A three-dimensional amusement device for transforming the outer appearance of a video terminal thus enhancing its appeal and improving the state of mind of the person requiring its use, particularly when that person is a child.

An image is automatically assessed with respect to certain features, wherein the assessment is a determination of the degree of importance, interest or attractiveness of the image. First, a digital image is obtained corresponding to the image. Then one or more quantities are computed that are related to one or more features in the digital image, including one or more features pertaining to the content of the digital image. The quantities are processed with a reasoning algorithm that is trained o...

An aesthetic pool enclosure of modular design includes cover members that hide from view various utilitarian structural components such as bolts, screws, rubber splines for holding screens, and the like. The structure is made of extruded posts and beams and interlocking members for interlocking the posts and beams to one another to reduce the number of fasteners needed and to provide enhanced strength of the finished assembly. The extruded pieces include corner posts for ninety and sixty degree ...

An image is automatically assessed with respect to certain features, wherein the assessment is a determination of the degree of importance, interest or attractiveness of the image. First, a digital image is obtained corresponding to the image. Then one or more quantities are computed that are related to one or more features in the digital image, including one or more features pertaining to the content of the digital image. The quantities are processed with a reasoning algorithm that is trained o...

A method for varying the image processing path for a digital image involves the steps of (a) computing an image processing attribute value for the digital image based on a determination of the degree of importance, interest or attractiveness of the image; and (b) using the image processing attribute value to control the image processing path for the image. In one embodiment, the image processing attribute value is based on an appeal value determined from the degree of importance, interest or att...

A method of assessing consumer reaction to a marketing stimulus, involving the steps of (a) exposing a sample population to a marketing stimulus for a period of time, (b) interviewing members of the sample population immediately after exposure of the members to the marketing stimulus, (c) videotaping any facial expressions and associated verbal comments of individual members of the sample population during the exposure period and interview, (d) reviewing the videotaped facial expressions and ass...

A method of assessing consumer reaction to a marketing stimulus, involving the steps of (a) exposing a sample population to a marketing stimulus for a period of time, (b) interviewing members of the sample population immediately after exposure of the members to the marketing stimulus, (c) videotaping any facial expressions and associated verbal comments of individual members of the sample population during the exposure period and interview, (d) reviewing the videotaped facial expressions and ass...

In a method for varying one or more print attributes of a print made from a digital image, a print attribute value is computed for the digital image based on a determination of the degree of importance, interest or attractiveness of the image and the resulting print attribute value is used to control a print attribute of the print made from the image. The print attribute value is derived from an emphasis or appeal value, wherein an appeal value is an assessment of each image taken by itself and ...