Abstract: A client device for image capture in an eyes-free manner or without ongoing observance of the device's display screen to ensure proper framing and focusing. The client device may take the form of a smartphone, tablet, or the like. The client device includes an image capture application run by a processor to select a target to be included in a digital image captured by the client device's camera. The image capture application causes the processor to operate feedback mechanisms to prompt an operator of the client device to move the device so as to move the camera or its lens, before or during the capturing of the digital image, from a first orientation to a second orientation relative to the target. The image capture application urges the operator of the client device to hold their client device so as to better frame or focus on the selected target.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic apparatus to produce desirable photographic results. The method includes, with a motor controller, first operating a robotics assembly to animate the robotic apparatus and, then, detecting an upcoming image capture. The method further includes, with the motor controller in response to the detecting of the upcoming image capture, second operating the robotics assembly to pose the robotic apparatus for the upcoming image capture. In some embodiments, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotic apparatus sensing a pre-flash of light from a red-eye effect reduction mechanism of a camera. In other cases, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotics apparatus sensing a range finder signal from a range finder of a camera. The posing may include opening eyes, moving a mouth into a smile, or otherwise striking a pose that is held temporarily to facilitate image capture with a camera.

Abstract: A control system for interactively operating a show control system (audio plus data) provided in a walk-around character costume. The system includes an interactive controller wearable with the walk-around character costume. The system includes an audio base station and a host controller communicatively linked to the audio base station. The interactive controller and the audio base station communicate via a wireless communications link. The control system includes a speaker controlled by the interactive controller, and the host controller transmits data over the wireless communications link via the audio base station including commands to play an audio file and an animation file, stored in memory accessible by the interactive controller, with the speaker.

Abstract: A control system for interactively operating a show control system (audio plus data) provided in a walk-around character costume. The system includes an interactive controller wearable with the walk-around character costume. The system includes an audio base station and a host controller communicatively linked to the audio base station. The interactive controller and the audio base station communicate via a wireless communications link. The control system includes a speaker controlled by the interactive controller, and the host controller transmits data over the wireless communications link via the audio base station including commands to play an audio file and an animation file, stored in memory accessible by the interactive controller, with the speaker.

Abstract: A client device for image capture in an eyes-free manner or without ongoing observance of the device's display screen to ensure proper framing and focusing. The client device may take the form of a smartphone, tablet, or the like. The client device includes an image capture application run by a processor to select a target to be included in a digital image captured by the client device's camera. The image capture application causes the processor to operate feedback mechanisms to prompt an operator of the client device to move the device so as to move the camera or its lens, before or during the capturing of the digital image, from a first orientation to a second orientation relative to the target. The image capture application urges the operator of the client device to hold their client device so as to better frame or focus on the selected target.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robotic apparatus to produce desirable photographic results. The method includes, with a motor controller, first operating a robotics assembly to animate the robotic apparatus and, then, detecting an upcoming image capture. The method further includes, with the motor controller in response to the detecting of the upcoming image capture, second operating the robotics assembly to pose the robotic apparatus for the upcoming image capture. In some embodiments, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotic apparatus sensing a pre-flash of light from a red-eye effect reduction mechanism of a camera. In other cases, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotics apparatus sensing a range finder signal from a range finder of a camera. The posing may include opening eyes, moving a mouth into a smile, or otherwise striking a pose that is held temporarily to facilitate image capture with a camera.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a content navigation module for managing delivery of content. The method comprising communicating an identifier contained in the content navigation module with a first computing device to enable the first computing device to receive a selected content from a presentation server over a network; receiving a delivery progress of the selected content from the first computing device periodically; storing the delivery progress of the selected content; losing communication with the first computing device after storing the delivery progress; and communicating the identifier contained in the content navigation module and the delivery progress of the selected content with a second computing device to enable the second computing device to resume receiving the selected content from the server over the network according to the delivery progress of the selected content stored in the content navigation module.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of accessing multimedia content. One embodiment includes a system for accessing multimedia data. The system includes a tangible object comprising at least one proximity device embedded within the tangible object. The tangible object is configured to provide identification information of the tangible object. The system further includes a reader configured to wirelessly detect the tangible object based upon the proximity device and receive the identification information. The system further includes a device configured to receive a signal from the reader in response to detecting the tangible object and configured to access multimedia data based upon the provided identification information.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a content navigation module for managing delivery of content. The method comprising communicating an identifier contained in the content navigation module with a first computing device to enable the first computing device to receive a selected content from a presentation server over a network; receiving a delivery progress of the selected content from the first computing device periodically; storing the delivery progress of the selected content; losing communication with the first computing device after storing the delivery progress; and communicating the identifier contained in the content navigation module and the delivery progress of the selected content with a second computing device to enable the second computing device to resume receiving the selected content from the server over the network according to the delivery progress of the selected content stored in the content navigation module.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of accessing multimedia content. One embodiment includes a system for accessing multimedia data. The system includes a tangible object comprising at least one proximity device embedded within the tangible object. The tangible object is configured to provide identification information of the tangible object. The system further includes a reader configured to wirelessly detect the tangible object based upon the proximity device and receive the identification information. The system further includes a device configured to receive a signal from the reader in response to detecting the tangible object and configured to access multimedia data based upon the provided identification information.