Smarter Systems, Inc.

Everyscape, Inc.

Liquid Machines, Inc.

James Schoonmaker

Byong Mok Oh

Sidney Chang

Matthew Dunn

Keno Mullings

Edward J Gaudet

Robert Ian Morgan

Michael D Smith

Christopher B Barclay

Fajen Kyne

Norbert Leser

Arnold S Epstein

A method of coordinating real-time experiences of a realm among members of a group of users, the group of users including an administrative user and at least one participating user, is provided. The method includes transmitting by a server from a computing device of the administrative user, to a computing device of a first participating user of the group, in a real time session that allows the first participating user to experience the realm in real time, (a) data characterizing a series of locations in the realm, the series of locations comprising a first location and a second location, wherein the first location is associated with a first panoramic image and the second location is associated with a second panoramic image, and (b) executable code. The executable code is configured to: receive, from the server, an instruction to display, in real-time and during the session, the realm at a location selected by a member of the same group of users other than the first participating user; display, in real-time and during the session, on the computing device of the first participating user, a portion of a panoramic image corresponding to the realm at the selected location such that the displayed portion is determined by the member of the same group of users other than the first participating user; and display, in real-time and during the session, an embedded object(s) within the panoramic image, which the user may interact with.

Systems and methods for providing individual and/or synchronized virtual tours through a realm for a group of users

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method coordinates experiences of a realm for a group of users, including at least an administrative user and at least one participating user. The method includes transmitting, from the server to an administrative user, a session identifier associated with the realm. The method also includes receiving, by the server, a user acceptance to join a session using the session identifier so that the at least one participating user can experience the realm. In response to receiving the acceptance, the method also includes transmitting to a computing device of the participating user, by the server, executable code including data describing a series of locations in the realm. The series of locations comprises at least a first location and a second location, and the first location is associated with a first panoramic image and the second location is associated with a second panoramic image. The executable code is configured to receive instructions from at least one computing device of at least one user within the group to display the realm at at least one selected location, and display, on the computing device, data corresponding to the realm at at least one of the locations selected by at least one of the users within the group.

A method for authoring and displaying a virtual tour of a three-dimensional space which employs transitional effects simulating motion. An authoring tool is provided for interactively defining a series of locations in the space for which two-dimensional images, e.g., panoramas, photographs, etc., are available. A user identifies one or more view directions for a first-person perspective viewer for each location. For pairs of locations in the series, transitional effects are identified to simulate smooth motion between the pair of locations. The authoring tool stores data corresponding to the locations, view directions and transitional effects for playback on a display. When the stored data is accessed, a virtual tour of the space is created that includes transitional effects simulating motion between locations. The virtual tour created can allow a viewer to experience the three-dimensional space in a realistic manner.

Method for scripting inter-scene transitions

In a network of intermittently-connected computers, a method and apparatus for maintaining and managing control over data objects authored, accessed, and altered by users in dynamic, distributed, and collaborative contexts. The invention method and apparatus attach to each data object an identification of a respective control policy. Each control policy comprises at least an indication of a subset of the users who may access the data object, an indication of the privileges granted to each subset of users able to access the data object, and an indication of a subset of users who may define or edit the control policy. The invention method and apparatus separate the management of the control policies of data objects from the creation and use of the data objects. The invention method and apparatus automate common policy changes, distribution of policy changes to the enforcement agents, and propagation of control policies to derivative works.

Computer method and apparatus for managing data objects in a distributed context

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, MA, United States of America

James Schoonmaker