Abstract: Techniques for creating a virtual space correlated with the geometry of a real space, to enable a user to experience the virtual space by moving virtually in the real space. Multiple users, each in a different real space, can share a single generated virtual space. If the real space is too small to fit the virtual space, the virtual space is laid out hanging over the edge of the real space. When the user reaches this edge, the virtual space is flipped over and re-correlated with the real space, so that by turning around in the real space, the may continue straight ahead in the virtual space. Also described are other ways a large virtual space can be placed and flipped over a smaller real space, recursively, for example to reduce the user's overall walking.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a virtual experience where a user moves physically to move his or her ‘agent’, a position in the virtual space that determines which virtual content the user may interact with. If the virtual space contains obstacles, and the user moves such that the agent would intersect with one, either (a) move the correlation vector between the virtual space and real space to counteract the user's physical movement, preventing the user from penetrating the obstacle, or (b) allow the user to proceed, but become separated from his or her agent. Also described are applying these methods if the real space is too small to fit the virtual space, if the agent has a speed limitation that the user violates, how to direct the agent when it is separated from the user, and how to handle three-dimensional obstacles, real-world obstacles, and multiple users.

Abstract: A location-based user experience is provided that takes place at pinpoint map locations, along paths, or inside regions. Users (players) physically move through a real world location (such as a neighborhood) to these disparate locations to get the experience. The experience is first defined generically, by using a mobile device to physically walk through a map space, for example, by using a computer to click on a map Inputs may also include map metadata, real-time conditions such as weather, and user experiences such as keeping line-of-sight between locations. A graph drawing algorithm may then instantiate the location-based experience along specific map locations and routes near a given starting point. Time-of-travel distances based on routes may be used instead of as-the-crow-flies distances. Placement of locations and routes may also adapt to prefer or avoid certain map coordinates.