Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for receiving, categorically storing, and supplying different types of location-specific audio information to either fixed or mobile users. The audio information is categorically stored by geographical location. As users travel through different environments (i.e., cities, freeway systems, airports) they can access audio information that is specific to their geographical location. Users may also annotate locations with real-time audio information. This audio information is accessible to mobile users using cellular phones, or other transceivers, and by fixed users using phones or computers.

Abstract: A real-time, group interactive, augmented-reality system for monitoring an area, suitable for enhancing the enjoyment of entertainment events, is presented. The system comprises a sensor data acquisition system for receiving sensor data, in real-time, from a plurality of data acquisition sensors disposed about an area to be monitored, and a plurality of display centers communicatively coupled with the data acquisition system for receiving sensor data therefrom. A display center includes an user input, a data acquisition sensor selector, an interaction interface for communicating in real-time with users of other display centers, an interface for connecting a display device, and a local display device augmenting system, which are configured to allow a user to interactively augment in real-time his/her local display of events with user-inputted doodles, user requested information and statistics, and user selected viewing angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for navigating within a virtual environment (VE). More specifically, the present invention relates to navigating large distances in a VE, without becoming disoriented and without becoming cybersick due to exposure to excessive amounts of optical flow. In one embodiment, the present invention combines jumping and flying to allow for quick navigation of large distances, while preserving a sense of orientation and limiting optical flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for enabling user interaction with objects in a virtual environment independently of apparent virtual viewpoint altitude, by non-linearly scaling the virtual actuator. In doing so, the system receives a virtual-viewpoint position and a virtual actuator position from a virtual environment processing subsystem, and a real-viewpoint position and a real-actuator position from a real-world environment tracking subsystem. An xy-scale factor is then calculated based on the virtual-viewpoint position. A non-linear mapping is thereafter calculated between a real dataset and a virtual dataset based on the xy-scale-factor. The real dataset comprises the real-actuator position and the real-viewpoint position in the real-world environment, and the virtual dataset comprises the virtual-actuator position and the virtual-viewpoint position in the virtual environment.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to obtain, process, and relay data to a user in a coherent and useful manner. An active fiducial is equipped with an interface for receiving and transmitting data. The fiducial may transmit its position using a satellite-based position sensing device such as a GPS. Active fiducials may also be equipped with battery power pack regenerated with solar cells. Similarly, the fiducials can be equipped with at least one video camera or other device having a focal plane array and a computer software system, configured to recognize shapes. The fiducials may also be equipped with inductive coils or other means for sensing metal containing compounds. The active fiducials may be equipped with a gas chromatograph. The active fiducials may use a variety of propulsion means including motor driven tracks, motor driven wheels, propellers, or other device or a combination of devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for parallel speculative rendering of synthetic images in an image rendering system are presented. The operations include obtaining measurements regarding scene characteristics. The measurements are provided to predictors, each predicting a future state for a measurement. The future states are provided to a renderer that renders graphical entities, each rendering resulting from a different predicted future state. Subsequently, a new set of measurements is obtained regarding the scene characteristics. Then each measurement of the new set of measurements is compared with a corresponding one of the predicted future states produced by the predictors. The predicted future state that most closely matches with the new measurements is then selected. Then, the graphical entities associated with the predicted future state that most closely match with the new measurements are selected. The selected graphical entities displayed on a display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced perception lighting (EPL) system for providing enhanced perception of a user's physical environment. The EPL system comprises a sensor module for detecting and sampling a physical aspect from at least one point in a physical environment and for generating an observation signal based on the physical aspect; a processor module coupled with the sensor module for receiving the observation signal, processing the observation signal, and generating an output signal based on the observation signal; and a projection display module located proximate the sensor module and communicatively connected with the processor module for projecting a display onto the at least one point in the physical environment based upon the output signal. The system allows a user to gather information from the physical environment and project that information onto the physical environment to provide the user with an enhanced perception of the physical environment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for selectively locking controls from operators operating equipment. The invention actively detects when an operator accesses a control for which lockout is desired. After detection, the invention locks the control to prevent the operator from operating the control. Thus, operators are permitted selective access to controls. The active detection of when an operator is accessing a control is performed by first generating a signal, which is passed to a plate, where it is then coupled through the operator to a receiver. The signal is detected at a signal detector attached with a control so the control can react to the signal. In an automotive situation, the plate may be in a vehicle seat, with the signal coupling through a driver or passenger upon actuation of a control. Based on the signal received, the function of the control may be eliminated, altered, or reduced.

Abstract: A computer product and computer product for parallel speculative rendering of synthetic images in an image rendering system are presented. The operations include obtaining measurements regarding scene characteristics. The measurements are provided to predictors, each predicting a future state for a measurement. The future states are provided to a renderer that renders graphical entities, each rendering resulting from a different predicted future state. Subsequently, a new set of measurements is obtained regarding the scene characteristics. Then each measurement of the new set of measurements is compared with a corresponding one of the predicted future states produced by the predictors. The predicted future state that most closely matches with the new measurements is then selected. Then, the graphical entities associated with the predicted future state that most closely match with the new measurements are selected. The selected graphical entities displayed on a display device.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia selection guide is provided. The guide includes a computer system having a processor, a memory, an input for receiving user input, an input for receiving programs from a program database, and an output for sending display information to a visual display. The interactive guide navigates through a graph structure of multimedia program/channel sources in the program database. The graph structure includes a plurality of nodes representing multimedia and contextual information. Programs and channels as well as groups of programs and channels are represented as nodes in the graph, and as icons or native format representations on a display device. Navigation through the graph structure is performed by allowing the user to affect panning of the visual display, zooming-in of a desired portion of the visual display, zooming-out of a desired portion of the visual display, selection of a node represented by an icon, and retracing.

Abstract: The present invention allows a broadcaster 300a to encode a plurality of data, a portion of which may be from databases 302a, including spatial content and tracking data into a signal, the signal is sent to an overlay construction module 304a. Augmentation layers 306a, provided by users 308a are conveyed to the overlay construction module 304, where the signals are separably merged with the broadcast signal to create an augmented signal, which is transmitted, optionally via satellite 310a, to users 308a. The users 308a receive the augmented signal and display only the layers of interest to them. Thus each user may select a unique overlay combination, and experience individualized programming that more closely comports with that user's tastes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for augmenting static images including a data collection element 100, an augmenting element 102, an image source 104, and a database 106. The data collection element 100 collects data regarding the circumstances under which a static image is collected and provides the data to an augmenting element 102. The image source 104 provides at least one static image to the augmenting element 102. Once the augmenting element 102 has both the static image and the collected data, the augmenting element utilizes the database 106 as a source of augmenting data. The retrieved augmenting data are then overlaid onto the static image, or are placed onto a margin of the static image, such that the augmenting data are identified with certain elements of the static image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for computing properties of a physical environment is provided, using a plurality of agents forming a distributed network embedded within the environment. The method comprises determining an initiating agent 200, transmitting a signal including a cumulative cost value to neighboring agents 202, and processing the signal at each neighboring agent to augment the cumulative cost value with local information 204. If multiple signals are received, determining which has the best cumulative cost value for generating a new signal 206, then treating the neighboring agent as an initiating agent 208 and transmitting the new signal to neighboring agents 208 and retaining the best augmented cost value in memory 210. Methods further include determining paths using shortest path computations, using dual gradients for aligning agents on a path between two reference agents, and discovering and converging agents on choke points.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of agents using local communications is provided. Generally, each agent maintains an optimal distance from other local neighbor agents by, for each agent 200, selecting a local agent 202, measuring the distance and angle to the agent 204, performing a distance maintenance calculation 218, and repeating the distance maintenance calculation 218 for each local agent. In the distance maintenance calculation 218, an attraction/repulsion map is used in order to determine whether an agent is attracted to or repelled from other agents. A motion vector is used to determine agent responses to the attraction or repulsion. Over time, the agents settle into a neutral configuration where each is optimally distanced from the other agents. Reference agents and leader agents can be designated to direct the movement of other agents, and agents can be designated as blocking beacons to repel other agents from undesirable areas.

Abstract: A mobile user collaborator discovery method and system that tracks and correlates user position and gaze direction information in a physical environment in order to determine common interests. The physical environment is represented by an array divided into a plurality of elements, each representing a particular physical area of the environment. The mobile user collaborator discovery method and system includes an activity monitor to track user position and gaze direction information, an entry processor to process the user position and gaze direction information to determine the elements of the array corresponding to physical areas viewed by the user, and to provide the information to a match database, and a matcher to correlate information regarding elements of the array corresponding to physical areas viewed by the user in order to determine portions of the array representing areas of common interest to the users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for computing properties of a physical environment is provided, using a plurality of agents forming a distributed network embedded within the environment. The method comprises determining an initiating agent 200, transmitting a signal including a cumulative cost value to neighboring agents 202, and processing the signal at each neighboring agent to augment the cumulative cost value with local information 204. If multiple signals are received, determining which has the best cumulative cost value for generating a new signal 206, then treating the neighboring agent as an initiating agent 208 and transmitting the new signal to neighboring agents 208 and retaining the best augmented cost value in memory 210. Methods further include determining paths using shortest path computations, using dual gradients for aligning agents on a path between two reference agents, and discovering and converging agents on choke points.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of agents using local communications is provided. Generally, each agent maintains an optimal distance from other local neighbor agents by, for each agent 200, selecting a local agent 202, measuring the distance and angle to the agent 204, performing a distance maintenance calculation 218, and repeating the distance maintenance calculation 218 for each local agent. In the distance maintenance calculation 218, an attraction/repulsion map is used in order to determine whether an agent is attracted to or repelled from other agents. A motion vector is used to determine agent responses to the attraction or repulsion. Over time, the agents settle into a neutral configuration where each is optimally distanced from the other agents. Reference agents and leader agents can be designated to direct the movement of other agents, and agents can be designated as blocking beacons to repel other agents from undesirable areas.