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 mobile terminal providing a graphic user interface and method of providing a graphic user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment a mobile terminal may comprise a control unit, a touch screen display unit coupled to the control unit, and a memory storing instructions to be executed by the control unit. In one embodiment a method may comprise displaying and then moving one or more icons around the screen of the mobile terminal, detecting a designation of a point on the screen, and executing a predefined action based on a distance from a location of the designated point to a location of at least one of the icons. Another embodiment may detect an application related event, display an indicator icon, and execute a predefined action in response to the event detection.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes accessing geometrically located data that represent one or more virtual items with respect to a three-dimensional coordinate system; generating a three-dimensional map based at least in part on real image data of a three-dimensional space as acquired by a camera; rendering to a physical display a mixed reality scene that includes the one or more virtual items at respective three-dimensional positions in a real image of the three-dimensional space acquired by the camera; and re-rendering to the physical display the mixed reality scene upon a change in the field of view of the camera. Other methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus which allow a user to intuitively control electronic devices connected to a home network by using a virtual 3D space layout diagram, and electronic devices and storage media therefor are provided. The user interface method includes: generating a virtual 3D space layout diagram based on 3D position information regarding at least one electronic device connected to a home network; displaying the generated virtual 3D space layout diagram; receiving an input signal based on the displayed virtual 3D space layout diagram; and performing a user interface function corresponding to the received input signal.

Abstract: An improved solution for presenting data to a user is provided. In particular, the data can include multiple instances of a dataset, which are displayed in a three-dimensional table. The three-dimensional table allows the user to perform various manipulations on it. For example, the user can rotate the table, scroll through the table, simultaneously view at least two instances of the dataset, and the like. Additionally, the three-dimensional table can enable the user to perform various operations on the data to further customize the presented data.

Abstract: A touchless HCI provides a virtual surface in three-dimensional space. The touchless HCI may receive input regarding a user movement, process the input to generate clean gesture data and analyze at least one dynamical variable to determine an interpreted action based upon a relationship of the clean gesture data with respect to the virtual surface.

Abstract: A system for establishing a virtual environment is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the system includes at least one computer terminal for use by a participant for interfacing to the virtual environment and an operation module coupled to the computer terminal for manipulating the virtual environment in response to one or more actions by the participant. The operation module may be adapted to assess the mental dexterity of the participant in the virtual environment. The operation module may also be adapted as a marketing tool for soliciting donations.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a computer software program that implements a graphical workspace for idea management. This includes a graphical user interface (GUI) with an idea map window and a word processor document window. The idea map represents ideas as a hierarchical network of nodes and links. An interface automatically updates the word processor document using sequencing information from the hierarchical network. A routine automatically arranges nodes in the 2D representation. Another routine automatically generates virtual 3D representations of the idea map.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which include providing a first layer of an image, the first layer including features of the image having locations within the first layer; and providing a second layer of the image, the second layer including data blocks corresponding to respective ones of the features; each data block being in a location in the second layer substantially corresponding to a location in the first layer of the feature corresponding to each data block, wherein a size and shape of the second layer substantially correspond to a size and shape of said first layer.

Abstract: The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data.

Abstract: A navigation interface is embedded in imagery and includes various controls for manipulating the imagery. The controls provide various navigation operations, including but not limited to: rotation, tilt, zoom and 360 degree. In some implementations, one or more controls can be operated to restore the imagery to a predetermined state. Some implementations include a control for providing 360 degree movement of imagery. One or more controls can provide incremental and continuous motion of imagery. The navigation interface can fade out or otherwise be obfuscated when the user is not interacting with the navigation controls. A compass or other graphic can replace the navigation interface when it is no longer displayed.

Abstract: Selecting an obscured object of a computer-generated model consisting of a plurality of objects displayed on a computer screen includes receiving input data interpreted as an instruction to change a visibility characteristic of a first one of the plurality of objects (the first one of the objects obscuring another of the objects, and the first object being determined based on the location of an on-screen cursor), and modifying a visibility characteristic of the first object to cause another one of the objects to become discernable and selectable.

Abstract: A computer system utilizing software to map content by determining a field of relevance and at least one topic in the field of relevance is presented. The system determines at least one content pertaining to the topic, retrieves a representation of the content and maps the representation of the content onto the field of relevance. Then, it provides an extremely flexible presentation mechanism where the content is organized by multi-dimensional mappings to present the information effectively. One of the features allows a vector to be assigned to each entity, queries a user or software agent for a particular focal element and displays the multiplicity of distinguishable entities based upon the assigned vectors utilizing the focal vector as a reference point to view the information. The system facilitates the organization of results of database interrogations, web searches and other large data situations, creating a multi-dimensional topic space of content.

Abstract: The present invention measures one's spatial orientation and spatial navigation abilities by measuring one's perspective taking ability (PTA). PTA can be measured using a 3D PTA assessment tool to apply a test mode in a 3D virtual reality (VR) setting. For each trial in the test mode, the test subject is given a first set of instructions to mentally re-orient himself with respect to an avatar's perspective in the 3D VR setting. A delay condition is added to allow time for mental re-orientation. After the delay ends, the test subject is then given a second set of instructions to point an input device in the direction of a target object. Each response to the second set of instructions is tracked. Furthermore, the response time and accuracy of each response are measured.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for navigating through a data space. The navigating comprises detecting a gesture of a body from gesture data received via a detector. The gesture data is absolute three-space location data of an instantaneous state of the body at a point in time and physical space. The detecting comprises identifying the gesture using the gesture data. The navigating comprises translating the gesture to a gesture signal, and navigating through the data space in response to the gesture signal. The data space is a data-representational space comprising a dataset represented in the physical space.

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 three-dimensional (3-D) user interface (UI) creation system maps a two-dimensional (2-D), interactive UI to an 3-D object template in a 3-D scene. Once mapped, the 2-D UI functions as a simple user interface while appearing as a skin to the 3-D object. A 3-D UI creation tool applies image resources of a 2-D UI template to a 3-D wire frame template to create a 3-D UI. The system provides for rapid implementation of a 3-D UI without need for understanding a 3-D space or 3-D authoring software. The process includes preparing a 2-D UI, loading a 3-D scene of 3-D objects, and mapping the 2-D UI to a 3-D object template in the 3-D scene. A scheme file provides a specification for recreating the 3-D scene in a runtime module whereby the 3-D scene functions as a 3-D UI system, allowing interaction via a user input system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-handed input control system that dynamically changes an input-to-object mapping for mapping movement of a graphical object on a display of a virtual scene as the viewpoint of the virtual scene changes. As input to the system for changing the position of the graphical object occurs, the mapping is revised to reflect changes in the viewpoint so that the object moves as inherently expected. That is, changes to the viewpoint change the mapping so that a correspondence between the viewpoint and the input space is always maintained. During movement of the object a screen cursor is visually suppressed so that the movement of the graphical object and the screen cursor do not split the attention of the user. The screen cursor is always maintained within the visual display region of the virtual scene even when the object moves out of the visual display region by moving the cursor to a center of the screen when it reaches an edge of the screen.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. A degree of interest (DOI) function is provided for allocating available space on the display system. A page selection function may provide a user-selectable scale along a long axis of the virtual book for selecting virtual pages. Virtual chapter tabs may also be provided for navigating within the virtual book. The display system may also include a page flipping function with several different page flipping speeds and several different page flipping animations for moving between virtual pages in the virtual book. Moreover, a scroll bar function provided to facilitate page navigation wherein space on the scroll bar is allocated using a DOI function.

Abstract: A method of displaying a 3-D avatar provided includes acquiring a 3-D avatar configuration file for a current user; acquiring at least one 3-D item suite indicated by the 3-D avatar configuration file; displaying the at least one 3-D item suite according to the 3-D avatar configuration file. An instant messaging client, a server and a system of displaying a 3-D avatar are also provided. With the above technical solutions, a 3-D avatar is displayed in an IM client, with which a user can exhibit different personal images by freely choosing different 3-D item suite.

Abstract: A specification of a set of objects associated with at least one virtual world is obtained. The objects are laid out in a three-dimensional virtual representation. An on-the-fly virtual place is created in the virtual world, based on the layout.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates visually representing data relationships within a network. A network includes a graphical representation of a user in which the network is a node structure with relationships between two or more users. An organization component that can analyze one of a degree of separation between two or more users represented within the network or an expertise level of a user represented within the network, the expertise level corresponds to a topic. The organization component can scale the portion of graphic representative based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A control system including: a device operable to enable a user to provide directional control of a virtual object by positioning a representation of the device within a virtual space and operable to provide force feedback to the user; a display apparatus for presenting to a user the virtual space including the virtual object and the representation of the device; and a controller, responsive to the relative positions of the virtual object and the representation of the device in the virtual space, for controlling motion of the virtual object through the virtual space and the force feedback provided to the user.

Abstract: A system comprising a display, a processor, and a storage device is provided. The storage device is operable to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, display on the display as a home screen a portion of a virtual world. The virtual world includes a plurality of objects sharing a common theme. At least one of the plurality of objects is operable to launch an application and at least one of the plurality of objects is operable to provide notification of an event to a user of the system.

Abstract: In a method and user interface for the presentation of multiple image data sets within the scope of a comparative evaluation, a determination is made of at least three organization parameters that describe a sorting of images within an image data set and/or across image data sets, at least one organization parameter is associated with at least one dimension of a three-dimensional matrix, which one dimension is associated with a spatial direction, the images of the image data sets are arranged in the three-dimensional matrix according to the sorting, using the organization parameters and the dimensions, and at least a portion of the images is shown on a presentation device according to their arrangement in the three-dimensional matrix and the spatial directions.

Abstract: Interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects is provided. A graphic user interface facilitates interaction between a Data Visualization and Analysis application and the inspector. The Data Visualization and Analysis application acquires non-destructive examination data that is collected with reference to an industrial component under evaluation. The acquired non-destructive examination data is transformed into a visualization defined by a volumetric representation that is rendered on at least one display device as at least one view representative of the component under evaluation. The inspector may navigate the volumetric representation to investigate the integrity of the industrial component including non-surface conditions thereof.

Abstract: A method for creating visual telepresence for a large number of simultaneous users includes the step of simultaneously and continuously processing sets of images from a plurality of cameras to produce sets of short visual sequences that provide for virtual short movements in the environment. Additional steps include routing these many simultaneous repetitive short sequences to a plurality of user service processes. These short sequences are then composed into continuous video streams that provide convincing visual display of telepresence to many simultaneous users.

Abstract: A virtual reality interactional system and a method of use in which remote shoppers, remote advisors, remote sales consultants, remote product display agents, real time inventory status, live and stored audio and video content, and client server based virtual programming logic interact in real time to complete soft touch, high touch, and non-high touch products and services transactions. The virtual reality interacting system encompasses a combination of virtual reality hardware, virtual reality programming logic and communication networks. It can be used at homes, offices, virtual reality storefronts, or a combination thereof using high capacity private networks and also the Internet. Business to business, business to consumer, and consumer to consumer interactive interactions can be seamlessly performed by means of the current invention.

Abstract: 3D input/navigation device, method and computer program product for controlling an object in a three-dimensional space by an operator, wherein an object can be switched in a frozen condition in which the movements of the object are suppressed with respect to at least one direction such that the object can only be moved in a surface or along a line determined by the operator and can be switched in a released condition in which the object is resumed or released such that it is freely controllable corresponding to a relative position of the device in a reference system.

Abstract: This invention relates to navigating in a three dimensional environment. In an embodiment, a target in the three dimensional environment is selected when a virtual camera is at a first location. A distance between the virtual camera and the target is determined. The distance is reduced, and a tilt is determined as a function of the reduced distance. A second location of the virtual camera is determined according to the tilt, the reduced distance, and the position of the target. Finally, the camera is oriented to face the target. In an example, the process repeats until the virtual camera is oriented parallel to the ground, and the distance is close to the target. In another example, the position of the target moves.

Abstract: A list display apparatus includes: a picture generating unit for generating a three-dimensional list picture, the three-dimensional list picture having a plurality of lower item cards having a respective lower items in a hierarchical structure being unfolded and expanded in a bellows configuration when shifting from an upper level to a lower level of the hierarchical structure, or the plurality of lower item cards being folded and collapsed in a bellows configuration when shifting from the lower level to the upper level of the hierarchical structure; and a control unit for outputting the three-dimensional list picture to a predetermined display unit, thereby displaying the three-dimensional list picture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an input; display a plurality of selections; detect a location of a first segment relative to the plurality of selections; highlight a particular selection from the plurality of selections when the first segment is within an area of the particular selection; and select the particular selection based on the first segment being located within the area of the particular selection.

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: The present invention provides a three-dimensional user interface for a computer system that allows a user to combine and store a group of windows as a task. The image of each task can be positioned within a three-dimensional environment such that the user may utilize spatial memory in order remember where a particular task is located.

Abstract: A user control is provided for use with a multidimensional dataset that allows a user to graphically set the bounds for one or more of the dimensions of data selected from the dataset. The graphical user control includes a wireframe cube representing the extent of data in the dataset and a selector box within the data cube. A user can indicate a selected perspective and orientation of the data by selecting a portion of an edge of the selector box, and a visual indication of the selected perspective and orientation is provided. The user further can select a desired portion of the data by changing a size and/or a position of the selector box within the data cube. The graphical user control further includes a visual indicator representing the fourth dimension of the dataset which allows the user to identify and select a further subset of the data defined by the selector box.

Abstract: A device for displaying a medical image is provided. The device includes a processing unit, a display, a remote control, a communication interface, and a software module. The processing unit is operable to process the medical image information. The display is operable to display the medical image information. The remote control is operable to register a user movement by at least one motion-sensitive sensor. The communication interface is operable to transfer the user movement to the processing unit. The software module is associated with the processing unit. The software module is operable to reconcile the user movement with the medical image information so that the user movement is reproduced as a virtual movement of the displayed medical image information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for graphical presentation of objects and/or technical processes on a screen as well as to a system for implementing the method. In some cases different views may be frequently selected, and these views may be presented in different display windows. To edit the totality of views or subsequently look at them, a frequent change of view may be required. Such changes of view may be cumbersome and tedious and take time. To resolve this problem, the display area (3) is equipped with a least one element, (4) which can be activated by an input device (5). Activating the element (4) expands or contracts the contents of the display area (3) by a graphical object (6). In this way a frequent change of view is avoided, which provides ergonomic benefits to a user working with the graphics.

Abstract: A game system includes a game apparatus and a controller. For example, whether an operation of waving the controller has been performed is determined based on at least one of a pointed position on a display screen by the controller and acceleration. A wind object is generated and moved in virtual game space according to the waving operation. When it is determined that the wind object has collided with a windmill object disposed in the virtual game space, the windmill object is influenced by the wind and its rotation speed is changed.

Abstract: A system comprising a display, a processor, and a storage device is provided. The storage device is operable to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, display on the display a graphical user interface that includes a plurality of objects. The plurality of objects each have a substantially similar shape. Each object includes a plurality of menu items visible on the object and one or more of the menu items are associated with applications.

Abstract: A three dimensional web store having product images is created. Three dimensional product images are rendered from manufacturing information instead of the products themselves. The location of all products, advertisements, aisles, signs, and displays is determined for a real world store. The web store is then created using three dimensional internet or virtual world viewing and maneuvering capabilities, to appear identical to the real world store.

Abstract: A display for displaying a high-hierarchical menu and a lower-hierarchical menu corresponding to the high hierarchical menu on a display section, the high-hierarchical menu is displayed on the front side of a virtual cubic menu on the display section, and when it is recognized that the cubic menu has been selected by an inputting operation, the cubic menu is turned and the turning process is displayed with preset interpolation images and then the lower-hierarchical menu is displayed on the top side after the cubic menu is turned. In this manner, the visible continuousness of the change from the high-hierarchical menu to the lower-hierarchical menu can be maintained, thus making it possible to allow the user to easily recognize the change from the high-hierarchical menu to the lower-hierarchical menu.

Abstract: Three-dimensional-model processing apparatus, three-dimensional-model processing methods, and computer programs are provided. In a three-dimensional-model processing apparatus, method, and computer programs, it is determined whether relative positions or relative attitudes of a plurality of three-dimensional objects shown on an image display unit satisfy a predetermined processing execution condition. When it is determined that the processing execution condition is satisfied, distinction information indicating that processing such as pickup or joining of objects is possible is presented. For example, display mode is changed or sound is output for the objects. A user is allowed to immediately find without stress whether an object is at a position where pickup or joining is possible. This improves the efficiency of operation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for projecting an image onto a surface suitable for interaction with a user while avoiding user occlusion, and while correcting for distortion due to oblique projection. The displayed image moves to a suitable surface at a suitable size and orientation as a user moves around an environment, resulting in a user-following interface. Surfaces are selected in which the projected interface is not occluded by the user or other objects in the environment. Displayed images may be interactive, and moved into an interaction area on a suitable surface that is convenient for the user. The interaction area may or may not coincide with the display area. Adaptation of the projected interface is allowed so that the content of the display and the style of interaction widgets are modified based on distance from the user and orientation of the user with respect to a projected interface.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system using a two-dimensional controller, comprising displaying an Nth level of the multi-hierarchical menu system having a plurality of icons in proximity to a pointer on a portion of a display, scrolling the icons in a first dimension relative to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in the first dimension, and one of either selecting one of the icons in closest proximity to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in a first direction of a second dimension, or displaying a N+1th level of the multi-hierarchical menu system relative to one of the icons in closest proximity to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in an opposite direction of the second dimension.

Abstract: A plurality of known markers is disposed in a specific district. A marker detection section detects the known markers existing in the image photographed by an image pickup device. A position/orientation relation calculation section identifies the detected known marker to calculate position and orientation relations between the identified known marker and the image pickup device. An associated information obtaining section obtains predetermined information associated with the identified known marker. An information processing section processes the obtained predetermined information based on the calculated position and orientation relations. A display device superimposes and displays the processed information on the photographed image. At least the image pickup device and display device are disposed in a portable information terminal, and the other sections are disposed in a server which can perform radio communication with the portable information terminal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for visualizing content of one or more websites are provided. An amount of available content contained by at least one website is determined. A three-dimensional object is displayed having a surface. Each location of the surface of the three-dimensional object corresponds to a portion of the determined amount of available content contained by the website(s). A user is enabled to select a location of the surface of the three-dimensional object. The selected location is mapped to the corresponding portion of the determined amount of available content contained by the website(s). Content of the website(s) corresponding to the selected location, such as a web page, video, audio, an RSS feed, etc., can be accessed by selection of the location. Interaction of the user with the website(s) can be tracked, and the resulting tracking information can be displayed on the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system allows a user to designate a point on a model and the system moves the view toward that point. A perspective scale is provided that shows the user the relative position of the current view from the starting point of the view to the surface point.

Abstract: A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a focus point that can be positioned on a model surface and with respect to which the tools of the system operate. The point is a geometry sphere that can have axial rings that show the orientation of the scene and the relative position of the view in the scene based on sphere size.

Abstract: Communicating information through a user platform by representing, on a user platform visual display, spatial publishing objects as entities static locations within a three-dimensional spatial publishing object space. Each spatial publishing object associated with information, and each presenting a subset of the associated information. Establishing a user presence at a location within the spatial publishing object space. The user presence, in conjunction with a user point-of-view, being navigable by the user in at least a two-dimensional sub-space of the spatial publishing object space.

Abstract: A system for navigating images spatially referenced to a plurality of location coordinates from at least one coordinate location within a computed space provides travel with a non-linear itinerary. Specifically, serial navigation of a plurality of geographic images spatially referenced to location coordinates of a geo-planar space from a selected coordinate location within each prior geographic image.