Abstract: An interaction management module (IMM) is described for allowing users to engage an interactive surface in a collaborative environment using various input devices, such as keyboard-type devices and mouse-type devices. The IMM displays digital objects on the interactive surface that are associated with the devices in various ways. The digital objects can include input display interfaces, cursors, soft-key input mechanisms, and so on. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for establishing a frame of reference for governing the placement of each cursor on the interactive surface. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for allowing users to make a digital copy of a physical article placed on the interactive surface. The IMM also provides a mechanism which duplicates actions taken on the digital copy with respect to the physical article, and vice versa.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a personal daemon, executing as a background process on a mobile computing device, for providing personal assistant to an associated user is presented. While the personal daemon maintains personal information corresponding to the associated user, the personal daemon is configured to not share the personal information of the associated user with any other entity other than the associated user except under conditions of rules established by the associated user. The personal daemon monitors and analyzes the actions of the associated user to determine additional personal information of the associated user. Additionally, upon receiving one or more notices of events from a plurality of sensors associated with the mobile computing device, the personal daemon executes a personal assistance action on behalf of the associated user.

Abstract: The described implementations relate to complementary augmented reality. One implementation is manifest as a system including a projector that can project a base image from an ancillary viewpoint into an environment. The system also includes a camera that can provide spatial mapping data for the environment and a display device that can display a complementary three-dimensional (3D) image to a user in the environment. In this example, the system can generate the complementary 3D image based on the spatial mapping data and the base image so that the complementary 3D image augments the base image and is dependent on a perspective of the user. The system can also update the complementary 3D image as the perspective of the user in the environment changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a personal daemon, executing as a background process on a mobile computing device, for providing personal assistant to an associated user is presented. While the personal daemon maintains personal information corresponding to the associated user, the personal daemon is configured to not share the personal information of the associated user with any other entity other than the associated user except under conditions of rules established by the associated user. The personal daemon monitors and analyzes the actions of the associated user to determine additional personal information of the associated user. Additionally, upon receiving one or more notices of events from a plurality of sensors associated with the mobile computing device, the personal daemon executes a personal assistance action on behalf of the associated user.

Abstract: Touch interaction with a curved display (e.g., a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, etc.) is facilitated by preserving a predetermined orientation for objects. In an example embodiment, a curved display is monitored to detect a touch input on an object. If a touch input on an object is detected based on the monitoring, then one or more locations of the touch input are determined. The object may be manipulated responsive to the determined one or more locations of the touch input. While manipulation of the object is permitted, a predetermined orientation is preserved.

Abstract: Leveraging eye gaze and/or other user interactions for automatic paging on a display of a user device is described. In at least one example, the techniques describe receiving input from one or more tracking components. The input may indicate that a gaze of a user is detected on a display associated with a user device. The techniques may further describe determining that the gaze of the user has moved from a first region of at least two regions of the display to a second region of the at least two regions of the display. Based at least in part on determining that the gaze of the user has moved from the first region to the second region, the techniques herein describe updating a portion of the content in the first region of the display via one or more transitions.

Abstract: A tele-immersive environment is described that provides interaction among participants of a tele-immersive session. The environment includes two or more set-ups, each associated with a participant. Each set-up, in turn, includes mirror functionality for presenting a three-dimensional virtual space for viewing by a local participant. The virtual space shows at least some of the participants as if the participants were physically present at a same location and looking into a mirror. The mirror functionality can be implemented as a combination of a semi-transparent mirror and a display device, or just a display device acting alone. According to another feature, the environment may present a virtual object in a manner that allows any of the participants of the tele-immersive session to interact with the virtual object.

Abstract: An interaction management module (IMM) is described for allowing users to engage an interactive surface in a collaborative environment using various input devices, such as keyboard-type devices and mouse-type devices. The IMM displays digital objects on the interactive surface that are associated with the devices in various ways. The digital objects can include input display interfaces, cursors, soft-key input mechanisms, and so on. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for establishing a frame of reference for governing the placement of each cursor on the interactive surface. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for allowing users to make a digital copy of a physical article placed on the interactive surface. The IMM also provides a mechanism which duplicates actions taken on the digital copy with respect to the physical article, and vice versa.

Abstract: An interaction system is described which uses a depth camera to capture a depth image of a physical object placed on, or in vicinity to, an interactive surface. The interaction system also uses a video camera to capture a video image of the physical object. The interaction system can then generate a 3D virtual object based on the depth image and video image. The interaction system then uses a 3D projector to project the 3D virtual object back onto the interactive surface, e.g., in a mirrored relationship to the physical object. A user may then capture and manipulate the 3D virtual object in any manner. Further, the user may construct a composite model based on smaller component 3D virtual objects. The interaction system uses a projective texturing technique to present a realistic-looking 3D virtual object on a surface having any geometry.

Abstract: A tele-immersive environment is described that provides interaction among participants of a tele-immersive session. The environment includes two or more set-ups, each associated with a participant. Each set-up, in turn, includes mirror functionality for presenting a three-dimensional virtual space for viewing by a local participant. The virtual space shows at least some of the participants as if the participants were physically present at a same location and looking into a mirror. The mirror functionality can be implemented as a combination of a semi-transparent mirror and a display device, or just a display device acting alone. According to another feature, the environment may present a virtual object in a manner that allows any of the participants of the tele-immersive session to interact with the virtual object.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to shared spatial augmented reality (SSAR) are described. Sensor units in a room output sensor signals that are indicative of positions of two or more users in the room and gaze directions of the two or more users. Views of at least one virtual object are computed separately for each of the two or more users, and projectors project such views in the room. The projected views cause the two or more users to simultaneously perceive the virtual object in space.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a personal daemon, executing as a process on a mobile computing device, for providing personal assistant to an associated user is presented. While the personal daemon maintains personal information corresponding to the associated user, the personal daemon is configured to not share the personal information of the associated user with any other entity other than the associated user except under conditions of rules established by the associated user. One such condition is when encountering the presence of another personal daemon associated with another user. Upon encountering the other personal daemon, an iterative process of escalating discover and/or disclosure is commenced to determine whether the associated user of the personal daemon would be interested in engaging with the user associated with the other personal daemon.

Abstract: Touch interaction with a curved display (e.g., a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, etc.) is enabled through various user interface (UI) features. In an example embodiment, a curved display is monitored to detect a touch input. If a touch input is detected based on the act of monitoring, then one or more locations of the touch input are determined. Responsive to the determined one or more locations of the touch input, at least one user UI feature is implemented. Example UI features include an orb-like invocation gesture feature, a rotation-based dragging feature, a send-to-dark-side interaction feature, and an object representation and manipulation by proxy representation feature.

Abstract: A grip of a primary user on a touch-sensitive computing device and a grip of a secondary user on the touch-sensitive computing device are sensed and correlated to determine whether the primary user is sharing or handing off the computing device to the secondary user. In the case of handoff, capabilities of the computing device may be restricted, while in a sharing mode only certain content on the computing device is shared. In some implementations both a touch-sensitive pen and the touch-sensitive computing device are passed from a primary user to a secondary user. Sensor inputs representing the grips of the users on both the pen and the touch-sensitive computing device are correlated to determine the context of the grips and to initiate a context-appropriate command in an application executing on the touch-sensitive pen or the touch-sensitive computing device. Meta data is also derived from the correlated sensor inputs.

Abstract: Pen and computing device sensor correlation technique embodiments correlate sensor signals received from various grips on a touch-sensitive pen and touches to a touch-sensitive computing device in order to determine the context of such grips and touches and to issue context-appropriate commands to the touch-sensitive pen or the touch-sensitive computing device. A combination of concurrent sensor inputs received from both a touch-sensitive pen and a touch-sensitive computing device are correlated. How the touch-sensitive pen and the touch-sensitive computing device are touched or gripped are used to determine the context of their use and the user's intent. A context-appropriate user interface action based can then be initiated. Also the context can be used to label metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a personal daemon, executing as a background process on a mobile computing device, for providing personal assistant to an associated user is presented. While the personal daemon maintains personal information corresponding to the associated user, the personal daemon is configured to not share the personal information of the associated user with any other entity other than the associated user except under conditions of rules established by the associated user. The personal daemon monitors and analyzes the actions of the associated user to determine additional personal information of the associated user. Additionally, upon receiving one or more notices of events from a plurality of sensors associated with the mobile computing device, the personal daemon executes a personal assistance action on behalf of the associated user.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to provision of customized audio to each listener in a plurality of listeners are described herein. A sensor outputs data that is indicative of locations of multiple listeners in an environment. The data is processed to determine locations and orientations of the respective heads of the multiple listener in the environment. Based on the locations and orientations of heads of the listeners in the environment, for each listener, respective customized audio signals are generated. The customized audio signals are transmitted to respective beamforming transducers. The beamforming transducers directionally output customized beams for the first listener and the second listener based upon the customized audio signals and locations of the heads of the listeners.

Abstract: A privacy preserving sensor apparatus is described herein. The privacy preserving sensor apparatus includes a microphone that is configured to output a signal that is indicative of audio in an environment. The privacy preserving sensor apparatus further includes feature extraction circuitry integrated in the apparatus with the microphone, the feature extraction circuitry configured to extract features from the signal output by the microphone that are usable to detect occurrence of an event in the environment, wherein the signal output by the microphone is unable to be reconstructed based solely upon the features.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to calibration of filters of an audio system are described herein. A mobile computing device is configured to compute values for respective filters, such as equalizer filters, and transmit the values to a receiver device in the audio system. The receiver device causes audio to be emitted from a speaker based upon the values for the filters.

Abstract: A structural or aesthetic construction element, such as a wall section, is described herein, wherein the construction element has embedded therein an array of microphones, an array of speakers, and processing electronics that drives the array of microphones and the array of speakers. Audio captured by the microphones can be used to estimate a sound field corresponding to the construction element. Speakers in the array of speakers are configured to directionally output audio, such that a desired sound field is produced or reproduced.