Abstract: Techniques to synchronize changes in physical and virtual environments. An environmental change that will occur during a specified playback event within an interactive game is determined. An amount of time sufficient to permit an environmental device to effect a desired change in the physical environment before the specified playback event occurs is determined. The environmental device is controlled based on the amount of time, to effect the desired change synchronously with the environmental change.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a communication system includes a computing platform having one or more hardware processor(s) and a system memory storing a software code, as well as an image capture device, a transceiver, and a display including one or more display screen(s) controlled by the hardware processor(s). The communication system also includes a base including a motor coupled to a rotor for rotating the display. The hardware processor(s) is/are configured to execute the software code to receive audio-visual data including image data corresponding to a remote venue and render the image data on the display screen(s) while spinning the display to generate a floating image of the remote venue. The hardware processor(s) is/are further configured to execute the software code to, concurrently with spinning the display, obtain local image data of a local venue and transmit local audio-visual data including the local image data to the remote venue.

Abstract: To capture augmented reality (AR) on a head mounted display the embodiments described herein include the optical display of virtual components of an AR on an AR device. A real world view within a field of view of the display of the AR device is captured, creating a composite image that combines the virtual components and real world physical components within the field of view of the AR device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for authoring content for display using an optical system comprising one or more optical elements defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The method comprises arranging a virtual object at a first location within an authoring environment. The virtual object is configured to be included in imagery displayed by one or more display devices of the optical system to appear in a focal plane within the field of view. The method further comprises determining, using one or more viewer parameters that control a positioning of the virtual object on the one or more display devices, that a viewer may experience discomfort when viewing the virtual object at the first location. The method further comprises displaying an alert responsive to determining that the viewer may experience discomfort.

Abstract: A presentation device for use with a computing device including a display device and an audio output. The presentation device includes a body member defining an interior volume and at least a first opening. The body member further includes a partially reflective and partially transmissive medium. The body member is configured to receive anamorphically-distorted imagery that is displayed by the display device, which has a predefined arrangement with the body member. The body member is further configured to reconstitute the anamorphically-distorted imagery as a three-dimensional illusion that appears within the interior volume. The body member is further configured to guide audio from the audio output to exit the body member through the first opening.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for controlling devices in a synchronized fashion. Embodiments include determining one or more environmental devices are available within a physical environment. A first interactive game that is playing within the physical environment is detected. Embodiments determine an environmental condition during a first playback event within the first interactive game. The one or more environmental devices within the physical environment are then controlled during playback of the first playback event within the first interactive game, based on the determined environmental condition.

Abstract: Implementations of an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying light generated by a display onto a predefined field of view are disclosed herein. Within one implementation, the display device comprises a mount assembly configured to removably attach with a mobile computing device associated with the display, to thereby arrange the display with a predefined position. The display device further comprises an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to the predefined position and defining the field of view. The optical arrangement comprises a first mirror element configured to reflect a first portion of first incident light that is based on the light generated by the display, and a second mirror element disposed within the field of view and configured to reflect, onto the field of view, a second portion of second incident light that is based on the first portion.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus comprising a mobile computing device comprising a camera, and a mount removably attached with the mobile computing device to arrange the camera in a first position. The mount comprises a first surface, and two reflective elements spaced apart from each other and having a predefined disposition relative to the first position. The two reflective elements comprise respective convex surfaces extending from the first surface, the respective convex surfaces providing respective optical paths between an object and the camera.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for autostereoscopic imaging in a vehicle provide for an enhanced viewer experience. In one example, a reflector is positioned to receive an image from a projector and reflect the image onto a viewing surface through which an external scene is visible, and a camera is positioned relative to the viewing surface to observe the external scene. The system determines first and second viewing distances and viewing angles from the viewing surface to respective first and second eyes for a viewer; produces first and second sub-images for viewing at the respective eyes based on an image; and projects the first and second sub-images from the projector to the reflector to reflect the sub-images to the respective first and second positions on the viewing surface, wherein the positions are set according to the viewing distances and angles to provide a 3D image to the viewer.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an image display system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code, a display coupled to the computing platform, and a visual filter and at least partially surrounding the display and having an opaque mode and a transparent mode. The hardware processor executes the software code to set the visual filter to the opaque mode to obscure the display. The hardware processor also executes the software code to generate a visual image using the display, to obtain an operating parameter of the image display system corresponding to a status of the display, and to detect that the operating parameter meets a predetermined criterion. In response to detecting that the operating parameter meets the predetermined criterion, the hardware processor further executes the software code to set the visual filter to the transparent mode to make the display visible.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an image display system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code, a display coupled to the computing platform, and a visual filter and at least partially surrounding the display and having an opaque mode and a transparent mode. The hardware processor executes the software code to set the visual filter to the opaque mode to obscure the display. The hardware processor also executes the software code to generate a visual image using the display, to obtain an operating parameter of the image display system corresponding to a status of the display, and to detect that the operating parameter meets a predetermined criterion. In response to detecting that the operating parameter meets the predetermined criterion, the hardware processor further executes the software code to set the visual filter to the transparent mode to make the display visible.

Abstract: Implementations of an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying light generated by a display onto a predefined field of view are disclosed herein. Within one implementation, the display device comprises a mount assembly configured to removably attach with a mobile computing device associated with the display, to thereby arrange the display with a predefined position. The display device further comprises an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to the predefined position and defining the field of view. The optical arrangement comprises a first mirror element configured to reflect a first portion of first incident light that is based on the light generated by the display, and a second mirror element disposed within the field of view and configured to reflect, onto the field of view, a second portion of second incident light that is based on the first portion.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for harvesting energy from a mobile device includes a housing having a receptacle for receiving the mobile device, a battery situated within the housing, an energy collection interface including at least one transducer coupled to the battery by a power bus, and one or more auxiliary electronic components coupled to the battery by the power bus. The system is configured to receive, via the receptacle, the mobile device, and to receive, via the energy collection interface, an energy emitted by the mobile device. The system is also configured to generate, by the one or more transducers, a current, using the to energy received from the mobile device, and to feed, via the power bus, the current to at least one of the battery and the at least one auxiliary electronic component.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a floating image display system includes a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code. The system also includes one or more display screens controlled by the GPU, and a rotor coupled to the one or more display screens and controlled by the CPU. The CPU executes the software code to render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the one or more display screens using the GPU, and to spin the rotor and the one or more display screens about a vertical axis parallel to a display surface of the one or more display screens at a predetermined spin rate to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic. The floating image appears to be a three-dimensional (3D) floating image of the 2D graphic to a user viewing the floating image.

Abstract: An optical system, suitable for use within an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device, comprises a camera and an optical arrangement configured to acquire stereoscopic imagery of an object using the camera. The optical arrangement comprises a first reflective element arranged along a first optical path and defining a first convex surface configured to reflect first light received from the object as first reflected light, wherein at least a first portion of the first reflected light is directed onto a camera focal plane. The optical arrangement further comprises a second reflective element having a predefined disposition relative to the first reflective element. The second reflective element is arranged along a second optical path and defines a second convex surface configured to reflect second light received from the object as second reflected light, wherein at least a second portion of the second reflected light is directed onto the camera focal plane.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for calibrating an augmented reality headset. Embodiments output for display in the augmented reality headset, a plurality of reference points, where the augmented reality headset is adapted to further display a fixed reference line. A user selection of a first one of the plurality of reference points that appears closest to the fixed reference line is received, and a calibration profile for the augmented reality headset is generated based on the user selection of the first reference point. Embodiments render one or more frames for display, in which a depiction of at least one virtual object within the one or more frames is dynamically generated based at least in part on the calibration profile.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for harvesting energy from a mobile device includes a housing having a receptacle for receiving the mobile device, a battery situated within the housing, an energy collection interface including at least one transducer coupled to the battery by a power bus, and one or more auxiliary electronic components coupled to the battery by the power bus. The system is configured to receive, via the receptacle, the mobile device, and to receive, via the energy collection interface, an energy emitted by the mobile device. The system is also configured to generate, by the one or more transducers, a current, using the energy received from the mobile device, and to feed, via the power bus, the current to at least one of the battery and the at least one auxiliary electronic component.

Abstract: A presentation device for use with a computing device including a display device and an audio output. The presentation device includes a body member defining an interior volume and at least a first opening. The body member further includes a partially reflective and partially transmissive medium. The body member is configured to receive anamorphically-distorted imagery that is displayed by the display device, which has a predefined arrangement with the body member. The body member is further configured to reconstitute the anamorphically-distorted imagery as a three-dimensional illusion that appears within the interior volume. The body member is further configured to guide audio from the audio output to exit the body member through the first opening.

Abstract: Implementations of augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) display devices with optical arrangements that are compact and brighter than traditional pancake optics are disclosed herein. One embodiment provides a display device in which the traditional pancake optics' concave 50/50 beam splitter mirror element is replaced with a linearly polarization-selective mirror element, producing four times the brightness of traditional pancake optics while being approximately half as thick as a simple magnifier. In another embodiment, a display device includes both the concave linearly polarization-selective mirror element and a circularly polarization-selective mirror element, producing even brighter output. In a further embodiment, a display device includes a flat (rather than concave) linearly polarization-selective mirror element and one or more additional lens elements that collimate light, which may reduce aberrations and/or thickness.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a floating image display system includes a computing platform including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system memory storing a software code. The system also includes one or more display screens controlled by the GPU, and a rotor coupled to the one or more display screens and controlled by the CPU. The CPU executes the software code to render a two-dimensional (2D) graphic on the one or more display screens using the GPU, and to spin the rotor and the one or more display screens about a vertical axis parallel to a display surface of the one or more display screens at a predetermined spin rate to generate a floating image of the 2D graphic. The floating image appears to be a three-dimensional (3D) floating image of the 2D graphic to a user viewing the floating image.