Abstract: Techniques for efficiently tracking points on a depth map using an optical flow are disclosed. In order to optimize the use of optical flow, isolated regions of the depth map may be tracked. The sampling regions may comprise a 3-dimensional box (width, height and depth). Each region may be “colored” as a function of depth information to generate a “zebra” pattern as a function of depth data for each sample. The disclosed techniques may provide for handling optical flow tracking when occlusion occurs by utilizing a weighting process for application of optical flow vs. velocity prediction to stabilize tracking.

Abstract: Mechanisms for adjusting signals between gaming controllers and gaming consoles are disclosed. In an embodiment, the output signals of a mouse control a gaming console which is normally controlled by an analog thumbstick. The output signals of mouse are adjusted to compensate for the analog thumbstick controller assist techniques employed by the gaming console. The adjusted signals are sent to the gaming console. The result is that the user is able to control the game using the mouse and have the same feel as if the user was using the analog thumbstick controller.

Abstract: A system and method for handling properties of objects is provided. More specifically, the system and method provide a dependency mechanism for expressing the relationship between the properties in a formal manner. This relationship may either be applied globally or locally. Using the dependency mechanism, the property system monitors relationships between properties and detects circularities between the different properties during runtime. The system and method also provide an evaluation mechanism for calculating a value for any of the properties. Because the property system is on-demand, the value need not be stored in local storage. The dependency mechanism and the evaluation mechanism are extensible, which allows the property system to model any type of relationship, such as a direct relationship, inheritance, reverse inheritance, property sheets, encapsulation, and the like.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for retrieving and updating data within an application, such as a media player application and its metadata. Information is gathered from multiple remote sources. The remote source is queried for information, and information is received from the same. The received information is compared to a number of stored data storage conventions. The particular data storage convention employed is determined, and using the determined data storage convention, data is bound to a number of fields in the application.

Abstract: The application programming interfaces described herein are directed at property management mechanisms that operate within an on-demand property system. The property management mechanisms support the caching of property values on an as needed basis, allow a plurality of object instances to utilize the same property via attached properties, overriding default information associated with a property on a per type basis, obtaining values for a property from an external source, and the like. In addition, the on-demand property system provides validation and control for each property instance. The property management mechanisms minimize the storage requirements and provide flexibility without requiring additional code from the developers.

Abstract: A non-tree representation of a UI control tree is provided by a compact UI binary file that is generated by encoding a UI definition markup file expressing UI controls and behavior in human-readable form. The UI binary file is utilized in a runtime environment on a computing device as a source of a binary instruction stream. The stream can be efficiently processed by an interpreter on the device without needing validation between loading and rendering the UI. The encoding places much of the representation into an object and script section of the UI binary file. The interpreter runs this section without it being entirely resident in the device's memory to minimize the memory footprint. At runtime, operation code (“op-code”) streams contained in this section are used to build UI objects, and implement scriptable behavior for manipulating the UI objects to render the UI on the device with the designed behavior.

Abstract: Disclosed is a default property sheet system that coordinates default values for elements used in a user interface. Interface designers add default values for the properties of the elements that they define. The default “value” is broadly understood. Not limited to fixed values, the default property sheet can provide a rule for calculating a default value. The rule can take into account, for example, aspects of the present environment. The order of searching for a rule that provides a value to a property of an interface element is defined. Other collections of value-setting rules, called “non-default property sheets,” can be created that take precedence over the default property sheet. The default property sheet can be a “theme of last resort.” If a property of an interface element is not given a value elsewhere, then the property is given the value specified in the default property sheet.

Abstract: The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed at property management mechanisms that operate within an on-demand property system. The property management mechanisms support the caching of property values on an as needed basis, allow a plurality of object instances to utilize the same property via attached properties, overriding default information associated with a property on a per type basis, obtaining values for a property from an external source, and the like. In addition, the on-demand property system provides validation and control for each property instance. The property management mechanisms minimize the storage requirements and provide flexibility without requiring additional code from the developers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a theme property sheet system that supports presentation themes by coordinating values provided to elements used in a user interface. When an interface user expresses a preference for a particular presentation theme, that theme's property sheet is given precedence over other mechanisms for setting property values. By appropriately setting these values in the interface, the theme property sheet enhances the coherence of the interface. The theme property sheet allows an interface designer to add new presentation elements to a user interface without being concerned about presentation themes. The default for each property as set by the designer is overridden, when necessary, by the theme sheet. In a few particular cases, an application designer needs to override even the user's theme preferences. A mechanism is provided to support these exceptional cases.

Abstract: A method and system for processing object property changes are provided. A request to process at least one object property is obtained and a property change defer cycle is started. The object property change is grouped into one or more object property change groups. In the event the object property groups implementation creates additional property changes, the additional property changes are grouped and then implemented. The property change defer cycle is terminated and the object property groupings are implemented.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism for allowing new functionality for an object to be expressed as a property that is not built into the class from which the object derives. More specifically, the mechanism associates properties in one class with another class. A computer-readable medium, that includes an object having a property in a first set of properties, further includes a data structure. The data structure includes definitions for each of a second set of properties and includes at least one static method. The static method is associated with one property out of the second set of properties and includes a first parameter. The first parameter uniquely identifies the one property. The static method is operative to associate the one property with the object without specifying an explicit reference to the one property in the object. The property is registered during run-time in order to receive the unique identifier.

Abstract: A system and method for handling properties of objects is provided. More specifically, the system and method provide a dependency mechanism for expressing the relationship between the properties in a formal manner. This relationship may either be applied globally or locally. Using the dependency mechanism, the property system monitors relationships between properties and detects circularities between the different properties during runtime. The system and method also provide an evaluation mechanism for calculating a value for any of the properties. Because the property system is on-demand, the value need not be stored in local storage. The dependency mechanism and the evaluation mechanism are extensible, which allows the property system to model any type of relationship, such as a direct relationship, inheritance, reverse inheritance, property sheets, encapsulation, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for declarative user interface dependency-based object property system are provided. A source object property change is obtained. Steady-state values for all dependent properties are obtained. Any dependent properties whose value is not affected by the source property change are eliminated or which are duplicate properties are eliminated. The remaining steady-state post modification dependent object property changes are implemented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a default property sheet system that coordinates default values for elements used in a user interface. Interface designers add default values for the properties of the elements that they define. The default “value” is broadly understood. Not limited to fixed values, the default property sheet can provide a rule for calculating a default value. The rule can take into account, for example, aspects of the present environment. The order of searching for a rule that provides a value to a property of an interface element is defined. Other collections of value-setting rules, called “non-default property sheets,” can be created that take precedence over the default property sheet. The default property sheet can be a “theme of last resort.” If a property of an interface element is not given a value elsewhere, then the property is given the value specified in the default property sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a theme property sheet system that supports presentation themes by coordinating values provided to elements used in a user interface. When an interface user expresses a preference for a particular presentation theme, that theme's property sheet is given precedence over other mechanisms for setting property values. By appropriately setting these values in the interface, the theme property sheet enhances the coherence of the interface. The theme property sheet allows an interface designer to add new presentation elements to a user interface without being concerned about presentation themes. The default for each property as set by the designer is overridden, when necessary, by the theme sheet. In a few particular cases, an application designer needs to override even the user's theme preferences. A mechanism is provided to support these exceptional cases.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism for allowing new functionality for an object to be expressed as a property that is not built into the class from which the object derives. More specifically, the mechanism associates properties in one class with another class. A computer-readable medium, that includes an object having a property in a first set of properties, further includes a data structure. The data structure includes definitions for each of a second set of properties and includes at least one static method. The static method is associated with one property out of the second set of properties and includes a first parameter. The first parameter uniquely identifies the one property. The static method is operative to associate the one property with the object without specifying an explicit reference to the one property in the object. The property is registered during run-time in order to receive the unique identifier.

Abstract: A system and method for handling properties of objects is provided. More specifically, the system and method provide a dependency mechanism for expressing the relationship between the properties in a formal manner. This relationship may either be applied globally or locally. Using the dependency mechanism, the property system monitors relationships between properties and detects circularities between the different properties during runtime. The system and method also provide an evaluation mechanism for calculating a value for any of the properties. Because the property system is on-demand, the value need not be stored in local storage. The dependency mechanism and the evaluation mechanism are extensible, which allows the property system to model any type of relationship, such as a direct relationship, inheritance, reverse inheritance, property sheets, encapsulation, and the like.