Abstract: Techniques for maintaining display of a portion of a video as the video continues to be displayed in a background are described herein. In some instances, a video may be captured at a first location and transmitted to a second location, where the video is output in real-time. As the video is displayed, a user may select a portion of the video to be paused. Based on the selection, the portion of the video may be paused while the rest of the video continues in a background. The background video may be displayed according to a different level of focus, image resolution, transparency, etc. than the portion of the video.

Abstract: Techniques for maintaining display of a portion of a video as the video continues to be displayed in a background are described herein. In some instances, a video may be captured at a first location and transmitted to a second location, where the video is output in real-time. As the video is displayed, a user may select a portion of the video to be paused. Based on the selection, the portion of the video may be paused while the rest of the video continues in a background. The background video may be displayed according to a different level of focus, image resolution, transparency, etc. than the portion of the video.

Abstract: Techniques for augmenting video content to enhance context of the video content are described herein. In some instances, a video may be captured at a first location and transmitted to a second location, where the video is output in real-time. A context surrounding a user that is capturing the video and/or a user that is viewing the video may be used to augment the video with additional content. For example, the techniques may process speech or other input associated with either user, a gaze associated with either user, a previous conversation for either user, an area of interest identified by either user, a level of understanding of either user, an environmental condition, and so on. Based on the processing, the techniques may determine augmentation content. The augmentation content may be displayed with the video in an overlaid manner to enhance the experience of the user viewing the video.

Abstract: An adaptive user interface presented on a heads-up display of an automobile is provided. The adaptive user interface comprises a number of display elements that may be presented in a variety of display states. The display state for each display element is determined based on inputs from a variety of sources (e.g., the automobile).

Abstract: A person is viewing a display. By evaluating tracked information about the person, the display and/or the content being viewed, a tracking system determines that an opportunity exists to present an advertisement that is relevant to the person in the context of the person currently viewing the display. The tracking system provides advertiser data for the advertisement and instructions for generating the advertisement to a synthesis system local to the viewer and the viewer's display system, which dynamically synthesizes the advertisement and provides it to the display.

Abstract: A mediator having at least a ranking component, a listening component, and a control component, selectively controls a group of devices from a plurality of network devices in a network environment to reproduce multimedia content. The mediator correlates the multimedia content with the plurality of network devices. The listening component collects data about the network environment to enhance a user's experience with the multimedia content. The mediator utilizes the network environment data and the correlation of the multimedia content and the plurality of network devices to automatically select the group devices from the plurality of network devices that maximize a user's viewing or listening pleasure when reproducing the multimedia content on the group of devices.

Abstract: A system and related techniques integrate the accessing, retrieving and playback of enhanced music or other digital media or content, including to permit advanced authoring, mixing and environmental inputs and effects. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a user may access a playback engine to retrieve and dynamically mix, manage and integrate music content with environmental sensors and effects such as detection people or numbers or people, lighting effects and other sensory experience. Thus the tempo of a mixed music track may vary with the number or persons in a room or the time of day or night, or lighting effects may brighten or dim based on dynamic contrasts in the music or other content. According to further embodiments, the playback engine may permit a user to link or navigate to other community resources such as a Web site detailing an artist, album, movie or soundtrack, or a bulletin board for consumers with an interest in artists, actors or others.

Abstract: The present invention provides at least a method and system for collecting and using data with a computing device for a smart closet. With respect to the present invention, a computing device processes information from the interaction of a user with an interactive device such as a mirror or display. Information is relayed to the user to enable to the user to make informed decisions about the clothing to wear. The user interacts with the computing device using gesture recognition, voice inputs, motion recognition, or touch.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing digital content over a computer network. A set of digital content is provided in a storage location that is accessible by the network. One or more physical tokens store data related to accessing the set of digital content. When a token is at a remote location, a request for the set of digital content to be presented at the remote location is received. In response to this request, presentation of the digital content is allowed at the remote location.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for preserving a user experience by maintaining a network component. The method includes continuously monitoring the network component for an abnormality. Upon detecting an abnormality, the method includes querying the network for resources. The method additionally includes implementing alternative network resources to compensate for the abnormality in order to preserve a user experience. The system may include a self monitoring component for monitoring operation of the network component and detecting an abnormality. The system additionally includes a resource location and negotiation module for querying a network to locate and negotiate for resources for compensating for the abnormality upon detection of the abnormality. The system may also include a reporting module for providing a user with an abnormality report.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling charge redirection for use of a service offered through a local platform, the local platform including a logon module having a charge redirection option selectable by a local platform user. The system includes a logon dialog module for corresponding with the local platform to enable the local platform user to select a charge redirection option and a digital voucher transmission component for transmitting a digital voucher from a remote service to the local platform to facilitate redirection of charges. The system additionally includes a bill processing module for processing a bill returned with the voucher to the remote service from the local platform.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for facilitating interaction between a device and a device environment. The system may include a detection module for automatically detecting proximity of a participant within the device environment. The system may additionally include a user-configurable authorization module for authorizing the device to adjust a device user interface in a pre-determined manner in response to the detection of the participant. The system may also provide for sharing resources among multiple participating devices, wherein each of the multiple participating devices has a device specific set of application resources. The system may additionally include a configurable resource regulation mechanism for making the device specific application resources from the second participating device available to the first participating device.

Abstract: An e-mail client in accordance with the invention allows a user to select an e-mail distribution list with reference to a map that shows potential e-mail recipients and their relationships to each other. The user can select a first set of the potential e-mail recipients by designating one of a plurality of available predefined queries. A second set can be selected by positioning a graphical area selector over the map, to graphically encompass the second set of e-mail recipients. The e-mail client creates a distribution list from an intersection of the first and second sets of potential e-mail recipients.