Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120299827 | MULTI-PLATFORM MOTION-BASED COMPUTER INTERACTIONS - Systems and methods for multi-platform motion interactivity, is provided. The system includes a motion-sensing subsystem, a display subsystem including a display, a logic subsystem, and a data-holding subsystem containing instructions executable by the logic subsystem. The system configured to display a displayed scene on the display; receive a dynamically-changing motion input from the motion-sensing subsystem that is generated in response to movement of a tracked object; generate, in real time, a dynamically-changing 3D spatial model of the tracked object based on the motion input; control, based on the movement of the tracked object and using the 3D spatial model, motion within the displayed scene. The system further configured to receive, from a secondary computing system, a secondary input; and control the displayed scene in response to the secondary input to visually represent interaction between the motion input and the secondary input. | 11-29-2012 |
20120308140 | SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING AN OPEN OR CLOSED HAND - A system and method are disclosed relating to a pipeline for generating a computer model of a target user, including a hand model of the user's hands, captured by an image sensor in a NUI system. The computer model represents a best estimate of the position of a user's hand or hands and whether the hand or hand is in an open or closed state. The generated hand model may be used by a gaming or other application to determine such things as user gestures and control actions. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309532 | SYSTEM FOR FINGER RECOGNITION AND TRACKING - A system and method are disclosed relating to a pipeline for generating a computer model of a target user, including a hand model of the user's hands and fingers, captured by an image sensor in a NUI system. The computer model represents a best estimate of the position and orientation of a user's hand or hands. The generated hand model may be used by a gaming or other application to determine such things as user gestures and control actions. | 12-06-2012 |
20130127994 | VIDEO COMPRESSION USING VIRTUAL SKELETON - Optical sensor information captured via one or more optical sensors imaging a scene that includes a human subject is received by a computing device. The optical sensor information is processed by the computing device to model the human subject with a virtual skeleton, and to obtain surface information representing the human subject. The virtual skeleton is transmitted by the computing device to a remote computing device at a higher frame rate than the surface information. Virtual skeleton frames are used by the remote computing device to estimate surface information for frames that have not been transmitted by the computing device. | 05-23-2013 |
20130141419 | AUGMENTED REALITY WITH REALISTIC OCCLUSION - A head-mounted display device is configured to visually augment an observed physical space to a user. The head-mounted display device includes a see-through display and is configured to receive augmented display information, such as a virtual object with occlusion relative to a real world object from a perspective of the see-through display. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141421 | AUGMENTED REALITY VIRTUAL MONITOR - A head-mounted display includes a see-through display and a virtual reality engine. The see-through display is configured to visually augment an appearance of a physical space to a user viewing the physical space through the see-through display. The virtual reality engine is configured to cause the see-through display to visually present a virtual monitor that appears to be integrated with the physical space to a user viewing the physical space through the see-through display. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141434 | VIRTUAL LIGHT IN AUGMENTED REALITY - A head-mounted display system includes a see-through display that is configured to visually augment an appearance of a physical environment to a user viewing the physical environment through the see-through display. Graphical content presented via the see-through display is created by modeling the ambient lighting conditions of the physical environment. | 06-06-2013 |
20130194259 | VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT GENERATING SYSTEM - A system and related methods for visually augmenting an appearance of a physical environment as seen by a user through a head-mounted display device are provided. In one embodiment, a virtual environment generating program receives eye-tracking information, lighting information, and depth information from the head-mounted display. The program generates a virtual environment that models the physical environment and is based on the lighting information and the distance of a real-world object from the head-mounted display. The program visually augments a virtual object representation in the virtual environment based on the eye-tracking information, and renders the virtual object representation on a transparent display of the head-mounted display device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194304 | COORDINATE-SYSTEM SHARING FOR AUGMENTED REALITY - A method for presenting real and virtual images correctly positioned with respect to each other. The method includes, in a first field of view, receiving a first real image of an object and displaying a first virtual image. The method also includes, in a second field of view oriented independently relative to the first field of view, receiving a second real image of the object and displaying a second virtual image, the first and second virtual images positioned coincidently within a coordinate system. | 08-01-2013 |
20130196757 | MULTIPLAYER GAMING WITH HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY - A system and related methods for inviting a potential player to participate in a multiplayer game via a user head-mounted display device are provided. In one example, a potential player invitation program receives user voice data and determines that the user voice data is an invitation to participate in a multiplayer game. The program receives eye-tracking information, depth information, facial recognition information, potential player head-mounted display device information, and/or potential player voice data. The program associates the invitation with the potential player using the eye-tracking information, the depth information, the facial recognition information, the potential player head-mounted display device information, and/or the potential player voice data. The program matches a potential player account with the potential player. The program receives an acceptance response from the potential player, and joins the potential player account with a user account in participating in the multiplayer game. | 08-01-2013 |
20130196772 | MATCHING PHYSICAL LOCATIONS FOR SHARED VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE - Embodiments for matching participants in a virtual multiplayer entertainment experience are provided. For example, one embodiment provides a method including receiving from each user of a plurality of users a request to join the virtual multiplayer entertainment experience, receiving from each user of the plurality of users information regarding characteristics of a physical space in which each user is located, and matching two or more users of the plurality of users for participation in the virtual multiplayer entertainment experience based on the characteristics of the physical space of each of the two or more users. | 08-01-2013 |
20130335435 | COLOR VISION DEFICIT CORRECTION - Embodiments related to improving a color-resolving ability of a user of a see-thru display device are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes, on a see-thru display device, constructing and displaying virtual imagery to superpose onto real imagery sighted by the user through the see-thru display device. The virtual imagery is configured to accentuate a locus of the real imagery of a color poorly distinguishable by the user. Such virtual imagery is then displayed by superposing it onto the real imagery, in registry with the real imagery, in a field of view of the user. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342568 | LOW LIGHT SCENE AUGMENTATION - Embodiments related to providing low light scene augmentation are disclosed. One embodiment provides, on a computing device comprising a see-through display device, a method including recognizing, from image data received from an image sensor, a background scene of an environment viewable through the see-through display device, the environment comprising a physical object. The method further includes identifying one or more geometrical features of the physical object and displaying, on the see through display device, an image augmenting the one or more geometrical features. | 12-26-2013 |
20140049558 | AUGMENTED REALITY OVERLAY FOR CONTROL DEVICES - Embodiments for providing instructional information for control devices are disclosed. In one example, a method on a see-through display device comprising a see-through display and an outward-facing image sensor includes acquiring an image of a scene viewable through the see-through display and detecting a control device in the scene. The method also includes retrieving information pertaining to a function of an interactive element of the control device and displaying an image on the see-through display augmenting an appearance of the interactive element of the control device with image data related to the function of the interactive element. | 02-20-2014 |
20140125574 | USER AUTHENTICATION ON DISPLAY DEVICE - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to authenticating a user of a display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes displaying one or more virtual images on the display device, wherein the one or more virtual images include a set of augmented reality features. The method further includes identifying one or more movements of the user via data received from a sensor of the display device, and comparing the identified movements of the user to a predefined set of authentication information for the user that links user authentication to a predefined order of the augmented reality features. If the identified movements indicate that the user selected the augmented reality features in the predefined order, then the user is authenticated, and if the identified movements indicate that the user did not select the augmented reality features in the predefined order, then the user is not authenticated. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125668 | CONSTRUCTING AUGMENTED REALITY ENVIRONMENT WITH PRE-COMPUTED LIGHTING - Embodiments related to efficiently constructing an augmented reality environment with global illumination effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of displaying an augmented reality image via a display device. The method includes receiving image data, the image data capturing an image of a local environment of the display device, and identifying a physical feature of the local environment via the image data. The method further includes constructing an augmented reality image of a virtual structure for display over the physical feature in spatial registration with the physical feature from a viewpoint of a user, the augmented reality image comprising a plurality of modular virtual structure segments arranged in adjacent locations to form the virtual structure feature, each modular virtual structure segment comprising a pre-computed global illumination effect, and outputting the augmented reality image to the display device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140145914 | HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - A system and related methods for a resource management in a head-mounted display device are provided. In one example, the head-mounted display device includes a plurality of sensors and a display system for presenting holographic objects. A resource management program is configured to operate a selected sensor in a default power mode to achieve a selected fidelity. The program receives user-related information from one or more of the sensors, and determines whether target information is detected. Where target information is detected, the program adjusts the selected sensor to operate in a reduced power mode that uses less power than the default power mode. | 05-29-2014 |
20140240351 | MIXED REALITY AUGMENTATION - Embodiments that relate to providing motion amplification to a virtual environment are disclosed. For example, in one disclosed embodiment a mixed reality augmentation program receives from a head-mounted display device motion data that corresponds to motion of a user in a physical environment. The program presents via the display device the virtual environment in motion in a principal direction, with the principal direction motion being amplified by a first multiplier as compared to the motion of the user in a corresponding principal direction. The program also presents the virtual environment in motion in a secondary direction, where the secondary direction motion is amplified by a second multiplier as compared to the motion of the user in a corresponding secondary direction, and the second multiplier is less than the first multiplier. | 08-28-2014 |
20140320389 | MIXED REALITY INTERACTIONS - Embodiments that relate to interacting with a physical object in a mixed reality environment via a head-mounted display are disclosed. In one embodiment a mixed reality interaction program identifies an object based on an image from captured by the display. An interaction context for the object is determined based on an aspect of the mixed reality environment. A profile for the physical object is queried to determine interaction modes for the object. A selected interaction mode is programmatically selected based on the interaction context. A user input directed at the object is received via the display and interpreted to correspond to a virtual action based on the selected interaction mode. The virtual action is executed with respect to a virtual object associated with the physical object to modify an appearance of the virtual object. The modified virtual object is then displayed via the display. | 10-30-2014 |
20140333665 | CALIBRATION OF EYE LOCATION - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to calibrating a predetermined eye location in a head-mounted display. For example, in one disclosed embodiment a method includes displaying a virtual marker visually alignable with a real world target at an alignment condition. At the alignment condition, image data is acquired to determine a location of the real world target. From the image data, an estimated eye location relative to a location of the head-mounted display is determined. Based upon the estimated eye location, the predetermined eye location is then calibrated. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333666 | INTERACTIONS OF VIRTUAL OBJECTS WITH SURFACES - Embodiments are disclosed that relate to operating a user interface on an augmented reality computing device comprising a display system. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes displaying a virtual object via the display system as free-floating, detecting a trigger to display the object as attached to a surface, and, in response to the trigger, displaying the virtual object as attached to the surface via the display system. The method may further include detecting a trigger to detach the virtual object from the surface and, in response to the trigger to detach the virtual object from the surface, detaching the virtual object from the surface and displaying the virtual object as free-floating. | 11-13-2014 |
20150035832 | VIRTUAL LIGHT IN AUGMENTED REALITY - A head-mounted display system includes a see-through display that is configured to visually augment an appearance of a physical environment to a user viewing the physical environment through the see-through display. Graphical content presented via the see-through display is created by modeling the ambient lighting conditions of the physical environment. | 02-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120206452 | REALISTIC OCCLUSION FOR A HEAD MOUNTED AUGMENTED REALITY DISPLAY - Technology is described for providing realistic occlusion between a virtual object displayed by a head mounted, augmented reality display system and a real object visible to the user's eyes through the display. A spatial occlusion in a user field of view of the display is typically a three dimensional occlusion determined based on a three dimensional space mapping of real and virtual objects. An occlusion interface between a real object and a virtual object can be modeled at a level of detail determined based on criteria such as distance within the field of view, display size or position with respect to a point of gaze. Technology is also described for providing three dimensional audio occlusion based on an occlusion between a real object and a virtual object in the user environment. | 08-16-2012 |
20130083008 | ENRICHED EXPERIENCE USING PERSONAL A/V SYSTEM - A system for generating an augmented reality environment in association with one or more attractions or exhibits is described. In some cases, a see-through head-mounted display device (HMD) may acquire one or more virtual objects from a supplemental information provider associated with a particular attraction. The one or more virtual objects may be based on whether an end user of the HMD is waiting in line for the particular attraction or is on (or in) the particular attraction. The supplemental information provider may vary the one or more virtual objects based on the end user's previous experiences with the particular attraction. The HMD may adapt the one or more virtual objects based on physiological feedback from the end user (e.g., if a child is scared). The supplemental information provider may also provide and automatically update a task list associated with the particular attraction. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085345 | Personal Audio/Visual System Providing Allergy Awareness - A system provides a recommendation of food items to a user based on nutritional preferences of the user, using a head-mounted display device (HMDD) worn by the user. In a store, a forward-facing camera of the HMDD captures an image of a food item. The food item can be identified by the image, such as based on packaging of the food item. Nutritional parameters of the food item are compared to nutritional preferences of the user to determine whether the food item is recommended. The HMDD displays an augmented reality image to the user indicating whether the food item is recommended. If the food item is not recommended, a substitute food item can be identified. The nutritional preferences can indicate food allergies, preferences for low calorie foods and so forth. In a restaurant, the HMDD can recommend menu selections for a user. | 04-04-2013 |
20130114043 | SEE-THROUGH DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS CONTROL - The technology provides various embodiments for controlling brightness of a see-through, near-eye mixed display device based on light intensity of what the user is gazing at. The opacity of the display can be altered, such that external light is reduced if the wearer is looking at a bright object. The wearer's pupil size may be determined and used to adjust the brightness used to display images, as well as the opacity of the display. A suitable balance between opacity and brightness used to display images may be determined that allows real and virtual objects to be seen clearly, while not causing damage or discomfort to the wearer's eyes. | 05-09-2013 |
20130257748 | TOUCH SENSITIVE USER INTERFACE - A system and method are disclosed for providing a touch interface for electronic devices. The touch interface can be any surface. As one example, a table top can be used as a touch sensitive interface. In one embodiment, the system determines a touch region of the surface, and correlates that touch region to a display of an electronic device for which input is provided. The system may have a 3D camera that identifies the relative position of a user's hands to the touch region to allow for user input. Note that the user's hands do not occlude the display. The system may render a representation of the user's hand on the display in order for the user to interact with elements on the display screen. | 10-03-2013 |
20130282345 | CONTEXT AWARE SURFACE SCANNING AND RECONSTRUCTION - A system for generating and updating a 3D model of a structure as the structure is being constructed or modified is described. The structure may comprise a building or non-building structure such as a bridge, parking garage, or roller coaster. The 3D model may include virtual objects depicting physical components or other construction elements of the structure. Each construction element may be associated with physical location information that may be analyzed over time in order to detect movement of the construction element and to predict when movement of the construction element may cause a code or regulation to be violated. In some cases, a see-through HMD may be utilized by a construction worker while constructing or modifying a structure in order to verify that the placement of a construction element complies with various building codes or regulations in real-time. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286004 | DISPLAYING A COLLISION BETWEEN REAL AND VIRTUAL OBJECTS - Technology is described for displaying a collision between objects by an augmented reality display device system. A collision between a real object and a virtual object is identified based on three dimensional space position data of the objects. At least one effect on at least one physical property of the real object is determined based on physical properties of the real object, like a change in surface shape, and physical interaction characteristics of the collision. Simulation image data is generated and displayed simulating the effect on the real object by the augmented reality display. Virtual objects under control of different executing applications can also interact with one another in collisions. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293468 | COLLABORATION ENVIRONMENT USING SEE THROUGH DISPLAYS - A see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device and system for collaboration amongst various users of other such devices and personal audio/visual devices of more limited capabilities. One or more wearers of a see through head mounted display apparatus define a collaboration environment. For the collaboration environment, a selection of collaboration data and the scope of the environment are determined. Virtual representations of the collaboration data in the field of view of the wearer, and other device users are rendered. Persons in the wearer's field of view to be included in collaboration environment and who are entitled to share information in the collaboration environment are defined by the wearer. If allowed, input from other users in the collaboration environment on the virtual object may be received and allowed to manipulate a change in the virtual object. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293530 | PRODUCT AUGMENTATION AND ADVERTISING IN SEE THROUGH DISPLAYS - An augmented reality system that provides augmented product and environment information to a wearer of a see through head mounted display. The augmentation information may include advertising, inventory, pricing and other information about products a wearer may be interested in. Interest is determined from wearer actions and a wearer profile. The information may be used to incentivize purchases of real world products by a wearer, or allow the wearer to make better purchasing decisions. The augmentation information may enhance a wearer's shopping experience by allowing the wearer easy access to important product information while the wearer is shopping in a retail establishment. Through virtual rendering, a wearer may be provided with feedback on how an item would appear in a wearer environment, such as the wearer's home. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293577 | INTELLIGENT TRANSLATIONS IN PERSONAL SEE THROUGH DISPLAY - A see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display apparatus for providing translations of real world data for a user. A wearer's location and orientation with the apparatus is determined and input data for translation is selected using sensors of the apparatus. Input data can be audio or visual in nature, and selected by reference to the gaze of a wearer. The input data is translated for the user relative to user profile information bearing on accuracy of a translation and determining from the input data whether a linguistic translation, knowledge addition translation or context translation is useful. | 11-07-2013 |
20130328762 | CONTROLLING A VIRTUAL OBJECT WITH A REAL CONTROLLER DEVICE - Technology is described for controlling a virtual object displayed by a near-eye, augmented reality display with a real controller device. User input data is received from a real controller device requesting an action to be performed by the virtual object. A user perspective of the virtual object being displayed by the near-eye, augmented reality display is determined. The user input data requesting the action to be performed by the virtual object is applied based on the user perspective, and the action is displayed from the user perspective. The virtual object to be controlled by the real controller device may be identified based on user input data which may be from a natural user interface (NUI). A user selected force feedback object may also be identified, and the identification may also be based on NUI input data. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328763 | MULTIPLE SENSOR GESTURE RECOGNITION - Methods for recognizing gestures using adaptive multi-sensor gesture recognition are described. In some embodiments, a gesture recognition system receives a plurality of sensor inputs from a plurality of sensor devices and a plurality of confidence thresholds associated with the plurality of sensor inputs. A confidence threshold specifies a minimum confidence value for which it is deemed that a particular gesture has occurred. Upon detection of a compensating event, such as excessive motion involving one of the plurality of sensor devices, the gesture recognition system may modify the plurality of confidence thresholds based on the compensating event. Subsequently, the gesture recognition system generates a multi-sensor confidence value based on whether at least a subset of the plurality of confidence thresholds has been satisfied. The gesture recognition system may also modify the plurality of confidence thresholds based on the plugging and unplugging of sensor inputs from the gesture recognition system. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328927 | AUGMENTED REALITY PLAYSPACES WITH ADAPTIVE GAME RULES - A system for generating a virtual gaming environment based on features identified within a real-world environment, and adapting the virtual gaming environment over time as the features identified within the real-world environment change is described. Utilizing the technology described, a person wearing a head-mounted display device (HMD) may walk around a real-world environment and play a virtual game that is adapted to that real-world environment. For example, the HMD may identify environmental features within a real-world environment such as five grassy areas and two cars, and then spawn virtual monsters based on the location and type of the environmental features identified. The location and type of the environmental features identified may vary depending on the particular real-world environment in which the HMD exists and therefore each virtual game may look different depending on the particular real-world environment. | 12-12-2013 |
20140002444 | CONFIGURING AN INTERACTION ZONE WITHIN AN AUGMENTED REALITY ENVIRONMENT | 01-02-2014 |
20140160157 | PEOPLE-TRIGGERED HOLOGRAPHIC REMINDERS - Methods for generating and displaying people-triggered holographic reminders are described. In some embodiments, a head-mounted display device (HMD) generates and displays an augmented reality environment to an end user of the HMD in which reminders associated with a particular person may be displayed if the particular person is within a field of view of the HMD or if the particular person is within a particular distance of the HMD. The particular person may be identified individually or identified as belonging to a particular group (e.g., a member of a group with a particular job title such as programmer or administrator). In some cases, a completion of a reminder may be automatically detected by applying speech recognition techniques (e.g., to identify key words, phrases, or names) to captured audio of a conversation occurring between the end user and the particular person. | 06-12-2014 |
20140306993 | HOLOGRAPHIC SNAP GRID - Methods for positioning virtual objects within an augmented reality environment using snap grid spaces associated with real-world environments, real-world objects, and/or virtual objects within the augmented reality environment are described. A snap grid space may comprise a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space within an augmented reality environment in which one or more virtual objects may be positioned. In some embodiments, a head-mounted display device (HMD) may identify one or more grid spaces within an augmented reality environment, detect a positioning of a virtual object within the augmented reality environment, determine a target grid space of the one or more grid spaces in which to position the virtual object, determine a position of the virtual object within the target grid space, and display the virtual object within the augmented reality environment based on the position of the virtual object within the target grid space. | 10-16-2014 |
20140306994 | PERSONAL HOLOGRAPHIC BILLBOARD - Methods for generating and displaying personalized virtual billboards within an augmented reality environment are described. The personalized virtual billboards may facilitate the sharing of personalized information between persons within an environment who have varying degrees of acquaintance (e.g., ranging from close familial relationships to strangers). In some embodiments, a head-mounted display device (HMD) may detect a mobile device associated with a particular person within an environment, acquire a personalized information set corresponding with the particular person, generate a virtual billboard based on the personalized information set, and display the virtual billboard on the HMD. The personalized information set may include information associated with the particular person such as shopping lists and classified advertisements. The HMD may share personalized information associated with an end user of the HMD with the mobile device based on whether the particular person is a friend or unknown to the end user. | 10-16-2014 |