Abstract: Implementations of angle-enhancing screens are disclosed herein. The angle-enhancing screens increase the field of view of an image projected thereon by a projection lens while maintaining an increased size of the projected image, by decreasing the size of picture elements making up the image while maintaining their pitch. In some embodiments, the angle-enhancing screen includes a field lens, such as a Fresnel field lens, for straightening the views of light projected thereon and a double lenslet array of matched lenslet pairs, each of the pairs including either two positive lenslets or one positive and one negative lenslet, for increasing the field of view. In another embodiment, the angle-enhancing screen may include a field lens and an array of four positive lenslet quartets. In a further embodiment, the field lens may be replaced with a Gabor superlens including two lenslet arrays of different pitches.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing consumer engagement with a multimedia content distribution system through the use of temporal metadata and gamification techniques. Personalized game-like tasks are created, whereby a consumer is enticed to find and access multimedia content containing a specific content element, or “easter egg,” to earn a reward. The specific content element may be identifiable based on temporal metadata tags associated with multimedia content available within the multimedia content distribution system. To further increase the probability of consumer engagement, the easter egg may be personalized based on data unique to the consumer, such as consumer preferences, viewing habits, and previous engagement level with the multimedia content.

Abstract: A system for authenticating digital contents includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. According to one implementation, the hardware processor executes the software code to receive digital content, identify an image of a person depicted in the digital content, determine an ear shape parameter of the person depicted in the image, determine another biometric parameter of the person depicted in the image, and calculate a ratio of the ear shape parameter of the person depicted in the image to the biometric parameter of the person depicted in the image. The hardware processor is also configured to execute the software code to perform a comparison of the calculated ratio with a predetermined value, and determine whether the person depicted in the image is an authentic depiction of the person based on the comparison of the calculated ratio with the predetermined value.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments relate to improving the user experience associated with a digital platform. A first user device configured to remotely access a digital platform may receive a first signal broadcast by a second user device. Two or more types of communication protocols that are available to use for establishing a direct communication channel between the user devices are identified. One of the communication protocols is selected and a communication channel is established between the user devices in accordance with the selected communication protocol. The first user device then receives authentication information from the second user and establishes a session with the digital platform based on the authentication information received from the second user device.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a voice-enabled device using voice commands includes receiving an audio signal that is generated in response to a verbal utterance, generating a verbal utterance indicator for the verbal utterance based on the audio signal, selecting a first command for a voice-controlled application residing within the voice-enabled device based on the verbal utterance indicator, and transmitting the first command to the voice-controlled application as an input.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a character engine models a character that interacts with users. The character engine receives user input data from a user device, and analyzes the user input data to determine a user intent and an assessment domain. Subsequently, the character engine selects inference algorithm(s) that include machine learning capabilities based on the intent and the assessment domain. The character engine computes a response to the user input data based on the selected inference algorithm(s) and a set of personality characteristics that are associated with the character. Finally, the character engine causes the user device to output the response to the user. In this fashion, the character engine includes sensing functionality, thinking and learning functionality, and expressing functionality.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments are related to a device, a system, and a method for implementing a mechanism that is configured to prevent the unauthorized execution of software. A user device is configured to execute a feature access function corresponding to an application feature included in an application. The feature access function is configured to receive one of a plurality of values each time the application is launched. During operation, the feature access function receives a value and determines whether a condition is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the value is returned which indicates that execution of the application feature is permitted.

Abstract: A system for simulating human-like affect-driven behavior includes a hardware processor and a system memory storing software code providing a virtual agent. The hardware processor executes the software code to identify a character assumed by the virtual agent and having a personality, a target state of motivational fulfillment, a baseline mood, and emotions. The software code identifies current physical and motivational fulfillment states, and currently active emotions of the character, and determines a current mood of the character based on the baseline mood and the currently active emotions. The software code further detects an experience by the character and plans multiple behaviors including a first behavior based on the experience and the current physical state, the second behavior based on the experience, the personality, the current mood, and the currently active emotions, and a third behavior based on the target and current states of motivational fulfillment.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for recognizing aspect ratio errors in image frames of a video and reporting the same. An aspect ratio checker application receives a video that includes multiple image frames and identifies aspect ratio changes in those image frames using a first differential of a time series that includes determined positions of the top, bottom, left, and right of content regions within the image frames. In particular, the aspect ratio checker may identify aspect ratio changes based on non-zero points of the first differential, and the aspect ratio checker further determines aspect ratios of content regions within image frames corresponding to the non-zero points of the first differential. In addition, the aspect ratio checker may generate and display a report indicating the determined aspect ratios and image frame ranges associated with those aspect ratios.

Abstract: There is presented a system for providing a digital multimedia presentation. The system includes a processor and a memory. The system further includes a presentation content database stored in the memory, the presentation content database configured to store a plurality of episodes of a media series each of the plurality of episodes including and a credit portion. The system also includes a media player for execution by the processor and configured to play a selected episode of the plurality of episodes of the media series, and a review and redirection application for execution by the processor and configured to determine a next episode of the selected episode in the media series, where the processor executes the review and redirection pane during or after the credit portion of the selected episode to present a consumer with the next episode of the selected episode in the media series.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for modeling a joint language-visual space. A textual query to be evaluated relative to a video library is received from a requesting entity. The video library contains a plurality of instances of video content. One or more instances of video content from the video library that correspond to the textual query are determined, by analyzing the textual query using a data model that includes a soft-attention neural network module that is jointly trained with a language Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) neural network module and a video LSTM neural network module. At least an indication of the one or more instances of video content is returned to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A system for securing a content processing pipeline includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to insert a synthesized test image configured to activate one or more neurons of a malicious neural network into a content stream, provide the content stream as an input stream to a first processing node of the pipeline, and receive an output stream including a post-processed test image. The hardware processor further executes the software code to compare the post-processed test image in the output with an expected image corresponding to the synthesized test image, and to validate at least one portion of the pipeline as secure when the post-processed test image in the output matches the expected image.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate artificial intelligence communications. One or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying user behavior information and/or other information. The user behavior information may represent one or more communicative behaviors of a user in a real world. The one or more communicative behaviors may be interpreted based on communication structures of the one or more communicative behaviors to determine a meaning of a message conveyed by the one or more communicative behaviors. The communication structures may be categorized by structure type. The structure types may include one or more of a verbal type communication structure and/or a non-verbal type communication structure. Verbal type communication structure may refer to the conveyance of words via speech and/or non-speech communications. Non-verbal communication structure may refer to the conveyance of one or more of feelings, emotions, and/or impressions.

Abstract: A system providing an interactive social agent can include a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a training content standardization software code configured to receive content depicting human expressions and including annotation data describing the human expressions from multiple content annotation sources, generate a corresponding content descriptor for each content annotation source to translate the annotation data into a standardized data format, and transform the annotation data into the standardized data format using the corresponding content descriptor. The content and the annotation data in the to standardized format are stored as training data for use in training expressions for the interactive social agent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for learning latent representations of data using factorized variational autoencoders (FVAEs). The FVAE framework builds a hierarchical Bayesian matrix factorization model on top of a variational autoencoder (VAE) by learning a VAE that has a factorized representation so as to compress the embedding space and enhance generalization and interpretability. In one embodiment, an FVAE application takes as input training data comprising observations of objects, and the FVAE application learns a latent representation of such data. In order to learn the latent representation, the FVAE application is configured to use a probabilistic VAE to jointly learn a latent representation of each of the objects and a corresponding factorization across time and identity.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a projection system with increased spatial resolution. The projection system includes one or more light sources, a spatial light modulator configured to reflect light received from the one or more light sources to generate a plurality of sub-images of a composite image, and an optical system configured to reflect each of the plurality of sub-images the sub-images at a different portion of a projection surface. By projecting the single composite image using a plurality of sub-images projected at different times and/or locations from one another, the composite full image has a higher resolution as compared to the resolution defined by the hardware of the spatial light modulator and light sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate game profile development based on virtual and real activities of users are described herein. A user may perform virtual and/or real activities in order to develop a game profile so that the user can play one or more games where the game profile may be implemented. Users may be motivated to perform the virtual and/or real activities to develop the game profiles and show off and/or test their developed game profiles. The one or more games where the game profile may be implemented may be specific to one or more geo-graphic locations.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to providing operator visibility through an object that occludes the view of the operator by using a HMD system in communication with one or more imaging devices. A method of doing so may include: using one or more imaging devices coupled to an exterior of an object to capture image data of a real-world environment surrounding the object: calculating an orientation of a HMD positioned in an interior of the object; using at least the calculated orientation of the HMD, synthesizing a FOV of the image data with a FOV of the HMD; and rendering the synthesized FOV of the image data to the HMD. In some instances, the captured image data is used to create a three-dimensional model of the real-world environment, and synthesizing the FOV of the image data includes synthesizing a FOV of the 3D model with the FOV of the HMD.

Abstract: Methods and systems for converting user data from disparate sources to bitmap data are described, where user data from a plurality of different data sources are conformed to a conformed user data set using a conform mapping schema, and the conformed data set is then analyzed to create a bitmap mapping schema which provides a mapping from the conformed user data set to a bitmap data set. The conformed user data set is then converted to a bitmap data set using the bitmap mapping schema and the current user data in the conformed user data set. A query user interface (UI) may be provided to allow clients or others to query the resulting bitmap data set.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to capturing facial training data for one or more subjects, the captured facial training data including each of the one or more subject's facial skin geometry tracked over a plurality of times and the subject's corresponding jaw poses for each of those plurality of times; and using the captured facial training data to create a model that provides a mapping from skin motion to jaw motion. Additional implementations of the disclosure are directed to determining a facial skin geometry of a subject; using a model that provides a mapping from skin motion to jaw motion to predict a motion of the subject's jaw from a rest pose given the facial skin geometry; and determining a jaw pose of the subject using the predicted motion of the subject's jaw.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for autonomous drone play and directional alignment by in response to receiving a command for a remotely controlled device to perform a behavior, monitoring a first series of actions performed by the remotely controlled device that comprise the behavior; receiving feedback related to how the remotely controlled device performs the behavior, wherein the feedback is received from at least one of a user, a second device, and environmental sensors; updating, according to the feedback, a machine learning model used by the remotely controlled device to produce a second, different series of actions to perform the behavior; and in response to receiving a subsequent command to perform the behavior, instructing the remotely controlled device to perform the second series of actions.

Abstract: A system creating an autostereoscopic augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images, presented to a viewer without glasses or other head-gear. The system includes a projection screen, which includes a reflective surface formed using retroreflective material. The system includes a projection assembly and a beamsplitter, which is disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the projection screen. The system includes a physical scenic space facing a lower side of the beamsplitter and a viewing space facing an upper side of the beamsplitter. A controller operates the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the projection screen. The left and right eye images are then directed to left and right eye positions so a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions perceives a virtual object concurrently with light from the physical scenic space.

Abstract: A tunable signal sampling system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code that when executed receives a communications signal, identifies data partitions included in the communications signal, performs, using a first predetermined metric, a first set of comparisons each comparing a different sequential pair of the data partitions with each other, and selects, based on the first set of comparisons, a subset of the data partitions as candidate sample partitions of the communications signal. The software code also determines multiple default sample partitions of the communications signal, performs, using a second predetermined metric, a second set of comparisons each comparing a different one of the default sample partitions with a respective one of the candidate sample partitions, and extracts, using a predetermined weighting factor applied to the results of the second set of comparisons, a sample of the communications signal.

Abstract: Techniques for secure mobile device recognition are disclosed. An IOT edge device determines, based on a network message received at the IOT edge device, that a mobile device is not recognized. The IOT edge device transmits a token request to the mobile device. In response, the IOT edge device receives an encrypted token from the mobile device. The IOT edge device transmits the encrypted token to a server. The server is configured to determine an identifier corresponding with the mobile device, based on the encrypted token. A recognition task is initiated for the mobile device, based on the determined identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an interactive communications system capable of generating a response to conversational input are provided. The interactive communications system analyzes the conversational input to determine relevant topics of discussion. The interactive communications system further determines which of the relevant topics of discussion can potentially lead to an unwanted end to a conversation. The interactive communications system redirects the conversation by providing responses to the conversational input that are intended simply to avoid the unwanted end to the conversation.

Abstract: There is provided a system including a memory and a processor configured to display a programming guide for a first media channel including a first media content scheduled to play at a first broadcast time and a second media channel including a second media content scheduled to play at a second broadcast time, receive a user input for creating a custom channel, the custom channel including the first media content obtained from the first media channel and the second media content obtained from the second media channel, create a custom content for the custom channel, in response to the user input, by obtaining the first media content from the first media channel at the first broadcast time and obtaining the second media content from the second media channel at the second broadcast time, receive a request for playing the custom channel, and display the custom content of the custom channel on a display.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments are related to a device, system and method for implementing an audio orientated immersive experience of an event presented at a user device. A server is connected to a user device. The server generates a virtual environment that corresponds to a site of an event. The server receives tracking data corresponding to an object of the event. The tracking data is incorporated into the virtual environment. The server identifies a predetermined condition and selects enhancement data based on the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition corresponds to the tracking data and the virtual environment. The server transmits a data stream to the user device, the data stream including the enhancement data.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include systems and methods for delivering secondary content to a plurality of user devices, the secondary content comprising events synchronized to primary content. The process can include: delivering an application to a plurality of user devices, the application configured to play or executed secondary content on the user devices; and causing the secondary content executed on the user devices to be synchronized with primary content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulation of ambient light based on generated imagery are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation sled, a simulation display that can display generated imagery viewable from the simulation sled, an ambient light simulator that can selectively illuminate portions of the simulation sled, and a processor. The simulation sled can include a plurality of user controls. The processor can: control the simulation display to generate imagery; identify an effect of the generated imagery on the simulation sled; and control the ambient light simulator to selectively illuminate at least portions of the simulation sled according to the identified effect of the simulated light source.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.

Abstract: Techniques for improved media streaming are provided. A request for a variant list for streaming media content is received from a requesting entity, where the request includes a predefined flag. A set of predefined rules corresponding to the predefined flag is identified. The variant list is pruned based on the set of predefined rules, and the pruned variant list is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A software-based (“soft”) real-time hub designed and implemented for use in simulation (or control testing) systems such as to provide a modular soft-real-time PIL. A simulation system of the present description typically may include one or more of the following useful subsystems or components: (a) a soft-real-time hub; (b) simulation interfaces; and (c) hardware emulation subsystems/devices. The soft-real-time hub is typically a combination of hardware and software adapted to provide deterministic data transport between simulations and input/output (I/O) emulation. By creating a common point, the hub enables simulation modules to be swapped out as the simulation system progresses without the operator having to worry about interface timing, forcing, or data visualization. A desirable aspect of the simulation system is it allows for testing certain conditions by forcing I/O and then seeing how the controller or system under testing responds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a projector. In one example, the method includes receiving by a processing element light field data corresponding to a calibration image projected by a projector and captured by a light field capturing device, and modeling by a processing element one or more intrinsic properties of the projector using the light field data and the calibration image. The calibration image may be projected by the projector directly into the light field capturing device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a mobile locker. The mobile locker can include a mobility unit to enable the locker to relocate from one location to another. The mobile locker is modular which allows the storage compartment to be detached from the mobility unit for storage, transfer via other means. The storage compartment can be coupled either the same or a different mobility unit. The mobile lockers can be recalled by a customer to either the customer's location or to designated locations at the venue. The lockers can include any one of multiple locking mechanisms. The mobile locker can communicate with a monitoring center that oversees the deployment of multiple mobile lockers. Embodiments of the mobile locker can interact with customers through a display, microphone, and speaker.

Abstract: A media flow transport security manager of a hybrid cloud-based media production system having a network orchestrator and an extensible resource manager (ERM) includes a firewall communicatively coupled to a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a security software code. The hardware processor executes the security software code to communicate with the network orchestrator to identify multicast production media flow(s) for processing in a cloud-based virtual production environment, and to communicate with the ERM to obtain an identifier of each cloud-based resource used for processing cloud production media flow(s) corresponding to the identified multicast production media flow(s).

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to allowing interactive broadcast streamed video from games and other dynamic content. In accordance with some implementations, a content creator may publish a plurality of video surfaces of an environment for streaming to a plurality of client devices for video playback. The plurality of video surfaces may correspond, for example, to a cube map of a gaming environment captured from the perspective of a player. Upon receiving a stream including multiple video surfaces such as a cubemap, a media player of a viewer may generate a fully-rendered three-dimensional view of the environment.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to orchestrate a media workflow using a computer system. A payload for an application programming interface (API) to be utilized to process media content is determined. The payload is parsed to display one or more variables of the payload in a graphical user interface. The variables are mapped to webform user interface elements. A job of the media workflow is executed. During execution, a webform of the user interface elements is programmatically generated and presented to an operator, data for the payload is received via the webform, and the received data is provided to the API to process the media content.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for automating inferential content annotation includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including a set of rules trained to annotate content inferentially. The hardware processor executes the software code to utilize one or more feature analyzer(s) to apply labels to features detected in the content, access one or more knowledge base(s) to validate at least one of the applied labels, and to obtain, from the knowledge base(s), descriptive data linked to the validated label(s). The software code then infers, using the set of rules, one or more label(s) for the content based on the validated label(s) and the descriptive data, and outputs tags for annotating the content, where the tags include the validated label(s) and the inferred label(s).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using a gyroscope to change the resistance of moving a virtual weapon to simulate a feel of moving the virtual weapon. A feel of moving a virtual weapon may be simulated by determining a position and/or an orientation of a virtual blade of the virtual weapon, determining controls for a gyroscope based on the position and/or the orientation of the virtual blade, and operating the gyroscope in accordance with the controls for the gyroscope to provide resistance to changing the orientation of the hilt, wherein the resistance to changing the orientation of the hilt simulates the feel of moving the virtual weapon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for creating a mixed reality environment. A mixed reality system includes a performance area for generating a mixed reality environment, a motion determination module that determines and tracks the motion of an object within the performance area, a physical article module that generates a physical article within the performance area, and a mixed reality display that displays a virtual article within the performance area, wherein the physical article and the virtual article are correlated to the motion of the object.

Abstract: Content is automatically removed from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal. A closed-caption compliance system decodes a first portion of a first video frame that includes a closed-caption data packet. The system extracts a first character string that includes at least a portion of the closed-caption data packet. The system determines whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers. If the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then the system encodes at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame. Otherwise, the system modifies the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encodes at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow a display device array to be used to present content to one or more users. In particular, a user associated with a first user device, may opt to present content on a plurality of other devices. The plurality of other devices may be arranged in any desired configuration, and the first user device can capture the arrangement. Upon capturing the arrangement, content, under the control of the first user device, may be presented on the plurality of other devices in accordance with the arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a display system that overlays augmented reality (AR) content onto a view of an environment. The display includes a first polarizer that receives light providing a view of the environment (which can be natural light or light generated from another display). The polarized light then passes through a transparent display that emits light forming the AR content. The light emitted by the display and the polarized light of the environment pass through a beam splitter before reaching a selective mirror. The polarized light from the environment passes through the selective mirror while the light from the display is reflected back towards the beam splitter where it is collimated. Moreover, when collimating the light, the beam splitter also reflects the light back towards the selective mirror and changes its polarization so the light can pass through the selective mirror.

Abstract: A water ride including vehicles that ride on a track and using water for braking. A run-out section of the track is provided after a drop or down chute section, and the track in the run-out section runs through a pool of water at a depth causing at least a portion of a vehicle riding on the rails to contact a depth of the water to achieve vehicle braking. Significantly, the new water ride is adapted to adjust or set a variable height of the rails in the run-out chute or pool to adjust the depth of water providing water drag on a vehicle traveling through the run-out section based on the vehicle weight. A braking force is applied by the water that is proportional to vehicle weight, and the water ride may be thought of as slowing vehicles with a range of weights at about the same deceleration rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a viewing behavior subsystem computes estimated viewership among target audiences at a person-level based on a household viewing logs and person-level data. A viewing behavior subsystem distributes the household viewing logs across buckets based on the sizes of the households and sets of person-level characteristics that are associated with the persons within the households. The viewing behavior subsystem generates a model for viewing behaviors associated with different sets of person-level characteristics based on the buckets. Subsequently, the viewing behavior subsystem estimates viewership among a target audience that is associated with one or more of the sets of person-level characteristics based on the model and census data.

Abstract: Techniques for animation are provided. A first trajectory for a first element in a first animation is determined. A first approximation is generated based on the first trajectory, and the first approximation is modified based on an updated state of the first element. The first trajectory is then refined based on the modified first approximation.