Abstract: A computer implemented method, a computer program product, and a data processing system manage regions within a virtual universe. A current location of an avatar is identified within a virtual universe, the current location being within a currently populated region. A vectored movement of the avatar is identified. Any adjacent region that may probabilistically encounter a horizon of the avatar within a region activation time of the virtual universe is identified. If the adjacent region is deactivated, then the adjacent region is activated. An unpopulated region that is currently active is identified, wherein the unpopulated region is within an extended distance from the avatar's current location. The unpopulated region is then deactivated.

Abstract: A proximity threshold of an avatar is defined with respect to proximity to an artifact located within a virtual universe domain. Activity by the avatar within the virtual universe domain is tracked, with activity data generated from the tracking. The activity data is analyzed to determine proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold, and a report is generated from the analyzing, the report noting a determined proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold. In one aspect, the report is provided to a supervisory entity.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for interpreting a gesture which triggers application-pertinent information, such as altering a display to bring objects which are farther away into larger and clearer view. In one example, the application is a golfing game in which a user may perform a peer gesture which, when identified by the application, alters the view to display portions of a virtual golf hole nearer to a virtual green into larger and clearer view.

Abstract: Network monitoring systems, computer-readable storage media, and methods monitor a network. Communication data is captured from the network in a substantially passive manner. The communication data is organized to represent a plurality of conversations between a plurality of hosts on the network. Each conversation of the plurality includes a first address of a first host of the plurality of hosts, a service port identifier on the first host, and a second address of a second host of the plurality of hosts. Information correlated to at least some of the plurality of conversations is presented on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: The system helps facility managers and other users to efficiently navigate through a building or complex of buildings, and quickly gather information for (and control) individual building systems or groups of systems. A method includes displaying an image representing at least a portion of a building, wherein at least part of the image is a three-dimensional representation; and displaying a representation of a device associated with the building, wherein the representation of the device is selectable through the user interface.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: display means for displaying an image; operation-input receiving means for receiving operation input of a user; and display control means for performing, when the operation-input receiving means receives predetermined operation for a root image displayed on the display means, display control for causing the display means to display a related image related to the root image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interface management are provided. First, a plurality of interfaces arranged in sequence is provided. The interfaces are placed in a circle across a 3D space to form a 3D object, and the interfaces include pages or menus. Then, a signal is received, and in response to the signal, the position of the 3D object viewed on a screen of the electronic device are adjusted, wherein the 3D object is located at a virtual distance behind and away from the screen, and the virtual distance are gradually varied.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a virtual room-based user interface includes one or more virtual rooms. Each virtual room is rendered from one or more images captured of a corresponding physical room of a structure, and includes depictions of one or more light fixtures within the physical room, one or more furnishings within the physical room and one or more boundaries of the physical room. A user selects a particular depiction of a particular light fixture within a particular virtual room. In response, a state of the particular light fixture within the corresponding physical room is changed. Also, appearance of the particular virtual room is updated such that the depiction of the particular light fixture shows the particular light fixture with the changed state and the depictions of the one or more boundaries or the one or more furnishings show lighting effects resulting from the changed state.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for issuing an alert when a method of a live demonstration deviates from demonstration simulation actions. A computer receives a command to commence a demonstration simulation. During the demonstration simulation, capture logic of a computer is initialized. The capture logic records events of the demonstration simulation. When a live demonstration subsequently initiated, demonstration verification logic of the computer continually monitors, in real-time, events of the live demonstration and compares the events to the previously recorded events captured during the demonstration simulation. In response to detecting that a live demonstration has deviated from the recorded demonstration simulation method, the demonstration verification logic issues a non-invasive alert. The non-invasive alert may be issued using visual, audible, or vibration feedback cues in such manner that an audience observing the live demonstration is un-aware of the non-invasive alert.

Abstract: A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database.

Abstract: A graphic user interface management system displays all shortcuts on surfaces of a first three-dimensional (3D) graph displayed on a desktop background. The first 3D graph streams objects during rotating. On projection paths of the objects, a first preset number of objects forms system time to be displayed on the desktop background, a second preset number of objects forms a process wall, which displays running processes of shortcuts invoked by a user from the first 3D graph. The shortcuts dragged from the first 3D graph to other positions of the desktop background are represented by second 3D graphs. A rotation speed and direction of the first 3D graph change according to an operation speed and direction on the first 3D. The system further performs corresponding desktop display actions according to manipulated operations on the first 3D graph, the process wall, or the second 3D graphs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to navigating in a geographic information system. In an embodiment, a method tours geographic information in a geographic information system. A set of actions for a tour is received. Each action includes a tour time. A tour time of at least one of the actions is defined by a user. Each action in the set of actions is executed to tour geographic information in the geographic information system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for configuring information displayed on a screen is described. A display model is generated on the screen. The display model includes a status page and at least one configuration page. The pages of the display model are organized in a three-dimensional format on the screen. A header and a status icon are displayed on the at least one configuration page. At least one configuration page is filtered to prevent the at least one configuration page from being displayed on the screen.

Abstract: For rotational graphical user interface navigation, a display module displays a first face of a uniform prism rotatable only about a central horizontal axis. The uniform prism includes a plurality of faces. Each face has Graphical User Interface (GUI) controls for a unique function set. Only one face of the uniform prism is visible at a time. Each face is displayed with a geometric shape conforming to a face geometry of the multidimensional solid when the multidimensional solid is being rotated, and a face is displayed as filling a screen when the multidimensional solid is not being rotated. An input module receives a rotational command. The rotational command rotates the uniform prism around the central horizontal axis. The rotation module rotates the uniform prism to display a second face in response to the rotational command, displaying the rotation of the uniform prism.

Abstract: A network management system allows a network administrator to intuitively manage all components of a heterogeneous networked computer system using views of any component or any set of components. These views are generated in a multi-dimensional, virtual reality environment. Navigation tools are provided that allow an operator to travel through the network hierarchy's representation in the virtual environment using an automatic flight mode. Automatic flight mode determines a reasonable trajectory to a network component that avoids collisions with intervening objects in the virtual environment. Since the system is capable of managing a world-wide network, city, building, subnet, segment, and computer, a view may also display internal hardware, firmware, and software of any network component. Views of network components may be filtered so only components pertaining to a specific business or other interest are displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar.

Abstract: A display module displays a first face of a virtual multidimensional solid comprising a plurality of faces. Each face comprises graphical user interface controls for a unique function set. An input module receives a rotational command that rotates the multidimensional solid around at least one axis. A rotation module rotates the multidimensional solid to display a second face in response to the rotational command, displaying the rotation of the multidimensional solid.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for assisting a presentation owner in creating and presenting information to audience users in a virtual 3D cyclorama-like environment. A presentation object tool provides behavior in the cyclorama object to assist the presentation owner in resolving graphic objects into the cyclorama and in placing information onto the graphic objects. The presenter object tool also provides behavior in the graphic objects to allow the presentation owner to expand a graphic object into a larger viewing size, to increment and decrement the placement of graphic objects within the cyclorama's presentation space, and to place an expanded graphic object into a home viewing position for presentation to audience users.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques that can enable a community of users to upload arbitrary images of particular locations and integrate them into a 3D model of that location in such a way that they appear as correctly aligned overlays with the model. Users can estimate rough location, orientation, and field of view, for one or more images and then add metadata such as keyword “tags” including time parameters. From the user estimates, a computer system determines the pose of the image relative to the 3D model and stores the metadata. A display system enables a community of users to freely navigate through the 3D model with visual indicators of all of the posed images, filterable via the metadata. Users also have control over a “snap-to-view” feature as they approach any of the posed images as well as a transparency feature for the degree of visibility of the overlaid image.

Abstract: An example television Widget movement method involves receiving a dedicated command from a remote controller that activates the plurality of Widget programs, when in Display mode, display Widget representations on a display; receiving a command that establishes one of the plurality of displayed Widget programs as the Widget program that is currently in focus; and receiving a command that places the Widget program currently in focus in Move Mode. The Widget can be moved about the display while in Move Mode, where when the Widget is in Move Mode, the Widget representation is responsive to navigation commands to move about the display. Such movement is animated using a 3 dimensional graphics engine and accompanied by an audio sound effect. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A multi-user animation process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. Each user is represented by an avatar. The 3-D environment and avatar position/location data is provided to client workstations, which display a simulated environment visible to all participants. A text or speech-based bulletin board application is coupled to the animation process. The bulletin board application receives text or speech input from the multiple remote users and publishes the input in a public forum. The bulletin board application maintains multiple forums organized by topic. Access or participation to particular forums is coordinated with the animation process, such that each user may be permitted access to a forum only when the user's avatar is located within a designated room or region of the modeled 3-D environment.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method for manipulating one or more objects in a graphical user interface for a display device is presented. A start of a path selection mode is detected. A first path traversed by a cursor in the graphical user interface is detected, with the first path intersecting one or more objects in a plurality of objects displayed in the graphical user interface of the display device. A curve corresponding to the first path is displayed in the graphical user interface. An end of the path selection mode is detected. A selection state of the one or more objects is updated based on the curve, the selection state including a selected state and a deselected state.

Abstract: User interface animation techniques are described. In an implementation, an input having a velocity is detected that is directed to one or more objects in a user interface. A visual presentation is generated that is animated so a first object in the user interface moves in parallax with respect to a second object. The presentation is displayed so the first object appears to moves at a rate that corresponds to the velocity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer simulated environment, such as a virtual world, and to the identification of a user entering the virtual world and user context in the virtual world model. An output of the virtual world model may be rendered using objects in the virtual world model. Previous versions of the rendered objects may then be located in associated user memory and specified differences between the rendered objects and the previous versions of the objects may be identified. A layer of the identified differences may then be rendered on the rendered output of the virtual world model.

Abstract: A system for interactive media skimming and search on a device comprises a scene manager building a model of a 3D scene of a multimedia segment of the media visible on a screen of the device, facets of scene objects in the 3D scene are used to dynamically convey visual imagery as a texture from a multimedia source and maintaining a logical navigable relationship between the scene objects, the object facets and the multimedia segments, and further comprising an interaction manager, a user manager securely storing user information and preferences, a playback component initiating rough or high definition playback, a texturizer creating a 2D texture artifact from a set of the multimedia segments in the media for a 3D facet, a transformer transforming and modifying pixels, a cache and scene heuristics maintaining a set of 3D scenes comprising objects, object facets, a virtual camera, and positions of the objects.

Abstract: A method of displaying a background sky in a navigation system, the method including: storing and maintaining map data and background sky image data with respect to one or more directions of the map data in a database; detecting a driving direction angle of a vehicle; computing a position of a background sky image corresponding to the detected driving direction angle; extracting background sky image data corresponding to the computed position of the background sky image from the database; and displaying the extracted background sky image data as a background sky with respect to the map data.

Abstract: A computer facilitates multiple parameters data analysis by special visualization and navigation methods. Data to be analyzed is loaded from an external source the computer displays the data in response to user input using a variety of methods including data tables, slices of data spaces, hierarchically navigated data spaces, dynamic slice tables, filters, sorting, color-mapping, numerical operations, and other methods.

Abstract: A method for receiving input from a user of a virtual world, the method including: interacting with an object displayed in the virtual world; displaying another object in the virtual world in response to the interacting, the another object adapted to interact with the user; displaying at least one of a user specific label and a service specific label in place of a generic label associated with the another object; selecting the another object; and receiving the generic label and the at least one of the user specific label and the service specific label as the input in response to the selecting.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines a first area of a region in a virtual universe. The first area has objects or avatars. A first computing resource processes data for presenting and controlling the objects or avatars in the first area. The virtual resource conserver determines a second area of the region that is similar in topology to the first area. The virtual resource conserver moves the objects or avatars from the first area to the second area and transfers data for presenting and controlling the avatars or objects from the first computing resource to a second computing resource. Finally, the virtual resource conserver reduces usage of the first computing resource, thus conserving resources in the virtual universe.

Abstract: User interfaces for browsing and/or searching are described. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a first display area for display representations of documents matching a search query, the first display area configured to display content of the documents which can have a plurality of different types of content including at least one of text-based content and a folder, and displaying a second display area for selecting a selected document to be displayed in the first display area. Other embodiments are also described, and computer readable media and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a view of a virtual space to a user in a banner ad of a webpage. This enables an advertiser to provide content that is not merely static or scripted, but instead enabled provision of content through a web ad that represents activity within a virtual space (e.g., interactions of other users with the virtual space, content that changes based on current or recent events, etc.) in real time (or near real time). The provision of a virtual space in a web ad may be more effective than conventional web ad content.

Abstract: A user interface method includes defining an interaction surface containing an interaction region in space. A sequence of depth maps is captured over time of at least a part of a body of a human subject. The depth maps are processed in order to detect a direction and speed of movement of the part of the body as the part of the body passes through the interaction surface. A computer application is controlled responsively to the detected direction and speed.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for displaying and/or browsing a multi-faceted data set containing hierarchical subject labels. In the present invention, subject labels can be located into a 3D space. Complex information, such as, the relationship between subject labels and weights of respective subject labels can be presented by displaying the 3D space. In this way, the screen size can be reduced and the user experience is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device 1 offering a plurality of menu items to a user. In order to enable a user friendly selection of the menu items, the electronic device 1 comprises a screen 60, user input means 70, storing means 50 adapted to store parameters for a virtual model of a user and processing means 31. The processing means 31 are adapted to generate a visual representation of a virtual user model 61 on the screen 60 based on the stored parameters for the virtual model of a user, to cause a movement of a visually represented virtual user model 61 depending on a user input, to detect a movement of a visually represented virtual user model 61 that is associated to a particular menu item, which menu item is offered for any of a plurality of applications, and to call a function that is assigned to the particular menu item.

Abstract: A method of provisioning avatars comprises receiving at a first computer system associated with a first user, a metadata file relating to an avatar of a second user. In particular, the metadata file comprises data for use with an avatar generator process that is in execution on the first computer system. Data is extracted from the metadata file, and is provided as input data to the avatar generator process, thereby generating locally to the first computer system the avatar of the second user. The avatar of the second user so generated is displayed to the first user within a virtual environment.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene.

Abstract: A method of displaying correlations among information objects includes receiving a query against a database; obtaining a query result set; and generating a visualization representing the components of the result set, the visualization including one of a plane and line to represent a data field, nodes representing data values, and links showing correlations among fields and values. Other visualization methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of displaying correlations among information objects includes receiving a query against a database; obtaining a query result set; and generating a visualization representing the components of the result set, the visualization including one of a plane and line to represent a data field, nodes representing data values, and links showing correlations among fields and values. Other visualization methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the same. The apparatus includes a control module which creates a polyhedron component that can be opened and that has at least one opening face and an internal space containing at least one information object related to information displayed on a face of the polyhedron component. A storing module stores the polyhedron component created by the control module, and an input module inputs data about a user's action with respect to the polyhedron component. A user interface module assigns predetermined attributes to at least one of a plurality of subordinate faces, maps information displayed on an information face according to the predetermined attributes, processes motion of the polyhedron component according to the input data, changes an information display according to the motion, and manages at least one group of a plurality of polyhedron components.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for navigating a media guidance application with multiple perspective views. A first of a plurality of media guidance objects may be displayed in a first perspective view that appears flat on the screen. A second media guidance object may be displayed in a second perspective view that appears to be going into the screen creating the appearance of a fold between the first and second media guidance application objects at a location where the first perspective view changes into the second perspective view. The second media guidance object in the second perspective view may be caused to slide through the fold into the first perspective view. The second media guidance object displayed in the first perspective view may be selected. An action may be performed for a media asset corresponding to the selected media guidance object.

Abstract: A multiscale data engine is configured to generate a three-dimensional (3D) environment based on a multiscale 3D dataset. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate a spatial hierarchy within the 3D environment by selectively grouping 3D objects within the 3D environment. The multiscale data engine is further configured to identify specific 3D objects within the 3D environment in response to input received from an end-user and based on spatial properties associated with the 3D objects. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate various navigation graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow the end-user to navigate the 3D environment.

Abstract: When navigating in a screen view composed of entities of differing types, a user may want to focus on any particular entity. Depending on the type of entity the user wants to focus on, the invention system adapts the screen view, as well as navigation behavior, to navigate the desired entity. This is accomplished without explicit action from the user like running a command and selecting the desired entity. Accordingly, a computer method and computer corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to capture the user's intention to navigate the desired entity and to change the screen view and the navigation behavior. For example, when the user navigates an entity of a given type and the desired entity occupies a greater percentage of the screen view or becomes closer to the desired entity, the screen view and the navigation behavior change conveniently without explicit action from the user.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and on the first LCD, a two-dimensional game screen including objects positioned in a two-dimensional coordinate is displayed. When a two-dimensional coordinate of a specific object out of the objects positioned in the two-dimensional coordinate satisfies a predetermined condition, a three-dimensional coordinate of each of the objects is calculated on the basis of the two-dimensional coordinate of each of the objects. The object is modeled in the calculated three-dimensional coordinate, moved by a predetermined animation, and then shot by a virtual camera. Accordingly, a game screen of an image (animation) of the three-dimensional virtual space shot by the virtual camera is displayed on the second LCD.

Abstract: A method of associating a computer generated camera with an object in a three-dimensional computer generated space. The method receives a command to associate the camera with an object in the simulated space. Based on the command the method determines a path for moving the camera to a position near the object and aiming the camera at the object. The method creates a video from the simulated camera's perspective of the three-dimensional simulated space.

Abstract: A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just as if the user were actually handling the good.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a system for interpreting user movement in computer generated reality. In some examples, the system includes a user interface effective to generate movement data relating to movement of the user interface. In some examples, the system further includes a processor receive the movement data. In some examples, the processor is further effective to define a coordinate system based on the movement data and map the movement data to the coordinate system to produce mapped movement data. In some examples, the processor is further effective to determine a feature of the mapped movement data and to map the feature to a code. In some examples, the processor is further effective to send the code to the application and receive application data from the application in response to the code. In some examples, the processor is further effective to generate an image based on the application data.

Abstract: A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.

Abstract: Techniques for image browsing, navigating and user interface operation are described herein. An image cube, having three axes representing a medical patient's body parts, imaging technology and image date, may be displayed on a visual display. Image piles of icons or thumbnail images may be positioned within the image cube, according to the three axes. By fixing the body parts axis on a specific body part, an image plane may be selected from the image cube. The selected image plane replaces the image cube in the visual display, including only image piles of the selected body part, organized according to axes indicating imaging technology and image date. An image pile may be selected from the image plane, to replace the image plane on the visual display. Image pile operations allow the user to select from the image pile a desired image(s) for display.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a dynamic user interface including a plurality of logical layers is presented. A user interface is provided via a heads-up display generator. Clusters including one or more concepts arranged proximal to each other such cluster to form a cluster spine is provided in a data layer. Controls to operate on a view of the cluster spines are provided in a control layer. Information about the clusters is provided in a concepts layer. A compass logically framing the cluster spines is provided in a heads-up display layer. A label to identify one such concept in one or more of the cluster spines appearing within the compass is generated. A plurality of slots positioned circumferentially around the compass is defined. Each label is assigned to the slot outside of the compass for the cluster spine having a closest angularity to the slot.