Abstract: A content presentation system and method allowing content providers to regulate the presentation of content on a per-user-view basis. Content is distributed an associated license option on the number of individual consumers or viewers allowed to consume the content. Consumers are presented with a content selection and a choice of licenses allowing consumption of the content. The users consuming the content on a display device are monitored so that if the number of user-views licensed is exceeded, remedial action may be taken.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing, summarizing, and transmitting life experiences captured using a life recorder is described. A life recorder is a recording device that continuously captures life experiences, including unanticipated life experiences, in video and/or audio recordings. In some embodiments, the video and/or audio recordings generated by a life recorder are automatically summarized, indexed, and stored for future use. By indexing and storing life recordings, a life recorder may search for and acquire life recordings generated by itself or another life recorder, thereby allowing life experiences to be shared minutes or even years later. In some embodiments, recordings generated by a life recorder may be analyzed in real-time and automatically pushed to one or more target devices. The ability to automatically and instantaneously push life recordings as live feeds to one or more target devices allows friends and family to experience one's life experience in real-time.

Abstract: Technology is described for providing realistic occlusion between a virtual object displayed by a head mounted, augmented reality display system and a real object visible to the user's eyes through the display. A spatial occlusion in a user field of view of the display is typically a three dimensional occlusion determined based on a three dimensional space mapping of real and virtual objects. An occlusion interface between a real object and a virtual object can be modeled at a level of detail determined based on criteria such as distance within the field of view, display size or position with respect to a point of gaze. Technology is also described for providing three dimensional audio occlusion based on an occlusion between a real object and a virtual object in the user environment.

Abstract: A method of generating content recommendations to groups of users is provided. The method includes establishing a group, determining group-associated characteristics, where such characteristics include preferences independent of any merging, intersection or other combination of individual preferences of the group members, and providing content recommendations to the group based on the group-associated characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recognizing and tracking a user's skeletal joints with a NUI system and further, for recognizing and tracking only some skeletal joints, such as for example a user's upper body. The system may include a limb identification engine which may use various methods to evaluate, identify and track positions of body parts of one or more users in a scene. In examples, further processing efficiency may be achieved by segmenting the field of view in smaller zones, and focusing on one zone at a time. Moreover, each zone may have its own set of predefined gestures which are recognized.

Abstract: A method and system for generating time synchronized data streams based on a viewer's interaction with a multimedia content stream is provided. A viewer's interactions with a multimedia content stream being viewed by the viewer are recorded. The viewer's interactions include comments provided by the viewer, while viewing the multimedia content stream. Comments include text messages, audio messages, video feeds, gestures or facial expressions provided by the viewer. A time synchronized commented data stream is generated based on the viewer's interactions. The time synchronized commented data stream includes the viewer's interactions time stamped relative to a virtual start time at which the multimedia content stream is rendered to the viewer. One or more time synchronized data streams are rendered to the viewer, via an audiovisual device, while the viewer views a multimedia content stream.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present discussion is directed in one respect; to a method of associating metadata with a digital content item and then controlling the presentation of that item in accordance with metadata-associated controls/constraints. The method may include determining a time-specific portion of a digital content item with which a user desires to associate a metadata item; associating the metadata item with the time-specific portion of the digital content item. During subsequent consumption of the digital content item by the user or another, the metadata item is presented synchronously in co lection with the time-specific portion of the digital content item, where such presentation is constrained or controlled in response to user-controlled filters implemented through a social network.

Abstract: A method for overlaying first and second images in a common focal plane of a viewer comprises forming the first image and guiding the first and second images along an axis to a pupil of the viewer. The method further comprises adjustably diverging the first and second images at an adaptive diverging optic to bring the first image into focus at the common focal plane, and, adjustably converging the second image at an adaptive converging optic to bring the second image into focus at the common focal plane.

Abstract: Techniques for managing virtual ports are disclosed herein. Each such virtual port may have different associated features such as, for example, privileges, rights or options. When one or more users are in a capture scene of a gesture based system, the system may associate virtual ports with the users and maintain the virtual ports. Also provided are techniques for disassociating virtual ports with users or swapping virtual ports between two or more users.

Abstract: A system for generating passive and anonymous feedback of multimedia content viewed by users is disclosed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more of the users in a field of view of a capture device connected to the computing device are identified. An engagement level of the users to multimedia content being viewed by the users is determined by tracking movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. A report of the response to viewed multimedia content is generated based on the movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. The report is provided to rating agencies, content providers and advertisers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for delivering content customized to the specific user or users interacting with the system. The system includes one or more modules for recognizing an identity of a user. These modules may include for example a gesture recognition engine, a facial recognition engine, a body language recognition engine and a voice recognition engine. The user may also be carrying a mobile device such as a smart phone which identifies the user. One or more of these modules may cooperate to identify a user, and then customize the user's content based on the user's identity. In particular, the system receives user preferences indicating the content a user wishes to receive and the conditions under which it is to be received. Based on the user preferences and recognition of a user identity and/or other traits, the system presents content customized for a particular user.

Abstract: Techniques for managing virtual ports are disclosed herein. Each such virtual port may have different associated features such as, for example, privileges, rights or options. When one or more users are in a capture scene of a gesture based system, the system may associate virtual ports with the users and maintain the virtual ports. Also provided are techniques for disassociating virtual ports with users or swapping virtual ports between two or more users.

Abstract: A system for generating a customized advertisement for a user is provided. Multimedia content associated with a current broadcast is received and displayed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more users are identified in a field of view of a capture device connected to a computing device. User-specific information related to a user is tracked. An emotional response of a user to the multimedia content viewed by the user is tracked. A targeted advertisement is provided to a user based on the multimedia content viewed by the user, the user's identification information and the user's emotional response. The targeted advertisement is automatically customized based on the user-specific information related to the user to generate a customized advertisement for the user.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recognizing and tracking a user's skeletal joints with a NUI system and further, for recognizing and tracking only some skeletal joints, such as for example a user's upper body. The system may include a limb identification engine which may use various methods to evaluate, identify and track positions of body parts of one or more users in a scene. In examples, further processing efficiency may be achieved by segmenting the field of view in smaller zones, and focusing on one zone at a time. Moreover, each zone may have its own set of predefined gestures which are recognized.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for combining interactive gaming aspects into a linear story. A user may interact with the linear story via a NUI system to alter the story and the images that are presented to the user. In an example, a user may alter the story by performing a predefined exploration gesture. This gesture brings the user into the 3-D world of the displayed image. In particular, the image displayed on the screen changes to create the impression that a user is stepping into the 3-D virtual world to allow a user to examine virtual objects from different perspectives or to peer around virtual objects.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for synthesizing information received from multiple audio and visual sources focused on a single scene. The system may determine the positions of capture devices based on a common set of cues identified in the image data of the capture devices. As a scene may often have users and objects moving into and out of the scene, data from the multiple capture devices may be time synchronized to ensure that data from the audio and visual sources are providing data of the same scene at the same time. Audio and/or visual data from the multiple sources may be reconciled and assimilated together to improve an ability of the system to interpret audio and/or visual aspects from the scene.

Abstract: Technology determines whether a gesture of an avatar depicts one of a set of prohibited gestures. An example of a prohibited gesture is a lewd gesture. If the gesture is determined to be a prohibited gesture, the image data for display of the gesture is altered. Some examples of alteration are substitution of image data for the prohibited gesture, or performing a filtering technique to the image data depicting the gesture to visually obscure the prohibited gesture.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for sensing, storing and using personal trait profile data. Once sensed and stored, this personal trait profile data may be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, a user's personal trait profile data may be accessed and downloaded to different computing systems with which a user may interact so that the different systems may be instantly tuned to the user's personal traits and manner of interaction. In a further example, a user's personal trait profile data may also be used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A system to present the user a 3-D virtual environment as well as non-visual sensory feedback for interactions that user makes with virtual objects in that environment is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a depth camera that captures user position and movement, a three-dimensional (3-D) display device that presents the user a virtual environment in 3-D and a haptic feedback device provides haptic feedback to the user as he interacts with a virtual object in the virtual environment. As the user moves through his physical space, he is captured by the depth camera. Data from that depth camera is parsed to correlate a user position with a position in the virtual environment. Where the user position or movement causes the user to touch the virtual object, that is determined, and corresponding haptic feedback is provided to the user.

Abstract: A system to present the user a 3-D virtual environment as well as non-visual sensory feedback for interactions that user makes with virtual objects in that environment is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a depth camera that captures user position and movement, a three-dimensional (3-D) display device that presents the user a virtual environment in 3-D and a haptic feedback device provides haptic feedback to the user as he interacts with a virtual object in the virtual environment. As the user moves through his physical space, he is captured by the depth camera. Data from that depth camera is parsed to correlate a user position with a position in the virtual environment. Where the user position or movement causes the user to touch the virtual object, that is determined, and corresponding haptic feedback is provided to the user.