Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.

Abstract: A firearm simulation arrangement for a virtual reality system, includes a firearm having a trigger mechanism actuating a firing mechanism for firing ammunition. The firearm, the ammunition, and a user extremity arranged to hold the firearm each have a unique indicium. A detection arrangement detects the unique indicia, identifies and tracks the firearm, ammunition, or user extremity, and forms a tracking signal in response. A controller device in communication with a user-worn virtual reality headset, is arranged to receive the tracking signal from the detection arrangement and determine therefrom a discharge of the ammunition by the firing mechanism associated with the tracking of the firearm, ammunition, or user extremity. The controller device is responsive to the discharge determination to display on the virtual reality headset a virtual simulation of the firearm discharging the ammunition upon actuation of the trigger mechanism by the user extremity. An associated arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: A virtual reality system (100) and device for use therein involve an optical detection arrangement (200) configured to detect a light pattern associated with a unique identity, and a tool (300) having a plurality of light-emitting devices (600) engaged therewith. The light-emitting devices (600) are selectively user-actuatable between a plurality of light patterns detectable by the optical detection arrangement (200). The light patterns provide a plurality of unique identities of the tool (300) as detected by the optical detection arrangement (200).

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generation of vision recognition references from user-selected content. The method comprises receiving data corresponding to a user selected content, generating a vision recognition reference from the data, associating a game behavior descriptor with the vision recognition reference, wherein the game behavior descriptor correspond to a game behavior instance, and storing the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor in a database, wherein the database includes a plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references correspond to at least one pre-defined game behavior descriptor. The method may further comprise receiving user input corresponding to the user-selected content, retrieving the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor from the database and initiating the game behavior in a corresponding game.

Abstract: A process, computer program product, and apparatus provide for a contextual media presentation. The process, computer program product, and apparatus receive a plurality of planned and/or completed user experiences. Further, the process, computer program product, and apparatus select a plurality of media files that are contextually relevant to the received user experiences. In addition, the process, computer program product, and apparatus sort a list of the plurality of media files to generate a sorted list of media files. The process, computer program product, and apparatus send the sorted list of media files to a player for playback.

Abstract: A process and apparatus provide an adaptable user interface. An image of a device is captured. Further, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. In addition, the process and apparatus retrieve a control interface based upon the device identifier. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that control operation of the device. The control interface is displayed. Alternatively, a process and apparatus provide a uniform user interface and have adaptable communications protocols. The process and apparatus displays a uniform control interface for operation with a plurality of devices. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that controls operation of the plurality of devices. Further, an image of a device is captured. In addition, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. A communications protocol is also retrieved based upon the device identifier.

Abstract: A process, computer program product, and apparatus provide for a contextual media presentation. The process, computer program product, and apparatus receive a plurality of planned and/or completed user experiences. Further, the process, computer program product, and apparatus select a plurality of media files that are contextually relevant to the received user experiences. In addition, the process, computer program product, and apparatus sort a list of the plurality of media files to generate a sorted list of media files. The process, computer program product, and apparatus send the sorted list of media files to a player for playback.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generation of vision recognition references from user-selected content. The method comprises receiving data corresponding to a user selected content, generating a vision recognition reference from the data, associating a game behavior descriptor with the vision recognition reference, wherein the game behavior descriptor correspond to a game behavior instance, and storing the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor in a database, wherein the database includes a plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references correspond to at least one pre-defined game behavior descriptor. The method may further comprise receiving user input corresponding to the user-selected content, retrieving the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor from the database and initiating the game behavior in a corresponding game.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for counting riders arbitrarily positioned in a vehicle. There is provided a method comprising receiving, from at least one camera filtered to capture non-visible light, video data corresponding to the vehicle passing through a light source filtered for non-visible light, converting the video data into a 3D height map, and analyzing the 3D height map to determine a number of riders in the vehicle. The camera and light source may be mounted in a permanent position using a gantry or another suitable system where the vehicle travels across the camera and light system in a determined manner, for example through a vehicle track. Multiple cameras may be used to increase detection accuracy. To detect persons in the 3D height map, the analysis may search for height patterns indicating heads and shoulders of persons, compare against height map templates, or use machine-learning methods.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and an expansion bay with an attached expansion cartridge. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. The expansion cartridge can receive location-based data while the wireless portable device is in a low power sleep state. There is also provided a method for a wireless server to provide location-based data to a wireless portable device after a pre-determined period of time, including an interactive game relating to a point of interest.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for counting riders arbitrarily positioned in a vehicle. There is provided a method comprising receiving, from at least one camera filtered to capture non-visible light, video data corresponding to the vehicle passing through a light source filtered for non-visible light, converting the video data into a 3D height map, and analyzing the 3D height map to determine a number of riders in the vehicle. The camera and light source may be mounted in a permanent position using a gantry or another suitable system where the vehicle travels across the camera and light system in a determined manner, for example through a vehicle track. Multiple cameras may be used to increase detection accuracy. To detect persons in the 3D height map, the analysis may search for height patterns indicating heads and shoulders of persons, compare against height map templates, or use machine-learning methods.

Abstract: There is provided a method of enabling a consumer of a media content to communicate with a producer of the media content, comprising receiving an originating message concerning the media content from the consumer, assigning metadata to the originating message based on the media content or the content of the originating message, determining the producer based on the media content or the content of the originating message, forwarding the originating message through a message support network for distribution to the producer, retrieving a responsive message provided by the producer from among message updates stored on a message database, and associating the responsive message with one or more content subsets of the content according to the metadata assigned to the originating message. In one embodiment, media content and instructions comprising an interactive communication control application are stored on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and an expansion bay with an attached expansion cartridge. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. The expansion cartridge can receive location-based data while the wireless portable device is in a low power sleep state. There is also provided a method for a wireless server to provide location-based data to a wireless portable device after a pre-determined period of time, including an interactive game relating to a point of interest.

Abstract: There is provided a method of enabling a consumer of a media content to communicate with a producer of the media content, comprising receiving an originating message concerning the media content from the consumer, assigning metadata to the originating message based on the media content or the content of the originating message, determining the producer based on the media content or the content of the originating message, forwarding the originating message through a message support network for distribution to the producer, retrieving a responsive message provided by the producer from among message updates stored on a message database, and associating the responsive message with one or more content subsets of the content according to the metadata assigned to the originating message. In one embodiment, media content and instructions comprising an interactive communication control application are stored on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a media processing device to provide commentary information in conjunction with content stored in media. In one embodiment, playback of the content by the media processing device is begun. The playback is then stopped at a first time to receive commentary information. The commentary information entered by a user of the media processing device is then received. Thereafter, synchronization data used for synchronizing the content with the commentary information for providing the commentary information at the first time is generated. Then, the commentary information and the synchronization data are stored in memory. For example, the commentary information and the synchronization data can be transmitted to and stored in a database having memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a systems and methods in which H2O2 is decomposed using a catalyst to produce steam, and the steam is used to sterilize medical devices or other objects. The apparatus is preferably hand held, and has a steam port at one end. Objects to be sterilized are preferably contained in a pouch having a coupling adapted to couple to the steam port.