Abstract: There is presented a system and method for unlocking a content associated with media. In one aspect, the method comprises identifying the media, generating an authentication key using at least one key data from a set of key data contained in the media, determining an address in the media of at least one content unit corresponding respectively to each of the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; requesting the at least one content unit by providing the address; receiving user data in response to the requesting; comparing the user data with the at least one key data used to generate the authentication key; and unlocking the content associated with the media if the user data matches the authentication key.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a plurality of values for an illumination parameter associated with an illumination source for a scene, determining a plurality illumination contributions for a surface of an object within the scene, in response to the plurality of values, determining a plurality of texture maps associated with the surface of the object in response to the plurality of illumination contributions, wherein each of the plurality of texture maps is associated with each of the plurality of values for the illumination parameter, receiving a value for the illumination parameter at render time from a user, determining a texture map associated with the surface of the object, in response to the value for the illumination parameter and in response to the plurality of texture maps, rendering the surface of the object using the texture map to form an image, and displaying the image to the user.

Abstract: A round ride that creates a rotating ride experience with a varying frequency of vehicle elevations. The round ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive that rotates the hub about a central axis at a hub rotation rate. The drive assembly includes support arms extending outward from the hub, upon which are mounted passenger vehicles. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the hub. The round ride includes a track structure with a ring-shaped running surface extending about the central axis and with a track drive rotating the running surface about the central axis at a track rotation rate in the same or differing direction and rate as the hub. The vehicles are vertically supported by the running surface which is contoured to define a series of hills and valleys, and the running surface and the hub are independently rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A round ride configured to provide lateral flight or movement of the passenger vehicle. The ride includes a vehicle support or boom arm that includes a four-bar linkage with: a base link affixed to the rotating hub; a crank or driver link rotating about a pivotal connection with this base link by a rotary actuator; a vehicle support link pivotally connected at one end to the crank or driver link to move with this link and at a second or outboard end to a coupler that supports the vehicle; and a follower or connector link pivotally connected at its ends to the base link and vehicle support link. As the crank or driver link is rotated, the guest compartment moves along a motion profile defining irregular vertical movement (not simply a preset arc) and providing lateral movement, which changes the ride dynamics including changing vehicle velocity with varying vehicle radii.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for enabling navigation and selection of content using an interactive virtual sphere. The system comprises a content database accessible via a content server, the content database configured to store a first plurality of content units, and an aggregator linked to the content database, the aggregator configured to update the first plurality of content units. The system also includes a spherical graphics rendering module and a content navigation module. The spherical graphics rendering module is configured to render visual representations corresponding to a second plurality of content units on the surface of a virtual sphere. The content to navigation module provides a user interface for interacting with the virtual sphere, and is configured to access the content database and to enable selection of at least one of the second plurality of content units according to an input received by the user interface.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a content processing device for facilitating the analysis of audience ratings data for content. In one embodiment, content is received from a source. Then, the content is encoded into a target format to enable insertion of a first number of markers in the content, each of the first number of markers indexing a time period of the content. Thereafter, a content records database that includes the audience ratings data corresponding to the content are accessed. The audience ratings data are then associated with the first number of markers. The audience ratings data are displayed during playback of the content.

Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may involve a flexible material infused with fine iron particles to form at least a portion of a flexible character or object. The flexible creation may be animated by one or more magnets or electromagnets brought near the flexible creation such that the iron particles blended with the flexible material may interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets. The infused iron particles may be attracted to the magnets, causing the object or portions of the object to move toward or away from the controlling magnets, thereby animating the object or portions of the object. Another implementation may use a magnetic field of a magnet to create an iron-infused flexible plant-like object that may be animated by a magnet. The object may be constructed of a flexible iron-infused material that is introduced into the magnetic field while the material is in a liquid or semi-liquid state.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for confirming correct encoder processing for a media file. There is provided a method comprising preparing a diagnostic clip, embedding the diagnostic clip in the media file to create a modified media file, encoding the modified media file according to a set of encoder settings to create an encoded media file embedded with an encoded diagnostic clip, displaying the encoded diagnostic clip to a user, and assessing the accuracy of the encoder settings based on a feedback received from the user. In this manner, users may quickly and accurately diagnose encoder settings after encoding the media file. Users may more easily identify which encodes caused which problems and avoid the costly overhead of backtracking in the production process.

Abstract: There is provided a method of managing a plurality of data files using a plurality of schemas. The method comprises selecting a first schema from the plurality of schemas, determining current data files of the plurality of data files with respect to the first schema, identifying an outdated data file of the plurality of data files with respect to the first schema, selecting a transform file configured to transform the outdated data file into a current data file with respect to the first schema, transforming the outdated data file into a current data file with respect to the first schema by applying the transform file to the outdated data file. The method may further comprise validating the current data file against the first schema after transforming the outdated data file. The data files, schema, and transform file may comprise, respectively, an XML file, an XSD file, and an XSLT file.

Abstract: A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a raised center or identification member. The band includes a second band element with a body having a loop or lasso at one end defined by an inner surface of a sidewall. The outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall when the center member is received within and captured by the loop such as by a snap detent arrangement. To allow sizing, the second band element includes both an inner band sizing element including the loop-defining sidewall at one of its ends and an outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element. The length of the second band element is defined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizing elements.

Abstract: Various approaches are disclosed for generating an output graphical object from an input graphical object. In one approach, vector graphics data representing the input graphical object in a memory are stored. A first subset of the vector graphics components of the vectors graphics data to leave unchanged for the output graphical object, a second subset of vector graphics components to alter for the output object, and a third subset of vector graphics components to discard from the output object are determined. Each vector graphics component in the second subset is altered, and the first and altered second subsets of vector graphics components as the output graphical object.

Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images with retinal rivalry effects. The method includes retrieving primary eye images and alternate eye images from memory. These images are filmed from horizontally offset cameras but include the same content. The method continues with processing the alternate eye images to introduce retinal rivalry such as by including a set of frames that have differing content from a corresponding set of frames from the primary eye images. The differing content, for example, may include an object rendered for the alternate eye that was not rendered in the primary eye images. The method may further include editing the primary eye images by inserting a transition and then editing the alternate eye images to perform the transition (e.g., a dissolve or cut) at a temporally offset transition point such as several frames later to introduce frames that differ in content from one eye stream to the other.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an artificial skin system for use with a robotics assembly. The method includes providing a mold core with an exterior surface defining an inner surface of a skin system, with this surface including a plurality of mounting elements. The method includes attaching, to each of the mounting elements, an elastomeric actuation piece or point (EAP). The mold core is positioned within an exterior skin mold, and a cavity is formed between the exterior surface of the mold core and inner surfaces of the exterior skin mold that defines topography and dimensions of the skin system. The method includes filling the cavity with skin-forming material. Then, after the skin-forming material hardens to form the skin system, the method includes removing the skin system from the mold core including detaching the EAPs from the mounting elements, and the EAPs are integrally bonded within the skin system.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for an item-based economy in a virtual world. There is provided a server for providing an item exchange for a virtual world lacking a common currency for item valuation, comprising a processor configured to receive a request from a client having an inventory to initiate the item exchange, present a user interface on a display of the client for the item exchange, receive a selection of either a second quantity of second items or a third quantity of third items for the item exchange from the client, remove from the inventory of the client a first quantity of tradable items defined by a first exchange value or a second exchange value based on the selection, and add the second quantity of second items or the third quantity of the third items to the inventory of the client based on the selection.

Abstract: There is provided a physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token. The physical token may comprise an identification data and a transmitter configured to transmit the identification data. The physical token is configured to transmit the identification data to the server to cause the server to initiate a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may comprise a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may also comprise a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may further comprise an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token.

Abstract: A system for externally actuating an animatronic figure. The system including a first robotic mechanism configured as a remote center mechanism for rotating a first rod about a first remote center point. The first rod is attached to a first driven part of the figure with the first remote center point spaced apart from the figure. The system includes a second robotic mechanism rotating a second rod about a second remote center point. The second rod is attached to the second driven part of the animatronic figure, and the second remote center point is spaced apart from the animatronic figure. The system includes a third robotic mechanism rotating a third rod about a remote center point, with the third rod attached to a third driven part of the figure, and the three robotic mechanisms are concurrently operable via a computer-based controller to provide the figure with twenty-one degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a product, such as an animatronic character, with artificial skin. The method includes providing a mold assembly with an exterior mold and a core. In the mold assembly, a cavity is formed between inner surfaces of the exterior mold and exterior surfaces of the core that defines the skin system. The mold assembly includes a seam-forming wall extending between the inner and exterior surfaces. The method includes inserting an elongate, tubular guide through holes in the seam-forming wall and pouring an elastomeric material into the mold to occupy the cavity between the exterior mold and the interior core. The method includes, after the material has hardened to form the skin system, cutting a seam in the skin system by cutting the material along the seam-forming wall. The tubular guide is separated into guide segments and a staggered joint is formed at the cut seam.

Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a virtual game instructor. According to various embodiments of the invention, the virtual game instructor is configured to provide a convenient and easy to follow tutorial instruction session for completing various game movements. Embodiments of the invention provide players with the ability to accurately compare their movements in real-time with the virtual instructor, thus facilitating learning and performing even complex game moves more easily.

Abstract: A method of providing an interactive game through playback of video, the method comprising the steps of providing a video player with a processor, the processor capable of accepting user input, drawing graphics or text on top of video playback, and controlling playback of sounds; providing media with a primary video stream for standard playback, and game instructions working in cooperation with the video stream, and an edit decision list; reading the edit decision list into the CPU and playing the portions of the video stream as instructed by the edit decision list; and superimposing other graphics onto the video to create an interactive game experience.