Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to portable electronic devices such as a phone with a camera and touchscreen. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a voice and checking if an image of a mouth is detected by using the camera. An embodiment also includes activating a voice recognition application on a phone if both the voice and the mouth are detected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera on a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone is used to check whether an activation of a control on a touchscreen is intentional or not. For example, if a finger (or thumb), stylus, knuckle or other body part that is commonly used to operate a touchscreen is not detected as the cause of the control activation then it can be assumed that the activation is unintended and the action that the control is supposed to initiate can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: In a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone with a touchscreen display and a camera, if the camera detects that the user's finger is near the touchscreen (indicating that the user is about to make a selection) then the display can be prevented from changing while the user's finger is in proximity to the touchscreen. This can prevent the user from erroneously activating a control such as when the screen display changes suddenly as the user is about to touch an intended currently-displayed control.

Abstract: A system is described for reconfiguring touch controls on a device, such as a cell phone, in reaction to a user's changing mode of operation. For example, a standard display of icons that works well in two-handed operation may not work as well for one-handed operation where the user tries to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand. A device can detect that the user is trying to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand and the controls can be reconfigured to be more suitable for thumb operation. Reconfiguration can also occur in other modes of operation, such as when the user is using a stylus, multiple fingers of a second (non-holding hand), fingers on both hands, etc. In some embodiments, detection of the mode of operation can be automatic such as where a camera takes an image to determine the mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a phone detects the eyes of a user to determine if the user is looking at the phone prior to the phone initiating one or more predetermined actions. This is useful, for example, to prevent unwanted activation of a control on the phone as when a user inadvertently touches a control on the phone while taking the phone out of a pocket. Another embodiment prevents the phone from taking actions that may change the display, such as dimming, hibernating, sleeping, turning off, etc., if it is determined that the user is looking at the display screen.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a lens for enabling the camera to capture at least one image. The camera also includes a connector for mounting the camera onto a phone and for enabling the camera to communicate with the phone. The camera also includes a shutter button for triggering the camera to capture the least one image. The camera also activates the phone and puts the phone into a camera mode when the shutter button is pressed.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a lens for enabling the camera to capture at least one image. The camera also includes a connector for mounting the camera onto a phone and for enabling the camera to communicate with the phone. The camera also includes a shutter button for triggering the camera to capture the least one image. The camera also activates the phone and puts the phone into a camera mode when the shutter button is pressed.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to including an image in association with a text message. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal from the text input interface to create the text message, and receiving a signal from the user control to initiate face image capture. The method also includes providing an image of the user's face by using the camera in response to the signal from the user control. The method also includes defining an emoticon derived from the captured image, and generating an image indicator in association with the text message. The method also includes sending the text message with the associated image indicator so that when the text message is displayed on a recipient's device an emoticon is displayed in association with the text message.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a lens for enabling the camera to capture at least one image. The camera also includes a connector for mounting the camera onto a phone and for enabling the camera to communicate with the phone. The camera also includes a shutter button for triggering the camera to capture the least one image. The camera also activates the phone and puts the phone into a camera mode when the shutter button is pressed.

Abstract: A video playback user interface includes display of tags or other information outside of a video play area. Tags can be visually associated with items in the video by using connectors such as lines, arrows, etc. that bridge between a tag and an item. Tag and other information can be included with a video file or associated with a video file and stored as a separate file or other data structure. Users can add text or other annotations for viewing at a later time or by other users. A snapshot of a video frame during playback can be obtained and sent to an email address, web site, storage device, or other destination. The snapshot includes a video frame or portion of a frame along with added information such as tags, annotations, etc.

Abstract: Sponsored gaming allows a person to provide benefits to a person playing a game such as a slot machine, video poker, online gambling, etc. A sponsor can make a payment in order to improve the odds of a player winning a jackpot, round, hand or game. A sponsor can make a payment to improve a player's odds or to increase the number of units in a player's bet, or to cause other effects. A method for sponsoring gaming can include accessing a sponsor interface; selecting one or more sponsor variables and transferring value; and altering a game to provide a sponsored benefit to a player in response to the selected one or more sponsor variables. The sponsor variables can include a game or game console, a player, a payout, betting units, and/or a statistical advantage, for example. A host of the game, such as a casino or online betting operator, can receive a portion of the payment or other compensation for allowing the sponsorship.

Abstract: A method modifies a tag to be displayed during playback of a video distributed over a computer network. The method may be performed by a server computer on the computer network. The server computer may be part of or operate in conjunction with a social networking site. According to one example, the method compares content of the tag against a database of one or more keywords, such as, for example, profanity; detects at least one matching word in both the content of the tag and the one or more keywords; and performs a modification to data associated with the tag in response to detecting the at least one matching word. The modification may comprise removing a matching word from the content of the tag so that the tag is displayed in a modified form without the matching word during playback of the video.

Abstract: A system for handling video tags. The tags are displayed synchronized to a video. A controller manages and modifies tag data that can be created by one or more users. The controller identifies a tag dataset for use with a video and provides information for synchronization and display of the tags. In a particular embodiment, features of a social-network website implementation are disclosed whereby a user community can post, filter, rate and display tags.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cell phone holder that is attached to a wearer's thigh. In a particular embodiment the holder uses a pocket attached to a body that is secured around a thigh with a horizontal strap or straps. A vertical strap is used to couple to a horizontal strap and to part of the user's clothing such as a belt, belt loop, pocket or other garment structure to prevent the holder from slipping down the thigh. Other variations are disclosed including mechanisms to rotate the phone, operate the phone's touch screen and other controls while in the holder, secure the holder to the garment or thigh, provide advertising or animations on the phone's display screen while the wearer is upright such as standing or walking, etc.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rendering engine by using specialized commands. The commands are used to generate a production, such as a television show, at an end-user's computer that executes the rendering engine. In one embodiment, the commands are sent over a network, such as the Internet, to achieve broadcasts of video programs at very high compression and efficiency. Commands for setting and moving camera viewpoints, animating characters, and defining or controlling scenes and sounds are described. At a fine level of control math models and coordinate systems can be used make specifications. At a coarse level of control the command language approaches the text format traditionally used in television or movie scripts. Simple names for objects within a scene are used to identify items, directions and paths. Commands are further simplified by having the rendering engine use defaults when specifications are left out.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.