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 one general aspect, a system and method are described to generate a virtual environment for a user. The virtual environment may be generated with a first electronic device that is communicably coupled to a second electronic device. The method may include tracking movement of the second electronic device in an ambient environment, determining, using one or more sensors, a range of motion associated with the movement in the ambient environment, correlating the range of motion associated with the ambient environment to a range of motion associated with the virtual environment, determining, for a plurality of virtual objects, a virtual configuration adapted to the range of motion associated with the virtual environment the plurality of virtual objects according to the virtual configuration, and triggering rendering of the plurality of virtual objects according to the configuration.

Abstract: Techniques of displaying a virtual environment in a HMD involve generating a lighting scheme within a virtual environment configured to reveal a real object in a room in the virtual environment in response to a distance between a user in the room and the real object decreasing while the user is immersed in the virtual environment. Such a lighting scheme protects a user from injury resulting from collision with real objects in a room while immersed in a virtual environment.

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: 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 musical instrument, determining, based on at least one parameter of the predicted virtual contact, a characteristic of a virtual sound the musical instrument would make in response to the virtual contact, and initiating producing the sound before the predicted time of the virtual contact of the controller with the musical instrument.

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: Systems and methods are described for generating a virtual environment including at least one three-dimensional virtual object within a user interface provided in a head mounted display device, detecting a first interaction pattern and a second interaction pattern. In response to detecting the second interaction pattern, a modified version of the three-dimensional virtual object at the first virtual feature is generated according to the first interaction pattern and at the second virtual feature according to the second interaction pattern. The modified version of the three-dimensional virtual object is provided in the user interface in the head mounted display device.

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 musical instrument, determining, based on at least one parameter of the predicted virtual contact, a characteristic of a virtual sound the musical instrument would make in response to the virtual contact, and initiating producing the sound before the predicted time of the virtual contact of the controller with the musical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include generating a virtual environment for display in a head-mounted display device. The virtual environment may include at least one three-dimensional virtual object having a plurality of volumetric zones configured to receive virtual contact. The method may also include detecting a plurality of inputs corresponding to a plurality of actions performed in the virtual environment on the at least one three-dimensional virtual object. Each action corresponds to a plurality of positions and orientations associated with at least one tracked input device. The method may include generating, for each action and while detecting the plurality of inputs, a plurality of prediction models and determining based on the plurality of prediction models in which of the plurality of volumetric zones the at least one tracked input device is predicted to virtually collide.

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: 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 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: 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 for intelligent placement and sizing of virtual objects in a three dimensional virtual model of an ambient environment, the system may collect image information and feature information of the ambient environment, and may process the collected information to render the three dimensional virtual model. From the collected information, the system may define a plurality of drop target areas in the virtual model, each of the drop target areas having associated dimensional, textural, and orientation parameters. When placing a virtual object in the virtual model, or placing a virtual window for launching an application in the virtual model, the system may select a placement for the virtual object or virtual window, and set a sizing for the virtual object or virtual window, based on the parameters associated with the plurality of drop targets.

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: 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 for determining intent of a detected virtual contact between a user and a virtual object in a virtual reality environment, contact maybe detected between a designated selection device, manipulated by the user, and the virtual object. It may then be determined whether or not the detected contact between the designated selection device and the virtual object is intention. Determination of whether or not the detected contact is intentional may be based on at least one of an approach direction of the virtual contact with the virtual object, an approach velocity of the virtual contact with the virtual object, or an approach acceleration of the virtual contact with the virtual object.

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.