Abstract: A system and method is disclosed aggregating and organizing a user's cloud data in an encompassing system, and then exposing the sum-total of that cloud data to application programs via a common API. Such a system provides rich presence information allowing users to map and unify the totality of their experiences across all of their computing devices, as well as discovering other users and their experiences. In this way, users can enhance their knowledge of, and interaction with, their own environment, as well as open up new social experiences with others.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system and computer readable medium for intelligently controlling the power level of an electronic device in a multimedia system based on user intent, is provided. The method includes receiving data relating to a first user interaction with a device in a multimedia system. The method includes determining if the first user interaction corresponds to a user's intent to interact with the device. The method then includes setting a power level for the device based on the first user interaction. The method further includes receiving data relating to a second user interaction with the device. The method then includes altering the power level of the device based on the second user interaction to activate the device for the user.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for sensing, storing and using personal trait profile data. Once sensed and stored, this personal trait profile data may be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, a user's personal trait profile data may be accessed and downloaded to different computing systems with which a user may interact so that the different systems may be instantly tuned to the user's personal traits and manner of interaction. In a further example, a user's personal trait profile data may also be used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A method for generating tailored content for a user based on analyzing images of a scene is provided. Images from a scene captured by a capture device of a target recognition and analysis system are received. The images are analyzed to detect one or more brand identifiers in the images. In an embodiment, the brand identifiers include symbols or words identifying a brand, product or service associated with the brand identifier. The detected brand identifiers are compared to one or more known brand identifiers and user preference information is assigned to the detected brand identifiers based on the comparison. Tailored content is generated for the user based on the user preference information. The tailored content is rendered on a display device to the user.

Abstract: A system to present the user a 3-D virtual environment as well as non-visual sensory feedback for interactions that user makes with virtual objects in that environment is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a depth camera that captures user position and movement, a three-dimensional (3-D) display device that presents the user a virtual environment in 3-D and a haptic feedback device provides haptic feedback to the user as he interacts with a virtual object in the virtual environment. As the user moves through his physical space, he is captured by the depth camera. Data from that depth camera is parsed to correlate a user position with a position in the virtual environment. Where the user position or movement causes the user to touch the virtual object, that is determined, and corresponding haptic feedback is provided to the user.

Abstract: In a motion capture system having a depth camera, access to an electronic media device such as personal computer or a game console with Internet connectivity is controlled. The age group of a person in a field of view of the camera can be determined based on metrics of a 3-D body model. The metrics can relate to, e.g., a relative size of a head of the body, a ratio of arm length to body height, a ratio of body height to head height, and/or a ratio of head width to shoulder width. The metrics are particularly indicative of age group. Based on the age group, a profile of the user is automatically updated with various parental control settings which control access to the electronic media device. Also, currently output content can be replaced by substitute content when a person in a lower age group enters the field of view.

Abstract: A system to present the user a 3-D virtual environment as well as non-visual sensory feedback for interactions that user makes with virtual objects in that environment is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a depth camera that captures user position and movement, a three-dimensional (3-D) display device that presents the user a virtual environment in 3-D and a haptic feedback device provides haptic feedback to the user as he interacts with a virtual object in the virtual environment. As the user moves through his physical space, he is captured by the depth camera. Data from that depth camera is parsed to correlate a user position with a position in the virtual environment. Where the user position or movement causes the user to touch the virtual object, that is determined, and corresponding haptic feedback is provided to the user.

Abstract: In a gesture-based system, gestures may control aspects of a computing environment or application, where the gestures may be derived from a user's position or movement in a physical space. A gesture-based system may have a plurality of modes, each mode a hardware configuration, a software configuration, or a combination thereof. Techniques for transitioning a user's control, via the user's gestures, between different modes enables a system to coordinate controls between multiple modes. For example, while a first mode is active, the user's gestures may control aspects of the first mode. The system may transition the user's control from a control of the first mode to a control of a second mode. The transition may be between hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, reserved gestures that correspond to a first mode that may be executed whether or not a second mode is present.

Abstract: Volume adjustment based on listener position is disclosed. A position of one or more speakers is identified, and a position of a listener is tracked. For each of the one or more speakers, a changing distance between that speaker and the listener is assessed. A volume of that speaker is automatically adjusted in real-time based on a current distance between that speaker and the listener.

Abstract: A system to present the user a 3-D virtual environment as well as non-visual sensory feedback for interactions that user makes with virtual objects in that environment is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a depth camera that captures user position and movement, a three-dimensional (3-D) display device that presents the user a virtual environment in 3-D and a haptic feedback device provides haptic feedback to the user as he interacts with a virtual object in the virtual environment. As the user moves through his physical space, he is captured by the depth camera. Data from that depth camera is parsed to correlate a user position with a position in the virtual environment. Where the user position or movement causes the user to touch the virtual object, that is determined, and corresponding haptic feedback is provided to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for gesture shortcuts. A user's movement or body position is captured by a capture device of a system, and is used as input to control the system. For a system-recognized gesture, there may be a full version of the gesture and a shortcut of the gesture. Where the system recognizes that either the full version of the gesture or the shortcut of the gesture has been performed, it sends an indication that the system-recognized gesture was observed to a corresponding application. Where the shortcut comprises a subset of the full version of the gesture, and both the shortcut and the full version of the gesture are recognized as the user performs the full version of the gesture, the system recognizes that only a single performance of the gesture has occurred, and indicates to the application as such.

Abstract: An electronic game system and a method of its operation are provided for virtual space mapping of a variable activity region in physical space. A calibration input may be received from a positioning device of a game controller that indicates waypoints that define an activity region in physical space. A scale factor may be identified between the activity region and an interactive game region in virtual space based on the calibration input. Positioning information may be received from the positioning device that indicates a position of the positioning device within the activity region. The position of the positioning device within the activity region may be mapped to a corresponding virtual position within the interactive game region based on the scale factor.

Abstract: Independent software integration is described. In an embodiment, source code of independently developed software is received for integration into a developing software build and the source code is maintained as a limited-access resource to protect proprietary information contained within the source code. The source code is tested independent of the developing software build for error-free integration into the developing software build. Binary data is generated from the source code, and the binary data is integrated into the developing software build such that the independently developed software executes as an integrated component when the software build is complete.