Abstract: A non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium may contain a program of instructions that cause a computer system running the program of instructions to automatically generate a 3D avatar of a living being, including automatically: causing one or more sensors to generate 3D data indicative of the three dimensional shape and appearance of at least a portion of the living being; and generating a virtual character based on the 3D data that can be animated and controlled.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) for viewing a virtual environment generally include a flat display (FD), lenses for focusing on the FD, and a housing to enclose the FD and lenses. The housing is generally opaque to block out all external light, so the viewer only sees light from the FD. By making a portion or all of the housing translucent or transparent, ambient light and other external light can be seen by the viewer, providing additional visual cues and a larger perceived field of view. Additionally, other people can see light from the FD. The lenses are configured to view the FD and parts of the translucent housing.

Abstract: A facial image capture system may capture images of a face of a person while the person is moving. A video camera may capture sequential images of a scene to which the video camera is directed. A marker-based location detection system may determine and generate information about the location of a marker worn on or close to the face of the person. A camera control system may automatically adjusts both the horizontal and vertical direction to which the video camera is directed so as to cause the sequential images of the camera to each be of the face of the person while the person is moving, based on the information about the location of the marker from the marker-based location detection system.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) allows a user to view a virtual environment. The HMD displays a field of view to the user. However, the user may experience simulator sickness or motion sickness from viewing the field of view. The HMD is connected to a sensor which can monitor the user. By monitoring the user's physiological state, the user's simulator sickness can be detected or predicted. To reduce the negative effects, the field of view can be throttled. The field of view can also be throttled in order to provide a better user experience even if the user does not experience sickness.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: Compact and low mass augmented and fully virtual head mounted display designs are disclosed. The disclosed displays employ a display located between the eye and the main optical element of the head mounted display. These designs additionally afford the ability to support augmented reality displays because the user can see both the virtual image from the display and the real world if desired. The designs use semi-transparent displays where either the display emits circularly polarized light or the displays which emits light from one surface or the view of the display directly from the eye is obscured.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) for viewing a virtual environment generally include a flat display (FD), lenses for focusing on the FD, and a housing to enclose the FD and lenses. The housing is generally opaque to block out all external light, so the viewer only sees light from the FD. By making a portion or all of the housing translucent or transparent, ambient light and other external light can be seen by the viewer, providing additional visual cues and a larger perceived field of view. Additionally, other people can see light from the FD. The lenses are configured to view the FD and parts of the translucent housing.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) for viewing a virtual environment generally include a flat display (FD), lenses for focusing on the FD, and a housing to enclose the FD and lenses. The housing is generally opaque to block out all external light, so the viewer only sees light from the FD. By making a portion or all of the housing translucent or transparent, ambient light and other external light can be seen by the viewer, providing additional visual cues and a larger perceived field of view. Additionally, other people can see light from the FD. The lenses are configured to view the FD and parts of the translucent housing.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: Compact and low mass augmented and fully virtual head mounted display designs are disclosed. The disclosed displays employ a display located between the eye and the main optical element of the head mounted display. These designs additionally afford the ability to support augmented reality displays because the user can see both the virtual image from the display and the real world if desired. The designs use semi-transparent displays where either the display emits circularly polarized light or the displays which emits light from one surface or the view of the display directly from the eye is obscured.

Abstract: A non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium may contain a program of instructions that cause a computer system running the program of instructions to automatically generate a 3D avatar of a living being, including automatically: causing one or more sensors to generate 3D data indicative of the three dimensional shape and appearance of at least a portion of the living being; and generating a virtual character based on the 3D data that can be animated and controlled.

Abstract: A head-mounted display allows the user to view a virtual environment. The head-mounted display is made of a pair of lenses which is directed to a display encased within a housing. However, the display provides a limited field-of-view that is less than what the user sees in a real-world environment. Adding an illuminated frame around the display's periphery can enable the user to produce spatial judgment similar to having a larger field-of-view. The illuminated frame does not require additional processing.

Abstract: A facial image capture system may capture images of a face of a person while the person is moving. A video camera may capture sequential images of a scene to which the video camera is directed. A marker-based location detection system may determine and generate information about the location of a marker worn on or close to the face of the person. A camera control system may automatically adjusts both the horizontal and vertical direction to which the video camera is directed so as to cause the sequential images of the camera to each be of the face of the person while the person is moving, based on the information about the location of the marker from the marker-based location detection system.

Abstract: A controllable lighting system may include a plurality of light source groups, a group controller for each light source group, a master controller, and a network communication system. Each group controller may be configured to control the light sources in its light source group based on a group control command. The master controller may be configured to receive a master control command relating to the light sources and to issue a group control command to each of the group controllers that collectively effectuate compliance with the master control command. The network communication system may be configured to communicate the group control commands from the master controller to the group controllers.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: An interactive, autostereoscopic system for displaying an object in 3D includes a mirror configured to spin around a vertical axis when actuated by a motor, a high speed video projector, and a processing system including a graphics card interfaced to the video projector. An anisotropic reflector is bonded onto an inclined surface of the mirror. The video projector projects video signals of the object from the projector onto the inclined surface of the mirror while the mirror is spinning, so that light rays representing the video signals are redirected toward a field of view of a 360 degree range. The processing system renders the redirected light rays so as to interactively generate a horizontal-parallax 3D display of the object. Vertical parallax can be included in the display by adjusting vertically the displayed views of the object, in response to tracking of viewer motion by a tracking system.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) for viewing a virtual environment generally include a flat display (FD), lenses for focusing on the FD, and a housing to enclose the FD and lenses. The housing is generally opaque to block out all external light, so the viewer only sees light from the FD. By making a portion or all of the housing translucent or transparent, ambient light and other external light can be seen by the viewer, providing additional visual cues and a larger perceived field of view. Additionally, other people can see light from the FD. The lenses are configured to view the FD and parts of the translucent housing.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) allows a user to view a virtual environment. The HMD displays a field of view to the user. However, the user may experience simulator sickness or motion sickness from viewing the field of view. The HMD is connected to a sensor which can monitor the user. By monitoring the user's physiological state, the user's simulator sickness can be detected or predicted. To reduce the negative effects, the field of view can be throttled. The field of view can also be throttled in order to provide a better user experience even if the user does not experience sickness.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.