Abstract: A memory cell having a memory cell state is disclosed. The memory cell state includes a memory unit configured to store a bit of data wherein the bit of data determines whether the memory cell state is a first state or a second state and a common state indicator line configured to indicate a common state associated with a group of memory cells. The memory cell state further comprises a logic circuit configured to compare the memory cell state to the common state and an output line is configured to indicate the result of the comparison. A method of identifying one or more minimum value elements in a set of elements is also disclosed. The method includes storing the values in a memory cell array having a plurality of sets of memory cells, each value being stored in a set of memory cells. The stored values are compared to a set of common state indicator lines configured to indicate the minimum value stored in the memory cell array.

Abstract: Techniques from computer vision and computer graphics are combined to robustly track a target (e.g., a user) and perform a function based upon the image and/or the identity attributed to the target's face. Three primary modules are used to track a user's head: depth estimation, color segmentation, and pattern classification. The combination of these three techniques allows for robust performance despite unknown background, crowded conditions, and rapidly changing pose or expression of the user. Each of the modules can also provide an identity classification module with valuable information so that the identity of a user can be estimated. With an estimate of the position of a target in 3-D and the target's identity, applications such as individualized computer programs or graphics techniques to distort and/or morph the shape or apparent material properties of the user's face can be performed.

Abstract: The identification of hidden data, such as feature-based control points in an image, from a set of observable data, such as the image, is achieved through a two-stage approach. The first stage involves a learning process, in which a number of sample data sets, e.g. images, are analyzed to identify the correspondence between observable data, such as visual aspects of the image, and the desired hidden data, such as the control points. Two models are created. A feature appearance-only model is created from aligned examples of the feature in the observed data. In addition, each labeled data set is processed to generate a coupled model of the aligned observed data and the associated hidden data. In the image processing embodiment, these two models might be affine manifold models of an object's appearance and of the coupling between that appearance and a set of locations on the object's surface.

Abstract: The classification of speech according to emotional content employs acoustic measures in addition to pitch as classification input. In one embodiment, two different kinds of features in a speech signal are analyzed for classification purposes. One set of features is based on pitch information that is obtained from a speech signal, and the other set of features is based on changes in the spectral shape of the speech signal over time. This latter feature is used to distinguish long, smoothly varying sounds from quickly changing sound, which may indicate the emotional state of the speaker. These changes are determined by means of a low-dimensional representation of the speech signal, such as MFCC or LPC. Additional features of the speech signal, such as energy, can also be employed for classification purposes. Different variations of pitch and spectral shape features can be measured and analyzed, to assist in the classification of individual utterances.

Abstract: The invention enables a body of information to be easily manipulated (e.g., summarized, rearranged, edited, selectively accessed or searched) to facilitate use of the information by a user. The body of information is represented by at least two sets of temporally related data. Manipulation of a second one of the sets of data in a predetermined manner is accomplished indirectly through direct manipulation of a first one of the sets of data in the predetermined manner. Where the body of information is represented by more than two sets of temporally related data, the additional sets of data can also be manipulated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: A computer interface system and method is described which includes a way of interfacing with a physical game system. The game system may include a platform having a plurality of regions and a plurality of lots, a plurality of environmental objects positioned within an associated lot of the platform, and a movable object near at least one region. Additionally, each environmental object has an environmental identifier and is a global type or a local type, and each region has a region identifier and a plurality of subregions. The method includes the act of scanning the environmental objects and the movable object to extract data, where the extracted data includes a movable object position of the movable object and an environmental position for each environmental object and associated environmental identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of characterizing a coded object having a plurality of regions. A luminosity value of a first region of the coded object is compared to a luminosity value of a second region of the coded object, wherein the second region's color is known. The first region's color is then determined based on the comparison of the first and second region's luminosity values. In one aspect, the second region's color is known to be white. It is determined that the first region's color is white when the first region's luminosity value is not less than the second region's luminosity value by more than a predetermined constant k, and it is determined that the first region's color is black when the first region's luminosity value is less than the second region's luminosity value by more than a predetermined value. Various coded object configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for compression and expansion of a function defined upon an M-dimensional manifold embedded in N-dimensional space uses a second generation wavelet transform and a modified zerotree bit-encoding scheme. Typically, a function is defined upon a two-dimensional manifold embedded in three-dimensional space, such as a sphere. A geometric base is chosen as a coarse initial model of the manifold. Second generation wavelets for the function are calculated using a triangular subdivision scheme in order to subdivide the geometric base in order to produce a refined triangular mesh. The wavelet coefficients are defined at the vertices of the triangles in the triangular mesh. A tree structure is created in which each node of the tree structure represents an associated triangle of the triangular mesh. Each triangle in the mesh is recursively subdivided into four subtriangles and each associated node in the tree structure also has four children, which correspond to the four subtriangles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of finding a reference object within a coded object having a plurality of regions. Each region has a plurality of subregions, and at least a majority of a first one of the subregions has a different color from a second one of the subregions. The reference object has a known relative position to other objects within the coded object so that the reference object is utilizable to locate the other objects within the coded object. A first one of the subregions within a selected one of the regions within the coded object is selected. A first region and a second region within the coded object are also selected. The selected first and second region form a plurality of subregion pairs. Each subregion pair includes a subregion from the seleced first region and a subregion from the selected second region. Luminosity values of the subregions within each subregion pair are compared.

Abstract: A wearable personal audio apparatus includes one or more wearable U-shaped loop members adapted to fit an individual in a plurality of positions on the individual's body, particularly around the head and neck. The plurality of positions can include positions across the forehead, top or back of the head of the individual, and around the front or back of the neck of the individual. The loop member can have an eyewear receiving member which selectively receives an eyewear insert to provide protective or corrective eyewear when the loop member is worn on the front of the head of the wearer. In one embodiment, a plurality of sets of quick-connect interface ports are disposed around the loop member to selectively receive a plurality of external audio transducer modules. The quick-connect interface ports provide a respective communication path between each of the external audio transducer modules and an audio circuit which can be either external to the loop member or contained within the loop member.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods and systems for providing computer/human interfaces. According to one method, the user interfaces with an electronic device such as a computer system by engaging a sensor with desired regions of an encoded physical medium. The encoded physical medium is preferably chosen to provide intuitive meaning to the user, and is thus an improved metaphor for interfacing with the computer system. Suitable examples of the encoded physical medium include a data-linked book, magazine, globe, or article of clothing. Some or all of the selected regions have had certain information encoded therein, information suitable for interfacing and controlling the computer system. When the user engages the sensor with a region having certain encoded information, the certain encoded information is interpreted and an appropriate action taken. For example, the sensor or the computer system may provide suitable feedback to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device and method for interacting with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response. Content data relating to the motion picture is stored in a content data storage device while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device. A viewer input device is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can advance and reverse the frames on a display screen while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Abstract: Arbitrary input sounds are analyzed and the coefficients of a low-dimensional representation, such as LPC or MFCC, are determined as a measure of the timbre of the sounds. The coefficients can be employed in different ways to control output events, such as the generation of synthesized sounds. In one approach, the individual coefficients are mapped to the control parameters of a sound synthesizer, to enable highly complex output sounds to be generated in response to simple input sounds. In another approach, pattern recognition techniques are employed with respect to the coefficients, to classify the input sounds. Each classification is mapped to a control parameter, to cause different events to occur in response to the respective input sounds. In one example, the sounds of different musical instruments are generated in dependence upon the classification of the input sounds. These analysis techniques have low latency, and thereby allow events to be controlled without perceptible delay.

Abstract: A music synthesizer has one or more sensors that generate a respective plurality of sensor signals, at least one of which is an audio frequency sensor signal. Electronic circuitry, such as a specialized circuit or a programmed digital signal processor or other microprocessor, implements a physical model. The electronic circuitry includes an excitation signal input port for continuously receiving the audio frequency sensor signal as well as a control signal port for continuously receiving a control signal corresponding to the audio frequency sensor signal. The-control signal can have much lower bandwidth than the audio frequency sensor signal.

Abstract: A computer input system and method is described which includes a spatial reference member having a body with a first surface and an opposing second surface. The spatial reference member separates a first spatial region including the first surface from a second spatial region including the second surface. A physical object is movable within the first spatial region. Optical indicia tracks the physical object through the body. The optical indicia is observable from the second spatial region. An optical detector positioned in the second spatial region tracks the optical indicia and develops signals which may serve as inputs to a computer. The object may emit a signal which is tracked by the optical detector.

Abstract: An affect-based method of communication between robots is provided by displaying a visual facial expression indicative of a simulated emotional state on a display device of a first robot, and viewing the visual facial expression using a camera on a second robot. The simulated emotional state may be one of happiness, anger, or sadness, for example. The second robot determines the simulated emotional state based upon the visual facial expression. The second robot processes the simulated emotional state to redefine its own simulated emotional state, and to display a visual facial expression indicative thereof. The visual facial expression allows a human observer to discern the simulated emotional state of the robot. Optionally, the robots further communicate affect using audio tones.

Abstract: An attention manager presents information to a person in the vicinity of a display device in a manner that engages at least the peripheral attention of the person. The information is embodied by one or more sets of content data (e.g., video or audio data). Each set of content data is formulated by a content provider and made available for use by content display systems. Upon appropriate activation, each content display system displays images corresponding to the sets of content data in accordance with predetermined scheduling information. The attention manager makes use of "unused capacity" of the display device and the person's attention, providing information to the person that the person might not otherwise expend adequate energy to obtain.

Abstract: A signal mapping system maps sensor signals into control signals that control the operation of a music synthesizer. A "one to many" mapping technique is used, allowing at least some of the sensor signals to each be mapped into numerous music synthesizer control signals. Physical gestures by a user are mapped into a large set of music synthesizer control signals, some of which continuously vary in value as the user moves through the gestures. Signal mapping functions are used to map the sensor signals into note number and velocity values for at least one voice to be generated by the music synthesizer. The note number and velocity values are sent to the music synthesizer as note-on events when predefined note-on and note-off trigger conditions, defined with respect to specified ones of the sensor signals, are satisfied. Other ones of the signal mapping functions are used to generate asynchronous control signals that are sent to the music synthesizer independent of the note-on and note-off events.

Abstract: A video image, characterized by a plurality of pixels, is compressed by deriving at least one parameter based upon principal component analysis. An image value for each video image is then determined for the one parameter. The image value associated with each video image is compared to an image value associated with another video image to determine a difference. Any one of the image values of each video image and another video image is discarded in the event the difference is below a threshold. The remaining video images are then stored. Using this method of compression, it becomes possible to search a video database to find a match between an inquiring video scene with a video database comprising a plurality of video scenes with each video scene having a plurality of video images.

Abstract: The invention enables the display of an image to be paused, then, at the end of the pause, resumed at an accelerated rate until a time at which the content of the display corresponds to the content that would have been displayed had the image been displayed at the normal display rate without the pause, at which time display of the image at the normal display rate resumes. The invention can be used with display systems that display pre-recorded images (such as are found on video or audio cassettes, or video or audio compact discs, for example) or with display systems that display images based upon display data that is only momentarily available to the display system (such as occurs in the display of television or radio broadcasts). The invention can be used with either analog or digital display systems. Further, the invention can be used with any type of image display, such as, for example, audio displays, video displays or audiovisual displays.