Abstract: A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Abstract: A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Abstract: A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Abstract: Synchronous and asynchronous communications between avatars is allowed. For synchronous communications, when multiple users are playing different games of the same game title and when the avatars of the multiple users are at the same location in their respective games they can communicate with one another, thus allowing the users of those avatars to communicate with one another. For asynchronous communications, an avatar of a particular user is left behind at a particular location in a game along with a recorded communication. When other users of other games are at that particular location, the avatar of that particular user is displayed and the recorded communication is presented to the other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for manipulating virtual objects. A user may utilize a controller, such as his hand, in physical space to associate with a cursor in a virtual environment. As the user manipulates the controller in physical space, this is captured by a depth camera. The image data from the depth camera is parsed to determine how the controller is manipulated, and a corresponding manipulation of the cursor is performed in virtual space. Where the cursor interacts with a virtual object in the virtual space, that virtual object is manipulated by the cursor.

Abstract: A method for the production of a holographic sensor which comprises a support medium supporting a reflection hologram wherein the support medium interacts with its physical or chemical environment to create an optical response which is a change in one or more optical properties of the hologram, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a colloidal dispersion of a recording material into the support medium; and b) ablating the colloidal particles of the recording material using a pulsed laser to form the holographic element in the support medium. The method of production can be used to introduce a reflection holographic grating into a hydrophobic support medium, in particular, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which possesses an extraordinary ability to swell in the presence of both liquid and/or gaseous low molecular weight hydrocarbons and organic solvents and thus has many applications as a holographic sensor.

Abstract: One or more physical characteristics of each of multiple users are detected. These physical characteristics of a user can include physical attributes of the user (e.g., the user's height, length of the user's legs) and/or physical skills of the user (e.g., how high the user can jump). Based on these detected one or more physical characteristics of the users, two or more of the multiple users to share an online experience (e.g., play a multi-player game) are identified.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, for a particular user one or more other users associated with that particular user are identified based on a social graph of that particular user. An avatar of at least one of the other users is obtained and included as a non-player-character in a game being played by that particular user. The particular user can provide requests to interact with the avatar of the second user (e.g., calling out the name of the second user, tapping the avatar of the second user on the shoulder, etc.), these requests being invitations for the second user to join in a game with the first user. An indication of such an invitation is presented to the second user, which can, for example, accept the invitation to join in a game with the first user.

Abstract: A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Abstract: A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Abstract: A method for the production of a holographic sensor which comprises a support medium supporting a reflection hologram wherein the support medium interacts with its physical or chemical environment to create an optical response which is a change in one or more optical properties of the hologram, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a colloidal dispersion of a recording material into the support medium; and b) ablating the colloidal particles of the recording material using a pulsed laser to form the holographic element in the support medium. The method of production can be used to introduce a reflection holographic grating into a hydrophobic support medium, in particular, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which possesses an extraordinary ability to swell in the presence of both liquid and/or gaseous low molecular weight hydrocarbons and organic solvents and thus has many applications as a holographic sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water heating system with a hot water storage tank having a first port located in a lower region of the tank and a second port located in an upper region of the tank; a water flow pathway extending from the first port through a heating chamber to the second port; electrical heating means (for example a heating element) arranged to heat water within the heating chamber, when required, so that water within the water heating system will circulate from the first port to the second port through the heating chamber, by convection, when water is not drawn from the water heating system; a water supply outlet communicating with the water flow pathway intermediate the heating chamber and the second port; and a check valve arranged to restrict the flow of water out of the hot water storage tank by way of the second port.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for grouping complementary sets of standard gestures into gesture libraries. The gestures may be complementary in that they are frequently used together in a context or in that their parameters are interrelated. Where a parameter of a gesture is set with a first value, all other parameters of the gesture and of other gestures in the gesture package that depend on the first value may be set with their own value which is determined using the first value.

Abstract: It may be desirable to apply corrective data to aspects of captured image or the user-performed gesture for display of a visual representation that corresponds to the corrective data. The captured motion may be any motion in the physical space that is captured by the capture device, such as a camera. Aspects of a skeletal or mesh model of a person, that is generated based on the image data captured by the capture device, may be modified prior to animation. The modification may be made to the model generated from image data that represents a target or a target's motion, including user gestures, in the physical space. For example, certain joints of a skeletal model may be readjusted or realigned. A model of a target may be modified by applying differential correction, magnetism principles, binary snapping, confining virtual movement to defined spaces, or the like.

Abstract: A capture device may capture a user's motion and a display device may display a model that maps to the user's motion, including gestures that are applicable for control. A user may be unfamiliar with a system that maps the user's motions or not know what gestures are applicable for an executing application. A user may not understand or know how to perform gestures that are applicable for the executing application. User motion data and/or outputs of filters corresponding to gestures may be analyzed to determine those cases where assistance to the user on performing the gesture is appropriate.

Abstract: One or more physical characteristics of each of multiple users are detected. These physical characteristics of a user can include physical attributes of the user (e.g., the user's height, length of the user's legs) and/or physical skills of the user (e.g., how high the user can jump). Based on these detected one or more physical characteristics of the users, two or more of the multiple users to share an online experience (e.g., play a multi-player game) are identified.

Abstract: Emotional response data of a particular user, when the particular user is interacting with each of multiple other users, is collected. Using the emotional response data, an emotion of the particular user when interacting with each of multiple other users is determined. Based on the determined emotions, one or more of the multiple other users are identified to share an online experience with the particular user.

Abstract: One or more physical characteristics of each of multiple users are detected. These physical characteristics of a user can include physical attributes of the user (e.g., the user's height, length of the user's legs) and/or physical skills of the user (e.g., how high the user can jump). Based on these detected one or more physical characteristics of the users, two or more of the multiple users to share an online experience (e.g., play a multi-player game) are identified.