Patent Publication Number: US-2023139723-A1

Title: Head tracking for video communications in a virtual environment

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates generally to video communications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for head tracking by a video communications platform for use in a virtual environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The appended claims may serve as a summary of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system with software and/or hardware modules that may execute some of the functionality described herein. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates one or more client devices that may be used to participate in a video conference and/or virtual environment. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary computer system configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment displayed on one or more screens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an exemplary digital representation of a video conference participant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an exemplary digital representation of a video conference participant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer that may perform processing in some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In this specification, reference is made in detail to specific embodiments of the invention. Some of the embodiments or their aspects are illustrated in the drawings. 
     For clarity in explanation, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, however it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the invention covers alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within its scope as defined by any patent claims. The following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations on, the claimed invention. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In addition, well known features may not have been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. 
     In addition, it should be understood that steps of the exemplary methods set forth in this exemplary patent can be performed in different orders than the order presented in this specification. Furthermore, some steps of the exemplary methods may be performed in parallel rather than being performed sequentially. Also, the steps of the exemplary methods may be performed in a network environment in which some steps are performed by different computers in the networked environment. 
     Some embodiments are implemented by a computer system. A computer system may include a processor, a memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory and non-transitory medium may store instructions for performing methods and steps described herein. 
     I. Exemplary Environments 
       FIG.  1 A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. In the exemplary environment  100 , a first user’s client device  150  and one or more additional users’ client device(s)  160  are connected to a processing engine  102  and, optionally, a video communication platform  140 . The processing engine  102  is connected to the video communication platform  140 , and optionally connected to one or more repositories and/or databases, including a user account repository  130  and/or a settings repository  132 . One or more of the databases may be combined or split into multiple databases. The first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client device(s)  160  in this environment may be computers, and the video communication platform server  140  and processing engine  102  may be applications or software hosted on a computer or multiple computers which are communicatively coupled via remote server or locally. 
     The exemplary environment  100  is illustrated with only one additional user’s client device, one processing engine, and one video communication platform, though in practice there may be more or fewer additional users’ client devices, processing engines, and/or video communication platforms. In some embodiments, one or more of the first user’s client device, additional users’ client devices, processing engine, and/or video communication platform may be part of the same computer or device. 
     In an embodiment, processing engine  102  may perform the methods  900 ,  1300 ,  1400 , or other methods herein and, as a result, provide for head tracking for video communications in a virtual environment. A virtual environment may comprise a VR environment or AR environment. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished via communication with the first user’s client device  150 , additional users’ client device(s)  160 , processing engine  102 , video communication platform  140 , and/or other device(s) over a network between the device(s) and an application server or some other network server. In some embodiments, the processing engine  102  is an application, browser extension, or other piece of software hosted on a computer or similar device or is itself a computer or similar device configured to host an application, browser extension, or other piece of software to perform some of the methods and embodiments herein. 
     In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client devices  160  may perform the methods  900 ,  1300 ,  1400 , or other methods herein and, as a result, provide for head tracking for video communications in a virtual environment. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished via communication with the first user’s client device  150 , additional users’ client device(s)  160 , processing engine  102 , video communication platform  140 , and/or other device(s) over a network between the device(s) and an application server or some other network server. 
     The first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client device(s)  160  may be devices with a display configured to present information to a user of the device. In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client device(s)  160  present information in the form of a user interface (UI) with UI elements or components. In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client device(s)  160  send and receive signals and/or information to the processing engine  102  and/or video communication platform  140 . The first user’s client device  150  may be configured to perform functions related to presenting and playing back video, audio, documents, annotations, and other materials within a video presentation (e.g., a virtual class, lecture, webinar, or any other suitable video presentation) on a video communication platform. The additional users’ client device(s)  160  may be configured to viewing the video presentation, and in some cases, presenting material and/or video as well. In some embodiments, first user’s client device  150  and/or additional users’ client device(s)  160  include an embedded or connected camera which is capable of generating and transmitting video content in real time or substantially real time. For example, one or more of the client devices may be smartphones with built-in cameras, and the smartphone operating software or applications may provide the ability to broadcast live streams based on the video generated by the built-in cameras. In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  and additional users’ client device(s)  160  are computing devices capable of hosting and executing one or more applications or other programs capable of sending and/or receiving information. In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  and/or additional users’ client device(s)  160  may be a computer desktop or laptop, mobile phone, video phone, conferencing system, virtual assistant, virtual reality or augmented reality device, wearable, or any other suitable device capable of sending and receiving information. In some embodiments, the processing engine  102  and/or video communication platform  140  may be hosted in whole or in part as an application or web service executed on the first user’s client device  150  and/or additional users’ client device(s)  160 . In some embodiments, one or more of the video communication platform  140 , processing engine  102 , and first user’s client device  150  or additional users’ client devices  160  may be the same device. In some embodiments, the first user’s client device  150  is associated with a first user account on the video communication platform, and the additional users’ client device(s)  160  are associated with additional user account(s) on the video communication platform. 
     In some embodiments, optional repositories can include one or more of a user account repository  130  and settings repository  132 . The user account repository may store and/or maintain user account information associated with the video communication platform  140 . In some embodiments, user account information may include sign-in information, user settings, subscription information, billing information, connections to other users, and other user account information. The settings repository  132  may store and/or maintain settings associated with the communication platform  140 . In some embodiments, settings repository  132  may include virtual environment settings, virtual reality (VR) settings, augmented reality (AR) settings, audio settings, video settings, video processing settings, and so on. Settings may include enabling and disabling one or more features, selecting quality settings, selecting one or more options, and so on. Settings may be global or applied to a particular user account. 
     Video communication platform  140  comprises a platform configured to facilitate video presentations and/or communication between two or more parties, such as within a video conference or virtual classroom. In some embodiments, video communication platform  140  enables video conference sessions between one or more users. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system  170  with software and/or hardware modules that may execute some of the functionality described herein. Computer system  170  may comprise, for example, a server or client device or a combination of server and client devices for extracting a user representation from a video stream to a virtual environment. 
     Video conference module  171  provides system functionality for providing video conferences between one or more video conference participants. Video conference module  171  may comprise part or all of the video communication platform  140  and/or processing engine  102 . Video conference module  171  may host a video conference session that enables one or more participants to communicate over video. In some embodiments, video conference module  171  may require users to authenticate themselves to join a video conference, such as by providing credentials like a username and/or password. In some embodiments, video conference module  171  may allow guest users to join a video conference without authenticating themselves and may notify participants in the meeting that one or more unauthenticated participants are present. A video conference session may include one or more video streams that each display one or more of the participants, or other scenes such as a screenshare or a virtual environment as described herein. In an embodiment, synchronized audio may be provided with the video streams. 
     Software development kit (SDK)  172  provides system functionality for enabling an application to interface with the video conference module  171 . In some embodiments, SDK  172  may comprise an application programming interface (API). SDK  172  may be distributed to enable software developers to use functionality of the video conference module  171  in first party or 3 rd  party software applications. In some embodiments, SDK  172  may enable first party or 3 rd  party software applications to provide video communication such as video conferencing via the video communication platform  140  and processing engine  102 . In some embodiments, SDK  172  may enable VR or AR applications to integrate video communication into a virtual environment. 
     Video extraction module  173  provides system functionality for extracting a portion of video containing a user from video content containing the user and a background. In an embodiment, video extraction module  173  may remove a background from video content. In an embodiment, the video extraction module  173  may determine a boundary between a user in a video and the background. The video extraction module  173  may retain the portion of the video depicting the user and remove the portion of the video depicting the background. In an embodiment, the video extraction module  173  may optionally replace the background with a transparent or translucent background or may leave the background empty. 
     Virtual whiteboard  174  provides system functionality for a virtual collaboration space. In some embodiments, virtual whiteboard  174  may allow functionality such as creating and editing objects, drawing, erasing, creating and deleting text or annotations, and so on. In an embodiment, one or more participants in a video conference session may share one or more virtual whiteboards  174  where they may collaborate and share information. In some embodiments, the contents of one or more virtual whiteboards  174  may be stored for retrieval at a later date. In some embodiments, contents of one or more virtual whiteboards  174  may be combined with other virtual whiteboards  174 , such as by importing the content of virtual whiteboard into another virtual whiteboard. 
     Digital representation generator  175  provides system functionality for generating a digital representation of a user. In an embodiment, the digital representation generator  175  may generate a digital representation of a video conference participant. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be provided in a virtual environment. In an embodiment, the generated digital representation may use an extracted video of a video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In alternative variations, the generated digital representation may be generated based on a still image of the video conference participant. Alternatively, the generated digital representation may be based on configuration settings, such as avatar creation by a video conference participant. In an embodiment, the generated digital representation may comprise a 2D or 3D representation. 
     Digital representation generator  175  may be configured to generate one or several different types of digital representations. In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise extracted video of the video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a flat shape displaying on a surface of the flat shape the extracted video of the video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In one embodiment, digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a 3D mesh generated based on the extracted video of the video conference participant and displaying on the surface of the 3D mesh the extracted video of the video conference participant. In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a 3D avatar. In one embodiment, the 3D avatar may be generated based on configuration settings of the video conference participant. Alternatively, the 3D avatar may be generated based on the extracted video of the video conference participant. 
     User tracker module  176  provides system functionality for tracking the head and/or other body parts of a user. In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may comprise a head tracker module for tracking the head of a video conference participant during a video conference session. In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may comprise a body tracker module for tracking the body of a video conference participant during a video conference session. User tracker module  176  may record movements of the head and/or other body parts of the video conference participant and transmit the movements to the video conference module  171  or SDK  172 . In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may comprise an artificial intelligence or machine learning module for analyzing a video stream to determine the movement of a video conference participant’s head and/or other body parts. In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may comprise eye tracking, face detection, face tracking, person detection, body pose detection and estimation, edge detection, image segmentation, image matting, or other computer vision and image processing methods. Alternatively, user tracker module  176  may track movement of a video conference participant using a wearable device comprising one or more sensors, such as accelerometers or gyroscopic sensors. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates one or more client devices that may be used to participate in a video conference and/or virtual environment. 
     In an embodiment, a VR headset  204  may be worn by a VR user  202  to interact with a VR environment. The VR headset  204  may display 3D graphics to the VR user  202  to represent a VR environment, which may be generated by a VR application. Moreover, the VR headset  204  may track the movement of the VR user’s head and/or other body parts to update its display to simulate an experience of being in the VR environment. In an embodiment, a VR headset  204  may optionally include controllers  206  to control the VR application. In some embodiments, the VR headset  204  may enable the VR user  202  to participate in a video conference within a VR environment. 
     Similarly, in an embodiment, an AR headset may be worn by an AR user to interact with an AR environment. The AR headset may display AR graphics, such as holograms, to the AR user to represent an AR environment, which may be generated by an AR application. The AR application may enable viewing a mixed reality environment that includes some AR objects and some real objects. Moreover, the AR headset may track the movement of the AR user’s head or other body parts to update its display to simulate the AR environment. In an embodiment, an AR headset may optionally include controllers to control the AR application. In some embodiments, the AR headset may enable the AR user to participate in a video conference within an AR environment. 
     In an embodiment, a computer system  216  may provide a video conference application  214  that is communicably connected to video communication platform  140  and processing engine  102 . The video conference application  214  may enable a video conference participant  212  to communicate with other participants on a video conference, including participants joining from video conference application  214  or VR headset  204  or an AR headset. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment  300  in which some embodiments may operate. In an embodiment, computer system  320  provides a video conference application  324  that enables video conference participant  326  to join a video conference session. The video conference application  324  connects to server  310  hosting video conference module  171 . The video conference module  171  may provide system functionality for hosting one or more video conference sessions and connecting one or more participants via video communication. 
     In an embodiment, a VR / AR device  302 , which may comprise a VR or AR device such as a headset, displays a virtual environment  304 , which may comprise a VR environment or AR environment. VR / AR user  308 , which may comprise a VR or AR user, may interact with the virtual environment  304  using the VR / AR device  302 . Virtual environment  304  may connect with SDK  172  on VR / AR device  302 . SDK  172  enables the virtual environment  304 , which may comprise a VR or AR application, to connect to API  312  on server  310 . The API  312  may provide access to functionality of video conferencing module  171 . Virtual environment  304  may be enabled to provide access to video conference sessions that may include other VR / AR users and video conference participant  326  through SDK  172 , API  312 , and video conference module  171 . 
     In an embodiment, virtual environment  304  may connect to virtual environment service  332  on virtual environment server  330 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment service  332  may host a backend of the virtual environment  304 . The virtual environment service  332  may comprise data and functions for providing the virtual environment  304  to the VR / AR user  308 . For example, virtual environment service  332  may store persistent objects and locations in the virtual environment  304  and maintain a consistent virtual world for experience by other VR / AR users who may also join the same virtual environment through their own VR / AR device. In an embodiment, the virtual environment service  332  may optionally connect to the API  312  to communicate data to and from the video conference module  171 . For example, the virtual environment service  332  may transmit or receive global data about the virtual environment  304  with the video conference module  171 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment server  330  may include a copy of SDK  172  for interfacing between virtual environment service  332  and API  312 . 
     In an embodiment, the computer system  320 , video conference application  324 , server  310 , video conference module  171 , API  312 , and SDK  172  may comprise aspects of a video conference system  350 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment  304 , virtual environment server  330 , and virtual environment service  332  may comprise aspects of a 3 rd  party VR or AR application. Alternatively, the virtual environment  304 , virtual environment server  330 , and virtual environment service  332  may comprise aspects of a first party VR / AR application that comprise further aspects of video conference system  350 . 
     II. Exemplary Systems 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The virtual environment  400  may comprise a VR or AR environment such as a 3D world including digital representations, such as 3D avatars  402 ,  404 ,  406 , of one or more users. Digital representations may also comprise 2D representations, such as images, videos, sprites, and so on. Each of the digital representations may represent a VR / AR user who is viewing and interacting with the virtual environment  400  from a VR / AR device. The virtual environment  400  may be displayed to each VR / AR user from the perspective of their digital representations. The virtual environment  400  is illustrated as an indoor conference room, but any other virtual environment may also be presented such as representations of outdoor areas, video game worlds, and so on. 
     Video conference view  410  in virtual environment  400  may display a video stream  412  including real-time video of video conference participant  414 . The video may be captured from the camera of the computer system of the video conference participant  414 . The VR or AR application may receive video stream  412  from video conference module  171  through SDK  172  and render the video stream  412  on the surface of a 3D object in the virtual environment  400 , such as a 3D representation of a screen, projector, wall, or other object. In an embodiment, the video conferencing application may run in the virtual environment  400 . VR or AR application may render a user interface  416  of the video conferencing application that may contain the video stream  412 . The user interface  416  may also be rendered on the surface of a 3D object. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As described elsewhere herein, the virtual environment  400  may comprise a VR or AR environment such as a 3D world including digital representations, such as 3D avatars  402 ,  404 , of one or more users. The virtual environment  400  may include a digital representation  420  of a video conference participant. Digital representation  420  may alternatively be referred to as an avatar, virtual character, or the like. The digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be 2D or 3D. In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise a video of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video may comprise a streaming video that plays in real-time. In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant may be extracted by the video extraction module  173 . In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant may comprise video depicting imagery of the video conference participant with the background removed. One digital representation  420  is illustrated, but more or fewer digital representations of other video conference participants may be provided in the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may have a location and/or facing direction in the virtual environment  400 . For example, the location may comprise coordinates and the facing direction may comprise one or more rotations, quaternions, or so on. In one embodiment, the location and/or facing direction may be modified, which may allow the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant to be moved to different locations in the virtual environment  400  and/or be faced in different directions. In one embodiment, one or more locations in the virtual environment  400  may be selectable, and the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be moved to and displayed at a selected location. In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be displayed in a seat, in a standing location, or elsewhere in the virtual environment  400 . 
     The digital representation  420  may be presented in various forms according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise a flat cut out. For example, the digital representation  420  may comprise a flat shape and the video of the video conference participant may be displayed on the flat shape. The flat shape may comprise one or more polygons. In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant is displayed on a flat surface of the shape. 
     In an embodiment, virtual environment  400  may optionally include a virtual whiteboard  430 . The virtual whiteboard  430  may include one or more user interface controls for adding and editing content on the virtual whiteboard  430 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary computer system configuration  600  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, computer system configuration  600  may include a plurality of screens. In an embodiment, the plurality of screens may be located at a plurality of different locations relative to the video conference participant. The exemplary computer system configuration  600  is illustrated with a left screen  612 , center screen  614 , and right screen  616 , which may be located to the left, front, and right of the video conference participant, respectively. In some embodiments, there may be more or fewer screens in a computer system configuration used by a video conference participant. In an embodiment, a computer system configuration may include additional screens around the video conference participant, such as a far left screen next to the left screen and far right screen next to the right screen. In an embodiment, a computer system configuration may include a plurality of rows of monitors above or below each other. For example, a computer system configuration may include a top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, and bottom right screen, which may be located at the top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, and bottom right locations relative to the video conference participant, respectively. In one embodiment, a computer system configuration may comprise one screen, such as illustrated in computer system  216  of  FIG.  2   . 
     In an embodiment, the computer system configuration  600  may include a camera  620 . The camera may capture video content, such as a video stream, of the video conference participant. The video content may be used to display digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, the video content captured by camera  620  may be analyzed by user tracker  176  to determine the head and/or body movement of the video conference participant. Alternatively or in addition, computer system configuration  600  may include a wearable tracker comprising one or more sensors, such as accelerometers or gyroscopic sensors. 
     In an embodiment, the computer system configuration  600  may include a plurality of cameras. In one embodiment, one or more cameras may be over, near, or associated with each screen. Each camera may capture video content of the video conference participant. The video conference system  350  may switch between the cameras to select the video content of one of the cameras to transmit to a video conference session. In an embodiment, the video conference system  350  may use face detection or face tracking to select the camera having the clearest view of the face of the video conference participant. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of screens  612 ,  614 ,  616  may be controlled by a processor that enables extending a video conference application, other applications, or home screen across a plurality of screens. The exemplary computer system configuration  600  is illustrated with a desktop. Other types of computer systems may be used with a plurality of screens, such as a laptop, mobile phone, video phone, conferencing system, virtual assistant, virtual reality or augmented reality device, wearable, or any other suitable device capable of sending and receiving information. In an embodiment, one or more of the screens may comprise a computer system, such as a laptop, mobile phone, tablet, or other computer system. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  displayed on one or more screens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, virtual environment  400  may be displayed on a plurality of screens of a computer system configuration  600 . In an embodiment, each of the screens may display a view corresponding to the location of the screen relative to the video conference participant. In an embodiment, left screen  612 , center screen  614 , and right screen  616  display a left view, front view, and right view, respectively. In some embodiments, there may be more or fewer screens in a computer system configuration to display more or fewer views to the video conference participant. In an embodiment, additional screens around the video conference participant may display corresponding views, such as a far left view on a far left screen and a far right view on a far right screen. In an embodiment, additional screens may display a top left view, top center view, top right view, bottom left view, bottom center view, bottom right view, and so on, based on the location of the screen relative to the video conference participant. In one embodiment, a computer system configuration comprising one screen, such as computer system  216  of  FIG.  2   , may display a front view. 
     In an embodiment, one or more of the screens  612 ,  614 ,  616  may display a video conference application. In an embodiment, one or more of the screens  612 ,  614 ,  616  may display a user interface of the video conference application. The user interface of the video conference application may include one or more user interface controls for controlling the video conference, sharing the screen, recording, and so on. 
     In an embodiment, each of the screens of the computer system configuration  600  displays a view of the virtual environment  400  from the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the relative location of the screen to the video conference participant corresponds to the relative location of the view shown on the screen in relation to the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the view on each screen is shown from the viewpoint of the digital representation  420 , and the direction of the view matches the direction of that screen from the video conference participant. In one embodiment, each view may comprise a video stream, or portions of the same video stream. In an embodiment, left screen  612  displays a left view  632  of the virtual environment  400  to the left of digital representation  420 , center screen  614  displays front view  634  of the virtual environment  400  in front of digital representation  420 , and right screen  616  displays a right view  636  of the virtual environment  400  to the right of digital representation  400 . In an embodiment, more or fewer views may be shown. In an embodiment, additional screens around the video participant may display additional views from those viewpoints of the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, a far left screen may display a far left view of the virtual environment  400  to the far left of digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, a far right screen may display a far right view of the virtual environment  400  to the far right of digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, one or more screens may show areas behind the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, a back left screen may display a back left view of the virtual environment  400  to the back left of the digital representation  420 , a back screen may display a back view of the virtual environment  400  to the back of the digital representation  420 , and a back right screen may display a back right view of the virtual environment  400  to the back right of the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, one or more screens may show areas above or below the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, one or more of a top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, or bottom right screens may each display a top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, or bottom right view of the virtual environment  400  to the top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, or bottom right of the digital representation  420 , respectively. 
     In an embodiment, the screens of the computer system configuration  600  may wrap around the video conference participant to provide direct and peripheral views of the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, one or more screens in combination may provide a 120-degree view, 180-degree view, 270-degree view, 360-degree view, and so on of the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, one or more views may be displayed on a single screen. For example, a curved screen may wrap partly or completely around the video conference participant and display a left view, center view, and right view to the left, front, and right of the video conference participant, respectively, on the single screen. 
     In an embodiment, one or more views displayed on the screens  612 ,  614 ,  616  may be captured by one or more virtual cameras in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the views may comprise video content. The video content may be encoded in streaming video format by an encoder on a VR / AR device  302  or a server  310 . In some embodiments, the encoder may comprise SDK  172 . In an embodiment, the video content may comprise 2D video formats such as MP4, MP3, AVI, FLV, WMV, and other formats. The video content may be transmitted from the VR / AR device  302  to the video conference module  171  of the server  310  and on to the computer system  320  and video conference application  324 . A user interface may be displayed on a computer system to a video conference participant  326 . 
     Each virtual camera may capture a view of the virtual environment  400  comprising a viewport. The viewport may comprise a view of a 3D environment that is captured from a position in the 3D environment. Each virtual camera may generate video content based on the portion of the 3D environment that is within the viewport for transmitting to a video conference application. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more virtual cameras may be located at the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. In an embodiment, the virtual cameras may have the same location as the location of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. In an embodiment, the virtual cameras may have the same location as the location of the eyes, head, chest, or other portion of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. 
     In one embodiment, one or more virtual camera may have a wide-angle view that captures video in a wide view of the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the wide view video content may be transmitted to the video conference application and split up into one or more views, such as left view  632 , center view  634 , and right view  636 . In an embodiment, the wide view video content may capture a 120-degree view, 180-degree view, 270-degree view, 360-degree view, and so on of the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the wide view video content captures a partial or complete sphere around the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, the wide-angle virtual camera may have the same facing direction as the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the wide-angle virtual camera may have the same facing direction as the facing direction of the eyes, head, chest, or other portion of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of virtual cameras may be located at the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. Each virtual camera may be faced in a different direction to capture a view from a different direction. In an embodiment, the virtual cameras may be faced in directions corresponding to each different view shown on the screens of the computer system configuration  600 , where each virtual camera is facing and captures one of the views. In an embodiment, a left virtual camera may be facing left to capture a left view of the virtual environment  400  to the left of the digital representation  400 , a center virtual camera may be facing frontwards to capture a front view of the virtual environment  400  to the front of the digital representation  400 , and a right virtual camera may be facing right to capture a right view of the virtual environment  400  to the right of the digital representation  400 . In an embodiment, one or more virtual cameras may be faced backwards to capture views behind the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, one or more virtual cameras may be faced up or down to capture views above or below the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, the video content captured by the plurality of virtual cameras may be transmitted to the video conference application, and the video content of each virtual camera may be displayed on a different screen. 
     In an embodiment, user tracker  176  may analyze video captured by camera  620  to determine the head and/or body movement of the video conference participant. As the video conference participant turns his or her head or body, such as to view different screens, the user tracker  176  may detect the movement to generate user movement information. In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may use artificial intelligence or machine learning. In an embodiment, user tracker module  176  may perform eye tracking, face detection, face tracking, person detection, body pose detection and estimation, edge detection, image segmentation, image matting, or other computer vision and image processing methods. Alternatively, user movement information may be generated by a wearable device on the video conference participant comprising one or more sensors, such as accelerometers or gyroscopic sensors. For example, the wearable device may comprise a headset, head tracker, haptic suit, electrodes, or so on. User movement information may be used to move or animate one or more parts of the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant. 
     In an embodiment, the user tracker  176  may detect when the video conference participant has looked to the edge of a screen and trigger an event. In response to the event, the video conference application may perform an action. In one embodiment, when the user tracker  176  detects that the video conference participant has looked beyond the edge of the screen, the video conference system  350  may transmit a signal to virtual environment  400  to move the viewpoint of the digital representation  420 . In one embodiment, when the user tracker  176  detects that the video conference participant has looked beyond the left edge of left screen  612 , the video conference system  350  may transmit a signal to virtual environment  400  to turn viewpoint of the digital representation  420  to the left. In one embodiment, when the user tracker  176  detects that the video conference participant has looked beyond the right edge of right screen  616 , the video conference system  350  may transmit a signal to virtual environment  400  to turn viewpoint of the digital representation  420  to the right. In response to the change in viewpoint, one or more virtual cameras of digital representation  420  may be turned to a new facing direction, and the video content displayed on the screens  612 ,  614 ,  616  may be updated. By enabling the video conference participant to control turning the viewpoint, the video conference system  350  may enable the video conference participant to scroll partly or completely around in a 360-degree view around the digital representation  420 . 
     In one embodiment, computer system configuration  600  may include spatial audio. In an embodiment, computer system configuration  600  may transform the audio output from one or more sound output devices, such as speakers, headphones, earbuds, or other devices to emulate the audio output originating from different 3D locations. In an embodiment, video conference application emulates the placement of sound in a relative location to the video conference participant that corresponds to the placement of the sound relative to the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, sounds originating to the left of the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400  are played to emulate originating to the left of the video conference participant, and sounds originating to the right of the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400  are played to emulate originating to the right of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, speech from the 3D avatar  402 , which is to the left of digital representation  420 , may be played to emulate originating to the left of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, speech from the 3D avatar  404 , which is in front of digital representation  420 , may be played to emulate originating in front of the video conference participant. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary user interface  800  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. User interface  800  may comprise an interface of a video conferencing application. Content view  810  displays a view of the virtual environment  400 , including the 3D avatars  402 ,  404  of participants in the video conference. The content view  810  may comprise video content  820 . In an embodiment, content view  810  may be displayed on one screen. 
     In an embodiment, content view  810  may display video content from the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. User tracker  176  may analyze video captured by camera  620  to determine head and/or body movement of the video conference participant. As the video conference participant turns his or her head or body to view different parts of the one screen, the user tracker  176  may detect the movement to generate user movement information as described elsewhere herein. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary method  900  that may be performed in some embodiments. Video content may be captured from the virtual environment  400  in many different ways, and method  900  comprises one exemplary method for doing so. At step  902 , a video conference application or VR / AR application captures 2D video of a 3D virtual environment. In an embodiment, the 2D video may be captured from the viewport of one or more virtual cameras. At step  904 , the video conference application or VR / AR application may capture audio output from the virtual environment and/or from the microphone input of the VR / AR device. At step  906 , the video conference application or VR / AR application may encode the 2D video. In some embodiments, the 2D video may be encoded into a streaming video format and may include the audio output. The encoding may be compressed or uncompressed. At step  908 , the video conference application may stream the 2D video to a video conference module and one or more client devices. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As described elsewhere herein, the virtual environment  400  may comprise a VR or AR environment such as a 3D world including digital representations, such as 3D avatars  402 ,  404 , of one or more users and a digital representation  420  of a video conference participant. 
     In an embodiment, head or body movement of the video conference participant may be displayed on the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the displayed head or body movement is based on user movement information from user tracker  176 . User movement information may comprise head movement information and/or body movement information. In one embodiment, user tracker  176  may detect turning of the head of the video conference participant, and the head of the digital representation  420  may be turned in the virtual environment corresponding to the turn of the head of the participant. In one embodiment, user tracker  176  may detect rotation of the head up or down (such as nodding, lifting the chin, and so on) of the video conference participant, and head of the digital representation  420  may be rotated up or down in the virtual environment corresponding to the rotation of the head of the participant. In one embodiment, user tracker  176  may detect turning of the head of the video conference participant, and the body of the digital representation  420  may be turned in the virtual environment corresponding to the turn of the head of the participant. In one embodiment, user tracker  176  may detect turning of the body of the video conference participant, and the body of the digital representation  420  may be turned in the virtual environment corresponding to the turn of the body of the participant. 
     In an embodiment, user tracker  176  may determine the direction of the turn or rotation of the head or body of the video conference participant, and the same direction of turn or rotation may be applied to the head or body of the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, user tracker  176  may determine the angle of the turn or rotation of the head or body of the video conference participant, and the same angle of turn or rotation may be applied to the head or body of the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, user tracker  176  may determine the angle of the turn or rotation of the head or body of the video conference participant, and a greater angle of turn or rotation may be applied to the head or body of the digital representation  420 . For example, the head or body of the video conference participant may turn by a small amount, and the head or body of the digital representation  420  may turn by a large amount. In an embodiment, user tracker  176  may determine the angle of the turn or rotation of the head or body of the video conference participant, and a lesser angle of turn or rotation may be applied to the head or body of the digital representation  420 . For example, the head or body of the video conference participant may turn by a large amount, and the head or body of the digital representation  420  may turn by a small amount. 
     In an embodiment, one or more indicators may be displayed to indicate head or body movement of the video conference participant, such as one or more arrows, text, color changes, highlights, or other indicators. In an embodiment, the one or more indicators may be displayed based on user movement information from user tracker  176 . In one embodiment, an arrow indicator may be displayed indicating a direction of turn when a turn of the head of the video conference participant is detected. 
     In an embodiment, movement of one or more other body parts of the video conference participant may be displayed on the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant based on user movement information from user tracker  176 . For example, body parts may include arms, hands, legs, and so on. For example, in one embodiment, the user tracker  176  may detect movement of an arm, hand, or leg of the video conference participant and display the same movement on an arm, hand, or leg of the digital representation  420 . For example, in one embodiment, when the user tracker  176  detects that the arm of the video conference participant has moved forward or backward, the arm of the digital representation  420  may be moved forward or backward in a corresponding motion. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an exemplary digital representation  1110  of a video conference participant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise 3D avatar  1110 . 3D avatar  1110  of the video conference participant may be displayed in the virtual environment  400  to represent the video conference participant  326 . 
     In an embodiment, head or body movement of the video conference participant may be displayed on the 3D avatar  1110  as described elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, the head  1112  of the 3D avatar  1110  may move based on head movement information from user tracker  176  to match the movement of the head of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the body  1114  of the 3D avatar  1110  may move based on body movement information from user tracker  176  to match the movement of the body of the video conference participant. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates an exemplary digital representation  1220  of a video conference participant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise textured 3D mesh  1220 . Textured 3D mesh  1220  may be displayed in the virtual environment  400  to represent the video conference participant  326 . In one embodiment, a 3D mesh  1210  may be generated based on the video of the video conference participant by using artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other methods. In one embodiment, video of the video conference participant is displayed on a 3D mesh  1210  of the video conference participant to generate textured 3D mesh  1220 . In an embodiment, the textured 3D mesh  1220  is textured with streaming video of the video conference participant. 
     In an embodiment, head or body movement of the video conference participant may be displayed on the textured 3D mesh  1220  as described elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, the head  1222  of the textured 3D mesh  1220  may move based on head movement information from user tracker  176  to match the movement of the head of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the body  1224  of the textured 3D mesh  1220  may move based on body movement information from user tracker  176  to match the movement of the body of the video conference participant. 
     III. Exemplary Methods 
       FIG.  13    illustrates an exemplary method  1300  that may be performed in some embodiments. 
     At step  1302 , a video conference session may be provided in a virtual environment. In an embodiment, the video conference session is hosted on a server and may connect a plurality of video conference participants. In an embodiment, the video conference session may connect one or more VR / AR users in the virtual environment and one or more video conference participants joining from one or more computer systems. 
     At step  1304 , a digital representation of a video conference participant is provided in the virtual environment and a left view of the virtual environment is captured to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment is captured to the right of the digital representation. In an embodiment, the digital representation may comprise a 2D or 3D representation of the video conference participant. In one embodiment, the digital representation may comprise streaming video of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, a left virtual camera captures the left view of the virtual environment, and a right virtual camera captures the right view of the virtual environment. In an embodiment, a wide-angle virtual camera captures the left view of the virtual environment and the right view of the virtual environment. In an embodiment, one or more virtual cameras capture additional views of the virtual environment, such as a front view of the virtual environment. 
     At step  1306 , the left view is displayed to the left of the video conference participant and the right view is displayed to the right of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the left view is displayed on a left screen, and the right view is displayed on a right screen. In an embodiment, a front view may be displayed on a center screen. 
     At step  1308 , a video stream is received of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video stream may be received from a video conference application. 
     At step  1310 , head movement of the video conference participant is tracked in the video stream to generate head movement information. In an embodiment, the head movement of the video conference participant may be tracked using artificial intelligence or machine learning. 
     At step  1312 , the head movement of the video conference participant is displayed on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. In one embodiment, the head of the digital representation of the video conference participant is turned based on the head movement information. In one embodiment, the body of the digital representation of the video conference participant is turned based on the head movement information. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates an exemplary method  1400  that may be performed in some embodiments. 
     At step  1402 , a video stream is received of a video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video stream may be received from a video conference application. 
     At step  1404 , the head of the video conference participant is located in the video stream. In an embodiment, the head of the video conference participant is located in the video stream using artificial intelligence or machine learning. In an embodiment, the head of the video conference participant is located in the video stream using eye tracking, face detection, face tracking, person detection, body pose detection and estimation, edge detection, image segmentation, image matting, or other computer vision and image processing methods. 
     At step  1406 , the head of the video conference participant is tracked to detect movement. In an embodiment, the head of the video conference participant is tracked to detect movement using artificial intelligence or machine learning. In an embodiment, the head of the video conference participant is tracked to detect movement using eye tracking, face detection, face tracking, person detection, body pose detection and estimation, edge detection, image segmentation, image matting, or other computer vision and image processing methods. 
     At step  1408 , the detected movement is used to generate head movement information. In an embodiment, head movement of the video conference participant is displayed on a digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Exemplary Computer System 
       FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer that may perform processing in some embodiments. Exemplary computer  1500  may perform operations consistent with some embodiments. The architecture of computer  1500  is exemplary. Computers can be implemented in a variety of other ways. A wide variety of computers can be used in accordance with the embodiments herein. 
     Processor  1501  may perform computing functions such as running computer programs. The volatile memory  1502  may provide temporary storage of data for the processor  1501 . RAM is one kind of volatile memory. Volatile memory typically requires power to maintain its stored information. Storage  1503  provides computer storage for data, instructions, and/or arbitrary information. Non-volatile memory, which can preserve data even when not powered and including disks and flash memory, is an example of storage. Storage  1503  may be organized as a file system, database, or in other ways. Data, instructions, and information may be loaded from storage  1503  into volatile memory  1502  for processing by the processor  1501 . 
     The computer  1500  may include peripherals  1505 . Peripherals  1505  may include input peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, video camera, microphone, and other input devices. Peripherals  1505  may also include output devices such as a display. Peripherals  1505  may include removable media devices such as CD-R and DVD-R recorders/players. Communications device  1506  may connect the computer  1500  to an external medium. For example, communications device  1506  may take the form of a network adapter that provides communications to a network. A computer  1500  may also include a variety of other devices  1504 . The various components of the computer  1500  may be connected by a connection medium such as a bus, crossbar, or network. 
     It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may include any one and up to all of the following examples. 
     Example 1: A method comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, head movement of the video conference participant to generate head movement information; displaying the head movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 2: The method of Example 1, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 3: The method of any of Examples 1-2, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 4: The method of any of Examples 1-3, further comprising: providing the left view of the virtual environment and the right view of the virtual environment in a second video stream in the video conference session. 
     Example 5: The method of any of Examples 1-4, further comprising: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount corresponding to an amount of a turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 6: The method of any of Examples 1-5, further comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 7: The method of any of Examples 1-6, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 8: The method of any of Examples 1-7, further comprising: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 9: The method of any of Examples 1-8, further comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 10: The method of any of Examples 1-9, further comprising: capturing a front view of the virtual environment in front of the digital representation; displaying the front view in front of the video conference participant. 
     Example 11: The method of any of Examples 1-10, wherein the left view is captured by a left virtual camera and the right view is captured by a right virtual camera. 
     Example 12: The method of any of Examples 1-11, wherein the left view and the right view are captured by a wide-angle virtual camera. 
     Example 13: The method of any of Examples 1-12, further comprising: generating a 3D mesh based on at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant; providing the at least a portion of the video stream on the 3D mesh. 
     Example 14: The method of any of Examples 1-13, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a 3D avatar. 
     Example 15: The method of any of Examples 1-14, wherein the video conference session and virtual environment communicate via an SDK. 
     Example 16: The method of any of Examples 1-15, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant is provided through an API. 
     Example 17: A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores executable program instructions that when executed by one or more computing devices configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, head movement of the video conference participant to generate head movement information; displaying the head movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 18: The non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 17, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 19: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-18, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 20: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-19, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: providing the left view of the virtual environment and the right view of the virtual environment in a second video stream in the video conference session. 
     Example 21: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-20, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 22: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-21, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 23: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-22, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 24: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-23, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount corresponding to an amount of a turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 25: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-24, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 26: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-25, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: capturing a front view of the virtual environment in front of the digital representation; displaying the front view in front of the video conference participant. 
     Example 27: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-26, wherein the left view is captured by a left virtual camera and the right view is captured by a right virtual camera. 
     Example 28: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-27, wherein the left view and the right view are captured by a wide-angle virtual camera. 
     Example 29: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-28, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: generating a 3D mesh based on at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant; providing the at least a portion of the video stream on the 3D mesh. 
     Example 30: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-29, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a 3D avatar. 
     Example 31: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-30, wherein the video conference session and virtual environment communicate via an SDK. 
     Example 32: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-31, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant is provided through an API. 
     Example 33: A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the operations of: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, head movement of the video conference participant to generate head movement information; displaying the head movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 34: The system of Example 33, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 35: The system of any of Examples 33-34, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 36: The system of any of Examples 33-35, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: providing the left view of the virtual environment and the right view of the virtual environment in a second video stream in the video conference session. 
     Example 37: The system of any of Examples 33-36, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 38: The system of any of Examples 33-37, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the head movement information. 
     Example 39: The system of any of Examples 33-38, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 40: The system of any of Examples 33-39, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a head of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount corresponding to an amount of a turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 41: The system of any of Examples 33-40, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the head of the video conference participant. 
     Example 42: The system of any of Examples 33-41, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: capturing a front view of the virtual environment in front of the digital representation; displaying the front view in front of the video conference participant. 
     Example 43: The system of any of Examples 33-42, wherein the left view is captured by a left virtual camera and the right view is captured by a right virtual camera. 
     Example 44: The system of any of Examples 33-43, wherein the left view and the right view are captured by a wide-angle virtual camera. 
     Example 45: The system of any of Examples 33-44, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: generating a 3D mesh based on at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant; providing the at least a portion of the video stream on the 3D mesh. 
     Example 46: The system of any of Examples 33-45, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a 3D avatar. 
     Example 47: The system of any of Examples 33-46, wherein the video conference session and virtual environment communicate via an SDK. 
     Example 48: The system of any of Examples 33-47, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant is provided through an API. 
     Example 49: A method comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, body movement of the video conference participant to generate body movement information; displaying the body movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 50: The method of Example 49, further comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 51: The method of any of Examples 49-50, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 52: The method of any of Examples 49-51, further comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the body of the video conference participant. 
     Example 53: A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores executable program instructions that when executed by one or more computing devices configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, body movement of the video conference participant to generate body movement information; displaying the body movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 54: The non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 53, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 55: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 53-54, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 56: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 53-55, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the body of the video conference participant. 
     Example 57: A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the operations of: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment and capturing a left view of the virtual environment to the left of the digital representation and a right view of the virtual environment to the right of the digital representation; displaying the left view to the left of the video conference participant and displaying the right view to the right of the video conference participant; receiving a video stream of the video conference participant; tracking, in the video stream, body movement of the video conference participant to generate body movement information; displaying the body movement of the video conference participant on the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 58: The system of Example 57, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant based on the body movement information. 
     Example 59: The system of any of Examples 57-58, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying at least a portion of the video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 60: The system of any of Examples 57-59, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: turning a body of the digital representation of the video conference participant by an amount equal to an amount of turn of the body of the video conference participant. 
     Some portions of the preceding detailed descriptions have been presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “identifying” or “determining” or “executing” or “performing” or “collecting” or “creating” or “sending” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage devices. 
     The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the intended purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus. 
     Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the method. The structure for a variety of these systems will appear as set forth in the description above. In addition, the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure as described herein. 
     The present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the present disclosure. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium includes a machine (e.g., a computer) readable storage medium such as a read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc. 
     In the foregoing disclosure, implementations of the disclosure have been described with reference to specific example implementations thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of implementations of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims. The disclosure and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.