Visual Indication of Audio Context in a Computer-Generated Virtual Environment
First Claim
1. A method of selectively enabling audio context to be provided to a user of a computer-generated virtual environment, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining which Avatars are within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar in the virtual environment;
marking Avatars that are within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar different from Avatars that are not within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a visual indication of audio context in a computer-generated virtual environment is provided. In one embodiment, visual indicators of which other Avatars are within communication distance of an Avatar may be generated and provided to the user associated with the Avatar. The visual indication may be provided for Avatars within the viewing area regardless of whether the other Avatar is visible or not. The visual indication may be provided for Avatars outside of the viewing area as well. When Avatars are engaged in a communication session, an indication of which Avatars are involved as well as which Avatar is currently speaking may be provided. Context may be user specific and established for each user of the virtual environment based on the location of that user'"'"'s Avatar within the virtual environment and the relative location of other users'"'"' Avatars within the virtual environment.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of selectively enabling audio context to be provided to a user of a computer-generated virtual environment, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining which Avatars are within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar in the virtual environment; marking Avatars that are within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar different from Avatars that are not within listening distance of the user'"'"'s Avatar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of selectively enabling audio context to be provided to a user of a computer-generated virtual environment, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining which other Avatars are visible to the first Avatar within the virtual environment; determining which of the other visible Avatars are within communicating distance of the first Avatar; for those Avatars that are visible and within communicating distance of the first Avatar, providing a visual indication associated with each such Avatar to indicate which of the other Avatars are within communicating distance of the first Avatar; determining which other Avatars are not visible to the first Avatar and are within communicating distance of the first Avatar; providing a visual indication to the user to alert the user to the presence of the other Avatars that are not visible to the first Avatar and are within communicating distance of the first Avatar. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification