Method and apparatus for sharing information in a virtual environment

• US 7,788,323 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wargaming.Net Limited
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ho, Wesley Janming, Greenstein, Bret Alden
• Primary Examiner(s): WON, MICHAEL YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/531,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20070011273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/205, 709/217, 709/218, 715/705, 715/706, 715/757
• US Class Current: 709/204
• 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. 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;

sending a transfer request to the second participant;

receiving an acceptance from the second participant; and

transferring the file from the data processing system to a client computer associated with the second participant, without routing the file through a server facilitating the meeting, wherein the step of transferring the file to a client computer is performed in response to receiving the acceptance.

2. 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;

means for sending a transfer request to the second participant;

means for receiving an acceptance from the second participant; and

transfer means for transferring the file from the data processing system to a client computer associated with the second participant, without routing the file through a server facilitating the meeting, wherein the transfer means transfers the file to the client computer in response to the means for receiving the acceptance.

3. A computer program product, in a recordable-type 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;

instructions for sending a transfer request to the second participant;

instructions for receiving an acceptance from the second participant; and

instructions for transferring the file from the data processing system to a client computer associated with the second participant, without routing the file through a server facilitating the meeting, wherein the instructions for transferring the file to a client computer are performed in response to receiving the acceptance.