Abstract: Machine readable instructions for providing targeted advertisements for a piece of digital content receive a set of user metadata for a group of users. The machine readable instructions select at least one user from the group of users. In addition, the machine readable instructions select a term from a category of terms related to the piece of digital content. Moreover, the machine readable instructions determine a first value corresponding to the at least one user. Also, the machine readable instructions determine a second for the group of users. In addition, the machine readable instructions determine a user score based at least in part on the first value and the second value. When the user score is within a particular range, the machine readable instructions provide an advertisement for the piece of digital content to an electronic device associated with the at least one user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing content via a communication network is presented. In one or more embodiments, the present invention comprises apparatus for receiving content from a server system. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus comprises a central processing unit, a video controller, a communications interface, and a memory comprising computer readable instructions for causing said apparatus to perform a variety of functions. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions for causing the apparatus, upon connection to a power source and a communications source, to initiate a communications session with the server system. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions to cause the apparatus to prompt a user of said apparatus to create an account at the server system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing content via a communication network is presented. In one or more embodiments, the present invention comprises apparatus for receiving content from a server system. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus comprises a central processing unit, a video controller, a communications interface, and a memory comprising computer readable instructions for causing said apparatus to perform a variety of functions. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions for causing the apparatus, upon connection to a power source and a communications source, to initiate a communications session with the server system. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions to cause the apparatus to prompt a user of said apparatus to create an account at the server system.

Abstract: There is provided a method of managing content within a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a set of content objects associated with the rich multimedia interaction, determining a display subset and a reserve subset from the set of content objects, displaying the display subset, activating the reserve content objects in a minimized state, and providing a content control virtual tool configured to group and present a count of the reserve content objects according to their content object classes. The content control virtual tool is further configured to enable a user of the rich multimedia interaction to reassign content objects between the display subset and the reserve subset. A system for managing content within a rich multimedia interaction comprises a content server, a content object database, and a content management software application stored on a data storage unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing content via a communication network is presented. In one or more embodiments, the present invention comprises apparatus for receiving content from a server system. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus comprises a central processing unit, a video controller, a communications interface, and a memory comprising computer readable instructions for causing said apparatus to perform a variety of functions. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions for causing the apparatus, upon connection to a power source and a communications source, to initiate a communications session with the server system. In one or more embodiments, the computer readable instructions comprise instructions to cause the apparatus to prompt a user of said apparatus to create an account at the server system.

Abstract: A frame device has a display region (e.g., an LCD) surrounded with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional picture frame. Each frame device is connected to an interconnection fabric to obtain image data from a repository and then display that data according to criteria established by an authorized user. The data repository is populated with image data via the image collection process. A user may specify filter criteria which establishes what network addresses (e.g., picture mail address) are authorized to populate the data repository. The filter criteria and other information such as the behavior characteristics of each frame device are established and/or managed via a user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing picture mail to a frame device community is described. The present invention comprises one or more interconnected frame devices. Each frame device has a display region (e.g. an LCD) surrounded with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional picture frame. The border region may be comprised of wood, plastic, or any other aesthetically pleasing compound. Each frame device is configured to connect to an interconnection fabric to periodically obtain image data from a centralized repository and then display that data according to criteria established by an authorized user. The data repository is populated with image data via the image collection process. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the user may specify filter criteria which establishes what network addresses (e.g. picture mail address) are authorized to populate the data repository.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a theme of the rich multimedia interaction, determining its dynamic display attributes based on the theme, determining a cooperation protocol governing interplay amongst the dynamic display attributes, and designating a background. The method further comprises selecting a display motif of the rich multimedia interaction, and generating the rich multimedia interaction for display, using one or more sub-applications configured to apply the cooperation protocol to the dynamic display attributes to produce enhanced dynamic display attributes and to adapt the enhanced dynamic display attributes to the display motif and integrate the enhanced dynamic display attributes with the background.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a theme of the rich multimedia interaction, determining its dynamic display attributes based on the theme, determining a cooperation protocol governing interplay amongst the dynamic display attributes, and designating a background. The method further comprises selecting a display motif of the rich multimedia interaction, and generating the rich multimedia interaction for display, using one or more sub-applications configured to apply the cooperation protocol to the dynamic display attributes to produce enhanced dynamic display attributes and to adapt the enhanced dynamic display attributes to the display motif and integrate the enhanced dynamic display attributes with the background.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a theme of the rich multimedia interaction, determining its dynamic display attributes based on the theme, determining a cooperation protocol governing interplay amongst the dynamic display attributes, and designating a background. The method further comprises selecting a display motif of the rich multimedia interaction, and generating the rich multimedia interaction for display, using one or more sub-applications configured to apply the cooperation protocol to the dynamic display attributes to produce enhanced dynamic display attributes and to adapt the enhanced dynamic display attributes to the display motif and integrate the enhanced dynamic display attributes with the background.

Abstract: There is provided a method of protecting a virtual community visitor from unauthorized social interaction comprising receiving a request from the virtual community visitor seeking access to a virtual community content, determining whether the virtual community content includes at least one social interaction opportunity, prompting the virtual community visitor to provide a visitor identity if the virtual community content includes at least one social interaction opportunity, associating the visitor identity with a socialization level, and utilizing the socialization level in one or more permission database to regulate social interaction.

Abstract: An amusement system has a first path extending through an amusement attraction. Vehicles moving along the path have simulated weapons. Riders in the vehicles shoot at targets along the paths or on the vehicles. A game play system allows remote players to participate in a concurrent simulation of an amusement park or theme park ride, activity or event as the amusement park or theme park ride, activity or event is occurring. The system gathers input from sensors located at the amusement park or theme park ride or activity or event, preprocesses this input, and transfers it to a computer system, which uses this input to create a concurrent simulation of the amusement park or theme park ride or activity or event. A remote game player can then interact with the concurrent simulation by providing input to the concurrent simulation through a user interface. This system combines the excitement of a highly interactive video game with the amusement park or theme park ride or activity or event.

Abstract: There is provided a method of managing content within a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a set of content objects associated with the rich multimedia interaction, determining a display subset and a reserve subset from the set of content objects, displaying the display subset, activating the reserve content objects in a minimized state, and providing a content control virtual tool configured to group and present a count of the reserve content objects according to their content object classes. The content control virtual tool is further configured to enable a user of the rich multimedia interaction to reassign content objects between the display subset and the reserve subset. A system for managing content within a rich multimedia interaction comprises a content server, a content object database, and a content management software application stored on a data storage unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method of protecting a virtual community visitor from unauthorized social interaction comprising receiving a request from the virtual community visitor seeking access to a virtual community content, determining whether the virtual community content includes at least one social interaction opportunity, prompting the virtual community visitor to provide a visitor identity if the virtual community content includes at least one social interaction opportunity, associating the visitor identity with a socialization level, and utilizing the socialization level in one or more permission database to regulate social interaction.

Abstract: There is provided a method of implementing a single user computer application in a multi-user session comprising receiving a request to access the single user computer application, opening a first multi-user session, tolling a pre-run phase of the first multi-user session, and initiating a run phase during which concurrent running of the single user computer application by each user in a multi-user pool is monitored and data corresponding to a performance of every user is provided to each user. A system for implementing a single user computer application in a multi-user session comprises a multi-user implementation server, a single user computer application database including the single user computer application, a multi-user shell application configured to provide an interface between the single user computer application and a multi-user control application capable of coordinating concurrently running the single user computer application by every user in a multi-user pool.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a rich multimedia interaction comprising identifying a theme of the rich multimedia interaction, determining its dynamic display attributes based on the theme, determining a cooperation protocol governing interplay amongst the dynamic display attributes, and designating a background. The method further comprises selecting a display motif of the rich multimedia interaction, and generating the rich multimedia interaction for display, using one or more sub-applications configured to apply the cooperation protocol to the dynamic display attributes to produce enhanced dynamic display attributes and to adapt the enhanced dynamic display attributes to the display motif and integrate the enhanced dynamic display attributes with the background.

Abstract: A system of interaction between an electronic theme park experience and live theme park interaction and activity earns rewards. The interaction permits for rewards earned in the electronic theme park experience to be redeemed in the live theme park experience and vice versa. The electronic theme park and live activity are interactive in real or delayed time through an Internet connection. Activities on one or both of the live and electronic formats are designed to drive increased player visiting of the live and/or electronic versions. The Virtual Magic Kingdom in some embodiments includes a virtual version of one or more of theme parks such as the “Magic Kingdom” portion of Disney, Inc.'s theme parks.

Abstract: A system of interaction between an electronic theme park experience and live theme park interaction and activity earns rewards. The interaction permits for rewards earned in the electronic theme park experience to be redeemed in the live theme park experience and vice versa. The electronic theme park and live activity are interactive in real or delayed time through an Internet connection. Activities on one or both of the live and electronic formats are designed to drive increased player visiting of the live and/or electronic versions. The Virtual Magic Kingdom is a virtual version of Disney's theme parks, specifically the “Magic Kingdom” portion of the theme parks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing picture mail to a frame device community is described. The present invention comprises one or more interconnected frame devices. Each frame device has a display region (e.g. an LCD) surrounded with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional picture frame. The border region may be comprised of wood, plastic, or any other aesthetically pleasing compound. Each frame device is configured to connect to an interconnection fabric to periodically obtain image data from a centralized repository and then display that data according to criteria established by an authorized user. The data repository is populated with image data via the image collection process. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the user may specify filter criteria which establishes what network addresses (e.g. picture mail address) are authorized to populate the data repository.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing picture mail to a frame device community is described. The present invention comprises one or more interconnected frame devices. Each frame device has a display region (e.g. an LCD) surrounded with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional picture frame. The border region may be comprised of wood, plastic, or any other aesthetically pleasing compound. Each frame device is configured to connect to an interconnection fabric to periodically obtain image data from a centralized repository and then display that data according to criteria established by an authorized user. The data repository is populated with image data via the image collection process. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the user may specify filter criteria which establishes what network addresses (e.g. picture mail address) are authorized to populate the data repository.