Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include presenting a first augmented view of a first scene from a real environment, the first augmented view to be presented including one or more persistent augmentations in a first one or more formats, the inclusion of the one or more persistent augmentations in the first augmented view being independent of presence of one or more visual cues in the actual view of the first scene from the real environment, obtaining an actual view of a second scene from the real environment that is different from the actual view of the first scene, and presenting a second augmented view of the second scene from the real environment, the second augmented view to be presented including the one or more persistent augmentations in a second one or more formats that is based, at least in part, on multiple input factors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing virtual keyboards. In one aspect, a system includes a camera, a display, a video feature extraction module and a gesture pattern matching module. The camera captures a sequence of images containing a finger of a user, and the display displays each image combined with a virtual keyboard having a plurality of virtual keys. The video feature extraction module detects motion of the finger in the sequence of images relative to virtual sensors of the virtual keys, and determines sensor actuation data based on the detected motion relative to the virtual sensors. The gesture pattern matching module uses the sensor actuation data to recognize a gesture.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world. There is provided a method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world, the method comprising locating, in the virtual world, an avatar of the second client in a proximity of an avatar of the first client, executing a social action using the avatar of the second client such that the social action is observable by the first client but not observable by the second client, receiving the reply from the first client in response to the social action, and rendering the reply from first client using the avatar of the first client.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting people for real time communications via a virtual reality environment. One embodiment includes: receiving a call for a real time communication session at a virtual object presented in a virtual reality world; indicating to a plurality of residents of the virtual reality world that the virtual object is being called; and responsive to an input from one resident of the plurality of residents, connecting the call to the resident for a real time communication session.

Abstract: A computerized server managing a Virtual Environment (VE) has a network port for communicating with remote computerized appliances, a plurality of virtually-defined rigid objects in the VE, including one or more avatars representing persons in the VE, a physics simulation engine executing from a machine-readable medium, for calculating object states and properties, including motion of virtually-defined rigid objects, and a mechanism for assigning and tracking identification of remote computerized appliances connected via the network port, each remote appliance capable of physics simulation. The server responds to signals from the remote computerized appliances to assign individual ones of the virtually-defined rigid objects to individual ones of the remote computerized appliances for physics simulation, and the server simulates all virtually-defined objects in the VE that are not assigned to at least one of the remote computerized appliances.

Abstract: Useful work or services can be automated or otherwise facilitated or solutions to real world events developed by emulation of a real-world environment (which can contain objects representing virtual objects) with a virtual environment and generating a prioritized sequence of locations and associated tasks in accordance with resources related to the event in a virtual universe. Performance of the prioritized tasks at the prioritized locations is facilitated in the virtual universe by locally generating teleportation invitations corresponding to locations in the ordered sequence of locations.

Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method that allows the user to present standard 2D multimedia data (photo, video) to an audience in a stereoscopic 3D presentation. The system allows the user to transfer standard 2D multimedia content into a stereoscopic 3D multimedia work by automatically placing the individual 2D multimedia input material into specific placeholder sections in specially prepared and provided S3D multimedia themes.

Abstract: A system that enables individuals or companies to allow an avatar's transits and communications within a virtual universe. The system enables the selection of regions and/or content. Additionally, companies can use this system to prevent accidental communication of proprietary material. Also provided are a method and a computer readable medium containing a program product including the method to enable individuals or companies to allow an avatar's transits and communications within a virtual universe.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional enhanced world view experiences are described herein that include: a) at least one software-enabled device, network device, portable device or combination thereof; b) at least one interactive application that provides at least one virtual world overlay, virtual object or combination thereof; and c) at least one physical view, wherein the at least one virtual world overlay, virtual object or combination thereof is aligned or overlaid with the at least one physical view to produce an enhanced world view that is displayed on the at least one software-enabled device, network device, portable device or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for building collaboration work environments within the virtual world through computer generated (and possibly controlled) avatars and other three dimensional (3D) objects. It provides a solution to a problem where computer generated avatars and objects visually represent the execution, progress and output of a collaboration project. It provides the system and method for quickly visualizing collaboration activities and outputs to allow people to quickly and easily track progress of said activities. Visually representing collaboration activities allows observers to identify the number and different types of collaboration activities which are currently occurring, the progress of each collaboration activity, the system or component that the collaboration activity is creating or any problems or issues identified during activities supporting the collaboration work effort.

Abstract: Token detection at a single computing platform may be linked with a user identification to unlock content and/or effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, in accordance with one or more implementations. Exemplary implementations may enhance consistency in a user's experiences of a virtual space across multiple computing platforms.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements of modifying spaces in virtual universes are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive data from a software agent in a virtual universe, directly or indirectly. The data may be based upon information automatically gathered from data stores outside the virtual universe, including account data and user profile data. The embodiment may also involve developing a user profile of the user in the virtual universe, based upon the data received from the software agent. An embodiment may also involve automatically gathering information from data stores external to the virtual universe. The information may include user account data and user profile information. The embodiment may also include aggregating data for generating the user profile in the virtual universe, based upon the information; and transmitting the data directly or indirectly to the virtual universe.

Abstract: Exemplary implementations may facilitate effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform. In some implementations, tokens may be detected based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the multiple client computing platforms. A given token may be a standalone physical object. The given token may be detectable based on a signal conveying information associated with the given token. The information associated with the given token conveyed by the signal may be devoid of virtual space content.

Abstract: In an information providing system, a virtual three-dimensional space is established by an information management server. A user of a mobile communication terminal moves in the virtual space, and browses, posts, and searches message information items by manipulating an avatar. The information management server manages the message information items and responds to searches requested from mobile communication terminals. The information management server specifies an area where the number of message information items relevant to a search word specified by a user of a mobile communication terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The information management server outputs a guide information item for indicating a direction or route toward the specified area from the position of an avatar. Based on the guide information item, the mobile communication terminal displays an image of an arrow pointing a direction or route toward the specified area as a target area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for providing information for avoiding specific users of an immersive virtual environment. Generally, a primary user may specify other users to be avoided in a blacklist. The blacklisted users may be specified to be avoided at all times, or may be specified to be avoided in certain situations. In one embodiment, a user may be added to the blacklist during a specific situation, resulting in the characteristics of the situation being automatically stored in the blacklist. Subsequently, the blacklist may be used to determine the locations of the blacklisted users matching the current situation. The primary user may then avoid the locations having the greatest probability of encountering blacklisted users.

Abstract: Awards of value are awarded to residents of a virtual universe for consenting to be teleported in response to invitations for teleportation. The consent can be made conditional upon any of a variety of circumstances which can be specified by a resident of the virtual universe for a corresponding avatar and which form rules for auto-teleportation. These conditions can be stored and searched and avatar and location status monitored and compared to the conditions to control issuance of invitations to increase the likelihood that an invitation will be automatically accepted. A delay before acceptance is also preferably provided to provide for graceful conclusion or termination of current avatar activity.

Abstract: Useful work or services can be automated or otherwise facilitated or solutions to real world events developed by emulation of a real-world environment (which can contain objects representing virtual objects) with a virtual environment and generating a prioritized sequence of locations and associated tasks in accordance with resources related to the event in a virtual universe. Performance of the prioritized tasks at the prioritized locations is facilitated in the virtual universe by locally generating teleportation invitations corresponding to locations in the ordered sequence of locations.

Abstract: An embodiment is an avatar or avatar environment to visualize data within an athletic performance system or service and/or a social network system or service, for example as part of the Internet. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data. According to one or more aspects, an avatar may be placed on other network sites and updated based on athletic performance data. The avatar may be awarded for goals achieved by a user. The awards or gifts may further include non-avatar related items such as apparel, gift cards and the like.

Abstract: The system and method provides for creating, storing and broadcasting interactive panoramic walk-through applications. The combination of images is determined by the array of possibilities for the user to choose the direction of displacement at each intersection point and from each point or geographical coordinate, to have a complete view from a first person's point of view. The system uses geo-streaming methods to optimize broadcast and real-time construction of panoramic applications. The system provides a visual perspective which approaches that of human vision.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting information related to a user's friends within a virtual environment. For example, when a user requests to view a friends list, the virtual environment may respond by identifying interactions between that user and their friends. From this, the virtual environment may determine an order to present the users in the list. For example, individual with whom the user interacts with frequently may be more prominently displayed. However, the user may fix or “pin” the position of certain users (e.g., a close friend with whom contact is infrequent). Further, in addition to displaying friends' names, the list may display an animation of a user's friend generated based on the then current activity, location, or appearance of that friend within a virtual environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing a set of entities, each controlling a virtual environment in which user representations evolve. The method includes the following steps: monitoring at least one characteristic of each of the entities and/or at least one characteristic of a corresponding virtual environment; proposing to transfer and/or transferring at least one of the user representations from a first virtual environment to a second virtual environment, as a function of the characteristic or characteristics monitored.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes displaying an interactive collaboration plane along a time axis within a graphical user interface, automatically detecting a plurality of participation events each performed by one of a plurality of participants during a conference session between the plurality of participants, recording a time of occurrence of each of the participation events, and displaying graphical depictions of the participation events within the interactive collaboration plane. The graphical depictions are positioned along the time axis in accordance with the recorded times of occurrence of the participation events. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a generating apparatus including a display controller configured, on the basis of computer graphics description data for use in creating a computer graphics virtual space necessary for generating a computer graphics image, to display a plurality of element descriptors representative of a plurality of elements arranged in the computer graphics virtual space; and a specification information generator configured to generate specification information for specifying a parameter for defining an element corresponding to an element descriptor by a selecting operation by a user from among the displayed plurality of element descriptors as a parameter subject to adjustment that is adjusted by an adjusting operation by the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a communications interface for communications between participants, said interface including a virtual space (1) and graphical avatars (2, 3) that firstly represent respective ones of said participants and secondly are designed to move in said virtual space (1), said communications interface also including control means for controlling the movement of each graphical avatar, said communications interface being characterized in that it is designed to set up a discussion channel automatically between two of said participants when either the distance (d) between the two graphical avatars (2, 3) representing respective ones of said two participants is less than or equal to a predetermined first value (D1), or the distances between a graphical object and each of the two graphical avatars (2, 3) are less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world. There is provided a method for inducing a reply from a first client connected to a virtual world to facilitate a social interaction using a second client connected to the virtual world, the method comprising locating, in the virtual world, an avatar of the second client in a proximity of an avatar of the first client, executing a social action using the avatar of the second client such that the social action is observable by the first client but not observable by the second client, receiving the reply from the first client in response to the social action, and rendering the reply from first client using the avatar of the first client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing a teleforum. The method includes generating simultaneous outbound invitation calls to multiple invitees and transmitting a message to each invitee, inviting him or her to become a teleforum participant. Teleforum participants who accept the invitation are connected to the teleforum in a listen-only mode. During the teleforum, a teleforum participant may request active participation in the teleforum. The method also includes allowing the participant to actively participate in the teleforum. Active participation may include but is not limited to such activities as: speaking to the teleforum, asking a question, responding to a poll, making a donation, providing information, leaving a message, being transferred to a subconference, receiving feedback from participants, leaving a voicemail, volunteering for future activities or receiving media transmitted outside of the teleforum.

Abstract: Information related to art is provided in networked computing environments wherein users can participate in public or private online interactive video conferences, chat rooms and other online sessions led by art galleries or art gallery affiliates. User's may switch between public sessions and private sessions when ready to make a transaction related to an art object or artist presented in a public session. In private online sessions, potential consumers may also electronically provide the art gallery pictures, diagrams and photographs of an area in which they are interested in placing certain art objects. An image of the art object is shown within the picture to scale with other objects such as a wall, and angle of view. Users may also see the art objects to scale next to other stock images of familiar reference objects during the online session.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for database viewing, create a copy of a vendor view in a customer view layer that is present between an interface layer and the database layer. In certain embodiments this copy of the vendor view may contain no customer specific logic, simply serving as a 1:1 projection in the customer view allowing the vendor to track customer access to particular vendor views. According to some embodiments, the copy of the vendor view may be changed to create a modification view. Changes are applied to the modification view only, leaving the original vendor view unchanged with a link to the stored modification copy. This link can be used to adjust the modification copy whenever a hot fix or a new version of the ‘modified’ database content is installed to the customer system. Embodiments may support consumer extensions to the vendor views and/or to the database itself.

Abstract: In the field of satisfaction of human necessities, the system for meeting people over an Internet network includes client devices interconnected by means of the Internet network and at least one server having a module for forming virtual likenesses, a module for searching and comparing virtual likenesses, a module for displaying and storing results and a module for communication between virtual likeness. The system can be used in allowing users of social networks to meet each other. The system includes a module for forming and operating virtual meetings scenes. The achieved technical result is a broadening of functional capabilities of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to directed communication in a virtual environment. A method for method for providing directed communication between avatars in a virtual environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining a relative location of a first avatar and a second avatar in a virtual environment; and adjusting an aspect of a communication between the first avatar and the second avatar based on the relative location.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to selecting textures for a user-supplied photographic image in image-based three-dimensional modeling. In a first embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes a method for inputting a user-supplied photographic image that uses a photogrammetry algorithm to adjust a plurality of camera parameters for the user-supplied photographic image. In the method, a user-supplied photographic image inputted by a user is received. A set of geographic characteristics inputted by the user that correspond to a geographic location of a camera that took the user-supplied photographic image is received. A plurality of camera parameters that correspond to the geographic location of the camera that took the user-supplied photographic image is determined. The user-supplied photographic image to be texture mapped to the three-dimensional model is enabled.

Abstract: Affiliations between users may be facilitated across multiple virtual spaces accessible via virtual environments. Affiliations may be established within individual ones of two or more virtual spaces. A given affiliation within a given virtual space may include a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the given virtual space. The affiliations may include a first affiliation within a first virtual space between a group of users including a first user and a second user. A recommendation may be provided for potential affiliations to users in the two or more virtual spaces such that responsive to the first user having an account in a second virtual space, and responsive to the second user creating an account in the second virtual space, the first user may be recommended to the second user for a potential affiliation in the second virtual space based on the first affiliation.

Abstract: Exemplary implementations may facilitate effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform. In some implementations, tokens may be detected based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the multiple client computing platforms. A given token may be a standalone physical object. The given token may be detectable based on a signal conveying information associated with the given token. The information associated with the given token conveyed by the signal may be devoid of virtual space content.

Abstract: Information related to art is provided in networked computing environments wherein users can participate in public or private online interactive video conferences, chat rooms and other online sessions led by art galleries or art gallery affiliates. User's may switch between public sessions and private sessions when ready to make a transaction related to an art object or artist presented in a public session. In private online sessions, potential consumers may also electronically provide the art gallery pictures, diagrams and photographs of an area in which they are interested in placing certain art objects. An image of the art object is shown within the picture to scale with other objects such as a wall, and angle of view. Users may also see the art objects to scale next to other stock images of familiar reference objects during the online session.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for splitting an avatar a split point in a virtual world. In one embodiment, a location in the virtual world may be designated as the split point. It may be determined that a first avatar has encountered the split point. The user may be prompted to specify whether to split the first avatar in a virtual world. Responsive to a request to split the first avatar, a second avatar may be created from the first avatar. The first avatar and the second avatar may be controlled independently in the virtual world and in response to user input. A user may also request to merge the first avatar and the second avatar. A third avatar may be created from the first avatar and the second avatar, responsive to the request to merge. The third avatar may include assets of both the first avatar and the second avatar.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image of a real space captured with an imaging device, a user interface unit configured to display the input image on a screen of a display device and detect a designated position designated by a user on the screen, a computation unit configured to compute a three-dimensional position of a virtual object in an augmented reality space from the designated position detected by the user interface unit, and an authoring unit configured to associate the three-dimensional position of the virtual object computed by the computation unit with the virtual object to store the three-dimensional position in a storage medium.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for item inquiry and information presentation via standard communication paths. More particularly, the method and system detects an item associated with an avatar of a virtual universe (VU) user in a VU and determine information associated with the item. Additionally, the method and system are operable to display the information in the VU in a high-resolution component of the VU.

Abstract: A display apparatus for depicting a three-dimensional scenario includes a first and a second projection device, and a holographic display device having a first and a second holographic unit. A depiction apparatus includes a number of the display apparatuses for the depiction and cooperative processing of a three-dimensional scenario by a number of users that each observe the three-dimensional scenario from an individually determinable perspective.

Abstract: Objects in a virtual space may be non-traversable such that traversal by characters of the virtual space through such objects is not permitted by the physics of the virtual space. Objects may be relocated during interactive gameplay. A navigation map of the virtual space is updated interactively, e.g. after an object has been relocated, by determining which regions are traversable or non-traversable, the boundaries of these regions, and which boundaries separate adjacent traversable regions. The updated navigation map may be queried on behalf of a non-player character in the virtual space, e.g. to determine where to go and/or how to get there.

Abstract: Communications may be facilitated among users belonging to affiliations spanning two or more virtual spaces accessible via virtual environments. In exemplary implementations, affiliations within individual virtual spaces may be managed. A given affiliation within a given virtual space may comprise a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the given virtual space. A communications interface may be provided for presentation to individual users. The communications interface may be configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming communications and provide out-going communications. Synchronous and/or asynchronous communications may be facilitated via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations. The communications may be facilitated among users belonging to a common overarching affiliation, which may encompass two or more affiliations from different virtual spaces that include substantially the same group of users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing information on an object by using viewing frustums. The method includes the steps of: (a) specifying at least two viewing frustums whose vertexes are visual points of respective user terminals; and (b) calculating a degree of interest in the object by referring to the object commonly included in both a first viewing frustum whose vertex is a visual point of a first user terminal and a second one whose vertex is a visual point of a second user terminal.

Abstract: The information-processing device according to the present invention, if a subject operation direction is “rightward,” specifies in a coordinate axis across a rightward direction, a range that overlaps an area between coordinates (Yamin to Yamax) of an area where selected window Wa is displayed, and each of areas between coordinates (Y1min to Y1max and Y2min to Y2max) of areas where non-selected windows Wb1 and Wb2 are displayed, and determines a window that is selectable subsequently on the basis of the overlapping range. The information-processing device displays a guide image at a position between a window that is selectable subsequently and selected window Wa, and is also within a range that overlaps both an area where a window that is selectable subsequently is displayed, and an area where window Wa is displayed, to guide a subject operation direction.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to facilitate group activities in a virtual environment. An indication is conveyed of a region surrounding a first avatar as being a group activity region, upon detecting that the first avatar is leading a first group activity in the virtual environment. The region is defined by proximity to the first avatar. A second avatar is allowed to participate in the first group activity with the first avatar in the region, only when the second avatar is within the region surrounding the first avatar in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A virtual reality network provides access to a number of virtual reality representations, each virtual reality representation representing a location in a virtual universe and defined by VR data stored on the network. The VR data can be in a simplified data format and include data from an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator (IPAKN). A database stores the network address and the location in the universe of each virtual reality representation. A database server provides access to the database. The database server generates a list of locations in response to a location query from a visitor, and provides the network address of the virtual reality representation of a selected location. A visitor connects to the database server with a client host to visit the locations in the virtual universe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unifying coordinate systems in an augmented reality application or system are disclosed. User devices capture an image of a scene, and determine a location based on the scene image. The scene image may be compared to cartography data or images to determine the location. User devices may propose an origin and orientation or transformation data for a common coordinate system and exchange proposed coordinate system data to agree on a common coordinate system. User devices may also transmit location information to an augmented reality system that then determines an a common coordinate system and transmits coordinate system data such as transformation matrices to the user devices. Images presented to users may be adjusted based on user device locations relative to the coordinate system.

Abstract: A computerized server managing a Virtual Environment (VE) has a network port for communicating with remote computerized appliances, a plurality of virtually-defined rigid objects in the VE, including one or more avatars representing persons in the VE, a physics simulation engine executing from a machine-readable medium, for calculating object states and properties, including motion of virtually-defined rigid objects, and a mechanism for assigning and tracking identification of remote computerized appliances connected via the network port, each remote appliance capable of physics simulation. The server responds to signals from the remote computerized appliances to assign individual ones of the virtually-defined rigid objects to individual ones of the remote computerized appliances for physics simulation, and the server simulates all virtually-defined objects in the VE that are not assigned to at least one of the remote computerized appliances.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for automating avatar selection for groups are disclosed. A representative method includes providing a software application accessible to multiple users, and a database of available avatar characteristics that are selectively combinable to create user-specific avatars with which the users can represent themselves to each other in the application. User(s) associated with a group provide an instruction that associates a first set of the available avatar characteristics with the group. For users associated with the group, access is then restricted to the first set of avatar characteristics, and for users not associated with the group, access is restricted to a different second set of available avatar characteristics. Avatar characteristics in the first set may be selected by an automated procedure that analyzes user-specific avatars of some users, and selects which of the available avatar characteristics to include in the first set based on the analysis.

Abstract: Facilitating display of, and interaction with, secure user-centric information via a user platform operated by a user. A user identity is transmitted to an external computing device hosting an identity management server to authenticate the user. After authenticating, a desktop channel grid framework is displayed on the user platform. The channel grid framework includes multiple channels having respective contents represented as multiple user-selectable items, through which respective portions of the secure user-centric information are presented. At least some of the secure user-centric information in at least one channel is based on the user identity, and in displaying the at least one channel as a selectable item, the at least one channel is authenticated by the identity management server.

Abstract: The language-based video game places a player avatar into a game environment contained within a display field following a story narrative or an adventure for completing an objective. The gameplay reinforces pronunciation and writing of a given language. The display field includes a minor head graphic, as can be highlighted text in the given language, interactive text objects, and can include a control icon and a progress icon. The minor head graphic is a representation of a human head, or portion thereof, animated to show pronunciation of the highlighted text. As the player progresses through the game, the player encounters the interactive text objects that, upon activation, transform into useful objects for overcoming challenges present in the game environment, the interactive text object being the same as, substantially the same as, or corresponding to the highlighted text. Avatar movement and interactions are controlled through a control scheme via an interface.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method of controlling an image display thereof are disclosed. A display module for a mobile terminal as disclosed herein may include a display for displaying an image that includes one or more objects, a user input interface to receive an input to change the image between a 2D display and a 3D display, and a controller configured to change the displayed image between the 2D display and the 3D display based on the received input. The controller may control the display to sequentially display one or more intermediate images in order to gradually change an extent in which at least one of the one or more objects is perceived to protrude or recede into the display during the change in the displayed image.