Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for managing stereo images. In one implementation, a computer system corrects misalignments in native stereo plates, i.e., images recorded using two cameras for stereo imaging, using homographic transformations.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to principles disclosed here provide a screen space transform, e.g., implemented as a node, that may be employed to correct alignment issues between left and right eyes of a native stereo plate. The transformations may be in a number of homographic ways, including via translation, rotation, and scaling. By properly aligning stereographic images, subsequent images are properly aligned throughout the animation pipeline. In addition, the viewer experience is significantly improved.

Abstract: Storing, building, managing, and controlling consumer personal information, including: building at least one level of personal information according to a standard; storing the personal information on a consumer rights locker; defining a scope of access under terms of a consumer to control access to the consumer rights locker; transmitting a plurality of parameters needed to access the consumer rights locker; receiving a request to access the consumer rights locker and the plurality of parameters; comparing the plurality of parameters to the scope of access; and granting access to the consumer rights locker when it is determined that the request is valid, wherein the request is valid when the plurality of parameters includes an access right that is consistent with information in the scope of access. Keywords include consumer rights locker and personal information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for selling content such as movies online. In one implementation, a user obtains permission from the content owner to sell access to an item of video content. The user acts as a promoter for the content and receives compensation from the content owner for each sale. The user does not have or create copies to transfer to buyers—the commercial transaction and fulfillment are provided by the content owner. The user can build a library or online store of content that the user promotes. In another implementation, the system provides significant gifting functionality for content items, such as for providing previews and gift wrapping skins for gifted content items.

Abstract: Managing assets during production of multimedia, comprising: creating at least one scouting image; creating a metadata including information needed to import the at least one scouting image as a shot; and generating a script including commands needed to recreate the shot in its current state, and storing camera and character attributes. Keywords include asset management and scouting images.

Abstract: Storyboard processing in a movie during production, including: creating a proxy shot for an imported shot; displaying the proxy shot; receiving a completion signal for the imported shot; reloading related metadata for the imported shot; and displaying the newly imported shot. Keywords include proxy shot and imported shot.

Abstract: Managing assets in a movie during production, including: storing an image file in a temporary location; storing an XML file containing various metadata; sending a signal including the path the XML filet wherein the XML file contains a path to the image file that it is to be imported. Keywords include Photoshop and XML.

Abstract: Managing assets in a movie during production, including: storing new material in a file in a first folder in a data storage system; sending the new material to an editorial system; storing the new material in a file in a second folder in the data storage system; and creating an empty file in a third folder, wherein the empty file has the same name as the file for the new material in the first folder. Keywords include storyboard and editorial.

Abstract: Capturing metadata, including: a data capture device, wherein the data capture device captures notes made by a user and stores the notes as captured data; a data ingest computer, including a connection interface to connect to the data capture device and receive the captured data from the data capture device, and a data conversion component to convert the captured data to formatted data; and a data repository, connected to the data ingest computer, wherein the data repository is connected to a network. Keywords include smart pen and on set metadata acquisition.

Abstract: In some implementations, techniques are described for customer lead generation and fulfillment through viewer participation in television, cellular or mobile telephone, and Internet-enabled computer or computing device platforms. Participation television may be leveraged to identify potential consumers and advertising leads may be selected for the potential consumers. An exchange of information related to an advertisement, offer, or gift may be facilitated between an advertiser and a participant in a participation television segment.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods that address the problem of single scattering in homogeneous volumes. In one implementation, an importance sampling technique is provided that avoids a singularity near point light sources. The system and method can be extended to the situation of area lights of arbitrary shapes. The error caused by the non-constant distance to the finite-extent area light is distributed by using random sample points within the area light as points from which lighting is calculated for sampling points along the ray.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods to perform ray marching for production ray tracing in inhomogeneous participating media. The systems and methods allow a reduction of the quadratic complexity without giving up the benefits of accurate ray traced lighting. In one implementation, the task of ray marching is reformulated into a task of transforming an unknown, spatially varying volume into a collection of piecewise homogeneous segments. Being homogeneous, inexpensive analytical formulas may be employed for evaluating and sampling the transmission term at arbitrary points in the segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sharing movie information online. In one implementation, the user of an online movie service can share information about the contents of a library or other such rights locker, e.g., under Ultraviolet™ and DECE. Users may also share likes and dislikes. The movie service may make suggestions based on the contents of the user's library and the contents of other user's libraries, such as those of the user's designated friends. A user can become a follower or fan of another user and receive recommendations based on the target user's profile or specific recommendations made by the target. The user can receive a credit on their account or on a related account when another user makes a purchase that is attributable to that user, e.g., from a recommendation. A user may be designated as an influencer when followed by a sufficient number of other users.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for selling content such as movies online. In one implementation, a user obtains permission from the content owner to sell access to an item of video content. The user acts as a promoter for the content and receives compensation from the content owner for each sale. The user does not have or create copies to transfer to buyers—the commercial transaction and fulfillment are provided by the content owner. The user can build a library or online store of content that the user promotes. In another implementation, the system provides significant gifting functionality for content items, such as for providing previews and gift wrapping skins for gifted content items.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement a technique for providing 3D content, such as on optical media like Blu-ray® discs. In one implementation, a 3D authoring tool executing on a computer system manages how to construct an image for replication where the image handles jumps without buffer underruns, the jumps caused by layer switching or by moving from or to branches in a multi-branch story line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for 3-D photography. Multiple cameras or lens and sensor assemblies are employed to provide a range of interaxial separations. A user selects two of such cameras to achieve a desired interaxial separation, the two cameras separated by an interaxial separation closest to that desired. The systems and methods may be applicable to even low-cost consumer-grade still and video cameras to provide stereoscopic 3-D effects.

Abstract: Implementing a web browser in a BD platform, including: receiving a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) page of a web browser; converting the HTML page including user interface (UI) widgets into graphical elements including HAVi widgets; and displaying the HTML page in the BD platform. Keywords include HAVi, Widgets, and BD platform.

Abstract: Reformatting web pages in a BD platform, including: receiving a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) page of a web browser; parsing the HTML page into user interface (UI) widgets; and mapping the UI widgets into Home Audio/Video interface (HAVi) widgets. Keywords include HAVi, Widgets, and BD platform.

Abstract: Capturing playback key events to override a default behavior of key strokes during playback, includes: receiving a user operation initiated by a user; receiving a notice that a non-default behavior of the key strokes is being masked; notifying the user that there are adverse consequences of overriding the default behavior of the key strokes; and overriding the default behavior of the key strokes. Keywords include User Operation Mask Table and Playback Key Events.

Abstract: Generating event-triggered actions, including: detecting at least one event occurring on a mobile device; generating and presenting an event action parameter for the at least one event; and receiving and processing the event action parameter using a media action table to generate at least one action instruction.