Abstract: System and method for a three-dimensional puzzle set, with puzzle pieces optionally comprising electrical circuits and electrical components such that when two or more puzzle pieces are assembled an electrical circuit is formed along the puzzle assembly, activating the electrical components. The puzzle pieces have spherical projections and spherical recesses, where the spherical projections mate with the spherical recesses and can be inserted in various angles, enabling the forming of three-dimensional structures. The present invention extends puzzles from two dimensions to three dimensions, and optionally integrates these three-dimensional puzzles with electrical circuits. The puzzle “language” of connecting pieces to each other is used as the electrical language to build electrical circuits. Specifically, electrical principles such as electric current flow and input-output are well visualized by puzzle assembly projections and recesses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resolving service initialization links in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments are disclosed. Specifically, the links includes information that does not identify the originating user and are only associated with the offered service, whereas multiple users may be using the same service. The systems and methods involve a proxy component at the server as well as a plug-in at the client. The proxy is responsible for obtaining the service initialization information, identifying the correct session, and forwarding the service initialization information to the corresponding plug-in through the session. The plug-in, in turn, is responsible for forwarding the service initialization data back to the main application.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for directing the gaze of a subject whose image is captured by a camera, including the direction in which the subject looks, or the distance between the subject and the camera, in such a way that a visually appealing image can be captured by the camera, where a media professional (e.g., an interviewer or a director) or other person knowledgeable in media best practices is non co-located with the subject. The techniques enable the media professional to provide visual hints both manually and automatically to the remotely located subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for a system and protocol that provides for composition of a video scene that embeds one or more video sequences into a background image. The protocol enables a video stream presentation system (e.g., IPTV) to automate the embedding by one or more decoders of video sequence content and non-background information, for example, stock tickers, close caption, or date/time information, into a background.

Abstract: Techniques to enable the monitoring, quality control, automatic verification of content use, confidence monitoring, and/or net-return monitoring of a forward video transmission between an originating site or content producer (e.g., a TV studio) and distribution or consuming site(s). In particular, the distribution site(s) return video signals based on the forward video transmission, from various handover points back to the originating site, to provide information on the video quality at the handover point.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for directing the gaze of a subject whose image is captured by a camera, including the direction in which the subject looks, or the distance between the subject and the camera, in such a way that a visually appealing image can be captured by the camera, where a media professional (e.g., an interviewer or a director) or other person knowledgeable in media best practices is non co-located with the subject. The techniques enable the media professional to provide visual hints both manually and automatically to the remotely located subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to implement a web based remote control application and/or stand alone application running on an unmodified, commercially available smartphone, that is used to control an video distribution system (e.g., IPTV or video conferencing system) endpoint, for example the ones disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/172,355 and 61/220,061. The application connects directly to a video server that resides on an IP network (e.g., Internet), and not to (or through) the controlled endpoint. The connection to the server utilizes standard smartphone data network services to access, through the IP network, the server. Remote control commands entered by a user to the smartphone, by the means of keys, touch screen, or other smartphone user input devices, are conveyed to the server, which, in some cases, acts on those commands and, simultaneously and only when applicable, forwards them to the endpoint for local execution.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for a protocol that provides for a TV viewing experience with interaction by allowing for social collaboration of non co-located TV viewers and integrating the TV viewing experience with social networking concepts and interactive multimedia communication. The protocol enables a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV) to provide a user with presence, channel, and grouping information regarding other users in the IPTV system and available video content. The protocol also enables users of the IPTV system to interact using real-time and/or non-real time communication.