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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Embodiments provide techniques for altering a virtual world based on combinational input gestures. Embodiments retrieve a definition for a combinational gesture within a computer game, the definition specifying physical actions to perform according to a specified timing schedule in order to successfully perform the combinational gesture. User activity is monitored to detect when a first user input from a first input devices sufficiently matches a first predefined pattern of user input corresponding to a first physical action, and to detect when a second user input from a second input device sufficiently matches a second predefined pattern of user input corresponding to a second physical action. Embodiments determine that the first and second user inputs were performed according to the timing schedule specified in the definition. A status of at least one aspect of a virtual world for the computer game is altered, based on performance of the combinational gesture.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for automating control of electronic device. A first interactive game playing within the physical environment using one or more electronic devices is detected. Embodiments collect electromyogram data from one or more electromyography sensors within the physical environment and analyze the electromyogram data collected to determine muscle activations made by the user. Upon determining that the determined muscle activations made by the user match a predefined pattern of electromyography data, embodiments determine a gameplay action corresponding to the predefined pattern of electromyography data and transmit an instruction, to at least one of the one or more electronic devices within the physical environment, instructing the electronic device to perform the determined gameplay action.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for distinguishing user movements in an immersive play environment. A first tracking device is provided that measures first tracking data. A second tracking device is also provided to measure second tracking data. A controller device is also provided to receive tracking data from the second tracking device. The second tracking device measures movement of a user by receiving the first tracking data from the first tracking device and determining third tracking data movement based on a combination of the first tracking data and the second tracking data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for managing a wearable garment device. Embodiments include determining an identification credential that uniquely identifies a player within an interactive gaming environment. A gameplay state of the player within the interactive gaming environment is retrieved. The gameplay state includes at least one of a rank of the player, one or more accomplishments of the player and a group to which the player belongs within the interactive gaming environment. Embodiments determine a wearable garment device having a preexisting association with the player within the interactive gaming environment. The wearable garment device is configured with one or more display devices. A graphical depiction of at least a portion of the gameplay state is generated and embodiments cause the generated graphical depiction to be output for display using the one or more display devices of the wearable garment device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an arm band that captures sensor data used to identify hand gestures. When worn on the arm, the arm band permits a computing device to identify different gestures made by the hand. In one embodiment, the band measures a change in position of the tendons that control the positions of the fingers on the hand which can then be correlated to a particular hand gesture. For example, the thickness of the user's arm increases in a direction perpendicular to the palm of the hand when the fingers are extended relative to the thickness of the arm when the fingers are curled into the palm of the hand. By detecting this change in thickness, the computing device can distinguish between different gestures.

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: Embodiments described herein include an optical system, and associated method and computer program product. The optical system comprises one or more display devices, and one or more computer processors configured to transmit display signals comprising at least one virtual object for updating imagery displayed by the display devices, and to selectively defocus a focus of the virtual object.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for automating control of electronic device. A first interactive game playing within the physical environment using one or more electronic devices is detected. Embodiments collect electromyogram data from one or more electromyography sensors within the physical environment and analyze the electromyogram data collected to determine muscle activations made by the user. Upon determining that the determined muscle activations made by the user match a predefined pattern of electromyography data, embodiments determine a gameplay action corresponding to the predefined pattern of electromyography data and transmit an instruction, to at least one of the one or more electronic devices within the physical environment, instructing the electronic device to perform the determined gameplay action.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus that includes a plurality of wheels configured to rotate in either of two rotational directions about an axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes a turret portion disposed between the two wheels and rotatable about the axis of rotation in either of the two rotational directions and independently of the plurality of wheels. Additionally, the apparatus includes a motor configured to provide torque to the plurality of wheels and the turret portion. The motor can cause each of the plurality of wheels to rotate independently in either of the two rotational directions when operating in a first rotational speed mode. The motor can also cause the turret portion to rotate in either of the two rotational directions independently of the plurality of wheels when operating in a second rotational speed mode which is faster relative to the first rotational speed mode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an optical system, and associated method and computer program product. The optical system comprises one or more display devices, and one or more computer processors configured to transmit display signals comprising at least one virtual object for updating imagery displayed by the display devices, and to selectively defocus a focus of the virtual object.