered based on a saliency of the image pair. The at least one image may also be altered based on disparities between the image pair. Advantageously, stereoscopic properties of video content may be edited more conveniently and efficiently. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110105220 | Real-world items unlocking virtual items online and in video games - There is provided a system and method for providing access to a virtual object corresponding to a real object. There is provided a method comprising authenticating a user account for a networked application, confirming a validity of a user provided code, wherein the code is visible on the real object or on accompanying materials of the real object, and granting the user account access to the virtual object for use in the networked application in response to the confirming of the validity. As a result, users are enabled to enjoy interactions with real objects as well as corresponding virtual objects both in an offline video game context and in an online network application context. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110088584 | AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE WITH VEHICLES PIVOTING ABOUT A COMMON CHASSIS TO PROVIDE RACING AND OTHER EFFECTS - A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088296 | MAGICAL IMAGE CUPS AND CONTAINERS WITH 3D DISPLAYS - An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110087354 | MODELING SKIN-COVERED ROBOTICS DEVICES INCLUDING ARTISTIC DIGITAL ITERATIVE DESIGN PROCESSES - A method for fabricating a product, such as an animatronic character, with artificial skin. The method includes providing data defining an exterior surface geometry of the product. A base geometry model of the product is generated based on the exterior surface geometry data, which in turn is used to fabricate a prototype of the product. Then, an exterior skin mold is formed using the product prototype mounted on an alignment block. The method includes fabricating an inner support structure based on the base geometry model having an exterior geometry smaller than the 3D base geometry model by the thickness of the exterior skin. The inner support structure is positioned within the mold with the inner support structure mounted upon the alignment block, which is received in the mold. The product is formed by pouring material for an exterior skin layer into the mold and over the inner support structure. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110078753 | System and method for providing media content enhancement - There are provided systems and methods for providing media content enhancement. A system for providing enhancement of media content displayed by a presentation unit of the system comprises the presentation unit configured to receive and display the media content, and a content enhancement module stored in a memory of the presentation unit. The presentation unit also includes a processor configured to control the content enhancement module to enhance the media content. A method for use by the content enhancement module comprises reading a context data received by the presentation unit, the context data describing a media content provided for display by the presentation unit, processing the context data to identify the media content, requesting an enhancement data corresponding to the media content, and executing instructions received in the enhancement data to enhance the media content displayed by the presentation unit. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110078582 | USER-DRIVEN MOBILE DEVICE PROFILING FOR A MOBILE WEBSITE - Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are provided. One embodiment is a method for providing a mobile website. The method comprises: enabling a plurality of first users of a mobile website to define a preferred presentation configuration for presenting the mobile website to a corresponding first mobile communication device; storing each preferred presentation configuration in association with mobile device information related to the corresponding first mobile communication device; receiving a request for the mobile website from a new user of a second mobile communication device; determining mobile device information related to the second mobile communication device; and selecting a customized presentation configuration based on: the mobile device information related to the second mobile communication device; and one or more of the preferred presentation configurations and associated mobile device information. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077950 | Risk profiling system and method - There is provided a risk profiling system and method. The risk profiling system comprises a system processor, a system memory storing a risk profile unit configured to be controlled by the processor. The risk profile unit includes a risk features database comprising a plurality of risk features corresponding to the adverse event, an aggregation module configured to group risk features detected by the risk profiling system, and a risk analysis engine configured to estimate the likelihood of the adverse event from the grouped risk features. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077076 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING IMAGES TO GENERATE GAMEPLAY CONTENT - Systems and methods for using images to generate gameplay content are disclosed herein. Specifically, for example, one aspect of the present disclosure involves a method for altering a virtual world generated by a video game system. The method includes obtaining one or more images from sources external to the video game system and processing the one or more images to obtain one or more inputs. The one or more inputs are provided to a gameplay engine to alter an output of the gameplay engine. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075922 | Apparatus and method for removing ink lines and segmentation of color regions of A 2-D image for converting 2-D images into stereoscopic 3-D images - Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D image to a stereoscopic 3-D image by segmenting one or more portions of the 2-D image based on one or more pixel color ranges. Further, a matte may be created that takes the shape of the segmented region such that several stereoscopic effects may be applied to the segmented region. In addition, ink lines that are contained within the segmented region may be removed to further define the corresponding matte. Implementations of the present disclosure also include a interface that provides the above functionality to a user for ease of segmentation and region selection. By utilizing the segmentation process, a 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding stereoscopic 3-D image with a perceived depth. Further, this process may be applied to each image of an animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074925 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING PRE-EXISTING IMAGE LAYERS OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE TO CREATE A STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE - Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D multimedia image to a 3-D multimedia image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image. The layers may comprise one or more portions of the 2-D image and may be digitized and stored in a computer-readable database. The layers may be reproduced as a corresponding left eye and right eye version of the layer, including a pixel offset corresponding to a desired 3-D effect for each layer of the image. The combined left eye layers and right eye layers may form the composite right eye and composite left eye images for a single 3-D multimedia image. Further, this process may be applied to each frame of a animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074784 | GRADIENT MODELING TOOLKIT FOR SCULPTING STEREOSCOPIC DEPTH MODELS FOR CONVERTING 2-D IMAGES INTO STEREOSCOPIC 3-D IMAGES - Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D planar image to create an associated 3-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers, with one or both layers including a pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a depth model may be created for one or more objects of the 2-D image to provide a template upon which the pixel offset for one or more pixels of the 2-D image may be adjusted to provide the 2-D image with a more nuanced 3-D effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding 3-D image with a perceived depth. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074778 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING DEPTH AND VOLUME IN A 2-D PLANAR IMAGE - Implementations of the present disclosure involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers that include a depth pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a volume effect may also be applied to one or more objects of the 2-D image by associating a volume pixel offset to one or more pixels of the image. Thus, any pixel of the 2-D image may have a depth pixel offset to provide a perceived depth as well as a volume pixel offset to provide a stereoscopic 3-D volume effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding stereoscopic 3-D image with perceived depth and volume effects applied. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074237 | Magnetic Levitation Novelty Device - An apparatus for animating a magnetically levitated object. The apparatus includes a display with an overhead housing. A magnetic levitation and oscillation assembly is included with an electromagnet in the overhead housing. A levitated object with a body in which a magnetic element is embedded is positioned proximate to the electromagnet and levitated within the display. The levitation and oscillation assembly includes a levitation actuator driving the electromagnet with a control signal to generate a levitating magnetic field. The assembly includes an oscillating signal generator that oscillates the levitating magnetic field at an oscillating frequency. During magnetic field oscillation, the object body is levitated by the electromagnet and is concurrently subjected to first oscillating movements while attached elements such as wings are subjected to second oscillating movements near their resonant frequency with larger displacements, whereby the object body appears stationary while attached elements vibrate with a reciprocating or flapping motion. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110072094 | System and method for variable time scale for multi-player games - There is provided a system and method for facilitating variations in a time scale for a shared environment. There is provided a method for use by a processor of a server for facilitating variations in a time scale for a shared environment, the method comprising receiving a message generated by a first client of a plurality of clients in response to a variation in the time scale, for rendering the shared environment, caused by a user of the first client, and sending a second message to a second client of the plurality of clients in response to receiving the first message to communicate the variation in the time scale caused by the first client, so as to cause the second client to render the shared environment approximately synchronously in accordance with the variation in the time scale. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110072072 | System and method for unitized maneuvers for multi-player games - There is provided a system and method for facilitating unitized maneuvers for a shared environment to mitigate the effects of network latency. There is provided a method for use by a processor of a server for facilitating unitized maneuvers for a shared environment, the method comprising receiving a first message generated by a first client of a plurality of clients in response to the first client initiating a first unitized maneuver on a first object for rendering the shared environment and sending a second message to a second client of the plurality of clients in response to receiving the first message to communicate the first unitized maneuver so as to cause the second client to render the first object executing the first unitized maneuver in the shared environment approximately synchronously with the first client until a first end time determinable using parameters of the first unitized maneuver. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110070935 | TRAVELING VIRTUAL PET GAME SYSTEM - A traveling virtual pet game simulates a pet traveling between various geographic locations. As the pet travels, users interact with the virtual pet to aid the pet in acquiring traits associated with the geographic regions in which it travels and to observe traits that the pet has previously acquired. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110069224 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ART-DIRECTABLE RETARGETING FOR STREAMING VIDEO - An integrated system and method for content-aware video retargeting. An interactive framework combines key frame-based constraint editing with numerous automatic algorithms for video analysis. This combination gives content producers a high level of control of the retargeting process. One component of the framework is a non-uniform, pixel-accurate warp to the target resolution that considers automatic as well as interactively-defined features. Automatic features comprise video saliency, edge preservation at the pixel resolution, and scene cut detection to enforce bilateral temporal coherence. Additional high level constraints can be added by the producer to achieve a consistent scene composition across arbitrary output formats. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a better visual result for retargeted video when compared to using conventional techniques. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067594 | Amusement Park Ride Using Motion-Driven Positioning for 360-Degree Vehicle Orientation - An amusement park ride adapted for fully rotating a passenger compartment in response to vehicle motion along a guide track. The ride includes a vehicle chassis that engages the guide track and travels along the ride path during operation of the ride. The ride further includes a cam-based positioning assembly that is supported by the vehicle chassis to move with it along the guide track. The positioning assembly operates in response to being moved along the guide track to rotate the passenger compartment. The positioning assembly rotates the passenger compartment in counterclockwise and clockwise directions to provide 360-degree rotation. The positioning assembly includes a cam shaft with three cam follower pairs offset along the shaft and extending outward from the shaft at angular offsets, and three cam rails are used to selectively position the followers to rotate the cam shaft and set the position of the passenger compartment. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110066239 | Animatronic Eye with an Electromagnetic Drive and Fluid Suspension and with Video Capability - An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110065462 | Group-based communications between associated electronic devices - Methods and systems are provided for managing a group of portable communication devices. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for initializing a portable communication device in a group of portable communication devices at a point of activation. The method includes the steps of acquiring, by an initialization computer, a device identifier of the portable communication device, acquiring, by the initialization computer, a group identifier of the group, and associating the portable communication device with the group based on the group identifier. The method may further include accessing, by the initialization computer, a member profile associated with one of the portable communication devices, and storing the member profile in a memory accessible by the portable communication device. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064387 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED NETWORK SEARCH AND COMPANION DISPLAY OF RESULTS RELATING TO AUDIO-VIDEO METADATA - Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods which allow consumers of audio-visual content (such as movies and television programs) to obtain dynamic additional content about programs and movies being watched, and customize that additional content to their personal preferences and behaviors. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063410 | System and method for three-dimensional video capture workflow for dynamic rendering - There is provided a system and method for a three-dimensional video capture workflow for dynamic rendering. There is provided a method of generating three-dimensional video data comprising obtaining two-dimensional video data from a scene having a plurality of objects, identifying objects in the scene, obtaining relative positions of the plurality of objects, encoding the two-dimensional video data to generate encoded two-dimensional video data, generating relative positions metadata based on the relative positions of the plurality of objects, and providing a three-dimensional depth factor metadata for operation on the relative positions metadata. In this manner, existing two-dimensional workflows may be utilized in a cost effective manner, and end users may adjust the three-dimensional depth factor metadata to suit particular rendering environments or personal viewing preferences. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110062086 | MOBILE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND DISPENSING A CHEMICAL - A mobile system for generating and dispensing a chemical includes a portable platform comprising a source of a gaseous chemical, the gaseous chemical forming a solution in water, and a fluid coupling through which the gaseous chemical is delivered to a body of water. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110061558 | AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE WITH A VEHICLE DRIVE THAT DECOUPLES UPON LOSS OF POWER - An amusement park ride with one or more evacuation zones. The ride includes a track with a rail defining a ride path. The ride path includes at least one evacuation zone along a first length of the track at a first height and a non-evacuation zone along a second length of the track with one or more portions at a second height greater than the first height. The track is sloped in the non-evacuation zone toward the evacuation zone. The ride includes a vehicle supported on the rail via roller elements such as load bearing wheels. The ride includes a drive assembly that provides a driving force to selectively move the vehicle along the ride path. The drive assembly is adapted to automatically disengage from the vehicle upon loss of power. The vehicle is free rolling upon loss of power to travel to the evacuation zone based on gravity. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110055012 | CROSS-PLATFORM TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS - Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer devices, and computer software are disclosed for implementing cross-platform targeted advertisements. One embodiment is a method for providing a targeted advertisement. One such method comprises: accessing one of a web site and a mobile site in an initial session; collecting information related to a user in the initial session; storing the collected information; accessing the other of the web site and the mobile site in a subsequent session; determining the user for the subsequent session based on the stored information; selecting a targeted advertisement for the subsequent session based on the stored information; and providing the targeted advertisement to the user in the subsequent session. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110053568 | SMS-SPONSORED WAP ADVERTISEMENT - Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer devices, and computer software for providing an integrated SMS/WAP advertisement are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a system for providing SMS-sponsored WAP advertisements. One such system comprises a short messaging service (SMS) application server and a web server. The SMS application server is configured to send a short message service (SMS) message to a mobile terminal that has an embedded link to a wireless access protocol (WAP) site. The embedded link includes a predetermined parameter identifying an advertiser associated with the SMS message. The web server is configured to receive a request for the WAP site. If the request includes the predetermined parameter, it is determined that the request originated from the SMS message and the WAP site is provided to the mobile terminal with an advertisement associated with the advertiser. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110050860 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENCODING AND TRANSMITTING HIGH DEFINITION 3-D MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a method and system for encoding and/or transmitting high definition 3-D multimedia content. In one embodiment, the frames for each eye of a viewer may be transmitted in a frame sequential manner to a display device, with an occasional null frame included in the frame stream. The null frame may be ignored by the display device and not presented to the viewer. In another embodiment, a synchronization signal may be presented to the display device to instruct the display device on how to display the frame-sequenced frames such that the 3-D effect of the content may be achieved. The synchronization signal may be presented to the display device embedded within the frames of the content or embedded within the null frames. The synchronization signal may also be provided out of band, such as on a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110047486 | System and method for enhancing socialization in virtual worlds - There is provided a system and method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world. There is provided a method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world, the method comprising locating, in the virtual world, an avatar of the second client in a proximity of an avatar of the first client, executing a social action using the avatar of the second client such that the social action is observable by the first client but not observable by the second client, receiving the reply from the first client in response to the social action, and rendering the reply from first client using the avatar of the first client. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110047481 | Systems and methods for presenting third party advertisements in a rich media environment - There is provided a system and method for converting advertisements in a first Internet Application (IA) format for providing a presentation document using a second IA format. There is provided a system comprising a processor configured to obtain and retrieve an advertising script in the first IA format including referenced media assets and an interactive function, translate the interactive function to generate a translated function in the second IA format, generate a wrapper function in the first IA format implementing the interactive function, and provide a container document in the first IA format embedding the wrapper function and the presentation document having the translated function and the referenced media assets, wherein the translated function triggers the wrapper function. In this manner, presentation duties can be handled by a single IA format, avoiding rendering and performance issues resulting from the conventional method of using two IA formats concurrently for presentation. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110047273 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG RESOURCES - A method for managing relationships among resources includes providing a first resource having a first resource identifier, providing a second resource having a second resource identifier, and upon user initiation creating a managed relationship between the first resource identifier and the second resource identifier. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110045227 | WATERLESS SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FAN-SHAPED FOUNTAIN EFFECT - An apparatus for creating a water disk effect without water. The apparatus includes first and second disks, each having a first side with a substantially planar surface and a second side with a surface textured with a three dimensional (3D) pattern or topography including raised, arcuate ridges in a whirlpool or spiral arrangement. The apparatus includes a housing that supports the first and second disks for independent rotation about a common axis. The disks are positioned such that the first sides are proximate but spaced apart to avoid contact, such that the 3D patterns face outward toward viewers of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a drive assembly rotating the first disk in a first direction and concurrently rotating the second disk in a second direction opposite the first direction. A water disk effect is created during counter rotation when light from the Sun or other source strikes the disks. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110043529 | INTERACTIVE ANIMATION - An interactive animation environment. The interactive animation environment includes at least one user-controlled object, and the animation method for providing this environment includes determining a position of the user-controlled object, defining a plurality of regions about the position, detecting a user input to move the position of the user-controlled object, associating the detected user input to move the position of the user-controlled object with a region in the direction of movement, and providing an animation of the user-controlled object associated with the mapped region. A system and controller for implementing the method is also disclosed. A computer program and computer program product for implementing the invention is further disclosed. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110037952 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ANAMORPHIC PEPPER'S GHOST ILLUSION - An assembly and method of generating a Pepper's ghost illusion involving an image generation platform, such as a computer providing an anamorphically-distorted image coupled with some form of display projects an image, directly or indirectly on a spherical medium. The spherical medium reconstitutes the anamorphically-distorted image and generates a Pepper's ghost illusion of the reconstituted anamorphically-distorted image. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110035456 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTENT FILTERING - Systems and arrangements are provided for filtering language. As presently preferred, these are configured to filter inappropriate language, symbols, words, etc on web sites or used in chat rooms. Embodiments create one or more arrays of inappropriate character strings representing, for example, obscene words and character combinations. Embodiments identify the inappropriate character strings, for example in chat text, and edit them to an appropriate form, for example with cartoon characters, and/or delete the inappropriate character strings. Preferably, at least one embodiment applies the content filter via executing a program of instructions, stored on a tangible storage medium, to achieve this functionality. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110019422 | KINETIC FLAME DEVICE - An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110018901 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A COMPOSITE IMAGE IN A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE HAVING A DUAL SCREEN DISPLAY - A system and method for forming a composite image from a secondary image reflected on to the display of a primary image is disclosed. Furthermore, applications for using the composite image in a video gaming context are disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110018890 | COMPUTER GRAPHICS METHOD FOR CREATING DIFFERING FOG EFFECTS IN LIGHTED AND SHADOWED AREAS - A method for providing fog or fading due to atmospheric effects during computer animation of an image. The method includes determining a lighting value for a scene's or an image's pixels based on the positions of the pixels relative to a light source. The method includes, for each of the pixels, setting a fade in start distance for each pixel measured from a camera location so as to define when fog is added, e.g., when to fade a pixel's color by blending this color with a fog color. The fade in start distances are set based on each pixel's lighting value, whereby pixels with smaller lighting values or shadowed pixels begin to fade first while highlighted pixels fade with greater distances. The method includes adding fog to the image starting at the fade in start distances for each of the pixels and then rendering the image. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110013147 | INTERACTIVE PROJECTED SANDBOX - A method for creating an interactive display in which users/players can form the projection screen. The method includes providing granular display material, such as a layer of sand in a container, and storing a guide image and a display image in memory of a control system. Then, a projector is first operated to project the guide image on an upper surface of the display material. After a sculpting period or in response to a user or operator provided trigger, the method includes second operating the projector to project the display image on the upper surface which has been sculpted by the user into a 3D projection surface or screen during the first operating step. The projected guide image may include an outline of an object, and the display image may include an image element that is mapped to the location of the outlined object. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012503 | Invisible three-dimensional image and methods for making, using and visibility of same - There is provided a system and method for providing and utilizing objects having invisible three-dimensional images. There is provided an object comprising an inner material and an outer material. The inner material is formed in a three-dimensional shape and includes a first portion having a first ratio based on a first fluorescent dye and a first transparent material, wherein the first ratio is selected such as to cause the first portion to remain transparent when exposed to a visible light and the first portion to emit a first visible color when exposed to an invisible light. The outer material comprises a second transparent material formed around the inner material such as to hide the three-dimensional shape of the inner material. By exposing the object to the invisible light, the three-dimensional shape of the inner material is revealed. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010777 | Digital receipt for use with an interoperable keychest - There is provided a system and method for a digital receipt for use with an interoperable keychest. There is provided a method for online registration of a digital receipt associated with a content, comprising performing a transaction to obtain from a first distributor the content encrypted by a title key and a first digital rights management (DRM) license usable with the first distributor to access the title key, receiving from the first distributor the digital receipt associated with the content including information relevant to the transaction, and transmitting the digital receipt to the interoperable keychest acting as a central key repository (CKR) for an online registration of the digital receipt associated with the content. Authorized media distributors may then generate new DRM licenses using the CKR, enabling interoperable content playback of the same universal file across different media distributors and clients. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110010618 | GROUP DECISION HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided that may be adapted for use with a plurality of user interface devices having haptic feedback interface mechanisms. A group controller may be adapted to determine a group decision input based, at least in part, on sensed outputs the user interface devices. At least a portion of the group decision input may be used to provide haptic feedback to a user via the user interface device. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110010541 | Interoperable keychest for use by service providers - There is provided a system and method for distributors to use an interoperable key chest. There is provided a method for use by a distributor to obtain content access authorizations from a key chest or central key repository (CKR), the method comprising receiving a user request from a user device for access to an encrypted content identified by a content identification, transmitting a key request to the CKR including the content identification, receiving an encrypted first key from the CKR, decrypting the encrypted first key using a second key to retrieve the first key, and providing a DRM license for the encrypted content to the user device using the first key for use by the user device to decrypt the encrypted content using the first key. By generating such DRM licenses, distributors can unlock protected content even sourced from distributors using different DRM schemas. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110010298 | Interoperable keychest - There is provided a system and method for an interoperable keychest. There is provided a method for use by a central key repository (CKR) or keychest to provide content access authorizations to distributors, comprising receiving a key information file including a first encrypted second key for decrypting with a first key and a content identification, decrypting the first encrypted second key using a first key to retrieve the second key, receiving, from a distributor, a key request including the content identification, encrypting the second key using a third key to generate a second encrypted second key, and transmitting the second encrypted second key to the distributor in response to the receiving of the key request. In this manner, key management for protected distributors using different DRM schemas or systems may be simplified and made interoperable. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008018 | FOOTAGE REPORTING - Footage used in an aired show by a broadcaster, broadcasting network or similar entity can be more easily tracked and reported to rights holders. An electronic cutsheet can be created for a video package. The electronic cutsheet includes information identifying one or more footage items included in the video package and any rights holders associated with the footage item. Using the cutsheets, a number of playlists can be created or otherwise provided. Each playlist is associated with at least one video package. The playlist can then be associated with a show to indicate that the show has aired and thus that the playlist and its included packages have actually been used. A report can then be generated that indicates at least one rights holder and the number of instances in which a footage item associated with the indicated rights holder was included in an aired show. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110007903 | Universal file packager for use with an interoperable keychest - There is provided a system and method for a universal file packager for use with an interoperable key chest. There is provided a method for distributing media contents to distributors, comprising obtaining a first key, a second key and a content, encrypting the second key using the first key to generate an encrypted second key, encrypting the content using the second key to generate an encrypted content, generating a key information file including the encrypted second key, generating a universal file including the encrypted content and a first network address for a central key repository (CKR), providing the key information file for storage in the CKR, and providing the universal file to the distributors. The universal file can then be provided to users for digital e-commerce and transferred across different distributors with the CKR negotiating key access for granting new interoperable DRM licenses. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110001756 | System and method for filter kernel interpolation for seamless mipmap filtering - There is provided a system and method for filter kernel interpolation for seamless mipmap filtering. There is provided a method of implementing a filter kernel interpolation for seamless filtering of transitions within a plurality of mipmaps derived from a base-image texture filtered using a prefilter, the method comprising choosing a filter kernel, determining a filter width for the filter kernel, selecting a first mipmap and a second mipmap from the plurality of mipmaps, applying interpolation on the filter kernel based on the prefilter, the first mipmap, and the second mipmap to generate an interpolated filter kernel, and applying the interpolated filter kernel to the first mipmap to generate a seamless filtered texture. Two alternative methods of interpolation are introduced, including filter kernel value interpolation and filter kernel position interpolation with x-lerping. By avoiding access to the second mipmap, greater efficiency and image quality can be achieved versus conventional interpolation. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100333211 | Method and system for providing digital media rental - There is provided a method and system for allocating access to digital media content. In one embodiment, the system may comprise a media server accessible over a communications network, a processor of the media server being configured to encrypt the digital media content to produce a secondary license for the digital media content, and to provide a temporary license key allowing a user to access at least a first portion of the digital media content during an activation usage interval of the secondary license for that portion of the digital media content assigned to the user. The media server further comprises an assignment database configured to store an assignment status of the license. Such a system is configured to permit the user to access the assigned portion of the digital media content during the usage interval. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100326313 | AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE WITH VEHICLES PIVOTING ABOUT A COMMON CHASSIS TO PROVIDE RACING AND OTHER EFFECTS - A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100321797 | MAGICAL IMAGE CUPS AND CONTAINERS WITH 3D DISPLAYS - An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100321778 | MAGICAL IMAGE CUPS AND CONTAINERS WITH 3D DISPLAYS - An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100321638 | MAGICAL IMAGE CUPS AND CONTAINERS WITH 3D DISPLAYS - An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100321389 | System and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time - There is provided a system and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time. There is provided a method for persistent association of a graphic overlay with a virtual object in a displayable environment, comprising receiving a first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object in the displayable environment, determining a three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object, tracking a movement of the virtual object in the displayable environment by receiving one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object, and modifying the three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100321386 | Indirect Binding With Segmented Thin Layers to Provide Shape-Preserving Deformations in Computer Animation - A method for use in deformation of an object. The method includes providing a high-resolution model of the object and providing a control cage for the model that includes control faces each defined by control vertices. The method includes generating a thin-layer segment for each of the control faces including extruding a set of the control vertices a distance toward the model. The method includes binding the control cage to the high resolution model based on the thin-layer segments. Each of the thin-layer segments includes a segmented mesh corresponding to a set of the control faces surrounding each face as it is used as seed for a segment. The method includes determining heat diffusion weights for the segments and using the weights along with mean value coordinates to statically bind the cage to the model and to determine influences of segments during deformation of the model with the cage. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100315491 | Projector systems and methods for producing digitally augmented, interactive cakes and other Food Products - A method for digitally augmenting or enhancing a food product such as the surface or top of a cake or other edible object. The method includes generating an augmentation media file based on a projection surface of the food product such as a digital movie or image that is mapped to the 3D topography of projection surface and that is projected on the food product using a properly aligned projector. Interactivity is provided by having the method include determining a modification or change of the 3D topography of the projection surface and, based upon the modification, generating a modified augmentation media file and operating the projector to use the modified augmentation media file to project a modified projected image on the food product. The method further provides interactivity by detecting a user interaction with the projection surface and generating a modified augmentation media file based on this tracked interaction. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100315421 | Generating fog effects in a simulated environment - A system and method for generating fog effects in a simulated environment. A fog color is selected using a the orientation of a virtual camera with respect to a three dimensional fog color map. Fog effects are generated based in part on the selected fog color. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100309209 | System and method for database driven action capture - There is provided a system and method for database driven action capture. By utilizing low cost, lightweight MEMS devices such as accelerometers, a user friendly, wearable, and cost effective system for motion capture is provided, which relies on a motion database of previously recorded motions to reconstruct the actions of a user. By relying on the motion database, calculation errors such as integration drift are avoided and the need for complex and expensive positional compensation hardware is avoided. The accelerometers may be implemented in an E-textile embodiment using inexpensive off-the-shelf components. In some embodiments, compression techniques may be used to accelerate linear best match searching against the motion database. Adjacent selected motions may also be blended together for improved reconstruction results and visual rendering quality. Various perceivable effects may be triggered in response to the reconstructed motion, such as animating a 3D avatar, playing sounds, or operating a motor. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308964 | RFID-BASED COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LOCATION-BASED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS - An interactive entertainment system using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to allow participants to communicate user input to the system. The system includes an interactive station including an RFID reader and wireless communication devices that each has a user input portion operable by a user. Each communication device includes an RFID assembly that operates to broadcast to the RFID reader tag data, which is selectable by a user by operating the user input portion. The RFID assembly may use passive RFID tags that are activated or operable in response to user input such as pressing a button associated with an RFID tags, which causes the RFID tag to be read by the RFID reader to obtain a button ID. The RFID assembly may include an active RFID tag and a computing device that selectively modifies tag memory based on user input to communicate user messages to the RFID reader. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100307288 | Lap Bar Assembly with Locking Mechanism with Locking In Lap Bar and Grab Bar Positions - A lap bar assembly with dual lap bar and grab bar functions. The assembly includes a locking mechanism and a lap bar pivotally mounted to the locking mechanism via a support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a ratchet wheel affixed to the support shaft. A pawl is pivotally supported within the locking mechanism on a pawl support axle parallel to and spaced apart from the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a trip cam pivotally attached to the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a cam follower that selectively engages the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to automatically first lock in a first position (or ride position) with the pawl engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel and then second lock in a second position (or released position) with the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel on an uplock surface spaced apart the ratchet teeth. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100299177 | DYNAMIC BUS DISPATCHING AND LABOR ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM - A method of dynamic bus dispatching and labor assignments based on real time vehicle and passenger data. The method includes running a transportation services module on a computer of a dispatch command center. The method includes receiving, at the computer system, current location information for a plurality of buses. The transportation services module determines a route completion time period for the vehicles and then generates a dispatch schedule for each of the vehicles based on the determined route completions. The dispatch schedules are transmitted to the buses and displayed on a monitor to the bus driver, thereby allowing real time or dynamic updating of dispatching based on collected location information. The method also includes determining and reporting a set of labor assignments for drivers of the buses based on the current location information, the route completion time periods, and break and shift information associated with each of the drivers. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100290761 | System and method for providing time-adapted video content - There is provided a system and method for time-adapted video content during trick mode playback. There is provided a method of providing a plurality of pre-produced alternative contents for use by a playback device in conjunction with rendering of a content, comprising determining a current playback speed of the playback device, comparing the current playback speed with a real-time playback speed of the playback device that is for viewing the content, selecting one of the plurality of pre-produced alternative contents based on the current playback speed in response to the comparing of the current playback speed with the real-time playback speed, and rendering the one of the plurality of pre-produced alternative contents in place of the rendering of the content. In this manner, more relevant and intelligible video contents can be provided for the user during trick mode playback. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100287026 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ONLINE VIDEO ADVERTISEMENTS BASEDON DETERMINED USER TOLERANCES - There is provided a system and method for providing online video advertisements based on determined user tolerances. There is provided a method for use by a server to present advertisements for online videos, the method comprising streaming a first online video and a first advertisement to a client, receiving one or more responses to the streaming of the first advertisement, updating a client advertisement history with the one or more responses, beginning to stream a second online video to the client, and determining a placement including a starting time and a duration for a second advertisement during the streaming of the second online video to the client based on user tolerances determined from the client advertisement history. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100285880 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTION IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for implementing game play are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining, in a game play controller object, at least one game play rule of a virtual multiplayer game, maintaining, in the game play controller object, at least one game play state, maintaining, in a virtual object controller object, at least one state of a virtual object in a virtual multiplayer game environment, wherein the virtual object is one of a plurality of object types, receiving, over a network, user commands regarding the virtual object, and executing the game play rule based on the received instructions and the object type of the virtual object, wherein the execution of the game play rule modifies the game play state. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100282896 | FLYING ENTERTAINMENT VEHICLE - An apparatus for use as a flying entertainment vehicle. The apparatus includes a lift system, such as a parawing, that is inflated by air to generate lift and further includes a vehicle frame attached to the lift system such as by suspension lines that also space the lift system apart from the vehicle frame. The apparatus includes a thrust assembly supported on the vehicle frame that is operable to propel the vehicle at a flight speed at which the lift system is operated, e.g., the parawing is inflated, to generate lift to suspend the vehicle frame above the ground. The apparatus includes show elements that may be supported on or by the vehicle frame and be configured to be lift neutral. The show elements function to distract observers away from the lift system such as by appearing to provide the lift or features that cause the vehicle frame to fly. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100280919 | System and method for item-based economy in a virtual world - There is provided a system and method for an item-based economy in a virtual world. There is provided a server for providing an item exchange for a virtual world lacking a common currency for item valuation, comprising a processor configured to receive a request from a client having an inventory to initiate the item exchange, present a user interface on a display of the client for the item exchange, receive a selection of either a second quantity of second items or a third quantity of third items for the item exchange from the client, remove from the inventory of the client a first quantity of tradable items defined by a first exchange value or a second exchange value based on the selection, and add the second quantity of second items or the third quantity of the third items to the inventory of the client based on the selection. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277475 | COMPUTER GRAPHIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING HAIR - A computer graphic system and methods for simulating hair is provided. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure a method for hybrid hair simulation using a computer graphics system is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of modeled hair strands using a processor of the computer graphics system. Each hair strand includes a plurality of particles and a plurality of spring members coupled in between the plurality of particles. The method also includes determining a first position and a first velocity for each particle in the plurality of modeled hair strands using the processor and coarsely modeling movement of the plurality of modeled hair strands with a continuum fluid solver. Self-collisions of the plurality of modeled hair strands are computed with a discrete collision model using the processor. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100271654 | System and method for providing a peripheral control interface for extending media device functions - There is provided a system and method for extending media device functions using a peripheral control interface. There is provided a media device for controlling a peripheral device where the media device provides a plurality of native functions. The media device comprises a network interface and a processor configured to establish a connection with a network using the network interface, execute a media application to discover a route to a server through the connection, obtain via the route a peripheral control interface for providing a mediation service associated with the peripheral device, and send a command to the server using the route for controlling the peripheral device using the peripheral control interface, which causes the peripheral device to execute a function outside of the plurality of native functions provided by the media device. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271396 | System and method for selective viewing of a hidden presentation within a displayed presentation - There is provided a system and method for selective viewing of a hidden image within a displayed image. There is provided a method for providing a composite presentation, comprising displaying a plurality of elemental presentations including a first presentation and a second presentation to provide the composite presentation, wherein the displaying of the second presentation makes at least a first portion of the first presentation become unrecognizable to a human eye viewing the composite presentation without a use of a visual aid. This rendering of the first presentation as unrecognizable to the human eye may be accomplished through filtering techniques such as one or more of optical polarization, shuttering, depth of field alteration, light intensity alteration, light angle alteration, anaglyph filters, and other filtering techniques. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100268359 | System and method for an interactive device for use with a media device - There are provided systems and methods for an interactive device for interaction with a user of a media device, wherein the interactive device and the media device are operable to communicate with a server having a memory storing a plurality of states including a present state of the media device playing a media. The interactive device comprises a peripheral hardware for interaction with the user of the media device and a processor configured to establish a communication with the server, obtain the present state of the media device from the server, select an action in response to the present state of the media, and execute the action using the peripheral hardware for interaction with the user of the media device. The interactive device can operate independently of the server or with several interactive devices connected to the server. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100262618 | System and method for real-time media presentation using metadata clips - There is provided a system and method for real-time media presentation using metadata clips. There is provided a media device for providing one or more media files for a display, the media device including a memory and a processor. The memory includes a plurality of metadata clips, wherein each of the plurality of metadata clips references a referenced source media from the media files, a referenced start position, and a referenced end position. The processor can determine a playlist including some of the plurality of metadata clips for streaming segments of media files as defined by their referenced start and end positions. Flexible behaviors can also be added to enhance playback logic or to enforce access restrictions, and metadata clips and playlists may also be user generated. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259057 | ROBOT HAND WITH HUMAN-LIKE FINGERS - A robotic hand with finger assemblies to better simulate human hand form factors and gestures. For each finger assembly, the robotic hand includes a finger drive assembly that is operable to selectively apply tension to four elongated and flexible tension elements (e.g., steel cable). Each of the finger assemblies includes a set of links or link members that are actuated or moved by the selective tensioning/movement of the tension elements by the drive assembly. The links are interconnected with pivotal joints such that they have three degrees-of-freedom, and the finger assembly includes a set of pulleys that are supported on the links and that are arranged to provide support and to guide the tension elements through the finger assembly. The tension elements preferably extend only partially about any one of the pulleys, whereby the finger assembly utilizes “n+1” actuation with non-helical wrapping of the tension elements. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100254674 | PACKAGED MEDIA PLAYBACK WITH REMOTELY OBTAINED SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT - Fans or other persons can upload content that others can choose to view when they play back a film, television show or other packaged media content item. A server system receives a playback indication from a remote media player via a data network, and in response retrieves an uploaded supplemental content item. The playback indication can not only identify the film, television show or other packaged media content item, but can further identify a playback location in the identified content item, such as a specific scene. The server system can use such information to select and retrieve one of a number of uploaded supplemental content items. The server system transmits the supplemental content item to the media player, which then plays back the supplemental content item in association with the packaged media content item. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100250558 | System and Method for Targeted Ad Delivery - Systems and associated methods for targeted ad delivery are described. In one aspect, a user profile includes at least one user content category identifier and a user interest score. The user interest score is increased by an amount if the content category identifier of a requested webpage matches the at least one user content category identifier. In a further aspect, the user interest score is indicative of a level of interest of the user in a content category identified by the at least one user content category identifier. In another aspect, the user interest score can be reduced according to a long-term decay rate that slowly reduces the user interest score. In another aspect, the user interest score can also be reduced according to a short-term decay rate that rapidly reduces the user interest score. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100247060 | System and method for synchronizing a real-time performance with a virtual object - There is presented a system for recording a performance by a real-time performer interacting with a virtual object. The disclosed system comprises a projection module including a polarizing filter, the projection module configured to generate a polarized visible image corresponding to the virtual object. The system includes a surface for displaying the polarized visible image, the surface viewable by the real-time performer. The system also includes a recording module including a reverse-polarizing filter, the reverse-polarizing filter configured to reverse-polarize images of the performance by the real-time performer and the surface displaying the polarized visible image to produce reverse-polarized images. The recording module is configured to record the reverse-polarized images. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a rendering module configured to render the virtual object into the recorded performance. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100245349 | System and method for determining placement of a virtual object according to a real-time performance - There is presented a system for determining a placement of a virtual object in a performance space according to a performance by a real-time performer. The disclosed system comprises a projection module including a polarizing filter, the projection module configured to generate a polarized visible image corresponding to the virtual object. The system includes a surface for displaying the polarized visible image to the real-time performer. The system also includes a detection module for detecting inputs to the surface, wherein the inputs are provided by the real-time performer based on a location of the polarized visible image on the surface. The system further comprises a mapping module configured for mapping a location of each input to the surface to a corresponding point in the performance space, for the placement of the virtual object in the performance space according to the locations of inputs to the surface by the real-time performer. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100238166 | ATTRIBUTE TRANSFER BETWEEN COMPUTER MODELS INCLUDING IDENTIFYING ISOMORPHIC REGIONS IN POLYGONAL MESHES - A method for automatically transferring attributes between computer-generated models. The method includes storing in memory first and second models represented by polygonal meshes and storing a set of attributes for the first model. A processor operates or runs a compressed graph generator to process the first and second models to generate first and second compressed graphs that are compressed versions of the models. The method includes comparing topological connectivity of the first and second compressed graphs. When the connectivity is similar, the method includes transferring at least a portion of the attributes from the first model to the second model. The compressed graphs may be motorcycle graphs, skeleton graphs, or other forms of compressed graphs. The method includes determining a pair of vertices in the first compressed graph that match vertices in the second compressed graph for use as starting locations in comparing topological connectivity of the compressed graphs. | 09-23-2010 |
