Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for wireless coded communication (WCC) devices, which are configured for wireless communication with other devices, e.g., over a network. A WCC device is a type of internet of things (IOT) device that can sense data, process data, send data, respond to data requests and exchange data with other WCC device, a network device, a user device, and/or systems over the internet. In some configurations, a WCC device may include a power source that enables usage of low power, e.g., to send data that is sensed, request data and/or communicate data wirelessly. WCC devices maybe function as standalone devices or may be integrated into other devices. In some configurations, a WCC device may include power harvesting circuitry, including power harvesting user controls. A WCC device may be pre-configured or coded to report occurrence of an event, log an event, log state, cause an action, send a message or request data from one or more end nodes.

Abstract: Increasing a number of advertising impressions in a system configured to facilitate user interaction with an interactive environment containing one or more advertising targets is described. A scene of a portion of the simulated environment is displayed from a camera point of view (camera POV) on a video display. The scene may change as the camera POV changes in response to movement of the camera POV along a camera path during the user's interaction with the simulated environment. Modifying the camera path or a camera field of view can place more of an advertising target within the displayed scene to increase a likelihood of generating an advertising impression. The advertising target is characterized by a field of attraction of the camera POV that is customized to an angle of approach and speed of approach of the camera POV.

Abstract: Ancillary information associated with one or more images embedded in a digital broadcast data stream may be accessed by a digital broadcast receiving device. The device may include a receiver unit, a processor, and a memory. The processor may execute program instructions to access the ancillary information. Control data may be associated with one or more visual components of one or more video images. The control data and images may be combined into a digital broadcast data stream. The device may receive the images and control data. The images may be presented on a display device. The receiving device may use the control data to present or store a perceptible indication that ancillary information is associated with the visual components in conjunction with presenting the images. The device may use the control data to present or store the ancillary information in response to an input signal.

Abstract: A controller is provided. A controller body to be held by a user, the controller body includes an input mechanism for receiving control inputs, an accelerometer for detecting translational or rotational movement of the controller body, and a vibrational device for providing vibration. The controller further includes a light for tracking by a camera, a voice input device and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module communicates data between the controller and a computer for driving interaction with the video game. The data communicated between the controller and the computer includes control inputs and voice inputs from the voice input device.

Abstract: A controller (110) for controlling an execution of a game program by a processor for enabling an interactive game to be played by a user includes a body (111) having a section to be oriented towards a screen when a progress of a game provided via execution of the game apparatus is displayed upon the screen, and at least one photonically detectable (“PD”) element (e.g. 122, 124, 126, and/or 128) assembled with the body, a position of the photonically detectable element within an image being recordable by an image capture device (112) when the section is oriented at least partly towards the screen, wherein positions of the PD element at different points in time are quantifiable to quantify movement of the body in space.

Abstract: A method for use in presenting content includes the steps of generating an event in a software program and presenting content to a user in response to the event. The content may reflect one or more real-world events occurring after the software program has been released.

Abstract: A system is provided, including the following: an input device, the input device including, a light emitting diode (LED) array; an image capture device configured to capture images of an interactive environment in which the input device is disposed, the image capture device configured to generate captured image data that is processed to determine a movement of the input device in the interactive environment; wherein a gearing is established that adjusts an amount by which the movement of the input device is mapped to movement of an image that is rendered to a display, the gearing changing to different settings during the movement of the image as the movement of the image is rendered to the display.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for wireless coded communication (WCC) devices, which are configured for wireless communication with other devices, e.g., over a network. A WCC device is a type of internet of things (IOT) device that can sense data, process data, send data, respond to data requests and exchange data with other WCC device, a network device, a user device, and/or systems over the internet. In some configurations, a WCC device may include a power source that enables usage of low power, e.g., to send data that is sensed, request data and/or communicate data wirelessly. WCC devices maybe function as standalone devices or may be integrated into other devices. In some configurations, a WCC device may include power harvesting circuitry, including power harvesting user controls. A WCC device may be pre-configured or coded to report occurrence of an event, log an event, log state, cause an action, send a message or request data from one or more end nodes.

Abstract: A controller is provided. The controller includes at least one button, an object integrated with a body, and the object defined from a translucent plastic material. Further included is an inertial sensor, an LED device defined to illuminate the object, and a circuit for interpreting input data from the at least one button and the inertial sensor and for communicating data wirelessly. The circuit further configured to interface with the LED device to trigger illumination of the LED to switch from an un-illuminated state to an illuminated color. The LED device is activated depending on data received from a computing system. The activation occurring in response to a state interpreted by the computer program during execution.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for tracking items in a store for processing a cashier-less purchase transaction. In one example, a method for tracking items in a physical store for processing cashier-less purchase transactions is provided. The method includes detecting a portable wireless coded communication (WCC) device in the physical store. The WCC device is associated with an on-line account of a shopper. Then, receiving, by a server, sensor data regarding the WCC device, its location in the physical store and proximity to items in the physical store. The method includes receiving, by the server, interaction data of an item on a shelf of the physical store by the shopper using one or more sensors of the physical store and the WCC device to determine that the item is one targeted for purchase.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for wireless coded communication (WCC) devices, which are configured for wireless communication with other devices, e.g., over a network. A WCC device is a type of internet of things (JOT) device that can sense data, process data, send data, respond to data requests and exchange data with other WCC device, a network device, a user device, and/or systems over the internet. In some configurations, a WCC device may include a power source that enables usage of low power, e.g., to send data that is sensed, request data and/or communicate data wirelessly. WCC devices maybe function as standalone devices or may be integrated into other devices. In some configurations, a WCC device may include power harvesting circuitry, including power harvesting user controls. A WCC device may be pre-configured or coded to report occurrence of an event, log an event, log state, cause an action, send a message or request data from one or more end nodes.

Abstract: A method is provided, including: receiving inertial data from an input device, the inertial data being generated from one or more inertial sensors of the input device; receiving captured image data from an image capture device configured to capture images of an interactive environment in which the input device is disposed, the input device having a light emitting diode (LED) array that generates infrared light; processing the inertial data and the captured image data to determine a movement of the input device in the interactive environment; establishing a gearing that adjusts an amount by which the movement of the input device is mapped to movement of an image that is rendered to a display; changing the gearing to different settings during the movement of the image as the movement of the image is rendered to the display.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and playback of game data is provided. A recording engine may be configured to record and playback game data, including broadcast data received over a network. The recording engine may be included in a game console or at other network-enabled devices, such as a desktop computer. The recording engine may be configured to record the game data in a buffer memory, an archival memory, and to assist in the display of the game (e.g., interacting with a graphics processing unit). Game data stored in the buffer memory may later be transferred to the archival memory. Playback commands may be operable when a portion of the game broadcast has been recorded. When a playback command is received, the game recording engine may access a portion of the game data from buffer or archival memory and displays a selected portion and may be subject to certain seek functions (e.g., fast forward and rewind). Spectators may be able to independently archive and playback game data using local memory.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracking device for use in obtaining information for controlling an execution of a game program by a processor for enabling an interactive game to be played by a user and related apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for wireless coded communication (WCC) devices, which are configured for wireless communication with other devices, e.g., over a network. A WCC device is a type of internet of things (IOT) device that can sense data, process data, send data, respond to data requests and exchange data with other WCC device, a network device, a user device, and/or systems over the internet. In some configurations, a WCC device may include a power source that enables usage of low power, e.g., to send data that is sensed, request data and/or communicate data wirelessly. WCC devices maybe function as standalone devices or may be integrated into other devices. In some configurations, a WCC device may include power harvesting circuitry, including power harvesting user controls. A WCC device may be pre-configured or coded to report occurrence of an event, log an event, log state, cause an action, send a message or request data from one or more end nodes.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device has a processor that is operably coupled to the visual display and touch interface. The hand held electronic device includes instructions executable by the processor configured to present an image on the visual display containing one or more active elements; perform a tessellation that divides the image into one or more regions that fill the display, each region corresponds to a different active element, a size of each region depends on a corresponding probability of use of the corresponding active element within a given time frame; correlate one or more active portions of the touch interface to a corresponding one or more of the regions; and activate a particular active element in response to a touch on a corresponding active portion.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method are provided for tracking items in a store for processing a cashier-less purchase transaction. In one example, a method includes receiving sensor data regarding items associated with shelves of a store. The method also includes identifying a user entering the store. The identifying uses at least a device having wireless communication. The device has an application that is executed in associated with a user account of the user. Also, tracking the user movements while in the store. The tracked movements include detecting proximity of the user to a shelf having an item. And, detecting interaction data for the item on the shelf of the store by the user. The interaction data is configured to identify a type of said item and enable add said item to an electronic shopping cart of the user having said user account for enabling processing of said cashier-less purchase transaction.