Abstract: A method of controlling output devices (10) comprises receiving inputs (12) from sensor devices (14), accessing location information (16) defining the location of each sensor device (14), generating a grid (18) from the received inputs (12) and the accessed location information (16), the grid (18) containing non-zero values (20) at the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received and containing non-zero values (20) at locations related to the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received, accessing location information (22) defining the location of each output device (10), and transmitting outputs (24) to those output devices (10) whose value at the location of the respective output device (10) within the grid (18) is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning a brake booster aspirator shut-off valve are provided. The shut-off valve is operable to selectively permit flow of intake air through an aspirator; the aspirator bypasses a throttle of an engine and provides a vacuum source for a brake booster. The method comprises determining whether the shut-off valve may require cleaning, opening the shut-off valve so as to permit a flow of air through the shut-off valve and clean the shut-off valve and adjusting the throttle position of the engine to compensate for the additional flow of intake air through the aspirator.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning a brake booster aspirator shut-off valve are provided. The shut-off valve is operable to selectively permit flow of intake air through an aspirator; the aspirator bypasses a throttle of an engine and provides a vacuum source for a brake booster. The method comprises determining whether the shut-off valve may require cleaning, opening the shut-off valve so as to permit a flow of air through the shut-off valve and clean the shut-off valve and adjusting the throttle position of the engine to compensate for the additional flow of intake air through the aspirator.

Abstract: A method and system of cleaning a turbocharger bypass control valve, the control valve being operable to vary the position of a bypass valve and thereby vary the amount of flow bypass across a turbine and/or compressor of a turbocharger for an engine. The method comprises: determining whether the control valve may require cleaning; adjusting the duty cycle of the shuttle so as to increase a flow of fluid through the control valve and clean the control valve; and adjusting a throttle position of the engine and thus the engine torque output to compensate for the adjustment in the amount of boost provided by the turbocharger.

Abstract: A method and system of cleaning a turbocharger bypass control valve, the control valve being operable to vary the position of a bypass valve and thereby vary the amount of flow bypass across a turbine and/or compressor of a turbocharger for an engine. The method comprises: determining whether the control valve may require cleaning; adjusting the duty cycle of the shuttle so as to increase a flow of fluid through the control valve and clean the control valve; and adjusting a throttle position of the engine and thus the engine torque output to compensate for the adjustment in the amount of boost provided by the turbocharger.

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, apparatus, computer program, and computer readable storage medium storing the computer program, is disclosed for generating a real-world description to operate a set of devices (12, 14, 16) to augment a user's experience of a game world. The game world is defined by a game world model, and parameters of the game world model are accessed by a first module being run within a protected computing environment. These parameters are sent to a second module running outside of the protected computing environment, and the second module uses these parameters to generate the real world description for controlling the set of devices.

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.