# US 11,908,086 B2 · Techniques for participation in a shared setting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,908,086 B2 - Document ID: US11908086B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/900,657 - Filed: 2022-08-31 - Published: 2023-08-17 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-10 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf; Grant H. Mulliken; James Williams Charles Vandyke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11908086B2 ## CPC - G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising - G06T 19/00: Manipulating three-dimensional [3D] models or images for computer graphics - G06F 3/013: {Eye tracking input arrangements (G06F3/015 takes precedence)} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/1454: {involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay} - G06T 13/205: {driven by audio data} - G06T 13/40: of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings - G06T 2219/024: Multi-user, collaborative environment - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract In accordance with some embodiments, an exemplary process for initializing members of a shared enhanced reality setting is described. In accordance with some embodiments, an exemplary process for forming a private sub-space and example features of the private sub-space is described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: displaying an enhanced reality setting, wherein the enhanced reality setting includes a plurality of avatars; and while displaying the enhanced reality setting: in accordance with a determination that a first avatar of the plurality of avatars satisfies a set of sub-enhanced reality criteria, wherein a first sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a respective avatar is within a predetermined distance of a third avatar of the plurality of avatars: selecting the first avatar as a recipient of received audio input; in accordance with a determination that a second avatar of the plurality of avatars does not satisfy the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria: selecting the second avatar as a non-recipient of the received audio input; receiving, via a microphone, audio input, wherein the audio input is intended for a user corresponding to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting; causing playback of audio corresponding to the audio input and a corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar; displaying a visual indication to indicate that the first avatar and the third avatar are in a private communication session in the enhanced reality setting; and forgoing causing playback of the audio for the second avatar in the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar comprises causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar in accordance with a determination that the first avatar is within a subenhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a second sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a gaze by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a third sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a nod by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a fourth sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a wink by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the determination that the first avatar is within the sub-enhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar is based on whether an affordance associated with the first avatar has been selected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the visual indication for the first avatar is a light source shown proximate to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 8 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of one or more electronic devices, the one or more programs including instructions for: displaying an enhanced reality setting, wherein the enhanced reality setting includes a plurality of avatars; and while displaying the enhanced reality setting: in accordance with a determination that a first avatar of the plurality of avatars satisfies a set of sub-enhanced reality criteria, wherein a first sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a respective avatar is within a predetermined distance of a third avatar of the plurality of avatars: selecting the first avatar as a recipient of received audio input; in accordance with a determination that a second avatar of the plurality of avatars does not satisfy the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria: selecting the second avatar as a non-recipient of the received audio input; receiving, via a microphone, audio input, wherein the audio input is intended for a user corresponding to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting; causing playback of audio corresponding to the audio input and a corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar; displaying a visual indication to indicate that the first avatar and the third avatar are in a private communication session in the enhanced reality setting; and forgoing causing playback of the audio for the second avatar in the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar comprises causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar in accordance with a determination that the first avatar is within a sub-enhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein a second sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a gaze by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein a third sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a nod by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein a fourth sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a wink by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the determination that the first avatar is within the sub-enhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar is based on whether an affordance associated with the first avatar has been selected. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the visual indication for the first avatar is a light source shown proximate to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 15 A system, comprising: one or more processors of one or more electronic devices; and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: displaying an enhanced reality setting, wherein the enhanced reality setting includes a plurality of avatars; and while displaying the enhanced reality setting: in accordance with a determination that a first avatar of the plurality of avatars satisfies a set of sub-enhanced reality criteria, wherein a first sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a respective avatar is within a predetermined distance of a third avatar of the plurality of avatars: selecting the first avatar as a recipient of received audio input; in accordance with a determination that a second avatar of the plurality of avatars does not satisfy the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria: selecting the second avatar as a non-recipient of the received audio input; receiving, via a microphone, audio input, wherein the audio input is intended for a user corresponding to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting; causing playback of audio corresponding to the audio input and a corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar; displaying a visual indication to indicate that the first avatar and the third avatar are in a private communication session in the enhanced reality setting; and forgoing causing playback of the audio for the second avatar in the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar comprises causing playback and the corresponding visual avatar movement for the first avatar in accordance with a determination that the first avatar is within a sub-enhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein a second sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a gaze by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein a third sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a nod by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein a fourth sub-enhanced reality criterion from the set of sub-enhanced reality criteria is satisfied when a wink by the first avatar directed to the third avatar of the plurality of avatars is detected within the enhanced reality setting. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the determination that the first avatar is within the sub-enhanced reality setting that includes the first avatar and does not include the second avatar is based on whether an affordance associated with the first avatar has been selected. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the visual indication for the first avatar is a light source shown proximate to the first avatar within the enhanced reality setting.