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.

Abstract: A plush toy having an outer fabric shell with an outer surface defining a desired shape for the plush toy and an in inner surface defining a void. A fiberfill layer covers an inner surface of the outer fabric shell. A foam inner inside the defined void, where the foam inner and the fiberfill layer are sized to completely fill the void such that the foam inner is not compressed while in a relaxed state, but can be compressed as a user interacts with the plush toy and that the fiberfill completely buffers the foam inner form direct contact with the outer fabric shell.

Abstract: A computing platform including a processing hardware and a memory storing a software code is coupled to at least first and second workstations and a production asset library. The processing hardware executes the software code to send, from the first workstation, a request identifying a production asset and metadata specification to the second workstation, and receive, from the second workstation, a payload including the production asset and production asset data including preview metadata describing a 3D image of the production asset. The software code further provides the 3D image for display on the first workstation or a third workstation, receives, at the first workstation or the third workstation, a validation input for the production asset, and publishes, in response to receiving the validation input, the production asset data to the production asset library.

Abstract: A themed aerial vehicle entertainment system or platform useful for generating crowd-pleasing shows or displays through the use of dynamically-coordinated show systems. Instead of use of a fixed flight plan, the new entertainment platform is configured to include one or more UAVs that is enclosed within or supports thematic cladding such as the outer shell of a spacecraft or flying character, and the show is dynamically coordinated to present a cohesive performance. Onboard show effects provided by onboard or UAV supported show system components such as high brightness lights are dynamically adjusted in the new system/platform to ensure the best show appearance to the audience while providing safer operations. The dynamic adjustments may involve selecting or generating a second script or “B show” in a contingent manner based on the current location or timing of movement of the UAV along a flight plan.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating actuation values based on a target shape such that the actuation values cause a simulator to output a simulated soft body that matches the target shape. The technique includes inputting a latent code that represents a target shape and a point on a geometric mesh into a first machine learning model. The technique further includes generating, via execution of the first machine learning model, one or more simulator control values that specify a deformation of the geometric mesh, where each of the simulator control values is based on the latent code and corresponds to the input point, and generating, via execution of the simulator, a simulated soft body based on the one or more simulator control values and the geometric mesh. The technique further includes causing the simulated soft body to be outputted to a computing device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for inserting content into a media program. The technique includes determining a plurality of markers corresponding to a plurality of locations within a media program. The technique also includes for each marker included in the plurality of markers, automatically analyzing a first set of intervals within the media program that lead up to the marker and a second set of intervals within the media program that immediately follow the marker and determine a set of audio characteristics associated with the first set of intervals and the second set of intervals. The technique further includes generating a plurality of scores for the plurality of markers based on the set of audio characteristics for each marker and inserting additional content at one or more markers included in the plurality of markers based on the plurality of scores.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method generates a first representation of a first relationship between bitrate and quality based on first features of a first portion of a video. Also, the method generates a second representation of a second relationship between bitrate and quality based on second features of a second portion of a video. The first representation is analyzed to determine a first list of bitrates for the first portion of video and the second representation is analyzed to determine a second list of bitrates for the second portion of video. The first list of bitrates is different from the second list of bitrates. The method outputs the first list of bitrates for use encoding the first portion of video and the second list of bitrates for use encoding the second portion of video.

Abstract: A system for providing a physical projection routine includes a hardware processor, a system memory storing a software code, and a projection platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to measure an environmental parameter of a venue, determine, based on the environmental parameter, a desired orientation of the projection platform for executing the physical projection routine, and orient the projection platform according to the desired orientation determined based on the environmental parameter. The hardware processor and software code then execute the physical projection routine by the projection platform oriented using the desired orientation determined based on the environmental parameter.

Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a memory storing a software code. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive a dataset including at least some data samples having multiple metadata labels, and identify a partitioning constraint and a partitioning of the dataset into data subsets. The software code also executed obtains, for each metadata label, a desired distribution ratio based on the number of the data subsets and a total number of instances that each metadata label has been applied to the data samples, aggregates, using the partitioning constraint, the data samples into data sample groups, assigns, using the partitioning constraint and the desired distribution ratio for each of the metadata labels, each of the data sample groups to one of the data subsets, wherein each of the data subsets are unique, and trains, using one of the data subsets, a machine learning model.

Abstract: Systems and methods to compilate an experience summary based on real-world experiences are described herein. Exemplary implementations: receive authentication information for a user at a location of one or more real-world experiences; determine whether the authentication information is valid; determine, responsive to determination that the authentication information is valid, a set of digital assets that are associated with an address included in a digital wallet of the user based on transactions recorded on a decentralized ledger; determine the sets of content correlated the individual digital assets of the set; determine the one or more real-world experiences of the user, wherein individual real-world experiences correspond with content updates to the content that are of the content types; and update the sets of content correlated to the individual digital assets of the set in the electronic storage based on the content updates corresponding to the one or more real-world experiences.

Abstract: A simulation platform may receive equipment information regarding ride equipment. The equipment information identifies a first location of a first end of the ride equipment on a travel path and identifies a second location of a second end of the ride equipment. The simulation platform may determine, based on the equipment information, that the first location is at a first distance from a starting location on the travel path and indicates that the second location is at a second distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may execute a computer model to perform a simulation of a movement of a passenger vehicle along the travel path. The simulation platform may determine, during the simulation, that the passenger vehicle is located at a particular distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may determine whether the particular distance corresponds to a location between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A content enhancement system includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing software code. The processing hardware is configured to execute the software code to receive audio-video (A/V) content, to execute at least one of a visual analysis or an audio analysis of the A/V content, and to determine, based on executing the at least one of the visual analysis or the audio analysis, an emotional aspect of the A/V content. The processing hardware is further configured to execute the software code to generate, using the emotional aspect of the A/V content, a sign language translation of the A/V content, the sign language translation including one or more of a gesture, a posture, or a facial expression conveying the emotional aspect.

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 technique for synthesizing a shape includes generating a first plurality of offset tokens based on a first shape code and a first plurality of position tokens, wherein the first shape code represents a variation of a canonical shape, and wherein the first plurality of position tokens represent a first plurality of positions on the canonical shape. The technique also includes generating a first plurality of offsets associated with the first plurality of positions on the canonical shape based on the first plurality of offset tokens. The technique further includes generating the shape based on the first plurality of offsets and the first plurality of positions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for curating content items. In some embodiments, a content item group generator applies rules defining inclusion and exclusion criteria to content items and associated metadata in order to assign the content items to content item groups. Given the assignments of content items to content item groups, a list generator applies a machine learning technique to generate, for each content item, a representation of the content item that includes weights associating the content item with the content item groups. The list generator then computes a weighted sum of representations of content items that a user has purchased and/or otherwise engaged with in order to generate a representation of the user that includes weights indicating affinities of the user with the content item groups. The list generator further generates one or more lists for display to the user based on the representation of the user.

Abstract: A content compilation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code configured to provide an editorial interface. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive compilation authoring data via the editorial interface, identify one or more end-user(s) for receiving a content compilation, access a consumption profile of the end-user(s), obtain, using the consumption profile and a first authoring criterion in the compilation authoring data, content items from one or more content sources.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronizing video with external data sources by a user device where the video is grouped into segment video files having video frames, includes establishing a persistent connection between the user device and a synchronization server, receiving a sync message associated with the beginning of a video segment to be played by the user device, the sync message having an initial recording wall clock time stamp, calculating by the user device a recording wall clock time for each frame in the segment using the initial wall clock time and a frame rate, downloading the video segment file for playing on the user device, receiving by the user device, external data having a wall clock time stamp, and displaying on the user device the external data having the same time stamp as the recording time stamp of the video frame being displayed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods to enable users to access content authorized to other users. A method for accessing content may include receiving an access activation request from a primary device or a primary user account corresponding to a content item accessible by the primary user account, generating an access identifier corresponding to the content item, where the access identifier identifies the content item and includes access information, receiving an access request including the access identifier from a secondary device or a second user account, determining that the access identifier is valid, and delivering the content item to the secondary device.

Abstract: A park ride for use in theme parks, amusement parks, and other settings. The new ride includes a track defining a ride path for a passenger vehicle (or multiple vehicles that may be linked in a train). The vehicle is configured, such as with a bogie assembly with two to four or more wheels, to roll upon and engage the track. The ride includes a drop swing propulsion system that is adapted to drop a section of track upon which the passenger vehicle is supported from a first elevation to a second elevation that is lower than the first elevation. The dropping motion involves swinging the track with a linkage assembly, which with other components of the system may form a four-bar linkage, so as to impart a propelling force on the vehicle to move it along an exit track section provided at the second, lower elevation.