VIRTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

• US 20080079752A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cheng, Lili, MacLaurin, Matthew B., Meijer, Henricus Johannes Maria, Flake, Gary W., Zaner-Godsey, Melora, Larus, James R., Brumme, Christopher W., Blinn, Arnold N., Gounares, Alexander G., Glasser, Daniel S., Snyder, Ira L., Mital, Amit, Bergstraesser, Thomas F., Mishra, Debi P., Connolly, Michael, Gates, William H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/633
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

Systems and methods that provide for a virtual reality entertainment system that supplies immersive entertainment and creates a sensation for a user similar to having guests in a remote location to be physically present as virtual guests. Such virtual reality entertainment system can supply a graphic and/or audio; wherein interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, supply a live interaction between a user and a guest(s). Although guests are only present virtually (e.g., electronically present with other objects/user within the environment) such virtual invitation enables a user and guests to concurrently experience the entertainment together (e.g., a live sporting event, spectator game). In a related aspect, the subject innovation can implement holographic avatars, and a plurality of communication interfaces, to imitate (and/or transform) a relationship between the user and the virtual guests/surrounding environment.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system comprising the following computer executable components:

a virtual reality generation component that emulates activities of virtual guest(s) and accepts functions, if provided, to transform the activities; and

a presentation system that presents emulated and/or transformed activities to a user, to facilitate an interaction thereof with the virtual guest(s) during performance of an event.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1 further comprising a background isolation component that filters noise and light associated with background of an environment for the user(s).

3. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the interaction in form of a holographic avatar that represents the virtual guest(s).

4. The computer implemented system of claim 1 further comprising a three dimensional projection unit that represents the virtual guest(s).

5. The computer implemented system of claim 4, the presentation system further comprising goggles wearable by the user(s).

6. The computer implemented system of claim 1 further comprising electromagnetic tracking devices that monitor bodily movement of virtual guests.

7. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the event is a live show.

8. The computer implemented system of claim 1 further comprising a portal to access spectator related services associated with representation of virtual guests to users.

9. The computer implemented system of claim 8 further comprising a presentation engine that supplies virtual guests with interfaces for representation thereof to the user(s).

10. The computer implemented system of claim 8 further comprising a graphical user interface that controls interaction of the user(s) with virtual guest(s) during the event.

11. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the virtual reality generation component further comprising an aggregator component that combines data associated with virtual guests.

12. The computer implemented system of claim 11 further comprising a viewing control component that enhances spectator data related to interaction of the virtual guest(s) and the user(s).

13. The computer implemented system of claim 11 further comprising an artificial intelligence component that facilitates interaction between the user(s) and the virtual guest(s).

14. A computer implemented method comprising the following computer executable acts:

inviting a guest in form of a virtual guest to an event by a user; and

interacting with the virtual guest, to simulate presence of the guest in an environment of the user during performance of the event.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising selecting a manner of representation for the virtual guest.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising concurrently experiencing the event by the user and the virtual guest.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising representing a holographic avatar of the virtual guest.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising employing an artificial intelligence component to enhance interaction between the user and the virtual guest.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising ending interaction between the user and the virtual guest by the user.

20. A computer implemented system comprising the following computer executable components:

means for virtually inviting a guest to performance of an event; and

means for filtering background noise and background light present within an environment of a user, during concurrent experience of the event by the user and the virtual guest.