Abstract: In a virtual environment implemented using multiple hosts, a first host maintains records identifying virtual objects and entities which control the virtual objects. When a second host receives a request of a first entity acquiring the control of a virtual object from a second entity, the second host instructs the first host to: update a first record to remove the virtual object from a view simulation of the virtual world servicing the second entity; and adding a second record associating the first entity with the virtual object but having an indicator that prevents the rendering of the virtual object for the first entity. At the time for the completion of the control transfer to the first entity, the second host instructs the first host to update the second record to remove the indicator and thus allow the virtual object to be rendered in the view simulation servicing the first entity.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar posture animation without user posture tracking devices. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to input data tracking a position, orientation, and motions of a head of a user of the virtual reality world, the server system uses a posture model to predict, from the input data, a posture of an avatar of the user in the virtual reality world, and computes an animation of the avatar showing the posture of the avatar in the virtual reality world.

Abstract: A computing system and method to generate an avatar wearing multiple layers of clothing. For each clothing model acquired for the avatar, the system generates a customized clothing model based on transforming the original clothing model for fitting on the avatar based on deforming and physical simulation and a reduced clothing model based on collapsing the customized clothing model on the body of the avatar such that applying the reduced clothing model is simplified as painting the texture of the reduced clothing model onto the avatar model. Wearing the inner layers of the clothing by avatar is computed by applying the texture of the corresponding reduced clothing model on the body of the avatar in a sequence from inside layers to outside layers. The customized clothing model of the outermost layer is combined with the avatar wearing the inner layers to generate the avatar wearing the multiple layers of clothing.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar eye movements without user eye tracking. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to detecting a predetermined event, the computing system predicts a point (e.g., the eye of another avatar) that is of interest to the respective avatar responsive to the event, and computes, according to an eye movement model, an animation of the eyes of the respective avatar where the gaze of the avatar moves from an initial point to the predicted point and/or its vicinity for a period of time and back to the initial point.

Abstract: A computing system and method to generate an avatar wearing a piece of clothing. Given a generic clothing model acquired for the avatar, the system generates a customized clothing model based on uniformly scaling the generic clothing model according to a size of the avatar, identifies one or more edges or boundaries of the clothing, deforms a clothing mesh of the scaled clothing model at the one or more edges by stretching and/or shrinking the edges, and performs a physical simulation of fitting the deformed clothing model on the avatar to generate a fitted clothing model for the avatar. User interfaces can be optionally provided to interactively adjust the scaling, deforming, and/or physical simulation of the clothing models.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar posture animation without user posture tracking devices. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to input data tracking a position, orientation, and motions of a head of a user of the virtual reality world, the server system uses a posture model to predict, from the input data, a posture of an avatar of the user in the virtual reality world, and computes an animation of the avatar showing the posture of the avatar in the virtual reality world.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar eye movements without user eye tracking. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to detecting a predetermined event, the computing system predicts a point (e.g., the eye of another avatar) that is of interest to the respective avatar responsive to the event, and computes, according to an eye movement model, an animation of the eyes of the respective avatar where the gaze of the avatar moves from an initial point to the predicted point and/or its vicinity for a period of time and back to the initial point.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computing system hosting a three-dimensional virtual reality world. The computer system stores a set of searchable records, each having: a searchable hash of at least a portion of personally identifiable information; and an encrypted identity, decryptable using an encryption key generated based at least in part on the searchable hash and a global key. In response to a search request identifying at least a portion of personally identifiable information as a search criterion, the computer system generates a hash of the search criterion, and finds a matching searchable record that has a searchable hash equal to the hash computed from the search criterion. An encryption key is computed based on the global key and the matched searchable record to decrypt an encrypted identity of a user having at least the portion of personally identifiable information that is the search criterion in the search request.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar posture animation without user posture tracking devices. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to input data tracking a position, orientation, and motions of a head of a user of the virtual reality world, the server system uses a posture model to predict, from the input data, a posture of an avatar of the user in the virtual reality world, and computes an animation of the avatar showing the posture of the avatar in the virtual reality world.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computing system hosting a three-dimensional virtual reality world. The computer system collects personally identifiable information of users of accounts, where each account in the accounts is identified by an account identifier and each data field of personally identifiable information of each account is identified by a data field identifier. The system uses a scrypt function to generate an encryption key from the global key, the account identifier, and the data field identifier specifically for the content of the data field of the personally identifiable information of the respective account. Different encryption keys are used for different data fields and different accounts. Encrypted content of a data field is stored at a random location; and the identification of the random location is stored in a device, database or system, separate from where the encrypted contents of the data fields of the accounts are stored.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world with avatar eye movements without user eye tracking. A position and orientation of a respective avatar in the virtual reality world is tracked to generate a view of the virtual world for the avatar and to present the avatar to others. In response to detecting a predetermined event, the computing system predicts a point (e.g., the eye of another avatar) that is of interest to the respective avatar responsive to the event, and computes, according to an eye movement model, an animation of the eyes of the respective avatar where the gaze of the avatar moves from an initial point to the predicted point and/or its vicinity for a period of time and back to the initial point.

Abstract: A computing system and method to implement a three-dimensional virtual reality world having user created virtual objects. During the creation of a virtual object, a user of the virtual reality world identifies components and/or resources of the virtual object, such as a mesh model defining the shape of the virtual object, an image specifying the appearance of the virtual object, and a script defining the run time behavior of the virtual object. The computer system examines the components and/or resources duration the creation process of the virtual object to detect and/or address security threats and/or performance hurdles. Before the approval of the publication of the virtual object in the virtual world, the computer system performs a simulation of the rendering of the virtual object to detect security threats and evaluate performance impacts.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed towards graphical user interfaces for declarative specification languages that express the logic of a computation without describing its control flow. These user interfaces are based on a visual representation of specifications where geometric proximity may be the sole determinant of the resulting configuration. Modularity is improved as each proximal grouping is functionally independent of others. Moreover, a system that executes such specifications may treat groupings independently and execute them in parallel.

Abstract: Distributed continuous simulation of a three dimensional simulation space is provided using a set of simulation servers. The simulation space is partitioned into a set of regions. In one embodiment, each simulation server is responsible for simulating one of the regions of the simulation space. Users interacting with the simulation communicate directly with the simulation server responsible for simulating the region that the user is currently interacting with.

Abstract: Transactions such as sales and exchanges of resources are managed in a virtual environment. A transaction manager receives a request for a transaction which involves multiple entities in the virtual environment. The request identifies the entities, as well as resources, such as objects and virtual currency, to be exchanged among the entities in the transaction. The request is first validated. Next, the resources which are to be contributed by the entities are gathered. An object is gathered from a first entity by updating a database record to render the object inaccessible. A new database record associates the object with a second entity, and renders the object inaccessible. A reserve can be imposed on a virtual currency account. The resources are then delivered to the entities, e.g., by updating the new database record to render the object accessible to the second entity. If the gathering fails, an undo phase is entered.

Abstract: An input and feedback system for use with simulator devices immobilizes a portion of the user's body using a securement device which holds the immobilized portion in a fixed position. Pressure sensors are disposed upon the securement device to detect the force resulting from any attempted motion of the immobilized body part. Signals describing these forces are sent to a processing unit which applies this information to a simulated environment and provides sensory feedback to the user of the this simulated environment. Feedback is provided via vibrating elements which provide a sensation to the user corresponding to the motion of the user's muscles which occur in the simulated environment. Feedback is also provided via a screen which is disposed in front of the head of the user. Such immobilizing devices may be used to allow input and feedback based on the motion of various parts of the user's body, such as the head, arms, legs, and torso.