WO1998022924A1 - Reseaux virtuels - Google Patents

Reseaux virtuels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998022924A1
WO1998022924A1 PCT/US1997/012681 US9712681W WO9822924A1 WO 1998022924 A1 WO1998022924 A1 WO 1998022924A1 US 9712681 W US9712681 W US 9712681W WO 9822924 A1 WO9822924 A1 WO 9822924A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
virtual
user
tools
assets
environment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/012681
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William J. Benman, Jr.
Original Assignee
Benman William J Jr
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Benman William J Jr filed Critical Benman William J Jr
Priority to AU38056/97A priority Critical patent/AU3805697A/en
Publication of WO1998022924A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998022924A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to computers and communication systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to virtual systems, computers and software systems and communication networks. While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
  • Telecommuting is a concept by which business is conducted in the home and communicated to the office or other locations via conventional telephone and other communication systems. While the vision of a large percentage of the workforce telecommuting has been discussed for years, corporate receptivity to the concept, even after the earthquakes of " 94, has been lukewarm due, at least in part to the fact that conventional telecommunication systems do not allow for close management and/or supervision of subordinate employees. Thus, despite the fact that studies indicate the those that work out of the home are at least as productive as those that work in a conventional office environment (and, in some cases, significantly more productive) , most companies simply do not allow a significant percentage of their workforce to teecommute.
  • system control is implemented primarily through a keyboard interface. While this may be suitable in a single application, and despite an availability of onscreen icons, keyboard control is still substantially more cumbersome, when moving from task to task, than working at one's desk for example. That is, when working in a real environment, one moves quickly and easily back and forth between files, documents, tools and appliances while carrying on conversations with coworkers directly or over the telephone.
  • computers allow for efficient performance of tasks using word processors, database programs and the like
  • the conventional computer interface is limited as a platform for creating a virtual work environment, particularly in the video telephone conferencing application critical to telecommuting.
  • Each virtual workstation includes a virtual environment controller for creating a display of a virtual representation of a work area and tools and assets therein.
  • a virtual interface processes inputs from a user and provides environment control signals to the environment controller.
  • the environment controller then 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 the respective tool or asset is accessed virtually in the environment.
  • the invention provides a realistic three-dimensional representation of an office.
  • one of the assets would typically be a document in a file.
  • the virtual environment controller provides a realistic graphical representation of the file and of the document in the file.
  • the intuitive controller automatically activates a word processing program and accesses a corresponding text file.
  • the intuitive controller automatically activates an internal fax machine an transmits to document to a designated number.
  • a plurality of workstations are networked together over a direct broadcast satellite network or other suitable network.
  • the invention provides a virtual or real image of coworkers on command. Thus, one user may virtually walk into the office of another worker and have a face-to-face meeting while viewing and editing a common document.
  • the invention provides for a virtual trade show.
  • the invention provides either live or virtual imagery of the trade show.
  • the live image allows the user to attend the trade show remotely as it happens.
  • the invention allows for 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 directory or floor plan of the show.
  • the user is able to view video and other simulations provided by the vendor. All of this may be stored for later presentation to others.
  • the user may request information, order product and/or arrange meetings with the vendor.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a wide area virtual network in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a workstation for a virtual office application.
  • Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a workstation for a virtual trade show application.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a wide area virtual network in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • the netwok 1 compari ⁇ a number of virtual workstations 10 and 11.
  • the workstations 10 and 11 are essentially identical with the exception that the workstation 11 is a master workstation. While few workstations are shown, in practice, a much larger number of workstations would be attached to the network 1.
  • the master workstation 11 which would be used by a manager or supervisor, may be provided with special capabilities and would receive priority handling by a network controller 12.
  • the workstations 10 are connected to the controller 12 by a network link 14.
  • the network link may be by way of direct broadcast satellite transmission, ISDN telephone lines, fiber optic lines or cable television lines.
  • the network controller 12 may be a conventional wide area network controller and routs video, audio, and data from one workstation to another.
  • the network controller 12 is a packet switching system by which routing is effected by use of digital headers which designate the origin and destination of a packet of data.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a workstation for a virtual office application.
  • the workstation 10 includes an audio input and output system 15 which, in the best mode, is implemented with wireless headsets or microphones and conventional speakers.
  • the audio I/O system is implemented with wireless headsets or microphones and conventional speakers.
  • the audio I/O system 15 is adapted for connection to conventional telephone lines.
  • the audio I/O system 15 is connected to a conventional voice recognition system 19 to facilitate the communication of verbal commands to the system 10.
  • the display 16 may be implemented with a monitor, in the best mode, wide field-of-view, full color, high resolution, real time three-dimensional virtual displays would be utilized such as head mounted displays or wall projectors.
  • Optional floor sensors, data gloves and other conventional virtual transducers may be used for physical input and output 18.
  • the system described and claimed in U. S. Patent No. 4,843,568, issued June 27, 1989 to Myron W. Krueger et al . , and entitled REAL TIME PERCEPTION OF AND RESPONSE TO THE ACTIONS OF AN UNENCUMBERED PARTICIPANT/USER would be used.
  • This system provides an apparatus and method for using an image of the human body to control real time computer events without the requirement of any marking or devices to be worn by the participant.
  • the teaching of this patent would be implemented in the image recognition system 21.
  • the image recognition system provides virtual output data along with conventional digitized video data.
  • the voice and image recognition systems 19 and 21 are connected to a virtual interface 20.
  • the virtual interface is implemented with a microprocessor, digital logic circuit or other suitable system.
  • the virtual interface processes the video, audio and virtual position, orientation and movement inputs to provide environment control output signals.
  • the environment control output signals are input to a virtual environment controller 30.
  • the virtual environment controller 30 may be implemented with any of a variety of real time virtual environment editors currently on the market such as VREAMt m from VREAM Inc. ; Sense ⁇ WorldToolKittm; and Autodesk Cyberspace Developer's Kit. These devices allow one to create and store a virtual environment and to move around within the environment.
  • Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention. In accordance with the present teachings, at steps 110 - 118 (even numbers only) the system is initialized.
  • the camera 17 is used to input digital imagery of a custom office environment including a desk, files cabinets, computer, telephone, facsimile and other tools and assets. In the alternative, a "factory created" work environment may be used.
  • a desk would have the attributes of a surface on which items may rest.
  • the file cabinets would take on the attributes of a database such that as each is accessed by a virtual hand, avatar or voice command, the contents thereof are displayed as files.
  • Each drawer and each file would also have the attributes of a database.
  • Once a file is opened, each document is displayed as a graphical representation of a sheet of paper.
  • Documents would have the attributes of a word processing, spreadsheet, and graphical files.
  • a mode controller (computer) 40 receives and processes the virtual inputs and intuits the application tool to be selected based on the stored attributes of the tool and assets being accessed within the environment (steps 120 and 122) .
  • the intuitive mode controller 40 automatically selects a database tool 45 via an application selector 42.
  • the database 45 displays a list of the contents of the virtual file cabinets on the display 16 as virtual files. When a document is selected, the user may place it on the desk.
  • the mode controller 40 intuitively selects a word processing program and brings up a file corresponding to the graphical representation of the file in response to virtual and/or real keyboard inputs as well as other inputs (e.g., voice). This is depicted at step 128.
  • other tools including memory 44 and peripherals (such as off-line storage devices) are used in a conventional manner.
  • the intuitive mode controller 40 may be implemented with a fuzzy logic processor, a conventional processor 5 with a lookup table of "if-then” conditions, a state machine implemented digitally or by other suitable means.
  • a fuzzy logic processor e.g., a conventional processor 5 with a lookup table of "if-then” conditions
  • a state machine implemented digitally or by other suitable means.
  • VNOS Virtual Network Operating System
  • VNOS utilizes intuitive fuzzy processing to switch output to the network controller and request network access when, for example, the user moves out of the virtual office and "down the virtual hall" or "out of the virtual building".
  • the application selector 42 may be implemented in a Windows-tm environment with Microsoft Office-tm suite of software or by numerous other means well within the capability of one of ordinary skill in the art. After the document is edited, it may be transmitted to a remote location via an internal facsimile system depicted as a communications tool 47.
  • network access may be requested by the user or by users of other workstations in the network 1. (See step 130 in Fig. 3.) If so, the communications controller 50 of Fig. 2 is activated.
  • the communications controller 50 works with a data compression/decompression system 60 to format and compress the video, audio and virtual data (data relating to the virtual environment and inputs to same) into an output data stream suitable for transmission onto the network by a conventional high speed data transceiver 70.
  • data is received from the network 1 via the link 14 and the transceiver 14, it is decompressed by the decompression system 60 and formatted for input to the computer/controller 40.
  • one user may virtually walk into the office of another worker and have a face-to-face meeting while viewing and editing a common document.
  • the user may disable network access.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a workstation for a virtual trade show application.
  • This system 10' is essentially identical to that of Fig. 2 with the exception that the application tools have been changed. Thus, this mode of operation is software selectable and inherent in the system of Fig. 2.
  • the invention provides either live or virtual imagery of a trade show.
  • a camera at the trade show is remotely controlled to move through the show.
  • the camera may be carried by a person hired for the purpose or by a robot.
  • This imagery may be combined with virtual imagery which may depict a top level graphical directory or floor plan of the show.
  • the user visits each virtual booth, the user is able to view video and other simulations provided by the vendor.
  • the user may request information, order product and/or arrange meetings with the vendor. All of this may be stored for later presentation to others.
  • the user may participate in conferences and meetings. For this purpose, a remote display would be used.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)

Abstract

Un poste de travail virtuel comprend un dispositif de commande d'un environnement virtuel pour afficher une représentation d'une zone de travail et des outils et des biens présents. Une interface virtuelle traite des entrées introduites par un utilisateur et fournit des signaux de commande de l'environnement à la commande de l'environnement. La commande de l'environnement fournit une image (120) apparaissant pour permettre à l'utilisateur de se déplacer virtuellement dans la zone de travail et d'accéder aux outils et aux biens. Une commande intuitive (126) active chaque outil et bien lors d'un accès virtuel dans l'environnement. Dans une forme d'exécution, on fournit une représentation réaliste d'un bureau 3 dimensions à partir des postes de travail en réseau, avec des images virtuelles ou réelles de collaborateurs. Ceci permet un mouvement virtuel entre les bureaux et des réunions face à face, tout en visionnant et en éditant un document commun. Une autre forme d'exécution fournit une image virtuelle d'un foire commerciale.
PCT/US1997/012681 1996-11-21 1997-07-18 Reseaux virtuels WO1998022924A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU38056/97A AU3805697A (en) 1996-11-21 1997-07-18 Virtual networks

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US75472996A 1996-11-21 1996-11-21
US08/754,729 1996-11-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998022924A1 true WO1998022924A1 (fr) 1998-05-28

Family

ID=25036062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/012681 WO1998022924A1 (fr) 1996-11-21 1997-07-18 Reseaux virtuels

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3805697A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998022924A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8123702B2 (en) 1998-12-31 2012-02-28 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Composite guide wire with drawn and filled tube construction

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5107443A (en) * 1988-09-07 1992-04-21 Xerox Corporation Private regions within a shared workspace
US5305435A (en) * 1990-07-17 1994-04-19 Hewlett-Packard Company Computer windows management system and method for simulating off-screen document storage and retrieval
US5310349A (en) * 1992-04-30 1994-05-10 Jostens Learning Corporation Instructional management system
US5347306A (en) * 1993-12-17 1994-09-13 Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. Animated electronic meeting place
US5347628A (en) * 1990-01-18 1994-09-13 International Business Machines Corporation Method of graphically accessing electronic data
US5481665A (en) * 1991-07-15 1996-01-02 Institute For Personalized Information Environment User interface device for creating an environment of moving parts with selected functions
US5544305A (en) * 1994-01-25 1996-08-06 Apple Computer, Inc. System and method for creating and executing interactive interpersonal computer simulations
US5590268A (en) * 1993-03-31 1996-12-31 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba System and method for evaluating a workspace represented by a three-dimensional model
US5659691A (en) * 1993-09-23 1997-08-19 Virtual Universe Corporation Virtual reality network with selective distribution and updating of data to reduce bandwidth requirements

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5107443A (en) * 1988-09-07 1992-04-21 Xerox Corporation Private regions within a shared workspace
US5347628A (en) * 1990-01-18 1994-09-13 International Business Machines Corporation Method of graphically accessing electronic data
US5305435A (en) * 1990-07-17 1994-04-19 Hewlett-Packard Company Computer windows management system and method for simulating off-screen document storage and retrieval
US5481665A (en) * 1991-07-15 1996-01-02 Institute For Personalized Information Environment User interface device for creating an environment of moving parts with selected functions
US5310349A (en) * 1992-04-30 1994-05-10 Jostens Learning Corporation Instructional management system
US5590268A (en) * 1993-03-31 1996-12-31 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba System and method for evaluating a workspace represented by a three-dimensional model
US5659691A (en) * 1993-09-23 1997-08-19 Virtual Universe Corporation Virtual reality network with selective distribution and updating of data to reduce bandwidth requirements
US5347306A (en) * 1993-12-17 1994-09-13 Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. Animated electronic meeting place
US5544305A (en) * 1994-01-25 1996-08-06 Apple Computer, Inc. System and method for creating and executing interactive interpersonal computer simulations

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8123702B2 (en) 1998-12-31 2012-02-28 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Composite guide wire with drawn and filled tube construction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3805697A (en) 1998-06-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5784546A (en) Integrated virtual networks
US7116284B2 (en) Control apparatus of virtual common space using communication line
JP4503710B2 (ja) 通信方法及び端末
US6567848B1 (en) System for coordinating communication between a terminal requesting connection with another terminal while both terminals accessing one of a plurality of servers under the management of a dispatcher
US5999208A (en) System for implementing multiple simultaneous meetings in a virtual reality mixed media meeting room
Bauer et al. A collaborative wearable system with remote sensing
Gajewska et al. Argo: A system for distributed collaboration
US20040189701A1 (en) System and method for facilitating interaction between an individual present at a physical location and a telecommuter
US20020015003A1 (en) Virtual space system structured by plural user terminals and server device
US20040128350A1 (en) Methods and systems for real-time virtual conferencing
WO1996028790A1 (fr) Appareil de traitement associatif
US7072450B1 (en) 3D view of incoming communications
JP3159407B2 (ja) タッチ画面を用いた図形表示方法
JPH03119478A (ja) 共用画面制御方式
Anumba et al. Telepresence in concurrent lifecycle design and construction
WO1998022924A1 (fr) Reseaux virtuels
Anumba et al. Information and communications technologies to facilitate concurrent engineering in construction
Shiffer Managing Public Discourse: towards the augmentation of GIS with Multimedia
JP2815927B2 (ja) 分散型コンピュータシステム
JP2002135753A (ja) 分散システム、その表示制御方法および記憶媒体
Kuwana et al. Computer-supported meeting environment for collaborative software development
JP2004221628A (ja) 分散システム制御装置、分散システム制御方法及び分散システム制御プログラムを記憶した媒体
JP3320601B2 (ja) 画像表示方法およびシステム
Hać et al. Architecture, design, and implementation of a multimedia conference system
Lake et al. A network environment for studying multimedia network architecture and control

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR CA CN IL JP KR MX NO SG AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 1998523618

Format of ref document f/p: F

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase