Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for monitoring frame alignment status and correcting misalignment for film in a stereoscopic 3D projection system, in which gap indicia are provided onto the film in a gap between images, whether the images belong to the same frame or different adjacent frames. Thus, gap indicia are positioned in at least one of an interframe gap and an intraframe gap of the stereoscopic film. During projection of the film, presence or absence of the gap indicia is used to determine a frame alignment status. Frame misalignment is then easily diagnosed and corrected. Characteristics of the gap indicia are modified for improving frame alignment diagnosis.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide electric vehicle charging in a high-density parking system. A carriage receptacle is physically attached to a carriage of a high-density parking system. The carriage receptacle electrically connects to an electric vehicle supported by the carriage. A bay receptacle is physically attached to a bay of the high-density parking system. The bay receptacle electrically connects the carriage receptacle to a power source to provide electrical charging to the electric vehicle when the carriage is moved into the bay. An electrical vehicle charging request is received from a user at a controller of the high-density parking system. In response to the electrical vehicle charging request, the controller selects the carriage and the bay to provide electrical charging to the electric vehicle when the carriage is moved into the bay.

Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a parking lot parking entry event and a parking lot electric vehicle charging event allow a single payment to be calculated for parking and electric vehicle charging. An admittance identification associated with a parking lot entry event is read using an electric vehicle charging control device of a parking lot. A parking lot charging event is stored with the admittance identification on a storage device of the parking lot using the electric vehicle charging control device. The parking lot entry event and the parking lot charging event associated with the admittance identification are read from the storage device using a payment device of the parking lot. A single payment for parking and electric vehicle charging for the admittance identification is then calculated from the parking lot entry event and the parking lot charging event using the payment device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parking lot metering. The present invention allows multi-space meters to separately manage and control premium parking spaces, such as those for charging electric vehicles or those which supply electric power for engine block heaters in both pay-by-space and pay-an-display systems. Such premium spaces can be managed together over large areas (e.g., a city or region), or may be managed over smaller areas (e.g., the domain of an individual kiosk), or individually per parking space. Management includes pricing, time limits, hours, seasons of operation, and restrictions by vehicle type, and alternative pricing and restrictions for non-premium hours.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic displays for digital cinema, generates (520) dynamic information for display by processing a subtitle file including at least one element related to the dynamic information.

Abstract: Orientation, convergence, and brightness balance corrections for a stereoscopic projection system are achieved by employing a novel test pattern in a low-cost alignment method to allow accurate, rapid alignment of the illuminator, film, and stereoscopic lens. The method and test pattern are also applicable for aligning a dual projector system, in which two projectors are used for projecting right- and left-eye images, respectively.

Abstract: Indicia are established on the film to clearly indicate locations where cuts for splices may and may not be properly made. These indicia are different from each other to signify whether a cut can or cannot be made in the vicinity of the respective indicia. Differences for these indicia can be exhibited in terms of one or more of a distinctive shape or size or orientation or pattern of the indicia. When cuts and splices are correctly performed, the resulting indicia in the vicinity of the splice match substantially one of the two original indicia. When cuts and splices are incorrectly executed, the resulting indicia in the vicinity of the faulty cut and splice will be a third indicia that is combination of portions of the two original indicia. Third indicia will be different from each of the two original indicia and will therefore be readily apparent to be indicative of the presence of an incorrect cut and splice.

Abstract: A method and system are described for projecting stereoscopic images using circularly polarized light with at least one polarizer for limiting the amount of light or radiant energy reaching a projection lens system and associated optical elements, and system configurations are discussed with respect to desired performance characteristics.

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 for crosstalk compensation of stereoscopic images for three-dimensional projection is disclosed. The method can be used for producing a stereoscopic presentation containing stereoscopic image pairs that incorporate density or brightness adjustments to at least partially compensate for crosstalk contributions from images exhibiting differential distortion.

Abstract: Digital cinema exhibition facilities make use of a show play list (SPL) specifying a time sequence of the events to occur during the presentation of digital cinema content. One or more cues in the show play list trigger certain activities, such as displacing the screen curtain and dimming the house lights. To achieve an aesthetic, showman-like presentation, the cues in the show play undergo re-cueing. For each cue, a determination is made automatically of the prefire interval, that is, the interval by which the cue should be advanced. The execution the cue to trigger a corresponding activity is advanced by the automatically determined prefire interval.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a color-corrected stereoscopic film for three-dimensional (3D) projection. Based on color measurements performed with different optical configurations of a projection system, at least one dye density adjustment can be determined for reducing discoloration in projected stereoscopic images that arises from one or more optical components in the projection system.

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 system are disclosed for brightness correction for use in three-dimensional (3D) projection of film-based or digital images. Based on brightness information for a projection system, brightness adjustment can be provided, which can be used for correcting brightness disparity in stereoscopic images for 3D projection.

Abstract: A system and method for use in projecting stereoscopic images for three-dimensional presentation are disclosed. The system includes a dual-lens configuration for imparting different circular polarizations to two sets of images such that one set of images has a polarization orientation orthogonal to that of the other set of images. The dual-lens system includes at least one component for enhancing heat transfer among various elements in the system.

Abstract: The present principles relate to a technique for distributing content destined to be played out on digital cinema systems. The content is preferably distributed compact, but non-digital-cinema-ready encodings. Upon receipt in the theatre, the content is transcoded as needed and played out on theatre systems. The system provides for miscellaneous pieces of content (separate picture and sound elements) to be automatically organized into a multimedia presentation along with other synchronized picture and sound content. The organization of this content may employ heuristics to optimize for revenue while considering aesthetics and showmanship.

Abstract: A pre-sale offer system (150) can advantageously provide a consumer (209, 234) who has selected an item for purchase with a pre-sale offer corresponding to the selected item to influence the consumer's buying decision. A pre-sale offer can constitute an incentive to buy a competing item. Alternatively, the pre-sale offer could constitute an advertisement or other promotional material that would reinforce the decision to buy the identified item. Further, the pre sale offer could include an advertisement, a coupon or other promotional material for one or more companion items, for example incremental ingredients that complete a recipe associated with the identified item.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for remote monitoring of displayed content. The system includes a monitoring device for receiving visual information containing the displayed content and at least one component for generating a defect for combining with the received visual information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to permit real time, distributed acoustic performance by multiple musicians at remote locations. The latency of the communication channel is reflected in the audio monitor used by the performer. This allows a natural accommodation to be made by the musician. Simultaneous remote acoustic performances are 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. The method preferably employs a CODEC able to aesthetically synthesize packets missing from the audio stream in real time.

Abstract: Streetlights along streets and in parking lots are often suitably located for a vehicle to park in immediate proximity. An electric vehicle charging system and method allows the power supply previously dedicated to the streetlight to be used for electric vehicle recharging whenever the streetlight is not lit. In some embodiments, if the total of the current drawn by the electric vehicle charging and the lit streetlight is less than the rating of the streetlight power supply, then charging may continue even while the streetlight is lit. Further, if an electric vehicle so charging offers a utility-interactive inverter, then upon demand the electric vehicle may be available to supply power back to the electric grid.