Shared Environment User Representation Distance Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for presenting content in shared computer-generated environments of multi-user communication sessions struggle to effectively manage representations of users when they move beyond a threshold distance from the communication session's reference point, leading to potential delays or losses in real-time communication.

Innovation Solution

The system determines when a user's representation moves beyond a threshold distance in the computer-generated environment and responds by displaying an indication of this distance, potentially changing the representation to a placeholder or maintaining the current representation depending on the user's movement relative to the threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system continuously displays detailed user representations in the computer-generated environment, then user presence and interaction quality are maintained, but system resources are consumed and privacy may be compromised when users are far from the communication session

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time communication reliabilityVSAvoiduser privacy protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different representation qualities based on spatial location: detailed representations are displayed when users are within threshold distance of the communication session, while placeholder representations are used when users exceed the threshold distance. This local differentiation maintains communication reliability for nearby users while protecting privacy for distant users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between detailed user representations and placeholder representations based on real-time distance calculations. When a user moves beyond the threshold distance, the representation dynamically changes from detailed to placeholder, and vice versa, ensuring appropriate privacy protection while maintaining communication context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system monitors and manages user representations based on distance thresholds, then user privacy is protected when far from the session, but system complexity increases due to continuous distance calculation and representation management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs distance calculations and representation management without requiring manual intervention. The electronic device self-monitors user positions relative to the communication session reference point, automatically determines when threshold distances are exceeded, and switches between detailed and placeholder representations autonomously, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops by monitoring user positions, calculating distances to the communication session reference point, and adjusting representations based on threshold comparisons. This automated feedback mechanism ensures privacy protection while managing system complexity through algorithmic decision-making rather than manual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If placeholder representations are used when users exceed threshold distance, then privacy is protected and system resources are conserved, but user awareness of their distance from the session may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem resource consumptionVSAvoiduser distance awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses visual differentiation through color or appearance changes to distinguish between detailed user representations and placeholder representations. This visual coding allows users to quickly understand their representation state and implicit distance from the communication session, maintaining awareness while conserving system resources through placeholder usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4498210A1Systems and methods for presenting content in a shared computer generated environment of a multi-user communication session
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 APPLE INC
  • EP4498210A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4498210A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4498210A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Some examples of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for presenting content in a shared computer generated environment of a multi-user communication session. In some examples, an electronic device displays an indication that a location in the shared computer generated environment corresponding to the electronic device is further than a threshold distance from a respective location associated with the multi-user communication session. In some examples, an electronic device presents a representation of a user of a multi-user communication session moving away from a point of reference of the multi-user communication session. In some examples, the electronic device presents content associated with a user of a multi-user communication session moving away from a point of reference of the multi-user communication session.