Abstract: A computer system comprising a headset configured to sit on top of a user's head. The headset includes a microphone and a headset haptic device. The headset is configured to receive audio signals and for outputting a plurality of sound waves based on the audio signals received. The computer system also includes a sound processing module configured for receiving a plurality of sound data corresponding with a sound profile associated with a virtual reality environment and converting the sound data so that sound can be emitted from a sound emitting device of the headset. The headset haptic device is configured for converting audio signals into a haptic profile corresponding to the sound profile and transmitting vibrations corresponding with the haptic profile from the headset haptic device through the headband to the crown of the user's skull and from each ear cup to the skull around each user's ears.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a headset configured to sit on top of a user's head. The headset includes a microphone and a headset haptic device. The headset is configured to receive audio signals and for outputting a plurality of sound waves based on the audio signals received. The computer system also includes a sound processing module configured for receiving a plurality of sound data corresponding with a sound profile associated with a virtual reality environment and converting the sound data so that sound can be emitted from a sound emitting device of the headset. The headset haptic device is configured for converting audio signals into a haptic profile corresponding to the sound profile and transmitting vibrations corresponding with the haptic profile from the headset haptic device through the headband to the crown of the user's skull and from each ear cup to the skull around each user's ears.

Abstract: A method for experiencing of multi-dimensional content in a virtual reality environment over a communications network is disclosed. The method includes generating a 3D avatar of a consumer based on a consumer's profile, generating a 3D virtual reality graphical environment including the avatar of the consumer, receiving a selection from the consumer of multi-dimensional content for experiencing and a predefined time for playing said multi-dimensional content, transmitting an invitation to invitee consumers to experience the multi-dimensional content, generating a virtual location in the multi-dimensional virtual reality graphical environment for playing said multi-dimensional content at the predetermined time in the virtual location in the multi-dimensional virtual reality graphical environment, for the avatars of the consumer and any invitee consumers present at the location at the predetermined time.

Abstract: A method on a web server for biometric authentication of content for social networks including providing a user interface configured for accepting login data and proposed content captured from a remote computing device of a user and authenticating said user by comparing the login data entered into the user interface and login data in a user record corresponding to said user. The method further includes determining whether the proposed content is authentic by searching for a biometric cue in the proposed content and if the proposed content includes a biometric cue, then: a) generating approved content comprising at least a portion of the proposed content and an authentication mark, and b) transmitting, over the communication network, the approved content.

Abstract: A method, apparatus for facilitating social contact in a network of users is disclosed. The method and apparatus permits topic searching for events and activities, and presents the results of such topic searches in conjunction with information identifying other people in the network whose demographic and desired contact information match that of the person making the search.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing different versions of media programs is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of segmenting media program data collectively describing different versions of the media program into a plurality of media segments wherein each media segment is includes at least one component associated with one or more attributes having one or more attributes values; generating a mapping of each attribute value with a pointer to the component of the segment of the media program data having the attribute associated with the attribute value; generating a manifest from the mapping and from data describing an authorized media program version authorized for display at the display entity; and transmitting the media program data and the manifest to the display entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing programmably seamless continuous playback of a plurality of media programs at an end-user remote from a media server facility is disclosed. The method permits playing a first media program via a first video reproduction engine disposed at the media server facility and transmitting the played first media program to the first user via the Internet, before completing playing the first media program and merging the closing of the first media program and the initiated second media program at the media server facility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting a data stream is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of inverse multiplexing the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream and providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder. The apparatus comprises an inverse multiplexer, communicatively coupled to the data stream, for separating the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream; an uplink transmitter, for providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting a data stream is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of inverse multiplexing the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream and providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder. The apparatus comprises an inverse multiplexer, communicatively coupled to the data stream, for separating the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream; an uplink transmitter, for providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing different versions of media programs is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of segmenting media program data collectively describing different versions of the media program into a plurality of media segments wherein each media segment is includes at least one component associated with one or more attributes having one or more attributes values; generating a mapping of each attribute value attribute associated with the attribute value; generating a manifest from the mapping and from data describing an authorized media program version authorized for display at the display entity, and transmitting the media program data and the manifest to the display entity.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for acquiring behavioral data for content evaluation. One or more survey questions are provided to members of an audience for a exhibitor system and responses to the one or more survey questions are accumulated from the members of the audience at a central database received through the exhibitor system. The responses to the survey questions identify behavioral parameters of the audience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing cinema grade content is disclosed. Cinema grade content data is divided into packets. Metadata is added to each of the packets where the metadata include markers for aggregating the packets to produce streaming data of the cinema grade content data at a receiver. The packets are transmitted over one or more communication links to the receiver for aggregating the packets into the streaming data and displaying the streaming data. The processes of dividing, applying metadata and transmitting are all performed in real time. The cinema grade content data need not be stored at the receiver.