Apple Inc.

Ian S Small

Michael Chen

Richard I Mander

Jeffrey E Tycz

James P Faris

Laurie June Vertelney

Eric L Zarakov

Michael A Arent

Richard L Mander

Lewis C Knapp

Amanda R Mander

The present invention provides an improved rendering system for walk-through applications. The method and system for a walk-through image rendering system in a data processing system provides a first image based on a geometry-based rendering approach in which a user's view position is changing; and also provides a second image based on an image-based representation of a scene in which the user's view position is not changing.

Walk-through rendering system

A user interface having a plurality of user interface elements for marking, finding, organizing, and processing data stored in a computer system. Each element typically has an appearance which is related to the data or function the element is designed to represent or perform. The elements may simply mark data within the document, or may be programmed to cause the computer to perform some function in association with the marked data. Methods of marking data and searching the memory for marked data by use of switches or buttons is disclosed. Further, useful elements for systems such as computerized camera systems, portable multimedia systems, and remote controls are also described. Some of the user interface elements of the present invention may have an appearance and/or functionality dependent upon the context in which the element is used, and/or dependent upon the user's identity. Methods for arranging the elements in stacks, and for providing for automatic application of elements to captured image data are also disclosed.

User interface system having programmable user interface elements

A user interface provides, in a fixed screen display, for both decoupling head and body turning and for integrating them without the need for specialized equipment. Using successive synchronized viewport and contained display image movement steps, the present invention first cues the user that their body is facing in the same direction as their head. Then, by simulating the head-turn/body-turn process that humans follow when looking around for something, the invention cues the user to understand that when they look around, they are turning first their head and then their body.

Motion movement cueing through synchronized display port and image

In a system for describing directional sounds in virtual environments, a user creates a sound projection map that constitutes a two-dimensional array of sound intensities for each sound source associated with the virtual environment. At run-time, when a user selects a particular view for a scene in the environment, a hearing area corresponding to that view is calculated. The average intensity for each sound represented within the hearing area is determined from the array, to establish a level at which the sound is to be played. The sound associated with the sound source is then reproduced from a sound track at the determined level, to produce an output sound that creates a sense of place within the environment.

System for producing directional sound in computer based virtual

Utilizing a simple, low-cost beacon and receiver technology to allow users to build their own infrastructure by placing beacons in key locations provides intelligent location awareness. This location awareness can be leveraged by the computer electronic equipment that the user is carrying, needs no networking or server infrastructure, works indoors, has no line-of-sight restrictions, is compact and inexpensive.

Time and location based computing

A method and apparatus for transparently switching between viewing modes in a computer system is described. The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a bounding area and a smaller reference region within that bounding area. The bounding area is typically a computer display screen or a window within that screen. The reference region is an implicitly or explicitly defined boundary within the bounding region. The system and method allows for automatic switching between two viewing techniques within the bounding area, based on the location of the cursor location relative to the defined reference region and bounding area. Switching between viewing modes occurs when the cursor passes across the reference region whether the mouse button is up or down. This allows the user to easily change between viewing methods without having to take explicit steps to switch between the two modes by making a selection from a selection palette or keyboard to initiate the switch.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Ian S Small