Abstract: Various implementations provide techniques to prevent excessive parallax, depth, or disparity from being passed through to a viewer. In one particular implementation, it is determined that a depth indicator for an object in a stereoscopic image pair of a video sequence is outside of a target range. One or more images of the stereoscopic image pair is modified so that the depth indicator for the object is within the target range. In other implementations, a depth transition between the object and another portion of the video sequence is smoothed. In further implementations, the stereoscopic image pair is replaced with a 2D image pair that includes the object. In yet further implementations, a resulting video sequence includes (i) one or more stereoscopic image pairs having non-zero disparity and for which the depth indicator is within the target range for the entire image pair, and (ii) one or more 2D image pairs.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for distributing different versions of a movie. A digital cinema package contains assets for different versions of the movie and a first composition playlist representing a first version of the movie. A second composition playlist, which represents a second version of the movie, is available separately from the first digital cinema package. At least one picture track file in the digital cinema package has a portion that is not referenced by the first composition playlist, but referenced by the second composition playlist.

Abstract: A method for reproducing, in an auditorium, audio sounds in an audio program commences by examining audio sounds in the audio program to determine which sounds are precedent and which sound are consequent (e.g., a gunshot and its ricochet). The precedent and consequent audio sounds undergo reproduction by sound reproducing devices in the auditorium, wherein the consequent audio sounds undergo a delay relative to the precedent audio sounds in accordance with distances from sound reproducing devices in the auditorium so audience members will hear precedent audio sounds before consequent audio sounds.

Abstract: A terminal for use in a communications network for calling a called party includes a capture buffer for storing a media stream, including a voice command, received from the caller. A session controller in the terminal controls call handling and launches the call from the caller to the called party in accordance with the voice command. Responsive to the session manager, a stream controller will transmit the media stream from the capture buffer to the called party following set up of the call. In this way the called party may identify the caller voice and screen the call. Silence intervals in the media stream are detected and suppressed.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing subtitles for use in a stereoscopic presentation are described. The method allows a subtitle to be displayed without being truncated or masked by comparing the subtitle's initial footprint with an image display area. If any portion of the initial footprint lies outside the image display area, the subtitle is adjusted according to adjustment information, which includes at least one of: a scale factor, a translation amount and a disparity change, so that the adjusted subtitle lies completely within the image display area. Furthermore, the disparity of the subtitle can be adjusted by taking into account the disparities of one or more objects in an underlying image to be displayed with the subtitle.

Abstract: Management of received images of remote participants displayed to a local participant in a telepresence system commences by first establishing the orientations of the remote telepresence system participants relative to their respective image capture devices (telepresence cameras). The received images of the remote participant(s) undergo processing for display to the local participant in accordance with the established orientations to control at least one of image visibility and image location within the displayed image observed by the local participant.

Abstract: The processing images in a telepresence system commences by establishing, at a first station, first orientation data indicative of an orientation of a first audience member relative to each of a first and second image display devices at the first station. Thereafter, the first station receives an incoming first image of a second audience member at a second station of the telepresence system, along with second orientation data indicative of an orientation of the second audience member relative to a first image capture device at the second station. The first station processes the first image for display on a selected one of the first and second image display devices, in accordance with the first and second orientation data so upon display, the image of the second audience appears to coexist in superposition with an image of the first audience member in a common environment.

Abstract: A method for managing advertising sponsorships for participants who engage in a social media interaction on a social network commences by first receiving from at least one participant a selection of at least one of advertising sponsorship offer provided to that participant. Thereafter, the selection of the at least one advertising offer made by the at least one participant is accepted in accordance with previously accepted sponsorship offers selected by the at least one participant.

Abstract: A method for managing advertising sponsorships for participants who engage in a social media interaction on a social network commences by first receiving from at least one participant a selection of at least one of advertising sponsorship offer provided to that participant. Thereafter, the selection of the at least one advertising offer made by the at least one participant is accepted in accordance with previously accepted sponsorship offers selected by the at least one participant.

Abstract: The sharing an image of a local participant in a group with at least one other participant in that group commences by establishing, for that local participant, orientation information indicative of an orientation of the communication channel local participant relative to a display screen and a video camera. The local participant sends his or her image of the local participant along with the orientation information to at least one other participant. The orientation information enables display of the image of the local participant with a common orientation recognized by the at least one other participant.

Abstract: A method for use with 3-dimensional or stereoscopic projection is disclosed, with crosstalk and differential distortion compensations provided for stereoscopic images in a presentation such that the projected images will have reduced crosstalk and differential distortion.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for differential distortion correction for use in the three-dimensional (3D) projection of film-based or digital images. A compensation transform determined based on distortion information can be applied to image data to compensate for distortions in stereoscopic images for 3D projection. Different approaches can be used for obtaining the compensation transform.

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: A method for replicating content onto storage devices for shipping to a common destination commences by first grouping work orders that specify replication of content onto a plurality of storage devices associated a common destination into a group replication job. The content specified in the group replication job is replicated onto the plurality of storage devices content specified in the group replication job. Thereafter, the content storage devices now replicated with content are readied for shipping to the common destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and reporting water loss by a subject through expiration and perspiration. The reported water loss can be for a particular period of exercise or activity performance. The temperature and humidity of ambient air, e.g., as inhaled into the subject's lungs, and other factors including the temperature and humidity of the air exhaled, breath volume, and respiration rate, each of which may be measured, though some can be estimated on the basis of heart rate, exertion level, or recognized activities. Perspiration rate can also be measured and included. Monitoring for pulmonary hemorrhage or hemoptysis can also be incorporated.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly generating a roster of drivers and passengers in transportation vehicles. A driver's or passenger's smartphone can communicate using short-range communications with the vehicle, or a smartphone in the vehicle, so that the ID associated with the phone can be linked to a vehicle ID, date and time stamped, and stored in a log or database. Any unauthorized person can be refused admittance (by not permitting the vehicle to start or otherwise being denied the right to be a driver or passenger). A downloaded application is used for this purpose. The invention also can include a secure, remote database as well as a mobile device such as a smartphone running the application, a wireless receiver/transmitter in the vehicle, and a wireless communication network such as a cellular network.

Abstract: To synchronize sound information with corresponding picture information for digital cinema compositions at different frame rates in a play list during play out of the digital cinema compositions, associated audio latency settings are first established for the corresponding picture information of the digital cinema compositions in the play list in accordance with the digital cinema composition frame rates. The timing between the sound information and the picture information is then adjusted during play out of the digital cinema compositions in accordance with the associated audio latency settings for the corresponding digital cinema composition frame rates.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a display venue are disclosed. One method involves receiving information generated by an audience in response to a request associated with content provided to the audience at a display venue, and determining at least one condition at the display venue based on the information.

Abstract: A method for providing a storage device with content files for exhibition commences by identifying, from a work order, a needed set of content files. Thereafter, a storage device, whose previously written content files most closely match the needed set of content files identified from the work order, is selected from an inventory of storage devices. The set of content files on the selected storage device undergo adjustment so that the storage device stores at least the needed set of content files. For example, if one or more of the needed set of content files are missing from the selected storage device, these files are replicated onto the selected storage device as part of the content file adjustment process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficient display of, and navigation through, a large database by displaying and selecting objects, e.g., graphic elements, in a grid associated with the content of the database are provided. The method includes providing a first subset of graphic elements from a database of graphic elements, the first subset of graphic elements arranged in a grid pattern, adjusting a position of one of the graphic elements in the first subset on the display in response to a user input indicating movement of the one graphic element in a horizontal and vertical direction, and providing a second subset of graphic elements from the database of graphic elements, the second subset of graphic elements including the one graphic element in the first subset at the point central on the display.