Virtual Environment Linking via Intermediary References
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual environments are isolated, preventing objects, activities, and Avatars from seamlessly moving between and within multiple virtual environments hosted by different servers, limiting their interaction and integration.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for referencing between three-dimensional computer-generated virtual environments using links that specify locations and orientations, allowing users to transport between and interact with multiple virtual environments, and creating vistas for seamless visual integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual environments are hosted on separate servers, then system reliability and independence are improved, but interoperability and integration between environments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a link structure as an intermediary element that connects separate virtual environments hosted on different servers. This link contains reference information (URL, coordinates, orientation) that enables Avatars to traverse between environments without requiring the environments to be directly integrated or hosted on the same server, thus maintaining server independence while achieving interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The link structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a navigation marker, a communication protocol, and a coordinate transformation tool simultaneously. This universal structure enables different virtual environments to interact through a common interface while maintaining their individual server architectures
2Device complexity
If virtual environments are isolated, then system complexity is reduced, but user experience and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual environment system into independent modules (different virtual environments on different servers) connected by standardized links. This segmentation maintains low complexity within each environment while enabling rich functionality through combinations of multiple environments, allowing users to access diverse experiences without overwhelming system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual environments are interconnected, then adaptability and functionality are improved, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link structure serves as a standardized intermediary that simplifies connections between virtual environments. Each link encapsulates all necessary information (target environment URL, spawn coordinates, orientation) in a uniform format, reducing the complexity of inter-environment coordination while enabling diverse functional combinations
Data Source
AI summary
References between three dimensional computer-generated virtual environments may be used to enable objects, activities, and Avatars to move between and within multiple virtual environments hosted by multiple different virtual environment servers/server systems. Links may be used to reference particular locations and orientations within target virtual environments. Vistas may also be created to allow a view into a target virtual environment to be presented to a user in a resident virtual environment. Links and vistas may be combined to create portals, whereby a user may be presented with a view of a target virtual environment in the resident virtual environment. The view of the target virtual environment may be caused to change as the user approaches the vista or moves relative to the vista to make it appear like the user is seeing into the target virtual environment. If the user goes through the vista the link may transport the user into the target virtual environment.