Abstract: A method for user interaction with a three-dimensional virtual world is disclosed. The virtual world comprises one or more public spaces and one or more private spaces. A user may be represented in the virtual world by an avatar. The user can manipulate the avatar via a user interface. According to the method a custom gesture may be generated for the avatar. The gesture may be associated with one or more user interface signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for tagging Virtual Universe items as owned by a particular user and to use such tags to enable users and/or system administrators to locate lost or stolen items in a Virtual Universe. When items identified are located, the user/owners may be notified of the location or missing items; alternatively, the items may be automatically returned to the user/owners' inventories. By enabling differentiation between items that may be lost, stolen, or left intentionally in a Virtual Universe, the present invention addresses difficulties that may arise in managing the various items that populate a Virtual Universe, especially as a Virtual Universe expands or as Multiple Virtual Universes expand and partner with additional Virtual Universes.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for creation and distribution of dynamic multi-content cards in a virtual universe. More specifically, the method creates a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card in the VU. Additionally, the system includes a card selection tool configured to create a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card to another resident in the VU.

Abstract: Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds.

Abstract: Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds.

Abstract: A game kit of components for playing an electronic game or application and an apparatus and method of using the components of the game kit is provided. The game kit may include a plurality of near field communication game pieces including one or more items of data. At least one of the near field communication game pieces is configured to enable transmission of the items of data, via a near field communication, to a device to enable the device to decode the data and translate at least one item of the data to at least one item of virtual data that is included in an electronic game or an application currently being displayed. The near field communication may direct the transmission of the data to the device in response to a detection of the device entering a proximity of the game piece.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating communication in real-time between users in a multi-user communication environment are described. To limit the receipt of unwanted messages, communication may be limited to a pre-prepared library of chat messages. The pre-prepared library of chat messages may include one or more of predetermined words, phrases and actions. Users are enabled to communicate and/or perform gaming actions based on the prepared library of chat messages, in one or more languages.

Abstract: A software application can capture product parameters and attributes in order to allow a non-expert user to create a valid functional system layout in a design space. To enable accurate layouts, the software application can automatically apply all applicable components, connectors, rules, attributes, codes, and behaviors to each component/design element in the design space. The intelligent, object-oriented software can apply rules and behaviors automatically, not only providing an accurate, valid layout, but also optimizing the layout. The intelligent, object-oriented software can recognize required changes effected by a user-driven change, and automatically resolve the layout design.

Abstract: The computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions for implementing a videodescription player module. The computer executable instructions implementing a user interface for selecting one or more videodescription output options among a plurality of videodescription output options. A videodescription player module generates a videodescription output that includes vocal communication information according to the selected output option.

Abstract: Interaction with web content in a web browser can control actions in an embedded virtual environment, and events in the virtual environment can be used to update content and applications running in the web browser. In one embodiment, particular events in the virtual environment are passed to a mapping component that listens for triggers and issues commands in the web browser. A JavaScript mapping component may be used to listen for the triggers, capture parameters associated with the trigger, lookup the trigger type in a mapping table, and call a mapped JavaScript function with the trigger parameters. In the reverse direction, if a JavaScript function call is entered in the web browser, the JavaScript function invokes a function exposed by a virtual environment plugin. The plug-in invokes an event within the virtual environment so that interaction with the web content can control actions in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for use with a computer simulation includes generating metadata that corresponds to replay data, and storing the generated metadata in a searchable text file. The replay data is generated in response to an execution of the computer simulation, and the metadata includes textual descriptions of one or more events that occurred during the execution of the computer simulation. A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for use with a computer simulation, and an apparatus includes a processor based system.

Abstract: By locating the traditional memorial park within a virtual world, it allows for the placement and access by visitors of virtual memorial plots and virtual memorials, from any country, and at any time, independent of weather conditions and outside the realm of physical decay. The virtual memorial park can be subdivided into categories of virtual memorial parks, which allows for improved special interest group affiliations re the virtual memorial plots and virtual memorials. The location of virtual memorial parks and virtual memorials within three dimensional graphic and two dimensional graphic virtual terrains, allows for the visitor to have a ‘real life’ simulation, as to the virtual terrain, without the need to consume additional valuable land and space.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a sensor for generating a sensor output signal responsive to the three-dimensional coordinate position of a detection target in a monitor space by detecting a capacitance in the monitor space, and outputting the sensor output signal, a position detector for detecting the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target in the monitor space from the sensor output signal of the sensor, a storage unit for storing coordinate information identifying a three-dimensional space region set in the monitor space, a determining unit for determining whether the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target in the monitor space is contained in the three-dimensional set space region, based on the three-dimensional coordinate position of the detection target detected by the position detector and the coordinate information stored on the storage, and an output unit for outputting determination results of the determining unit.

Abstract: An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program for implementing a step S100 of acquiring a camera image; a step S200 of detecting a marker; a step S400 of calculating a position and an orientation of a virtual camera; a step S600 of generating an animation in which a hexahedron is caused to appear on the marker when the start of a game is requested; a step S800 of generating an animation in which the hexahedron is unfolded so as to position thereon virtual objects representing targets; a step S900 of mapping the photographed image on objects; a step S1000 of taking an image of the objects by means of the virtual camera; and a step S1100, S1200 of displaying the camera image and an object image which is superimposed on the camera image.

Abstract: Display of and access to secure user-centric information via the construct of a channel grid framework serving as a desktop on a user device. Multiple authorized channels through which the user receives and/or interacts with respective portions of the secure user-centric information are implemented based on information access rights and/or security protocols respectively associated with the channels. Channel information is monitored to determine one or more events, conditions, logical workflows, discrete information values or signal data, based on one or more threshold conditions or parameters relating to the channel information. Actionable and/or non-actionable alerts may be generated on one or more authenticated user devices and/or other devices. Information relating to determination of one or more events, conditions, logical workflows, discrete information values or signal data may be transmitted to various devices and/or stored for archival purposes.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first computing device having a controller to present an avatar having characteristics that correlate to a user profile and that conform to operating characteristics of the first computing device, and transmit to a second computing device operational information associated with the avatar for reproducing at least in part the avatar at said second computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An avatar in a virtual world is provided with credentials for access to various parts of the virtual world by embedding information derived from avatar identification and authorized credential information in the form of a graphic image associated with the avatar. The embedded information is preferably encrypted.

Abstract: Augmented reality may be provided to one or more users in a real-world environment. For instance, information related to a recognized object may be displayed as a visual overlay appearing to be in the vicinity of the object in the real-world environment that the user is currently viewing. The information displayed may be determined based on at least one of captured images and transmissions from other devices. In one example, a portable apparatus receives a transmitted user ID and may submit the user ID to a remote computing device that compares a profile of a user corresponding to the user ID with a profile associated with the portable apparatus for determining, at least in part, information to be displayed as the visual overlay. As another example, the portable apparatus may include a camera to capture images that are analyzed for recognizing objects and identifying other users.

Abstract: A system for providing a visual user environment includes a processing unit, a memory, a primary display device for providing a primary visual interface, and an adjunct communication device for providing an adjunct visual interface. In an embodiment, the adjunct display device is configured to present quasi-3D or 3D images.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an augmented virtuality system are disclosed. A method of operating an augmented virtuality system may comprise displaying imagery of a real-world environment in an operating picture. The method may further include displaying a plurality of virtual icons in the operating picture representing at least some assets of a plurality of assets positioned in the real-world environment. Additionally, the method may include displaying at least one virtual item in the operating picture representing data sensed by one or more of the assets of the plurality of assets and remotely controlling at least one asset of the plurality of assets by interacting with a virtual icon associated with the at least one asset.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling participation by a first client and a second client in a communication session in a multi-dimensional virtual environment, the multi-dimensional virtual environment having first and second avatars respectively associated with the first and second clients and a plurality of objects distinct from the avatars. The method includes receiving from the first client a first annotation associated with a first object of the plurality of objects, transmitting the first annotation to the second client for display at the second client in association with the first object, receiving from the second client a second annotation associated with a second object of the plurality of objects, and transmitting the second annotation to the first client for display at the first client in association with the second object.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for navigating and interacting in virtual communication environments are described. At least some of these systems and methods provide a framework that includes one or more virtual areas and supports realtime communications between the communicants. At least some of these systems and methods provide an interface that includes navigation controls that enable a user to navigate virtual areas and interaction controls that enable the user to interact with other communicants in the one or more virtual areas.

Abstract: A 3 dimensional (3-D) user interface system employs: one or more 3-D projectors configured to display an image at a first location in 3-D space; one or more sensors configured to sense user interaction with the image and to provide user interaction information; and a processor configured (i) to receive the user interaction information from the one or more sensors; (ii) to correlate the user interaction with the image; and (iii) to provide one or more indications responsive to a correlation of the user interaction with the image, including displaying the image at a second location in 3-D space.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of both a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A user is enabled to interact with a virtual world environment using an instant messenger application by enabling a user to enter the virtual world environment using the instant messenger application that includes an instant messaging (IM) user interface, generating and managing an avatar to represent the user in the virtual world environment, monitoring a sub-portion of the virtual world environment corresponding to a current location of the user in the virtual world environment, determining descriptions of activities taking place in the sub-portion of the virtual world environment based on the monitoring, and providing the user with the determined descriptions of activities taking place in the sub-portion of the virtual world environment via the IM user interface.

Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing game play are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining, in a game play controller object, at least one game play rule of a virtual multiplayer game, maintaining, in the game play controller object, at least one game play state, maintaining, in a virtual object controller object, at least one state of a virtual object in a virtual multiplayer game environment, wherein the virtual object is one of a plurality of object types, receiving, over a network, user commands regarding the virtual object, and executing the game play rule based on the received instructions and the object type of the virtual object, wherein the execution of the game play rule modifies the game play state.

Abstract: A system and method for access control key administration in a virtual world that includes identifying an action to be performed on a key provided to a user controlling an avatar in a virtual world. The key provides the avatar access to a virtual space, a service, or an item in the virtual world. The action is applied to the key. The action is applied to the key to modify one or more access parameters on the key. The action applied to the key may be, for example, an update action, a revalidate action, or a remove action.

Abstract: A controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The controller identifies at least one trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The controller identifies at least one asset class from among asset classes specified with the trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The controller accesses at least one asset assigned to the at least one asset class in an asset class database. The controller renders the at least one asset within the virtual world environment in a virtual location within the virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling.

Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world includes a circular area forming a display for an item in the virtual world, and controls surrounding only a portion of the display for controlling that item.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for cross promoting real objects in a real world and virtual objects in a virtual world. A redemption code is received from a first participant in the virtual world. A virtual object corresponding to the redemption code is provided to the first participant. A request for information regarding the real object is received from a second participant of the virtual world and via the virtual object. Upon receiving the request via the virtual object, information regarding the real object is provided to the second participant and via the virtual object.

Abstract: A user directed interactive method and system for implementing customized therapy routines. The method and system obtains relevant information from a user via an interactive questionnaire and via digital therapeutic techniques to evaluate the user's pain and provide a customized treatment regimen. The user then implements the custom treatment regimen in order to return their body to proper alignment thereby bringing about a state of muscular and internal balance to the individual naturally. In this manner, the method and system of the present invention replicates the process of in-clinic and video therapy programs while delivering customized therapy sessions and long-term therapy programs based on the user's individual needs via an electronic medium that is completely automated without the need for professional intervention, evaluation, or correspondence of any kind.

Abstract: A social networking platform having users grouped into multiple groups of residents based on users' geographical areas, each group representing a virtual local community representing the corresponding geographical area. Each resident is identified by a resident identifier having a common local community identifier that uniquely identifies the corresponding geographical area in which the residents actually reside. Each resident is provided a three-dimensional (3D) homepage having items resembling items owned by the resident in an actual resident home. Some of the items decorated in the 3D homepage can be activate to invoke an authorized agent which will access a goods/service provider on behalf of the resident for purchasing further items. An authorized agent can be installed and available to a virtual community only if the residents allow. Based on the purchase, a resident is rewarded with credits for future purchases and ownership shares of the authorized agent.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for bridging virtual and physical spaces are described. In some of these examples, a particular communicant's real world state drives changes in one or more of the communications connections, virtual state, and communications interface of the particular communicant or another communicant.

Abstract: A system is described for enabling one or more user devices to view and interact with a three-dimensional (3-D) scene. The system comprises a data server 12 having a processor executing a program to create a virtual 3-D scene, and a user device 10 communicating remotely with the data server by way of a wired or wireless network. The user device 10 runs a user interface program for transmitting commands to the data server to modify the virtual 3-D scene and for displaying on a user screen an image that includes image data received from the data server as an encoded stream. The data server 12 is operative additionally to transmit commands to the user device for the purpose of altering the user interface.

Abstract: A quality of a virtual image for a synthetic viewpoint in a 3D scene is determined. The 3D scene is acquired by texture images, and each texture image is associated with a depth image acquired by a camera arranged at a real viewpoint. A texture noise power is based on the acquired texture images and reconstructed texture images corresponding to a virtual texture image. A depth noise power is based on the depth images and reconstructed depth images corresponding to a virtual depth image. The quality of the virtual image is based on a combination of the texture noise power and the depth noise power, and the virtual image is rendered from the reconstructed texture images and the reconstructed depth images.

Abstract: Cross-interface communication is described, including generating data associated with a synthetic environment, the synthetic environment comprising one or more communication protocols, converting the data using one of the one or more communication protocols to generate converted data, wherein the converted data is interpreted using another of the one or more communication protocols, and transmitting the data over a communication path between two or more endpoints using one or more communication interfaces, wherein the data, after being interpreted by the another of the one or more communication protocols, is used to present information associated with the synthetic environment on at least one of the two or more endpoints.

Abstract: An invention for certifying a virtual entity in a virtual universe is disclosed. A virtual business may opt to register with a security certificate administration center to obtain a security certificate. A user of another virtual entity is provided with an ability to initiate a verifying process to check whether a security certificate symbol or a graphic resembling a security certificate symbol represents a valid security certificate. Virtual universe client and server software may be modified to enable a secured connection between the user and the security certificate administration center for the verification.

Abstract: Paralinguistic indicators are translated at a paralinguistic translation server by receiving from a source a first set of data related to a first paralinguistic indicator that is configured to enable non-verbal communications between a source and a destination. The source is one of an instant messaging system and a virtual world system and the destination is one of the textual instant messaging system and a virtual world system but differs from the source. The first set of data related to the first paralinguistic indicator is translated into a second set of data related to a second paralinguistic indicator, such that the second paralinguistic indicator that is at least partially synonymous to the non-verbal communications associated with the first paralinguistic indicator. The second set of data related to the second paralinguistic indicator is transmitted to the destination.

Abstract: A system and a method in a computer-enabled environment are provided. The method includes the following steps: determining a user reputation of a user designator in response to a user rank of the user designator and an avatar rank of each of at least one avatar designator which is associated with the user designator; and determining an avatar reputation of that avatar designator in response to the avatar rank of that avatar designator and the user rank of the user designator, wherein the user designator corresponds to a real world user, the avatar designator corresponds to a user function in a visualized world of the computer-enabled environment, and each of the at least one avatar designator is manipulatable by the real world user.

Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first computing device having a controller to present an avatar having characteristics that correlate to a user profile and that conform to operating characteristics of the first computing device, and transmit to a second computing device operational information associated with the avatar for reproducing at least in part the avatar at said second computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for collaborative communications is described. In one embodiment, a central virtual reality communications environment is created. A plurality of client communication devices are connected to the central virtual reality communications environment. Each one of the connected plurality of client communication devices are represented as an avatar present in the central virtual reality communications environment. An uploaded data object is received from any one of the connected plurality of client communication devices. Finally, the data object is displayed in the central virtual reality communications environment to the connected plurality of client communication devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a metaverse client terminal and method for providing a metaverse space capable of enabling interaction between users. The metaverse client terminal includes a sensing data collection unit, a motion state determination unit, a server interface unit, and a metaverse space provision unit. The sensing data collection unit collects sensing data regarding a motion of a first user. The motion state determination unit determines a motion state of the first user, and generates state information data of the first user. The server interface unit transmits the state information data of the first user to a metaverse server, and receives metaverse information data and state information data of a second user. The metaverse space provision unit generates a metaverse space, generates a first avatar and a second avatar, incorporates the first and second avatars into the metaverse space, and provides the metaverse to the first user.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to virtual universe environments and, more particularly, to discerning and displaying information regarding relationships between two or more avatars in a virtual universe environment. In one embodiment, the invention includes determining whether a first avatar and a second avatar have at least one relationship with one or more common avatars in response to the first avatar initiating an interaction with the second avatar, and in the case that the first and second avatars have at least one relationship with at least one common avatar, displaying information regarding the relationship with the common avatar to at least one of the first and second avatar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product that allows a user to access resources on a local computer during a session with a virtual universe. Disclosed is a system that obtains an inventory of resources from the client computer and generates renderings of the resources in the virtual universe. Also included is a resource interaction system for allowing an avatar to interact with the resources in the virtual universe, wherein the resource interaction system provides a transport facility for loading resources from the client computer to the virtual universe.

Abstract: A method whereby dynamic, interactive, two or more dimensional media can be assembled and delivered where the need for pre-packaged binary content files and pre-compiled content is eliminated by using a markup language, a standard URI to identify local and/or remote media resources within a markup text, a standard protocol to retrieve the resource, a parser to load resources from the native format and a markup language to define behavior and where dynamic, interactive, n-dimensional media is achieved by using a markup language, connecting or embedding content into a local or remote data source, dragging-and-dropping markup text into a content provider application, updating content using a form, establishing a two-way connection between content and one or more data sources such that changing to the data source(s) and seeing the results propagate to the scene changing the content and seeing the results propagate to the data source(s) and using a markup language to issue commands, configure interaction, and crea

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for facilitating or creating a gateway to integrate with 3D virtual worlds (e.g., Second Life and Sun Wonderland) and external applications (e.g., data visualization gateways, process modeling systems, artificial intelligences, social networks, and other virtual worlds) for three-dimensional visualization of data in a virtual world. The visualization tool may include, for example, a three-dimensional graph using various colors, dimensions, shapes, and other properties as desired, to represent different data and data values. The avatars in the virtual world, as controlled by the game's players or users in the real world, can point to or otherwise interact with elements in the three-dimensional graph whereupon the base data or other related informational data would be displayed with respect to that given cell or element of the graph.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product for providing teleportation suggestions to avatars in a virtual universe. A service is provided that determines the set of teleportation suggestions for the avatar based on at least one of: an inventory analysis of the avatar, a historical teleportation analysis of the avatar, a motion analysis of the avatar, a social network analysis of the avatar, or a ratings analysis of locations within the virtual universe.

Abstract: A plurality of polygons are placed in a 3-dimensional virtual space. Each of plural types of first textures corresponding to plural types of attributes which the plurality of polygons have is mapped to the polygon that has the attribute of the type corresponding to the first texture, the 3-dimensional virtual space is shot by a first virtual camera, and thereby a main image is generated. In addition, each of the plural types of second textures corresponding to plural types of attributes which the plurality of polygons have is mapped to the polygon that has the attribute of the type corresponding to the second texture, the 3-dimensional virtual space is shot by a second virtual camera, and thereby a main image is generated.