Real time virtual reality leveraging web cams and IP cams and web cam and IP cam networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling a visitor to access VR representations authored by different authors of locations in a virtual universe via a computer network are provided. A plurality of VR data sets may be stored. Each VR data set comprise web or IP camera VR datasets and may be independently authored by a respective author different from the other authors. One or more VR data servers may be adapted to access and transmit the VR data sets, and each VR data set may be associated with a VR data server for access to the VR data set. A domain server may be adapted to access and transmit domain data comprising the location within the universe of each VR representation and the network address of the VR data server associated with the VR representation. Further, a client host may be adapted to communicate with the domain server to receive domain data representing the network address of the VR data server associated with a selected VR representation, the client host further adapted to communicate with that VR data server to access the VR data set defining the VR representation without leaving the virtual universe.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 786,572 filed Mar. 15, 2013 entitled, “Personal Digital Assistance and Virtual Reality,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to computer-generated virtual reality representations of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to storing, organizing, and providing access to a number of virtual reality representations whose data comes from spy cams and spy cam networks of web cams all through a computer network.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Virtual reality (VR) models and simulates views from a location in virtual space. The visitor perceives the view from virtual space on a computer monitor or specialized display, and experiences “movement” by changing position or orientation within th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]A virtual reality network in accordance with the present invention offers many advantages. A number of different virtual reality representations are made available to visitors through a single, centrally accessible domain server. The domain server enables visitors to experience virtual reality representations created by different authors, and to tour a virtual universe created by logically organizing and connecting the separate representations.

[0030]Authors can easily add new virtual reality representations of either the static VR data or real time or time sliced data from web or IP cameras to the network, enabling visitors to experience a virtual reality universe that grows richer and richer with time. With the simplified VR file format, persons may share with others their travels to places around the world, or may easily create their own virtual universe for business or private use.

Problems solved by technology

Although recognized as having substantial potential, virtual reality has remained limited because it has yet to connect to the many cloud databases as well as many remote data gathering devices.

These factors have hindered broader adoption of virtual reality.

The visitor can move around in the virtual space, but is limited to remaining in that virtual space.

They have also become a source of security and privacy issues, as some built-in webcams can be remotely activated via spyware.

However, these websites are not organized by virtual travel and further they are not linked to other forms of data.

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