Abstract: A shared augmented reality system can support the sharing of video captured by a local user, using a head mounted display (HMD), with a remote user. The remote user may add augmented reality annotations (markings, notes, drawings) to certain objects within the environment captured within the video, where the annotations track the movement of those objects within the shared video. An HMD may not, however, provide a convenient interface for performing certain user-interface intensive tasks, which might be better performed on an additional device such as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. During a shared augmented reality session, the additional device can be configured to communicate with a HMD such that certain tasks can be performed by the user through the additional device, and other tasks can be performed or experienced through the HMD. The additional device, the HMD and the remote user's device can communicatively coordinate during the session.

Abstract: A shared augmented reality system can support the sharing of video captured by a local user, using a head mounted display (HMD), with a remote user. The remote user may add augmented reality annotations (markings, notes, drawings) to certain objects within the environment captured within the video, where the annotations track the movement of those objects within the shared video. An HMD may not, however, provide a convenient interface for performing certain user-interface intensive tasks, which might be better performed on an additional device such as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. During a shared augmented reality session, the additional device can be configured to communicate with a HMD such that certain tasks can be performed by the user through the additional device, and other tasks can be performed or experienced through the HMD. The additional device, the HMD and the remote user's device can communicatively coordinate during the session.

Abstract: Communication between two electronic devices can be initiated based on detection of an object in the environment of one of the electronic devices. A method for object initiated communication between a user of a device and a remote individual for assisting the user in interacting with the object includes capturing an image with a camera of the device, detecting the object within the captured image, and locating a record for the detected object within a database of objects. The method can also include locating an identifier for initiating the communication with the remote individual, wherein the identifier is associated with the record of the detected object and identifies an address for initiating the communication. The method can also include initiating the communication between the user and the remote individual based on the identifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying augmented reality contents are disclosed. The method may include controlling a camera to scan an environment in view of a user, identifying a set of surfaces in the environment for displaying user interface windows according to characteristics of the environment, prioritizing a set of augmented reality contents for display with respect to the set of surfaces in the environment, and displaying the set of augmented reality contents on the set of surfaces in a display. Characteristics of the environment comprise at least aspect ratio of the set of surfaces with respect to the set of augmented reality contents to be displayed, and/or background color of the set of surfaces with respect to the set of augmented reality contents to be displayed.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for positioning virtual objects displayed by a head-mounted display. A location of a person within a real-world scene may be determined. A virtual object may be displayed to a user such that the virtual object is superimposed over the face of the person.

Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include displaying a quick contact group communication shortcut icon on a home screen of a wireless communication device display, displaying a group communication button in association with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon on the home screen of the display, detecting a selection of the group communication button by a user on a user interface, and initiating a group communication session with a device of a contact associated with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon.

Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include displaying a quick contact group communication shortcut icon on a home screen of a wireless communication device display, displaying a group communication button in association with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon on the home screen of the display, detecting a selection of the group communication button by a user on a user interface, and initiating a group communication session with a device of a contact associated with the quick contact group communication shortcut icon.

Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include establishing a group communication channel with devices in a first operating mode in response to inputs on a user interface, detecting actuation of a lock mechanism, such as a target-based sliding lock mechanism on a touchscreen user interface display, and while the lock mechanism is actuated, maintaining the group communication channel in a second operating mode. The second operating mode may be a lockout mode and/or a blocking mode with respect to at least one other device in the group communication.

Abstract: User experience enhancements for conducting group communication sessions may include displaying visual feedback on a display to indicate a state of a group communication session. Embodiments may include establishing a group communication channel with devices in a first operating mode in response to inputs on a user interface, detecting actuation of a target-based sliding lock mechanism on a touchscreen user interface display, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining the group communication channel in a second operating mode. Other embodiments may include initiating a group communication session in response to a user input, detecting actuation of a locking mechanism by a user on a user interface, sending a request to a server for a priority floor access in response to the detected actuation of the locking mechanism, and while the locking mechanism is actuated, maintaining a group communication channel with one or more devices in a priority access mode.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes applying a first feature detector to a portion of an image to detect a first set of features. The first set of features is used to locate a region of interest, and a boundary corresponding to the region of interest is determined. The method also includes displaying the boundary at a display. In response to receiving user input to accept the displayed boundary, a second feature detector is applied to an area of the image encapsulated by the boundary.

Abstract: An adaptive user interface device capable of implementing multiple modes of input and configuration may adapt to current user inputs, and may include configuration changes. In an aspect, an adaptive user interface device may be configured for a finger sensing in a touchpad mode, and configured for stylus sensing in a digital tablet mode. In another aspect, surface features of the adaptive user interface device may change shape, such as by raising buttons in response to entering a keyboard or keypad mode. Various mechanisms may be used for raising buttons, and may enable presenting buttons in a variety of shapes and locations on the interface. The configuration of the adaptive user interface device may depend upon the user actions and user identity. Configuration modes may be organized according to many levels enabling a single user interface to support a large number of input options functionality within a limited surface area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying augmented reality contents are disclosed. The method may include controlling a camera to scan an environment in view of a user, identifying a set of surfaces in the environment for displaying user interface windows according to characteristics of the environment, prioritizing a set of augmented reality contents for display with respect to the set of surfaces in the environment, and displaying the set of augmented reality contents on the set of surfaces in a display. Characteristics of the environment comprise at least aspect ratio of the set of surfaces with respect to the set of augmented reality contents to be displayed, and/or background color of the set of surfaces with respect to the set of augmented reality contents to be displayed.

Abstract: Embodiment methods and systems enable personal navigation devices to warn drivers during turn-by-turn navigation directions when they are approaching a difficult turn. Personal navigation devices may report to a server when a turn is missed during turn-by-turn directions, including identifying the turn and situation information. The server may aggregate missed turn reports from many personal navigation devices to generate a difficult turn database. Personal navigation devices may access the difficult turn database when generating turn-by-turn directions to identify turns requiring enhanced directions. The difficult turn database may be stored on personal navigation devices, and/or may be maintained on the server. Personal navigation devices may be configured to recognize when turns are intentionally missed, and only report missed turns when they determined that the turn was missed unintentionally.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for positioning virtual objects displayed by a head-mounted display. A location of a person within a real-world scene may be determined. A virtual object may be displayed to a user such that the virtual object is superimposed over the face of the person.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recommending a navigation destination based upon recent updates are provided. The apparatus and methods include, in one or more aspects, receiving a request from a user communication device for a desired item, and associating a user location of the user communication device with a destination location of a provider of the desired item. Further, the one or more aspects include identifying a destination communication device at the destination location, and querying the destination communication device for a human-originating response to obtain a current accessibility status of the desired item. Additionally, the one or more aspects include reporting the destination location of the provider and the current accessibility status to the user communication device.

Abstract: Embodiment methods and systems enable personal navigation devices to warn drivers during turn-by-turn navigation directions when they are approaching a difficult turn. Personal navigation devices may report to a server when a turn is missed during turn-by-turn directions, including identifying the turn and situation information. The server may aggregate missed turn reports from many personal navigation devices to generate a difficult turn database. Personal navigation devices may access the difficult turn database when generating turn-by-turn directions to identify turns requiring enhanced directions. The difficult turn database may be stored on personal navigation devices, and/or may be maintained on the server. Personal navigation devices may be configured to recognize when turns are intentionally missed, and only report missed turns when they determined that the turn was missed unintentionally.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recommending a navigation destination based upon recent updates are provided. The apparatus and methods include, in one or more aspects, receiving a request from a user communication device for a desired item, and associating a user location of the user communication device with a destination location of a provider of the desired item. Further, the one or more aspects include identifying a destination communication device at the destination location, and querying the destination communication device for a human-originating response to obtain a current accessibility status of the desired item. Additionally, the one or more aspects include reporting the destination location of the provider and the current accessibility status to the user communication device.

Abstract: An adaptive user interface device capable of implementing multiple modes of input and configuration may adapt to current user inputs, and may include configuration changes. In an aspect, an adaptive user interface device may be configured for a finger sensing in a touchpad mode, and configured for stylus sensing in a digital tablet mode. In another aspect, surface features of the adaptive user interface device may change shape, such as by raising buttons in response to entering a keyboard or keypad mode. Various mechanisms may be used for raising buttons, and may enable presenting buttons in a variety of shapes and locations on the interface. The configuration of the adaptive user interface device may depend upon the user actions and user identity. Configuration modes may be organized according to many levels enabling a single user interface to support a large number of input options functionality within a limited surface area.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes applying a first feature detector to a portion of an image to detect a first set of features. The first set of features is used to locate a region of interest, and a boundary corresponding to the region of interest is determined. The method also includes displaying the boundary at a display. In response to receiving user input to accept the displayed boundary, a second feature detector is applied to an area of the image encapsulated by the boundary.

Abstract: A method of receiving streaming music at a wireless device is provided. The method includes receiving a music stream from a server, emitting music from the music stream, and playing a locally stored song, when a network interruption is detected. The method may further include accessing a playlist and determining whether the playlist includes at least one of a user favorite song, a same artist song, or a same genre song. Moreover, the method may also include determining that a network connection is re-established, finishing playback of the locally stored song, receiving another music stream from the server, and emitting music from the other music stream.