Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling various aspects of ensemble experiences and system control for attention management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing attention management for a specific participant in an online ensemble event, may comprise: receiving live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of participants; displaying a plurality of objects on the corresponding user device of each specific participant, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to one specific participant; providing options for each specific participant to manipulate sizes of each of the plurality of objects and volume from each of the plurality of participants; providing a customized participation layer/interface to a specific participant to manage how other participants perceive the expression from the specific participant; and providing options for each specific participant to initiate an interaction with any of the plurality of participants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing human gestures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for recognizing a gesture made by an operator with a portable device, may comprise: obtaining a first sensor data profile associated with measurements made by the first sensor while the operator made a specific gesture involving the portable device; obtaining a second sensor data profile associated with measurements made by the second sensor while the operator made the specific gesture involving the portable device; and identifying the specific gesture by analyzing the first sensor data profile and the second sensor data profile.

Abstract: The techniques discussed herein contemplate methods and systems for providing interactive virtual experiences. In at least one embodiment of a “virtual experience paradigm,” virtual goods are evolved into virtual experiences. Virtual experiences expand upon limitations imposed by virtual goods by adding additional dimensions to the virtual goods. The virtual experience paradigm further contemplates accounting for user gestures and actions as part of the virtual experience.

Abstract: Described are the architecture of such a system, algorithms for time synchronization during a multiway conferencing session, methods to fight with network imperfections such as jitter to improve synchronization, methods of introducing buffering delays to create handicaps for players with faster connections, methods which help players with synchronization (such as a synchronized metronome during a music conferencing session), methods for synchronized recording and live delivery of synchronized data to the audience watching the distributed interaction live over the Internet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling various aspects of ensemble experiences and system control for attention management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing attention management for a specific participant in an online ensemble event, may comprise: receiving live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of participants; displaying a plurality of objects on the corresponding user device of each specific participant, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to one specific participant; providing options for each specific participant to manipulate sizes of each of the plurality of objects and volume from each of the plurality of participants; providing a customized participation layer/interface to a specific participant to manage how other participants perceive the expression from the specific participant; and providing options for each specific participant to initiate an interaction with any of the plurality of participants.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-generated output and in particular graphical output. An output capturing and encoding engine is configured to intercept graphical output from an application on a server, organize the output into regions having similar motion and/or graphical characteristics, and convert the data from each region into a format suitable to balance transmission efficiencies versus display quality or capability at the receiving end.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for image sharing within a collaborative work space. One embodiment provides sophisticated GUI as a backdrop supporting a collaborative work space where a plurality of participants can interact with and view a presentation of a set of images, optionally with an audio background. The plurality of participants each engages with a local device having a local instantiation of the collaborative work space. In one embodiment, the local instantiation of the collaborative work space is a display block, and the GUI provides display stacks which include image content. A participant selecting and dragging the image content into the display block initiates the presentation of the set of images, which may be a slide show displayed on all active display instantiations of the collaborative works space.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-generated output and in particular graphical output. An output capturing and encoding engine is configured to intercept graphical output from an application on a server, organize the output into regions having similar motion and/or graphical characteristics, and convert the data from each region into a format suitable to balance transmission efficiencies versus display quality or capability at the receiving end.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for providing an experience platform, as well as sentio or experience codecs, and experience agents for supporting the experience platform. The experience platform may be provided by a service provider to enable an experience provider to compose and direct a participant experience. The service provider monetizes the experience by charging the experience provider and/or the participants for services. The participant experience can involve one or more experience participants. The experience provider can create an experience with a variety of dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the experience platform contemplated herein.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of methods and systems for providing an interactive event experience with multi-dimensional layers embodied as a virtual playdate or family experience.

Abstract: Described are the architecture of such a system, algorithms for time synchronization during a multiway conferencing session, methods to fight with network imperfections such as jitter to improve synchronization, methods of introducing buffering delays to create handicaps for players with faster connections, methods which help players with synchronization (such as a synchronized metronome during a music conferencing session), methods for synchronized recording and live delivery of synchronized data to the audience watching the distributed interaction live over the Internet.

Abstract: Certain embodiments teach a variety of experience or “sentio” codecs, and methods and systems for enabling an experience platform, as well as a Quality of Experience (QoS) engine which allows the sentio codec to select a suitable encoding engine or device. The sentio codec is capable of encoding and transmitting data streams that correspond to participant experiences with a variety of different dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants, and as implemented utilizing a sentio codec. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the sentio codec and experience platform contemplated herein.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for distributing different processing aspects of layered application, and distributing a processing pipeline among a variety of different computer devices. The system uses multiple devices resources to speed up or enhance applications. In one embodiment, application layers can be distributed among different devices for execution or rendering. The teaching further expands on this distribution of processing aspects by considering a processing pipeline such as that found in a graphics processing unit (GPU), where execution of parallelized operations and/or different stages of the processing pipeline can be distributed among different devices. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the methods and systems contemplated herein.

Abstract: A method and system for pervasive computing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises a server communicating with a first device in a cloud computing environment, wherein the first device can detect surrounding devices, and an application program executable by the server, wherein the application program is controlled by the first device and the output of the application program is directed by the server to one of the devices detected by the first device.

Abstract: Resource-aware dynamic bandwidth control uses information about current network state and receiver performance to avoid, minimize and/or recover from the effects of network spikes and data processing spikes. Linear models may be used to estimate a time required to process data packets in a data processing queue, and are thus useful to determine whether a data processing spike is occurring. When a data processing spike occurs, an alarm may be sent from a client to a server notifying the server that the client must drop packets. In response, the server can encode and transmit an independent packet suitable for replacing the queued data packets which can then be dropped by the client and the independent packet present to the processor instead.

Abstract: Resource-aware dynamic bandwidth control uses information about current network state and receiver performance to avoid, minimize and/or recover from the effects of network spikes and data processing spikes. Linear models may be used to estimate a time required to process data packets in a data processing queue, and are thus useful to determine whether a data processing spike is occurring. When a data processing spike occurs, an alarm may be sent from a client to a server notifying the server that the client must drop packets. In response, the server can encode and transmit an independent packet suitable for replacing the queued data packets which can then be dropped by the client and the independent packet present to the processor instead.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-generated output and in particular graphical output. The system includes a network configured to carry digital information. The system includes a server in communication with the network, the server configured to execute an application and a cloud engine module. The application provides a graphical output. The output capturing and encoding engine module is further configured to intercept the graphical output from the application on the server. The output capturing and encoding engine module is further configured to convert the graphical output into at least one of: graphical commands and video codec data. The output capturing and encoding engine module is further configured to transmit the converted output over the network. The system includes a client in communication with the server over the network, the client configured to execute a graphics and video decoding and rendering engine module.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for sharing pictures among a plurality of clients within a collaborative work space are disclosed. Each client device has a local instantiation of the collaborative work space including a collaborative interface. In response to receiving or dragging an image object into the collaborative interface or work space, a presentation corresponding to the image object happens with the work space in a manner synchronized across the collaborative interfaces. Other objects, such as audio objects, can be brought into the work space and synchronized accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-generated output and in particular graphical output. An output capturing and encoding engine is configured to intercept graphical output from an application on a server, organize the output into regions having similar motion and/or graphical characteristics, and convert the data from each region into a format suitable to balance transmission efficiencies versus display quality or capability at the receiving end.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an interactive event experience capable of coupling and strategically synchronizing multiple (and varying) venues, with live events happening at one or more venues. For example, the system equalizes between local participants and remote ones, and between local shared screens and remote ones—thus making experience of events synchronized. In one event, a host participant creates and initiates the event, which involves inviting participants from the host participant's social network, and programming the event either by selecting a predefined event or defining the specific aspects of an event.