Abstract: A method, system and program product for assisting a presentation owner in creating and presenting information to audience users in a virtual 3D cyclorama-like environment. A presentation object tool provides behavior in the cyclorama object to assist the presentation owner in resolving graphic objects into the cyclorama and in placing information onto the graphic objects. The presenter object tool also provides behavior in the graphic objects to allow the presentation owner to expand a graphic object into a larger viewing size, to increment and decrement the placement of graphic objects within the cyclorama's presentation space, and to place an expanded graphic object into a home viewing position for presentation to audience users.

Abstract: A method of displaying a background sky in a navigation system, the method including: storing and maintaining map data and background sky image data with respect to one or more directions of the map data in a database; detecting a driving direction angle of a vehicle; computing a position of a background sky image corresponding to the detected driving direction angle; extracting background sky image data corresponding to the computed position of the background sky image from the database; and displaying the extracted background sky image data as a background sky with respect to the map data.

Abstract: A computer-assisted inspection system provides customized workflow based on different types of inspections and other factors. The system can provide different rules that can be activated in response to valuation/pricing, rule-based validation and automatic grading. Features include flat car part picking, easy to use, inspectors can be geographically separated, and system is installable over the internet to provide efficient installation to far-flung install sites.

Abstract: A method for receiving input from a user of a virtual world, the method including: interacting with an object displayed in the virtual world; displaying another object in the virtual world in response to the interacting, the another object adapted to interact with the user; displaying at least one of a user specific label and a service specific label in place of a generic label associated with the another object; selecting the another object; and receiving the generic label and the at least one of the user specific label and the service specific label as the input in response to the selecting.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for providing a 3-dimensional (3-D) user interface to display images in a 3-D coordinate system. The 3-D interface generates and displays one type of holographic keyboard in response to a user's desired selection. The holographic keyboard provides versatility and ergonomic benefits to the user. Sensors are configured to sense user interaction within the 3-D coordinate system, so that a processor may receive user interaction information from the sensors. The sensors are able to provide information to the processor that enables the processor to correlate user interaction with images in the 3-D coordinate system. The system may be used for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system.

Abstract: A user interface method includes defining an interaction surface containing an interaction region in space. A sequence of depth maps is captured over time of at least a part of a body of a human subject. The depth maps are processed in order to detect a direction and speed of movement of the part of the body as the part of the body passes through the interaction surface. A computer application is controlled responsively to the detected direction and speed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for user-controlled annotation and sharing of one or more digital items. Examples of digital items that may be shared with other users include digital representations of graphic images, photographs, audio segments, songs, video segments, movies, and text (such as lists of favorites (e.g., a list of favorite books, a list of favorite movies, and a list of favorite places to visit)). A user may make a digital item available to other users of a computer network, such as an instant messaging system, a chat environment, or a subscription-based computer network. User-entered annotations, such as textual comments, may be associated with a digital item, and a user can select which other users can view and/or change all, or some, of the annotations.

Abstract: A room planning system for simulating the use of products during the performance of an activity in a room space is disclosed. The system includes a virtual room space comprising a virtual representation of an actual room space, an environment database having a collection of environment data defining attributes of the actual room space, and a product database having a collection of product data defining attributes of at least one product to be used for performing an activity in the room space. The system includes a user interface for selecting a virtual product and arranging the virtual product in the virtual room space. A simulation generator is programmed to simulate the performance of an activity in the virtual room space and to provide a feasibility analysis of the activity based at least in part on the arrangement of the virtual product in the virtual room space.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) object. The apparatus may include a display panel to display a 3D object having plural faces, an object generating unit to rotate the displayed 3D object in a rotation direction of the apparatus to display a second face of the 3D object toward the user if at least one of a first operation and a second operation occurs, the first operation being that the apparatus is rotated while a user is touching a first face of the plural faces of the 3D object and the second operation being that the face of the user is rotated while the user is touching the first face of the plural faces of the 3D object, and a control unit to perform a function mapped to the other face displayed toward the user.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for providing a 3-dimensional (3-D) user interface displays images in a 3-D coordinate system. The method includes receiving user data input information. The method also compares the user data input information to frequently used terms and generates priority information based on the comparison. The generated priority information is displayed as holographic images in a 3-D coordinate system. Sensors are configured to sense user interaction within the 3-D coordinate system, so that a processor may receive user interaction information including the selected priority information from the sensors. The sensors are able to provide information to the processor that enables the processor to correlate user interaction with images in the 3-D coordinate system. The system may be used for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system.

Abstract: An interface for managing digital information is provided. Digital information including one or more digital files is stored in memory. An icon is associated with the digital information and rendered inside a translucent bubble. The bubble may be manipulated in the digital environment by a user.

Abstract: A menu displaying method for displaying a menu containing a plurality of menu items on a display screen comprises a menu item arrangement step of arranging the menu items in a prescribed three-dimensional virtual body to squarely face the display screen so that each menu item will have at least a viewable part that is not screened by other menu items in front of the menu item and a menu item moving step of moving the menu items arranged in the menu item arrangement step according to a prescribed user operation while keeping the menu items squarely facing the display screen. By the menu displaying method, a large number of menu items can be displayed on a screen while minimizing deterioration of viewability of the menu items.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering Virtual Reality (VR) tour content and spatial navigation comprising the hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP) through a dynamic web-based relational database that stores, manipulates, co-ordinates and classifies complex digital data sets over a common gateway interface for on request interactive exchange and search engine retrieval of hotspots. The dynamic online-based software generates and organizes dynamic VR tours through a secure intuitive back-end system allowing the administrator/licensee to maintain technical, quality and security control ensuring secure access for development, modification, management, and distribution of each VR tour. Each VR tour encompasses the interactive exchange of hotspots allowing visitors to interact with still or panoramic pictures and videos which are linked to graphical site information (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method for editing a product. The product comprises three-dimensional modeled objects. The method comprises the step of displaying a three-dimensional representation of a hierarchy of the three-dimensional modeled objects. The three-dimensional modeled objects are displayed three-dimensionally in the representation. The method further comprises the step of selecting at least one of the displayed three-dimensional modeled objects. The method further comprises the step of performing an action on the selected object. The hierarchy is edited upon the performing of the action.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for determining a corpus of content portions, each content portion associated with at least one element. A first set of feature values is determined for each content portion. Clusters of content portions are then determined based on the first set of feature values. The features values are optionally associated with topics. Structural links between the elements are determined based on a second set of feature values. A layout of the element is then determined based on the clusters and the structural links. Optionally the N-most dominant topics are determined and also used to inform the layout of the elements in a display.

Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for presenting signal strength and battery level of a mobile communications device and are provided. The method includes referencing an indication of the battery level, referencing an indication of the signal strength, wherein the signal strength is a strength of a wireless communications signal that the mobile communications device is receiving, determining an applicable scene that is to be used to present the battery level and the signal strength, and presenting the scene on a display of the mobile communications device to convey the battery level and the signal strength.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer.

Abstract: A system automatically detects objects in an image and automatically displays a chosen object if the object is not currently visible in real time. An image data processing system automatically displays potentially hidden features in 3D (three dimensional) medical image data. A repository includes a 3D (three dimensional) image dataset representing an anatomical volume of interest. An image data processor processes the dataset retrieved from the repository by, (a) automatically detecting if a first object is obscured by a second object in the 3D image dataset, (b) automatically determining if the first object is visible by rotating the anatomical volume of interest and (c) rotating the anatomical volume of interest until the first object is visible in response to a command. A display processor initiates display of the rotated anatomical volume of interest.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for providing a 3 dimensional (3-D) user interface display images in a 3-D coordinate system. Sensors are configured to sense user interaction within the 3-D coordinate system, so that a processor may receive user interaction information from the sensors. The sensors are able to provide information to the processor that enables the processor to correlate user interaction with images in the 3-D coordinate system. The system may be used for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system.

Abstract: This application describes a system that captures 3D geometry commands from a first 3D graphics process and stores them in a shared memory. A second 3D environment process creates a 3D display environment using a display and display hardware. A third process obtains the 3D commands and supplies them to the hardware to place 3D objects in the 3D environment. The result is a fused display environment where 3D objects are displayed along with other display elements. Input events in the environment are analyzed and mapped to the 3D graphics process or the environment where they affect corresponding processing.

Abstract: Techniques provide for the dynamic display of a page-oriented information asset using an audio output mode. Pluralities of elements in the page-oriented information asset are determined based on chapters, sections, paragraphs, sentences, words and the like. The elements are rendered to an audio output mode. Optionally selectable representations of the elements are also determined and output using a 3-dimension-like rendering to a visual output mode. The 3-dimension-like rendering of the visual representations of the elements shows how the current element relates to the other elements and its location within the page-oriented information asset. The 3-dimension-like rendering provides visual orientation or context within the page-oriented information asset. The visual representations of the elements are optionally selectable as spatial context indicators providing direct navigation control to support reading, browsing and information retrieval tasks within the page-oriented information asset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3D contents providing service. A 3D contents providing server includes a 3D contents providing request receiver for receiving a 3D contents providing request through a communication network, a subscriber manager for checking a communication terminal to which the 3D contents will be provided when the 3D contents providing request is received, a 3D contents selecting extractor for receiving 3D contents selecting information to be provided to the checked communication terminal and extracting the selected 3D contents, and a 3D contents provider for providing the extracted 3D contents to the communication terminal, and the 3D contents include side information provided to the communication terminal and output by the communication terminal.

Abstract: A system for navigating images spatially referenced to a plurality of location coordinates from at least one coordinate location within a computed space provides travel with a non-linear itinerary. Specifically, serial navigation of a plurality of geographic images spatially referenced to location coordinates of a geo-planar space from a selected coordinate location within each prior geographic image.

Abstract: A set of methods and tools are described that permit a user to interact with a two dimensional (2D) photograph or image as if photograph or image is a three dimensional (3D) image of photograph.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a graphical user interface to manipulate 3D object textures. The method includes retrieving a mesh object for editing, wherein the mesh object is associated with a mask layer, a detail layer, and a shadow layer. The method includes displaying a hierarchical tree of the layers associated with the mesh object, wherein each layer is associated with a drawing order, a color blending function, and a rule set. The method includes, responsive to receiving a first set of user commands via a GUI, adding or editing at least one layer associated with the mesh object. The method includes responsive to receiving a second set of user commands via the GUI, adding or editing at least one of: the drawing order, the color blending function, and the rule set associated with a layer. The method includes automatically rendering the 3D object for user preview.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to control a three-dimensional scene view. A three-dimensional (3D) scene having one or more three-dimensional objects is displayed. A 3D representation of a coordinate system of the scene is displayed. The 3D representation contains a current viewpoint, one or more faces, one or more edges, and one or more corners with each face, edge, and corner representing a corresponding viewpoint of the scene. The 3D representation is manipulated. A new current viewpoint of the 3D representation is displayed based on the manipulation. The scene is then reoriented corresponding to the new current viewpoint based on the manipulation of the 3D representation.

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus which allow a user to intuitively control electronic devices connected to a home network by using a virtual 3D space layout diagram, and electronic devices and storage media therefor are provided. The user interface method includes: generating a virtual 3D space layout diagram based on 3D position information regarding at least one electronic device connected to a home network; displaying the generated virtual 3D space layout diagram; receiving an input signal based on the displayed virtual 3D space layout diagram; and performing a user interface function corresponding to the received input signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting physical objects from real physical life into virtual worlds. Briefly stated, the method includes receiving characteristic and structure data from an object constructed in the real world. The characteristic and structure data is obtained from the object using a plurality of sensors placed in the vicinity of the object to sense the characteristics and structure of the object. The characteristic and structure data of the object is used to produce code necessary to create an equivalent representation of the object in a virtual world.

Abstract: Method and system for 3D data editing is disclosed. A 3D volumetric data is rendered in a rendering space. A 2D graphical drawing tool is selected and used to create a 2D structure. Apply a 3D operation to the 3D volumetric data based on the 2D structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating animation-ready 3D character models based upon model parameter and clothing selections are described. One embodiment of the invention includes an application server configured to receive the user defined model parameters and the clothing selection via a user interface.

Abstract: A graphical user interface that presents document organization in terms of objects readily familiar to the user is provided by the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing documents in a computer system includes a step of producing a representation of a document that indicates to the user the contents of the document. A step of associating the representation with the document in the memory of the computer is also part of the method. The method includes a step of displaying a document closet image on the display. The document closet image can include a plurality of document images. A step of selecting a document image from the document closet in response to an input from the user is also part of the method. The method can also include turning the document image selected for display to the user so that the user can readily view the representation of the document's contents.

Abstract: A computer-based system enables the creation of a time series based sequence of observations of a selected object. Each observation consists of a predefined, fixed set of standardized object views from which metadata about the visual data can be automatically determined and associated with the views. A set of standardized views and associated metadata, captured in an observation at a point in time, enables comparison of changes to a specific object over time on a view-by-view basis, or changes to a specific object over time in comparison to second reference object of the same type as the first object on a view-by-view basis. Metadata about the object in the domain are organized and made available in the domain specific processing system to support visual search, retrieval, analysis, and decision making by users within the domain.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for implementing multidimensional widgets. A multidimensional widget is a three-dimensional object with application surfaces, and each application surface is associated with a widget function. Multidimensional widgets can be modified by adding functions or grouping with other widgets.

Abstract: A method is provided of controlling a 3D individual object on a map by displaying a 3D map image including a plurality of 3D individual objects on a first display area, selecting at least one 3D individual object, obtaining detailed information of the selected 3D individual object from a memory and displaying the detailed information.

Abstract: Selecting an obscured object of a computer-generated model consisting of a plurality of objects displayed on a computer screen includes receiving input data interpreted as an instruction to change a visibility characteristic of a first one of the plurality of objects (the first one of the objects obscuring another of the objects, and the first object being determined based on the location of an on-screen cursor), and modifying a visibility characteristic of the first object to cause another one of the objects to become discernable and selectable.

Abstract: Several elements are displayed on a computer display. The user is provided with a haptic device, for moving a cursor over the display. Distances between the cursor and the various elements are computed; the element with the smallest distance is highlighted on the display. When the user moves the haptic device, the identified element is changed, according to the distance between the cursor and the various elements. The user selects the identified element by actuating a select button. The invention makes it possible for the user to select one of the displayed elements, without having to move the cursor over the element to be selected. No prior knowledge of the shape of the elements is required for carrying out the selection process.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment relates to a method of controlling a three-dimensional user interface, which controls a three-dimensional user interface to follow a user's motion, and a mobile terminal using the same. The method comprising: displaying a plurality of three-dimensional menu icons; sensing movement of a user; and rotating at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional menu icons according to the sensed movement such that at least one reference face of the at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional menu icons follows the user's movement.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) user interface (UI) creation system maps a two-dimensional (2-D), interactive UI to an 3-D object template in a 3-D scene. Once mapped, the 2-D UI functions as a simple user interface while appearing as a skin to the 3-D object. A 3-D UI creation tool applies image resources of a 2-D UI template to a 3-D wire frame template to create a 3-D UI. The system provides for rapid implementation of a 3-D UI without need for understanding a 3-D space or 3-D authoring software. The process includes preparing a 2-D UI, loading a 3-D scene of 3-D objects, and mapping the 2-D UI to a 3-D object template in the 3-D scene. A scheme file provides a specification for recreating the 3-D scene in a runtime module whereby the 3-D scene functions as a 3-D UI system, allowing interaction via a user input system.

Abstract: In a display device, information related to specified information, which is displayed large in a center portion of a display, by a selected relation criterion is displayed aligned on a selection axis, while information related by other relation criteria is displayed aligned on non-selection axes. Information selected as the specified information can be sequentially changed in accordance with an input from an up or down direction key, and a relation criterion of information displayed on the selection axis and the non-selection axes can be sequentially changed in accordance with an input from a left or right direction key. Also, in accordance with an input from an X button, an immediately preceding input from a direction key is cancelled, and a display condition returns to an immediately preceding history. In accordance with an input from a ? button, a display condition previously bookmarked by an input from a ? button is displayed.

Abstract: A display method for displaying a plurality of icons in list form on a display device by a list-form displaying section and for enlarging and reducing an icon. When a first icon is selected while second icon previously selected is being enlarged, the second icon is enlarged to a predetermined size, and then after the enlargement, the enlarged second icon is reduced so as to have a size substantially equal to the size of each of icons which are not selected.

Abstract: Movement of a graphical hand is constrained when the physical hand controlling the graphical hand does not have a similar physical constraint. An analysis of a revolute-joint-link-spring model in which an uncompressed/unextended spring position represents the corresponding measured joint angle or link position is used. Linear springs, non-linear springs, or the like may be employed to obtain the desired result of allowing a graphical joint or link to deviate from what the corresponding measured joint or link provides. If a graphical hand configuration causes a portion of the hand to penetrate a simulated graphical solid object, a mathematical determination is used to compute modified joint and link positions such that the graphical hand part will no longer penetrate the solid object. Such a constraint technique may include solving a spring model such that the various joint and link springs compress or extend to produce modified joint and link positions.

Abstract: Three-dimensional-model processing apparatus, three-dimensional-model processing methods, and computer programs are provided. In a three-dimensional-model processing apparatus, method, and computer programs, it is determined whether relative positions or relative attitudes of a plurality of three-dimensional objects shown on an image display unit satisfy a predetermined processing execution condition. When it is determined that the processing execution condition is satisfied, distinction information indicating that processing such as pickup or joining of objects is possible is presented. For example, display mode is changed or sound is output for the objects. A user is allowed to immediately find without stress whether an object is at a position where pickup or joining is possible. This improves the efficiency of operation.

Abstract: A Web-based 3D virtual environment in which users can select a specific virtual object and, in response to that selection, relevant commercial information, such as advertisements, invitations to shop, offers, hyperlinks, or messages in general, that are related to the selected object, are delivered from various electronic commerce engines.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for providing ply lay-up data for a composite part. A designation of a location is received for the composite part in a three dimensional object from a requester. A three dimensional model is opened in which the composite part is located. The ply lay-up data is extracted for a section within the composite part within the three dimensional model to form extracted ply lay-up data for the section. An output file is created containing a two dimensional drawing for the section with the ply lay-up data identifying a ply stacking sequence, an orientation of each ply in the ply stacking sequence, and a material for the each ply in the ply stacking sequence. The output file is returned to the requester.

Abstract: A plurality of known markers is disposed in a specific district. A marker detection section detects the known markers existing in the image photographed by an image pickup device. A position/orientation relation calculation section identifies the detected known marker to calculate position and orientation relations between the identified known marker and the image pickup device. An associated information obtaining section obtains predetermined information associated with the identified known marker. An information processing section processes the obtained predetermined information based on the calculated position and orientation relations. A display device superimposes and displays the processed information on the photographed image. At least the image pickup device and display device are disposed in a portable information terminal, and the other sections are disposed in a server which can perform radio communication with the portable information terminal.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. A degree of interest (DOI) function is provided for allocating available space on the display system. A page selection function may provide a user-selectable scale along a long axis of the virtual book for selecting virtual pages. Virtual chapter tabs may also be provided for navigating within the virtual book. The display system may also include a page flipping function with several different page flipping speeds and several different page flipping animations for moving between virtual pages in the virtual book. Moreover, a scroll bar function provided to facilitate page navigation wherein space on the scroll bar is allocated using a DOI function.

Abstract: A method for generating 3D carousel visualization of large-scale tree data, which comprises the steps of: receiving a user's selection of a node in the carousel; according to the radius of a sub-carousel corresponding to the user-selected node and the radius of a carousel at which the selected node is located, judging whether or not the sub-carousel can be expanded at the carousel at which the selected node is located; expanding the sub-carousel at the carousel at which the selected node is located, if it is determined that the sub-carousel can be expanded at the carousel at which the selected node is located. A device capable of implementing the method is provided. The number of carousel levels visualized on a visualization device can be adjusted dynamically, and the visualization of a focus becomes more prominent, and relationships between nodes at each level of the tree data visualization get more apparent.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a computer-implemented method, system and computer program product provide a graphical interface. At least one tab is presented on a display. The tab comprises one or more child objects of a parent object of a hierarchy of objects. The tab has a three-dimensional effect. The tab has an apparent bend into the display. The apparent bend into the display increases as a depth of the one or more child objects of the hierarchy increases.