Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to provide sports-based interactive experiences. The interactive experiences may be facilitated by providing users' views of virtual content related to a particular sport. The systems and methods may utilize action sequence information and/or other information. The action sequence information may specify anticipated sequences of output signals generated by sensors coupled to real-world items of playing equipment. The output signals in the anticipated sequences of output signals may be associated with anticipated control signals for controlling the virtual content.

Abstract: A transparent display system is provided where broadcast talent (or presenter) can see interactive content, tool palettes, prompts (and the like) as well as their own sketches and annotations, but a viewing audience sees only the broadcast talent and content intended for the viewing audience with the talent's annotation thereof. A transparent scattering screen together with optical filtering or gating of a first optical property of the light (e.g., polarization-based or wavelength-based) is used such that the first property of the light is projected onto the screen so the talent can see the projection, and a camera-side filter blocks the first property of the light so it is not seen by the camera. Simultaneously, a broadcast talent (or presenter) is illuminated by light having properties other than the first property, which allows the talent image to pass through the screen and the camera-side filter allowing the talent to be seen by camera.

Abstract: Techniques for selectively removing Monte Carlo (MC) noise from a geometric buffer (G-buffer). Embodiments identify the G-buffer for rendering an image of a three-dimensional scene from a viewpoint. Embodiments determine, for each of a plurality of pixels in the image being rendered, respective world position information based on the three-dimensional scene and a position and orientation of the viewpoint. A pre-filtering operation is then performed to selectively remove the MC noise from the G-buffer, based on the determined world position information for the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a game based on common media consumption are described herein. Exemplary implementations may: obtain sets of consumption information for users of a game; identify common media content that has been consumed by two or more users from the sets of consumption information for the two or more users; responsive to requests from users to play the game together, obtain game information that corresponds to the common media content; effectuate presentation of the game on computing platforms of the users based on the game information; and/or perform other operations.

Abstract: The systems described herein facilitate providing a virtual content with an intended appearance. The virtual content can be an interactive space. The interactive space may be presented on a display of a presentation device. The display can be a transparent display. The interactive space can be superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment of a user. Environmental characteristics of the physical real-world environment can alter the intended appearance of the interactive space superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment. The environmental characteristics include one or more of a light intensity, color, and/or other visual features of the physical real-world environment. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered to compensate for the environmental characteristics. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered such the user can perceive the interactive space as intended by the creator of the interactive space.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, it may be recognized that a consumer has placed a consumer object, such as a toy or action figure, into a field of view of a camera (e.g., a video camera incorporated into a portable computer). A software benefit associated with the consumer object may then be automatically determined, and, responsive to the recognition and determination, it may be arranged for the consumer to receive that software benefit (e.g., in a virtual world).

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to synchronize real-world motion of physical objects with presentation of virtual content. Individual physical objects may be detected and/or identified based on image information defining one or more images of a real-world environment. Individual network connections may be established between individual computing platforms and individual physical objects. A network connection may facilitate a synchronization of a presentation of virtual content on a computing platform with motion of one or more physical objects in the real-world environment.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to facilitating players joining an ongoing game session depicted in video content for contemporaneous, interactive play with a player. A first user on a first computing platform may present a recording of video content to a second user on a second computing platform. The video content may include a depiction of a game session of a game and a pointer to the game session. The second user may access the pointer. The pointer may enable the second user to participate in the game session depicted in the video content.

Abstract: A system for implementing visitor customizations at a facility using selective image recognition. The system includes a processor and memory storing an optical marker definition and, for potential visitors to the facility, a reference file for image-based recognition of a person. The system includes a camera in a space of the facility capturing an image of the space. The system includes an opt-in verification module run by the processor that processes the captured image of the space to identify, based on the optical marker definition, presence of an optical marker. The system includes an image recognition module run by the processor that compares recognizable features in the captured image with the reference files for the potential visitors to recognize the visitor. The memory stores opt-in records for the potential visitors, and permission to use recognition technology is obtained prior to processing by the image recognition module.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for estimating poses from images. In one embodiment, a machine learning model, referred to herein as the “detector,” is trained to estimate animal poses from images in a bottom-up fashion. In particular, the detector may be trained using rendered images depicting animal body parts scattered over realistic backgrounds, as opposed to renderings of full animal bodies. In order to make appearances of the rendered body parts more realistic so that the detector can be trained to estimate poses from images of real animals, the body parts may be rendered using textures that are determined from a translation of rendered images of the animal into corresponding images with more realistic textures via adversarial learning. Three-dimensional poses may also be inferred from estimated joint locations using, e.g., inverse kinematics.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate selective dialogue presentation for multimedia presentations. Exemplary implementations may: present visual content of the multimedia presentation on a display device; present effects audio content of the multimedia presentation on a set of audio presentation devices; communication of individual dialogue audio content of the multimedia presentation to individual user devices to cause the individual user devices to present individual dialogue audio content in sync with the presentation of the visual content and/or the effects audio content; and/or other operations.

Abstract: A system for identifying, tagging, and displaying one or more assets within an audio visual (AV) file includes an asset tagging server, an asset tag acquisition device, and a database, wherein the asset tag acquisition device includes an asset identification engine configured to receive an asset identification data set and generate an asset tag data file that includes an asset tag corresponding to each asset. The asset tagging server is configured to receive, from an AV capture device, an AV file that includes an AV representation of each asset and corresponding timestamp data, and store, in the database, an AV asset tag data file comprising the beginning timestamp, the ending time stamp, and the set of asset tags.

Abstract: A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (“IELs”) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.

Abstract: A system and method for combining computer vision information about human subjects within the field-of-view of a computer vision subsystem with RF Angle of Arrival (AoA) information from an RF receiver subsystem to locate, identify, and track individuals and their location. The RF receiver subsystem may receive RF signals emitted by one or more electronic devices (e.g., a mobile phone) carried, held, or otherwise associated with am individual. Further, gestures can be made with the device and they can be detected by the system.

Abstract: A show system or in-room entertainment or show system configured to provide engaging and immersive multimedia shows or presentations in nearly any space (or “room”) that is defined by one or more walls. The in-room show system generally includes a controller for selectively operating a display device (e.g., a television or the like), a video projector, an audio system (e.g., one or more speakers), and other show components (e.g., one or more lights, a fan, a mechanical device, and so on). Media content is predefined for the room, and the controller operates (such as in response to a triggering switch or remote control device that may take the form of a show prop activated by someone in the room) to serve the media content to tell a story and/or magically transform the space into a multidimensional and immersive entertainment space.

Abstract: A display system useful for achieving a wide field of view infinity effect. The system includes a frame assembly adapted for mounting on a wall of viewing space. The system includes a display element with a display surface. The system includes a magnifying lens supported within the frame assembly with a rear surface facing the display surface and with a front surface facing the viewing space. The rear surface of the magnifying lens is parallel to the display surface of the display element and is separated from the display surface by a separation distance less than a focal length of the magnifying lens, e.g., a value such that a ratio of the separation distance to the focal length is in the range of 0.169 to 0.254. The magnifying lens may be a Fresnel lens in the form of a planar plastic sheet manufactured to provide a flat spherical lens.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of a method of dispersing scents in congruity with entertainment. Multiple scents are dispersed into the environment surrounding a participant at various points in congruity with visual entertainment. The scents are selectively provided at various times to coincide with the display of one or more elements in the entertainment experience such as a location or character. One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of a system for blending scents. The system includes an airflow source, a plurality of scent distributors, and a controller operably coupled to the airflow source and plurality of scent distributors to selectively control delivery of the scents from the plurality of scent distributors to bulk airflow delivered to a participant environment.

Abstract: A content curation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a content promotion software code providing a user interface. The hardware processor executes the content promotion software code to receive an initiation signal corresponding to a user action, and, in response to receiving the initiation signal, to identify multiple content items as desirable content items to the user. In addition, the content promotion software code determines a portion of the desirable content item as most desirable content to the user, and, for each most desirable content portion, obtains a content clip including that content, resulting in multiple content clips corresponding respectively to the multiple content items. The content promotion software code further outputs the content clips for playout to the user via the user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to gameplay using mobile devices. Embodiments include receiving, by a first device, input from a player initiating a targeted action. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, an orientation of the first device. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, a location of at least a second device based at least on a message received from the second device. Embodiments include identifying, by the first device, that a target of the targeted action is associated with the second device based on the orientation of the first device and the location of the second device. Embodiments include transmitting, by the first device, an indication of the targeted action to the second device.

Abstract: A first version and a second version of audio visual content are provided via a disc, a web site or a mobile device application to consumers. The second version has audiovisual content removed from the first version that is not appropriate for a type of viewer, such as children. In addition, a menu is provided that allows a user to select the first version or the second version to play on a device. In addition to or instead of the second version, the menu may allow the user to customize the first version for an intended audience.

Abstract: An image synthesis system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including a neural encoder and multiple neural decoders each corresponding to a respective persona. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive target image data, and source data that identifies one of the personas, and to map the target image data to its latent space representation using the neural encoder. The software code further identifies one of the neural decoders for decoding the latent space representation of the target image data based on the persona identified by the source data, uses the identified neural decoder to decode the latent space representation of the target image data as the persona identified by the source data to produce a swapped image data, and blends the swapped image data with the target image data to produce one or more synthesized images.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to capturing intrinsic color images of subjects. A camera may be equipped with a light source that is coaxial to the camera's image sensor and configured to emit a pulse of light of short duration. During image capture of a subject, the camera light source may emit the pulse of light through the lens barrel of the camera and stop emission of light before the reflected light from the light source returns. Thereafter, the camera lens receives the reflected light from the light source (with the light source no longer emitting light) and charge is collected at one or more image sensor photodetector sites of the camera.

Abstract: Training data from multiple types of sensors and captured in previous capture sessions can be fused within a physics-based tracking framework to train motion priors using different deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) and Recurrent Temporal Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RTRBMs). In embodiments employing one or more CNNs, two streams of filters can be used. In those embodiments, one stream of the filters can be used to learn the temporal information and the other stream of the filters can be used to learn spatial information. In embodiments employing one or more RTRBMs, all visible nodes of the RTRBMs can be clamped with values obtained from the training data or data synthesized from the training data. In cases where sensor data is unavailable, the input nodes may be unclamped and the one or more RTRBMs can generate the missing sensor data.

Abstract: An air flow generator may be implemented on an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) controller or head-mounted display (HMD) through which an AR or VR experience is presented. Based on content upon which the AR or VR experience is based, air flow effects can be provided by the air flow generator. In particular, desired air flow effect parameters based on or obtained from the content, can be used to enhance the AR or VR experience through generating air flow directed at a user of the HMD. The air flow generated by the air flow generator can be further enhanced by the addition of liquid and/or scented additives.

Abstract: A method including encoding a video program into a plurality of video streams, each of the plurality of video streams being encoded at a corresponding one of a plurality of bitrates; providing, to a plurality of viewing clients, an option to select one of the plurality of video streams; determining a streaming capacity of each of the viewing clients; and determining an improved plurality of bitrates based on streaming capacities of the plurality of viewing clients.

Abstract: A content annotation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a tagging software code including an artificial neural network (ANN). The hardware processor executes the tagging software code to receive content having a content interval including an image of a generic content feature, encode the image into a latent vector representation of the image using an encoder of the ANN, and use a first decoder of the ANN to generate a first tag describing the generic content feature based on the latent vector representation. When a specific content feature learned by the ANN corresponds to the generic content to feature described by the first tag, the tagging software code uses a second decoder of the ANN to generate a second tag uniquely identifying the specific content feature based on the latent vector representation, and tags the content interval with the first and second tags.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.

Abstract: A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object comprises an object position system for generating three-dimensional object position data comprising an object trajectory, a software element for receiving the three-dimensional object position data, the software element also for determining whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that an object has exceeded a boundary, and a graphics system for displaying the object trajectory.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for reconstructing an object in three dimensions that is captured in a set of two-dimensional images. The object is reconstructed in three dimensions by computing depth values for edges of the object in the set of two-dimensional images. The set of two-dimensional images may be samples of a light field surrounding the object. The depth values may be computed by exploiting local gradient information in the set of two-dimensional images. After computing the depth values for the edges, depth values between the edges may be determined by identifying types of the edges (e.g., a texture edge, a silhouette edge, or other type of edge). Then, the depth values from the set of two-dimensional images may be aggregated in a three-dimensional space using a voting scheme, allowing the reconstruction of the object in three dimensions.

Abstract: An automated costume augmentation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to provide an image including a posed figure to an artificial neural network (ANN), receive from the ANN a 2D skeleton data including joint positions corresponding to the posed figure, and determine a 3D pose corresponding to the posed figure using an optimization algorithm applied to the skeleton data. The software code further identifies one or more proportion(s) of the posed figure based on the skeleton data, determines bone directions corresponding to the posed figure using another optimization algorithm applied to the 3D pose, parameterizes a costume for the posed figure based on the 3D pose, the proportion(s), and the bone directions, and outputs an enhanced image including the posed figure augmented with the fitted costume for rendering on a display.

Abstract: A process determines a position of an image capture device with respect to a physical object. The position corresponds to a vantage point for an initial image capture of the physical object performed by the image capture device at a first time. Further, the process generates an image corresponding to the position. In addition, the process displays the image on the image capture device. Finally, the process outputs one or more feedback indicia that direct a user to orient the image capture device to the image for a subsequent image capture at a second time within a predetermined tolerance threshold of the vantage point.

Abstract: A content editing system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to record a content feed concurrently with its broadcast to produce a recorded content feed, perform a first edit of the recorded content feed during the recording and the broadcast, and begin writing a content file, during the recording and the broadcast, wherein the content file includes the a portion of the recorded content feed. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to begin transcoding the content file, after beginning the writing of the content file and during the recording and the broadcast, perform a last edit of the recorded content feed, and complete the writing and the transcoding of the content file after completion of the recording.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a dual-mode augmented reality and virtual reality viewer (AR/VR viewer) includes a device configured to provide AR and VR effects, the device including a display screen, a VR shield, and a transparency control unit coupled to the VR shield. The AR/VR viewer also includes a computing platform for generating the AR and VR effects communicatively coupled to the device. The display screen has a user facing first surface for receiving the AR and VR effects, and a second surface opposite the user facing first surface. The display screen or a transmissive layer adjoining the display screen is configured to have a variable transparency. The VR shield is configured to be one of substantially transparent in an AR mode and substantially opaque in a VR mode under the control of the transparency control unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a mobile device. The method includes launching a software application requiring an identity verification of each of a plurality of users for performing a requested action, the plurality of users including a first user and a second user, receiving a first biometric information of the first user and a second biometric information of the second user, sending the first biometric information of the first user and the second biometric information of the second user to a server, receiving notifications from the server as to whether the first and second biometric information corresponding to biometric information in first user and second user profiles, respectively, and performing the requested action, if the notifications indicate a match.

Abstract: A content promotion system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a conversational agent software code. The hardware processor executes the conversational agent software code to receive user identification data, obtain user profile data including a content consumption history of a user associated with the user identification data, and identify a first predetermined phrase for use in interacting with the user based on the user profile data. In addition, the conversational agent software code initiates a dialog with the user based on the first predetermined phrase, detects a response or non-response to the dialog, updates the user profile data based on the response or non-response, resulting in updated user profile data, identifies a second predetermined phrase for use in interacting with the user based on the updated user profile data, and continues the dialog with the user based on the second predetermined phrase.

Abstract: A system for providing guided interactions with books includes a content delivery terminal communicatively coupled to a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory storing a content delivery software code, a content registry, and a library of entries corresponding respectively to multiple interaction plans for guiding an interaction with a book. The hardware processor executes the content delivery software code to detect, via the content delivery terminal, a book corresponding to content included in the content registry, and to identify an interaction plan for the guided interaction based on one or more of the content and a user input received by the content delivery terminal. The content delivery software code further identifies a first portion of the content for use in initiating the interaction plan, and outputs the first portion of the content to the content delivery terminal for printing by the content delivery terminal in the book.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and predicting content dissemination in social networks includes computing a “virality score” for popularity of social media content, a “pattern” of diffusion of the content, and a “hype” parameter of such content without requiring a “friendship graph” or “information diffusion” structured data. It also includes an iterative, predictive model, which predicts future performance (or future rate of dissemination) of the content while mitigating a class imbalance problem inherent in predicting viral posts, and which provides updates to the model based on actual performance results.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for generating a visual representation of at least one of a plurality of input keys. The embodiments receive a first signal form one or more proximity sensors indicating that a user is proximate to a first plurality of input keys on an I/O device. The embodiments receive a second signal from one or more activation sensors indicating the user has activated a second plurality of input keys on the I/O device. The embodiments compare the first plurality of input keys to the second plurality of input keys to identify a subset of the first plurality of input keys that the user is proximate to but has not activated. The embodiments generate a visual representation of the subset of the first plurality of input keys for display.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods configured to generate virtual entities representing real-world users. In some implementations, the systems and/or methods are configured to capture user appearance information with imaging devices and sensors, determines correspondence values conveying correspondences between the appearance of the user's body or user's head and individual ones of default body models and/or default head models, modifies a set of values defining a base body model and/or base head model based on determined correspondence values and sets of base values defining the default body models and/or default head models. The base body model and/or base head model may be modified to model the appearance of the body and/or head of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for user interaction with and curation of digital media content, such that users are able to specify a particular clip of video content, and utilize the clip in a desired way. The disclosed systems and methods allow users to view video content, select video clips within the video content, save video clips into a collection of video clips, and curate the collection of video clips. The disclosed systems and methods also allow users to view bookmarks indicating the positions of saved video clips within video content, and to interact with video clips within a video player.

Abstract: A system configured to provide users with interactive experiences on a set of one or more vehicles. The interactive experiences have narrative, leveling, or other persistent or shared aspects may be presented to users over a set of sessions in which the users (individually or as a group) are passengers in the set of one or more vehicles. The progress made by the users in a session is saved such that the users may continue the progress made in a following session in the set of one or more vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to provide views of a virtual space are presented herein. A display device may include a display screen, one or more sensors, and/or other component. The one or more sensors being configured to generate output signals conveying gaze information including one or more of a viewpoint, a gaze direction, and/or other information. An instance of a virtual space may be executed to determine a view of the virtual space based on the gaze information and/or other information. The view of the virtual space may correspond to a field of view within the virtual space determined based on the gaze information. The instance of the virtual space may be presented on the display screen according to the determined view of the virtual space.

Abstract: Techniques for providing multi-screen interaction in an interactive application. A primary device establishes an application session. The application session includes a virtual environment relating to a physical environment in which the primary user device is located. The primary user device is configured to display a graphical image relating to a primary virtual camera view of the virtual environment. A secondary virtual camera view of the virtual environment, relating to the primary virtual camera view, is determined. The primary user device transmits image data relating to the secondary virtual camera view from the primary user device to a secondary user device, which is configured to display a graphical image based on the image data. Responsive to receiving an interaction request from the secondary user device, the primary user device controls the application session based on the interaction request.

Abstract: Particular embodiments perform a light path analysis of an image comprising a scene, wherein the scene comprises at least one refractive or reflective object. The image may be decomposed based on the light path analysis into a plurality of components, each of the components representing a contribution to lighting in the scene by a different type of light interaction. For each of the components, one or more motion vectors are extracted for each of the components in order to capture motion in the scene. Finally, a final contribution of each of the components to the image is computed based on the motion vectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing clearance workflows for facilitating clearance of online content for distribution platforms. The online content may be obtained and may include an individual online content. A clearance workflow for the individual online content may be identified. The clearance workflow may include an itemized representation of clearance items to be addressed for clearance of the individual online content. The clearance workflow may be stored in electronic storage. Fulfillment information indicating that one or more of the clearance items included in the clearance workflow has been addressed may be obtained. The fulfillment information may identify which of the one or more clearance items have been addressed. The clearance workflow stored in the electronic storage for the individual online content may be updated in a reoccurring or ongoing manner.

Abstract: Embodiments are described to perform an operation comprising determining a position of an augmented reality and/or virtual reality (AR/VR)-capable device relative to a position of a tracking point, determining a first arrangement of a first plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) elements associated with an application based on the position of the AR-capable device relative to the tracking point, and generating, by operation of a processor, a GUI comprising the first plurality of GUI elements arranged according to the first arrangement within a volume of a cylinder.

Abstract: A set of software applications configured to perform interframe and/or intraframe encoding operations based on data communicated between a graphics application and a graphics processor. The graphics application transmits a 3D model to the graphics processor to be rendered into a 2D frame of video data. The graphics application also transmits graphics commands to the graphics processor indicating specific transformations to be applied to the 3D model as well as textures that should be mapped onto portions of the 3D model. Based on these transformations, an interframe module can determine blocks of pixels that repeat across sequential frames. Based on the mapped textures, an intraframe module can determine blocks of pixels that repeat within an individual frame. A codec encodes the frames of video data into compressed form based on blocks of pixels that repeat across frames or within frames.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to synchronization between multiple displays for audio and/or visual content. Video, movie, television, live broadcast, streaming or online content typically include visual content and corresponding audio content synchronized to the visual content, i.e., a particular audio frame is set to be play backed at the same time a particular video frame is displayed. The present disclosure provides for delaying the presentation of visual content with respect to one or more displays in order to synchronize the presentation of the visual content on the displays.