Directional pattern generation techniques are described for digital images as implemented by a directional pattern system. In an implementation, a user input is received to specify a direction with respect to the object. A directional pattern system then fills the object using a directional pattern based on the contours of the object as well as the user-specified direction. To do so, the directional pattern system generates a directional vector field that specifies directions with respect to corresponding locations within the field defined by a mesh. Uniform field embedding is employed to transfer the directional vector field to a grid by superimposing the grid onto the mesh of the directional vector field. The directional pattern system then generates the directional pattern within the object by filling the grid with one or more pattern cells.

A mixed reality (MR) device can allow a user to switch between input modes to allow interactions with a virtual environment via devices such as a six degrees of freedom (6DoF) handheld controller and a touchpad input device. A default input mode for interacting with virtual content may rely on the user's head pose, which may be difficult to use in selecting virtual objects that are far away in the virtual environment. Thus, the system may be configured to allow the user to use a 6DoF cursor, and a visual ray that extends from the handheld controller to the cursor, to enable precise targeting. Input via a touchpad input device (e.g., that allows three degrees of freedom movements) may also be used in conjunction with the 6DoF cursor.

A mixed reality (MR) device can allow a user to switch between input modes to allow interactions with a virtual environment via devices such as a six degrees of freedom (6DoF) handheld controller and a touchpad input device. A default input mode for interacting with virtual content may rely on the user's head pose, which may be difficult to use in selecting virtual objects that are far away in the virtual environment. Thus, the system may be configured to allow the user to use a 6DoF cursor, and a visual ray that extends from the handheld controller to the cursor, to enable precise targeting. Input via a touchpad input device (e.g., that allows three degrees of freedom movements) may also be used in conjunction with the 6DoF cursor.

A display apparatus which is connected to a controller and capable of precisely and quickly shifting the display position of a pointer to the position of a desired object in a three-dimensional display area. When a two-dimensional directional command has not been issued on the controller by an operator, the display apparatus shifts into a first operation state in which a display position of the pointer is shifted according to the tilt and/or displacement of the controller. When a two-dimensional directional command has been issued on the controller by the operator, the display apparatus shifts into a second operation state in which the display position of the pointer is shifted based on two coordinate axes in the display area according to the directional command issued on the controller. In the second operation state, the two coordinate axes are varied according to the tilt of the external control apparatus.

A display apparatus which is connected to a controller and capable of precisely and quickly shifting the display position of a pointer to the position of a desired object in a three-dimensional display area. When a two-dimensional directional command has not been issued on the controller by an operator, the display apparatus shifts into a first operation state in which a display position of the pointer is shifted according to the tilt and/or displacement of the controller. When a two-dimensional directional command has been issued on the controller by the operator, the display apparatus shifts into a second operation state in which the display position of the pointer is shifted based on two coordinate axes in the display area according to the directional command issued on the controller. In the second operation state, the two coordinate axes are varied according to the tilt of the external control apparatus.

There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

In some aspects, the present embodiments provide a system, server, and computing device for building and modifying a user interface of an application executable on a computing device. The method may be performed by a server that is remote from the computing device. In some embodiments the method comprises: receiving parameters for updating a user interface element of the application, the user interface element being identified at the server by a programming language unit for the user interface element in the program code of the application; and sending the parameters to the computing device, wherein the computing device receives the parameters, updates the user interface element of the application with the parameters, and displays a modified user interface for the application, the modified user interface comprising the updated user interface element.

In some aspects, the present embodiments provide a system, server, and computing device for building and modifying a user interface of an application executable on a computing device. The method may be performed by a server that is remote from the computing device. In some embodiments the method comprises: receiving parameters for updating a user interface element of the application, the user interface element being identified at the server by a programming language unit for the user interface element in the program code of the application; and sending the parameters to the computing device, wherein the computing device receives the parameters, updates the user interface element of the application with the parameters, and displays a modified user interface for the application, the modified user interface comprising the updated user interface element.

Methods and systems provide for the ability to display reactions within a video communication session. First, the system displays, for each of a number of participants within a video communication session, a user interface (UI), with the UI including a reactions session with a variety of selectable visual reactions, a number of participant windows corresponding to participants, and videos of at least a subset of the participants which are displayed within the participant windows. The system receives a selection of a reaction via a video client device connected to the video communication session, where the client device is associated with one of the participants. The system then displays the selected reaction within the UI of at least one of the participants within the corresponding participant windows for a predetermined period of time. Aggregate reactions may be displayed when a number of participants select the same reaction.