Patent ID: 6215498
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06F,G06T

Abstract:
A system comprising a plurality of networked terminal apparatus for creating a three dimensional virtual work environment wherein terminal users of various levels of immersion are depicted as avatars in the virtual work environment and wherein action information of the terminal users is input into the virtual work environment through their corresponding avatars in order to perform complimentary, independent and cooperative tasks in parallel to create simultaneous sets of solutions to problems relating to command, control, communications, cognition and intelligence, the system comprising:a) at least one first level terminal apparatus for a first fully immersed terminal user, said first level terminal apparatus including:i) first display means for displaying said virtual work environment and for displaying, in the virtual work environment, avatars corresponding to all terminal users of the virtual work environment and for displaying functional objects in the virtual work environment;ii) first database for prestoring computer model information and graphics for the layout of the virtual environment and the appearance of each terminal user's avatar in the virtual environment as well as collateral information including maps, documents and presentation materials;iii) first program means for supporting interaction between avatars and said functional objects;iv) first position tracking means for correlating head and hand movements of said first fully immersed terminal user to their corresponding avatar displayed in the virtual work environment;v) first audio input/output means for communicating voice data back and forth between the first fully immersed terminal user and the virtual work environment;vi) first control means for controlling said first display means, said first database and program means, said first position tracking means, and said first audio input/output means;b) at least one second level terminal apparatus for a second partially immersed terminal user, said second level terminal apparatus including:i) second display means for displaying said virtual work environment and for displaying, in the virtual work environment, avatars corresponding to all terminal users of the virtual work environment and for displaying functional objects in the virtual work environment;ii) second database for prestoring computer model information and graphics for the layout of the virtual environment and the appearance of each terminal user's avatar in the virtual environment as well as collateral information including maps, documents and presentation materials;iii) second program means for supporting interaction between avatars and said functional objects;iv) second position tracking means for correlating head and hand movements of said second partially immersed terminal user to their corresponding avatar displayed in the virtual work environment;v) second audio input/output means for communicating voice data back and forth between the second partially immersed terminal user and the virtual work environment;vi) second electronic data entry means for entering electronic data into the virtual work environment;vi) second control means for controlling said second display means, said second database and program means, said second position tracking means, said second audio input/output means, and said second electronic data entry means; andc) wherein at least one of said first or second level apparatus further includes object selection means comprising an exaggerated pointer displayed in said virtual work environment, and wherein said object selection means is operative to point to, select and manipulate functional objects displayed in said virtual work environment and is operative to point to and select one or more designated transportation sites displayed in said virtual work environment, whereby selection of a designated transportation site transports the selecting avatar to said designated transportation site and provides an appropriate change in the view perspective of the selecting avatar.