Abstract: The present invention establishes the foundational principles and practice for a unified theory of arbitrary information management by disclosing systems, devices and methods for the management of substrates or biological substrates. In this context, a substrate or biological substrate is any aspect of any entity that is capable of responding to or emitting or transmitting stimuli irrespective of whether the stimuli actually emanate or originate from any aspect of the entity or not. Management of substrates or biological substrates could be achieved through the management of stimuli that characterize, modulate or moderate or influence any aspect of the substrate or biological substrate as well as through the management of any stimuli emanating from the substrate or biological substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, systems and devices for synchronized navigation of an environment by a plurality of mobile agents wherein aspects of the navigation of one or more of the agents are used to moderate aspects of the navigation of one or more other agents. In one embodiment, two mobile agents—a baby stroller and a caregiver—are configured in a manner that facilitates tandem navigation of the environment by the mobile agents. In yet another embodiment, a wheelchair designed to transport a disabled person navigates in tandem with a guide such as a human guide, a guide dog or any other suitable agent. Other embodiments including an entertainment application in which a mobile agent follows or leads another are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, systems and devices for indicating relationships between elements in a system using suitable representations of the relationships, suitable representations of the elements and suitable representations of associations between the representations of the relationships and the representations of the elements in the system. In one embodiment, the principles of the present invention are applied to the representation of associations between resources in a computer system. Furthermore, the complex relationships between elements in a virtual tour system are simplified on the basis of the principles of the present invention in another embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses automatic and manual processing systems for a versatile graphical user interface comprising one or more N-dimensional background elements each of which is divided into one or more arbitrarily-shaped N-dimensional partitions, wherein each partition may contain one or more user interface elements and is associated with one or more sets of rules that define rendering, positioning, element placement and other relevant attributes and behaviors, wherein said rules can be specified in such a way as to enable said N-dimensional background to assume any desired arbitrary shape and to facilitate expansion to any desired arbitrary size without distortion or loss in quality.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the rate of information transfer in brain-computer interface systems are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods, devices and systems for the navigation of information representing neuronal or brain activity and the extraction of useful and/or actionable data from such information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for real-time visualization and distribution of very large image data sets using on-demand loading and dynamic view prediction. A robust image representation scheme is used for efficient adaptive rendering and a perspective view generation module is used to extend the applicability of the system to panoramic images. The effectiveness of the system is demonstrated by applying it both to imagery that does not require perspective correction and to very large panoramic data sets requiring perspective view generation. The system permits smooth, real-time interactive navigation of very large panoramic and non-panoramic image data sets on average personal computers without the use of specialized hardware.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for creating interactive virtual tours. In one embodiment, panoramic imaging systems characterized by a 360-degree lateral field of view and a vertical field of view that is usually less than 180 degrees are utilized and polynomial-based interpolation algorithms are used to correct distortions in the input panoramic images, video or rendered scenes, permitting the use of an arbitrary panoramic imaging system characterized by the ability to generate a seamless 360-degree panoramic view of the imaged scene in each single image frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a robust framework for enhancing navigation, surveillance, tele-presence and interactivity via media streams. A primary media stream acquisition unit is disposed to capture an input media stream (for example video stream) representing the environment and transmit captured media stream live or archived to a transform unit providing means of transforming captured media stream to a desired format and applying appropriate distortion correction measures such that said media stream becomes more suitable for further processing. The transformed media stream is fed to an analysis unit implementing means of analyzing transformed media stream for the detection and tracking of objects or other desired results. Adaptive refinement of the accuracy of analysis results permits improvements in the performance of the analysis unit with increasing use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for creating and managing high impact special effects by composing one or more elemental and/or composite special effects into one or more composite special effects wherein said composition is carried out on the basis of rules specifying the number, relative positions, relative durations and/or other relevant attributes/behaviors of the individual elemental special effects and/or any other attributes/behaviors required to support a desired level of creativity and flexibility. According to the principles of the present invention, said composition of elemental special effects can be realized in a N-dimensional environment permitting composition in a non-linear fashion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for creating interactive virtual tours. In one embodiment, panoramic imaging systems characterized by a 360-degree lateral field of view and a vertical field of view that is usually less than 180 degrees are utilized and polynomial-based interpolation algorithms are used to correct distortions in the input panoramic images, video or rendered scenes, permitting the use of an arbitrary panoramic imaging system characterized by the ability to generate a seamless 360-degree panoramic view of the imaged scene in each single image frame.

Abstract: A system permitting one or more users to navigate a wide-angle image, and in particular a panoramic image, using a neural network to correct distortion in that image. To train the neural network, a calibration pattern which defines an array of calibration points is disposed to occupy a field of view of a wide-angle imaging apparatus, and a calibration image is thereby captured by the apparatus. Respective view directions of the calibration points and the positions of these points in the calibration image are used as data for training the neural network to correctly match view directions to corresponding intra-image positions.