Methods and systems for real-time virtual conferencing
First Claim
1. A virtual conferencing system, comprising:
- at least one local client processor/server operatively connected to a communications network operable for virtual environment and avatar rendering using a descriptive computer markup language;
a central server acting as a broker between the at least one local client processor/server and operable for coordinating virtual environment and avatar state changes;
at least one input device operable for performing the virtual environment and avatar state changes; and
an output device operable for displaying the virtual conference environment.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conferencing system provides an interactive virtual world representing a real or imaginary place using graphics, images, multimedia, and audio data. The system includes a communications network, at least one local client processor/server operatively connected to the communications network operable for virtual environment and avatar rendering using a descriptive computer markup language and further operable for coordinating virtual environment and avatar state changes, at least one input device operable for performing the virtual environment and avatar state changes, and an output device operable for displaying the virtual conference environment. The system operates using a low bandwidth dependency. A virtual conference is created using human, environment, gesture, voice, and phonetic descriptive markup languages. A software-based virtual conferencing system that does not require cameras, video translation devices, or any other additional equipment.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A virtual conferencing system, comprising:
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at least one local client processor/server operatively connected to a communications network operable for virtual environment and avatar rendering using a descriptive computer markup language;
a central server acting as a broker between the at least one local client processor/server and operable for coordinating virtual environment and avatar state changes;
at least one input device operable for performing the virtual environment and avatar state changes; and
an output device operable for displaying the virtual conference environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of conferencing a plurality of clients that are connected via a global communication network, comprising the steps of:
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establishing at a first local client processor/server a virtual conference environment using a descriptive environment markup language;
establishing a first personal avatar of the first local client processor/server using a descriptive human markup language;
establishing a communication between the first local client processor/server and a second local client processor server utilizing an Internet Protocol address, wherein the conference communication comprises data and audio information;
transmitting virtual conference environment data and avatar data from the first local client processor/server to the second local client processor/server via the global communication network;
establishing a second personal avatar of the second local client processor/server using the descriptive human markup language;
enabling the first and second local clients to interactively participate in a virtual conference, via the communication network, by performing avatar actions within the virtual conference environment;
enabling the first and second local clients to change the virtual conference environment using the descriptive environment markup language; and
detecting the actions of the first and second personal avatars. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communication network capable of establishing a connection between a plurality of conference participants for the purpose of performing a virtual conference, comprising:
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at least one processor/server in the communication network comprising a virtual conferencing software module disposed within a memory system, wherein the virtual conferencing software module supports a structure and layout of a virtual conference room, animated avatars, tools, and interactions of the animated avatars within the virtual conference environment, wherein the memory system includes information for the appearance of the avatars that populate the virtual environment, conference facilities, documents, and multimedia presentation materials, and wherein the virtual conference processor/server acts as a broker between a plurality of local client processors/servers and is operable for coordinating virtual environment and avatar state changes;
at least one input device operatively connected to the at least one processor/server and operable for performing virtual environment and avatar state changes; and
at least one output device operatively connected to the at least one processor/server and operable for outputting audio data, displaying a virtual conference environment, displaying a plurality of avatars, and displaying the virtual environment and avatar state changes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification