Abstract: Techniques for providing a container that is accessible to at least a first user within a multiple user environment. The container has predetermined access attributes for the first user, and for other potential users within the environment, and the container can be portable across a network and accessible to the first user within either single user or multiple user environments.

Abstract: The depth of one or more objects within a scene may be determined utilizing system that includes a single light source, a reflector (e.g., an ellipsoidal reflector), a shutter mechanism associated with the light source, and a camera. More particularly, the light source may output light that is directed towards the scene (a first set of light beams) and towards the reflector (a second set of light beams) utilizing the shutter mechanism. The reflector may reflect the second set of light beams towards the scene. The camera may then capture a first image that corresponds to the first set of light beams and a second image that corresponds to the second set of light beams. The depth of a particular one of the objects within the scene may be determined based at least in part on the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered light from the environment and determine depth of objects in the environment. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projection images and captured environment images share a common optical path through the same lens. The system includes an image noise cancelation system to cancel, remove, or otherwise reduce unwanted image noise caused by internal reflection of the projection images from the environment images.

Abstract: Display media configured to receive projected content are described herein. In some instances, a display medium may be a non-powered object that a user may hold and move in different ways through a room or other environment. The display medium may be formed to fit into the user's hand and include elements that provide information to accurately project an image onto the display medium or to perform other actions.

Abstract: Techniques are described for adapting a keyboard arrangement to be personalized for a user, based on detected gestures made by the user while employing the keyboard arrangement. An adaptable keyboard arrangement may be provided for the user as part of a device, projected onto a surface near the user, or rendered abstractly into a space near the user. Sensor and/or contextual data may be employed to identify mistypes or near-mistypes of the user, and a statistical model may be developed of the user's typing habits. Keyboard modifications may be determined that adapt the keyboard to minimize potential typing errors and/or provide a more ergonomic keyboard arrangement for the user.

Abstract: Projection and camera systems may employ a joint locking mechanism that may enable a user to reposition or move structures (arms, lenses, etc.) that are otherwise locked in position. The joint locking mechanism may include a touch-activated presence detector to sense a presence of an extremity of a user. In response to the presence detector sensing the presence, an actuator may unlock a joint or structure to enable movement of the joint or structure while the presence detector continues to sense the presence. In response to a detection of an absence of the extremity, the actuator may return to a locked state to prevent further movement of the joint or structure.

Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered IR light from the scene and compute time of flight values used in depth mapping of objects in the room. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projected images and scattered IR light use a common optical path through the same lens. Additionally, an illumination system used to illuminate the scene with the IR light may also use the common optical path through the same lens. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable head of a table lamp.

Abstract: A stepper motor may be controlled by a controller to provide extended revolution of a motor shaft while operating in a first mode and to allow a user to manually intervene with an intended position or rotation of the motor shaft while operating in a second mode. In some embodiments, the controller may adjust a torque applied to the stepper mode during operation of the stepper motor. The controller may reduce a torque applied by the stepper motor to a lower torque while the user intervenes with the intended position or rotation of the motor and increase the torque to a holding torque after the user intervention has ended. Thus, the controller may dynamically adjust a torque of the stepper motor in response to detection of the user intervention.

Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered IR light from the scene and compute time of flight values used in depth mapping of objects in the room. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projected images and scattered IR light use a common optical path through the same lens. Additionally, an illumination system used to illuminate the scene with the IR light may also use the common optical path through the same lens. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable head of a table lamp.

Abstract: A user device may include one or more features on a surface of the user device, where a user may interact with the one or more features. In response to a user action with respect to one of the features, a particular sound, frequency, or change in frequency may be output. An augmented reality functional node (ARFN) may detect the sound or frequency and identify a particular operation that corresponds to the sound or frequency. The ARFN may then cause that operation to be performed within an environment.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for projecting content, periodically or continuously, onto a rear surface of a display medium from behind. The rear projected image is presented on an opposing or front surface of the display medium to a human audience for viewing. Additionally, non-visible light (e.g., IR light) is passed through the display medium to an area in front of the medium. The non-visible light is used to detect human gestures. In this manner, the rear projection arrangement avoids viewer obstruction during projection, yet detects and recognizes gestures made by the viewer in front of the display medium.

Abstract: Techniques are described for compensating for distortion effects caused by projecting images to a surface that is non-perpendicular to a raster-scanning laser projector. Pixel size is modulated such that smaller pixels are projected to farther portions of the surface, and larger pixels are projected to nearer portions. Pixels within a raster scan line may have their lengths modulated through variation of a frequency of light source that generates the pixels, or through adjustment of a scan speed along the line. Pixel heights may be adjusted by modulating the distance between scan lines. Scan speed and distance between scan lines may be modified by controlling micromirrors incorporated into the laser projector for directing the light projection.

Abstract: The depth of one or more objects within a scene may be determined utilizing system that includes a single light source, a reflector (e.g., an ellipsoidal reflector), a shutter mechanism associated with the light source, and a camera. More particularly, the light source may output light that is directed towards the scene (a first set of light beams) and towards the reflector (a second set of light beams) utilizing the shutter mechanism. The reflector may reflect the second set of light beams towards the scene. The camera may then capture a first image that corresponds to the first set of light beams and a second image that corresponds to the second set of light beams. The depth of a particular one of the objects within the scene may be determined based at least in part on the first image and the second image.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for projecting content, periodically or continuously, onto a rear surface of a display medium from behind. The rear projected image is presented on an opposing or front surface of the display medium to a human audience for viewing. Additionally, non-visible light (e.g., IR light) is passed through the display medium to an area in front of the medium. The non-visible light is used to detect human gestures. In this manner, the rear projection arrangement avoids viewer obstruction during projection, yet detects and recognizes gestures made by the viewer in front of the display medium. In one implementation, the display medium comprises a thin sheet of transparent plastic material with arrays of curved optical features to redirect light received on the rear surface out the front surface toward the human audience.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a distance between the at least one light sensor and the surface may be calculated using a ratio representative of the phase difference using time-of-flight of light. The distance may be within a distance range defined by a distance of light travel during a modulation period of the predetermined frequency. The distance may be based on the ratio defined by an amount of energy stored from captured light during a first time interval and a second time interval, and a comparison of an amount of light stored from captured light during at least a third time interval. The first, second, and third time intervals are different, but may overlap in some instances. In some embodiments, the amount of ambient light may be identified and subtracted from the inputs of the ratio. A switch may be used to prevent oversaturation of a storage element storing the stored energy.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for periodically projecting content onto a display medium that is configured to display images for a finite amount of time, during which time the images decay until the image substantially or entirely disappears from the display medium. That is, the systems and techniques may project light onto the display medium, with the light energizing particles of the display medium to display a predefined image.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining locations of audio sources. Audio signals are captured from multiple locations. Pairs of the audio signals are analyzed to create correlograms, indicating correlation scores corresponding to different time offsets between the signals. Based on the correlograms, various locations are analyzed to determine probabilities of audio originating from those locations. The highest probabilities are found, indicating locations containing audio sources. In some situations, the audio sources may be reflective sources, and the locations of the reflective sources may be used to determine locations of objects or surfaces.

Abstract: A directive projection screen is configured to present images projected from a remote projector in three dimensions (3D) to a viewer. The screen includes a plurality of passive optical elements arranged on a structural substrate. The optical elements are configured to receive incident light projected from the projector and reflect the light such that first portions of the image are directed in a first direction to be viewed by a first eye of the viewer and second portions of the image are directed in a second direction to be viewed by a second eye of the viewer.

Abstract: A stepper motor may be controlled by a controller to provide extended revolution of a motor shaft while operating in a first mode and to allow a user to manually intervene with an intended position or rotation of the motor shaft while operating in a second mode. In some embodiments, the controller may adjust a torque applied to the stepper mode during operation of the stepper motor. The controller may reduce a torque applied by the stepper motor to a lower torque while the user intervenes with the intended position or rotation of the motor and increase the torque to a holding torque after the user intervention has ended. Thus, the controller may dynamically adjust a torque of the stepper motor in response to detection of the user intervention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically publishing information on a computer network are disclosed. A computer connected to a computer network is provided to host a database. The computer is configured receive a request from a user to electronically publish information on the computer network. The computer then may accept and store input from the user in a database. The computer may then electronically publish the user input by making information stored in the database freely accessible on the computer network.