Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for operating a charging display system that is capable of wirelessly charging a rechargeable device positioned on a connector-less charging surface. In accordance with the method, the presence of a chargeable device on the charging surface is detected and the type of the chargeable device is identified. A set of interaction options based upon the identity of the chargeable device with the set, including a charging interaction option, is determined and, a displayable output signal based upon the determined set interaction options is generated. The set of interaction options is initiated based upon the detected presence of the chargeable device on the charging surface and the identified device type and, the output signal is presented on a display of the charging device.

Abstract: Methods for determining affective information are provided as are imaging systems that determine affective information. In accordance with one method, affective signals are obtained containing facial characteristics and physiological characteristics of a person. The facial characteristics are analyzed and the physiological characteristics are analyzed. The emotional state of the person is determined based upon analysis of the facial and physiological characteristics of the person.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting digital images using a plurality of digital media frames separated spatially along at least two axes. In one aspect the method comprises the steps of obtaining the digital images to be presented determining the multi-dimensional relationship between the digital media frames analyzing the digital images and any associated metadata to assign an image perspective determination to each of the digital images and determining an arrangement of the digital images for presentation on the plurality of the digital media frames according to the multi-dimensional relationship between the digital media frames and according to the determined image perspectives.

Abstract: A method and digital media frame array are provided comprising a plurality of digital media frame supports each support being adapted to support at least one digital media frame, an array structure positioning the plurality of frame supports to define at least a two-dimensional arrangement of the plurality of digital media frames; an array interface adapted to communicate with one of the digital media frames using the digital media frame interface; an array interaction system having at least one form of user interface device adapted to receive or generate an environmental stimulus; and; an array controller being adapted to cause the array interface to communicate with one of the digital media frames so that when the digital media frame is supported by the digital media frame array the digital media frame array can interact with its environment in ways that the digital media frame cannot do when not so supported.

Abstract: A method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users using a controlling computer. A subcompliation of the compilation of digital images is forwarded to the plurality of users over the communication network by the controlling computer wherein the digital images in the subcompilation are displayed in a predetermined sequence. Each of the users have the ability to view the digital images in the compilation in accordance with a criteria selected by the user.

Abstract: Display systems, control systems for a display and a method for operating a display are provided in which people are detected a presentation space within which content presented by the display can be observed. Viewing areas are defined for each person with each viewing area comprising a less than all of the presentation space and including an area corresponding to each person. One channel of image content is obtained for presentation to each person and a combination image is presented on the display. The combination image is modulated so that each area of the combination image presented by the display is viewable only in selected areas of the presentation space. The combination image has image content from each channel of image content arranged in areas of said combination image so that, when modulated, the image content from each channel of image content is viewable only in a viewing area defined for the person for whom the content is obtained.

Abstract: An image capture method is provided. In accordance with the method, an image of the scene is captured and affective information is collected a capture. The scene image and affective information are transmitted to an image receiver. An imaging system is also provided having an image capture system adapted to capture an image of a scene and a memory which stores the captured image. A set of sensors is adapted to collect affective signals from the user at capture. A processor is adapted to determine affective information based upon the affective signals and to associate affective information with the captured image. A transmitter sends the scene image and the affective information to a receiver.

Abstract: Imaging methods and systems are provided that use affective information. In one aspect an image of a scene is captured. Affective information is collected. The affective information is associated with the image.

Abstract: A communication device is provided having a transceiver adapted to send and receive wireless communication signals and a contact surface. A contact circuit is adapted to detect contact of another communication device with said contact surface. A controller is adapted to enable communication only between the communication device and detected communication devices.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for forming a group image. In accordance with the method, a set of imaging information is obtained depicting a scene over a period of time. Elements in the set of imaging information are distinguished and attributes of the elements in the set of image information are examined. Imaging information is selected from the set of imaging information depicting each element with the selection being made according to the attributes for that element. A group image is formed based upon the set of imaging information with the archival image incorporating the selected image information.

Abstract: A communication device is provided having a transceiver adapted to send and receive wireless communication signals and a contact surface. A contact circuit is adapted to detect contact of another communication device with said contact surface. A controller is adapted to enable communication only between the communication device and detected communication devices.

Abstract: A method for operating a display is provided. In accordance with the method, content is obtained and a profile is determined for the content. Elements are detected in a presentation space in which content presented by the display can be discerned. A profile is determined for each of the detected elements in the presentation space. Content is selected for presentation based upon the profiles for the detected elements and the content profile.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing image metadata for an image to be transmitted to a receiver. In accordance with the method, metadata access privileges are determined for the receiver and receiver metadata is derived from the image metadata based upon the metadata access privileges for the receiver. The receiver metadata is associated with the image.

Abstract: A method for operating a display is provided. In accordance with the method, content is obtained and a profile is determined for the content. Elements are detected in a presentation space in which content presented by the display can be discerned. A profile is determined for each of the detected elements in the presentation space. Content is selected for presentation based upon the profiles for the detected elements and the content profile.

Abstract: An imaging method is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, an image of a scene is captured. Affective information is collected at capture. The affective information is associated with the image.

Abstract: An image capture method is provided. In accordance with the method, an image of the scene is captured and affective information is collected a capture. The scene image and affective information are transmitted to an image receiver. An imaging system is also provided having an image capture system adapted to capture an image of a scene and a memory which stores the captured image. A set of sensors is adapted to collect affective signals from the user at capture. A processor is adapted to determine affective information based upon the affective signals and to associate affective information with the captured image. A transmitter sends the scene image and the affective information to a receiver.

Abstract: A method for organizing event content in the form of electronic signals is provided. In accordance with this method an event profile is determined. The event content is obtained and the event content is organized based upon the event profile.

Abstract: A system and a method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer. The controlling computers controls the forwarding of the compilation to the plurality of users over the communication network in accordance with a predetermined user sequence. Each of the users have the ability to add an image to the compilation and/or information with respect to the images in the compilation and each of the subsequent users are able to view the compilation of images and/or data provided in association with the images.

Abstract: A system and a method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer. The controlling computers controls the forwarding of the compilation to the plurality of users over the communication network in accordance with a predetermined image sequence. Each of the users have the ability to add an image to the compilation and/or information with respect to the images in the compilation and each of the subsequent users are able to view the compilation of images and/or data provided in association with the images.

Abstract: A method for setting up a system for sharing images among a plurality of users in a first image sequence. The method includes providing a plurality of digital images to a controlling computer having software for controlling the sharing of the digital images among a plurality of designated users in the first image sequence; providing a list of list of electronic addresses for the designated users; forwarding an invitation to the designated users for gaining access to the plurality of images over a communication network by the controlling computer; forwarding user software to the designated users that accept the invitation; and automatically forwarding the plurality of digital images in a predetermined sequence to the designated users that accepted the invitation.