Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a video including interlaced frames. Second fields for a second frame and the second fields for a third frame are analyzed to determine estimated second fields for the first frame in an image space. The method converts the first fields and the estimated second fields for the first frame into first features and second features, respectively, in a feature space. The estimated second features are determined for the estimated second fields for the first frame based on the first features for the first frame. Backward features from the second frame and forward features from the third frame are used to determine the estimated second features for the first frame. The method outputs a prediction for the estimated second fields for the first frame based on the estimated second features and generates a first frame with the first fields and estimated second fields.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method analyzes flagged locations from a plurality of locations in an encoding of a video to form a cluster of locations. Draft micro-chunk boundaries for the cluster are determined based on searching for a first start location and a first end location in the encoding. The method searches in a first search range before the first start location and a second search range after the first end location for a second start location in the first search range and a second end location in the second search range. The second start location and the second end location form a micro-chunk. An encoding parameter set is determined for the micro-chunk formed by the second start location and the second end location based on content characteristics of the micro-chunk. The method uses the encoding parameter set to encode the micro-chunk for insertion in the encoding of the video.

Abstract: A head for a walk-around costume is provided that is adapted for enhanced visibility. The costume head includes an outer shell defining an interior space for receiving a head of a human performer. The outer shell includes an aperture allowing incoming light from an exterior space to enter the interior space, and an eye location for the human performer is spaced apart from the aperture when the head is received in the interior space. To provide an enlarged field of view, the costume head includes an optical viewfinder assembly disposed within the interior space of the outer shell between the aperture and the eye location. The optical viewfinder assembly is adapted for receiving the incoming light and transmitting the incoming light to the eye location to move a viewpoint of the human performer to the aperture to provide a larger field of view of the exterior space.

Abstract: According to one exemplary implementation, a system includes a hardware processor and a system memory storing software code, the hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to provide a non-fungible token (NFT) for transfer of a right to the NFT, the NFT minted to include first metadata providing a historical rights record of the NFT, the historical rights record identifying a present owner of the right to the NFT. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to receive transfer data relating to the transfer of the right to the NFT by the present owner to a new owner of the right to the NFT, re-mint the NFT to further include second metadata relating to the transfer data in the historical rights record, the second metadata identifying the new owner, and deliver the re-minted NFT, including the first and second metadata, to the new owner.

Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may cause a robotic arm connector, of the robotic arm, to be connected to a first compartment connector of a passenger compartment of an amusement ride. The controller may cause a second compartment connector, of the passenger compartment, to be disconnected from a first structure connector of a first support structure. The controller may transport the passenger compartment from the first support structure to a second support structure after causing the second compartment connector to be disconnected from the first structure connector.

Abstract: A transparent face mask for enhancing communications while controlling release of respiratory droplets. The mask includes a body formed from a thin flexible plastic material such as polypropylene. The mask body has a center diamond shaped segment that cantilevers the mask body from the bridge of a wearer's nose. The body includes right and left side segments, which each extend outward from one of the four sides of a diamond-shaped center segment to form a segment-to-segment joint between adjacent side segment pairs that flexibly conforms the side portions to the wearer's face. The face mask includes risers formed of an elongate strip of flexible material with a cloth covering for comfort and ease of fit, and the risers each provides a contact point between the mask and the wearer's face adjacent to and inward of the ear from which the mask body is cantilevered away from the wearer's face.

Abstract: According to one exemplary implementation, a system includes processing hardware and a system memory storing a non-photo-realistic (NPR) renderer. The processing hardware is configured to execute the NPR renderer to receive a digital asset, display a preliminary image corresponding to the digital asset, and receive editing data identifying an NPR effect. The processing hardware is further configured to execute the software code to produce the NPR image, in a consolidated rendering and compositing process and in real-time with respect to receiving the editing data, using the preliminary image and the editing data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a grain analysis system is configured for analyzing a first video frame and outputting respective first film grain information for film grain that is included in the first video frame or configured for analyzing a second video frame and outputting second film grain information. At least one of a grain removal system and a grain synthesis system is included. The grain removal system is configured for removing the film grain from the first video frame using the first film grain information to generate a third video frame corresponding to the first video frame with film grain removed. The grain analysis system is separate from the grain removal system. The grain synthesis system is configured for synthesizing film grain for the third video frame using the first film grain information or the second film grain information. The grain analysis system is separate from the grain synthesis system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method selects first content and second content. The first content and the second content are configured to be delivered to clients. First labels are determined for categories for the first content. The first labels are based on an analysis of the first content. Second labels are determined for the categories for the second content. The second labels are based on an analysis of the second content. The method compares the first labels and the second labels to determine scores for the first labels. The scores is based on parameters of a matching tool that is configured to determine a match between instances of content. A weight of a category is used to adjust a score in the scores to generate an adjusted score. The score is for the label that is determined for the category. The method outputs information for the adjusted score and other scores.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method determines a break in a delivery of an instance of catalog content and determines instances of supplemental content. A plurality of transition scores is generated for a plurality of combinations of one or more instances of supplemental content and the instance of catalog content based on a comparison of first metadata for the one or more instances of supplemental content to second metadata for the instance of catalog content. The first metadata is based on an analysis of content characteristics of the instance of supplemental content and the second metadata is based on an analysis of content characteristics of the instance of catalog content. The method uses the transition scores to select a combination of one or more instances of supplemental content. A transition score rates a transition between the instance of catalog content and the combination of one or more instances of supplemental content.

Abstract: Techniques for electronic privacy protection are disclosed. A first data record is received, including one or more sensitive data fields and one or more non-sensitive data fields. One or more encrypted data fields are generated by encrypting the one or more sensitive data fields using an encryption key. One or more hashed data fields are generated by hashing the one or more sensitive data fields using a hash function. A first mapping is stored, associating at least a portion of the first data record with the encryption key. A second data record is stored, including the one or more non-sensitive data fields, the one or more encrypted data fields, and the one or more hashed data fields.

Abstract: A technique for rendering an input geometry includes generating a first segmentation mask for a first input geometry and a first set of texture maps associated with one or more portions of the first input geometry. The technique also includes generating, via one or more neural networks, a first set of neural textures for the one or more portions of the first input geometry. The technique further includes rendering a first image corresponding to the first input geometry based on the first segmentation mask, the first set of texture maps, and the first set of neural textures.

Abstract: A system for simulating human-like affect-driven behavior includes a hardware processor and a system memory storing software code providing a virtual agent. The hardware processor executes the software code to identify a character assumed by the virtual agent and having a personality, a target state of motivational fulfillment, a baseline mood, and emotions. The software code identifies current physical and motivational fulfillment states, and currently active emotions of the character, and determines a current mood of the character based on the baseline mood and the currently active emotions. The software code further detects an experience by the character and plans multiple behaviors including a first behavior based on the experience and the current physical state, the second behavior based on the experience, the personality, the current mood, and the currently active emotions, and a third behavior based on the target and current states of motivational fulfillment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention sets forth techniques for performing face reconstruction. The techniques include generating an identity mesh based on an identity encoding that represents an identity associated with a face in one or more images. The techniques also include generating an expression mesh based on an expression encoding that represents an expression associated with the face in the one or more images. The techniques also include generating, by a machine learning model, an output mesh of the face based on the identity mesh and the expression mesh.

Abstract: A content recommendation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a content surfacing software code providing a user interface. The hardware processor executes the content surfacing software code to receive an initiation signal identifying a user, and, in response, identify content items as desirable content items to the user based on the user and metadata describing each of the desirable content items. In addition, the content surfacing software code generates a networked map of nodes corresponding respectively to the desirable content items, where the distances between nodes are based on the similarity of the metadata describing the desirable content items corresponding to the nodes. The content surfacing software code further outputs the networked map for display to the user via the user interface, the nodes being displayed as thumbnail images depicting the desirable content and selectable by the user.

Abstract: Techniques for animatronic design are provided. A plurality of simulated meshes is generated using a physics simulation model, where the plurality of simulated meshes corresponds to a plurality of actuator configurations for an animatronic mechanical design. A machine learning model is trained based on the plurality of simulated meshes and the plurality of actuator configurations. A plurality of predicted meshes is generated for the animatronic mechanical design, using the machine learning model, based on a second plurality of actuator configurations. Virtual animation of the animatronic mechanical design is facilitated based on the plurality of predicted meshes.

Abstract: A system includes processing hardware and a memory storing software code. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive automation data for media content having a default playback experience, analyze, using the automation data, at least one parameter of the media content, and generate, based on the analyzing, one or more automation instruction(s) for at least one portion(s) of the media content. The automation instruction(s) include at least one of: one or more bounding timestamps of the media content portion(s), an increased or reduced playback speed for the media content portion(s) relative to the default playback experience, or a variable playback speed for the media content portion(s). The software code is further executed to outputs the automation instruction(s) to a media delivery platform configured to distribute and control the quality of the media content or to a media player configured to automate playback of the media content.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating photorealistic images of objects, such as heads, from multiple viewpoints. In some embodiments, a morphable radiance field (MoRF) model that generates images of heads includes an identity model that maps an identifier (ID) code associated with a head into two codes: a deformation ID code encoding a geometric deformation from a canonical head geometry, and a canonical ID code encoding a canonical appearance within a shape-normalized space. The MoRF model also includes a deformation field model that maps a world space position to a shape-normalized space position based on the deformation ID code. Further, the MoRF model includes a canonical neural radiance field (NeRF) model that includes a density multi-layer perceptron (MLP) branch, a diffuse MLP branch, and a specular MLP branch that output densities, diffuse colors, and specular colors, respectively. The MoRF model can be used to render images of heads from various viewpoints.