Abstract: Systems and corresponding control methods providing a ballistic robot that flies on a trajectory after being released (e.g., in non-powered flight as a ballistic body) from a launch mechanism. The ballistic robot is adapted to control its position and/or inflight movements by processing data from onboard and offboard sensors and by issuing well-timed control signals to one or more onboard actuators to achieve an inflight controlled motion. The actuators may move an appendage such as an arm or leg of the robot or may alter the configuration of one or more body links (e.g., to change from an untucked configuration to a tucked configuration), while other embodiments may trigger a drive mechanism of an inertia moving assembly to change/move the moment of inertia of the flying body. In-flight controlled movements are performed to achieve a desired or target pose and orientation of the robot during flight and upon landing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding control methods providing a ballistic robot that flies on a trajectory after being released (e.g., in non-powered flight as a ballistic body) from a launch mechanism. The ballistic robot is adapted to control its position and/or inflight movements by processing data from onboard and offboard sensors and by issuing well-timed control signals to one or more onboard actuators to achieve an inflight controlled motion. The actuators may move an appendage such as an arm or leg of the robot or may alter the configuration of one or more body links (e.g., to change from an untucked configuration to a tucked configuration), while other embodiments may trigger a drive mechanism of an inertia moving assembly to change/move the moment of inertia of the flying body. Inflight controlled movements are performed to achieve a desired or target pose and orientation of the robot during flight and upon landing.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding control methods providing a ballistic robot that flies on a trajectory after being released (e.g., in non-powered flight as a ballistic body) from a launch mechanism. The ballistic robot is adapted to control its position and/or inflight movements by processing data from onboard and offboard sensors and by issuing well-timed control signals to one or more onboard actuators to achieve an inflight controlled motion. The actuators may move an appendage such as an arm or leg of the robot or may alter the configuration of one or more body links (e.g., to change from an untucked configuration to a tucked configuration), while other embodiments may trigger a drive mechanism of an inertia moving assembly to change/move the moment of inertia of the flying body. Inflight controlled movements are performed to achieve a desired or target pose and orientation of the robot during flight and upon landing.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture to perform an operation comprising receiving, from one of a plurality of stations, a message which includes at least a random number and a first hash value of the random number concatenated with a first key, comparing the first hash value to one or more second hash values, wherein each second hash value is generated by hashing the random number concatenated with one of a plurality of second keys and wherein each second key corresponds to a registered device of a device identification system, upon determining the first hash value matches one of the second hash values, determining an identity of the mobile device based on the corresponding second key, and based on the location of the station which sent the message, assigning a location to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding control methods providing a ballistic robot that flies on a trajectory after being released (e.g., in non-powered flight as a ballistic body) from a launch mechanism. The ballistic robot is adapted to control its position and/or inflight movements by processing data from onboard and offboard sensors and by issuing well-timed control signals to one or more onboard actuators to achieve an inflight controlled motion. The actuators may move an appendage such as an arm or leg of the robot or may alter the configuration of one or more body links (e.g., to change from an untucked configuration to a tucked configuration), while other embodiments may trigger a drive mechanism of an inertia moving assembly to change/move the moment of inertia of the flying body. Inflight controlled movements are performed to achieve a desired or target pose and orientation of the robot during flight and upon landing.

Abstract: A system for transmitting motive force. The system includes a conduit or tube and a plurality of balls (e.g., spherical objects) positioned within the tube. The system includes a drive assembly moving the balls within the tube, and the system includes an actuated element operating to generate an output in response to movement of the balls within the tube. In some cases, the balls are metal ball bearings, and the tubing is one of polyethylene tubing, tubing with a metal lining, or tubing having a hardness greater than a hardness of polyethylene. The drive assembly may include a feed screw driven by a motor to provide positive displacement of the balls in the tube. The actuated element may take a variety of forms to practice the system. For example, the actuated element may be a linear or rotational actuator, e.g., an actuator used to actuate a robotic joint.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive experience for multiple game-players. The experience is provided in a light-controlled setting where the game-players may wear or hold one or more of various toys (e.g., gloves). The system detects and recognizes the toy along with gestures and pointing efforts performed by the game-player and the system generates an effect based on the type of toy and the type of gesture. The system also generates one or more visual targets that are visible to the game-player such as projections, holograms, and displays of one or more of various fantasy virtual adversaries. The generated effects may include any combination of sensory effects including visual, audio, tactile, and smell/taste. The generated effect may be directed based on the pointing efforts of the game-player. The system may then register the effect on the target, if the pointing efforts intersect with the virtual location of the target.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture to perform an operation comprising receiving, from one of a plurality of stations, a message which includes at least a random number and a first hash value of the random number concatenated with a first key, comparing the first hash value to one or more second hash values, wherein each second hash value is generated by hashing the random number concatenated with one of a plurality of second keys and wherein each second key corresponds to a registered device of a device identification system, upon determining the first hash value matches one of the second hash values, determining an identity of the mobile device based on the corresponding second key, and based on the location of the station which sent the message, assigning a location to the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for transmitting motive force. The system includes a conduit or tube and a plurality of balls (e.g., spherical objects) positioned within the tube. The system includes a drive assembly moving the balls within the tube, and the system includes an actuated element operating to generate an output in response to movement of the balls within the tube. In some cases, the balls are metal ball bearings, and the tubing is one of polyethylene tubing, tubing with a metal lining, or tubing having a hardness greater than a hardness of polyethylene. The drive assembly may include a feed screw driven by a motor to provide positive displacement of the balls in the tube. The actuated element may take a variety of forms to practice the system. For example, the actuated element may be a linear or rotational actuator, e.g., an actuator used to actuate a robotic joint.

Abstract: A multi-theater light source for two or more 3D projectors positioned in differing spaces. The apparatus includes a first light source outputting light to display left eye content, and the apparatus includes a second light source outputting light for use by the projectors to display right eye content. The apparatus includes a switching device that receives the light output from the first and second light sources and switches between first and second operating states to route the left and right eye light. In the first operating state, the switching device directs the light from the first light source toward a first projector and the light output from the second light source toward a second projector. In the second operating state, the switching device directs the light output from the first light source toward the second projector and the light output from the second light source toward the first projectors.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive experience for multiple game-players. The experience is provided in a light-controlled setting where the game-players may wear or hold one or more of various toys (e.g., gloves). The system detects and recognizes the toy along with gestures and pointing efforts performed by the game-player and the system generates an effect based on the type of toy and the type of gesture. The system also generates one or more visual targets that are visible to the game-player such as projections, holograms, and displays of one or more of various fantasy virtual adversaries. The generated effects may include any combination of sensory effects including visual, audio, tactile, and smell/taste. The generated effect may be directed based on the pointing efforts of the game-player. The system may then register the effect on the target, if the pointing efforts intersect with the virtual location of the target.

Abstract: A method for providing shared control over movement of a vehicle within a space. The method includes receiving user input related to a velocity and a direction for the vehicle within the space. The method includes processing the user input to selectively adjust the velocity and the direction desired by the user based on a set of predefined constraints to generate a trajectory for the vehicle for an upcoming time period. The method includes operating drive mechanisms in the vehicle based on the trajectory to move the vehicle from a first position to a second position within the space during the upcoming time period. A grid map defining locations of obstacles in the space may be used to define the trajectory to avoid collisions, and a guidance trajectory may be used to further control movement to achieve a desired throughput and control vehicle movement within particular portions of the space.

Abstract: A method for providing shared control over movement of a vehicle within a space. The method includes receiving user input related to a velocity and a direction for the vehicle within the space. The method includes processing the user input to selectively adjust the velocity and the direction desired by the user based on a set of predefined constraints to generate a trajectory for the vehicle for an upcoming time period. The method includes operating drive mechanisms in the vehicle based on the trajectory to move the vehicle from a first position to a second position within the space during the upcoming time period. A grid map defining locations of obstacles in the space may be used to define the trajectory to avoid collisions, and a guidance trajectory may be used to further control movement to achieve a desired throughput and control vehicle movement within particular portions of the space.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for changing digital broadcast channels. In one implementation, upon receiving a request for switching to a new channel in a digital broadcast receiving device, the device switches from a power saving mode, in which the device processes time-slices only for the currently selected broadcast channel, to a channel changing mode, in which broadcast data is buffered for more than one broadcast channels in anticipation of channel surfing. In another implementation, the user's perception of the channel change delay is mitigated by displaying channel information about the newly selected channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a flying entertainment vehicle. The apparatus includes a lift system, such as a parawing, that is inflated by air to generate lift and further includes a vehicle frame attached to the lift system such as by suspension lines that also space the lift system apart from the vehicle frame. The apparatus includes a thrust assembly supported on the vehicle frame that is operable to propel the vehicle at a flight speed at which the lift system is operated, e.g., the parawing is inflated, to generate lift to suspend the vehicle frame above the ground. The apparatus includes show elements that may be supported on or by the vehicle frame and be configured to be lift neutral. The show elements function to distract observers away from the lift system such as by appearing to provide the lift or features that cause the vehicle frame to fly.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment system that includes a universal puzzle piece for each game or activity participant. The puzzle piece includes an updatable display displaying a first graphic image. The system includes an interactive display device with a display surface with an update mechanism that is operable such as by a controller, when the puzzle piece is in a predefined proximate position, to program the updatable display to update the first graphic image into a second graphic image. The updatable display includes an electrophoretic display layer storing the second graphic image. A transparent electrode layer is provided on a first side of the electrophoretic display layer. The update mechanism includes a puzzle piece update pad for receiving a second side of the electrophoretic display. The update pad includes a conductor layer or bottom conductor providing an electrical connection with the second side to provide the update to the first graphic image.