Abstract: The technology described herein is directed towards a system that provides a user propagated search platform. The system maintains campaign data for offers that when active, are made available to users of the platform. When a user of a (typically mobile) device selectively attaches to an active offer, the user device clones that offer, and as the user device travels, propagates the clone of the offer to other users (their user devices) for potential attachment. Those other users can in turn attach to the clone, to facilitate further propagation. The campaign data, as provided by a campaign producer such as a merchant, can specify various parameters, including location areas for attachment and clone travel, start and end times for a campaign's offer, different zones that can control different clone-related actions, and incentives for a user to attach to and propagate a clone of an offer.

Abstract: The described technology is directed towards a computer program such as a browser that outputs augmented objects. The program is coupled to obtain object-related recognizer data of an object, communicate the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receive augmentation data from the recognizer service and output at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object. Aspects include obtaining object-related recognizer data of an object, communicating the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receiving augmentation data from the recognizer service, and outputting at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed towards a system that provides a user propagated search platform. The system maintains campaign data for offers that when active, are made available to users of the platform. When a user of a (typically mobile) device selectively attaches to an active offer, the user device clones that offer, and as the user device travels, propagates the clone of the offer to other users (their user devices) for potential attachment. Those other users can in turn attach to the clone, to facilitate further propagation. The campaign data, as provided by a campaign producer such as a merchant, can specify various parameters, including location areas for attachment and clone travel, start and end times for a campaign's offer, different zones that can control different clone-related actions, and incentives for a user to attach to and propagate a clone of an offer.

Abstract: The described technology is directed towards a computer program such as a browser that outputs augmented objects. The program is coupled to obtain object-related recognizer data of an object, communicate the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receive augmentation data from the recognizer service and output at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object. Aspects include obtaining object-related recognizer data of an object, communicating the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receiving augmentation data from the recognizer service, and outputting at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object.

Abstract: The described technology is directed towards a computer program such as a browser that outputs augmented objects. The program is coupled to obtain object-related recognizer data of an object, communicate the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receive augmentation data from the recognizer service and output at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object. Aspects include obtaining object-related recognizer data of an object, communicating the object-related recognizer data to a registration service, receiving augmentation data from the recognizer service, and outputting at least part of the augmentation data in association with the object as an augmented object.

Abstract: The placement of one animated element in a virtualized three-dimensional environment can be accomplished with reference to a second animated element and a vector field derived from the relationship thereof. If the first animated element is “inside” the second animated element after the second one was moved to a new animation frame, an existing vector field can be calculated for the region where it is “inside”. The vector field can comprise vectors that can have a direction and magnitude commensurate with the initial velocity and direction required to move the first animated element back outside of the second one. Movement of the first animated element can then be simulated in accordance with the vector field and afterwards a determination can be made whether any portion still remains inside. Such an iterative process can move and place the first animation element prior to the next move of the second animation element.

Abstract: Sketches, notes and 2D computer drawings of a designed garment can be input into a computing device. The computing device can apply optical character recognition, shape inference, figure recognition, domain intelligence and inferred knowledge to automatically generate a garment construction specification from the input information. The garment construction specification can include a detailed description of each component of the garment, followed by step-by-step instructions, such as could be consumed by a computer-controlled device, regarding the joining of the components to create the garment. A virtual garment generation mechanism can create a 3D rendering of the garment by constructing each component and then joining them together to act as a single 3D piece. Material behavioral properties can also be applied to the 3D rendering.

Abstract: A best-fit rigged body model can be generated for a user based on body measurements provided by the user. Existing, and already known, rigged body models can be filtered, such as via a Principal Component Analysis to eliminate body models that are very similar in a measurement space whose dimensions are comprised of body measurements that can be, or actually were, collected from the user. The body measurements provided by the user can be expressed, in measurement space, as a combination of fractions of one or more existing body models. Such a combination can be computed through a Least Square Error analysis. A best-fit rigged body model can be generated for a user by amalgamating existing rigged body models in accordance with this previously determined combination of fractions of the one or more existing body models.

Abstract: The placement of one animated element in a virtualized three-dimensional environment can be accomplished with reference to a second animated element and a vector field derived from the relationship thereof. If the first animated element is “inside” the second animated element after the second one was moved to a new animation frame, an existing vector field can be calculated for the region where it is “inside”. The vector field can comprise vectors that can have a direction and magnitude commensurate with the initial velocity and direction required to move the first animated element back outside of the second one. Movement of the first animated element can then be simulated in accordance with the vector field and afterwards a determination can be made whether any portion still remains inside. Such an iterative process can move and place the first animation element prior to the next move of the second animation element.

Abstract: Viewing apparel in a store or a catalog may not show a purchaser how the item will look in different light or settings. A user may select elements of a scene, such as a setting, a mannequin, a pose for the mannequin, and apparel/accessories from a web browser-based application. The selected elements are processed by a hierarchy of services that first divide the scene into component elements, render each element, and return the result to a composition server that combines and flattens the renderings into a 2D image. The 2D image is viewable on any platform or browser without the need for special graphics hardware.

Abstract: Sketches, notes and 2D computer drawings of a designed garment can be input into a computing device. The computing device can apply optical character recognition, shape inference, figure recognition, domain intelligence and inferred knowledge to automatically generate a garment construction specification from the input information. The garment construction specification can include a detailed description of each component of the garment, followed by step-by-step instructions, such as could be consumed by a computer-controlled device, regarding the joining of the components to create the garment. A virtual garment generation mechanism can create a 3D rendering of the garment by constructing each component and then joining them together to act as a single 3D piece. Material behavioral properties can also be applied to the 3D rendering.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for accessing and managing an online storage system is disclosed. Access to a storage resource in a multiple server storage system is provided by sending to a lookup partitioning service server a resource identifier that is associated with a storage resource stored in a particular storage partition of a storage server. The LPS returns the looked-up partition that stores the storage resource associated with the resource identifier. Access to the storage resource is then enabled to the looked-up storage partition.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for accessing and managing an online storage system is disclosed. Access to a storage resource in a multiple server storage system is provided by sending to a lookup partitioning service server a resource identifier that is associated with a storage resource stored in a particular storage partition of a storage server. The LPS returns the looked-up partition that stores the storage resource associated with the resource identifier. Access to the storage resource is then enabled to the looked-up storage partition.

Abstract: An interactive game within a virtual world platform is provided wherein a sender can hide an object within a mapping application. An intended recipient of the object can be notified that the object is available and a clue can be provided. The clue can direct the recipient in searching for where the object is hidden. The objects can be intended for a single recipient, multiple recipients, or open to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis. The objects can be stolen by others and/or the objects can be re-gifted after being found. After being found, the virtual object can be automatically or manually converted into a non-virtual object.

Abstract: Query results are pre-cached for a substantial portion of or all queries that are likely to be issued by users. One query can be entirely different from another query, yet because corresponding query results are pre-cached, the database need not be accessed, improving response performance. Pre-cached queries are also distributed into multiple partitions to apportion work among multiple computing machines to further enhance performance and provide redundancy in case of the failure of any particular partition. Pre-cached query results are selectively refreshed so that users may enjoy up-to-date information by focusing on queries that are popular as well as queries that are old.