Abstract: A method by which a streaming interactive video user session is handed off from one streaming interactive video server to another without noticeable disruption to the video stream or the user interactivity.

Abstract: A plurality of general public video game users are notified of an online celebrity gaming match. The match has at least one celebrity participant. A request to participate in the online celebrity gaming match is received from at least some of the general public video game users. At least one of the requesting users is selected for participation in the online celebrity gaming match. Interactive access to the celebrity gaming match through authentication with a corresponding user account for each of the participants selected from the general public. Access for each celebrity participant is authorized through authentication with a corresponding celebrity user account. Each celebrity user account is restricted to a verified celebrity whose celebrity identity has been previously verified.

Abstract: A method comprising broadcasting a live game tournament in the form of a multicasted streaming interactive video stream from a hosting service to a plurality of viewers over the Internet. Audio from an announcer is overlaid by the hosting service onto the multicasted video stream.

Abstract: Management of user-generated and context appropriate game play advice is disclosed. The present invention allows for management of context appropriate game play advice that is complete and up-to-date regardless of when a particular interactive gaming title is released. Game play advice is pervasive and easily accessible to game players in addition to being accurate and credible such that game players can trust or rely upon the rendered advice. The game play advice is displayed in environmental contexts that are appropriate to the advice being displayed.

Abstract: A system for initiating and using a three-dimensional object as a controlling device when interfacing with a computer system used for interactive video game play is provided. One example system includes an interface for receiving data from a capturing device of a three-dimensional space and storage coupled with computer system. The computer system provides data to a screen and receiving user input to obtain geometric parameters of the three-dimensional object and assign actions to be performed with the three-dimensional object when moved or placed in positions in front of the capture device during interactive video game play. The geometric parameters and the assigned actions being saved to a database on the storage for access during interactive video game play or future interactive sessions.

Abstract: The method may include sending, via an unreliable protocol, a stream of data packets to at least one recipient device over a network. The stream of data packets may include source packets and forward error correction (FEC) packets. The method may include, during said sending, receiving one or more feedback reports from the at least one recipient device, each said periodic feedback report characterizing packet loss during a corresponding period of time. The method may also include, during said sending, adjusting a rate at which said data packets are sent in the stream in response to at least one of said feedback reports. Adjusting the rate may include increasing a FEC rate at which the FEC packets are sent while maintaining a source rate at which the source packets are sent in response to a one of the feedback reports which characterizes the packet loss as within an acceptable level.

Abstract: A method for digital commerce in conjunction with a digital broadcast, the method may comprise: a) receiving a digital broadcast signal with a receiving device, wherein the digital broadcast signal includes a commercial message and ancillary data associated with the commercial message; b) presenting the commercial message with a display device associated with the digital broadcast receiving device if a predetermined condition exists; c) generating response information using the ancillary data, wherein the response information is usable to determine an effectiveness of the commercial message in generating a response of a percipient of the commercial message; and d) transmitting the response information if a commercial transaction associated with the commercial message is completed. An alternative method may include a), b) and determining an effectiveness of the commercial message in generating a response of a percipient of the commercial message.

Abstract: A wearable computing device includes a head-mounted display (HMD) that generates a virtual reality environment. Through the generation and tracking of positional data, a focal point may be tracked with respect to one or menu navigation elements. Following the fixated positioning of the focal point over the menu navigation element for a predetermined amount of time, a process corresponding to the menu navigation element is executed.

Abstract: A wearable computing device includes a head-mounted display (HMD) that generates a virtual reality environment. Through the generation and tracking of positional data, a the virtual environment may be interrupted or paused. Upon pausing the environment, a user may access a number of ancillary menus and controls not otherwise available during normal operation of the virtual environment.

Abstract: A first application executes on one or more computing systems to generate a series of original frame pixel data sets for rendering of graphical images associated with the first application execution. A second application executes on one or more computing systems to detect one or more key graphical images present in the series of original frame pixel data sets. Upon detection of the one or more key graphical images, the second application directs replacement of a portion of pixel data in the series of original frame pixel data sets with substitute pixel data so as to generate a series of modified frame pixel data sets for encoding in lieu of the series of original frame pixel data sets.

Abstract: Methods for extending a viewing area of a display device for displaying content include detecting presence of an eye glass computing device proximate to a primary computing device. The primary computing device has a primary display that is configured to render content. The eye glass computing device includes a secondary device. The eye glass computing device is linked to the primary computing device. A view direction of the eye glass computing device is detected relative to the primary display. Additional content is rendered in the secondary display that is in addition to the content rendered in the primary display. The secondary display is an extension of the primary display for viewing the content beyond the content rendered on the primary display.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe automatically changing an output mode of an output device from a first output mode to a latency reduction mode. An initiation signal and the output data may be received from a client device platform or a signal distributor. Upon receiving the initiation signal, the output device may change the output mode from the first output mode to the latency reduction mode. Thereafter, the output device may receive an end latency reduction mode signal. The output device may then revert back to the first output mode. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and method are described for protecting certain types of multimedia data transmitted over a communication channel. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method comprises: logically subdividing each of a sequence of images into a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images, the defined position remaining the same between successive images; encoding one or more of the tiles in each image of the sequence of images using a first compression format and encoding the reminder of the tiles in each image using the second compression format, the second compression format dependent on tiles previously-encoded by the first and/or the second compression formats; generating a forward error correction (FEC) code for tiles encoded using the first compression format; transmitting the FEC code with each of the tiles encoded using the first compression format to a client.

Abstract: A media player enables insertion of advertising content during playback of received content. This facilitates targeted product placement, advertisements, and the like. The media player identifies an advertising insertion event, which may be based on a viewer profile. Upon identification of an advertising insertion event, the media player varies playback of the received content to add advertising information.

Abstract: A method is given for providing a visualization of a scene corresponding to game play. The method includes steps of receiving at a visualization server information about a scene corresponding to game play at a client computer, receiving additional information about the scene at the visualization server; and constructing a visualization at the visualization server based on the scene, the constructing based at least in part on the received information and the received additional information. In another embodiment, the visualization may be composed by the user rather than being a scene corresponding to game play. In a further embodiment, a method is given for providing a visualization of a scene corresponding to game play, including: receiving at a visualization server information about a scene corresponding to game play at a client; modifying the scene information; and constructing a visualization at the visualization server based on the modified scene information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for adjustment of game parameters based on users' performance are described. During play of a game a user's performance is monitored. It is then determined if the player's performance is within a desired range of performance, and game parameters are adjusted if the user's performance is outside the desired range. In a multi-player game, parameters can be adjusted differently for each of the players to make the overall game play more competitive.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for playing browser based game with alternative controls and interfaces are presented. One method includes an operation for detecting an alternate device for playing the game. The alternate device generates alternate inputs, and the game is not predefined to be played with the alternate device. A query for information to map the alternate inputs to play the game is sent to a server, and a mapping of alternate inputs to native inputs is generated with the information received from the server. The game is predefined to be played with a native device that provides the native inputs to the game. Further, the method includes an operation for translating the alternate inputs generated with the alternate device to corresponding native inputs according to the mapping to cause corresponding actions in the game.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for virtualizing mass storage using an interface card, or other special hardware unit, operatively coupled to a host system. In various implementations, the interface device and host system may collectively emulate a mass storage device for another “terminal” computing system in a manner that is transparent to the terminal system. Moreover, in various implementations, a mass storage device may be emulated in a manner that is transparent to the terminal system, without requiring modifications to the terminal platform's hardware or software architecture.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to video capture. In particular, aspects of the present related to systems and methods for reducing latency in the capture of video frames. Various implementations of the present disclosure may add extra pixels to a video frame so that visible pixels within each frame may be transferred faster through a video interface. In particular, adding extra pixels to a frame may cause an increase in a pixel clock that is generated based on the total number of pixels within each frame. As a result of the corresponding decrease in the time needed to transfer visible pixels in each frame, latency due to delay in a video capture process may be reduced.