Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Michael Lee Smith

Vidya Srinivasan

Harold Anthony Martinez Molina

Andrew John Howe

Aniket Handa

Amy Lynn Scarfone

Colton Brett Marshall

Purnima M Rao

Nathan Bradley Duke

Spencer John Kopach

Edward Boyle Averett

Justin Chung-Ting Lam

Amy Scarfone

Spencer J Kopach

A data processing system for end-to-end configuration assistance for presenting a mixed reality environment implements sending a request to a mixed reality service for environment attribute information for a mixed reality environment, the environment attribute information including attributes of mixed reality environment for displaying the mixed reality service; receiving the environment attribute information from the mixed reality service; retrieving a grayscale background image from the mixed reality service identified in the environment attribute information; applying the grayscale background image as a texture to a background object in the mixed reality environment; determining a background color to be applied to the background object based on the environment attribute information; applying the background color to the background object to create a color background for the mixed reality environment; and displaying the mixed reality environment on a display of the data processing system.

Efficient color theming of background images in web-based mixed reality environments

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to contextual input in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. In an example, a 3D environment is authored using an authoring application, wherein the author selects and positions one or more content items within the 3D environment. The 3D environment has a set of possible environment events that are associated with user input events. As a result, an environment event is generated when a user input event is received from an input device. An author uses the authoring application to associate an environment event with an action of the content item. A user is able to use a variety of input devices to interact with the 3D environment. When an input event is received from an input device, an environment event is generated accordingly, and a content item action associated with the environment event is performed in response to the environment event.

Contextual input in a three-dimensional environment

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to structure switching in a 3D environment. In examples, an authoring application is used to select characteristics for the 3D environment and to insert content. For example, a structure is selected in which to present the content in the 3D environment. An asset container comprises assets associated with the selected structure, which are included in the 3D environment. In some examples, a common asset container comprises other assets that are included in the 3D environment. End users are able to view the 3D environment using a viewer application. If the author decides to change the selected structure, an asset container associated with the new structure is identified. Assets for the old structure are removed from the 3D environment and assets for the new structure are included instead. Thus, a set of asset containers is used generate the 3D environment and change characteristics therein.

Structure switching in a three-dimensional environment

Methods and systems for normalizing a 3D object with a 2D graphical user interface of an authoring application includes retrieving the 3D object, which has an existing offset center, removing the existing the offset center, defining a bounding box about the 3D object, calculating and assigning a new center of the 3D object, and adding the 3D object to the 3D environment including displaying the 3D object within the 3D environment within the 2D GUI according to the new bounding box and new center.

Normalization of objects for a 3D environment within an authoring application

Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for rendering 3D text in a 3D environment. In aspects, a three dimensional (3D) object may be generated in a virtual reality, augmented reality, or mixed reality (MR) environment. A two dimensional (2D) graphical user interface (GUI) texture may be applied to a plane of the 3D object. A graphical control element, such as a text frame, and associated content may be rendered on the GUI texture. In some aspects, the graphical control element may be associated with editing controls that enable the dimensions and/or orientation of the graphical control element to be modified within the boundaries of the GUI texture and/or the 3D object.

Text editing system for 3D environment

Systems and methods of maintaining a focal point of a camera in a 3D environment of a 2D graphical user interface of an authoring application includes displaying a surface upon which one or more content items can be placed and a camera centrally positioned relative to the surface. Further, responsive to an indication to add a content, determining a first elevation of the camera, determining an angle of view of the camera at the first elevation and elevating the camera to a second elevation that is greater than the first elevation of the camera while maintaining a perceived angle of view of the camera. Systems and methods for translating a 3D object include preventing translation of the 3D object in one of three dimensions of the three-dimensional environment while enabling simultaneous translation of the 3D object in the two remaining dimensions of the three dimensions of the 3D environment.

Content assistance in a three-dimensional environment

Methods and systems for displaying a content indicator in a 3D environment of a 2D graphical user interface of an authoring application includes receiving an indication to load the object into the 3D environment, displaying the content indicator, which indicates a loading status of the object, based on receipt of the indication and scaling the content indicator. The scaling includes determining a forward direction of the camera, determining a difference in position between the forward direction of the camera and the content indicator, determining a scalar value based on the difference in position and applying the scalar value to the content indicator.

Content indicators in a 3D environment authoring application

The techniques described herein convert platform-specific scene files produced by multiple different design platforms into platform-agnostic scene files configured in an intermediate format. The intermediate format comprises a human-readable format that provides written descriptions of content in a three-dimensional scene template. The platform-agnostic scene files can be provided to any one of multiple different consumption platforms so the data in the intermediate format can be interpreted and a three-dimensional scene template can be rebuilt. Once rebuilt, the three-dimensional scene template provides a starting point for a user to create a three-dimensional scene for an experience (e.g., the user can continue to add content to create and customize a scene for a particular purpose).

Generating and providing platform agnostic scene files in an intermediate format

A platform configured to operate in different modes so that users can seamlessly switch between an authoring view and a consumption view while creating a three-dimensional scene is described herein. A first mode includes an authoring mode in which an authoring user can add and/or edit content displayed in a three-dimensional scene via a computing device. The second mode includes a consumption mode in which the authoring user can preview and/or share the content displayed in the three-dimensional scene via a head-mounted display device that is in some way connected to and/or in communication with the computing device. Consequently, the same platform (e.g., application) enables the authoring user to toggle between the two different modes while creating a three-dimensional scene that is part of an experience.

Seamless switching between an authoring view and a consumption view of a three-dimensional scene

The disclosed techniques immediately download, to a head-mounted display device or to a device connected to a head-mounted display device, data used to render each of multiple three-dimensional scenes that are part of an experience. An experience includes related and/or linked content that can be accessed and/or displayed for a particular purpose. In various examples, the experience can initially be accessed using a computing device (e.g., a laptop, a smartphone, etc.). The immediate download can be implemented in response to a user switching consumption of the experience from a display of the computing device to a display of the head-mounted display device so three-dimensional scenes can be consumed in a three-dimensional immersive environment (e.g., a three-dimensional coordinate space displayed via the head-mounted display device). Data for individual ones of the three-dimensional scenes is instantiated (e.g., rendered and displayed) asynchronously based on user navigation to a next three-dimensional scene.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Michael Lee Smith