Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for determining simplified models of humanoid robots. A simplification application linearizes a robot model around a nominal state and performs a singular value decomposition of an inertial term of the model, selecting singular values and corresponding singular vectors to be kept in an inertial term of a simplified model by matching a kinetic energy of the original model to a kinetic energy of the simplified model. Further, a gravitational forces term and a velocity-dependent forces term may be determined by computing active joint torques at sample poses around the nominal pose and solving for the gravitational forces term and the velocity-dependent forces term. A mapping from the simplified model to the original model may be determined using, e.g., numerical optimization.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for recognizing and analyzing activities. In one embodiment, a learning application trains parameters of a hierarchical model which represents human (or object) activity at multiple levels of detail. Higher levels of detail may consider more context, and vice versa. Further, learning may be optimized for a user-preferred type of inference by adjusting a learning criterion. An inference application may use the trained model to answer queries about variable(s) at any level of detail. In one embodiment, the inference application may determine scores for each possible value of the query variable by finding the best hierarchical event representation that maximizes a scoring function while fixing the value of the query variable to its possible values. Here, the inference application may approximately determine the best hierarchical event representation by iteratively optimizing one level-of-detail variable at a time while fixing other level-of-detail variables, until convergence.

Abstract: Techniques for simulating interactions using an augmented reality device are described. Embodiments capture a visual scene for display, wherein the visual scene is captured using one or more camera devices. Embodiments simulate a dynamic interaction between the first physical object and one or more virtual objects. Additionally, a sequence of frames is rendered for display that depicts the simulated dynamic interaction the first physical object and the one or more virtual objects.

Abstract: A system and method for powering a radio frequency identification (RFID) module includes an energy harvesting system configured to passively generate a voltage, a voltage regulator configured to regulate the passively generated voltage and a controllable port through which the passively generated voltage is provided to the RFID module.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-media experience capture and data transfer includes a system for transferring data including a first wireless communication system located on a moveable amusement attraction, a second wireless communication system located on the moveable amusement attraction, and logic to operate the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system based on a changeable parameter of the moveable amusement attraction.

Abstract: A user with a user account on a social network uses an interface to communicate user identification information and the user's intent to participate in a social network application. The user also communicates an identifier associated with an entitlement token to the social network application. When a server receives, from a device at a fixed location, a message indicative of the user's presence at the fixed location as determined by the receipt of the identifier and a site specific identifier, the server generates and sends a communication sufficient to cause the social network to implement a behavior as if the user had generated a message to the social network from their mobile device.

Abstract: A system for adding a creative element to media includes a media file having content and metadata associated with the content, logic for analyzing the content to determine at least one of a lighting characteristic, a shadow characteristic, and a presence of an identifying element associated with the content. The system also includes a creative element store configured to store at least one creative element, a rendering engine configured to develop a three dimensional rendering of the creative element, the three dimensional rendering including at least one of the lighting characteristic and the shadow characteristic, and a compositor configured to add the three dimensional rendering of the creative element into the content based on the metadata.

Abstract: A system for predicting object location includes a video capture system for capturing a plurality of video frames, each of the video frames having a first area, an object isolation element for locating an object in each of the plurality of video frames, the object being located at a first actual position in a first video frame and being located at a second actual position in a second video frame, and a trajectory calculation element configured to analyze the first actual position and the second actual position to determine an object trajectory, the object trajectory comprising past trajectory and predicted future trajectory, wherein the predicted future trajectory is used to determine a second area in a subsequent video frame in which to search for the object, wherein the second area is different in size than the first area.

Abstract: A system for dynamically transmitting network alert system (NAS) information from a television network to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal includes a program data server configured to provide network alert system (NAS) data, a network video programming source configured to provide network video programming, a data inserter configured to insert the NAS data into vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network video programming and NAS data signal, and a transmission facility configured to transmit the combined network video programming and NAS data signal.

Abstract: A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object comprises an object position system for generating three-dimensional object position data comprising an object trajectory, a software element for receiving the three-dimensional object position data, the software element also for determining whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that an object has exceeded a boundary, and a graphics system for displaying the object trajectory.

Abstract: A system for sensing human activity by monitoring impedance includes a signal generator for generating an alternating current (AC) signal, the AC signal applied to an object, a reactance altering element coupled to the AC signal, an envelope generator for converting a returned AC signal to a time-varying direct current (DC) signal, and an analog-to-digital converter for determining a defined impedance parameter of the time-varying DC signal, where the defined impedance parameter defines an electromagnetic resonant attribute of the object.

Abstract: A system for predicting object location includes a video capture system for capturing a plurality of video frames, each of the video frames having a first area, an object isolation element for locating an object in each of the plurality of video frames, the object being located at a first actual position in a first video frame and being located at a second actual position in a second video frame, and a trajectory calculation element configured to analyze the first actual position and the second actual position to determine an object trajectory, the object trajectory comprising past trajectory and predicted future trajectory, wherein the predicted future trajectory is used to determine a second area in a subsequent video frame in which to search for the object, wherein the second area is different in size than the first area.

Abstract: A system to prevent audio watermark detection includes content having a video portion and an audio portion, the audio portion having a watermark, an audio/video separator configured to separate the video portion and the audio portion, and a random number generator configured to generate a random number corresponding to a shifted frequency. The system also includes a frequency shift element configured to apply the shifted frequency to the audio portion to alter a spectrum of the watermark so as to prevent detection of the watermark by a device seeking to recover the watermark. The system also includes an audio resampler configured to resample the audio portion to restore the audio portion to an original length, and an audio/video combiner configured to combine the video portion and the audio portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs for detecting an on-deck user of a web site are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for detecting on-deck users for a web site. One such method comprises: providing a web site having an associated primary URL and at least one secondary URL; associating the at least one secondary URL for use in association with a carrier deck; receiving a request for the web site from the carrier deck on a mobile communication device; and determining that the request is from the carrier deck.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with a reconfigurable communal space are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method and/or system for projection of images to appear to an observer as one or more three-dimensional images.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for aiding users of game consoles in creating custom gameplay data for a music video game based on audio data (e.g., songs) stored on a portable media device. Specific embodiments provide a game console application that can receive a song at a game console from a portable media device, and receive user inputs to generate custom gameplay data associated with the song. The gameplay data may then be saved to the portable storage device and later accessed, either at the same or a different game console, to allow a user to play the music video game in accordance with the gameplay data and the audio data. In this manner, users can create and share custom gameplay content for a music video game based on songs stored on their portable media devices.