Abstract: A system and method for linking media that is captured and then classified based on a set of parameters, such that related media is linked for further analysis by a user. The parameters include temporal, proximity, and content information in the form of metadata that is extracted from each media clip received in the system. The linked media provides for complex analysis of collaboratively-captured media from multiple sources and the sharing of related media between users. The system further links annotations included with captured media to provide analysis of collaboratively-annotated media and aid users in accessing and synthesizing large amounts of collaboratively-captured media.

Abstract: Image search and retrieval system is provided. System identifies pictures embedded in presentation slides. System represents each set of identical (or nearly identical) images with unique token. For example, if specific picture is reused in multiple presentations, it will be represented by system using same token. System may compute and store various meta attributes associated with presentation slide and image(s) therein. After the token and meta attribute information are generated for images and/or slides, generated data is provided to text-based search engine. A searched image is subsequently located and retrieved by user using search query issued by user to text-based search engine, which locates images based on generated token and meta attribute information. At query time, user enters search keywords describing target image that user desires to locate. Pursuant to user's query, system retrieves all matching presentation slides. Found images may be ranked using, for example, tf*idf score.

Abstract: Presentations, tutorials and screencasts are difficult to watch on a small device such as a cell phone because the screen is too small to properly render content that typically contains text, like a presentation slide or a screenshot. The described system facilitates generating a user-controllable video movie from an existing media stream that 1) automatically identifies regions of interest from the original stream using visual, auditory and meta streams, 2) synchronizes these regions of interest with the original media stream, and 3) uses panning and scanning to zoom in and out or move the focus. The generated time-based media stream can be seamlessly interrupted by users, letting them temporarily focus on specific regions of interest. Meanwhile, the original media stream can continue playing or instead jump around the timeline as users jump between regions of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for repurposing and augmenting document content by clipping, annotating, and reassembling portions of documents, and which may be used in an online or collaborative environment. As used herein the term “repurposing” includes packaging the online information in a manner so that it can be re-used by subsequent users for subsequent applications. An input device or menu referred to herein as a “clipbar” may be provided within a software application or in a kiosk environment that allows users to clip and annotate portions of online or other documents, while retaining both the document fragment's rendered image and its underlying structure. The clips thus created may be stored as collections (together with their associated user-specified and system-specified meta-data) in a form compatible with the other input documents. The collections can be immediately made available to other users in a collaborative fashion, and re-clipped as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a force-feedback apparatus which includes a stylus that is equipped with an electromagnetic device or a freely rotating ball. The stylus is functionally coupled to a controller which is capable of exerting a magnetic field to the electromagnetic device or to the rotating ball, which results in a force being created between the stylus and a surface. This invention also relates to a method of using a force-feedback stylus including moving a force-feedback stylus over a surface, controlling a force-feedback device via a controller coupled to the force-feedback stylus and applying a force to the force-feedback stylus via the force-feedback device, the force being determined for at least features on the surface.

Abstract: The system and method enables people to use their webcam as a virtual flashlight over their screen as a picture or video clip is playing. The position, tilt and rotation of the flashlight over the screen is recorded and smoothed to generate a compelling movie. Users move the webcam closer to the screen to focus on a specific area; users can rotate the webcam to generate compelling rotations, and users can pan the webcam to simulate looking at objects from a side.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for generating and providing review information for products are described. Product reviews for a product are collected from multiple websites over the Internet. The product reviews may be collected in any manner, such as by crawling the Internet to collect product review information for the product. Review information may be collected for multiple versions/releases of the product. Websites, RSS feeds, consumer reports, and other Internet sources may be parsed for product reviews for the product. Product reviews and product review ratings received from multiple websites may be weighted and normalized into common form. Product reviews may be weighted based on a reputation of the reviewers who submitted them. Product reviews may also be filtered based on time of submission. One or more summary ratings for the product are generated based on the collected product reviews. The summary ratings are displayed.

Abstract: A system provides for controlling a cursor on a screen automatically and dynamically when using a video camera as a pointing device. A computer displays static or dynamic content to a screen. A video camera connected to the computer points at the screen. As the video camera films the screen, frames captured by the video camera are sent to the computer. A target image is displayed by the computer onto the screen and marks the position of the screen cursor of the video camera. Frames captured by the video camera include the target image, and the computer dynamically moves the target image on the screen to ensure that the target image stays in the center of the view of the video camera.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods, and computer readable media for locating, sorting, and modifying images for future use. A conversion engine submits search requests to an image search engine and accepts the received results. The conversion engine arranges the search results according to selected visual characteristics of the image. Editing tools can then convert the results of the image search into vector based images which can be easily manipulated and enable users to modify the re-ranked images for future use.

Abstract: Blogs (and other information sources) are recommended to a user based history of user's online activities. The system: (1) processes the user's web history, (2) identifies blog posts (and web pages) that link to pages read by the user, (3) generates multiple relevance scores for each identified post/page, and (4) produces multiple rankings of the corresponding source blogs (and web sites) by aggregating individual relevance scores (or combinations of relevance scores), according to users' preferences. The system allows the discovery of information sources that are likely to be interesting to the user and allows sources lost in the “long tail” to be seamlessly discovered.

Abstract: A method of classifying images as slide images or non-slide images can be done by capturing a video stream, analyzing an image of the video stream and determining whether the image is a slide image. The analyzing can be based on text height and/or edge region(s) of the image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable an approach to index segments of a media stream containing of visual and textual information, using a combination of visual, textual, auditory and temporal features to combine segments that correspond to topical contexts into logical groups. A visual/temporal/auditory/textual weighting scheme is adopted, which allows segments from elsewhere in the same media stream to affect the index terms associated with the current segment. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: An interactive system provides for increasing retrieval performance of images depicting text by allowing users to provide relevance feedback on words contained in the images. The system includes a user interface through which the user queries the system with query terms for images contained in the system. Word image suggestions are displayed to the user through the user interface, where each word image suggestion contains the same or slightly variant text as recognized from the word image by the system than the particular query terms. Word image suggestions can be included in the system by the user to increase system recall of images for the one or more query terms and can be excluded from the system by the user to increase precision of image retrieval results for particular query terms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable an image based controller to control and manipulate objects with simple point-and-capture operations via images captured by a camera enhanced mobile device. Powered by this technology, a user is able to complete many complicated control tasks via guided control of objects without utilizing laser pointers, IR transmitters, mini-projectors, or bar code tagging and/or customized wall paper are not needed for the environment control. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: In embodiments, a user interface provides for manipulating one or more physical devices for use in a conference room setting. The user interface includes a touch screen for presenting a variety of options to a user. The touch screen includes controllers, such as buttons, to enable the user to select any one of the options. Each of the controllers has goals-oriented information, enabling the user to select a goal, while insulating the user from the underlying complex processes required to carry out the goal through the selection of one of the controllers.

Abstract: A layer that assumes either opaque or transparent state depending on the applied voltage is utilized to secure printed matter. The layer may also require an electrical or optical switching signal to switch between the opaque and transparent states. The layer is provided above the document to be secured and is set to the opaque state so as to obscure the contents of the document. When a prescribed voltage is applied, the layer turns to its transparent state. However, the voltage can only be applied to the security layer in the presence of a security key. A recording system may be employed to log all key-enabled access to the document.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assuring that branding or other labels properly appear at all times when images are shared, such as by projecting a presentation. In addition, the automatic labeling is utilized for access control and corporate content management of recorded images. The method operates by causing a computer to monitor a sharing event, and when a sharing event has been detected, causing the computer to overlay at least one of a pre-stored or dynamically generated labels over the shared image. The label is applied only if after analyzing the image it is determined that it is not properly labeled. The label or part of it may include a machine-readable code that may include or point to metadata relating to the image.

Abstract: Described is a technique for providing shared access to an encrypted portable memory device which improves both usability and security by allowing the owner of the encrypted storage device to designate access to specified files only to the next host to mount the secure disk. The number of steps required to perform a file sharing operation is greatly reduced with this system and access to the contents of the protected storage device can be granted with greater granularity.

Abstract: A medium, system and method of processing content information. In one exemplary embodiment, the medium, system and method include determining associated previously accessed content information in response to an action performed on a document containing information and based on a context of the information, and indicating to a user the determined associated content information.

Abstract: A system for providing a dynamic audio-visual environment using an eSurface situated in a room environment; a projector situated for projecting images onto the eSurface; a camera situated to picture the room environment; a central processor coupled to the eSurface, the projector and the camera. The processor receives pictures from the camera for detecting the location of the eSurface; and controls the projector to aim its projection beam onto the eSurface. The eSurface is a sheet-like surface having the property of accepting optically projected image when powered, and retaining the projected image after the power is turned off.