Abstract: A method for use in a computer simulation includes receiving data obtained from a real-world event that takes place over a period of time and that includes a plurality of moving bodies, wherein the data includes position data and at least one other attribute for each moving body in the plurality of moving bodies with the data being measured at a plurality of points in the period of time, generating a representation of the real-world event using the data, wherein the representation of the real-world event comprises representations of the plurality of moving bodies, and rendering the representation of the real-world event on a display. Another method includes obtaining data for each of a plurality of moving bodies in a real-world event, and providing the data to an apparatus that is configured to use the data to generate a representation of the real-world event and render the representation of the real-world event on a display.

Abstract: Minimizing bandwidth cost for a participant in an online game, the method including: querying the game participant to determine a network service charge model; selecting a role for the game participant based on the determined network service charge model and a position of the participant in a network topology; and positioning the game participant into the selected role within the network topology of the online game.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for converting television commercials into interactive network video games are presented. In one method, a broadcast or streamed commercial is accompanied by an interactive segment. A media player coupled to the broadcast or streaming media source identifies the existence of the interactive segment and presents the user with an enhanced and interactive mini-game commercial that can be played with other “viewers” in a common or disperse demographic. Multiple methods for content delivery are provided, including a model where television commercial is inserted within consecutive frames of the television program, and a model where the commercial is overlaid on frames of the television program allowing the user to play the game while the television program is displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the termination of the interactive mini-game commercial is set within a fixed time period commensurate with traditional spot television advertising.

Abstract: A method for use with a computer simulation includes generating metadata that corresponds to replay data, and storing the generated metadata in a searchable text file. The replay data is generated in response to an execution of the computer simulation, and the metadata includes textual descriptions of one or more events that occurred during the execution of the computer simulation. A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for use with a computer simulation, and an apparatus includes a processor based system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that facilitates control of AI characters in a video game is provided. A method for controlling an artificial-intelligence (AI) character comprises entering a command mode which enables control of the AI character, and occurs while substantially maintaining an existing display of the game, thereby preserving the immersive experience of the video game for the player. A plurality of locations are sequentially specified within a virtual space of the game, the plurality of locations defining a path for the AI character. Finally, the AI character is moved along the path to the plurality of locations in the order they were specified. The plurality of locations may be specified by maneuvering a reticle, and selecting each of the locations. A node is displayed in the existing display of the game at each of the plurality of locations.

Abstract: Simulating performance of a virtual camera operating inside a 3-D environment having scenes generated for motion pictures and video games including: tracking position and orientation of an object within a physical volume of space; placing the virtual camera within the virtual 3-D environment corresponding to the tracked position of the object within the physical volume of space; capturing shots within a field of view of the virtual camera, wherein the field of view of the virtual camera is measured in accordance with the tracked position and orientation of the object; and displaying the captured shots of the 3-D environment captured with the virtual camera.

Abstract: In a server-implemented video game or simulation, a method for providing updates to a remote client regarding a plurality of objects located in a virtual spatial field of the simulation. The method comprises operations of receiving an update locus from the remote client, the update locus indicating a client-specified position within the virtual spatial field of the server-implemented simulation; determining a distance of each of the plurality of objects from the update locus; sorting the plurality of objects according to their determined distances from the update locus; determining an update rate for each of the plurality of objects based upon their sorted order; and sending updates regarding each of the plurality of objects to the remote client according to the determined update rates.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting game related information from a hand-held gaming device through a game console to a game controller and vice versa. In one aspect, the game related information comprises command information that causes the game controller to respond either by vibrating, rumbling or other action associated with a game being played. In another aspect, the game related information may include controller signals that cause an action at the hand-held device.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for use in the operation of a game apparatus or other system for determining an activity level of a user in relation to the game apparatus or other system. A machine-readable medium having embodied thereon instructions for performing such methods and techniques is also included, as well as an example system for implementation.

Abstract: Data transfer over a computer network relating to a data object of a multiple user network application, from a network user who owns the data object to an updating user, is achieved by transfer of a subset of data fields that define the data object, such that the subset of data fields is specified by the updating user and is less than or equal to a full update transfer comprising updated values for all the data fields that define the data object. Each data object is defined by multiple data fields, such that the transfer of a subset of the data object data fields ensures that the network bandwidth utilized for data updates will be reduced from the situation in which all the defining data fields for an object being updated are transferred over the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining and providing status information for network devices.

Abstract: Automatic player profile generation may be implemented for an interactive online game in which one or more players interact via one or more client devices connected to a server device via a network. Information relating to game activity may be collected for the one or more players during one or more game sessions with the server device. One or more player statistics relevant to the game activity may be calculated for each of the one or more players during the game session based on the information relating to game activity with the server device. A player profile may be generated for each of the one or more players with the server. Each player profile may include the one or more player statistics for a corresponding one of the one or more players.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for relaying data in a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Assurance of quality with respect to of a software application across different operating platforms with different system architectures is provided. Methods for determining and assuring said quality as well as a system for the same is disclosed. A method for ensuring compliance with a contractual obligation related to quality of service in software is also disclosed.

Abstract: A network media player enables the addition of one or more overlays during content playback. This allows insertion of images, sound, text, logos, ticker bars, and the like in video, audio, or other available content. Overlays may be user-generated to customize content playback, or network-generated to allow insertion of advertising, source identification, logos, messages, news, and the like.

Abstract: A method or apparatus permits a user to input anatomical feature deformations of character images of a video or movie for display during the video or movie. The user views a video and may select particular anatomical features of the video. In response to the input, the method or apparatus generates a deformed anatomical feature corresponding to the selected anatomical feature. The deformed anatomical feature is displayed in place of the selected anatomical feature during the video. The method or apparatus may then automatically generate modifications of the deformed anatomical feature for display with additional frames of the video so that the modifications correspond to orientation and position changes of the selected anatomical feature in additional frames of the video.

Abstract: A method for use in operation of a game apparatus includes obtaining a time series of samples containing information usable to determine activity of a plurality of predetermined objects used for controlling the game apparatus, processing the time series to determine whether one of the plurality of predetermined objects has been inactive during a game already in progress, and adding a new player to the game already in progress in response to a determination that one of the plurality of predetermined objects is currently active after determining that it was inactive. A system for use in operation of a game apparatus includes means for performing these steps.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an operation of digital content assemblages such as video games with a digital processor so as to control platform dependent replacement of digital asset components. In an example embodiment, a video game package is operated on a first platform. The video game includes one or more first digital asset components such musical and/or graphical works. Platform association data is accessed to evaluate an association between the first digital asset component and the first platform. The platform association data is checked for a concurrence between the platform association data and platform data. A second digital asset component is substituted for the first digital asset component in accordance with the check of the platform association data to permit the operating of the digital content assemblage with the second digital asset component as a replacement for the first digital asset component.

Abstract: A method for use in computer graphics includes establishing a surface that is represented by at least one polygon that includes a plurality of vertices, establishing one or more light sources that are configured to illuminate the surface, and computing an aggregate light source position for each vertex of the polygon, wherein the computation for each vertex includes averaging directions from the vertex to the one or more light sources. A storage medium stores a computer program, and an apparatus includes a display and a processor based system.

Abstract: A method for use in computer graphics includes establishing a surface that is represented by at least one polygon that includes a plurality of vertices, establishing one or more light sources that are configured to illuminate the surface, for each vertex of the polygon, computing at least one vector quantity that represents an aggregation of a visual attribute and a direction of each of the one or more light sources, and interpolating the computed vector quantities across the polygon to provide at least one interpolated vector quantity value for each of a plurality of pixels included in the polygon. A storage medium stores a computer program, and an apparatus includes a display and a processor based system.