3D Virtual Environment Navigation for Video Conference Avatars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional videoconferencing technologies lack the social interaction and spatial awareness that physical meetings provide, leading to difficulties in seeing and hearing all participants, private conversations, and creating social connections, especially as the number of participants increases.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows navigation in a three-dimensional virtual environment by receiving data specifying a 3D virtual space, positioning and orienting an avatar based on user input, and rendering the environment from a virtual camera perspective, enabling users to control their avatars' movement and orientation within the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional videoconferencing displays are used with multiple participants, then all participants can be seen, but the sense of space and social interaction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D video displays to 3D virtual environment with avatars, adding spatial depth and positional awareness. Users can see participants as three-dimensional figures in a virtual space, restoring the sense of place and social presence that was lost in conventional flat video conferences.
2Quantity of substance
If all participants are displayed in conventional videoconferencing, then visibility is improved, but private conversations and side interactions become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables segmentation of the virtual space where users can form smaller groups or private conversation circles within the larger conference environment. Participants can position themselves in different spatial zones, allowing simultaneous public presentations and private side conversations without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding spatial positioning capabilities in 3D virtual space, the system allows participants to move closer for private conversations or spread out for individual focus, creating multiple interaction zones simultaneously within the same conference call.
3Quantity of substance
If videoconferencing software mixes audio streams equally, then all speakers are heard, but natural spacing and ordering among participants is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial audio positioning where sound originates from specific 3D positions corresponding to avatar locations. This creates natural acoustic spacing and ordering, allowing participants to understand who is speaking based on directional audio cues and virtual proximity, rather than equal-volume mixing.
4Ease of operation
If virtual conference limits the ability to see all participants, then spatial arrangement is improved, but social connection creation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid display system that adapts between different viewing modes: when participants are few, all can be seen simultaneously; when many participants are present, the system automatically switches to highlighting key speakers while maintaining spatial awareness of all participants through the 3D environment.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and direction in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and direction input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.