Abstract: A targeted in-game advertising system is provided where advertising content may be delivered to a video game network environment. Advertisements may be delivered through the tagging of advertising assets in the video game environment according to one or more characteristics including user geographical location, personal preferences, a personal profile, video game preferences or video game genre. Methodologies for tracking advertising impressions are also provided based on monitoring the video game environment to determine the quality of impression to which the user is exposed in the video game environment.

Abstract: A targeted in-game advertising system is provided where advertising content may be delivered to a video game network environment. Advertisements may be delivered through the tagging of advertising assets in the video game environment according to one or more characteristics including user geographical location, personal preferences, a personal profile, video game preferences or video game genre. Methodologies for tracking advertising impressions are also provided based on monitoring the video game environment to determine the quality of impression to which the user is exposed in the video game environment.

Abstract: A network media player enables the addition of one or more overlays during content playback. This allows insertion of images, sound, text, logos, ticker bars, and the like in video, audio, or other available content. Overlays may be user-generated to customize content playback, or network-generated to allow insertion of advertising, source identification, logos, messages, news, and the like.

Abstract: A method for and system for communicating using a virtual world are disclosed. In the method an avatar may be associated with a source of an email. An email may be generated within the virtual world and one or more images of an avatar may be associated with the email. The email may be sent to a real device and the one or more images may be presented at a destination of the email. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to generate a virtual world; associate an avatar with a source of an email; generate an email within the virtual world; associate one or more images of an avatar with the email; send the email to a real device; and present the one or more images at a destination of the email.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for detecting and discouraging cheating in an online game session are described. Aspects include playing an online game. During play of the game one of the players detects suspected cheating behavior by another online game player. Game information is collected about the activity of all players in the online game, the game information includes a period of the game during which the suspected cheating behavior occurred. The game information is communicated to a game cheat monitoring entity that evaluates the game information to determine if there was cheating activity, and if there was cheating activity appropriate action is taken.

Abstract: Respective video feeds are provided to at least two viewers using a common display. The display is controlled to alternately display an image from a first video feed and an image from a second video feed. A first shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the first filter is shuttered when the second video feed image is displayed, and a second shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the second filter is shuttered when the first video feed image is displayed. Only the first video feed image is provided to a first viewer using the first shuttered filter, and only the second video feed image is provided to a second viewer using the second shuttered filter.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a virtual world are disclosed. The virtual world may comprise a simulated public space configured to facilitate interaction among a plurality of users and one or more private spaces. Each private space may be associated with a particular user of the plurality of users. A particular user's interactions with the virtual world may be represented by one or more corresponding actions of an avatar. A communication device may be simulated in the virtual world. Communication may take place between the simulated communication device and a real communication device. The virtual world may be generated by one or more processors configured to simulate a communication device in the virtual world and communicate between the simulated communication device and a real communication device.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a controller in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. The method includes an operation to calibrate a computer program to identify a group of recognized fixed points from a plurality of fixed points within the three-dimensional space using a depth camera integrated with the controller. Another operation activates use of the controller and depth camera during interface with the application. During use of the controller, image and depth data within the three-dimensional space is captured with the depth camera of the controller. In another operation the image and depth data is analyzed to find one or more of the group of recognized fixed points. In one embodiment, the previous two operations are repeated and changes of position of the controller are determined based on a change in position of the found ones of the group of recognized fixed points.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods of providing respective video signals to at least two viewers using a common display are disclosed. An image from a first video signal corresponding to a left perspective of a scene and an image from a second video signal corresponding to a right perspective of the scene are alternately displayed with the display. A first shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the first filter is shuttered when the left perspective image is displayed and a second shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the second filter is shuttered when the right perspective image is displayed, thereby alternately providing left and right perspective images for perception as a 3D images. In addition, display of one or more images from an additional video signal on the display is synchronized with shuttering of one or more additional shuttered filters.

Abstract: A shuttered filter apparatus comprises a frame, one or more shuttered filters attached to the frame, and a tracker attached to the frame. Each shuttered filter is configured to selectively prevent a viewer from seeing through the filter in response to a signal from a controller. The tracker is configured to sense an orientation of the one or more shuttered filters relative to a video screen. The controller may use a signal from the tracker indicative of an orientation of the shutter filter(s) relative to enable shuttering when the shuttered filter apparatus is facing toward the video screen and disable shuttering when the shuttered filter apparatus is facing away from the video screen.

Abstract: A system for providing respective video signals to at least two viewers is disclosed. The system includes a control unit; and a display connected to the control unit. The control unit is operable to control the display to alternately display an image from a first video signal and an image from a second video signal, to synchronize a first shuttered filter to the display such that the first filter is shuttered when the second video signal image is displayed, and to synchronize a second shuttered filter to the display such that the second filter is shuttered when the first video signal image is displayed. In this way only the first video signal image is provided to a first viewer using the first shuttered filter and only the second video signal image is provided to a second viewer using the second shuttered filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an operation of digital content assemblages such as video games with a digital processor so as to control platform dependent replacement of digital asset components. In a video game package operated on a first platform, the video game includes one or more first digital asset components such musical and/or graphical works. Platform association data is accessed to evaluate an association between the first digital asset component and the first platform. The platform association data is checked for a concurrence between the platform association data and platform data. A second digital asset component is substituted for the first digital asset component in accordance with the check of the platform association data to permit the operating of the digital content assemblage with the second digital asset component as a replacement for the first digital asset component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for adjusting a level of monitoring of the activity of users in an online community are described. Aspects include a triggering mechanism being activated by a community member in response to inappropriate activity by another community member. Receiving a time based history of community members activity around a time of the triggering mechanism being activated. Recreating the community activity from the time based history. Evaluating activities of the community members to determine if there was inappropriate activity and if there is inappropriate activity by an offending community member applying online resources to track the activities of the offending community member.

Abstract: Forward error correction may be implemented in a network having first, second, third and fourth nodes. The second node receives streaming media message packets and one or more check packets from an upstream first node. The second node transmits the message packets and check packets to a downstream third node. The second node transmits a second set of one or more check packets to a fourth node that is downstream of the third node.

Abstract: A system and method relating to receiving manipulation data from a controller and a displaying a graphic representing the manipulation and the controller on a first display and transmitting the manipulation data for substantially-simultaneous on a second display remote from the first display.

Abstract: Forward error correction may be implemented in a network having first, second and third nodes. The second node receives streaming media message packets and one or more check packets from an upstream first node. The second node transmits the message packets and check packets to a downstream third node. The second node uses the check packets to decode missing message packets and transmits the decoded missing packets to the third node before the missing message packets are to be presented by the third node. The third node may receive message packets and a first set of check packets from the second node and a second set of check packets from the first node. The third node may use check packets from both sets to decode missing message packets.

Abstract: An ancillary device is used to access content related to a sensory work during the playback of the sensory work. The ancillary device receives information related to the playback of a sensory work on a primary device, prepares content information related to the sensory work using the received information, presents the prepared content information using the ancillary device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content over a network is provided. Content may be primary content (e.g., music or a movie) or ancillary content (e.g., an advertisement). The ancillary content may further be classified as universal ancillary content that all users of the present system will receive; targeted ancillary content that particular users of the present system will receive; and context-specific ancillary content that users of the present system and viewing particular primary content will receive. The type of primary and/or ancillary content delivered to the user will depend, in part, on indicia of the user of a device receiving the content. The present invention seeks to ensure that a user has relevant and up-to-date ancillary content notwithstanding the nature or date of the primary content.