Virtual Contact Object Trails for Immersive 3D Presence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for socializing in virtual worlds, such as IM Style Buddy Lists, Virtual Contact Objects, and Online Presence Visualization, fail to effectively integrate contact metadata into the immersive 3D environment, distract users, or limit the availability of contact information when contacts are offline.
Innovation Solution
A floating trail of virtual objects is created to visualize user presence, with each object being persistable, actionable, and manipulable, allowing users to interact with contacts even when they are offline, and varying in appearance to provide visual cues about age and actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IM Style Buddy Lists are used to display contact information, then the user interface is familiar and easy to operate, but the user is distracted from the immersive 3-D environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges contact information display with the 3-D virtual environment by placing contact avatars and their associated metadata directly into the world view. The contact list is integrated as a 3-D overlay that appears within the immersive environment rather than as a separate 2-D interface, allowing users to view contact information while maintaining engagement with the 3-D space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2-D interface representations to a 3-D spatial arrangement where contact information is displayed in the depth plane of the virtual environment. Contacts are represented as 3-D avatars positioned at their respective locations in the virtual world, with metadata displayed in three-dimensional space around or near each avatar, enabling users to navigate and interact with contact information using 3-D spatial cues.
2Ease of operation
If Virtual Contact Objects are created to represent contacts, then contacts are represented as manipulable virtual objects, but the owner must remember to instantiate and give the object to the recipient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing any user to automatically generate and share contact information without requiring manual intervention from the contact owner. When a user views a contact avatar in the virtual world, the system automatically creates a persistent contact object containing all relevant metadata and makes it available for sharing. The contact object is instantiated and made accessible through automated system processes rather than requiring the contact owner to manually create and distribute physical or digital business cards.
3Productivity
If Online Presence Visualization is used to show contact locations, then quick visual summary is provided, but there is a limit to how much metadata can be portrayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments contact information into multiple hierarchical levels of detail. At the highest level, contacts are represented as 3-D avatars showing basic presence and location information. When users interact with or approach a contact avatar, additional metadata is progressively revealed through contextual menus, detailed information panels, or expanded 3-D displays. This segmented presentation allows the system to provide quick visual summaries while maintaining comprehensive metadata availability upon user demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested information structure where contact metadata is organized in concentric layers of detail. The outermost layer provides basic visual identification and location. Subsequent nested layers contain progressively more detailed information such as contact status, relationship data, and action options. Users can access different levels of metadata by interacting with the contact avatar, allowing comprehensive information storage while maintaining a clean, space-efficient visual display.
4Reliability
If contact objects are made persistent and actionable, then contacts are always accessible, but the visual environment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making contact objects persistent and actionable only at their specific spatial locations in the virtual environment where the contacts actually appear. Rather than dispersing persistent objects throughout the entire 3-D space, each contact object is anchored to the contact's avatar position, maintaining spatial accuracy and contextual relevance. This localized persistence ensures reliable access to contact information while preventing visual clutter in unrelated areas of the environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.