Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for calibrating a depth camera in a natural user interface. The system in general obtains an objective measurement of true distance between a capture device and one or more objects in a scene. The system then compares the true depth measurement to the depth measurement provided by the depth camera at one or more points and determines an error function describing an error in the depth camera measurement. The depth camera may then be recalibrated to correct for the error. The objective measurement of distance to one or more objects in a scene may be accomplished by a variety of systems and methods.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for calibrating a depth camera in a natural user interface. The system in general obtains an objective measurement of true distance between a capture device and one or more objects in a scene. The system then compares the true depth measurement to the depth measurement provided by the depth camera at one or more points and determines an error function describing an error in the depth camera measurement. The depth camera may then be recalibrated to correct for the error. The objective measurement of distance to one or more objects in a scene may be accomplished by a variety of systems and methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing notifications to players of a gaming console of messages and system notifications. A controller and the gaming console include a four quadrant LED indicator. Each quadrant of the ring may be illuminated individually or together using an LED to indicate the messages and notifications. The quadrants may be illuminated in one of three colors and/or in patterns to indicate different types of notifications. Onscreen displays may be used to supplement the LED indicators to convey information to users. A method of binding and discovering a controller is also provided where the controller may be bound to a gaming console. After a controller is bound to a console, the controller may be discovered by the gaming console where it is assigned a virtual port and enabled for game play.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding control data into the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. Because the control data is concatenated with the video signal on a line-by-line basis, the control data is temporarily synchronized with the underlying video signal. This permits the controlled devices, such as wireless mechanical characters, behave as characters in a scene defined by the programming information of the video signal. A protocol is defined for the encoded data that is addressable, forwardly compatible, error tolerant, and feasible to deploy in connection with a system that is primarily intended to be a children's entertainment product. The bandwidth of the communication link defined by the encoded data is adjustable to meet the cost and performance needs of a wide variety of consumers.

Abstract: Wireless communication protocol for enabling unidirectional communications in a simplex environment, or bidirectional communications in a duplex environment, between a controller and one or more controlled devices. The controller transmits video data and control data that may include voice synthesis coefficients and motor movement coefficients for processing by the controlled devices. The video data drives a display device to depict a scene, and the control data drives the controlled devices so that the controlled devices behave as characters in the scene depicted on the display device. Each controlled device is operable for recognizing messages directed to the device and for parsing these messages into control signals for a number of end effectors, such as speech synthesizers, servo motors, lights, heat sources, pumps, etc.

Abstract: A communications system that provides bandwidth efficient, bi-directional communications over a single communications channel, allowing a master device to control the operation of remote devices. A computer system continuously provides an audio/video presentation on a speaker and display device. During a first time period, the computer system also provides control and speech data, relevant to the presentation, to a link master controller. The link master controller encodes the control and speech data to reduce bandwidth requirements, and then transmits the encoded data to a remote device. The remote device receives and decodes the encoded data, places the data into a data buffer, and uses the data to control at least one motion servo motor and/or provide data to a speech synthesizer.

Abstract: A system for providing self-alignment of an appendage or other movable part comprising an input device, a self-aligning clutch, a processor, a feedback sensor, and a timer. The input device drives a set of gears including a partial output gear. The self-aligning clutch is coupled to the output gear and moves the appendage in response to the rotational motion of the output gear. The self-aligning clutch includes a flexible link for transferring energy from the output gear to the appendage and for maintaining the relative alignment between the appendage and the output gear. When an obstruction prevents the appendage from moving to the desired position, the flexible link stores energy. After the obstruction is removed, the flexible link releases the stored energy to move the appendage so that the relative alignment between the output gear and the appendage is maintained. The self-aligning clutch prevents damage to the servo when an external force is applied to the appendage.

Abstract: A system having a sensor, a feedback loop comprising a controllable load and an integrator, and a comparator. The light filter is matched to the sensor to allow enough light to be sensed while appearing dark. Current produced by the sensor is received by the controllable load, across which a voltage is detected. Upon a relative change in light intensity, a difference between the detected voltage and a reference voltage is integrated by the integrator over an integration time to produce a feedback signal. The feedback signal completes the feedback loop by controlling the controllable load's impedance and adjusting the value of the detected voltage back to the value of the reference voltage. Thus, relative changes in light intensities are detected while thereafter adjusting to the ambient light conditions. When the difference between the detected voltage and the reference voltage is greater than a preset value, the comparator alters an output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing consistent image brightness, especially for a multiple video image seamless display, is provided by storing a set of smoothing factors, one for each detail element of each image, in a memory. Upon projection, the smoothing factors are applied to the brightness components of the associated detail elements of each image. The smoothing factors are selected by applying a standard curve, coarse tuning major curve parameters in response to the appearance of the projected multiple image display, and fine tuning smoothing factors for specific detail elements, the locations of the detail elements being indicated by a cursor on the display.