Abstract: A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface.

Abstract: A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface.

Abstract: A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.

Abstract: A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a state indication on a voice communication session such as a telephone call or communication session implemented as part of a virtual environment enables the quality of the audio on the voice communication session to be altered depending on the state of the communication session. When the communication session is in a state other than normal state, the audio may be colored in a particular manner so that the user can tell, from the quality of the audio, what state the communication session is in. For example, when the client device is on Mute, the audio may be colored to enable the audio to have distinct qualities while on mute that are different than the audio qualities while not on mute. Other types of coloration may be used to indicate other states. In this way, the audio qualities presented to the user may be used to notify the user of the state the communication session.

Abstract: A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing user actions in the real world and mapping the users, their actions, and their avatars into a three dimensional virtual environment. Data representing real world users are captured, collected and sent to a virtual proxy bridge, which transforms the data into control signal for avatars, which are then mapped to the virtual environment. The real world avatars move around in parallel with the users in the real world via the use of data capture devices such as radio frequency identification (“RFID”) readers, triangulation or global positioning satellite (“GPS”) systems, and cameras. Real world users can therefore be represented as virtual users, thus removing the distinction between real world users and virtual environment users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a computer-implemented methods and systems for interactive communication in a network. The method includes creating, by a first user of a first device, an electronic greeting card comprising at least one interactive object. The electronic greeting card provides a virtual meeting space for a plurality of users. Further, the method includes sending, by the first user, the electronic greeting card to one or more of the plurality of users. The one or more of the plurality of users modify the electronic greeting card. The method further includes sending, by the first user, the modified electronic greeting card to a receiver of the plurality of users. Furthermore, the method includes displaying, at a receiving device of the receiver, the modified electronic greeting card. The plurality of the first users and the receiver can interactively communicate through the virtual meeting space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-touch display system that supports both multi-touch human input as well as input from a digital pen. The display system has a display panel that is configured to allow human touches along a front surface to be detected and tracked. The display panel also includes a location pattern that preferably covers the viewable areas of the display panel. The location pattern is configured to allow any location within the location pattern to be detected by analyzing a portion of the display pattern that is associated with the particular location. The digital pen is used to “write” on the display panel, wherein such a writing function involves detecting the location where writing occurs and controlling display content that is displayed on the display panel to reflect what is being written.