Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to cooperation among networked devices to obtain and use a multiple-frame screenshot. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor circuit executing instructions that cause the processor circuit to receive a signal conveying a video stream from a source device; visually present video frames of the video stream on a display associated with the apparatus; maintain a rolling buffer comprising a plurality of video frames; recurringly update the plurality of video frames to represent a subset of video frames of the video stream most recently presented on the display; receive a signal indicative of a capture command; and preserve the subset of video frames as a multiple-frame screenshot in response to the capture command.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for augmented facial animation are generally described herein. A method for mapping facial expressions to an alternative avatar expression may include capturing a series of images of a face, and detecting a sequence of facial expressions of the face from the series of images. The method may include determining an alternative avatar expression mapped to the sequence of facial expressions, and animating an avatar using the alternative avatar expression.

Abstract: Technologies for distributed generation of an avatar with a facial expression corresponding to a facial expression of a user include capturing real-time video of a user of a local computing device. The computing device extracts facial parameters of the user's facial expression using the captured video and transmits the extracted facial parameters to a server. The server generates an avatar video of an avatar having a facial expression corresponding to the user's facial expression as a function of the extracted facial parameters and transmits the avatar video to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for non-facial animation in facial performance driven avatar system are generally described herein. A method for facial gesture driven body animation may include capturing a series of images of a face, and computing facial motion data for each of the images in the series of images. The method may include identifying an avatar body animation based on the facial motion data, and animating a body of an avatar using the avatar body animation.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, media and/or methods may involve animating avatars. User facial motion data may be extracted that corresponds to one or more user facial gestures observed by an image capture device when a user emulates a source object. An avatar animation may be provided based on the user facial motion data. Also, script data may be provided to the user and/or the user facial motion data may be extracted when the user utilizes the script data. Moreover, audio may be captured and/or converted to a predetermined tone. Source facial motion data may be extracted and/or an avatar animation may be provided based on the source facial motion data. A degree of match may be determined between the user facial motion data of a plurality of users and the source facial motion data. The user may select an avatar as a user avatar and/or a source object avatar.

Abstract: Generally this disclosure describes a method for controlling the operation of a system based on a determination of content that is airing on a channel. A method may include transmitting at least one message including instructions to sample content from a channel, receiving a message indicating that certain content on the channel is complete, and activating a notification indicating that the certain content on the channel is complete. Another method may include receiving a message including instructions to sample content from a channel, sampling content from the channel, transmitting a message including the content sample, receiving a message comprising information related to the content sample, and determining whether certain content is complete on the channel based on the received information.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for transmitting facial motion data and animating an avatar are generally described herein. A system may include an image capture device to capture a series of images of a face, a facial recognition module to compute facial motion data for each of the images in the series of images, and a communication module to transmit the facial motion data to an animation device, wherein the animation device is to use the facial motion data to animate an avatar on the animation device.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for transmitting facial motion data and animating an avatar are generally described herein. A system may include an image capture device to capture a series of images of a face, a facial recognition module to compute facial motion data for each of the images in the series of images, and a communication module to transmit the facial motion data to an animation device, wherein the animation device is to use the facial motion data to animate an avatar on the animation device.

Abstract: A video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include initiating communication between a first user device and a remote user device; receiving selection of a new avatar to represent a user of the first user device; identifying a new avatar file for the new avatar in an avatar database associated with the first user device; determining that the new avatar file is not present in a remote avatar database associated with the remote user device; and transmitting the new avatar file to the remote avatar database in response to determining that the new avatar file is not present in the remote avatar database.

Abstract: A mechanism is described to facilitate gesture matching according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes selecting a gesture from a database during an authentication phase, translating the selected gesture into an animated avatar, displaying the avatar, prompting a user to perform the selected gesture, capturing a real-time image of the user and comparing the gesture performed by the user in the captured image to the selected gesture to determine whether there is a match.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with creating an avatar video are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the apparatus may one or more facial expression engines, an animation-rendering engine, and a video generator. The one or more facial expression engines may be configured to receive video, voice and/or text inputs, and, in response, generate a plurality of animation messages having facial expression parameters that depict facial expressions for a plurality of avatars based at least in part on the video, voice and/or text inputs received. The animation-rendering engine may be configured to receive the one or more animation messages, and drive a plurality of avatar models, to animate and render the plurality of avatars with the facial expression depicted. The video generator may be configured to capture the animation and rendering of the plurality of avatars, to generate a video. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for generating an avatar with a facial expression corresponding to a facial expression of a user include capturing a reference user image of the user on a computing device when the user is expressing a reference facial expression for registration. The computing device generates reference facial measurement data based on the captured reference user image and compares the reference facial measurement data with facial measurement data of a corresponding reference expression of the avatar to generate facial comparison data. After a user has been registered, the computing device captures a real-time facial expression of the user and generates real-time facial measurement data based on the captured real-time image. The computing device applies the facial comparison data to the real-time facial measurement data to generate modified expression data, which is used to generate an avatar with a facial expression corresponding with the facial expression of the user.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing avatar-based video encoding. In some embodiments, a video recording of an individual may be encoded utilizing an avatar that is driven by the facial expression(s) of the individual. In some such cases, the resultant avatar animation may accurately mimic facial expression(s) of the recorded individual. Some embodiments can be used, for example, in video sharing via social media and networking websites. Some embodiments can be used, for example, in video-based communications (e.g., peer-to-peer video calls; videoconferencing). In some instances, use to the disclosed techniques may help to reduce communications bandwidth use, preserve the individual's anonymity, and/or provide enhanced entertainment value (e.g., amusement) for the individual, for example.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure may describe apparatuses, methods, and systems including an encoding engine to encode and/or compress one or more objects of interest within individual image frames with higher bit densities than the bit density employed to encode and/or compress their background. The image processing system may further include a context engine to identify a region of interest including at least a part of the one or more objects of interest, and scale the region of interest within individual image frames to emphasize the objects of interest. Other embodiments may also be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and storage medium associated with cooperative provision of personalized user functions using shared device and personal device are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a personal device (PD) method may include receiving, by a personal device of a user, a request to perform a user function to be cooperatively provided by the personal device and a shared device (SD) configured for use by multiple users; and cooperating with the shared device, by the personal device, to provide the requested user function personalized to the user of the personal device. In various embodiments, a SD method may include similar receiving and cooperating operations, performed by the SD. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: Video analysis may be used to determine who is watching television and their level of interest in the current programming Lists of favorite programs may be derived for each of a plurality of viewers of programming on the same television receiver.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for augmented facial animation are generally described herein. A method for mapping facial expressions to an alternative avatar expression may include capturing a series of images of a face, and detecting a sequence of facial expressions of the face from the series of images. The method may include determining an alternative avatar expression mapped to the sequence of facial expressions, and animating an avatar using the alternative avatar expression.

Abstract: Described herein is a construction system for a subway station, wherein the construction of guide walls is accomplished using a guide wall steel formwork system, the construction of support beams is accomplished using a support beam steel formwork system, the construction of sidewalls is accomplished using a sidewall trolley, and the construction of floor slabs is accomplished using a floor slab trolley.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for three-dimensional model customization for avatar animation using a sketch image selection are generally described herein. A method for rendering a three-dimensional model may include presenting a plurality of sketch images to a user on a user interface, and receiving a selection of sketch images from the plurality of sketch images to compose a face. The method may include rendering the face as a three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional model for use as an avatar.

Abstract: A video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include selecting an avatar, initiating communication, capturing an image, detecting a face in the image, determining facial characteristics from the face, including eye movement and eyelid movement of a user indicative of direction of user gaze and blinking, respectively, converting the facial features to avatar parameters, and transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters.