Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to an apparatus that includes an ISO shipping container with a steel frame and a corrugated profile, a removable reflective material covering at least 75% of at least one surface of the ISO shipping container, and adhesive to connect the reflective material to the ISO shipping container.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a personalized object that represents of a real-world physical product. The 3D model contains one or more symbol parts, where each of the symbol parts is a computer representation of a symbol and a 3D font determines the shape of each of the symbol parts. A user interface is provided to enable a user to specify the symbol parts to personalize the real-world physical product. A transformation operation is performed, which transforms the 3D model in any one of the six degrees of freedom and enables a user to visualize in three dimensions on a computer screen a representation of the physical product prior to purchase.

Abstract: Current real-time rendering techniques of virtual representations of jewelry with gemstones do not address the shimmer and sparkle of real gemstones. Embodiments of the present invention use real-time rendering methods and systems that enable flash scintillation and fiery scintillation on the facets of virtual representations of gemstones as they are manipulated online by the customer. A 3D representation of a gemstone is displayed. In response to user input corresponding to the manipulation of the displayed 3D representation of the gemstone, scintillations at facets of the 3D representation of the gemstone are determined. The scintillations are determined by loading a scintillation factor from a look-up table corresponding to an angle of incidence of a light source to a facet of the gemstone. The determined scintillations at the facets of the gemstone are displayed for the user in real-time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring an action of an individual or a certain consumer and maintaining a database stored in a memory personal to the consumer. The database can have an indication of preferences of the consumer and a purchase history of the individual consumer. The database can be based on the monitored action of the consumer. The method can further include providing a suggested product to the consumer based on the maintained database.

Abstract: Customized 3D-printing can provide users with customized products, but need to be verified for quality and durability. In an embodiment, a method for three-dimensional (3D)-printing a customized product includes loading a 3D-font from a database. The 3D font includes multiple character relations. Each character relation connects any two given characters of the 3D font. The method also includes generating a 3D-representation of a customized article product based on the 3D-font. The customized product is based on a plurality of characters received from a user. A 3D-font as described herein can provide customized, on-demand, 3D-printed products of a particular threshold of quality and durability.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-based method includes detecting a state of a user and detecting a stimulus in an environment of the user. The computer-based method then provides a variable level of assistance to the user based on the detected state of the user and the detected stimulus in the environment. In another embodiment, detecting the stimulus in the environment of the user may include detecting a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, a physical stimulus, a vibratory stimulus, an electro-magnetic stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a temperature stimulus, or a movement stimulus. Detecting the state of the user may include detecting natural language spoken by the user. The resulting variable level of assistance utilizes a range of immersive virtual reality, augmented reality and sparsely augmented reality. 3D models of the user's situation (the environment) may be employed in the variable levels of assistance.

Abstract: Current real-time rendering techniques of virtual representations of jewelry with gemstones do not address the shimmer and sparkle of real gemstones. Embodiments of the present invention use real-time rendering methods and systems that enable flash scintillation and fiery scintillation on the facets of virtual representations of gemstones as they are manipulated online by the customer. A 3D representation of a gemstone is displayed. In response to user input corresponding to the manipulation of the displayed 3D representation of the gemstone, scintillations at facets of the 3D representation of the gemstone are determined. The scintillations are determined by loading a scintillation factor from a look-up table corresponding to an angle of incidence of a light source to a facet of the gemstone. The determined scintillations at the facets of the gemstone are displayed for the user in real-time.

Abstract: Customized 3D-printing can provide users with customized products, but need to be verified for quality and durability. In an embodiment, a method for three-dimensional (3D)-printing a customized product includes loading a 3D-font from a database. The 3D font includes multiple character relations. Each character relation connects any two given characters of the 3D font. The method also includes generating a 3D-representation of a customized product based on the 3D-font. The customized product is based on a plurality of characters received from a user. A 3D-font as described herein can provide customized, on-demand, 3D-printed products of a particular threshold of quality and durability.

Abstract: A computer tool generates user-defined diminished reality images of a subject environment from source images. The diminished reality images display less real-world objects in the subject environment than that displayed in the source images. A 3D model of the subject environment in diminished reality is formed from the diminished reality images. The 3D model supports augmented reality user interaction with views of the subject environment diminished in reality and tidied/decluttered of user-selected objects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer method of verifying an operator is human includes automatically selecting a pattern and dividing the pattern into a plurality of textures. The method further includes projecting each texture onto a different respective displayed element in a 3D experience. The method additionally includes randomizing a position and/or an orientation of at least one displayed element of the different respective display elements in the 3D experience. The method also includes receiving operator manipulations of the randomized elements to solve for the pattern and make the pattern appear/reappear. The method further includes granting access to the operator if the pattern is made to appear/reappear. Access is granted upon determining that the operator has made the pattern is appear/reappear, and access is denied if the operator fails to make the pattern appear/reappear.

Abstract: A system for generating texture maps for 3D models of real-world objects includes a camera and reflective surfaces in the field of view of the camera. The reflective surfaces are positioned to reflect one or more reflected views of a target object to the camera. The camera captures a direct image of the target object and reflected images from the reflective surfaces. An image processor device separates the reflected views/images from the direct image of the target object in the captured image by detecting distortion in the reflected views. The image processor reduces distortion in the reflected views, and generates a texture map based on 3D space characteristics of the target object and on the reflected views. Reducing distortion in the reflected views may include scaling the reflected views to correspond to a size of the target object in the camera field of view.

Abstract: In embodiments, a method of securing access to a computer memory and other computer resources includes authoring a 3D projection of data by a registering user customizing elements in the 3D projection, resulting in a registered 3D projection. The method further includes presenting to a requesting user a representation of the elements of the 3D projection in a randomized fashion. The method additionally includes receiving, from the requesting user, manipulations of the presented elements of the 3D projection toward undoing or solving the randomization. The method includes determining whether the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection. Then, the method includes granting, to the registered user, access to the computer memory if the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection.

Abstract: A computer tool generates user-defined diminished reality images of a subject environment from source images. The diminished reality images display less real-world objects in the subject environment than that displayed in the source images. A 3D model of the subject environment in diminished reality is formed from the diminished reality images. The 3D model supports augmented reality user interaction with views of the subject environment diminished in reality and tidied/decluttered of user-selected objects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-based method includes receiving image data of a real world layout. The image data reflects the real world layout across three dimensions (e.g., vertical, horizontal, and orthogonal). Each of the three dimensions has an image range with a beginning and an end. The real world layout has inventory of products distributed across the three dimensions. The computer-based method further includes comparing a 3D model of a planned layout of the environment to the received image data. The 3D model represents the planned layout across the three dimensions. The computer-based method further includes determining whether results of the comparison reach a first particular threshold, and if so, then output a pertinent indication, alert, or the like.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring an action of an individual or a certain consumer and maintaining a database stored in a memory personal to the consumer. The database can have an indication of preferences of the consumer and a purchase history of the individual consumer. The database can be based on the monitored action of the consumer. The method can further include providing a suggested product to the consumer based on the maintained database.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer method of verifying an operator is human includes automatically selecting a pattern and dividing the pattern into a plurality of textures. The method further includes projecting each texture onto a different respective displayed element in a 3D experience. The method additionally includes randomizing a position and/or an orientation of at least one displayed element of the different respective display elements in the 3D experience. The method also includes receiving operator manipulations of the randomized elements to solve for the pattern and make the pattern appear/reappear. The method further includes granting access to the operator if the pattern is made to appear/reappear. Access is granted upon determining that the operator has made the pattern is appear/reappear, and access is denied if the operator fails to make the pattern appear/reappear.

Abstract: In embodiments, a method of securing access to a computer memory and other computer resources includes authoring a 3D projection of data by a registering user customizing elements in the 3D projection, resulting in a registered 3D projection. The method further includes presenting to a requesting user a representation of the elements of the 3D projection in a randomized fashion. The method additionally includes receiving, from the requesting user, manipulations of the presented elements of the 3D projection toward undoing or solving the randomization. The method includes determining whether the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection. Then, the method includes granting, to the registered user, access to the computer memory if the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-based method includes detecting a state of a user and detecting a stimulus in an environment of the user. The computer-based method then provides a variable level of assistance to the user based on the detected state of the user and the detected stimulus in the environment. In another embodiment, detecting the stimulus in the environment of the user may include detecting a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, a physical stimulus, a vibratory stimulus, an electro-magnetic stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a temperature stimulus, or a movement stimulus. Detecting the state of the user may include detecting natural language spoken by the user. The resulting variable level of assistance utilizes a range of immersive virtual reality, augmented reality and sparsely augmented reality. 3D models of the user's situation (the environment) may be employed in the variable levels of assistance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-based method includes receiving image data of a real world layout. The image data reflects the real world layout across three dimensions (e.g., vertical, horizontal, and orthogonal). Each of the three dimensions has an image range with a beginning and an end. The real world layout has inventory of products distributed across the three dimensions. The computer-based method further includes comparing a 3D model of a planned layout of the environment to the received image data. The 3D model represents the planned layout across the three dimensions. The computer-based method further includes determining whether results of the comparison reach a first particular threshold, and if so, then output a pertinent indication, alert, or the like.

Abstract: A product lifecycle management system cannot interact with 3D models and data representing a product or process that lacks information for creating a three-dimensional model in a seamless and uniform manner. Such incompatible data includes legacy and conceptual data. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to create from such data, an intermediary representation that is compatible with the three-dimensional model domain but differs from a three-dimensional model that has real-world geometry of the product or process. The intermediary structure is formed in a manner that enables the product lifecycle management system to interact with the intermediary representation and three-dimensional models in a seamless and uniform manner, and is capable of being updated with real-world geometry of the product or process.