Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are disclosed for an interactive storytelling environment. The method comprises identifying a plurality of storytelling devices available to participate in a storytelling experience, at least one of the plurality of the storytelling devices comprising a first beacon device. The method further comprises beginning playback of a first story of the storytelling experience, the first story comprising a first plurality of predetermined actions associated with a predetermined first virtual setting, the first virtual setting mapped to the first beacon device. The method further comprises determining a location of a user using the first beacon device, and during playback of the first story and using at least one of the plurality of storytelling devices, producing one or more of the at least one audiovisual effect corresponding to the first virtual setting based on the determined location of the user.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an image display system includes a computing platform having a central processing unit (CPU), a system memory storing a software code, a display screen, and a motor controlled by the CPU and coupled to a rotor for rotating the display screen. The CPU is configured to execute the software code to spin the display screen about an axis at a predetermined spin rate using the motor and the rotor, and to render each of multiple perspectives of an image on the display screen at a frame rate during each revolution of the display screen about the axis. The predetermined spin rate is determined based on the number of perspectives of the image rendered per revolution of the display screen and the frame rate.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for calibrating an augmented reality headset. Embodiments output for display an interface depicting a plurality of virtual reference lines. The augmented reality headset includes a plurality of physical reference lines. Each of the plurality of virtual reference lines corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of physical reference lines. A user indication specifying an adjustment for a first one of the plurality of virtual reference lines is received, and the interface is updated to adjust a position of the first virtual reference line. Upon receiving a user confirmation, a calibration profile is generated for the augmented reality headset based on the adjusted position of the first virtual reference line. Embodiments render one or more frames, in which a depiction of at least one virtual object is dynamically generated based at least in part on the calibration profile.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for distinguishing user movements in an immersive play environment. A first tracking device is provided that measures first tracking data. A second tracking device is also provided to measure second tracking data. A controller device is also provided to receive tracking data from the second tracking device. The second tracking device measures movement of a user by receiving the first tracking data from the first tracking device and determining third tracking data movement based on a combination of the first tracking data and the second tracking data.

Abstract: Implementations of an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device for displaying polarized light generated by a display onto a predefined field of view are disclosed herein. The display device comprises an optical arrangement having a predefined arrangement relative to a predefined position of the display and defining the field of view. The optical arrangement comprises a mirror element disposed within the field of view and at least partially transmissive of ambient light incident on a first surface and at least partially reflective of light incident on an opposite second surface, a polarized beam splitter element disposed within the field of view and closer to the second surface of the mirror element than the first surface, a half-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the display and outside the field of view, and a quarter-wave plate element disposed between the polarized beam splitter element and the mirror element.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for harvesting energy from a mobile device includes a housing having a receptacle for receiving the mobile device, a battery situated within the housing, an energy collection interface including at least one transducer coupled to the battery by a power bus, and one or more auxiliary electronic components coupled to the battery by the power bus. The system is configured to receive, via the receptacle, the mobile device, and to receive, via the energy collection interface, an energy emitted by the mobile device. The system is also configured to generate, by the one or more transducers, a current, using the energy received from the mobile device, and to feed, via the power bus, the current to at least one of the battery and the at least one auxiliary electronic component.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for authoring content for display using an optical system comprising one or more optical elements defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The method comprises arranging a virtual object at a first location within an authoring environment. The virtual object is configured to be included in imagery displayed by one or more display devices of the optical system to appear in a focal plane within the field of view. The method further comprises determining, using one or more viewer parameters that control a positioning of the virtual object on the one or more display devices, that a viewer may experience discomfort when viewing the virtual object at the first location. The method further comprises displaying an alert responsive to determining that the viewer may experience discomfort.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an optical system, and associated method and computer program product. The optical system comprises one or more display devices, and one or more computer processors configured to transmit display signals comprising at least one virtual object for updating imagery displayed by the display devices, and to selectively defocus a focus of the virtual object.

Abstract: There is provided a system including a wearable feedback device having a first feedback element and a second feedback element, a non-transitory memory storing a game and an executable code, and a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive an input signal from the game, transmit a first activation signal to activate the first feedback element to provide a first feedback including a haptic effect, in response to receiving the input signal, and transmit a second activation signal to activate the second feedback element to provide a second feedback, in response to receiving the input signal.

Abstract: There is provided a system having a feedback device including a sensory feedback element, a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a virtual object having a virtual surface, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to execute the executable code to determine a position of a hand of a first user, determine a location of the virtual surface of the virtual object, and transmit a first activation signal to the feedback device to cause a sensory feedback to be provided to the first user using the sensory feedback element of the feedback device based on the position of the hand of the first user relative to the location of the virtual surface of the virtual object.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus that includes a plurality of wheels configured to rotate in either of two rotational directions about an axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes a turret portion disposed between the two wheels and rotatable about the axis of rotation in either of the two rotational directions and independently of the plurality of wheels. Additionally, the apparatus includes a motor configured to provide torque to the plurality of wheels and the turret portion. The motor can cause each of the plurality of wheels to rotate independently in either of the two rotational directions when operating in a first rotational speed mode. The motor can also cause the turret portion to rotate in either of the two rotational directions independently of the plurality of wheels when operating in a second rotational speed mode which is faster relative to the first rotational speed mode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an augmented reality (AR) optical system, and associated method and computer program product, defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The optical system comprises an imagery display configured to display images using a received first display signal, and a beam-splitter disposed within the field of view and configured to cause the displayed images to appear in a first focal plane within the field of view. The optical system further comprises an occluding display disposed within the field of view and configured to display, based on the first display signal, occluding images in a second focal plane nearer to the beam-splitter than the first focal plane, thereby reducing environmental light at the optical reference point for at least a portion of the displayed images.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an optical system, and associated method and computer program product. The optical system comprises one or more display devices, and one or more computer processors configured to transmit display signals comprising at least one virtual object for updating imagery displayed by the display devices, and to selectively defocus a focus of the virtual object.

Abstract: An immersive play environment platform including techniques describing recognizing non-verbal vocalization gestures from a user is disclosed. A headset device receives audio input from a user. The headset device transmits the audio input to a controller device. The controller device evaluates characteristics of the audio input (e.g., spectral features over a period of time) to determine whether the audio input corresponds to a predefined non-verbal vocalization, such as a humming noise, shouting noise, etc. The controller device may perform an action in response to detecting such non-verbal vocalizations, such as engaging a play object (e.g., an action figure, an action disc) in the play environment.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a device that includes one or more line of sight transmitters configured to transmit signals over a line of sight communications medium, one or more transmitters configured to transmit signals over another communications medium and a controller. The controller is configured to perform an operation that includes retrieving a key adapted for use in decrypting encrypted content. The operation further includes transmitting the key to a second device over the line of sight communications medium using the one or more line of sight transmitters. Additionally, the operation includes encrypting data such that the data can be decrypted using the retrieved key. The operation also includes transmitting the encrypted data to the second device over the other communications medium using the one or more transmitters, where the second device is configured to decrypt the encrypted data using the key received over the line of sight communications medium.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for dynamically creating a story for playback using a plurality of storytelling devices. Embodiments identify a plurality of storytelling devices available to participate in a storytelling experience. User input associated with the storytelling experience is received. Embodiments further include retrieving a story template based at least in part on the identified plurality of storytelling devices. Additionally, embodiments dynamically create a first story by mapping actions from the retrieved story template to storytelling devices in the plurality of storytelling devices, based at least in part on the received user input, such that the plurality of storytelling devices will perform a respective one or more actions during playback of the first story based on the mapped actions from the retrieved story template.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an augmented reality (AR) optical system, and associated method and computer program product, defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The optical system comprises an imagery display configured to display images using a received first display signal, and a beam-splitter disposed within the field of view and configured to cause the displayed images to appear in a first focal plane within the field of view. The optical system further comprises an occluding display disposed within the field of view and configured to display, based on the first display signal, occluding images in a second focal plane nearer to the beam-splitter than the first focal plane, thereby reducing environmental light at the optical reference point for at least a portion of the displayed images.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to toy devices having an embedded memory for use in a storytelling environment. One embodiment provides a toy device that includes a memory storing data representing a plurality of effects. The toy device includes a memory bus communicatively coupled to the memory and a communication port communicatively coupled to the memory bus. An action disc device connected to the communication port can retrieve at least a portion of the stored data for playback over the communication port. The action disc device is configured to, upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, retrieve data from the memory corresponding to one of the plurality of effects for playback using the communication port. The toy device further includes a connector mechanism to which the action disc device can be removably attached, while the action disc device is connected to the communication port.

Abstract: Embodiments herein disclose a range detection system that includes a line-of-sight (LOS) emitter that outputs a LOS signal (e.g., visible light, infrared, etc.) which is detected at a receiver (e.g., a photodiode). The receiver outputs a signal representing the intensity of the LOS signal at the receiver. The output signal is converted into a digital signal which is then used to identify a distance value corresponding to the intensity of the LOS signal. For example, the range detection system may include a data structure that maps a plurality of digital signals to respective distance values. In this manner, the intensity of the LOS signal measured at the receiver can be correlated to a distance between the emitter and the receiver.

Abstract: An optical system, suitable for use within an augmented reality (AR)-capable display device, comprises a camera and an optical arrangement configured to acquire stereoscopic imagery of an object using the camera. The optical arrangement comprises a first reflective element arranged along a first optical path and defining a first convex surface configured to reflect first light received from the object as first reflected light, wherein at least a first portion of the first reflected light is directed onto a camera focal plane. The optical arrangement further comprises a second reflective element having a predefined disposition relative to the first reflective element. The second reflective element is arranged along a second optical path and defines a second convex surface configured to reflect second light received from the object as second reflected light, wherein at least a second portion of the second reflected light is directed onto the camera focal plane.