Abstract: The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user's avatar.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate a current image and a gesture database maintaining a plurality of gestures. Each gesture is defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device. The device includes a gesture mapping database comprising a mapping of each of the gestures to an associated command, a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface and a display control module having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The display control module is operable in the first mode of operation to monitor the motion of the device, to determine a location of the device resulting from the motion, and to modify the current image based on the resulting location of the device.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image and a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The components comprise a first component parallel to the viewable surface, a second component parallel to the viewable surface and perpendicular to the first component, and a third component perpendicular to the viewable surface. The device includes a motion processing module operable to compare the components, to isolate a preferred one of the components based on the comparison, and to adjust a magnitude of the preferred component by an augmentation factor. The device also includes a motion response module operable to modify the image based on the augmented preferred component.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate a current image. The device includes a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device also includes a gesture database comprising a plurality of gestures, each gesture defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device. The gestures comprise at least four planar gestures each defined by a motion vector generally aligned in parallel with the viewable surface. The device includes a gesture mapping database mapping each of the gestures to a corresponding command, the gesture mapping database mapping each of the four planar gestures to a corresponding grid navigation command.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a user interface comprising a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate a current image and a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device includes a device state tracking module operable to analyze the components to determine an environmental state of the device. The environmental state comprises a motion state and an orientation of the device with respect to gravity. The device also includes a controller operable to execute an application and to perform an operation of the application based on the environmental state.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image. The device includes a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device also includes a motion response module operable to identify a base reference position, to track the motion of the device in relation to the base reference position, to modify the image in response to the motion, to detect a predetermined pattern of motion of the device, to maintain the image without adjustment during the predetermined pattern of motion, to detect a completion of the predetermined pattern of motion, and to reset the base reference position upon detecting completion of the predetermined pattern of motion.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image and a gesture database maintaining a plurality of gestures. Each gesture is defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device. The device includes a plurality of applications each having a plurality of predefined commands and a gesture mapping database comprising a plurality of command maps. Each of the command maps corresponds to a particular one of the applications and maps each of the predefined commands to one of the gestures. The device includes a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the handheld device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a first accelerometer operable to detect acceleration along a first axis and a second accelerometer operable to detect acceleration along a second axis. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The device includes a tilt detection component operable to detect rotation having a component around at least one of the first axis and the second axis and a display operable to present a current image. The device includes a motion tracking module operable to track motion of the device in three dimensions using the first accelerometer, the second accelerometer, and the tilt detection component. The device also includes a controller operable to generate the current image and to modify the current image in response to the motion of the device.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image indicating a currently controlled remote device and a gesture database maintaining a plurality of remote command gestures. Each remote command gesture is defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the handheld device. The device includes a gesture mapping database comprising a mapping of each of the remote command gestures to an associated command for controlling operation of the remote device and a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the handheld device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device includes a control module operable to track movement of the handheld device using the motion detection module, to compare the tracked movement against the remote command gestures to determine a matching gesture, and to identify the one of the commands corresponding to the matching gesture.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image. The device includes a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device also includes a motion response module having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The motion response module is operable in the first mode of operation to monitor the motion of the device, to determine that the motion matches a predetermined mode selection trigger, and, in response to determining that the motion matches the predetermined mode selection trigger, to measure a baseline orientation of the device based on measurements of the components, and to switch to the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image and a gesture database maintaining a plurality of predefined gestures. Each gesture is defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device. The device includes an application having a plurality of predefined commands and a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the handheld device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device includes a user interface operable to receive user input associating selected ones of the gestures with corresponding ones of the commands and a gesture mapping database comprising a command map for the application. The command map comprises mappings of the selected gestures to the corresponding commands as indicated by the user input.

Abstract: A motion controlled handheld device includes a display having a viewable surface and operable to generate an image and a gesture database maintaining a plurality of gestures. Each gesture is defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device. The device includes a motion detection module operable to detect motion of the handheld device within three dimensions and to identify components of the motion in relation to the viewable surface. The device also includes a control module operable to detect an indication to record a new gesture, detect a stabilization of the components of the motion of the device, upon detecting the stabilization, determine a base reference position, record movement of the device with respect to the base reference position, detect an indication to stop recording the new gesture, define the new gesture using the recorded movement of the device with respect to the base reference position, and store the new gesture in the gesture database.