Patent ID: 6683625
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A multi-user, multiple role-dependent collaborative virtual environment representing a physical object comprising:a storage of multi-user, multiple role-dependent sets of virtual objects each representing role-dependent views of said physical object wherein each virtual object has different virtual object interfaces that are role dependent; said storage stores information about possible interactions with said virtual environment objects as attributes inside said virtual objects along with graphical information describing the virtual object's visual appearance; a separate role-dependent display for each role-dependent set of virtual objects representing said views and role-dependent user input means for each set of virtual objects; and a processor coupled to said storage and said separate role-dependent display for said each role-dependent set of virtual objects representing said views and responsive to role of user and role-dependent user input means for providing a role-dependent display of virtual objects dependent on the role of said user.