Abstract: A method of incentivizing location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A group of users of a game networking system is notified that an incentive reward is to be provided based on a number of members of the group performing a location-based action transgressing a threshold. The incentive reward is provided based on the number of members of the group performing the location-based action transgressing the threshold.

Abstract: A physical security system having multiple server nodes may be built as a distributed network. To send data between the nodes in the network, a first node may access a node identifier identifying a second node, with both the first and second nodes forming at least part of a server cluster, and the first node may then send the data to the second node. The node identifier forms at least part of cluster membership information identifying all and accessible by all server nodes in that server cluster. Functionality such as the ability to share views between system users and the ability for those users to control an unattended display may be implemented on a distributed network, a federated network, or another type of network.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system for automatically recognizing facial expressions at variable resolutions of video. According to one exemplary method, facial expressions are detected, extracted and classified from a video sequence based on an automatic localization of the periocular region associated with a detected and extracted face.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for verifying an identity of an individual based upon facial expressions as exhibited in a query video of the individual are disclosed. The method includes receiving a reference video for each one of a plurality of different individuals, wherein a plurality of facial gesture encoders is extracted from at least one frame of the reference video describing one or more facial expressions of each one of the plurality of different individuals, receiving the query video, calculating a similarity score for the reference video for the each one of the plurality of different individuals based on an analysis that compares the plurality of facial gesture encoders of the at least one frame of the reference video for the each one of the plurality of different individuals to a plurality of facial gesture encoders extracted from at least one frame of the query video.

Abstract: An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for verifying an identity of an individual based upon facial expressions as exhibited in a query video of the individual are disclosed. The method includes receiving a reference video for each one of a plurality of different individuals, wherein a plurality of facial gesture encoders is extracted from at least one frame of the reference video describing one or more facial expressions of each one of the plurality of different individuals, receiving the query video, calculating a similarity score for the reference video for the each one of the plurality of different individuals based on an analysis that compares the plurality of facial gesture encoders of the at least one frame of the reference video for the each one of the plurality of different individuals to a plurality of facial gesture encoders extracted from at least one frame of the query video.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a video-based method and system for busyness detection and notification. Specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment, multiple overhead image capturing devices are used to acquire video including multiple non-overlapping ROIs (regions of interest) and the video is processed to count the number of people included within the ROIs. A busyness metric is calculated based on the number of people counted and notification of the busyness metric or changes in the busyness metric is communicated to appropriate personnel, e.g., a manager of a retail store.

Abstract: An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector.

Abstract: A method for virtual, three-dimensional modeling of a subject using a depth-imaging camera operatively coupled to a modeling computer. A brightness image and a coordinate depth image of the subject acquired from each of a plurality of inequivalent vantage points are received from the depth-imaging camera. An angle-dependent reflectance is determined based on the brightness and coordinate depth images acquired from each of the vantage points.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system includes a vehicle panel having an inner surface and an outer surface defining an exterior surface of the vehicle. A transducer is mounted to the vehicle panel being configured to be connected to and operated by an amplifier. The transducer has a base mounted to the vehicle panel and causes the vehicle panel to vibrate and create an audio output.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to automatically detect and optionally classify when a recipient receives goods in surveillance video. According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented method determines a customer has received goods which are associated with a retail environment.

Abstract: A tool for a vacuum cleaner comprising a duct for attachment to a wand, hose or the like of the vacuum cleaner, a nozzle and one of more dirt-sweeping elements. The dirt-sweeping elements are secured to a base of the nozzle and are arranged into at least two chevrons oriented in opposite directions towards the sides of the nozzle. At least two suction openings are then provided in the base of the nozzle, each suction opening being located within a chevron.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises identifying a user of a computer-implemented game to interact with a further user in pursuit of a common game objective. The identifying is performed based at least partially on the user not being directly related, as reflected within relationship data, with the further user. Interactions, within the computer implemented-game, between the further user and the user in the pursuit of the common game objective of the computer-implemented game are enabled responsive to the identifying of the user.

Abstract: A hybrid battery charger is disclosed that includes a linear charger circuit for providing vehicle starting current and battery charging and a high frequency battery charging circuit that provides battery charging current. The linear charger circuit and the high frequency battery charging circuits are selectively enabled to provide vehicle starting current, maximum charging current and optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A backstacked parachord dispenser, comprising a body a lid and a backstacked length of parachord disposed therein. The body has a closed bottom and a first sidewall integrally connected to the bottom. The lid has a closed top with a through-hole disposed therethrough and a second sidewall integrally connected to the top. The second sidewall is sized to securely fit to the body. The length of parachord is disposed in the body and has one end extended through the through-hole. The parachord was backstacked into the body.

Abstract: A tool for a vacuum cleaner that includes a nozzle and a duct for attachment to a wand, hose or the like of the vacuum cleaner. One or more suction openings are provided in a base of the nozzle. The front of the nozzle includes a chamfered section and a further section. A suction opening is then provided in the further section, and the chamfered section is closed. The internal angle formed between the chamfered section and the further section is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a static occlusion handling method and system for use with appearance-based video tracking algorithms where static occlusions are present. The method and system assumes that the objects to be tracked move in according to structured motion patterns within a scene, such as vehicles moving along a roadway. A primary concept is to replicate pixels associated with the tracked object from previous frames to current or future frames when the tracked object coincides with a static occlusion, where the predicted motion of the tracked object is a basis for replication of the pixels.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to locate/detect static occlusions associated with an image captured scene including a tracked object. According to an exemplary method, static occlusions are automatically located by monitoring the motion of single or multiple objects in a scene over time and with the use of an associated accumulator array.

Abstract: An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector.

Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A notification regarding a survey question is communicated to a player of a computer implemented game. The notification includes an indication of a particular location-based action that is to be performed by the player to answer the survey question. The answer of the player to the survey question is determined based on detection of performance of the particular location-based action by the player.