Method and Apparatus for Sharing Information in a Virtual Environment

• US 20070011273A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wargaming.Net Limited
• Original Assignee: Bret Greenstein, Wesley Ho
• Inventors: Ho, Wesley, Greenstein, Bret
• Granted Patent: US 7,788,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/024 Multi-user, collaborative environment

Abstract

A distributed data processing system provides a virtual workplace environment. The virtual workplace environment may be a three-dimensional model of an office, a conference room, or an entire office building complex. Participants are represented by three-dimensional avatars, which move within the virtual environment. Participants may also share data within the virtual environment. Two-dimensional data may be projected onto the surface of a three-dimensional object within the environment, such as a wall. Three-dimensional data may be rendered within the environment for the participants to inspect.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A method in a data processing system, comprising:

rendering a three-dimensional environment from the perspective of a first participant, the three-dimensional environment including an avatar representing a second participant;

receiving a selection of the avatar from the first participant;

receiving a selection of a file to be transferred from the first participant; and

transferring the file to a client computer associated with the second participant.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

sending a transfer request to the second participant;

receiving an acceptance from the second participant;

wherein the step of transferring the file to a client computer is performed in response to receiving the acceptance.

30-49. -49. (canceled)

50. An apparatus, comprising:

rendering means for rendering a three-dimensional environment from the perspective of a first participant, the three-dimensional environment including an avatar representing a second participant;

first receipt means for receiving a selection of the avatar from the first participant;

second receipt means for receiving a selection of a file to be transferred from the first participant; and

transfer means for transferring the file to a client computer associated with the second participant.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

means for sending a transfer request to the second participant;

means for receiving an acceptance from the second participant;

wherein the transfer means transfers the file to the client computer in response to the means for receiving the acceptance.

52-53. -53. (canceled)

54. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, comprising:

instructions for rendering a three-dimensional environment from the perspective of a first participant, the three-dimensional environment including an avatar representing a second participant;

instructions for receiving a selection of the avatar from the first participant;

instructions for receiving a selection of a file to be transferred from the first participant; and

instructions for transferring the file to a client computer associated with the second participant.

55. The computer program product of claim 54, further comprising:

instructions for sending a transfer request to the second participant;

instructions for receiving an acceptance from the second participant;

wherein the instructions for transferring the file to a client computer are performed in response to receiving the acceptance.