Patent · US Expired

Attention-based interaction in a virtual environment

US6396509B1 · kind B1 · utility

154Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1998
Grant dateMay 28, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 3, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/011
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system enabling participants in a virtual environment to select a partner for an interaction session, the system comprising attention and priority components. The attention component employs attention sense and focus spaces. The sense space comprises a sense cone, the sense cone being both contained by a sense sphere and having a sense vector along its axis. The focus space comprises a focus cone, the focus cone being both contained by a focus sphere and having a focus vector along its axis. The attention component is associated with one or more senses, each such sense having associated therewith respective sense and focus spaces. The attention component is configured to support either/both intentional interaction (interaction driven by defined explicit controls) and spontaneous interaction (interaction driven by non-intentional encounters, e.g., spontaneous “eye” contact between avatars). The priority component determines priorities for avatars and objects, such that highest priority avatars/objects have (a) enhanced rendering and (b) increased quality of service from networks and operating systems. The priority component is responsive to selected parameters, includi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.