Integrated virtual networks
First Claim
1. A virtual workstation comprising:
- virtual environment controller means for creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein;
virtual interfacing means for processing inputs from a user to provide environment control signals to said environment controller means by which said environment controller means adjusts the display to provide an image which appears to allow the user to move within said work area and utilize said tools and assets depicted therein; and
intuitive control means for activating at least one of said tools or assets based on the apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset whereby, as a result of said apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset software called by said tool or asset runs on standby in the background and is available for immediate execution based on certain subsequent inputs from a user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual workstation and network, each virtual workstation including a virtual environment controller for creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein. An interface processes inputs from a user and provides environment control signals to the environment controller, which adjusts the display to provide an image which appears to allow the user to virtually move within the work area and access the tools and assets therein. An intuitive controller is provided for activating each of the tools and assets when they are accessed virtually in the environment. A first embodiment provides a realistic three-dimensional representation of an office. To facilitate remote management and supervision, the invention provides a virtual or real image of coworkers on intuitive command. Thus, one user may virtually walk into the office of another worker and have face to face meeting while viewing and editing a common document. An alternate embodiment provides for a virtual trade show allowing the user to attend a trade show as it happens with live or virtual imagery. The invention allows a camera at the trade show to move through the show under remote control. This imagery may be combined with virtual imagery which may depict a top level graphical show directory or floor plan.
181 Citations
50 Claims
-
1. A virtual workstation comprising:
-
virtual environment controller means for creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein; virtual interfacing means for processing inputs from a user to provide environment control signals to said environment controller means by which said environment controller means adjusts the display to provide an image which appears to allow the user to move within said work area and utilize said tools and assets depicted therein; and intuitive control means for activating at least one of said tools or assets based on the apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset whereby, as a result of said apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset software called by said tool or asset runs on standby in the background and is available for immediate execution based on certain subsequent inputs from a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. A virtual network comprising a plurality of virtual workstations interconnected via a wide area network, at least one of said virtual workstations comprising:
-
virtual environment controller means for creating and displaying a virtual representation of tools and assets in a work area; virtual interfacing means for allowing a user to move within said work area and utilize said tools and assets depicted therein; and intuitive control means for activating at least one of said tools or assets based on the apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset whereby, as a result of said apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset software called by said tool or asset runs on standby in the background and is available for immediate execution based on certain subsequent inputs from a user. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
-
-
47. A method for providing a virtual workstation including the steps of:
-
creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein;
processing inputs from a user to provide environment control signals;adjusting the display in response to said environment control signals to provide an image which appears to allow the user to virtually move within said work area and utilize said tools and assets therein; and intuitively activating at least one of said tools or assets based on the apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset whereby, as a result of said apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset software called by said tool or asset runs on standby in the background and is available for immediate execution based on certain subsequent inputs from a user. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
-
-
50. A virtual workstation comprising:
-
a virtual environment controller for creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein; a virtual interface for processing inputs from a user to provide environment control signals to said environment controller by which said environment controller adjusts the display to provide an image which appears to allow the user to move within said work area and utilize said tools and assets depicted therein; and an intuitive controller for activating at least one of said tools or assets based on the apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset whereby, as a result of said apparent movement or location of the user in said work area relative to the respective tool or asset, software called by said tool or asset runs on standby in the background and is available for immediate execution based on certain subsequent inputs from a user.
-
Specification