Abstract: An ambient effects system and method of operation is described in which regions (30, 38) of a game or movie screen (10) are analyzed (32, 40). The result of the analysis is then processed using logical, heuristic, or a combination of both techniques to determine a content related event. An ambient effects script (34, 36, 48) is then selected (if pre-authored) or generated (if not pre-authored) on the basis of the determination, and provided to the system to render appropriate ambient effects throughout the users environment. Hence, immersive, ambient effects are enabled for media or game content created independently of, and without, the ambient effects system in mind.

Abstract: A system and method is described in which a multimedia story is rendered to a consumer in dependence on features extracted from an audio signal representing for example a musical selection of the consumer. Features such as key changes and tempo of the music selection are related to dramatic parameters defined by and associated with story arcs, narrative story rules and film or story structure. In one example a selection of a few music tracks provides input audio signals (602) from which musical features are extracted (604), following which a dramatic parameter list and timeline are generated (606). Media fragments are then obtained (608), the fragments having story content associated with the dramatic parameters, and the fragments output (610) with the music selection.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a real-world description (30) in the form of an instruction set of a markup language, selecting a source of assets (32) for use by the set of devices, and operating the devices (34) according to the description. The source of assets can be a local store or a broadcast channel, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language, the description including asset terms and effect terms, requesting assets and effects according to the description, modifying at least one asset according to at least one effect, and operating the devices according to the assets.

Abstract: A method of delivering content comprises receiving content in the form of an instruction set of a markup language, distorting the content according to predetermined parameters, and rendering the content. Apparatus for delivering the content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A real-world representation system includes a set of devices, each device being arranged to provide one or more real-world parameters, for example, audio and visual characteristics. At least one of the devices is arranged to receive a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the devices are operated according to the description. General terms expressed in the language are interpreted by either a local server or a distributed browser to operate the devices to render the real-world experience to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) arranged to generate an effect script and a method for generating an effect script corresponding to a game play event provided by a video game program comprising a game engine is described in which a game engine interface is used to code the game play event in graphical data for display on a screen by adjusting a value of at least one parameter of the game engine. A predefined region (310) of a displayed screen (300) corresponding to said graphical data is captured and decoded to obtain a retrieved game play event that corresponds to the game play event, and an effect script corresponding to the retrieved game play event is determined. The effect script is provided to the effects devices (12, 14, 16, 112) to render ambient effects related to the game play event.

Abstract: A markup language enabled device (17) comprises storage means (21) storing data, the data for enabling augmentation of an experience by providing extra functionality to a movie or a game for example. The device (17) further comprises transmitting means (23) for transmitting the data, receiving means (25) for receiving a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and adjusting means (27) for adjusting one or more parameters of the device according to the description.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a content stream (10) and a script (70) comprises the acts of calculating (80) a fingerprint (30) comprising a number of bits, from a portion (20) of the content stream; determining (50) a time value (40) corresponding to the calculated fingerprint (30); synchronizing a portion of the script (90) that corresponds to the time value (40) and the portion (20) of the content stream (10). The method is characterized in comprising a step in which the number of bits is determined in dependence of at least one of the fingerprints chosen from a group comprising the calculated fingerprint (30), an expected fingerprint (130) corresponding to said calculated fingerprint, another calculated fingerprint (110) calculated from another portion (100) of said content stream, and another expected fingerprint (120) corresponding to said another calculated fingerprint (110). The script (70) represents one or more sensory effects to be output in an effects signal to an effects controller.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment system comprises a plurality of devices providing an ambient environment, gesture detection means for detecting a gesture of a user, and control means for receiving an output from the gesture detection means and for communicating with at least one device. The control means is arranged to derive from the output a location in the ambient environment and to change the operation of one or more devices in the determined location, according to the output of the gesture detection means.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a signal, for example at least part of a game world model from a computer program. The signal is analyzed to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the set of devices is operated according to the description.

Abstract: A method for generating a markup language document comprises accessing a pool of active markup language fragments, processing the fragments using at least one predetermined factor, and generating a markup language document accordingly. In this way, a declarative markup language document is derived, but with content that is effectively dynamic.

Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal comprises receiving an audio signal, extracting features from the audio signal, and translating the extracted features into metadata. The metadata comprises an instruction set of a markup language. A system for processing the audio signal is also disclosed, which comprises an input device for receiving the audio signal and a processor for extracting the features from the audio signal and for translating the extracted features into the metadata.

Abstract: A markup language enabled device (17) comprises storage means (21) storing data, the data for enabling augmentation of an experience by providing extra functionality to a movie or a game for example. The device (17) further comprises transmitting means (23) for transmitting the data, receiving means (25) for receiving a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and adjusting means (27) for adjusting one or more parameters of the device according to the description.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a signal, for example at least part of a game world model from a computer program. The signal is analyzed to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the set of devices is operated according to the description.

Abstract: A method of providing one or more aspects of an ambient environment comprises receiving a video signal, processing the video signal and controlling ambient light accordingly. A corresponding device and system of devices are described.

Abstract: An electrical zipper-type connector is provided which can be used in wearable electronics applications. The connector has a first connector part (20) with an array of connector members (21, 24) and a second connector part (30) with an array of connector members (31, 34), which can mate with the first array of connector members. The first and second connector parts (20, 30) have contacts for forming a conductive path when the connector parts (20, 30) are mated with one another. Once the connector parts (20, 30) have been mated a force is applied between the contacts, which maintains them in electrical contact. The force can be applied in a variety of ways, such as by: a resilient coating (26) on the connector parts; a cord which pulls the connector parts together; having one connector part clasp the other connector part; or binding the connector parts together.

Abstract: An ambient effects system and method of operation is described in which regions (30, 38) of a game or movie screen (10) are analysed (32, 40). The result of the analysis is then processed using logical, heuristic, or a combination of both techniques to determine a content related event. An ambient effects script (34, 36, 48) is then selected (if pre-authored) or generated (if not pre-authored) on the basis of the determination, and provided to the system to render appropriate ambient effects throughout the users environment. Hence, immersive, ambient effects are enabled for media or game content created independently of, and without, the ambient effects system in mind.

Abstract: A method for generating a sequence of instructions comprises determining one or more time values, accessing a pool of markup language fragments, and processing the markup language fragments according to the or each time value. The output of the processed fragments is then combined into a sequence of time-stamped instructions either as a single file or as a number of device-specific files. A system implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language (300), the description including asset terms (200) and effect terms (202), requesting assets and effects according to the description (304), modifying at least one asset according to at least one effect (306, 314), and operating the devices according to the assets (308).