Overlay Web Rendering Engine for 3D Virtual Environment Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing information about objects in virtual environments, such as tooltips and drop-down menus, are limited in utility and difficulty in updating content, and existing URL-based solutions fail to associate web content effectively with specific parts of three-dimensional objects.
Innovation Solution
Associating information URLs with three-dimensional objects in virtual environments, allowing an overlay web rendering engine to render web pages with rich content over objects, enabling users to interact with the content while maintaining visibility of the virtual environment, with the ability to update content externally without modifying the virtual environment code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If tooltips or drop-down menus are used to provide information about objects, then information is provided to users, but the utility is limited and content cannot be easily updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces URLs as an intermediary between the virtual environment and external web content. Instead of embedding information directly in the virtual environment (tools 提示 or drop-down menus), the system uses URLs to link objects to external web pages that can be freely updated without modifying the virtual environment code. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling both information provision and easy content updates.
2Loss of information
If web pages are rendered in external browser windows, then extensive information can be provided, but the content cannot be effectively associated with specific parts of three-dimensional objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by embedding the web browser window within the virtual environment's graphical user interface rather than using separate external windows. The browser window is positioned and overlaid on the virtual environment display, allowing web content to be spatially associated with specific three-dimensional objects while remaining accessible. This nested structure resolves the contradiction by providing both extensive information and clear contextual association.
3Loss of information
If the virtual environment is frozen to display web content, then information can be displayed without distraction, but user interaction with the virtual environment is halted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the virtual environment continues to run and respond to user input while web content is displayed in an overlaid browser window. The system dynamically manages the interaction between the virtual environment rendering and web content display, allowing both to coexist without freezing the virtual environment. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining both information display quality and user interaction continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Information URLs may be associated with three dimensional objects in a three dimensional virtual environment. When a URL is selected, an overlay web rendering engine renders a web page associated with the URL over the object in the three dimensional virtual environment. The web page may include rich content, interactive content, or any other type of web content supported by the user's local browser and browser plugging. The user may interact with the content in the overlay web rendering engine to obtain successive layers of content or to affect the object in the virtual environment. The web page is rendered with a transparent background so that the three dimensional content of the virtual environment continues to be visible through the web page and provides context for the overlayed content. Information URLs may be used to provide information about objects, Avatars, or the virtual environment itself.