Virtual Reality Communications Environment for Collaborative Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaborative communication methods, such as audio and video teleconferencing, lack central control and efficient data exchange, and require uniform equipment, making them inefficient and cumbersome for remote participants.
Innovation Solution
A central virtual reality communications environment is created where client devices are represented as avatars, allowing synchronized views and manipulations of data objects, with customizable settings and multiple rooms for different teams, enabling efficient data exchange and collaboration regardless of user equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If video teleconferencing is used for collaborative communication, then visual interaction is improved, but equipment requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies (avatars) of participants and their data objects in a standardized virtual environment. Instead of requiring complex video equipment, the system uses simplified graphical avatars that replicate participant presence and data visualization, reducing equipment requirements while maintaining visual interaction quality
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual environment serves multiple functions: it provides visual interaction through avatars, data exchange through shared data objects, and collaborative manipulation capabilities. This multi-functional platform eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each function, reducing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If centralized control is implemented in collaborative communication system, then data exchange efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the virtual environment and facilitates data exchange between participants. This centralized mediator handles data routing, avatar management, and collaboration coordination, improving data exchange efficiency while abstracting the complexity from individual participant devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges control functions (server management) with participant interfaces (client devices) into a unified virtual environment. This integration allows centralized control to operate seamlessly through the virtual space, improving efficiency while distributing the user experience across all participants
3Reliability
If uniform equipment is required for all participants, then communication quality is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual representations (avatars) that standardize the communication interface across all participants. Instead of requiring uniform physical equipment, each participant interacts through their own device while experiencing a standardized virtual environment, improving accessibility without sacrificing communication quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts the virtual environment parameters (avatar rendering quality, data object detail levels, interaction capabilities) based on each participant's device capabilities. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains communication quality across diverse equipment while improving ease of operation for each user
4Ease of operation
If audio teleconferencing is used for collaborative communication, then ease of operation is improved, but data exchange capability and information quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio communication capabilities with visual avatar representation and data object sharing in a unified virtual environment. Participants maintain the ease of audio operation while gaining enhanced data exchange capabilities through the shared virtual space, simultaneously improving both parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for collaborative communications is described. In one embodiment, a central virtual reality communications environment is created. A plurality of client communication devices are connected to the central virtual reality communications environment. Each one of the connected plurality of client communication devices are represented as an avatar present in the central virtual reality communications environment. An uploaded data object is received from any one of the connected plurality of client communication devices. Finally, the data object is displayed in the central virtual reality communications environment to the connected plurality of client communication devices.