Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system differentiates static objects depicted in two-dimensional video data from dynamic objects depicted in the two-dimensional video data. Based on the differentiating of the static objects from the dynamic objects, the virtual reality media provider system generates dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects and the dynamic objects. The virtual reality media provider system updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects with a lower regularity or on an as-needed basis, and the virtual reality media provider system separately updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects with a higher regularity. The higher regularity is higher than the lower regularity and keeps the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects up-to-date with what is occurring in the two-dimensional video data. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system receives two-dimensional (“2D”) video data for surfaces of first and second objects located in a natural setting. The 2D video data is captured by first and second capture devices disposed at different positions with respect to the objects. The system distinguishes the first object from the second object by performing a plurality of techniques in combination with one another. The plurality of techniques include determining that the first object is moving in relation to the second object; and determining that, from a vantage point of at least one of the different positions, a representation of the first object captured within the 2D video data does not overlap with a representation of the second object. Based on the received 2D video data and the distinguishing of the first and second objects, the system generates an individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object.

Abstract: A first communication device communicatively coupled with a second communication device by way of a first network interface and by way of a second network interface parallel to the first network interface prepares object data in accordance with a data partitioning protocol for transmission to the second communication device. The first communication device transmits the prepared object data to the second communication device at an overall data transfer rate that is at least as great as a sum of first and second data transfer rates associated, respectively, with the first and second network interfaces by concurrently transmitting first and second portions of the prepared object data by way of the first and second network interfaces and at the first and second data transfer rates, respectively. Corresponding methods and devices for receiving concurrently transmitted object data by way of parallel network interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media player device (“device”) providing a user with an immersive virtual reality experience in accordance with a specification file corresponding to the immersive virtual reality experience. The specification file includes data that defines a plurality of elements included in the immersive virtual reality experience by providing a plurality of links for use by the device in acquiring the plurality of elements while providing the user with the immersive virtual reality experience. The method further includes the device detecting, while the immersive virtual reality experience is being provided to the user, real-world input associated with the user, and integrating the real-world input into the immersive virtual reality experience by updating the specification file to further include data that defines the real-world input as a user-specific element that is specific to the user and that is included in the immersive virtual reality experience.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system differentiates static objects depicted in two-dimensional video data from dynamic objects depicted in the two-dimensional video data. Based on the differentiating of the static objects from the dynamic objects, the virtual reality media provider system generates dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects and the dynamic objects. The virtual reality media provider system updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects with a lower regularity or on an as-needed basis, and the virtual reality media provider system separately updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects with a higher regularity. The higher regularity is higher than the lower regularity and keeps the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects up-to-date with what is occurring in the two-dimensional video data. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system receives two-dimensional (“2D”) video data for surfaces of first and second objects located in a natural setting. The 2D video data is captured by first and second capture devices disposed at different positions with respect to the objects. The system distinguishes the first object from the second object by performing a plurality of techniques in combination with one another. The plurality of techniques include determining that the first object is moving in relation to the second object; and determining that, from a vantage point of at least one of the different positions, a representation of the first object captured within the 2D video data does not overlap with a representation of the second object. Based on the received 2D video data and the distinguishing of the first and second objects, the system generates an individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system (“system”) includes a configuration of synchronous video and depth capture devices disposed at fixed positions at a real-world event. In real time, the video and depth capture devices capture two-dimensional video data and depth data for surfaces of objects at the real-world event. The system generates a real-time volumetric data stream representative of a dynamic volumetric model of the surfaces of the objects at the real-world event in real time based on the captured two-dimensional video data and captured depth data. The dynamic volumetric model of the surfaces of the objects at the real-world event is configured to be used to generate virtual reality media content representative of the real-world event as experienced from a dynamically selectable viewpoint corresponding to an arbitrary location at the real-world event and selected by a user experiencing the real-world event using a media player device.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system (“system”) includes a configuration of synchronous video and depth capture devices disposed at fixed positions in a vicinity of a first object located in a natural setting along with one or more additional objects. The video and depth capture devices capture two-dimensional video data and depth data for a surface the first object. The system distinguishes the first object from a second object included in the one or more additional objects located in the natural setting and generates an individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object. The individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object is configured to be individually manipulated with respect to an immersive virtual reality world while a user of a media player device is experiencing the immersive virtual reality world using the media player device.

Abstract: A first communication device communicatively coupled with a second communication device by way of a first network interface and by way of a second network interface parallel to the first network interface prepares object data in accordance with a data partitioning protocol for transmission to the second communication device. The first communication device transmits the prepared object data to the second communication device at an overall data transfer rate that is at least as great as a sum of first and second data transfer rates associated, respectively, with the first and second network interfaces by concurrently transmitting first and second portions of the prepared object data by way of the first and second network interfaces and at the first and second data transfer rates, respectively. Corresponding methods and devices for receiving concurrently transmitted object data by way of parallel network interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media player device (“device”) providing a user with an immersive virtual reality experience in accordance with a specification file corresponding to the immersive virtual reality experience. The specification file includes data that defines a plurality of elements included in the immersive virtual reality experience by providing a plurality of links for use by the device in acquiring the plurality of elements while providing the user with the immersive virtual reality experience. The method further includes the device detecting, while the immersive virtual reality experience is being provided to the user, real-world input associated with the user, and integrating the real-world input into the immersive virtual reality experience by updating the specification file to further include data that defines the real-world input as a user-specific element that is specific to the user and that is included in the immersive virtual reality experience.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system (“system”) includes a configuration of synchronous video and depth capture devices disposed at fixed positions at a real-world event. In real time, the video and depth capture devices capture two-dimensional video data and depth data for surfaces of objects at the real-world event. The system generates a real-time volumetric data stream representative of a dynamic volumetric model of the surfaces of the objects at the real-world event in real time based on the captured two-dimensional video data and captured depth data. The dynamic volumetric model of the surfaces of the objects at the real-world event is configured to be used to generate virtual reality media content representative of the real-world event as experienced from a dynamically selectable viewpoint corresponding to an arbitrary location at the real-world event and selected by a user experiencing the real-world event using a media player device.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system (“system”) includes a configuration of synchronous video and depth capture devices disposed at fixed positions in a vicinity of a first object located in a natural setting along with one or more additional objects. The video and depth capture devices capture two-dimensional video data and depth data for a surface the first object. The system distinguishes the first object from a second object included in the one or more additional objects located in the natural setting and generates an individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object. The individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object is configured to be individually manipulated with respect to an immersive virtual reality world while a user of a media player device is experiencing the immersive virtual reality world using the media player device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a configurable multi-language, research and application keyboard tool. A configurable keyboard system includes a font editor/generator for modifying and creating new characters, a language database for storing characters of one or more alphabets, a user interface for display outputs and accepting inputs from a user, and a layout generator for configuring a dynamic keyboard display and displaying the keyboard display on the user interface. Characters from one or more languages may be grouped in proximity to each other on the keyboard display based on common phonetic sounds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a configurable multi-language, research and application keyboard tool. A configurable keyboard system includes a font editor/generator for modifying and creating new characters, a language database for storing characters of one or more alphabets, a user interface for display outputs and accepting inputs from a user, and a layout generator for configuring a dynamic keyboard display and displaying the keyboard display on the user interface. Characters from one or more languages may be grouped in proximity to each other on the keyboard display based on common phonetic sounds.

Abstract: A hardware/firmware layer comprising a Device Manager, an Information Manager, a Memory Manager, and a Process Manager contained in one or more semiconductor chips is disclosed. The hardware/firmware layer eliminates the need for an operating system. Each of the Managers comprises a microcontroller associated with a firmware embedded in ROM or Flash memory that contains instruction sets that cause the microcontroller to provide a designated task of device management, information management, memory management and process management. In another aspect of the invention, devices connected to the computer system are “smart devices,” each device having a device microcontroller and embedded device drivers in a ROM or Flash memory. The hardware/firmware of the present invention does not need to search for available devices, provide diagnostic tests or obtain device drivers to communicate with the devices.

Abstract: An insect trap system including a housing having first and second opposing ends, the first opposing end defining an aperture, an insect attractant module configured to create an airborne attractant zone, a fan disposed and configured to draw air into the housing through the aperture, a gate configured to operate in a first state wherein airflow through the aperture is inhibited by the gate, and to operate in a second state wherein airflow through the aperture is not substantially inhibited by the gate, wherein the gate is maintained in the first state for a predetermined first time such that the airborne attractant zone is formed and the gate is maintained in the second state for a second predetermined time such that insects within a capture zone are compelled to enter the housing through the aperture, wherein the gate is configured to alternate between the first and second states.

Abstract: A hardware/firmware layer comprising a Device Manager, an Information Manager, a Memory Manager, and a Process Manager contained in one or more semiconductor chips is disclosed. The hardware/firmware layer eliminates the need for an operating system. Each of the Managers comprises a microcontroller associated with a firmware embedded in ROM or Flash memory that contains instruction sets that cause the microcontroller to provide a designated task of device management, information management, memory management and process management. In another aspect of the invention, devices connected to the computer system are “smart devices,” each device having a device microcontroller and embedded device drivers in a ROM or Flash memory. The hardware/firmware of the present invention does not need to search for available devices, provide diagnostic tests or obtain device drivers to communicate with the devices.

Abstract: A hardware/firmware layer comprising a Device Manager, an Information Manager, a Memory Manager, and a Process Manager contained in one or more semiconductor chips is disclosed. The hardware/firmware layer eliminates the need for an operating system. Each of the Managers comprises a microcontroller associated with a firmware embedded in ROM or Flash memory that contains instruction sets that cause the microcontroller to provide a designated task of device management, information management, memory management and process management. In another aspect of the invention, devices connected to the computer system are “smart devices,” each device having a device microcontroller and embedded device drivers in a ROM or Flash memory. The hardware/firmware of the present invention does not need to search for available devices, provide diagnostic tests or obtain device drivers to communicate with the devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is directed to an integration of a computer modeling process in which a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine is used for manufacture or rapid prototyping. As a result, conventional processes that require a level of human interface during the intermediate stages are minimized or otherwise removed. Intermediate stages include Computer Aided Design(CAD) stage, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) stage, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) stage and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine stage. By using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), a CAD data file is converted for direct input to the CNC machine that is able to read NURBS instruction codes.

Abstract: A hardware/firmware layer comprising a Device Manager, an Information Manager, a Memory Manager, and a Process Manager contained in one or more semiconductor chips is disclosed. The hardware/firmware layer eliminates the need for an operating system. Each of the Managers comprises a microcontroller associated with a firmware embedded in ROM or Flash memory that contains instruction sets that cause the microcontroller to provide a designated task of device management, information management, memory management and process management. In another aspect of the invention, devices connected to the computer system are “smart devices,” each device having a device microcontroller and embedded device drivers in a ROM or Flash memory. The hardware/firmware of the present invention does not need to search for available devices, provide diagnostic tests or obtain device drivers to communicate with the devices.