Multi-Avatar Control in Virtual Worlds for Single-User Productivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality environments limit a single user to a single avatar, preventing recognition of efficiencies possible within a virtual environment.
Innovation Solution
A single user can control multiple avatars within a virtual reality environment, with selective human and automatic control, allowing simultaneous presence in multiple locations and interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single user is limited to controlling only one avatar in a virtual environment, then the system complexity and control interface remain simple, but user productivity and the ability to leverage virtual environment efficiencies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments avatar control by introducing multiple control modes (manual control mode and automatic control mode) that can be applied to different avatars simultaneously. This allows a single user to manage multiple avatars by dividing control responsibilities across different modes rather than requiring complex simultaneous manual control of all avatars.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring automatic control parameters and behaviors for avatars before the user needs to intervene. Automatic control algorithms are established in advance to manage avatar actions, allowing the user to switch to manual control only when specific interventions are needed, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single user controls multiple avatars simultaneously, then user presence and interaction capabilities in the virtual environment are enhanced, but the complexity of control input processing and avatar management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by creating a unified control architecture that handles both manual and automatic control modes through the same basic input processing framework. The control system is designed to accept generic control inputs that can be routed to any avatar in either manual or automatic mode, reducing the need for separate processing paths and minimizing control processing complexity despite enhanced user presence capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control layer that mediates between user inputs and avatar actions. This intermediary layer processes control requests, determines whether manual or automatic control should be applied, and routes commands appropriately. This mediation simplifies the overall control processing complexity by providing a standardized interface between the user and multiple avatars with different control modes.
3Productivity
If automatic control algorithms are used for avatars, then resource efficiency and reduction of perceived delays are improved, but the level of human interaction and control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the control mode flexible and changeable. Avatars can dynamically switch between automatic control mode and manual control mode based on user needs and situation requirements. This dynamic control architecture allows the system to optimize for resource efficiency through automatic control when appropriate while maintaining control flexibility by allowing user intervention when needed, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a single user multiple presence implementation may include providing access for a user identified by a user account to a virtual environment hosted by a computer. The method may further include generating multiple avatars for the user account to concurrently coexist and be operative within the virtual environment. The method may further include controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in response to input from the user. The method may further include communicating virtual environment data regarding more than one of the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by the user. An apparatus for performing the method may include a processor coupled to a memory holding encoded instructions for performing operations of the method on a computer configured as a network entity.