Automated real-time data stream switching in a shared virtual area communication environment
First Claim
1. A method of connecting network nodes associated with respective objects in a virtual area comprising:
- by computer apparatus, sending to the network nodes computer readable instructions for establishing one or more real-time data stream connections between the network nodes according to a virtual area specification comprising a description of a spatial layout of zones that are fixed in relation to geometric elements of the virtual area, wherein each of the zones is associated with a different respective zone boundary in the virtual area and a respective switching rule, and each switching rule specifies a stream connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type within the zone boundary of a respective designated source one of the zones and sinks of the respective real-time data stream type within the boundary of a respective designated sink one of the zones; and
wherein execution of the instructions causes the network nodes to perform operations comprising, for each switching rule, establishing a respective stream connection for streaming the respective real-time data stream type between (i) a first one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the zone boundary of the respective designated source zone and (ii) a second one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the geometric boundary of the respective designated sink zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Switching real-time data stream connections between network nodes sharing a virtual area is described. In one aspect, the switching involves storing a virtual area specification. The virtual area specification includes a description of one or more switching rules each defining a respective connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type and sinks of the real-time data stream type in terms of positions in the virtual area. Real-time data stream connections are established between network nodes associated with respective objects each of which is associated with at least one of a source and a sink of one or more of the real-time data stream types. The real-time data stream connections are established based on the one or more switching rules, the respective sources and sinks associated with the objects, and respective positions of the objects in the virtual area.
33 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of connecting network nodes associated with respective objects in a virtual area comprising:
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by computer apparatus, sending to the network nodes computer readable instructions for establishing one or more real-time data stream connections between the network nodes according to a virtual area specification comprising a description of a spatial layout of zones that are fixed in relation to geometric elements of the virtual area, wherein each of the zones is associated with a different respective zone boundary in the virtual area and a respective switching rule, and each switching rule specifies a stream connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type within the zone boundary of a respective designated source one of the zones and sinks of the respective real-time data stream type within the boundary of a respective designated sink one of the zones; and wherein execution of the instructions causes the network nodes to perform operations comprising, for each switching rule, establishing a respective stream connection for streaming the respective real-time data stream type between (i) a first one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the zone boundary of the respective designated source zone and (ii) a second one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the geometric boundary of the respective designated sink zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for connecting network nodes associated with respective objects in a virtual area, comprising:
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non-transitory memory storing processor-readable instructions, and a processor coupled to the memory, operable to execute the instructions, and based at least in part on the execution of the instructions operable to perform operations comprising; sending to the network nodes computer readable instructions for establishing one or more real-time data stream connections between the network nodes according to a virtual area specification comprising a description of a spatial layout of zones that are fixed in relation to geometric elements of the virtual area, wherein each of the zones is associated with a different respective zone boundary in the virtual area and a respective switching rule, and each switching rule specifies a stream connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type within the zone boundary of a respective designated sink one of the zones; and wherein execution of the instructions causes the network nodes to perform operations comprising, for each switching rule, establishing a respective stream connection for streaming the respective real-time data stream type between (i) a first one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the zone boundary of the respective designated source zone and (ii) a second one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the geometric boundary of the respective designated sink zone.
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18. At least one, non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computing instructions for connecting network nodes associated with respective objects in a virtual area, the computing instructions comprising:
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a code segment to send to the network nodes computer readable instructions for establishing one or more real-time data stream connections between the network nodes according to a virtual area specification comprising a description of a s spatial layout of zones that are fixed in relation to geometric elements of the virtual area, wherein each of the zones is associated with a different respective zone boundary in the virtual area and a respective switching rule, and each switching rule specifies a stream connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type within the zone boundary of a respective designated source one of the zones and sinks of the respective real-time data stream type within the zone boundary of a respective designated sink one of the zones; and wherein execution of the instructions causes the network nodes to perform operations comprising, for each switching rule, establishing a respective stream connection for streaming the respective real-time data stream type between (i) a first one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the zone boundary of the respective designated source zone and (ii) a second one of the network nodes that is associated with an object within the geometric boundary of the respective designated sink zone.
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Specification