Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pattie E Maes

Alex Paul Pentland

Thad E Starner

Bruce M Blumberg

Trevor J Darrell

Bradley J Rhodes

Kenneth B Russell

Michael P Johnson

Documents stored in a database are searched for relevance to contextual information, instead of (or in addition to) similar text. Each stored document is indexed in term of meta-information specifying contextual information about the document. Current contextual information is acquired, either from the user or the current computational or physical environment, and this &ldquo;meta-information&rdquo; is used as the basis for identifying stored documents of possible relevance.

Method and apparatus for automated, context-dependent retrieval of information

An electronic system for integrating a user's moving image into a computer-generated pictorial environment, and allowing the user to interact with the environment and objects therein. The environment is rendered on a screen display in a manner that simulates three dimensions, including respect for occlusion relationships among the user and objects in the environment. The resulting image, which changes as the user gestures and interacts with the environment, is projected onto a large screen that the user faces. The environment includes a series of mobile entities, or 'agents,' which respond to one or more of the user's changing position, gestures and voice, exhibiting context-dependent behavior that appears semi-intelligent.

Method and system for facilitating wireless, full-body, real-time user

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Pattie E Maes