Virtual World Data Store Synchronization via External Source Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face the inconvenience of constantly switching between virtual and non-virtual worlds to update information, such as contact details, web bookmarks, and RSS feeds, due to the lack of automatic translation and synchronization between these environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to specify external data stores, including bookmarks, RSS feeds, and social networking sites, which are then automatically gathered, represented, transmitted, and updated within the virtual world, enabling seamless integration and display in a user's personal area without requiring constant switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users manually update virtual world data stores by switching between virtual and non-virtual worlds, then data synchronization between environments is achieved, but user time and operational efficiency are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically gathering data from external data stores and updating virtual world data stores before users need to access them. The synchronization process is initiated and executed automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually switch between environments and perform update operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A software agent or intermediary system is introduced to bridge the virtual world environment and external data stores. This intermediary automatically retrieves data from external sources (email, calendar, contacts, etc.) and translates it into the appropriate format for the virtual world data store, eliminating direct user involvement in the synchronization process.
2Loss of information
If users constantly switch between virtual and non-virtual worlds to update information, then data availability is maintained, but operational complexity and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic data synchronization without requiring user intervention. The software agent autonomously monitors external data stores, retrieves updated information, and updates the virtual world data store independently, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant user attention.
Solution Approach 2:
Data synchronization is performed in advance automatically, ensuring data availability is maintained before users need to access the information. This preliminary automatic updating eliminates the need for users to switch between environments to ensure data is current.
3Ease of operation
If automatic data gathering and synchronization is implemented, then user convenience and time efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A software agent acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of automatic data synchronization. This agent handles data gathering from external sources, format translation, and update operations, isolating the complexity from the user while providing a simple, automatic synchronization service.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system is segmented into distinct functional components: data gathering from external sources, data translation and format conversion, and data update operations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and managed separately, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automatic functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of updating virtual worlds, a specification of a data store of a user is received from the user. The data store is external to the virtual world. Data from the data store of the user is automatically gathered in response to receiving the specification. A representation of the data is generated. The representation of the data is transmitted to the virtual world. A data store of the virtual world is updated based on the representation of the data. The data store of the virtual world is displayed in a personal area of the user in the virtual world responsive to updating the data store. An icon representing the data store of the virtual world is displayed in the personal area of the user. The data store of the virtual world is kept private to the user.