Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090067349 | Method and apparatus for virtual auditorium usable for a conference call or remote live presentation with audience response thereto - 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. | 03-12-2009 |
20090196426 | Method and Apparatus for Key Distribution for Secure Digital Cinema Presentations - Key distribution within a digital cinema presentation facility ( | 08-06-2009 |
20100114643 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED SCHEDULING OF PERFORMANCES IN A DIGITAL CINEMA SYSTEM - 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. | 05-06-2010 |
20100153189 | Method and apparatus for processing responses from a remote, live audience - 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. | 06-17-2010 |
20100283426 | Method and apparatus for charging an electric vehicle from a streetlight - 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. | 11-11-2010 |
20100321493 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOTE MONITORING - 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. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324978 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO PURCHASERS - A pre-sale offer system ( | 12-23-2010 |
20100328612 | System and method for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 12-30-2010 |
20100333152 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION TO AND PLAYOUT WITH A DIGITAL CINEMA SYSTEM - 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. | 12-30-2010 |
20110007132 | Method and system for brightness correction for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007278 | Method and system for differential distortion correction for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 01-13-2011 |
20110019167 | Method and system for color correction for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025981 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRE-FIRING CUES DURING A DIGITAL CINEMA PRESENTATION - 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. | 02-03-2011 |
20110032340 | METHOD FOR CROSSTALK CORRECTION FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PROJECTION - 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. | 02-10-2011 |
20110038042 | Method and system for crosstalk and distortion corrections for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 02-17-2011 |
20110063576 | Method and system for three-dimensional (3D) projection - 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. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063727 | Method and system with indicating marks for projection film - 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. | 03-17-2011 |
20110069281 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL ALIGNMENTS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PROJECTION - 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. | 03-24-2011 |
20110090397 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC DISPLAYS FOR DIGITAL CINEMA - A method and apparatus for dynamic displays for digital cinema, generates ( | 04-21-2011 |
20110093314 | Method and apparatus for parking lot metering - 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. | 04-21-2011 |
20110131083 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARKING LOT MANAGEMENT - 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. | 06-02-2011 |
20110140658 | Automated Parking Garage with Electric Vehicle Charging - 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. | 06-16-2011 |
20110170069 | Stereoscopic film marking and method of use - 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. | 07-14-2011 |
20110187701 | 3D Projection System with Non-Integer Flash Rate - A method of displaying a 3D image having the steps of providing a first left eye image ( | 08-04-2011 |
20110213672 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PARKING LOT - A system and method for managing a parking lot where different parking spaces have associated logical attributes that determine pricing for using that space. Typical attributes are “Last Space”, “One of Last Spaces” or “Safe Space”. Other non-premium spaces can simply have an attribute of “Ordinary” or the like. As ordinary spaces are used up, motorists may become motivated to pay higher fees to park in the last remaining spaces or premium spaces. Also, safe spaces that provide additional protection for a vehicle may go at a premium price. The present invention works at both gated and ungated lots. With an ungated lot, a ticket can be printed displaying the fact that the vehicle has paid a premium (or ordinary) rate. With a gated lot, some of the spaces can be further gated as premium or discount spaces that go at a corresponding higher or lower price. | 09-01-2011 |
20110226848 | Method and apparatus for parking lot metering - Pay-by-Space and Pay-and-Display are two well-known systems for metered parking for multiple spaces. The present invention allows multi-space meters to separately manage and control electric vehicle charging located in conjunction with parking spaces. Control is implemented by the meters printing indicia on a parking pass or receipt for the parking patron to present to an electric vehicle charging system able to read the indicia. Each such ticket may initiate a predetermined interval of charging, or an interval of charging selected by the patron during a transaction with the meter. The indicia may be either human-readable (e.g., text) or machine-readable (e.g., a barcode), or both, and may be encrypted to resist fraud. Data representative of the indicia may also be made available from an online server and delivered to a parking patron's smartphone or other portable device, whereby the display of the smartphone may present the indicia for reading by the electric vehicle charging system. | 09-22-2011 |
20110271295 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A DISPLAY VENUE - 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. | 11-03-2011 |
20110285726 | Method and apparatus for preparing subtitles for display - A method and apparatus for preparing subtitles for display are disclosed. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for preparing at least one subtitle for display based on at least one parameter measured using an image shown on a screen. | 11-24-2011 |
20120092757 | IMPROVED OVER-UNDER LENS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PROJECTION - An over/under lens for projecting a 3D film print possesses a circular polarization module that includes a clockwise circular polarization filter assembly and a counterclockwise circular polarization filter assembly. The clockwise and counterclockwise circular polarization filter assemblies advantageously limit cross talk occurring between left-eye and right eye images, thus improving the viewing experience. | 04-19-2012 |
20120127287 | OPTICAL COMPENSATION FOR GHOSTING IN STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS - A method for reducing crosstalk is stereoscopic displays comprises providing a first first-eye image, a compensated image of the first first-eye image, a first other-eye image, and a compensated image of the first other-eye image; displaying each of the images at least once during a single frame flash sequence, wherein the first first-eye image is displayed to a first eye, the compensated image of the first first-eye image is displayed to another eye, the first other-eye image is displayed to the another eye, and compensated image of the first other-eye image is displayed to the first eye; wherein the compensated images can be displayed simultaneously and/or at least one of the compensated images or eye images can be displayed more than one time during a single frame flash sequence. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129138 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION, DETECTION OF SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE, REPORTING, AND PROVISION OF REWARD THEREFORE - An exercise computer monitors the exercises of a user, especially a child, and provides rewards for exercises done well and regularly, thereby motivating the user. Rewards take the form of video games, cartoons, music, and merchant coupons. The exercise computer also provides encouragement and advice as the user progresses in skill level. Exercises may be prescribed. A record of exercise performance can be produced, to track the user's progress over time. The system and method can readily utilize the current install base of handheld computers and video games pre-existing in the marketplace. | 05-24-2012 |
20120173977 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GRID NAVIGATION - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
20120191242 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINDING AND ACCESSING A VEHICLE FUELING STATION, INCLUDING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION - A control system and method are provided for a station to dispense fuel to a vehicle, including an electric vehicle, without requiring dedicated access to a communications network, with the advantage that authorization for fleet vehicles or individuals can be obtained from an access management system, using a portable, wireless device, such as a smart phone or a dashboard appliance. The authorization is wirelessly relayed to the station by the wireless device, to enable the dispensing of fuel. Subsequently, a log comprising the transaction is provided to the access management system, through the same or a different wireless, mobile computing device. The log may also report status and other events, such as load shedding. | 07-26-2012 |
20120203364 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE REMOTE REAL TIME COLLABORATIVE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE RECORDINGS - A system and method are disclosed for real time, distributed, live acoustic performance collaborations having improved security. The distributed collaboration includes multiple artists (performers, artists, engineers, technicians, or directors), at multiple locations. Distinct audio watermarks tag the real time, live performance sent to each remote workstation, to deter illicit duplication and distribution. Only an authorized workstation can obtain the unwatermarked master. | 08-09-2012 |
20120221473 | Method and System for Using a Mobile Device for Secure Access to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - A systems and method are to allow a wireless telephone or any terminal to reserve and activate an electric vehicle charger using a web site or server computer system. An access control system is provided that includes a server and an access device. The access device includes an electrical vehicle charger. A reservation request is accepted from a first terminal using the server. A reservation certificate is provided to a mobile second terminal in response to the request using the server. The reservation certificate is accepted from the mobile second terminal using the access device and a communications technique like Bluetooth. The reservation certificate is determined to be authentic using the access device. The electric vehicle charger is activated in response to accepting an authentic reservation certificate using the access device. | 08-30-2012 |
20120230653 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIGITAL CINEMA PRESENTATION - A method and system for digital cinema presentation are disclosed. The method provides for automatic comparison of a playlist against at least one attribute relating to digital content, and automatically skipping one or more compositions during playout of content in the playlist based on the comparison results. | 09-13-2012 |
20120318862 | Method and Apparatus for Credit Card Tracking at Pay Stations - An enhancement to a pay station where subscribers can track usage of credit cards or groups of credit cards at parking and other facilities. The subscriber provides a key that can be used with a predetermined hash or encryption algorithm to hash or encrypt every credit card number that enters the system. A database of the coded results for a set of pre-registered credit cards belonging to that subscriber is maintained in the pay station database. Whenever an incoming credit card's coded output matches one of the coded results on the pre-registered list, a log entry can be made in a usage log. The subscriber generally has a list of the coded outputs for each of their pre-registered cards. The subscriber can thus track usage of any of these cards. | 12-20-2012 |
20120319651 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARKING LOT METERING USING ACTIVATION CODES - Embodiments of the present invention allow multi-space meters and gated parking systems to separately manage and control electric vehicle charging stations located in conjunction with parking spaces. Control is implemented by the meters or other management systems providing codes, for example by printing them on a parking pass or receipt. When entered into the electric vehicle charging station, the code initiates a predetermined interval of charging, or an interval of charging selected by the patron during a transaction with the meter. The code is typically a multi-digit number, and may be encrypted to resist fraud. Data representative of the receipt, including the code, may be made available from an online server and delivered to a parking patron's smartphone or other portable device, whereby parking and vehicle charging may be obtained without first visiting a parking management kiosk and then returning to the vehicle to initiate charging. | 12-20-2012 |
20120331301 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A SMART PHONE FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING - Systems and methods are provided to allow a smart phone or any terminal to reserve and activate an electric vehicle charger using a web site or server computer system. An access control system is provided that includes a server and an access device. The access device includes an electrical vehicle charger. A reservation request is accepted from a first terminal using the server. A reservation certificate is provided to a portable second terminal in response to the request using the server. The reservation certificate is accepted from the portable second terminal using the access device. The reservation certificate is determined to be authentic using the access device. The electric vehicle charger is activated in response to accepting an authentic reservation certificate using the access device. | 12-27-2012 |
20130010062 | SUBTITLES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRESENTATION - 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. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010063 | DISPARITY VALUE INDICATIONS - A particular implementation receives a stereo video and a disparity map corresponding to the stereo video, the disparity map including a sample that does not indicate an actual disparity value. The particular implementation determines disparity information corresponding to the sample and processes the stereo video based on the disparity information. Another implementation receives a stereo video and processes disparity information corresponding to the stereo video. A further implementation generates a disparity map, the disparity map including a sample that does not indicate an actual disparity value. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010093 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF USING FLOATING WINDOW IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRESENTATION - A method and system for presenting stereoscopic images are described, in which a portion of at least one stereoscopic image of a stereoscopic pair is blocked while displaying the stereoscopic images. The blocked portion has a width at least equal to a magnitude of a minimum disparity associated with a region of the image near a vertical edge of the image or near a vertical edge of an area for displaying the image. By blocking the portion of the image during content display, one can avoid depth cue conflicts near the edge of the images or the display area. | 01-10-2013 |
20130015707 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FROM A STREETLIGHT - 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 required to be 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. | 01-17-2013 |
20130093999 | Method and Apparatus for Prefiring Cues During a Digital Cinema Presentation - 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-cuing. 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 pre-fire interval. | 04-18-2013 |
20130194416 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ARCHIVING VIDEO TO FILM - A method and system are disclosed for archiving video content to film and recovering the video from the film archive. Video data corresponding to the content and a characterization pattern associated with the data are provided as encoded data, which is recorded onto a film for producing a film archive. The characterization pattern contains spatial, temporal and colorimetric information relating to the video data, and provides a basis for recovering the video content from the film archive. | 08-01-2013 |
20130238536 | System and Method for Secure Addition of Machine Readable Identification to an Off-line Database - A system that allows secure identification tokens (e.g., smart cards or RFID tags), often used for enabling such systems, to be securely added to a secure, local database of identification tokens authorized to operate the device, system or service. Such authorizations may be open-ended or have an expiration date. The addition of the identification token is achieved without requiring communication with a central controller by wired or wireless means, but is instead triggered by a message authorizing the addition of an identification token to the local database. The same invention can be used, in some embodiments, to allow magnetic stripe cards or biometric measurements to become authorized to operate or allow access to the system or device or service. | 09-12-2013 |
20130262275 | System and Method for providing Internet-based vehicle registration and transactions - A system and method for augmenting location or event or parking access to a process not only for access to parking, but to goods and services based on the mobile customer being tied to a license plate number or group of license plate numbers tied to a credit card, checking account or other payment account. This allows that customer to biometrically authenticate and order goods to be available at a participating event or drive through location based on a biometrically authenticated order and the (known) proximity of the customer to the drive through location. | 10-03-2013 |
20130293777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING CAPTIONS - A system and method are disclosed for displaying different captions for selective viewing. A display is used for showing the captions in different color and/or polarization combinations, and color-selective filters and/or polarizers are used for separately viewing the individual captions. | 11-07-2013 |
20140114448 | Method and apparatus for sharing electric vehicle and electric appliance usage data - A system and method allowing electric vehicle (EV) and other appliance owners to share data with other appliance owners and service providers. For an EV, data like SoC, or whether the EV is presently connected to an EV charger, can be shared through a server and database with a control system that can now know the type of vehicle that is connected to a particular EV charger. Such a system can also know when an EV owner has been notified that his EV is charging, or fully charged, and if the EV is still connected to an EV charger. Such data originates at the EV (or other appliance), is sent wirelessly to the EV manufacturer's central database, and from there is sent to, or can be requested by, the EV owner(s). Data is merged with EV charger usage data for the EV or a plurality of EV's. | 04-24-2014 |
20140125660 | SCALE-INDEPENDENT MAPS - Various implementations provide a resolution-specific attribute for a resolution-invariant region. Several implementations provide an SCM-based disparity value for scale-invariant cells. Particular implementations provide a signal or structure that includes such an attribute. Yet further implementations access such an attribute, and process the attribute. One particular implementation accesses an attribute for a region of a picture. The region is coextensive with a first integer number of pixels in a particular resolution, and with a second integer number of pixels in a second resolution. The attribute is specific to the region and to a combination resolution determined as a combination of the particular resolution and the second resolution. The attribute is converted to provide an attribute specific to the particular resolution. The converted attribute is associated with the first integer number of pixels. Other implementations use the converted attribute in post-processing operations, such as, for example, subtitle placement using disparity information. | 05-08-2014 |
20140139620 | TELEPRESENCE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD - 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. | 05-22-2014 |
20140223531 | Smartphone based identification, access control, testing, and evaluation - A suite of testing and evaluation tools that run in conjunction with a smartphone that can be used to both enroll, and for subsequent enrollees, to gain secure access so that the program may measure, track and report on tests, including activities, that may indicate general health and wellness status. Here, the word “smartphone” includes any handheld or mobile device containing at least one processor. The smartphone can be used as the platform for this suite of tools that can include applications that run independently on the smartphone device, but can also include sensors and other data acquisition tools that can be peripheral to the smartphone and connected by wire or wirelessly. | 08-07-2014 |
20140320319 | Method and Apparatus for Parking Lot Metering - 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. | 10-30-2014 |
20140341376 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OBTAINING DIGITAL CINEMA DECRYPTION KEYS - A method and system are disclosed for providing decryption key information in a digital cinema package. Information relating to at least the source of a decryption key is included in the digital cinema package. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344026 | Unified parking management system and method based on optical data processing - A system and method for unified parking management based on optical data processing from installed cameras. The invention can be used in both on-street and off-street parking situations. The system allows for economical dynamic pricing based on demand, profiles and loyalty, and how much a motorist is willing to pay at any given time for a parking space similar to frequent flier programs and seats on a flight. Prices can be constantly changing based on demand, which in turn can be based on time of day, convenience, services available and loyalty. | 11-20-2014 |
20140348491 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLAYOUT CONFIRMATION IN DIGITAL CINEMA - A method and system for tracking playout of auxiliary content (e.g., advertisements) accompanying a digital cinema feature presentation commences by first detecting identifying information in an auxiliary content file associated with the auxiliary content while the auxiliary content undergoes playout. The length of time the detected identifying information remains active is established. Thereafter, both the auxiliary content file(s) and identifying information activity length for which identifying information was detected are logged to track the auxiliary content files that underwent playout. | 11-27-2014 |
20150019670 | DISTRIBUTED CONTROL OF SYNCHRONIZED CONTENT - A method for processing a transport command at a local content controller to control the playback of shared content in synchrony with other, remote content controllers commences by first determining whether a received transport command originated from the local content controller or from at least one remote content controller. In the event of a locally originated transport command, the local content controller will prioritize the locally originated transport command with recently received transport commands. Thereafter, the local controller will transmit the locally originated transport command to at least one remote content controller for execution thereby if the locally originated transport command has priority. In the event of a remotely originated transport command, the local controller will prioritize the remotely originated transport command with recently received transport commands and then execute the prioritized transport commands in accordance with the latency between content controllers. | 01-15-2015 |
20150029024 | System and Method for Locating Missing Airline Baggage - A customer subscribes to a bag track service and gives his identity and cellphone number. The customer is supplied with an RF enabled electronic tag which is placed in a piece of baggage. Once the bag is checked in, the customer scans the bag strip with his cellphone. If a particular bag doesn't arrive at a destination, the subscriber notifies the service of the missing bag by again scanning or photographing the bag stub, or by entering the tag ID. The missing tag information is sent to all registered search applications carried by members of the public, baggage handlers, and/or to all installed airport piconets. Each phone with such an application will then actively try to pair with the unique ID tag in the missing bag. If any such application successfully pairs with the tag, the phone sends this information back to the tracking service. | 01-29-2015 |
20150066797 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING DELIVERY SECURITY AND PREVENTING FRAUD - A system and method that authenticates a shipment to a particular address. A cellular telephone application allows total control of who can be the recipient. The telephone number of a particular cellphone is associated by the carrier with the tracking number of a parcel. The carrier, upon receipt of the parcel for shipping sends an authorization code, which may comprise an expiration date, and/or biometric information, and which may be presented as an electronic barcode image, or presented in other ways (e.g., Bluetooth, infra-red communication) by an application in the telephone. The telephone can securely store this information in its memory, in association with the tracking number. To receive or pickup the parcel, the recipient must present this authentication code (e.g., as a barcode) with their telephone, for scanning by the carrier's delivery agent. Only after authentication code is verified is the parcel released. | 03-05-2015 |
20150071525 | PROCESSING 3D IMAGE SEQUENCES - 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. | 03-12-2015 |
20150074716 | Method And Apparatus For Advertising In A Social, Distributed Content Viewing System - Selection of an advertisement by a user for playout to at least one member of an audience of distributed members commences by establishing a content recommendation from the one audience member based on the one audience member's interaction with the at least one piece of content. The content recommended by the one audience member is transmitted to the at least one other member for playout to that other member | 03-12-2015 |