Abstract: A method for providing a user with an improved understanding of an XR space in which the user is playing a video game includes: continuously tracking a user-controlled character in the video game; accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM) of surfaces of real elements present in the XR space, with corresponding positions and dimensions; analyzing information from the SMM on one or more real surfaces within a predetermined distance of the user-controlled character; carrying out an action based on a tracked position of the user-controlled character and, at least in part, on a result of the analysis; and making a consequence of the action visible to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for providing a user interface for a cognitive search in content is provided. The electronic device controls a display device to render an application interface that includes UI elements. The UI elements include a UI element to select media items, a UI element to select input data to be used for search inside content of each media item, and interactive UI elements to configure parameters that control the search inside the content or a metasearch within results of the search. The electronic device receives an input via the UI elements and transmits a search request to a search engine system. The electronic device receives a search result that identifies, from within the content or associated metadata, content elements that match the input data and satisfy the parameters. The display device is controlled to render the search result onto the application interface.

Abstract: A method predefines activity zones in an extended reality (XR) space by: accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM); compiling a record of all exposed surfaces of the physical elements in the XR space, with positions, dimensions, and categories; for each recorded surface, performing a collision analysis at representative positions around its perimeter to determine an available adjacent open space; filter determined open spaces according to one or more predetermined criteria to determine one or more activity zones at corresponding locations; and assigning each activity zone to an activity category based in part on the categorization of the available adjacent surface or surfaces. The method is carried out in advance of user interaction with any virtual element in the XR space.

Abstract: A method predefines a virtual staircase connecting real platforms in an XR space by: accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM); compiling a record from the SMM of available surfaces; identifying available platforms provided by the physical elements and available open spaces therebetween; selecting a first platform at a first level and a second platform at a significantly lower level; selecting a staircase start location at a first edge of the first platform, partly based on predetermined criteria; stacking virtual blocks linearly to form a virtual staircase, with a first virtual block contacting and extending outwards from the first platform, and a last virtual block contacting the second platform at a staircase end location; and performing a collision analysis. If the staircase end location satisfies the predetermined criteria, and if no collisions are detected, the current virtual staircase is displayed in subsequent user interactions with the XR space.

Abstract: A method for providing a user with an improved understanding of an XR space in which the user is playing a video game includes: continuously tracking a user-controlled character in the video game; accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM) of surfaces of real elements present in the XR space, with corresponding positions and dimensions; analyzing information from the SMM on one or more real surfaces within a predetermined distance of the user-controlled character; carrying out an action based on a tracked position of the user-controlled character and, at least in part, on a result of the analysis; and making a consequence of the action visible to the user.

Abstract: A method for predefining an entryway at a virtual boundary of an XR space contained within a real environment includes: accessing a spatial mapping mesh (SMM) for the real environment, and a sealed space mesh (SSM) for the XR space; analyzing polygons in the SMM and SSM to identify first subsets representing vertical surfaces and virtual wall boundaries respectively; filtering the first subsets according to first criteria to yield second subsets; colliding polygons across the second subsets to yield a third subset of SSM polygons; defining groups of connected SSM polygons within the third subset; and selecting one group as defining the entryway. The defining of the entryway is carried out in advance of user interaction with any virtual elements in the XR environment.

Abstract: A method predefines a virtual staircase connecting real platforms in an XR space by: accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM); compiling a record from the SMM of available surfaces; identifying available platforms provided by the physical elements and available open spaces therebetween; selecting a first platform at a first level and a second platform at a significantly lower level; selecting a staircase start location at a first edge of the first platform, partly based on predetermined criteria; stacking virtual blocks linearly to form a virtual staircase, with a first virtual block contacting and extending outwards from the first platform, and a last virtual block contacting the second platform at a staircase end location; and performing a collision analysis. If the staircase end location satisfies the predetermined criteria, and if no collisions are detected, the current virtual staircase is displayed in subsequent user interactions with the XR space.

Abstract: A method for quasi-random placement of a virtual item in an XR space includes: accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM) of the XR space; compiling a record from the SMM of open spaces between surfaces of physical elements in the XR space, with corresponding positions and dimensions; selecting from the open spaces: a spawn position for a virtual character, and a random set of other positions, filtering the random set to form a subset. The method then performs a collision analysis to assign a score to each position in the subset partly based on accessibility to that position for the virtual character beginning from the spawn position; and places the virtual item at a position in the subset having a score as high or higher than all other positions in the subset. The method is carried out before user interaction with any virtual element in the XR space.

Abstract: A method for predefining an entryway, corresponding to a real entryway, for an object entering or leaving an extended reality (XR) space contained within a real environment includes: accessing a spatial mapping mesh (SMM) for the real environment, and a sealed space mesh (SSM) for the XR space; analyzing polygons in the SMM and SSM to identify first subsets representing real boundary walls and virtual wall boundaries respectively; filtering the first subsets according to first criteria to yield second subsets; colliding polygons across the second subsets to yield a third subset of SSM polygons; defining groups of connected SSM polygons within the third subset based on proximity; and selecting one group as defining the entryway. The entryway is predefined in advance of user interaction with any virtual elements in the XR space.

Abstract: A method for regulating falls of a user-controlled character through gaps between surfaces in an extended reality (XR) space in which the user is playing a game includes compiling a record from a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM) of the XR space of surfaces of real elements present in that space, with corresponding positions and dimensions; and, after the game begins, determining whether, if the character approaches a substantially vertical gap between an edge of a first surface at a first level and a second surface, at a second level lower than the first level, continuing motion of the character to fall through the vertical gap will be permitted or prevented. A similar method for regulating jumps rather than falls of a user-controlled character through gaps between surfaces in an extended reality (XR) space in which the user is playing a game is also described.

Abstract: A method to generate an appropriate reaction, by an NPC in an XR game, to a significant event in the game includes: compiling a record from a previously generated SMM of surfaces in the XR space, categorizing the surfaces; after the game begins, tracking in real time physical surroundings of the NPC, allowing 3D positions of the NPC relative to nearby physical surfaces to be continuously determined; and events occurring in the game, allowing detection of any event deemed to be significant. For each detected event deemed significant, occurring at a corresponding event time, an appropriate action is determined for the NPC to carry out in response, partly based on whether the NPC is positioned close to a physical surface at the event time, and the NPC is directed to carry out the appropriate action.

Abstract: A method predefines activity zones in an extended reality (XR) space by: accessing a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM); compiling a record of all exposed surfaces of the physical elements in the XR space, with positions, dimensions, and categories; for each recorded surface, performing a collision analysis at representative positions around its perimeter to determine an available adjacent open space; filter determined open spaces according to one or more predetermined criteria to determine one or more activity zones at corresponding locations; and assigning each activity zone to an activity category based in part on the categorization of the available adjacent surface or surfaces. The method is carried out in advance of user interaction with any virtual element in the XR space.

Abstract: A method to generate an appropriate reaction, by an NPC in an XR game, to a significant event in the game includes: compiling a record from a previously generated SMM of surfaces in the XR space, categorizing the surfaces; after the game begins, tracking in real time physical surroundings of the NPC, allowing 3D positions of the NPC relative to nearby physical surfaces to be continuously determined; and events occurring in the game, allowing detection of any event deemed to be significant. For each detected event deemed significant, occurring at a corresponding event time, an appropriate action is determined for the NPC to carry out in response, partly based on whether the NPC is positioned close to a physical surface at the event time, and the NPC is directed to carry out the appropriate action.

Abstract: A robot has a generally cubic body portion on propulsion elements. The robot turns its head in accordance with a remote person turning his head, and also presents, on a display representing the face of the robot, a full-face image representing the person even when the person is being imaged in profile.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including an input device configured to receive a stroke input, and a display controller configured to control a displaying of a modified stroke, wherein the modified stroke is synthesized based on characteristic parameters of the received stroke input and characteristic parameters of a reference stroke that has been matched to the received stroke input.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, control method, and program that allow for recognition of a state of an arm on the basis of determination of whether the information processing apparatus is worn on the left arm or the right arm, the information processing apparatus including: a determination unit configured to determine whether the information processing apparatus is worn on a user's right arm or left arm; a recognition unit configured to recognize a state of the arm; and a control unit configured to perform predetermined control on a device included in the information processing apparatus according to the recognized state of the arm. The recognition unit switches settings of a parameter which is used in the recognition of the state of the arm, according to a result of the determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system capable of causing a user of a destination apparatus to be aware of arrival of delivered information without the destination apparatus communicating directly with the peripheral apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes: a notification processing unit that generates notification information for causing a user of a destination apparatus to be aware of arrival of delivered information, which is directed to a peripheral apparatus that is estimated to be located within a predetermined range from the destination apparatus of the delivered information on a basis of positional relationship information; and a communication unit that transmits the notification information generated by the notification processing unit.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a processing unit that performs decision determination with respect to an option associated with a predetermined object by determining whether a user is following the predetermined object.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, control method, and program that allow for recognition of a state of an arm on the basis of determination of whether the information processing apparatus is worn on the left arm or the right arm, the information processing apparatus including: a determination unit configured to determine whether the information processing apparatus is worn on a user's right arm or left arm; a recognition unit configured to recognize a state of the arm; and a control unit configured to perform predetermined control on a device included in the information processing apparatus according to the recognized state of the arm. The recognition unit switches settings of a parameter which is used in the recognition of the state of the arm, according to a result of the determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus includes a display unit and a display control unit. The display unit is configured to switch and display a plurality of images classified for each layer. The display control unit is configured to selectively execute a first display control mode and a second display control mode. The first display control mode causes the display unit to display, on the basis of an operation event, the second image from a third image not relating to the first image via the first image. The second display control mode enables the display unit to display the second image from the third image without the first image when a control signal for prompting access to the second image is received.