Method and system for computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous meetings in a virtual space
First Claim
1. A system for recording computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events in a virtual environment, comprising:
- a data structure stored in a memory, the data structure storing a synchronous multi-modal document capable of recording a description of the virtual environment and a plurality of aspects of each of a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment and;
a plurality of computing devices interconnected into a network, the data structure stored on a first one of the plurality of computing devices; and
each of the remaining ones of the plurality of computing devices allowing communication between a user and the data structure;
wherein the system allows each user to interact with the data structure to input at least one of the events into the synchronous multi-modal document, the synchronous multi-modal document subject to at least one asynchronous annotation by at least one user, the at least one asynchronous annotation being merged with the synchronous multi-modal document to generate an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-supported collaborative work environment allows for computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous meetings in a virtual space that enables, recording, reviewing and augmenting meetings that take place in the virtual environment. Meeting participants interact via avatars, i.e., graphical representations of the participants, in a place-based, multi-dimensional graphical environment. Meeting sessions are captured for future replay and augmentation in a multi-modal document. The system utilizes multiple "tracks" in the multi-modal document, such as text discussion, audio commands, graphics, and documents, which are combined into the multi-modal document to preserve a recording of the meeting for future participants. The multi-modal document of this meeting can then be replayed and augmented by future participants ad infinitum to create a single, synchronous meeting. Furthermore, using avatars enables a straightforward method for generating composite screens for multiple sessions, and alleviates privacy concerns of users.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for recording computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events in a virtual environment, comprising:
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a data structure stored in a memory, the data structure storing a synchronous multi-modal document capable of recording a description of the virtual environment and a plurality of aspects of each of a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment and; a plurality of computing devices interconnected into a network, the data structure stored on a first one of the plurality of computing devices; and each of the remaining ones of the plurality of computing devices allowing communication between a user and the data structure; wherein the system allows each user to interact with the data structure to input at least one of the events into the synchronous multi-modal document, the synchronous multi-modal document subject to at least one asynchronous annotation by at least one user, the at least one asynchronous annotation being merged with the synchronous multi-modal document to generate an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for recording and annotating computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events occurring in a virtual environment, comprising:
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creating a data structure for storing events occurring in the virtual environment; recording a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment in a synchronous multi-modal document using the data structure; inputting at least one asynchronous annotation; and re-ordering the at least one asynchronous annotation and the recorded events to create an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification