Abstract: In one aspect, a method and system are described for receiving input for a virtual user in a virtual environment. The input may be based on a plurality of movements performed by a user accessing the virtual environment. Based on the plurality of movements, the method and system can include detecting that at least one portion of the virtual user is within a threshold distance of a collision zone, the collision zone being associated with at least one virtual object. The method and system can also include selecting a collision mode for the virtual user based on the at least one portion and the at least one virtual object and dynamically modifying the virtual user based on the selected collision mode.

Abstract: Techniques of generating a virtual environment in a virtual reality system involves changing, within a user interface of the second user, an attribute of an avatar representing the first user while maintaining a spatial position of an object with which the first user is interacting. In this way, the second user may see only non-threatening or otherwise pleasant avatars within their user interface while other users may not perceive any change to the virtual environment as displayed in their respective user interfaces.

Abstract: In a system for dynamic switching and merging of head, gesture and touch input in virtual reality, focus may be set on a first virtual in response to a first input implementing one of a number of different input modes. The first object may then be manipulated in the virtual world in response to a second input implementing another input mode. In response to a third input, focus may be shifted from the first object to a second object if, for example, a priority value of the third input is higher than a priority value of the first input. If the priority value of the third input is less than that of the first input, focus may remain on the first object. In response to certain trigger inputs, a display of virtual objects may be shifted between a far field display and a near field display to accommodate a particular mode of interaction with the virtual objects.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method and system are described for receiving input for a virtual user in a virtual environment. The input may be based on a plurality of movements performed by a user accessing the virtual environment. Based on the plurality of movements, the method and system can include detecting that at least one portion of the virtual user is within a threshold distance of a collision zone, the collision zone being associated with at least one virtual object. The method and system can also include selecting a collision mode for the virtual user based on the at least one portion and the at least one virtual object and dynamically modifying the virtual user based on the selected collision mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use predicted actions in VR environments are disclosed. An example method includes predicting a predicted time of a predicted virtual contact of a virtual reality controller with a virtual object, determining, based on at least one parameter of the predicted virtual contact, a characteristic of a virtual output the object would make in response to the virtual contact, and initiating producing the virtual output before the predicted time of the virtual contact of the controller with the virtual object.

Abstract: In at least one general aspect, a method can include detecting an interaction with a first object in a virtual reality (VR) environment, producing first contextual information based on user interaction with the first object, determining a second object to display in the VR environment based on the first contextual information, and presenting the second object in the VR environment. The interaction of the user may include at least one of a movement, a speech, or a physiological trait of the user.

Abstract: In a system and method for sharing items in an augmented and/or virtual reality environment, selected virtual items may be virtually propelled using, for example, a tossing or throwing motion, to a target recipient, so that the selected item may be shared with the target recipient without direct physical and/or virtual contact with the target recipient. Movement of a user's hand may be detected and tracked, so that the intended target recipient for the shared item may be identified based on a projected trajectory of a throwing motion of the user's hand. Associations between the user and different target recipients may cause different possible target recipients to exhibit different attractive forces, or different levels of magnetism, for particular items being tossed or thrown by a user for sharing, to further differentiate between the possible target recipients, and resolve recipient ambiguity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that are configured to obtain tracking data corresponding to a plurality of users accessing a virtual reality environment. The tracking data may include information associated with a plurality of movements performed by a first user in a physical environment. The systems and methods may be configured to modify display data associated with the plurality of movements, in response to determining that the information is private, and provide, in the virtual environment, the modified display data to a second user in the plurality of users, while displaying unmodified display data to the first user.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, a method can include determining a location of a head mounted display (HMD) of a user, defining a location of a joint based on the location of the HMD, defining a segment from the joint to an end of the segment, defining an initial virtual location of a virtual controller within a virtual reality (VR) environment based on a location of the end of the segment, and defining a virtual location and a virtual orientation of the virtual controller within the VR environment, based on the segment and the joint, in response to an orientation movement of a physical controller.

Abstract: In a system and method for sharing items in an augmented and/or virtual reality environment, selected virtual items may be virtually propelled using, for example, a tossing or throwing motion, to a target recipient, so that the selected item may be shared with the target recipient without direct physical and/or virtual contact with the target recipient. Movement of a user's hand may be detected and tracked, so that the intended target recipient for the shared item may be identified based on a projected trajectory of a throwing motion of the user's hand. Associations between the user and different target recipients may cause different possible target recipients to exhibit different attractive forces, or different levels of magnetism, for particular items being tossed or thrown by a user for sharing, to further differentiate between the possible target recipients, and resolve recipient ambiguity.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to identifying and displaying traffic lanes that are available for autonomous driving. This information may be displayed to a driver of a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode, in order to inform the driver of where he or she can use the autonomous driving mode. In one example, the display may visually distinguishing between lanes that are available for auto-drive from those that are not. The display may also include an indicator of the position of a lane (autodrive or not) currently occupied by the vehicle. In addition, if that lane is an autodrive lane the display may include information indicating how much further the vehicle may continue in the autonomous driving mode in that particular lane. The display may also display information indicating the remaining autodrive distance in other lanes as well as the lane with the greatest remaining autodrive distance.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to identifying and displaying traffic lanes that are available for autonomous driving. This information may be displayed to a driver of a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode, in order to inform the driver of where he or she can use the autonomous driving mode. In one example, the display may visually distinguishing between lanes that are available for auto-drive from those that are not. The display may also include an indicator of the position of a lane (autodrive or not) currently occupied by the vehicle. In addition, if that lane is an autodrive lane the display may include information indicating how much further the vehicle may continue in the autonomous driving mode in that particular lane. The display may also display information indicating the remaining autodrive distance in other lanes as well as the lane with the greatest remaining autodrive distance.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an audio visual system generating a virtual immersive experience may include an electronic user device in communication with a tracking device that may track a user's physical movement in a real world space and translate the tracked physical movement into corresponding movement in the virtual world generated by the user device. The system may detect when a user and the user device are approaching a boundary of a tracking area and automatically initiate a transition out of the virtual world and into the real world. A smooth, or graceful, transition between the virtual world and the real world as the user encounters this boundary may avoid disorientation which may occur as a user continues to move in the real world, while motion appears to have stopped upon reaching the tracking boundary.

Abstract: In a system and method for sharing items in an augmented and/or virtual reality environment, selected virtual items may be virtually propelled using, for example, a tossing or throwing motion, to a target recipient, so that the selected item may be shared with the target recipient without direct physical and/or virtual contact with the target recipient. Movement of a user's hand may be detected and tracked, so that the intended target recipient for the shared item may be identified based on a projected trajectory of a throwing motion of the user's hand. Associations between the user and different target recipients may cause different possible target recipients to exhibit different attractive forces, or different levels of magnetism, for particular items being tossed or thrown by a user for sharing, to further differentiate between the possible target recipients, and resolve recipient ambiguity.

Abstract: In at least one general aspect, a method can include determining a physics parameter based at least in part on a scale of user relative to an object in a virtual reality environment, applying a physics rule to an interaction between the user and the object in the virtual reality environment based on the physics parameter, and modifying the physics parameter based at least in part on a relative change in scale between the user and the object.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, a method can include determining a location of a head mounted display (HMD) of a user, defining a location of a joint based on the location of the HMD, defining a segment from the joint to an end of the segment, defining an initial virtual location of a virtual controller within a virtual reality (VR) environment based on a location of the end of the segment, and defining a virtual location and a virtual orientation of the virtual controller within the VR environment, based on the segment and the joint, in response to an orientation movement of a physical controller.