Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall preset parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall pre-set parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Abstract: Extracting and processing video content encoded in a rendered color space to be emulated by an ambient light source, using perceptual rules for intelligent dominant color selection. Steps include quantizing the video color space; performing dominant color extraction by using a mode, median, mean, or weighted average of pixel chromaticities; applying perceptual rules to further derive dominant chromaticities via [1] chromaticity transforms; [2] a weighted average using a pixel weighting function influenced by scene content; and [3] extended dominant color extraction where pixel weighting is reduced for majority pixels; and [4] transforming the dominant color chosen to the ambient light color space using tristimulus matrices. A color of interest can be further analyzed to produce a true dominant color, and past video frames can guide selection of dominant colors in future frames.

Abstract: Flicker free operation of ambient light sources that emulate video content during low luminance conditions, where the ambient light source is output thresholded so that an on/off change of state of the ambient light source can be initiated after an intensity variable passes one or two thresholds. Output thresholding is used when extracting and processing video content encoded in a rendered color space, which can be decoded into frames tapped by an interframe interpolation process using only color information from selected frames, such as extracting average or other color information from an selected screen regions. Negative gamma correction helps prevent garish or inappropriate chromaticities and lumina.

Abstract: A light condition recorder system and method including a light condition recorder (104) responsive to a lighting environment (102) and generating an environment signal (112), a light simulator (106) responsive to the environment signal (112) and generating a lamp control signal (114), and a lamp system (108) responsive to the lamp control signal (114) and generating a simulated lighting environment (110).

Abstract: A system and method for delivering advertising (100) to a user is disclosed. Values for characteristic properties of advertisements and stored media content items are determined (201, 203). A comparison is made between the characteristic values of the advertisements and the stored media content items (205). An advertisement is selected for delivery to the user according to the comparison (207). Individual advertisements and media content items may be compared across some or all characteristics (301), or individual advertisements may be compared to all the media content items for individual characteristics (401). Key characteristics may be identified for which the stored media content items exhibit a strong commonality (500), and comparisons made for only those key characteristics. A ? virtual' media content item may be created (603), with characteristic values representative of the stored media content items, and advertisements compared to that ? virtual' media content item (605).

Abstract: A light condition recorder system and method including a light condition recorder (104) responsive to a lighting environment (102) and generating an environment signal (112), a light simulator (106) responsive to the environment signal (112) and generating a lamp control signal (114), and a lamp system (108) responsive to the lamp control signal (114) and generating a simulated lighting environment (110).

Abstract: A control (410) for adjusting (420) the color output of a white light (430) provides an interface (210, 220, 301) that does not refer to, or depend upon an understanding of, color-temperature. The user interface control (210, 220, 301) uses the analogy (260, 270) of the light produced on cloudy days and the light produced on sunny days to distinguish between a low color-temperature output and a high color-temperature output. Using this cloudy-sunny description (260, 270) of the range of control (155, 255) of the light output, the terms “color” or “color-temperature” need not be introduced in the description of the output of a “white” light source (430).

Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall pre-set parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Abstract: Active diffuser frame system (A) for a video display (D) provides ambient lighting in viewer object mode and relies on real-time video input only, with no separate lighting script required. The system uses a controllable light source, and multiple inputs to improve realism and fidelity. Video inputs include actual display light; sensing of display light; and the video display signal. The frame can include a light modulator, or a goniophotometric or goniochromatic element to change character (intensity, color) of ambient light as a function of viewing angles, or a photoluminescent emitter for new chromaticities outside the display color gamut. The frame can split light between the viewer and the frame input, and can derive an added video signal to drive selected display pixels to boost output of display light into the frame.

Abstract: A light control picture frame system and method including a processor (300) responsive to a user input signal (350), generating a display signal (352), and generating a transmitter signal (354); a picture frame display (304) responsive to the display signal (352); a user input device (312) generating the user input signal (350) responsive to a user; and a light signal transmitter (308) responsive to the transmitter signal (354).

Abstract: Flicker free operation of ambient light sources that emulate video content during low luminance conditions, where the ambient light source is output thresholded so that an on/off change of state of the ambient light source can be initiated after an intensity variable passes one or two thresholds. Output thresholding is used when extracting and processing video content encoded in a rendered color space, which can be decoded into frames tapped by an interframe interpolation process using only color information from selected frames, such as extracting average or other color information from an selected screen regions.

Abstract: A home control system for automatic detection and warning of abnormal behavior includes a unit for observing behavior in a predetermined area under surveillance, a unit for processing an output of observed behavior from the unit for observing, and a pattern recognition module for recognizing whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined normal behaviors. The detection of predetermined normal behavior in progress leads to a provision of an anticipatory action. Upon recognition that the observed behavior is abnormal, an alarm signal is triggered to remind the user.

Abstract: A home control system for automatic detection and warning of abnormal behavior includes a unit for observing behavior in a predetermined area under surveillance, a unit for processing an output of observed behavior from the unit for observing, and a pattern recognition module for recognizing whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined normal behaviors. The detection of predetermined normal behavior in progress leads to a provision of an anticipatory action. Upon recognition that the observed behavior is abnormal, an alarm signal is triggered to remind the user.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electrical device having a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal and a holder for holding a voltage source having two voltage-source terminals. The holder has a first contact, a second contact and a third contact for cooperation with the voltage-source terminals. Via these contacts the first connection terminal is connectable to one voltage-source terminal and the second connection terminal is connectable to the other voltage-source terminal. The holder is adapted to allow the first contact, the second contact and the third contact to engage simultaneously with the voltage-source terminals. When the voltage source is present the first contact and one of the two other contacts are in engagement with one of the voltage-source terminals, and the other contact, which is not in engagement with the first voltage-source terminal, is in engagement with the second voltage-source terminal.