Abstract: A firewall manager periodically accesses a set of servers to identify the various services currently active on each server. The firewall manager also periodically accesses a set of firewalls configured to protect those servers to identify various firewall rules implemented by those firewalls. The firewall manager then compares the services data with the rules data to identify any obsolete firewall rules that are (i) defined based on an IP address not currently allocated to any of the servers or (ii) defined based on a port of an active server that is not associated with any service running on server. Such rules are considered obsolete. Upon identifying any obsolete firewall rules, the firewall manager accesses the firewalls associated with those rules and then removes the obsolete rules.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for extending on-screen gameplay via an augmented reality (AR) system. An extended AR application executing on an AR headset system receives, via a game controller, first data associated with a first object associated with a computer-generated game. The extended AR application renders an augmented reality object based on the first data associated with the first object. The extended AR application displays at least a first portion of the augmented reality object via an augmented reality headset system. Further, an image associated with the computer-generated game is simultaneously rendered on a display monitor.

Abstract: A user account access management system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a user account access software code. The hardware processor executes the user account access software code to receive, from a first user device, a secondary account profile data for generating a secondary account associated with a primary user account registered with a web based service, and to receive, from a second user device, a sign up request for using the web based service. The hardware processor further executes the user account access software code to transmit an authentication token to one of the first user device and the second user device, receive the authentication token from the other of the first user device and the second user device, and link the secondary account with the second user device based on receiving the authentication code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently distributing digital cinema files from a server to a theater are disclosed. The systems and methods may comply with DCI requirements. A server updates an original composition playlist, updates a track file associated with the updated composition playlist, and distributes the updated composition playlist and updated track file to one or more theaters over a communications network. The theater is configured to store the updated track file at a storage containing copies of all track files associated with the updated composition playlist and update the theater's original composition playlist to the updated composition playlist. The server may have a database configured to track the composition playlists and associated track files present in each theater in the system.

Abstract: In one implementation, a virtual-world simulator includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform, and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to obtain a map of a geometry of a real-world venue including the virtual-world simulator, to identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue, and to use the tracking system to track a moving perspective of one of a user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective.

Abstract: An extensible resource manager (ERM) of a hybrid cloud-based media production system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a resource management software code. The hardware processor executes the resource management software code to communicate with a network orchestrator of the hybrid cloud-based media production system to identify multicast production media flow(s) for processing in a cloud-based virtual production environment, to identify cloud-based resource(s) for processing cloud production media flow(s) corresponding to the multicast production media flow(s), in the cloud-based virtual production environment, and to determine whether a license exists for the identified cloud-based resource(s).

Abstract: In one implementation, a system providing remote access set-up for electronic devices includes a mobile device and a profile server communicatively coupled to the mobile device via a network. The profile server includes a hardware processor, and a server memory storing a profile management software code and a profile information associated with a user of the mobile device. The hardware processor executes the profile management software code to receive, via the network, a platform ID of a configurable hardware platform communicatively coupled to the mobile device, and to determine, based on the platform ID, platform assets including a default configuration associated with the configurable hardware platform.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a dual-mode augmented reality and virtual reality viewer (AR/VR viewer) includes a device configured to provide AR and VR effects, the device including a display screen, a VR shield, and a transparency control unit coupled to the VR shield. The AR/VR viewer also includes a computing platform for generating the AR and VR effects communicatively coupled to the device. The display screen has a user facing first surface for receiving the AR and VR effects, and a second surface opposite the user facing first surface. The display screen or a transmissive layer adjoining the display screen is configured to have a variable transparency. The VR shield is configured to be one of substantially transparent in an AR mode and substantially opaque in a VR mode under the control of the transparency control unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing artificial intelligence experiences. The artificial intelligence experiences may include a persistent virtual character. The artificial intelligence experiences are presented through an augmented reality system. The persistent virtual characters are associated with geo-locations. The persistent virtual characters are accessible to the user at the geolocation associated with the persistent virtual characters. A system managing the persistent virtual characters is continuously updated based on user interaction with the persistent virtual characters and information received from external sources. The persistent virtual characters manner of behavior toward the user is based on previous user interaction with the persistent virtual characters and information received from external sources.

Abstract: A gameplay system for providing interactivity based on a piece of merchandise or other object held or worn by a player. Th system includes an object identification assembly, which may be a modified computer vision system, that operates to sense, for a gameplay participant, the presence and identity of a particular augmenting object such as themed merchandise worn or held by a rider of a theme park ride. The sensing may be performed by detecting an on-and-off pattern of light emitted from the object. In response, the gameplay system selects or modifies the interactive features of gameplay associated with the participant based on the identified augmenting object. For example, the interactive features are selected from memory by the gameplay system controller to match a character associated with the augmenting object during any interactive gameplay. This allows the gameplay participant to choose their abilities or powers for gameplay.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a pixel error detection system includes a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to receive an input image, to mask, using an inpainting neural network (NN), one or more patch(es) of the input image, and to inpaint, using the inpainting NN, the masked patch(es) based an input image pixels neighboring each of the masked patch(es). The hardware processor is configured to further execute the software code to generate, using the inpainting NN, a residual image based on differences between the inpainted masked patch(es) and the patch(es) in the input image and to identify one or more anomalous pixel(s) in the input image using the residual image.

Abstract: A water ride system with a flume that includes one or more sections in which a raft is unguided (except with flume sidewalls) to provide a dynamic experience with side-to-side movement and rotation. Further, the flume is configured to include one or more controlled or guided sections in which a raft is funneled or directed into a keyed guided portion of the ride path and then later released into one of uncontrolled or unguided sections of the flume. A raft includes a keyed guide assembly, mounted upon a lower surface of the raft body, that includes a pair of spaced apart guide members. In a guiding subsection of the flume, the bottom wall or lower surface of the flume includes a raised portion that includes a guideway or groove for receiving the guide assembly, whereby the raft has it directional and rotational movements guided in the flume.

Abstract: Embodiments include applying neural network technologies to encoding/decoding technologies by training and encoder model and a decoder model using a neural network. Neural network training is used to tune a neural network parameter for the encoder model and a neural network parameter for the decoder model that approximates an objective function. The common objective function may specify a minimized reconstruction error to be achieved by the encoder model and the decoder model when reconstructing (encoding then decoding) training data. The common objective function also specifies for the encoder and decoder models, a variable f representing static aspects of the training data and a set of variables z1:T representing dynamic aspects of the training data. During runtime, the trained encoder and decoder models are implemented by encoder and decoder machines to encode and decoder runtime sequences having a higher compression rate and a lower reconstruction error than in prior approaches.

Abstract: A generative media pipeline automatically creates a personalized media program that is customized to reflect the specific viewing preferences of at least one individual user. The generative media pipeline obtains user data indicating the viewing preferences associated with the user and optionally the viewing context of the user. A recommendation service within the generative media pipeline provides a set of content options that includes various types of media content corresponding to the viewing preferences. A recipe service within the generative media pipeline obtains a recipe that defines the logical structure of the personalized media program. The recipe service populates the recipe by executing one or more video processing functions with some or all media content included in the content options. The recipe service thereby generates a logically structured and polished personalized media program that is individually tailored to reflect the specific preferences of the user.

Abstract: A domain transcendent file cryptology network includes a first data cryptology node in a first data domain having a first security protocol. A hardware processor of the first data cryptology node executes a first instantiation of a software code to receive a request to transfer a data file from the first data domain to a second data domain having a second, different, security protocol, obtain one or more characteristics of the data file, and generate an authentication tag for the data file based on the characteristic(s). The first instantiation of the software code also encrypts the data file and transmits the encrypted data file, the authentication tag, and a decryption key to a second data cryptology node in the second data domain. The decryption key and the authentication tag enable decryption of the encrypted data file by a second instantiation of the software code on the second data cryptology node.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods operating a set remotely, and more specifically, for enabling the control of a remotely adjustable audio-visual recording device as well as the communication between the remotely adjustable audio-visual recording device and various specialty devices of a cloud control center configured to remotely control features of the remotely adjustable audio-visual recording device. In operation, a talent component may receive a user input indicative of turning on the r remotely adjustable audio-visual recording device. Based on receiving the user input, the talent component may automatically connect, via a network, to a cloud control center. Based on connecting to the talent component, the cloud control center may remotely control the remotely adjustable audio-visual recording device an enable the remote recording of audio-visual content.

Abstract: A robot system designed to provide non-invasive mitigation of ballistic safety risks. The robot system includes a robotic device and a safety retention suit, which covers or encloses the movable components or parts of the robotic device. The safety retention suit is formed of a fabric sheet of material chosen, in part, for its flexibility as well as durability to allow the part or the component of the robot enclosed within the suit to move freely. The safety retention suit includes one-to-many strands, threads, or cables of a material chosen to move with the flexible material of the suit when the enclosed component of the robotic device is moving during standard operations. When a mechanical failure occurs, the cables of the suit stretch but, as an overall unit, do not break so as to retain any portions of the covered or enclosed robotic part within the suit.

Abstract: A system for incremental natural language understanding includes a media module, a memory storing a software code, and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the media module. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to receive an audio stream including a first utterance, and generate a first and second incremental speech recognition outputs based on first and second portions of the first utterance. In addition, the hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to determine, prior to generating the second incremental speech recognition output, a first intent of the first utterance based on the first incremental speech recognition output. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to retrieve a first resource based on the determined first intent, and incorporate the first resource in the media content to be played by the media module.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation are provided. A video comprising a plurality of segments and an encoding ladder specifying a plurality of maximum average bitrates (MABs) are received. A plurality of intermediate bitrates interspersed among the plurality of MABs are selected. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment using a first MAB, and a first intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate. Quality scores are generated for the first TAB segment and the first IAB segment. A first output segment is selected for the first segment at the first MAB based on the quality scores, where the first output segment is either the first TAB segment or the first IAB segment. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the first output segment is outputted.

Abstract: Techniques are described for deriving information, including graphical representations, based on perspectives of a 3D scene by utilizing sensor model representations of location points in the 3D scene. A 2D view point representation of a location point is derived based on the sensor model representation. From this information, a data representation can be determined. The 2D view point representation can be used to determine a second 2D view point representation. Other techniques include using sensor model representations of location points associated with dynamic objects in a 3D scene. These sensor model representations are generated using sensor systems having perspectives external to the location points and are used to determine a 3D model associated with a dynamic object. Data or graphical representations may be determined based on the 3D model. A system for obtaining information based on perspectives of a 3D scene includes a data manager and a renderer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an audience engagement system and method to display images on a display. The method includes detecting a gaze direction of a designated viewer, rendering a gaze object within an image on a gaze axis corresponding to the gaze direction, rendering an audience object within the image on a normal axis corresponding to a display axis, composting the audience object and the gaze object together in a composited image, and displaying the composited image on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for modifying labeled target content for a capture device. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining labeled target content, the labeled target content including one or more facial features that have been labeled; modifying the labeled target content to match dynamically captured content from a first capture device to generate modified target content; and storing the modified target content. The dynamically captured content may include the one or more facial features.

Abstract: Systems and methods for voice searching media content based on metadata or subtitles are provided. Metadata associated with media content can be pre-processed at a media server. Upon receiving a vocal command representative of a search for an aspect of the media content, the media server performs a search for one or more portions of the media content relevant to the aspect of the media content being searched for. The media performs the search by matching the aspect of the media content being searched for with the pre-processed metadata.

Abstract: Techniques for buffering data over high bandwidth networks are provided. A first portion of data is downloaded into a buffer at a first download speed. The first portion of data is outputted from the buffer. Upon determining that data is being downloaded at a second download speed greater than the first download speed, it is determined to use a cache for one or more subsequent portions of data, and a second portion of data is downloaded into the cache. Upon determining that the buffer is empty, the second portion of data is outputted from the cache.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus comprising a mobile computing device comprising a camera, and a mount removably attached with the mobile computing device to arrange the camera in a first position. The mount comprises a first surface, and two reflective elements spaced apart from each other and having a predefined disposition relative to the first position. The two reflective elements comprise respective convex surfaces extending from the first surface, the respective convex surfaces providing respective optical paths between an object and the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically and automatically generating digital watermarks are provided. Watermark payloads utilized in generating the digital watermarks are altered based upon changing conditions, such as environmental characteristics associated with playback or distribution of media content. Changing conditions may also encompass a change in the distribution/presentation chain of devices associated with the playback or distribution of the media content.

Abstract: Techniques to enhance group decision-making within messaging platforms. A conversation thread between two or more participants is analyzed. One or more keywords occurring in the conversation thread that are associated with an event characteristic are identified by comparing messages of each of the two or more participants against a keyword listing. Natural language processing is used to determine a contextual use of the one or more keywords. One or more events relevant to the event characteristic and the contextual use are determined. An application programming interface is used to locate and retrieve event-related information for the one or more events.

Abstract: A retargeting engine automatically performs a retargeting operation. The retargeting engine generates an anatomical local model of a digital character based on performance capture data and/or a 3D model of the digital character. The anatomical local model includes an anatomical model corresponding to internal features of the digital character and a local model corresponding to external features of the digital character. The retargeting engine includes a Machine Learning model that maps a set of locations associated with the face of a performer to a corresponding set of locations associated with the face of the digital character. The retargeting engine includes a solver that modifies a set of parameters associated with the anatomical local model to cause the digital character to exhibit one or more facial expressions enacted by the performer, thereby retargeting those facial expressions onto the digital character.

Abstract: There is provided a system including a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive an input sentence including a first predicate and at least a first argument depending from the first predicate, identify the first predicate, identify the first argument based on the first predicate, apply a dependency multiplication to determine a semantic role of the first argument based on the first predicate, and assign the first argument to an argument cluster including one or more similar arguments based on the semantic role of the first argument.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the synchronizing on-air commercial programming with interactive applications, providing interactive content synchronized with on-air television programming. There is provided a system comprising a client device with a display device and an input device and running a synchronization application. The client device receives digital data transmitted from a server, and transmits user feedback information generated from user interactions with the digital data back to the server. The digital data are interactive advertisements, such as online social games, that increase users' awareness of the advertised products or messages. The digital data are delivered to the user's client device in synchronization with the broadcasting of on-air television commercials.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an image generation system includes a rotor and a motor for spinning the rotor about an axis of rotation, and a display secured to the rotor. The display includes a display surface and a display aperture, a first privacy screen situated at the display surface and having a convex curvature relative to light emitted from the display surface, and a second privacy screen situated between the first privacy screen and the display aperture and having a concave curvature relative to light emitted from the display surface. The first privacy screen and the second privacy screen are configured to substantially prevent rotational blur of an image displayed by the display surface while the display is spun by the motor and the rotor.

Abstract: An interactive autonomous robot is configured for deployment within a social environment. The disclosed robot includes a show subsystem configured to select between different in-character behaviors depending on robot status, thereby allowing the robot to appear in-character despite technical failures. The disclosed robot further includes a safety subsystem configured to intervene with in-character behavior when necessary to enforce safety protocols. The disclosed robot is also configured with a social subsystem that interprets social behaviors of humans and then initiates specific behavior sequences in response.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for converting image frames from one color space to another while predicting artistic choices that a director, colorist, or others would make. In one configuration, a color conversion application receives image frames, an indication of color spaces to convert between, and metadata associated with the image frames and/or regions therein. The conversion application determines a global, base color conversion for the image frames using a predefined color space transformation. Then, the conversion application (optionally) extracts image regions depicting objects of interest in the image frames, after which the color conversion application processes each of the extracted image regions and the remaining image frames (after the extracted regions have been removed) using one or more functions determined using machine learning. The processed extracted regions and remainders of the image frames are then combined by the color conversion application for output.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a quality control (QC) system for annotated content includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing an annotation culling software code. The hardware processor executes the annotation culling software code to receive multiple content sets annotated by an automated content classification engine, and obtain evaluations of the annotations applied by the automated content classification engine to the content sets. The hardware processor further executes the annotation culling software code to identify a sample size of the content sets for automated QC analysis of the annotations applied by the automated content classification engine, and cull the annotations applied by the automated content classification engine based on the evaluations when the number of annotated content sets equals the identified sample size.

Abstract: A playset comprises a plurality of hotspots positioned within a plurality of scenes. A switching mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the each of the plurality of hotspots and is communicatively coupled with a controller. The controller is configured to establish communication with a first object using a first hotspot and determine an object type of the first object and a location of the first object within the playset. The location of the first object corresponds to a scene that contains the first hotspot. The controller is further configured to select an interactive media based on the object type and the location of the first object, select a first media file based on the selected interactive media, and instruct the first media file to be output on an output device.

Abstract: A device for use in a system for tracking a chain-of-manipulation (CoM) of audio-video (AV) content includes a hardware processor, and a system memory storing a CoM tagging software code and an AV processing application. The hardware processor executes the CoM tagging software code to detect manipulation of the AV content by the AV processing application that modifies at least one of video or audio of the AV content, and to generate, when the manipulation is detected, one or more CoM tag(s) including a device identification tag identifying the device used for modifying the AV content. The hardware processor also executes the CoM tagging software code to insert the CoM tag(s) in each modified segment of the AV content modified by the AV processing application, the inserted CoM tag(s) being human and machine imperceptible when the AV content is played back by a playback device on a display.

Abstract: A removal model is trained to predict secondary dynamics associated with an individual enacting a performance. For a given sequence of frames that includes an individual enacting a performance and secondary dynamics, a retargeting application identifies a set of rigid points that correspond to skeletal regions of the individual and a set of non-rigid points that correspond to non-skeletal region of the individual. For each frame in the sequence of frames, the application applies the removal model that takes as inputs a velocity history of a non-rigid point and a velocity history of the rigid points in a temporal window around the frame, and outputs a delta vector for the non-rigid point indicating a displacement for reducing secondary dynamics in the frame. In addition, a trained synthesis model can be applied to determine a delta vector for every non-rigid point indicating displacements for adding new secondary dynamics.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed that enable the compression of depth data and real-time reconstruction of high-quality light fields. In one aspect, spatial compression and decompression of depth images is divided into the following stages: generating a quadtree data structure for each depth image captured by a light field probe and difference mask associated with the depth image, with each node of the quadtree approximating a corresponding portion of the depth image data using an approximating function; generating, from the quadtree for each depth image, a runtime packed form that is more lightweight and has a desired maximum error; and assembling multiple such runtime packed forms into per-probe stream(s); and decoding at runtime the assembled per-probe stream(s). Further, a block compression format is disclosed for approximating depth data by augmenting the block compression format 3DC+(BC4) with a line and two pairs of endpoints.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for presenting an interactive narrative. An apparatus includes a user interface. The apparatus also includes one or more processors operatively coupled to the user interface and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to present a first piece of content corresponding to a given narrative via the user interface. The given narrative includes one or more characteristics. The one or more processors are caused to receive user input via the user interface. The one or more processors are caused to classify the user input into one of a plurality of response models. The one or more processors are caused to dynamically respond to the user input by presenting a second piece of content. The second piece of content is based on a selected response model corresponding to the user input.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for frame-accurate navigation of a media file. A multi-pass encoding application executing on a media content server encodes a set of file-based images associated with a media file using a first set of encoding parameters to generate a first encoded media file. The multi-pass encoding application encodes the first encoded media file using a second set of encoding parameters to generate a second encoded media file. The first encoded media file and second encoded media file are stored on the media content server and/or or other media content servers. Content delivery applications executing on these media content servers receive a request associated with the media file from a web browsing application, determine a type of the web browsing application, and transmit either the first encoded media file or the second encoded media file based on the type of web browsing application.

Abstract: Novel systems and methods are described for creating, compressing, and distributing video or image content graded for a plurality of displays with different dynamic ranges. In implementations, the created content is “continuous dynamic range” (CDR) content—a novel representation of pixel-luminance as a function of display dynamic range. The creation of the CDR content includes grading a source content for a minimum dynamic range and a maximum dynamic range, and defining a luminance of each pixel of an image or video frame of the source content as a continuous function between the minimum and the maximum dynamic ranges. In additional implementations, a novel graphical user interface for creating and editing the CDR content is described.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to provide an interactive environment in response to touch-based inputs. A first body channel communication device coupled to a user may transmit and/or receive signals configured to be propagated along skin of the user such that the skin of the user comprises a signal transmission path. A second body channel communication device coupled to an interaction entity may be configured to transmit and/or receive signals configured to be propagated along the skin of the user along the signal transmission path. A presentation device may present images of virtual content to the user. Information may be communicated between the first body channel communication device, the second body channel communication device, and the presentation device so that virtual content specific to the interaction entity may be presented to augment an appearance of the interaction entity.

Abstract: A method and related system and apparatus are described, in which the method comprises detecting a predefined event using an omnidirectional antenna of a first interactive device, and responsive to detecting the predefined event, enabling a directional antenna of the first interactive device. The method further comprises transmitting a first signal using the directional antenna, and responsive to receiving the first signal at a second interactive device, performing an audiovisual effect.

Abstract: A system has an augmented reality device accessory that interacts with a virtual element in an augmented reality experience. Further, the system has an augmented reality device that that renders a virtual element that overlays a real-world element in the augmented reality experience. The augmented reality device also determines that the augmented reality device accessory meets one or more mobility criteria with respect to the virtual element. Further, the augmented reality device adjusts the rendering of the virtual element to increase visibility of the real-world element based on the one or more mobility criteria being met.

Abstract: A method for generating a simulation with a simulation device is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a simulation adapter, a characteristics profile associated with a physical object connected to the simulation adapter; generating a simulation experience based on the characteristics profile of the physical object; receiving movement data from the simulation adapter corresponding to movement of the physical object; modifying a physical object representation in the simulation experience based on the movement data; and generating a simulation event including the modified physical object representation in the simulation experience based on the movement data.

Abstract: The systems and methods presented herein describe integrating artificial intelligence chatbots into a communication between real-world users. A context of a shared communication session between the real-world users may be determined. In response to a user selection, a contextually relevant communication may be presented in communication session. The contextually relevant communication may be responsive to the context of the communication session and/or may convey a persona of an entity, such as a movie character.

Abstract: An arm wearable apparatus includes a telescoping arrangement having a plurality of sections, a user interface system that removably attaches the telescoping arrangement with an arm of a wearer, and a plurality of illuminable rings. Each ring of the plurality of illuminable rings is attached with a respective section of the plurality of sections and has an inner diameter such that the plurality of illuminable rings form an opening to receive the arm when the telescoping arrangement is in a retracted configuration. At least some of the plurality of illuminable rings are arranged beyond an extent of the arm when the telescoping arrangement is in an extended configuration.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes multiple figurines configured for wireless communication, and a control device having a hardware processor, a system memory storing a control application, and a transceiver. The hardware processor executes the control application to detect each of the figurines via the transceiver and to identify a predetermined entertainment for performance by two or more of the figurines. The hardware processor further executes the control application to transmit control signals to the two or more figurines via the transceiver, wherein a first control signal instructs a first of the two or more figurines to perform a first portion of the predetermined entertainment, and a second control signal instructs a second of the two or more figurines to perform a second portion of the predetermined entertainment. The two or more of the figurines are configured to perform the predetermined entertainment according to the control signals.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.