Abstract: A system and method for audience participation with a broadcast, such as a radio or television program distributed via terrestrial or satellite broadcast and IPTV multicast, is described. The system provides a distributed application architecture that self-organizes the audience's computers, including PCs, mobile devices, and set-top boxes, so that they work together and distribute the audience-participation communications and processing load so as to not overburden any one machine or communication channel. This same technique ensures that no over reliance is placed on one machine or channel. The system is arbitrarily scalable, without requiring significant infrastructure enhancements, with o(log n) response times. This allows live, real-time audience interactions such as voting or participation as a contestant, with live, real-time feedback to the studio originating the broadcast.

Abstract: The presentation start times of digital cinema presentations can be controlled by a method initiated by first matching a delay condition to at least one of a set of rules specifying presentation start time adjustments for the digital cinema presentations for particular delay conditions. The presentation start times in the digital cinema system then undergo an adjustment in accordance with the at least one rule matching the delay condition. The digital cinema presentations are then played out at the adjusted presentation start times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using cell phones as controllers in a console video game, thereby allowing a large party of players to play simultaneously and to use an interface with which they are familiar. Best suited for question-and-answer style games, the cell phone interface is more adept at text-based answers than is a typical game controller. Key components in the system is an intervening server which conducts the communications between the game console and the service provider(s) for the players cell phones, and a cell phone database which tracks the players and games in progress for subsequently directing incoming messages from cell phones to the appropriate game console.

Abstract: Key distribution within a digital cinema presentation facility (140) occurs according to a retrieval process (200, 300) that provides for automatic retrieval at a scheduled time. The process further includes redundant mechanisms to transfer the necessary keys, in different ways to enable theater personnel to obtain the required key in a variety of different ways.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are disclosed to permit real time, distributed performance by multiple musicians at remote locations, and for recording that collaboration. The latency of the communication channel is transferred to the behavior of the local instrument so that a natural accommodation is made by the musician. This allows musical events that actually occur simultaneously at remote locations to be played together at each location, though not necessarily simultaneously at all locations. This allows locations having low latency connections to retain some of their advantage. Artifacts resulting from an unreliable communication channel, for instance dropouts and jitter, are eliminated in the recorded performance. Limitations of communications bandwidth are managed in real time, with full fidelity restored in the recording.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a virtual auditorium for a remote, live performance to a remote, distributed audience, wherein the performers receive the reaction of the audience members in substantially real time. The live performance can itself be distributed geographically, as taught in the prior art, and may be multimedia in nature, for example audio (monophonic, stereo, or multi-channel) can be augmented by images, video, MIDI, text (e.g., commentary, lyrics), etc. Further, the distributed audience members can receive each other's reaction, also in substantially real time, whereby the virtual auditorium is created wherein the distributed audience members constitute a virtual assembly. The same virtual auditorium, sans performers, can be used as a venue to conduct a conference call of arbitrary size without the expense of a central voice bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for verifying the contents of a package, including cartons, pallets, and containerized cargo. The verification is based on a barcode, RFID, or other identification detectable on the package, and an inexpensive mark having a covert or subtle properties that is machine-readable. The properties are stored in a database and are accessed with reference to the package identification.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating itineraries for a party of visitors to a facility, the facility having multiple attractions. Visitors give answers to questions about their preferences, which is combined with authoritative information about their admission privileges, and information stored about the attractions and facility, to generate an itinerary. The method can be executed by a portable, handheld computer which asks the questions, accepts the answers, and processes them into an itinerary which is both portable and dynamic, adjusting in real time to schedule changes and unscheduled attraction closures. In an alternative embodiment, the itinerary can be generated as the result of an Internet transaction, or through an interaction with a facility employee. The itinerary may be presented to the party in printed form, such as a schedule or ticket book.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to permit real time, distributed performance by multiple musicians at remote locations. The latency of the communication channel is transferred to the behavior of the local instrument so that a natural accommodation is made by the musician. This allows musical events that actually occur simultaneously at remote locations to be played together at each location, though not necessarily simultaneously at all locations. This allows locations having low latency connections to retain some of their advantage. The amount of induced latency can be overridden by each musician.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating itineraries for a party of visitors to a facility, the facility having multiple attractions. Visitors give answers to questions about their preferences, which is combined with authoritative information about their admission privileges, and information stored about the attractions and facility, to generate an itinerary. The method can be executed by a portable, handheld computer which asks the questions, accepts the answers, and processes them into an itinerary which is both portable and dynamic, adjusting in real time to schedule changes and unscheduled attraction closures. In an alternative embodiment, the itinerary can be generated as the result of an Internet transaction, or through an interaction with a facility employee. The itinerary may be presented to the party in printed form, such as a schedule or ticket book.