Virtual Area Presence Indication via Relationship-Based Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack effective methods for indicating and managing presence in virtual environments, particularly in multi-dimensional spaces, which limits personalized and context-aware interactions among users.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that combines rich presence signaling through virtual area-based contextualization with relationship-based targeting, allowing users to personalize their virtual spaces with zones that provide different contexts and governance rules for presence indications, enabling intuitive and informed interaction decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional presence indicators are used in virtual environments, then presence information can be transmitted, but the system lacks context-awareness and personalized interaction capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual area is divided into multiple zones with different governance rules and presence indication characteristics. Each zone can independently control what presence information is displayed and how it is presented, enabling context-aware interactions while preserving comprehensive presence data across different spatial regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones within the virtual area have differentiated presence indication policies based on their specific characteristics and governance rules. The system adapts the quality and type of presence information displayed to match the local context of each zone, providing context-awareness without losing overall presence information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If presence information is broadcast to all communicants, then everyone receives updates, but the system cannot provide personalized interactions based on relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The presence indication system is segmented by governance rules associated with different zones. Each governance rule can independently determine which communicants receive presence information and what level of detail is provided, enabling personalized interactions while managing the volume of information distributed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial presence indication by selectively broadcasting presence information to specific communicants based on their relationship with the user and the governance rules of the zone. This allows personalized interactions without overwhelming all users with complete presence data.
3Ease of operation
If multiple zones with different governance rules are implemented, then context-aware presence indication is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual area framework provides a universal structure that can accommodate multiple zones with different governance rules. The system uses a unified presence indication mechanism that automatically adapts to different zone requirements, simplifying zone management while enabling context-aware interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the presence indication system automatically adjusts based on zone governance rules and user relationships. This feedback loop simplifies operation by automating decision-making about what information to display and to whom, reducing the manual complexity of managing multiple zones.
Data Source
AI summary
Other communicants in a network communications environment who have relationship ties with a user that satisfy a particular relationship predicate and who are present in a zone of a respective other virtual area that is assigned to the other communicant are determined. Indications of presence of the determined other communicants in the zones of the other virtual areas is transmitted to the user. Each virtual area is associated with a respective communicant who is present in the virtual area and has a relationship tie with the user that satisfies a relationship predicate. Responsive to user input referencing a selected virtual area, a request to establish a presence for the user in the selected virtual area is transmitted. Responsive to user input referencing a particular communicant, a request to establish a network communications link between the respective network nodes operated by the user and the particular communicant is transmitted.