Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for real-time communication
Inventors
Chiu, Shih-Sang • Ngo, Long H. • Holder, Wesley M. • Lemay, Stephen O. • Sorrentino, III, William A. • Bhardwaj, Rajat • Yerkes, Giancarlo • Rickwald, Jason D. • BURTON, Rupert
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12762813-B2
Publication Date
2026-10-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for electronic devices, including user interfaces for real-time communications.
Core Innovation
The described invention provides a real-time communication user interface displayed within a three-dimensional environment. A participant appears as a three-dimensional representation within a spatially constrained portal, and detected participant movement is displayed as movement of the representation within the portal. When a portion of the representation approaches a portal boundary, its visual appearance changes through distortion, fading, cropping, blurring, or movement limits.
The computer system enables transitions between spatially constrained and spatially flexible representation modes, gaze- and hand-tracking interactions, and viewpoint sharing with session participants. Portal background content is incorporated using imagery from outward-facing cameras, reconstructing unseen environmental regions while suppressing faces or bright light sources. This presentation conveys participant context while preserving privacy and avoiding rear-facing cameras.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims (claim 1 for a computer system, claim 26 for a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and claim 51 for a method) that share three inventive features.
Portal-based participant representation in a real-time communication interface
Each independent claim recites displaying, within a three-dimensional environment, a real-time communication user interface that includes a first spatially-constrained representation of a participant comprising a first portal and a first three-dimensional representation displayed within the portal.
Movement-responsive representation within the portal
Each independent claim recites receiving an indication of detected movement by the participant and displaying movement of the three-dimensional representation within the portal in response.
Boundary-triggered visual appearance change
Each independent claim recites changing the visual appearance of the three-dimensional representation based on a determination that a portion of the representation is approaching a boundary of the portal, with effects including visual distortion, fading, cropping, or blurring.
The three independent claims cover the same core functionality across system, storage-medium, and method claim forms: displaying a participant representation within a portal, moving the representation in response to detected participant movement, and altering its visual appearance as a portion approaches the portal boundary.
Stated Advantages
The portal background conveys participant context while preserving privacy and avoiding rear-facing cameras.
Documented Applications
A real-time communication session between a user and one or more participants, presented through a real-time communication user interface in a three-dimensional environment.
Sharing a user's three-dimensional-environment viewpoint with another participant.
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