Invention for Automated Real-Time Data Stream Switching in a Shared Virtual Area Communication Environment

Communications / By

Invented by David Van Wie, Paul J. Brody, Sococo Inc

The market for automated real-time data stream switching in a shared virtual area communication environment is rapidly expanding as businesses and organizations seek more efficient and streamlined ways to communicate and collaborate. This emerging technology offers numerous benefits, including improved productivity, enhanced data security, and seamless integration with existing communication systems. In today’s fast-paced business environment, real-time communication is crucial for effective decision-making and collaboration. However, traditional communication channels such as email and phone calls often fall short in providing the necessary speed and efficiency. This is where automated real-time data stream switching comes into play. Automated real-time data stream switching allows users to seamlessly switch between different communication channels, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing, within a shared virtual area. This means that users can communicate and collaborate with their colleagues or clients in real-time, regardless of their physical location. This technology eliminates the need for multiple applications and platforms, simplifying the communication process and saving valuable time. One of the key advantages of automated real-time data stream switching is its ability to improve productivity. By providing a centralized platform for communication and collaboration, this technology eliminates the need for users to switch between different applications or platforms. This streamlines the workflow and allows users to focus on the task at hand, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. Moreover, automated real-time data stream switching offers enhanced data security. With the increasing number of cyber threats and data breaches, organizations are becoming more cautious about the security of their communication channels. This technology provides robust encryption and authentication mechanisms, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure during transmission. Additionally, it allows administrators to have better control over user access and permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Furthermore, automated real-time data stream switching seamlessly integrates with existing communication systems, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses and organizations. Instead of investing in new infrastructure or software, organizations can leverage their existing communication systems and enhance them with this technology. This not only reduces the implementation costs but also minimizes the learning curve for users, as they can continue using familiar tools and interfaces. The market for automated real-time data stream switching in a shared virtual area communication environment is witnessing significant growth. With the increasing adoption of remote work and the need for efficient communication and collaboration tools, businesses and organizations are actively seeking solutions that can enhance their productivity and streamline their communication processes. Several companies are already offering automated real-time data stream switching solutions, catering to different industries and business sizes. These solutions range from standalone software applications to cloud-based platforms, providing flexibility and scalability to meet the diverse needs of organizations. In conclusion, the market for automated real-time data stream switching in a shared virtual area communication environment is expanding rapidly. This technology offers numerous benefits, including improved productivity, enhanced data security, and seamless integration with existing communication systems. As businesses and organizations continue to embrace remote work and seek efficient communication tools, the demand for this technology is expected to grow further in the coming years.

The Sococo Inc invention works as follows

The “switching of real-time data streams connections between network nodes that share a virtual space is described. The switching can be done in a number of ways. One involves storing the virtual area specification. The virtual area specification contains a description of at least one switching rule, each of which defines a connection between sinks and sources of a real-time stream of data of a particular type. The real-time connections between objects and network nodes are made by establishing a connection for each object with a source or sink. The real-time connections for data streams are based on one or more switching rule, the sources and sinks of the objects and their respective positions in the virtual space.

Background for Automated Real-Time Data Stream Switching in a Shared Virtual Area Communication Environment

When face-to-face communication is not possible, people rely on a variety of technological solutions to satisfy their communications needs. These solutions are usually designed to enhance one or more aspects in face-to-face communication. Voice communications are possible with traditional telephony. Instant messaging is also known as “chat”. Communication systems allow users to send text messages in real-time through instant message clients connected by a server. In some instant messaging systems, users can also be represented by graphic objects that are controlled by the user (known as “avatars”). Interactive virtual reality communication allows users to communicate in real time over multiple channels. They can also interact by manipulating avatars within a three-dimensional shared virtual space.

The interest in avatar-based virtual reality communication systems is growing due to the availability of computers with high processing power and high bandwidth network connections. The primary goal of a virtual reality system like this is to create an interactive virtual space where users can communicate and interact using real-time data, such as audio and video chat streams. “The virtual space is typically defined by a computer graphic specification that describes the visual geometries of the space. It also includes the colors and textures mapped to the visual geometry. The collision properties control how the users move within the space. And the auditory properties of the space such as reverberation, sound absorption, and reverberation properties.

In a typical virtual-reality system, users can communicate through an interface which is either a source or sink (or both), of one or more real-time data streams supported by the system. The virtual reality system connects by default each source in the virtual environment to each sink in the virtual environment, depending on the conditions set forth in global switching rules and local user preferences as well as the properties of the objects in the virtual area. These conditions are typically specified as relative distances between objects. Some systems, for example, are configured to prevent real-time data streams from being established if avatar separation distances exceed a threshold distance. Objects can also be designed to change the way data streams are displayed. A screen object, for example, can block views and sounds coming from a certain direction. Other objects can be used to alter the area of interaction associated with the avatar of a user when that avatar is in the object’s interaction area. “For example, a podium object can increase the size of audio interaction spaces for avatars in the interaction space on a virtual podium. A table adapter object can fold the interaction areas of all avatars at a table into one common space.

In one aspect of the invention, it features a method for switching real-time connections between network nodes that share a virtual space. A virtual area specification can be stored according to this method. The virtual area specification contains a description of one of more switching rules, each of which defines a connection between sinks and sources of a real-time stream of data in a virtual area. One or more connections between real-time streams are made between network nodes that are associated with objects. Each object is associated with a source or sink of at least one real-time stream type. The real-time connections for data streams are established using the switching rules and the sources and sinks of each object, as well as their respective positions in the virtual space.

The invention also includes apparatus that can implement the above-described method and computer-readable media that store computer-readable instructions to cause a computer implement the above-described method.

In another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented construction method for a virtual space is featured. A model of the virtual space is generated in response to user input on a display monitor. The model contains geometric elements that represent the virtual area in the display monitor. One or more switching rule are assigned to the virtual area model in response to the user’s input. Each switching rule defines a connection between sinks and sources in the virtual space. The model of the virtual space and one or more switching rules are described in a virtual area specification. The virtual area specification can be stored on a computer-readable medium.

In another aspect, the invention features a network switch for switching real-time data stream connections between network nodes sharing a virtual area. The network switch includes a computer readable memory and a processing unit. The computer readable memory is operable to store a virtual area specification that includes a description of one or more switching rules each defining a respective connection between sources of a respective real-time data stream type and sinks of the real-time data stream type in terms of positions in the virtual area. The computer readable memory also is operable to store a table that includes network topology information describing routes to network destinations. The processing unit is operable to forward real-time data stream packets between network nodes each of which is associated with a respective position in the virtual area and at least one of a source and a sink of one or more of the real-time data stream types. The processing unit forwards the one or more real-time data stream packets based on the network topology information and the one or more switching rules.

The following description will reveal other features and benefits of the invention, including the drawings.

DESCRIPTION of Drawings

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FIG. “FIG.7 is a block-diagram of an embodiment in which an area client node is connected to two other area clients nodes and an area server node, as part of an embodiment for a shared virtual communication area.

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FIG. “FIG. The virtual area in FIG. 6 is populated by four avatar objects.

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