Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Vpl Research, Inc.

Ann Lasko-Harvill

Jaron Z Lanier

Michael A Teitel

Chuck L Blanchard

Young L Harvill

Jean-Jacques G Grimaud

Mark L Oberman

Joe L Sparks

Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Low cost virtual reality system

Hood-shaped support frame for a low cost virtual reality system

A computer display displays a data flow network as a plurality of interconnected units. An interactive program allows the appearance of the plurality of interconnected units to be changed. The data flow network then is automatically altered to correspond with the visual changes. The interconnected units of the data flow network represent inputs, functions and outputs of the data flow network. Inputs represent control signals to manipulate the data flow network, functions modify the value of inputs according to the type of the function unit and outputs represent the x, y or z value of a point in a three-dimensional coordinate system of the virtual world.

Method and apparatus for creating virtual worlds using a data flow

A computer model of a virtual environment is continuously modified by input from various participants. The virtual environment is displayed to the participants using sensory displays such as head-mounted visual and auditory displays which travel with the wearer and track the position and orientation of the wearer's head in space. Participants can look at each other within the virtual environment and see virtual body images of the other participants in a manner similar to the way that people in a physical environment see each other. Each participant can also look at his or her own virtual body in exactly the same manner that a person in a physical environment can look at his or her own real body. The participants may work on a common task together and view the results of each other's actions.

Method and system for generating objects for a multi-person virtual

Growing community of inventors

San Mateo, CA, United States of America

Ann Lasko-Harvill