Abstract: A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television.

Abstract: Video compression and decompression that produces a desirable balance of compression rate and picture quality while, at the same time, reducing an average number of computational cycles required to achieve the desired picture quality and compression rate. Also disclosed are video processing platforms, systems and methods that produce a quality and bits per frame performance for more widespread use of video data exchanges using standardized computer architectures, such as cellular phones having non-video optimized processing platforms.

Abstract: Methods for the deployment of an image servicing platform over a mobile wireless network are described. A mobile multimedia service controller (MMSC) includes a video gateway that is capable of transcoding among different video formats supported by an imaging service platform. The MMSC can be connected over a network to a download server that provides updates to a transcoder application and a video image application.

Abstract: A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.

Abstract: A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provide finer rate control in data compression by processing a data stream through a plurality of parallel subbands, wherein a first subband processes the data differently than a second subband. Separate shift quantization parameters for each separate run-of-zeros compressed storage area or pile can be provided, instead of a single common shift parameter for every coefficient as in the prior art. The parameter value for each such area or pile can be recorded in the compressed output file. The separate shift quantization parameters can also be adjusted dynamically as data is being compressed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product having optimal matching to a known or measured probability distribution encodes data without the use of an excessively large lookup table. An encoder constructed according to the present invention uses two or more different encoding methods in combination. In one embodiment, Huffman coding by table lookup is combined with computational generation, such as by using an exponential Golomb equation. The most commonly occurring elements are looked up in a small Huffman table, while the remaining elements are coded with the equation. In another embodiment, data is encoded using two or more equations. In yet another embodiment, data is encoded using multiple tables in conjunction with one or more equations.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product having optimal matching to a known or measured probability distribution encodes data without the use of an excessively large lookup table. An encoder constructed according to the present invention uses two or more different encoding methods in combination. In one embodiment, Huffman coding by table lookup is combined with computational generation, such as by using an exponential Golomb equation. The most commonly occurring elements are looked up in a small Huffman table, while the remaining elements are coded with the equation. In another embodiment, data is encoded using two or more equations. In yet another embodiment, data is encoded using multiple tables in conjunction with one or more equations.

Abstract: An MPEG compressed bit stream representing video information is associated with supplemental information such as motion, audio, scene cut, and editorial information. The motion information is identified and processed to determine characteristics of the video information. Motion information is processed to determine magnitude, coherence, and correlation with known motion information templates. MPEG motion vectors are used to determine motion information. Audio, scene cut, and editorial information is similarly identified and processed. The motion information along with other types of information is provided to a client by using color bars or other techniques to allow a client to interact with the video information using supplemental information.

Abstract: A position detection system for locating an object including a magnetic field generator is disclosed. The position detection system also includes an array of parallel conductors responsive to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and a plurality of receivers each associated with a parallel conductor. The parallel conductors are spaced apart from one another by a substantially constant spacing. Each receiver has an associated gain, and the gains of the receivers are configured to simulate voltages induced in conductor loops of sinusoidally-varying pitch.

Abstract: A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.

Abstract: The estimation of an HRTF for a given individual is accomplished by means of a coupled model, which identifies the dependencies between one or more images of readily observable characteristics of an individual, and the HRTF that is applicable to that individual. Since the HRTF is highly influenced by the shape of the listener's outer ear, as well as the shape of the listener's head, images of a listener which provides this type of information are preferably applied as an input to the coupled model. In addition, dimensional measurements of the listener can be applied to the model. In return, the model provides an estimate of the HRTF for the observed characteristics of the listener.

Abstract: The invention enables and/or facilitates the display of personalized content to content observers by content providers (e.g., advertisers) who disseminate content over a network. The invention enables identification of particular content observers at a content display site using analysis of content observation behavior at a content display site, data regarding one or more physical characteristics of content observers in the vicinity of the content display device during display of particular content, and/or analysis of demographic characteristics of possible content observers at the content display site. The invention prevents unauthorized access to data produced as part of identification of the content observer.

Abstract: A coder and/or decoder system and method are provided including a variable modulus. As an option, the modulus may reflect a steepness of a probability distribution curve associated with a compression algorithm (i.e. a negative exponential of the probability distribution). Moreover, the modulus may depend on a context of a previous set of data, while avoiding increasing as a function of a run length (i.e. a plurality of identical bits in a sequence).

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the position of an object are disclosed. A position detection system for locating an object including a resonator comprises an array of parallel conductors responsive to the magnetic field from the resonator, and a plurality of receivers each associated with a parallel conductor. The array of parallel conductors is configured to locate the object along a measurement path. The array of parallel conductors is orthogonal to the measurement path. The system further comprises a plurality of drivers each associated with a parallel conductor and configured to drive current through to produce an energizing field. The array of parallel conductors is provided with sinusoidally varying spacing and driven with sinusoidally varying current. In another embodiment, the array of parallel conductors is provided with constant spacing, and the receivers are configured with gain factors to produce reception similar to reception by sinusoidally spaced conductors.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data utilizing multiple encoders on a single integrated circuit. Initially, data is received in a single integrated circuit. The data is then encoded utilizing a plurality of encoders incorporated on the single integrated circuit. Another single module system and method are provided for compressing data. In use, photons are received utilizing a single module. Thereafter, compressed data representative of the photons is outputted utilizing the single module.

Abstract: A coder and/or decoder system and method are provided including a variable modulus. As an option, the modulus may reflect a steepness of a probability distribution curve associated with a compression algorithm (i.e. a negative exponential of the probability distribution). Moreover, the modulus may depend on a context of a previous set of data, while avoiding increasing as a function of a run length (i.e. a plurality of identical bits in a sequence).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data. In use, luminescence data of a frame is updated at a first predetermined rate, while chrominance data of the frame is updated at a second predetermined rate that is less than the first predetermined rate. Moreover, pause information may be inserted with the compressed data, where the pause information may be used when the video data is paused during the playback thereof to increase the quality of a still frame.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for processing exceptions. Initially, computational operations are processed in a loop. Moreover, exceptions are identified and stored while processing the computational operations. Such exceptions are then processed separate from the loop.

Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention receive video or image data, for example via television broadcast, cable, or satellite television signal, or directly from a video player, and process the data to determine the geometry and material properties of various objects represented in the video image. Geometry and material property information may be deciphered from a video image by reference to various fixed data sources and/or the application of known methods for elucidating such information from video or image data, such as shape-from-motion or shape-from-shading techniques. Alternatively, all or some of this information may be provided to the system together with the video or image data via a preconfigured side channel. The system coordinates and assembles the image data with the data relating to geometry and material properties of the objects and provides a realistic haptic interaction with those objects to the user.