Abstract: A bistable electrowetting picture element that has both stable “On” and “Off” states in which no power is consumed, and a switching voltage threshold. Displays using such picture elements may be either passive or active matrix addressed. A picture element contains two immiscible, fluids within a space between two surfaces. One of the fluids is an electroconductive, polar liquid, such as to water. The other fluid is a non-polar liquid such as silicone oil. The picture element is electrically switchable between two states, both of which are maintained without a voltage being applied. In one state the light absorbing, non-polar liquid adjoins a region of one of the surfaces, while in the second state it adjoins another region on the other surface. The region adjoined to in the second state differs in area from the region adjoined to in the first state, thereby providing “On” and “Off” states.

Abstract: A bistable electrowetting picture element that has both stable “On” and “Off” states in which no power is consumed, and a switching voltage threshold. Displays using such picture elements may be either passive or active matrix addressed. A picture element contains two immiscible, fluids within a space between two surfaces. One of the fluids is an electroconductive, polar liquid, such as to water. The other fluid is a non-polar liquid such as silicone oil. The picture element is electrically switchable between two states, both of which are maintained without a voltage being applied. In one state the light absorbing, non-polar liquid adjoins a region of one of the surfaces, while in the second state it adjoins another region on the other surface. The region adjoined to in the second state differs in area from the region adjoined to in the first state, thereby providing “On” and “Off” states.

Abstract: A method of replicating a DNA microarray in which a multi-drop transfer plate is loaded with PCR master-mix and then moved into close proximity with a master array so that a portion of the PCR master mix is transferred to the master array. The master array is immersed in oil so that complementary DNA may be produced by one or more steps of a PCR reaction. A replica substrate loaded with water drops is then brought into close proximity with the master array so that a portion of complementary DNA is transferred onto the replica substrate. After cleaning any residual oil from replica substrate, it is ready for use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for placing event related information into a video broadcasting so that the added information does not interfere with or obscure the primary action of interest in the broadcast. The disclosed information could be implemented by using instructions from an event information gathering system to trigger the display of one of an appropriate set of pre-rendered animations in the broadcast video via a well known live video insertion system (48). The disclosed invention envisages the animation sequence having at least two parts (FIG. 4), namely a core or base sequence (34) which is always used, and a mid or a variable sequence (56, 58, 60) which is changed according to the actual data that needs to be displayed.

Abstract: A method of anonymous targeted insertion of indicia into video broadcasts. Individual televisions or other video reception devices are associated with set-top boxes that monitor the usage and viewing habits of the television set or other video reception device. A viewer profile derived from data acquired from said monitoring is created wherein the viewer profile indicates certain characteristics about the viewer. This profile is transmitted to a centralized database, said centralized database being an intermediate link between the origin of the video broadcast and the end viewer. The purpose of the database is to link specific insertable indicia with matching specific viewer profiles. The insertable indicia are encoded directly into the broadcast video and re-broadcast to the end viewer where the set-top box decodes the broadcast video and performs insertion of the indicia. Thus, the system and method allow advertisers to target specific ads or indicia to specific viewing profiles.

Abstract: A system and method (40) of altering the audio portion of a live television broadcast signal substantially in real time. The system is used to enhance the effects of live video insertion systems. The broadcast signal is received and separated into a pattern recognition unit (72) in order to recognize predetermined events. The broadcast audio is then altered based on the occurrence of said events. Alterations (68, 70) include modifications to attributes such as volume, tone, pitch, synchronization, echo, reverberation, and frequency profile. Once altered, the audio is re-synchronized (80) with the video channel which has undergone its own modification.

Abstract: A live video insertion system (LVIS) is disclosed that allows insertion of static or dynamic images into a live video broadcast in a realistic fashion on a real time basis. Initially, natural landmarks in a scene that are suitable for subsequent detection and tracking are selected. The landmarks are typically distributed throughout the entire scene, such as a ballpark or football stadium. The field of view of the camera at any instant is normally significantly smaller than the full scene that may be panned. The LVIS uses a combination of pattern recognition techniques and camera sensor data (e.g., pan, tilt, zoom, etc.) to locate, verify and track target data. Camera sensors are well suited for the searching requirements of an LVIS, while pattern recognition and landmark tracking techniques are better suited for the image tracking requirements of LVIS.

Abstract: A method for tracking motion from field to field in a sequence of related video broadcast images. The method uses template correlation to follow a set of predetermined landmarks within a scene in order to provide position information of objects in the current image. The current image object position information is compared to position information of the same objects within a reference array data table. The comparison is accomplished through the use of warp equations that map points in the current image to points in the reference array. Motion is tracked according to a velocity prediction scheme utilizing a weighted formula that emphasizes the weight of landmarks that are closer to their predicted position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for authorizing, controlling, and monitoring the insertion of advertising indicia and other video images into a broadcast video stream by an Electronic Billboard system operated at a location remote from a video program origination location. The disclosed control means will be implemented in the form of a user key which is presupplied to an operator of the remote Electronic Billboard system, a broadcast key supplied to that operator at or near the time of transmission of the broadcast video stream, and a verification means operated in conjunction with the remote Electronic Billboard system to verify that those keys correspond to a predetermined criteria. Upon such verification, the remote Electronic Billboard system is enabled to operate on the broadcast video stream. The control means may also be applied for maintaining the integrity of either or both the products being advertised and the event being broadcast.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of altering video images to enable the addition of images, message, slogans or indicia in such a manner that they appear to be part of the original image as displayed. The application of the apparatus and method is particularly adapted to be used as advertising during sporting events or other events whereby an operator selects a portion of the video image display (16) such as a portion of a tennis court (12), recognizes the selected portion (17) and inserts a logo or advertising message (27) into that selected portion. The message is inserted into the selected portion of the court independent of how the scene is being panned or viewed by the television camera.