| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090193459 | CHANNEL SELECTION BY NAME - A method to directly tune to a specific station. Each number of a TV remote control keypad represents certain letters. A viewer enters the number that corresponds to each letter of the call letters of a desired TV station, and the TV uses metadata such as program and system information protocol (PSIP) information in received programming streams to dynamically correlate the station name to a channel number and tune to the channel number. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100205532 | Customizable music visualizer - Audio/music visualizers have become standard features in most music/video software applications available for music/video players. The music visualizer presents the user with a beautiful presentation of music coupled with visuals that are synchronized to the music to create a compelling experience. The presented music visualizer provides a new ability to create a synchronized and personalized music visualization experience by a user without the need for programming. There are no preset effects, rather the user interacts with the visualizer system through a User Interface to create a visualization design through the use of video effects available through the UI. Once the design has been completed the system will synchronize the user's customized visualization design with an input musical selection. In this manner, the user has created their own customized music/video visualization which may also be stored for later playback or modification. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100211978 | DOWNLOADING TV CHANNEL MAP BASED ON LOCATION AND PROVIDER - A network-enabled TV sends a geographic location to an Internet server and in response receives back a list of TV service providers for the location. A user selects a provider and the server in response downloads the channel map pertaining to the selected provider. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110096073 | MUSIC-VISUALIZER SYSTEM AND METHODS - A music visualization system and methods involving a central processing unit capable of converting waveform data to geometry data, a graphics processing unit capable of recognizing and accepting the geometry data and rendering a plurality of graphical images, a custom shader software program being operable on the graphics processing unit, an embeddable platform being in electronic communication with the graphics processing unit, and an audiovisual display device in electronic communication with the graphics processing unit and the embeddable platform. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110298980 | RESIZING TV GRAPHIC ELEMENTS AND REORIENTING GRAPHICS PLANE FOR USER POSITION - The size of UI elements on a TV display are enlarged responsive to a determination from sensors that a viewer is beyond a nominal distance from the TV. As well, the graphics plane in which the UI elements are presented can be rotated relative to the video plane to account for a viewer being positioned at an oblique angle relative to the plane of the display. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120113142 | AUGMENTED REALITY INTERFACE FOR VIDEO - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113143 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM FOR POSITION IDENTIFICATION - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113144 | AUGMENTED REALITY VIRTUAL GUIDE SYSTEM - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113145 | AUGMENTED REALITY SURVEILLANCE AND RESCUE SYSTEM - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113274 | AUGMENTED REALITY INTERFACE FOR VIDEO TAGGING AND SHARING - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114297 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING TAGGED VIDEO AND DATA ON A NETWORK - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116920 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND PROMOTION - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120120101 | AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM FOR SUPPLEMENTING AND BLENDING DATA - A system, method, and computer program product for automatically combining computer-generated imagery with real-world imagery in a portable electronic device by retrieving, manipulating, and sharing relevant stored videos, preferably in real time. A video is captured with a hand-held device and stored. Metadata including the camera's physical location and orientation is appended to a data stream, along with user input. The server analyzes the data stream and further annotates the metadata, producing a searchable library of videos and metadata. Later, when a camera user generates a new data stream, the linked server analyzes it, identifies relevant material from the library, retrieves the material and tagged information, adjusts it for proper orientation, then renders and superimposes it onto the current camera view so the user views an augmented reality. | 05-17-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20110302025 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110307320 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing content performance measures and reports. In one aspect, a method receives a request for a user interaction report that specifies measures of user interactions with content items for a reporting period. Initial user interaction data representing user interactions with content items over the reporting period are obtained, where the user interaction data is associated with unique identifiers that each represents a user device with which user interactions are associated. For each of the unique identifiers an initialization time that specifies a time at which the unique identifier was associated with a user device is determined. In turn, initial user interaction data that are associated with unique identifiers having at least a minimum age are selected as final user interaction data, where the age of a unique identifier is an amount of time between the initialization time for the unique identifier and a time at which the conversion occurred. The user interaction report is generated using the final user interaction data. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307321 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing content performance measures and reports. In one aspect, a method receives a request for a user interaction report that specifies measures of user interactions with content items for a reporting period. Initial user interaction data representing user interactions with content items over the reporting period are obtained, where the user interaction data is associated with unique identifiers that each represents a user device with which user interactions are associated. For each of the unique identifiers an initialization time that specifies a time at which the unique identifier was associated with a user device is determined. In turn, initial user interaction data that are associated with unique identifiers having at least a minimum age are selected as final user interaction data, where the age of a unique identifier is an amount of time between the initialization time for the unique identifier and a time at which the conversion occurred. The user interaction report is generated using the final user interaction data. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307322 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307324 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307325 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307326 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307330 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307509 | Conversion Path Performance Measures And Reports - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 12-15-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090128548 | IMAGE REPAIR INTERFACE FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL VIEWPOINTS - A system and method for repairing an object in image data of an event. An image of the event is obtained from a camera, and an object is detected in the image. For example, the event may be a sporting event in which the object is a participant. Moreover, a portion of the object is occluded in a viewpoint of the camera. For instance, a limb of the participant may be occluded by another participant. The object is repaired by providing a substitute for the occluded portion. A user may perform the repair via a user interface by selecting part of an image from an image library and positioning the selected portion relative to the object. A textured 3d model of the event is combined with data from the repaired object, to depict a realistic virtual viewpoint of the event which differs from a viewpoint of the camera. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128568 | VIRTUAL VIEWPOINT ANIMATION - In one aspect, images of an event are obtained from a first video camera and a second camera, where the second camera captures images at a higher resolution than the first video camera. A particular image of interest is identified from the images obtained by the first video camera, e.g., based on an operator's command. A corresponding image which has been obtained by the second camera is then identified. The second image is used to depict virtual viewpoints which differ from the real viewpoints of the first and second camera, such as by combining data from a textured 3d model of the event with data from the second image. In another aspect, a presentation includes images from a first camera, followed by an animation of different virtual viewpoints, followed by images from a second camera which has a different real viewpoint of the event than the first camera. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128577 | UPDATING BACKROUND TEXTURE FOR VIRTUAL VIEWPOINT ANIMATIONS - Image data of an event is provided by updating a textured 3d model of the event. For example, in a sporting event, a model of a stadium can be periodically updated to reflect changes over time in lighting, advertisements, number of spectators in the stands and so forth. Different virtual viewpoints of the event can be depicted in an animation using the textured 3d model and image data from objects at the event such as participants in the sporting event. The same image from which object data is obtained can also be used to update the textured 3d model so that the model is current in the animation, resulting in greater realism. The updating can be based on an operator command or automatic detection of a specified event, such as change in lighting or passage of time. The animation can be provided in a broadcast television signal. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128580 | Telestrator System - A telestrator system is disclosed that allows a broadcaster to annotate video during or after an event. For example, while televising a sporting event, an announcer (or other user) can use the present invention to draw over the video of the event to highlight one or more actions, features, etc. In one embodiment, when the announcer draws over the video, it appears that the announcer is drawing on the field or location of the event. Such an appearance can be performed by mapping the pixels location from the user's drawing to three dimensional locations at the event. Other embodiments include drawing on the video without obscuring persons and/or other specified objects, and/or smoothing the drawings in real time. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128667 | LINE REMOVAL AND OBJECT DETECTION IN AN IMAGE - In one aspect, lines in image data of an event are automatically found and repaired. For example, the event may be a sporting event which is played on a field, and the line segment is a field line on the field which may be obscured by a player, game ball or other object. The line segment is automatically detected in a mask image, and a portion of the line segment which is occluded by the object is automatically determined, and the object is automatically removed. The line segment can also be repaired. Optionally, a virtual viewpoint of the event is provided from the image, with the line repaired and the object removed. In another aspect, an object in an image of an event is automatically located by detecting blobs in the image which meet at least one specified criterion, such as size, aspect ratio, density or color profile. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129630 | 3D TEXTURED OBJECTS FOR VIRTUAL VIEWPOINT ANIMATIONS - 3d textured objects are provided for virtual viewpoint animations. In one aspect, an image of an event is obtained from a camera and an object in the image is automatically detected. For example, the event may be a sports event and the object may be a stationary object which is detected based on a known location, color and shape. A 3d model of the object is combined with a textured 3d model of the event to depict a virtual viewpoint which differs from a viewpoint of the camera. The textured 3d model of the event has texture applied from an image of the event, while the 3d model of the object does not have such texture applied, in one approach. In another aspect, an object in the image such as a participant in a sporting event is represented in the virtual viewpoint by a textured 3d kinematics model. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20100238163 | Telestrator System - A telestrator system is disclosed that allows a broadcaster to annotate video during or after an event. For example, while televising a sporting event, an announcer (or other user) can use the present invention to draw over the video of the event to highlight one or more actions, features, etc. In one embodiment, when the announcer draws over the video, it appears that the announcer is drawing on the field or location of the event. Such an appearance can be performed by mapping the pixels location from the user's drawing to three dimensional locations at the event. Other embodiments include drawing on the video without obscuring persons and/or other specified objects, and/or smoothing the drawings in real time. | 09-23-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100007976 | PROTECTING MAGNETIC HEAD ELEMENTS - A magnetic head is described herein. A method for manufacturing the magnetic head comprises determining a protective distance for a protective structure to extend beyond an element in a direction toward a disk, layering the protective structure, and removing material from the protective structure to obtain approximately the protective distance. The protective distance is from an element end to a protective structure end. The protective distance is determined based on a magnetic head profile. The thickness of the protective structure is based on pole-tip recession. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100157475 | STEPPED MAIN POLE FOR PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEADS IN HARD DISK DRIVES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A stepped main pole for a perpendicular write head and methods of making the stepped main pole. The stepped main pole has a main pole tip and a base portion. The main pole tip has a surface that forms part of the ABS and a first thickness. The base portion extends from the main pole tip and has a thickness that varies from the first thickness to a second thickness to form a slanted surface with an apex angle adjacent the main pole tip. By placing the base portion away from the ABS and providing a thickness that increases in a direction away from the ABS, the stepped pole can provide the necessary magnetic flux for writing, while avoiding undesired leakage and fringing. To form embodiments of the stepped main pole of the invention, a fluorine-based reactive ion etch (RIE) may be used. By using an RIE to define the stepped main pole, the apex angle can be better controlled and tight edge control can be achieved. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20110096434 | SYSTEMS HAVING WRITER WITH DEEPER WRAP AROUND SHIELD AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A method according to one embodiment includes etching an underlayer positioned under a main pole for reducing a thickness thereof and creating an undercut under the main pole; adding a gap material along sides of the main pole and in the undercut; and forming a shield along at least a portion of the gap material. A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a main pole; an underlayer positioned under the main pole and spaced therefrom, thereby defining an undercut therebetween; a first layer of gap material extending along sides of the main pole and in the undercut; a second layer of gap material extending continuously along the underlayer under the main pole; and a shield encircling the main pole, wherein the shield extends between the first and second layers of gap material in the undercut. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110120878 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD HAVING A TAPERED WRITE POLE AND NON-MAGNETIC BUMP STRUCTURE - A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole and a trailing wrap around magnetic shield, and having a non-magnetic step layer and a non-magnetic bump to provide additional spacing between the write pole and the trailing wrap around shield at a location removed from the air bearing surface. A magnetic write pole material is deposited on a substrate and a non-magnetic step layer is deposited over the write pole. A reactive ion milling can he used to pattern the non-magnetic step layer to have a front edge that is located a desired distance from an air hearing surface. A patterning and ion milling process is then performed to define a write pole, and then a layer of alumina is deposited and ion milled to from a tapered, non-magnetic bump at the front the non-magnetic step layer. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110146062 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD HAVING A WRAP AROUND SHIELD THAT IS MAGNETICALLY COUPLED WITH A LEADING MAGNETIC SHIELD - A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a leading magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic shield that are arranged to prevent the lost of magnetic write field to the trailing magnetic shield. The write head includes a non-magnetic step layer that provides additional spacing between the trailing magnetic shield and the write pole at a region removed from the air bearing surface. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110151279 | MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD MANUFACTURED BY AN ENHANCED DAMASCENE PROCESS PRODUCING A TAPERED WRITE POLE WITH A NON-MAGNETIC SPACER AND NON-MAGNETIC BUMP - A magnetic write head having a tapered trailing edge and having a magnetic layer formed over a trailing edge of the write pole at a location recessed from the ABS, the magnetic layer being separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a thin non-magnetic layer. The thin non-magnetic layer is preferably sufficiently thin that the magnetic layer can function as a portion of the write pole in a region removed from the ABS. A trailing magnetic shield is formed over the write pole and is separated from the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer. A non-magnetic spacer layer can be formed over the magnetic layer to provide additional separation between the magnetic layer and the trailing magnetic shield. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20120092789 | THERMAL FLY HEIGHT CONTROL MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD HAVING A NOVEL HEATING ELEMENT GEOMETRY - A heating element for use in a thermal fly height control magnetic recording head of a magnetic data recording system. The heating element has a centrally disposed portion with a straight front edge that is recessed by a substantially constant distance, and has first and second side portions that taper away from the air bearing surface. The side portions preferably taper away from the air bearing surface by an angle of 20 to 45 degrees. The center portion of the front edge is spaced from the air bearing surface by a distance D and has a width W, such that W is 1.5 to 2.5 (or about 2) times D. D is typically 2-6 um to have good heater efficiency while being large enough to not over heat the heater. The heating element has an overall width WW and a overall depth HH from the air bearing surface such that WW is 1.5-2.5 (or about 2) times HH. | 04-19-2012 |