Abstract: Systems and methods for secure portals between virtual worlds are provided. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include deploying a secure portal between two virtual worlds. This is performed by rendering a top cell for a first virtual world. Rendering includes a transparent region overlapping a portal. Then an intermediate cell is layered underneath the top cell. This intermediate cell comprises the portal. A message is received from the top cell. The message includes a minimum rendering size, shape and at least one transform. This message is transferred to a bottom cell for a second virtual world, where it is rendered (in part) responsive to the message. The top cell, the intermediate cell and the bottom cell are then layered to generate a scene. In some embodiments, the rendered portion of the bottom cell comports to the minimum rendering size, and the intermediate cell is transparent. In some cases, the cells are either iFrames, or separate applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods include a unique architecture where domains known as “islands” are replicated across various local machines. These islands include objects that publish events. These events include messages that are provided from the island's controller, to a reflector for the addition of a timestamp. The timestamp ensures computational synchronization between all mirrored islands. The timestamped messages are provided from the reflector back to the controllers of the various islands. The controllers incorporate these messages into the existing message queue based upon the message timing. The local machines then execute the messages in time order, until the external message indicates. These timestamp “heartbeats” thus dictate the execution activity across all islands and ensure synchronization of all islands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a unitary physics engine and image smoothing is provided. In this method, a game and a plug-in physics engine are initialized on multiple gaming systems. Time advancement messages are received by a controller within the physics engine from a reflector, causing the physics engine to compute events in a queue up to the time of the timing message, according to the same set of physics rules. This causes a deterministic computation of all object positions within the game that is identical across all gaming systems. In between the deterministic calculations, the local gaming system may compute speculative object positions, based upon the last deterministic position and the accelerations, velocities and object attributes at that moment. These speculative calculations may be performed at least as often as the frame rate of the display (typically 30, 60 or 120 frames per second).

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods include a unique architecture where domains known as “islands” are replicated across various local machines. These islands include objects that publish events. These events include messages that are provided from the island's controller, to a reflector for the addition of a timestamp. The timestamp ensures computational synchronization between all mirrored islands. The timestamped messages are provided from the reflector back to the controllers of the various islands. The controllers incorporate these messages into the existing message queue based upon the message timing. The local machines then execute the messages in time order, until the external message indicates. These timestamp “heartbeats” thus dictate the execution activity across all islands and ensure synchronization of all islands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a controlling a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods includes a public display connects to a reflector via a network. A shared virtual environment is replicated on the public display. A QR code is displayed on the public display for scanning by a mobile device. The QR code includes instructions to download a controller interface and location of the reflector. The mobile device provides inputs, via the reflector, to the shared virtual environment. This causes mirroring of computations on each of the plurality of objects across the shared virtual environment deterministically. Further, a new message from the reflector with an appended timestamp is transmitted to advance time within the public display. Inputs from the mobile device may include a touchscreen input corresponding to rendered joysticks and buttons, and/or an accelerometer input after position of the mobile device has been calibrated related to the public display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods include a unique architecture where domains known as “islands” are replicated across various local machines. These islands include objects that publish events. These events include messages that are provided from the island's controller, to a reflector for the addition of a timestamp. The timestamp ensures computational synchronization between all mirrored islands. The timestamped messages are provided from the reflector back to the controllers of the various islands. The controllers incorporate these messages into the existing message queue based upon the message timing. The local machines then execute the messages in time order, until the external message indicates. These timestamp “heartbeats” thus dictate the execution activity across all islands and ensure synchronization of all islands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure portals between virtual worlds are provided. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include deploying a secure portal between two virtual worlds. This is performed by rendering a top cell for a first virtual world. Rendering includes a transparent region overlapping a portal. Then an intermediate cell is layered underneath the top cell. This intermediate cell comprises the portal. A message is received from the top cell. The message includes a minimum rendering size, shape and at least one transform. This message is transferred to a bottom cell for a second virtual world, where it is rendered (in part) responsive to the message. The top cell, the intermediate cell and the bottom cell are then layered to generate a scene. In some embodiments, the rendered portion of the bottom cell comports to the minimum rendering size, and the intermediate cell is transparent. In some cases, the cells are either iFrames, or separate applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a controlling a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods includes a public display connects to a reflector via a network. A shared virtual environment is replicated on the public display. A QR code is displayed on the public display for scanning by a mobile device. The QR code includes instructions to download a controller interface and location of the reflector. The mobile device provides inputs, via the reflector, to the shared virtual environment. This causes mirroring of computations on each of the plurality of objects across the shared virtual environment deterministically. Further, a new message from the reflector with an appended timestamp is transmitted to advance time within the public display. Inputs from the mobile device may include a touchscreen input corresponding to rendered joysticks and buttons, and/or an accelerometer input after position of the mobile device has been calibrated related to the public display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a controlling a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods includes a public display connects to a reflector via a network. A shared virtual environment is replicated on the public display. A QR code is displayed on the public display for scanning by a mobile device. The QR code includes instructions to download a controller interface and location of the reflector. The mobile device provides inputs, via the reflector, to the shared virtual environment. This causes mirroring of computations on each of the plurality of objects across the shared virtual environment deterministically. Further, a new message from the reflector with an appended timestamp is transmitted to advance time within the public display. Inputs from the mobile device may include a touchscreen input corresponding to rendered joysticks and buttons, and/or an accelerometer input after position of the mobile device has been calibrated related to the public display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a controlling a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods includes a public display connects to a reflector via a network. A shared virtual environment is replicated on the public display. A QR code is displayed on the public display for scanning by a mobile device. The QR code includes instructions to download a controller interface and location of the reflector. The mobile device provides inputs, via the reflector, to the shared virtual environment. This causes mirroring of computations on each of the plurality of objects across the shared virtual environment deterministically. Further, a new message from the reflector with an appended timestamp is transmitted to advance time within the public display. Inputs from the mobile device may include a touchscreen input corresponding to rendered joysticks and buttons, and/or an accelerometer input after position of the mobile device has been calibrated related to the public display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a unitary physics engine and image smoothing is provided. In this method, a game and a plug-in physics engine are initialized on multiple gaming systems. Time advancement messages are received by a controller within the physics engine from a reflector, causing the physics engine to compute events in a queue up to the time of the timing message, according to the same set of physics rules. This causes a deterministic computation of all object positions within the game that is identical across all gaming systems. In between the deterministic calculations, the local gaming system may compute speculative object positions, based upon the last deterministic position and the accelerations, velocities and object attributes at that moment. These speculative calculations may be performed at least as often as the frame rate of the display (typically 30, 60 or 120 frames per second).

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shared virtual environment are provided. The systems and methods include a unique architecture where domains known as “islands” are replicated across various local machines. These islands include objects that publish events. These events include messages that are provided from the island's controller, to a reflector for the addition of a timestamp. The timestamp ensures computational synchronization between all mirrored islands. The timestamped messages are provided from the reflector back to the controllers of the various islands. The controllers incorporate these messages into the existing message queue based upon the message timing. The local machines then execute the messages in time order, until the external message indicates. These timestamp “heartbeats” thus dictate the execution activity across all islands and ensure synchronization of all islands.