Abstract: A unique system and method is provided that facilitates managing an activity centric environment via a master profile (which includes user, group, and device profiles). The master profile follows or stays with the user and can be applied universally across devices and activities (activity templates). When profile data does not currently exist (e.g., a new activity or a new device), portions of the existing profile data can be applied to such new activities or device as appropriate. Thus, current profile data for existing or known user interactions and devices can be inferentially extended to new user interactions and devices. When conflicts arise between applicable profile data, they can be solved by applying the profile data in accordance with their priority. User intervention can be requested whereby the system can adapt previous user-based resolutions to future conflicts. Profile data can also be scaled according to the context of the user-device-activity interaction.

Abstract: A system that can identify, create, update and/or process a workflow based upon a current, past or future activity is disclosed. A ‘workflow’ can be defined as an activity flow that includes interaction with, or assignment of work to, people, devices, or services by a single individual or a group of individuals. Once a workflow is determined in accordance with the innovation, the system can inform other users or groups that are performing, or intend to perform, a similar or like activity. In establishing the workflow, the innovation can operate in an ad hoc or authored manner. As well, the system can employ a combination of either ad hoc or authored mechanisms in establishment of the workflow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for maintaining a background model of an image sequence by processing on multiple spatial scales. These multiple spatial scales include a pixel scale, a regional scale and a frame scale. The image sequence undergoes pixel processing that determines a current background model and provides an initial pixel assignment as either a background or a foreground pixel. Region processing further refines the initial pixel assignments by considering relationships between pixels and possibly reassigning pixels. Frame processing further refines the current background model by determining whether a substantial change has occurred in the actual background and, if so, providing a more accurate background model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: A system and process for providing a geometric model database for use in an ubiquitous computing environment. In general, the geometric model database system and process is capable of accepting information about the geometric state of the environment, building a geometric model of this environment, maintaining and storing the geometric model, and handling queries about the environment's geometric state. The task of building a geometric model begins by establishing a set of entities that are of interest in the environment. An entity represents an object which exists in the physical world. In the geometric model database, an entity is represented by a coordinate frame and an extent. Extents refer to the physical size, or some service region such as a field of view, associated with an entity. The location of an entity in the physical world is defined using “measurements”. In general, a measurement is simply a mathematical description of the geometric relationship between two entities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for one computing device (the “provider”) to provide peripheral services to another device (the “host”). A user directly runs the host. The host accesses the provider as if the provider were a set of peripheral devices attached to the host. In this way, the host and provider become, in effect, one device with the combined capabilities of both devices. The provider switches between two modes: In standalone mode, the provider acts as an individual device; upon switching to auxiliary mode, the provider provides peripheral services to the host but can still run applications and present an input/output interface to its own user. When the peripheral device provided to the host is a display screen, the host can map the provided screen into the host's own video memory, thus hiding implementation details from applications that use the screens. One device can simultaneously act as provider and host.

Abstract: A system and method for representing content state in a file system is provided. A file system includes a unique database object that is representative of the object content. The unique database object serves as a link container and includes a plurality of links to additional unique database objects that are properties of the representation of content. The link container database object also maintains additional fields that define additional properties for the representation of content.

Abstract: A system and process for automatically initiating and terminating associations between a computer input device of some type (e.g., computer mice, keyboards, trackballs, and the like) and a computer in a computing space that can have many such devices and several computers. In this way, input devices can be used to interface with any of the computers in the space. For instance, a user could move about a room filled with computers and their respective computer monitors, with a wireless mouse, and interface with the various computers using the mouse. To this end, the aforementioned association entails redirecting signals generated by a computer input device from one computing device in a computing space to another computing device in the space. The association is either initiated or terminated depending on whether sets of preconditions have been satisfied.