WO2010012768A1

WO2010012768A1 - Method and system for adjusting a virtual display device

Info

Publication number: WO2010012768A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/059804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jian Zhou; Sheng Lu; Meng Ye; Jia Yin Mao
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corporation; Ibm United Kingdom Limited
Priority date: 2008-07-31
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Also published as: CN101639927A

Abstract

A method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, the method comprising steps of: acquiring current information regarding an avatar; determining an adjusting policy for the virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the acquired current information; and adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy. The method and system are capable of increasing the information load acquired by avatars in a virtual world and improving visual experience of avatars.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AD JUSTING A VIRTUAL DISPLAY DE VICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to adjusting a virtual display device, and more particularly, to a method and system for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a virtual world, users perform various activities through controlling avatars they select.

During the process of various activities, users may acquire information through avatars from a virtual display device in a virtual world. For example, users may watch bulletins on a bulletin board, look up messages on a message board, or browse advertisements put by advertisers for their companies and commodities on a billboard. Thus, the users can experience the virtual world more sufficiently.

If users controlling the avatars can not see a virtual display device such as a bulletin board, a message board or a billboard, etc., such bulletins, messages and advertisements and the like can not achieve their desired effect. Therefore, it is significant to let as many avatars as possible to see contents displayed on a virtual display device. In this way, the contents displayed on the virtual display device can be shown to more avatars such that users who controlling these avatars could react to the contents perceived through the avatars.

However, in many virtual worlds, different avatars may be located in different places. The placed virtual display device can only show contents to given direction where the virtual display device is set. And these virtual display devices could not show contents to more avatars through adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the position, direction and the like of avatars.

It can be seen that the prior art has a problem that since a virtual display device is static in position, direction and the like, or since a virtual display device is immutable in number of display surfaces and their configurations, only few avatars can clearly see the contents on the virtual display device. Therefore, it requires a technology to increase the information efficiency to avatars in a virtual world and improve avatars' visual experience, in other words, improve users' visual experience accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world. The present invention provides for the availability of an increased amount of information to avatars in a virtual world, thereby improving avatars' visual experience.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, comprising steps of: acquiring current information regarding an avatar; determining an adjusting policy for the virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the current information regarding the avatar; and adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, comprising: an information acquirer for acquiring current information regarding an avatar; a policy determiner for determining an adjusting policy for the virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the acquired current information regarding the avatar; and an adjuster for adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy.

According to the method and system of the present invention, properties of a virtual display device, such as shape, angle, position, height, direction, brightness, contrast, color and resolution, etc, can be adjusted dynamically based on the current information regarding an avatar, such that the contents displayed in the virtual display device are clearly perceivable to more avatars in different places. Thus, the information load acquirable to avatars in a virtual world is increased and avatars' visual experience is improved.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments illustrating principles of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of determining a set of interested avatars according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of determining an adjusting policy of a virtual display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a flow chart of adjusting properties of a virtual display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a system for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a structural block diagram showing a computer system suitable to implement the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to the embodiment showing in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to the embodiment showing in Fig. 2.

In all the above figures, like reference numerals designate the same, similar, or corresponding features or functions throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of clarity, explanations will be given first to terms used in the present description. 1. Virtual World

In the present invention, a "virtual world" is intended for users to experience and interact with it via proper apparatuses by using vivid computer-generated 3D visual, auditory, touch sensations and the like. The virtual world generates a 3D space by means of the computer and inhabits its users as if they were in the place.

2. Avatar

Avatars are virtual images of users in a virtual world. An avatar may be set by a user as a human being or an animal, which may have its own gender, age, appearance, character and preference, etc. The avatar is capable of performing various actions in a virtual world, such as walking, running, staying, watching, etc. For example, in a scenario of the virtual world, the avatar may stay nearby a station and watch information, such as train number, platform, etc, published on a bulletin board. A current position, motion speed and view angle of an avatar in a virtual scenario may be obtained in various ways. A view angle of a user is somewhat different from a sight line of an avatar object, but the view angle is obtainable to the system, which is typically called an avatar's view angle. Hereinafter, an avatar's view angle represents a view angle perceivable to the user manipulating the avatar.

3. Virtual Display Device

A virtual display device is for publishing information in a virtual world. A virtual display device may be set at any position in a virtual world and may assume any shape. For example, the virtual display device may be a bulletin board, a message board and a billboard, etc.

Through the virtual display device, an administrator of the virtual world may publish important notices and an advertiser may put advertisements for his company and commodities. The virtual display device may have various adjustable properties, such as shape, angle, position, height, direction, brightness, contrast, color, and resolution and the like. For example, for adjusting the shape of a virtual display device, a previously rendered virtual display device object may be deleted, and then a virtual display device object with a desired shape is rendered. Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the flow shown in the embodiment, current information regarding an avatar is firstly acquired, an adjusting policy regarding a virtual display device for improving the avatar's visual experience is determined based on the acquired current information regarding the avatar, and then properties of the virtual display device are adjusted based on the determined adjusting policy. In the scenario of the embodiment, there are 3 avatars and 1 virtual display device. Supposing the scope of the virtual display device clearly seen by each avatar is such that when an avatar's sight line is vertical to the display surface of the virtual display device, the view angle ranges 20 degrees (20°) from the sight line in all directions around (totally 40 degrees).

At step 101, current information regarding an avatar is acquired. The current information may include one or more of current position, motion speed or view angle of each avatar. In the embodiment, the current information includes the current view angle of an avatar.

At step 102, the number of avatars, whose view angles are larger than a view angle threshold when the virtual display device is rotated by a certain angle in an appointed direction, is determined. At the step, the virtual display device is not actually rotated. The view angle of each avatar is calculated only by considering the scenario that the virtual display device is rotated by a certain angle, and then the view angle of each avatar is compared with a view angle threshold, thereby the number of avatars whose view angles are larger than the view angle threshold is obtained.

In the aforesaid, "an appointed direction", "a certain angle" and "a view angle threshold" may be preset by users. For example, "an appointed angle" may be clockwise or counterclockwise. "A certain angle" is a specific angle value set according to each rotation of the virtual display device in an appointed direction, which may be variable or immutable, for example, 10°. "A view angle threshold" may be set according to the scope of the virtual display device clearly seen by each avatar, for example 40°.

At step 103, whether the calculated angle reaches 360°is judged. If not, the flow returns to step 102, so as to continue determining the number of avatars; if yes, the flow proceeds to step 104.

Since it is required to calculate the avatar's view angle each time when the virtual display device is rotated by a certain angle in step 102 and the virtual display device returns to its initial position when it is rotated to 360°, it would be unnecessary to calculate the view angles of the avatars and determine the number of avatars whose view angles are larger than the view angle threshold if the rotation exceeds 360°.

At step 104, the numbers of avatars determined in rotations are compared so as to obtain a maximum value. Specifically, the plurality of numbers of avatars determined at steps 102-

103, for example, the 36 numbers of avatars respectively determined under the scenarios that the virtual display device is rotated by 10°, 20°, ... 360°, can be sorted and thereby the maximum value thereof can be obtained.

At step 105, the angle of the virtual display device corresponding to the maximum value is determined. When the virtual display device is rotated to this angle, the number of avatars whose view angles are larger than the view angle threshold is the largest.

At step 106, the virtual display device is rotated by the angle in an appointed direction. Specifically, the virtual display device is actually adjusted in a direction appointed at step

102, such that the virtual display device is rotated according to the angle determined at step 105. Thereby the virtual display device is clearly perceivable to more avatars and the avatars' visual experience is improved.

It should be noted that at steps 102-105, the calculation is performed by considering adjusting the virtual display device to that direction, thus the virtual display device is not really adjusted; while at step 106, the virtual display device is actually adjusted.

Then, the flow ends.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. There are three avatars in Fig. 8, wherein each camera icon represents an avatar, the dotted line extending from each camera icon represents the view angle scope of the avatar, the elongated rectangle represents a virtual display device, and the right surface of the virtual display device is a display surface capable of displaying contents. It can be seen from Fig. 8 that the contents displayed by the virtual display device are not perceivable to the uppermost avatar, which are only perceived clearly by the lower two avatars. By using the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to embodiments of the present invention, the virtual display device is rotated counterclockwise by a certain angle based on the adjusting policy, so the displayed contents are clearly perceivable to all the three avatars.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 shows flow charts of the embodiments regarding step 202, step 205 and step 206, respectively. Hereinafter, during the process of describing step 202, step 205 and step 206, the embodiments shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are respectively described.

As another embodiment for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, compared with the embodiment of Fig. 1, the embodiment of Fig. 2 further comprises a step of pre- storing the adjusting policy in an adjusting policy database; besides, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, avatars in the step of acquiring current information regarding avatars are those in the set of interest avatars; and further, the step of determining the adjusting policy in the embodiment of Fig. 2 is not only based on current information regarding avatars, but also based on the interest degree of avatars in the displayed contents.

At step 201, adjusting policies are pre-stored in an adjusting policy database.

The adjusting policy database is used for storing one or more adjusting policies for a virtual display device, which may be realized on a magnetic medium, optical medium or other suitable medium, wherein the medium is for example a hard disk, a floppy disk, a compact disc, a tape or other medium which may be envisaged by those skilled in the art.

Based on the current information regarding an avatar, for example, current position, motion speed, view angle, etc., an adjusting policy may be a policy maximizing the sum of avatars' view angles of in respect to a virtual display device; or a policy maximizing the numbers of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than the view angle threshold.

Based on current information regarding avatars and the interest degree of avatars in the contents displayed on a virtual display device which is obtained based on the current information, adjusting policies may comprise: an adjusting policy for weighting avatar's view angles in respect to a virtual display device using the interest degree so as to obtain weighted view angles of avatars and maximizing the sum of weighted view angles; or an adjusting policy for maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than the view angle threshold and whose interest degrees are larger than an interest degree threshold.

It should be understood that step 201 is alternative, that is, without the step of pre-storing adjusting policies in an adjusting policy database, the method of the embodiments of the present invention can be still implemented, and at this point, an adjusting policy is required to be set at step 205.

However, if the step 201 is comprised, the adjusting policy preset in the adjusting policy database can be directly selected for use at step 205.

At step 202, a set of interested avatars is determined. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing determining a set of interested avatars according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At step 301, the number of avatars in the current scenario is determined.

At step 302, the position of the virtual display device is obtained. For example, the coordinate (xo, y₀, z₀) of the virtual display device in the current virtual world scenario is obtained.

At step 303, the position of an avatar is obtained. For example, the obtained coordinate of the avatar in the current virtual world scenario is (X₁ , yi, Z₁) At step 304, the distance between the avatar and the virtual display device is calculated. Various methods may be used to calculate the distance (marked with d), for example, the following formula can be used for calculation: d = V(x₁ - X₀ )² + (^₁ - J₀)² + (Z₁ - Z₀)²

At step 305, whether the distance is smaller or equal to a distance threshold is judged, wherein "a distance threshold" may be preset by a user or as an empirical value typically used in the virtual world. If yes, the flow proceeds to step 306; if not, the flow returns to step 303 and the position of a next avatar is to be obtained.

At step 306, avatars are included in a set interested in displayed contents. Thus, the set comprises all avatars in the current scenario whose distances from the virtual display device are smaller or equal to the distance threshold.

At step 307, whether all avatars have been judged is judged. Whether the number of judged avatars reaches the number of all avatars is judged based on the number of avatars in the current scenario determined at step 301. If yes, the flow proceeds to step 308; if not, the flow returns to step 303 and the position of a next avatar is to be obtained.

At step 308, a set of interested avatars is obtained after judging all the avatars in the current scenario.

It should be understood that various methods may be used to implement step 202. For example, whether an avatar is static in respect to the virtual display device may be judged; and if so, the avatar is determined to belong to the set of avatars interested in the displayed contents on the virtue display system. For another example, whether the staying time of an avatar in the current scenario is longer than a staying time threshold may be judged; and if so, the avatar is determined to belong to the set of avatars interested in the displayed contents on the virtual display device.

It should be understood that step 202 is alternative. If the set of avatars interested in the displayed contents on the virtual display device is not determined, the method of embodiments of the present invention may be realized directly against all avatars in the current scenario or possibly involved avatars which are determined according to other rules.

At step 203, current information regarding an avatar in the set is obtained. The current information may include one or more of current position, motion speed or view angle of each avatar.

At step 204, the interest degree of an avatar in the displayed contents on a virtual display device is calculated. According to the method of embodiments of the present invention, the interest degree of an avatar in displayed contents is calculated based on the current information regarding the avatar.

Various kinds of rules for calculating an interest degree may be set. For example, a rule may be set such that when an avatar is nearer the virtual display device, his interest degree is higher; while when the avatar is farer from the virtual display device, his interest degree is lower. For another example, a rule may be set such that when an avatar moves more slowly, his interest degree is higher, where when the avatar is static, his interest degree is highest; while when the avatar moves more quickly, his interest degree is lower. For further example, a rule may be set such that when the staying time for an avatar is longer, his interest degree is higher; while when the staying time for the avatar is shorter, his interest degree is lower.

It should be understood that step 204 is alternative. If the interest degree of an avatar is not calculated, the method of embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented.

At step 205, an adjusting policy for a virtual display device to improve an avatar's visual experience is determined. Fig. 4 is a flow chart of determining an adjusting policy of a virtual display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the current information regarding an avatar comprises a view angle of the avatar in respect to the virtual display device, supposing that the view angle of a first avatar is α₀₁ , the view angle of a second avatar is α₀₂ , ... , and the view angle of the nth avatar is Ct_0n . Further, the embodiment uses the interest degree of an avatar in the displayed contents in the virtual display device calculated based on the current information regarding the avatar to determine an adjusting policy. In the embodiment, it is presumed that the interest degree of the first avatar is W₁ , the interest degree of the second avatar is W₂ , ..., and the interest degree of the nth avatar is W_n .

At step 401, an avatar's view angle when a virtual display device changes its shape is calculated. The shape of a virtual display device is not really changed at the step, and the scenario that the virtual display device changed into a shape is taken into consideration to calculate the view angle of each avatar at that time.

The shape of a virtual display device may be planar, triangular (i.e. the display surface comprises three planes jointly forming a triangle), spherical (i.e. the display surface is a ball), an irregular shape or any other possible shapes. These shapes may be stored as models in a shape database. When the virtual display device needs to change its shape, a shape may be selected for use from the shape database in a certain sequence or randomly.

At step 402, the view angle is weighed by the interest degree of an avatar.

When the shape of a virtual display device is triangular, given that through calculation, the view angle of the first avatar is a_n , the view angle of the second avatar is Ct₁₂ , ..., and the view angle of the nth avatar is a_ln . After the view angle of each avatar is weighed by their respective interest degree, it is obtained that the view angles of the first avatar, the second avatar, ... , and the nth avatar is respectively OL_n - W₁ , a_l2 - w₂ ,... a_ln - w_n .

Similarly, when the shape of a virtual display device is spherical, given that through calculation the view angle of the first avatar is a_2l , the view angle of the second avatar is OL₂₂ , ..., and the view angle of the nth avatar is a_2n .After the view angle of each avatar is weighed by their respective interest degree, it is obtained that the view angles of the first avatar, the second avatar, ... , and the nth avatar is respectively α₂₁ • W₁ , a₂₂ ^■ W₂ , ... a_2n ^■ W_n .

At step 403, the sum of weighted view angles is calculated. In the embodiment, when the shape of the virtual display device is planar, the sum of the weighted view angles is n

Q₁ = ^ a_h ^■ W₁ , while when the shape of the virtual display device is triangular, the sum of

n the weighted view angles is Q₂ = ∑a_2l ^■ W₁ . Similarly, when the virtual display device i=l constantly changes its shape, the sum of the weighted view angles may be calculated as below: n θ_m = Y_ja_mi - w₁ ,

I=I wherein m is 0 or a positive integer, and m represents times of changing shape of the virtual display device; n is a positive integer and represents the number of avatars whose view angles are to be calculated. When m=0, Q₀ indicates the sum of the weighted view angles obtained by weighting the view angles before the virtual display device performing the method according to embodiments of the present invention.

At step 404, whether it is required to continue changing the shape of the virtual display device is judged.

Since the times of changing the shape of a virtual display device may be preset and the shape change of the virtual display device may also be interfered to stop at any time, it requires to determine whether to continue at step 404. In the embodiment, given that the change times is preset to be 3, when the change times m of the virtual display device is equal to 3, the shape of the virtual display device will not be changed any more, and the flow proceeds to step 405 starts; if m is determined to be less than 3, the flow returns to step 401.

At step 405, the maximum value is obtained by comparing the sums of the weighted view angles.

In the embodiment, 3 weighted view angle sums Q₁ , Q₂ , Q₃ can be obtained through the calculation of steps 401-404, which are compared with the original weighted view angle sum Q₀ , thereby the maximum weighted view angle sum, for example ^₁ , may be determining.

At step 406, the shape corresponding to the maximum weighted view angle sum is determined. In this embodiment, a maximum weighted view angle sum, i.e. ^₁ , is obtained through calculation when the shape of the virtual display device is triangular. Thus, it is determined that the shape of the virtual display device corresponding to the maximum weighted view angle sum is triangular.

It should be understood that various other embodiments, other than the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, may be used to implement step 205. For example, in an embodiment, an adjusting policy can be determined for maximizing numbers of such avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold and whose interest degree is larger than an interest degree threshold.

At step 206, properties of the virtual display device are adjusted based on the determined adjusting policy. When the adjusting policy determines to adjust the virtual display device into a certain shape, step 206 may be implemented through the flow chart of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the virtual display device is changed from plane to triangular.

At step 501, a shape, i.e. a triangle, is selected from a predefined shape database, as a change model for the virtual display device. The shape database may be predefined, which may be implemented on mediums for example a diskette, a floppy disk, a compact disk, a tape and any other mediums conceivable to the skilled in the art. The shape database may store one or more shapes as change models, for example, a plane, a triangle, a ball, a polygon, which may be 2-dimension or 3-dimension.

At step 502, a virtual display device object of the shape is generated. The virtual display device object may be a binary code stored in a buffer memory or a display device object file (e.g. an XML file) stored in a storage medium, representing a virtual display device to be rendered.

At step 503, the virtual display device object previously rendered is deleted. Currently, the virtual display device seen in the virtual world is a virtual display object previously rendered, thus it is necessary to delete the object so as to provide a virtual display device with an appointed shape.

At step 504, a change action is selected from a predefined change action database. The change action database may be predefined, which may be implemented on mediums for example a diskette, a floppy disk, a compact disk, a tape and any other mediums conceivable to the skilled in the art. The change action database may store one or more change actions, for example, reducing flicker, fade-in and fade-out, bounce, and climbing, etc, as a transition between the previous and subsequent virtual display device objects, for providing better visual effect when a virtual display device object is changed.

At step 505, the change action is performed.

It should be understood that step 504 and step 505 are alternative. If the two steps are not performed, the shape of the virtual display device can be adjusted either. At this point, when the previous virtual display device object is deleted at step 503, step 506 may be directly followed, and there is no transition between step 503 of deleting the previous object and step 506 of rendering a new object.

At step 506, a virtual display device object of the shape is rendered. In this way, the shape of the virtual display device is adjusted into the appointed shape, thereby avatars with a high interest degree have a better view angle and the avatars' visual experience is prominently improved. Then, the flow of Fig. 5 ends.

It should be understood that, other than the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, various embodiments may be used to implement step 206. For example, in an embodiment, based on different adjusting policies determined, the angle, position, height, direction, brightness, contrast, color, resolution or the combination thereof of the virtual display device may be adjusted.

After step 206, the flow of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 ends.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to the embodiment showing in Fig. 2. There are five avatars in Fig. 9, wherein each camera icon represents an avatar, an elongated rectangle represents a virtual display device, and the right surface of the virtual display device is a display surface capable of displaying contents. It can be seen from Fig. 9 that the contents displayed by the virtual display device are not clearly perceived to the uppermost two avatars and the lowermost avatar, which are only perceivable clearly to the left and the right avatars. By using the method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to embodiments of the present invention, the shape of the virtual display device is changed into a triangle based on the adjusting policy, thereby most avatars can clearly see the contents.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a system 600 for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to another embodiment of the present invention. The system 600 may comprise: an information acquirer 610, a policy determiner 620 and an adjuster 630. The system 600 further comprises a policy memory 640. The system 600 may be triggered by a timer at a preset time, or triggered when it is detected that the number of avatars nearby the virtual display device has reached a predetermined number.

The information acquirer 610 is for acquiring current information regarding avatars. The information acquirer 610 may comprise means for determining a set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on a virtual display device; and means for acquiring current information regarding each avatar in the set. The information acquirer 610 may further comprise means for determining that an avatar belongs to the set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on a virtual display device when the avatar is positioned within a predetermined distance scope from the virtual display device, or when the avatar is static in respect to the virtual display device, or when the staying time of the avatar is larger than a staying time threshold; and means for calculating an interest degree of the avatar based on the distance between the avatar and the virtual display device and the motion speed of the avatar, or the staying time of the avatar.

The policy determiner 620 is for determining an adjusting policy for a virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the current information regarding the avatar. The policy determiner comprises means for calculating the interest degree of the avatar in the contents displayed on a the virtual display device; and means for determining an adjusting policy of a virtual display device based on the current information and interest degree of the avatar.

The adjusting policy may comprise one or more of the following policies: maximizing the sum of avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device; and maximizing the number of such avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold.

The adjusting policy may further comprise one or more of the following policies: weighting avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device by interest degree to obtain weighted view angles of avatars and maximizing the sum of the weighted view angles; and maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold and whose interest degrees are larger than an interest degree threshold.

The adjuster 630 is for adjusting properties of a virtual display device based on an adjusting policy.

The adjuster 630 may comprise means for adjusting one or more properties of shape, angle, position, height, direction, brightness, color and resolution of a virtual display device. The adjuster 630 may comprise means for selecting a shape from a predefined shape database; means for generating a virtual display device object of the shape; means for deleting a virtual display device object which is previously rendered; and means for rendering a virtual display device object of the shape. The adjuster 630 may further comprise means for selecting a change action from a predefined change action database; and means for performing the change action between the means for deleting of a previously rendered virtual display device object and the means for performing rendering a virtual display device object of the shape.

The policy memory 640 is for pre-storing the adjusting policies in an adjusting policy database and for searching a corresponding adjusting policy from the adjusting policy database based on current information regarding an avatar.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a computer device able to implement an embodiment according to embodiments of the present invention.

The computer system shown in Fig. 7 comprises a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 701, a RAM (Random Access Memory)702, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 703, a system bus 704, an Hard Disk controller 705, a Keyboard controller 706, a serial interface controller 707, a parallel interface controller 708, a display controller 709, a hard disk 710, a keyboard 111, a serial external device 712, a parallel external device 713 and a display 714. Among these members, connected to system bus 704 are CPU 701, RAM 702, ROM 703, Hard Disk controller 705, keyboard controller 706, serial interface controller 707, parallel interface controller 708, and display controller 709. The hard disk 710 is connected with the Hard Disk controller 705; the keyboard 711 is connected with the keyboard controller 706; the serial external device 712 is connected with the serial interface controller 707; the parallel external device 713 is connected with the parallel interface controller 708; and the display 714 is connected with the display controller 709.

The functions of each component in Fig. 7 are well known in the art, and the architecture shown in Fig. 7 is conventional. In different applications, some components may be added to the architecture shown in Fig. 7, or some of the components shown in Fig. 7 may be omitted. The whole system shown in Fig. 7 is controlled by computer readable instructions, which are typically stored as software in hard disk 710, EPROM or other non- volatile memory. The software can also be downloaded from network (not shown in the figure). The software, either saved in hard disk 710 or downloaded from the network, can be loaded into RAM 702, and executed by CPU 701 for implementing the functions defined by the software.

As the computer system shown in Fig. 7 is able to support the solution of adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world according to embodiments of the present invention, the computer system merely serves as an example of computer systems. Those skilled in the art may understand that many other computer system designs are also able to carry out the embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention may further be implemented as a computer program product which may contain codes for implementing the following: acquiring current information regarding an avatar; determining an adjusting policy for a virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the acquired current information regarding the avatar; and adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy. The code may be stored in a memory of other computer system prior to the usage. For instance, the code may be stored in a hard disk or a removable memory like a compact disk or a floppy disk, or may be downloaded via the Internet or other computer network.

The disclosed method of embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. The hardware part may be implemented using a dedicated logic, and the software part may be stored in a memory and be implemented by a proper instruction implementing system, such as a microprocessor, a personal computer (PC) or a mainframe.

It should be noted that the above description omits some more specific technical details which may be well-known to those skilled in the art and essential for implementing embodiments of the present invention for the purpose of easy understanding.

The description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, comprising steps of: acquiring current information regarding an avatar; determining an adjusting policy for the virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the current information regarding the avatar; and adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises one or more of the following: the avatar's current position, motion speed and view angle.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises the avatar's view angle in respect to the virtual display device, and the adjusting policy comprising one or more of the following: maximizing the sum of avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device; and maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold.

4. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the step of acquiring current information regarding an avatar comprises: determining a set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on the virtual display device; and acquiring current information regarding each avatar in the set.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein it is determined that an avatar belongs to the set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on the virtual display device when the avatar is positioned within a predetermined distance scope from the virtual display device, when the avatar is static in respect to the virtual display device, or when the staying time of the avatar is larger than a staying time threshold; and an interest degree of the avatar is calculated based on the distance between the avatar and the virtual display device, the motion speed of the avatar, or the staying time of the avatar.

6. A method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the step of determining an adjusting policy for a virtual display device based on the current information regarding the avatar comprises: calculating the interest degree of the avatar in the contents displayed on the virtual display device; and determining the adjusting policy for the virtual display device based on the current information and the interest degree of the avatar.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises a view angle of the avatar in respect to the virtual display device, and the adjusting policy comprises one or more of the following: weighting avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device by the interest degree to obtain weighted view angles of the avatars, and maximizing the sum of the weighted view angles; and maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold and whose interest degrees are larger than an interest degree threshold.

8. A method according any of claims 1-5, wherein the step of adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy comprises: adjusting one or more properties of shape, angle, position, height, direction, brightness, contrast, color and resolution of the virtual display device.

9. A method according any of claims 1-5, wherein the step of adjusting properties of the virtual display device comprises: selecting a shape from a predefined shape database; generating a virtual display device object of the shape; deleting a previously rendered virtual display device object; and rendering a virtual display device object of the shape.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising: selecting a change action from a predefined change action database; and performing the change action between the step of deleting a previously rendered virtual display device object and the step of rendering a virtual display device object of the shape.

11. A method according to any of claims 1-10, further comprising: pre-storing the adjusting policies in an adjusting policy database; and searching a corresponding adjusting policy from the adjusting policy database based on current information regarding the avatar.

12. A method according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the method is triggered by a timer at a preset time, or triggered when it is detected that the number of avatars nearby the virtual display device has reached a predetermined number.

13. A system for adjusting a virtual display device in a virtual world, comprising: an information acquirer for acquiring current information regarding an avatar; a policy determiner for determining an adjusting policy for the virtual display device to improve the avatar's visual experience based on the current information regarding the avatar; and an adjuster for adjusting properties of the virtual display device based on the adjusting policy.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises one or more of the following: the avatar's current position, motion speed and view angle.

15. A system according to claim 13, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises the avatar's view angle in respect to the virtual display device, and the adjusting policy comprising one or more of the following: maximizing the sum of avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device; maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold.

16. A system according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the information acquirer comprises: means for determining a set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on the virtual display device; and means for acquiring current information regarding each avatar in the set.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said information acquirer further comprises: means for determining that an avatar belongs to the set of avatars interested in the contents displayed on the virtual display device when the avatar is positioned within a predetermined distance scope from the virtual display device, when the avatar is static in respect to the virtual display device, or when the staying time of the avatar is larger than a staying time threshold; and means for calculating an interest degree of the avatar based on the distance between the avatar and the virtual display device, the motion speed of the avatar, or the staying time of the avatar.

18. A system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the policy determiner comprises: means for calculating the interest degree of the avatar in the contents displayed on the virtual display device; and means for determining the adjusting policy for the virtual display device based on the current information and the interest degree of the avatar.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the current information regarding the avatar comprises a view angle of the avatar in respect to the virtual display device, and the adjusting policy comprises one or more of the following: weighting avatars' view angles in respect to the virtual display device by the interest degree to obtain weighted view angles of avatars and maximizing the sum of the weighted view angles; and maximizing the number of avatars whose view angles in respect to the virtual display device are larger than a view angle threshold and whose interest degrees are larger than an interest degree threshold.

20. A system according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the adjuster comprises: means for adjusting one or more properties of shape, angle, position, height, direction, brightness, contrast, color and resolution of the virtual display device.

21. A system according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the adjuster comprises: means for selecting a shape from a predefined shape database; means for generating a virtual display device object of the shape; means for deleting a previously rendered virtual display device object; and means for rendering a virtual display device object of the shape.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said adjuster further comprises: means for selecting a change action from a predefined change action database; and means for performing the change action between the means for deleting of a previously rendered virtual display device object and the means for rendering a virtual display device object of the shape.

23. A system according to any of claims 13-22, further comprising: a policy memory for pre-storing the adjusting policies in an adjusting policy database and for searching a corresponding adjusting policy from the adjusting policy database based on current information regarding the avatar.

24. A system according to any of claims 13-23, wherein the system is triggered by a timer at a preset time, or triggered when it is detected that the number of avatars nearby the virtual display device has reached a predetermined number.