Patent Publication Number: US-2023162497-A1

Title: Distinguishing real from virtual objects in immersive reality

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/384,943, filed on Jul. 26, 2021. All sections of the aforementioned application(s) and/or patent(s) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The subject disclosure relates to automatically distinguishing real objects from virtual objects in an immersive reality environment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Immersive experiences enable a user to participate in activities that may include virtual objects or holograms as well as real, physical objects and actions. In a deep level of immersion by the user, distinctions between real objects and virtual objects become unclear. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system functioning within the communication network of  FIG.  1    in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system functioning within the communication network of  FIG.  1    in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2 C  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2 D  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  6    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for detecting suspected objects that may be virtual objects or holograms in an immersive experience and, if the suspected objects are determined to be virtual objects or holograms and not real or physical objects, modifying a visual aspect of the suspected objects. This enables a user participating in the immersive experience to feel comfort and reassurance about a suspected object that might seem threatening to the user, or about an unexpected situation that might seem threatening or alarming to the user. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure. 
     One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a camera positioned to capture image information of an immersive experience presented to one or more users engaged in the immersive experience and located in an immersive experience space, a processing system and a memory that stores executable instructions to facilitate performance of operations including receiving the image information from the camera, detecting objects located in the immersive experience space with the one or more users, the objects including at least one virtual object created by the immersive experience, determining the at least one virtual object is a projected virtual object of the immersive experience, generating a signal indicating the at least one virtual object is a projected virtual object, and a projector, responsive to the signal, to provide a visual indication in the immersive experience space to identify the projected virtual object as a virtual object to the one or more users engaged in the immersive experience. 
     One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include receiving image data from a camera, the camera positioned to collect images of an immersive experience occurring in an immersive experience space including one or more objects and one or more users engaged in the immersive experience, detecting, based on the image data, an unexpected situation of the immersive experience, the unexpected situation including a suspected object or a suspected action, and identifying virtual objects and real objects among the one or more objects responsive to the detecting. Aspects of the subject disclosure may further include modifying a visual aspect of at least one virtual object of the one or more objects in the immersive experience to identify to the one or more users the at least one virtual object as a virtual object for reassuring the one or more users engaged in the immersive experience. 
     One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include projecting an immersive experience in an immersive experience space occupied by one or more real objects and one or more user, including projecting one or more holograms in the immersive experience space, receiving image information from a camera viewing the immersive experience space during the projecting of the immersive experience, and receiving sensor information from one or more sensors located in the immersive experience space. One or more aspects of the subject disclosure may further include receiving an indication from a user, the indication requesting a verification from the processing system of a suspected object in the immersive experience space, determining whether the suspected object is a real object or a hologram of the one or more holograms projected in the immersive experience space, wherein the determining is responsive to the image information and the sensor information, and modifying a visual aspect of the suspected object in the immersive experience space, wherein the modifying is responsive to a determination that the suspected object comprises a hologram, and wherein the modifying the visual aspect forms a clear verification to the user that the suspected object is a hologram. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a block diagram is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system  100  in accordance with various aspects described herein. For example, system  100  can facilitate in whole or in part presenting an immersive experience to a user, determining if an object or a situation in the immersive experience is likely to make the user feel apprehension or concern, identifying the situation or identifying the object as a virtual object, and changing the visual appearance of the object or the situation to verify real and virtual objects in the immersive experience. In particular, a communications network  125  is presented for providing broadband access  110  to a plurality of data terminals  114  via access terminal  112 , wireless access  120  to a plurality of mobile devices  124  and vehicle  126  via base station or access point  122 , voice access  130  to a plurality of telephony devices  134 , via switching device  132  and/or media access  140  to a plurality of audio/video display devices  144  via media terminal  142 . In addition, communication network  125  is coupled to one or more content sources  175  of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access  110 , wireless access  120 , voice access  130  and media access  140  are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multiple access services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices  124  can receive media content via media terminal  142 , data terminal  114  can be provided voice access via switching device  132 , and so on). 
     The communications network  125  includes a plurality of network elements (NE)  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 , etc. for facilitating the broadband access  110 , wireless access  120 , voice access  130 , media access  140  and/or the distribution of content from content sources  175 . The communications network  125  can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP) network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G, or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network, UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless access network, a broadcast satellite network and/or another communications network. 
     In various embodiments, the access terminal  112  can include a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem termination system (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal. The data terminals  114  can include personal computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interface specification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modem such as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/or other access devices. 
     In various embodiments, the base station or access point  122  can include a 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point that operates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or other wireless access terminal. The mobile devices  124  can include mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or other mobile computing devices. 
     In various embodiments, the switching device  132  can include a private branch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIP gateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. The telephony devices  134  can include traditional telephones (with or without a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephony devices. 
     In various embodiments, the media terminal  142  can include a cable head-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or other media terminal  142 . The display devices  144  can include televisions with or without a set top box, personal computers and/or other display devices. 
     In various embodiments, the content sources  175  include broadcast television and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streaming video and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks, data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or other sources of media. 
     In various embodiments, the communications network  125  can include wired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 , etc. can include service switching points, signal transfer points, service control points, network gateways, media distribution hubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and other network nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic over wired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and other public networks as well as one or more private networks, for managing subscriber access, for billing and network management and for supporting other network functions. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system  200  functioning, for example, within the communication network  100  of  FIG.  1    in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system  200  in this embodiment enables a user  202  to interact with an extended reality (XR) environment. The system  200  in this embodiment includes a virtual reality (VR) headset  204  wearable by the user  202 , one or more sensors  208 , a user computer  206 , and an augmented reality (AR) server  210  accessible over a communications network  212 . 
     The VR headset  204  enables the user  202  to experience, generally, an XR environment, where XR is a general term intended to encompass XR, VR and AR systems, equipment and environments. The VR headset  204  generally includes a data processing system including one or more processors, a memory for storing data and instructions, and a communication interface. The VR headset  204  provides visual display to the user  202  and may include one or more display screens within the VR headset  204  to control the view seen by the user  202  and the environment experienced by the user. Further, the VR headset  204  may include a camera for capturing images of the environment of the user. The VR headset  204  may include speakers to provide sound information to the user  202  and the VR headset  204  may include one or more microphones to collect sound information about the environment of the user  202 . In other embodiments, the VR headset  204  may be embodied as AR glasses or other wearable devices or may be operated in conjunction with a fixed display system such as a computer monitor, television or series of display screens in the physical environment with the user  202 . 
     The sensors  208  may include any sort of condition sensing and data collection apparatus suitable for the embodiment of the system. The sensors may include one or more cameras that collect images of the physical environment near the user  202 . The cameras may collect visual images, infra-red images and others. The sensors  208  may include environmental sensors that collect information such as temperature, wind speed, orientation or acceleration, or other physical factors of the environment where the user  202  is located. If the user  202  is operating a vehicle, the sensors  208  may detect vehicle speed and steering, acceleration and braking inputs by the user  202 . If the vehicle is a driver assisted vehicle, the sensors  208  may collect all information available to the driver assistance system such as images from cameras, navigation and location data, data from Lidar sensors, and others. The sensors  208  may further gather information about the user  202 . Such information may include biometric information, such as pulse rate or respiratory rate, skin conductivity, pupil dilation, haptic information about one or more touches of the user  202 , and so forth. Thus, the sensors may include or be part of a wearable device such as a watch, belt or harness. Further, such user data may include information about the position, posture and movement of the user. Any sort of data that may be useful by the system  200  for monitoring the user  202  and controlling the XR environment may be sensed by the sensors  208 . In some embodiments, the sensors  208  merely sense a condition and report information. In other embodiments, one or more of the sensors  208  may be controllable, such as by the user computer  206 . 
     The user computer  206  is in data communication with the VR headset  204  and the sensors  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, the user computer  206  has wireline connections to the VR headset  204  and the sensors  208 . In other embodiments, the wireline connections may be supplemented or replaced with one or more wireless connections, such as a WiFi connection according to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards or a Bluetooth connection according to the Bluetooth standard. 
     The user computer  206  cooperates with the VR headset  204  to provide the XR environment for the user  202 . The user computer  206  communicates with the VR headset  204  to provide video information, audio information and other control information to the VR headset  204 . The user computer  206  communicates with the sensors  208  to collect information about the physical environment and the user  202 . The user computer  206  communicates with the AR server  210  to provide video and other information from the VR headset  204  to the AR server  210  and to provide information and data from the sensors  208  to the AR server  210 . The video and data may be sent in any suitable format, including encoding to reduce the amount of data transmitted or encrypted to maintain security of the data. The user computer  206  communicates to the VR headset  204  virtual reality information to the VR headset  204 . In some embodiments, the functionality provided by the user computer  206  may be combined with the VR headset  204 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  2 A , the user computer  206  is shown as a desktop computer. However, any suitable processing system, including one or more processors, memory and communications interface, may implement the functions of the user computer  206 . 
     The AR server  210  controls provision of the XR environment to the VR headset  204  for the user  202 . The AR server  210  generally includes a processing system including one or more processors, a memory for storing data and instructions and a communications interface. The AR server  210  may be implemented as a single server computer, as multiple server computers at one or multiple locations or in any suitable manner. In the system  200 , the AR server  210  implements an augmented reality (AR) engine. 
     The AR server  210  receives over the communications network  212  information about the environment of the user  202 , including location information, information about objects in the environment and events occurring in the environment. The AR server  210  in some embodiments may further receive information about the user  202 , including biometric information and information about the performance of the user  202 . The information may come from the sensors  208 , the VR headset  204 , or any other source. The AR server  210  provides control information over the communications network  212  including video information, sound information, haptic information and any other information, including instructions and data, to the other components of the system  200  including the user computer  206  and the VR headset  204 . 
     The AR engine  221  develops the XR environment as a combination of the actual environment in which the user  202  is located and a simulated or virtual environment, to achieve ends such as training, education, performance improvement, and behavioral improvement for the user  202 . For example, if the user  202  is being trained to operate an apparatus, the AR engine  221  may receive input information describing the user&#39;s control inputs for operating the apparatus, for example from the sensors  208 . The AR server  210  may react to this input information, to measure the performance or behavior of the user  202 . In response, the AR server  210  may modify the XR environment of the user  202 . The AR engine  221  creates the XR environment, receives from the user  202  and the XR environment information about the performance of the user  202  in the environment as feedback, and in turn, modifies the XR environment to accomplish the desired end, such as training or behavioral modification for the user  202 . 
     The system  200  may be supplemented with other equipment as desired or required for a particular purpose. For example, the system  200  may include one or more remote cameras to provide video information about the environment of the user. In one embodiment, where the system  200  is enabling education and training of the user on a particular device, one or more cameras may capture images of the device and its location in the environment. The images may be combined with images captured by other cameras, including a camera of the VR headset  204 , and with virtual images produced by the AR server  210 . Further, the system  200  may be supplemented with other wearable devices to provide additional feedback, such as haptic feedback to the user  202 , or further sensors to collect information about the user  202  such as the heart rate and blood pressure of the user  202 . 
     The communications network  212  may include any combination of wireline and wireless communication networks, including but not limited to broadband access network  110 , wireless access network  120 , voice access network  130  and media access network  140  ( FIG.  1   ). The communications network  212  may include the internet and may provide access to other devices and services as well. 
     The system  200  thus creates or modifies visual information in an XR experience that correlates to observable behavioral changes in the user  202 . Using cameras, microphones and other sensors, the system  200  detects objects in the scene viewed by the user  202  through the VR headset  204 . Further, in some embodiments, the system  200  detects user biometric information to determine a status of the user  202 , such as user anxiety and experience. The system  200  may draw on learned information available to the system  200 , such machine learning solutions, to understand the status of the user  202  as well as to understand the environment of the user  202  and objects in the environment. The system  200 , by cooperation between the AR server  210  and the VR headset  204 , may control the visual, audible and otherwise sensible environment of the user  202 . For example, in the visual realm, the system  200  can substitute or erase non-essential objects for a task to be performed by the user. Further, the system  200  can provide immersive reinforcement for behavior of the user  202 . This can be done for a wide variety of reasons, including to train the user  202  to new behaviors or to modify the user  202  to avoid past bad behaviors or to improve future behaviors for the user  202 . 
     The system  200  thus provides an immersive experience for the user. As hardware, software and communications technology have evolved and improved, such immersive experiences have become more and more realistic and immersive for users such as the user  202 . Moreover, as immersive technology continues to develop, the contrast between reality and virtuality has become more difficult to discern for some users. This will continue to be the case in the future, such as due to the advances of very high speed sixth generation (6G) wireless networks and the advances of projection systems which provide improved clarity and realistic images, audio and other sensations for the user. 
     At times, it can be difficult for a user such as user  202  to distinguish between what is real and what is virtual when engaged in the virtual environment. This may create illusion and misjudgment for the user either on the individual level or the group or community level. In an example, a user is at a party engaged with other users of a group in an immersive environment. In the immersive experience, to the user some other people are physically present, but others are holograms. They are physically located elsewhere but are virtually present in the immersive experience space and within the immersive experience. It may happen that a dangerous situation may present itself, such as a participant wielding a weapon. Because of the convincing reality of the immersive experience, the user may not be able to discern a genuinely dangerous situation, in which the use with the weapon is physically present, from the less dangerous situation where the other user and the weapon are only virtually present. 
     The system  200  accordingly include a verification module  218  that provides to a user a reference check for a given situation in an immersive experience. The verification module is triggered in any suitable manner, such as based on a request by a user or based on the circumstances of the immersive experience. The verification module operates to clarify what users are sensing in the immersive experience and whether an object or other feature of the immersive experience is reality or virtuality. A user or group of users may be fully immersed in the experience but at any given time, one or more users can command the verification module to separate real from fiction. The users can continue the immersion experience as desired. 
     The verification module  218  may be located and operational at any convenient location in the system  200 . In a first embodiment, the verification module  218  includes instructions and data stored on the user computer  206 . In a second embodiment, the verification module  218  includes instructions and data stored on the VR headset  204  worn by the user. In a third embodiment, the verification module  218  includes instructions and data stored on the AR server  210 . In some embodiments, the verification module  218  is an application program (app) operating on a device of the user  202 , such as the VR headset  204  or other wearable device, or even on a mobile phone or other device of the user  202 . In further embodiments, the verification module  218  may include software components and hardware components shared across multiple locations in the system  200 . The multiple components of the verification module interact to provide the functionality described herein. Segmenting and separation of the components of the verification module  218  may be done according to any design preferences or constraints such as the communication speed of the communications network  212  or the processing power of the VR headset  204 . 
     In embodiments, the verification module  218  receives an input and responds to the input to visually modify a questioned object in the immersive experience as an alert to identify the questioned object as being virtual. In an embodiment, the verification module receives an indication from the user  202  or another user requesting identification or verification of a suspected object by the verification module for the user  202 . The indication may be a predefined hand gesture or a spoken word by the user  202 , or any other identification of a suspected object and a request for clarification. The alert may be a visual modification such as be a blurring or pixelating of the image of the suspected object, a highlighting of the suspected object, a changing of colors of the suspected object, a flashing of the suspected object, or any other visual cue that the suspected object is a virtual element and not a real element in the immersive experience. A virtual element is an element which is other than a physical object located in the space or environment with the user  202  but is artificially generated and animated by a processing device as part of the immersive experience. 
     In other examples, the alert or identification of the questioned object in response to the user request by the user  202  may be in any suitable form. For example, an audible indicator may be provided as the alert to the user  202 , such as a verbal confirmation like, “that object is virtual, not real.” In another example, a predetermined tone may be sounded by the verification module  218  as the alert to the user  202 . 
       FIG.  2 B  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system  220  functioning within the communication network of  FIG.  1    in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system  220  may include aspects and components of system  200  described in conjunction with  FIG.  2 A . System  220  illustrates a user  202  interacting with a virtual reality environment  222 . System  220  includes verification module  218  for the virtual reality environment  222  and a main projector  224 . The verification module  218  and the main projector  224  may be in data communication with other devices such as the user computer  206  and a remote processing device such as the AR server  210  of  FIG.  2 A . The other devices may be accessible over a communication network such as the communications network  212  of  FIG.  2 A . The virtual reality environment  222  may be created in an immersive experience space occupied by the user  202  and equipment including for example, the main projector  224  and the verification module  218  and other objects. 
     In an example operation, the main projector  224  projects an immersive experience for the user  202  in an immersive experience space. The immersive experience in the illustrated example includes a sofa  226 , a lamp  228 , a candle  230  and a tiger  232 . In a fully immersive experience, the user  202  may not realize which objects are real and which are virtual. The verification module  218  detects, via a camera for example, that the tiger  232  is out of place in this environment with these other objects. One or more sensors, such as ultrasound sensor or an infrared sensor, is triggered to verify if the tiger  232  is real or is a projected image or hologram. After determining the tiger  232  is virtual and not a physical object, the verification module activates a projector or other signaling device to alert the user  202 . In an example, the projector will overlay another project over the tiger  232  to make it clear to the user that the tiger  232 , as well as the candle  230  and any other virtual objects in the space, are indeed virtual. In this way, the user  202  is informed what is real and what is virtual in the space in case there is a concern to the user. In a different example, the tiger  232  is a real object and could pose a danger to the user  202 . The verification module  218  makes it clear to the user what is real and what is virtual and it is subsequently up to the user  202  to take action or continue the immersive experience. 
     The virtual reality environment  222  is created and maintained by equipment including the main projector  224 . The main projector  224  may operate under control of another device such as the user computer  206  or AR server  210  ( FIG.  2 A ) to generate the virtual reality environment  222 . The virtual reality environment  222  may involve visual interaction among the user  202 , other users, physical objects and virtual objects in the virtual reality environment. The user  202  may employ a wearable device such as VR headset  204  ( FIG.  2 A ) to create an immersive experience for the user  202 . 
     The virtual reality environment  222  includes the user  202  and a combination of physical objects and virtual objects. In the illustrated example, physical objects include the sofa  226  and the lamp  228 . The physical objects are located in the space or environment with the user  202 . The physical objects are tangible objects having mass and other physical properties. The physical objects may be static or dynamic. That is, the sofa  226  or the lamp  228 , for example, may remain in place or may be moved by a user including the user  202  in the environment. When moving, the physical objects have dynamic physics, such as velocity and momentum. The physical objects may be altered as perceived by the senses of users such as the user  202  by the virtual reality environment  222 . In an example, the physical objects may be made to have a different color or texture or may be hidden from view for a time by the virtual reality environment. 
     Virtual objects in the virtual reality environment  222  include the candle  230  and the tiger  232  in this example. The virtual objects are intangible and are created solely by the virtual reality environment  222 . For example, images of the virtual objects may be created by an AR engine operating on, for example, a device such as the user computer  206  or AR server  210  ( FIG.  2 A ). The created images are projected into the space with the user  202  by the main projector  224  to create the impression for users including the user  202  that the virtual objects are present in the space with the user  202 . The virtual objects may appear to interact with other physical and virtual objects in the virtual reality environment  222 . In an example, the tiger  232  may appear to attack the user  202 , creating an apparent dangerous situation for the user  202  within the immersive experience. 
     The verification module  218  in some embodiments is part of a wearable device that may be worn by the user  202 . The wearable device may be worn on the head or the arm of the user  202 . In other embodiments, the verification module may positioned in a room or other environment, such as on a table, near the immersive experience space where an immersive experience is presented. In other embodiments, the verification module  218  and its constituent elements may be placed at permanent locations in a room such as a gaming room or a conference room. Any suitable arrangement of components to form the verification module may be used to provide a useful product for the user  202 . 
     The verification module  218  in the embodiment includes a camera  234 , a projector  236 , one or more sensors  238  and a processing system  240 . The camera  234  cooperates with the processing system  240  to view and analyze the virtual reality environment  222 . The camera  234  may include any combination of sensing devices suitable to develop an understanding of the virtual reality environment  222  and activities in the virtual reality environment  222 . Thus the camera  234  may include a conventional video camera generating image data for the virtual reality environment  222 . The camera  234  may include an infrared camera for generating heat image data for the virtual reality environment  222 . The camera  234  may include one or microphones to collect audio data for the virtual reality environment  222 . The camera  234  may be supplemented with other devices as well. 
     The camera  234  provides visual data including images, audio data and other information to the data processing system  240  for analysis of the data gathered by the camera  234 . The data processing system  240  may be physically associated with the camera  234  or may be part of another device, such as the user computer  206  or AR server  210  ( FIG.  2 A ) and in data communication with the camera  234 . The data processing system  240  may include an artificial intelligence module or a machine learning module to assist in analyzing the virtual reality environment  222 . 
     The projector  236  may respond to control signals from the camera  234 , the data processing system  240  or other device to modify the visual appearance of a virtual object in the virtual reality environment  222  and thereby identify the virtual object as virtual and not a physical object. The virtual object may be identified as a suspected object, for example in response to an inquiry from the user  202 . In other embodiments, the verification module  218  may identify the suspected object based on current conditions or historical data. The projector  236  may cause the suspected object to have a different appearance to the user  202 . For example, the projector  236  may cause the suspected object to appear out of focus or pixelated. In another example, the projector  236  may cause the suspected object to appear to have different colors or to have a particular visual affect, such as to appear to glow or to shimmer. In another example, the projector  236  may shine a particular light on the suspected object to alter the appearance of the suspected object. The projector  236  may respond to control signals from the processing system  240  to modify the appearance of the suspected object. In another example, the projector  236  may cooperate with the main projector  224  to severely reduce the resolution of the projection to make the projection of the suspected object very choppy or distorted. In some embodiments, the processing system  240  controls at least some aspects of the main projector  224 . In some embodiments, if the processing system  240  concludes that the suspect object is a real object and not a hologram, the processing system may provide a signal to the user  202 . The signal may be a sound or a spoken instruction over a speaker, a light condition or other stimulus to alert the user  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the user  202  wears a wearable virtual reality device such as VR headset  204  ( FIG.  2 A ) or VR goggles. In such embodiments, the camera  234  and the projector  236  may be integrated with the wearable virtual reality device to observe and affect the immersive experience seen by the user  202  wearing the wearable virtual reality device. For example, the camera  234  may be positioned inside the VR headset  204  to observe the immersive experience with the user  202 . Similarly, the projector  236  may be positioned inside or on the VR headset so as to be able to illuminate or provide a visual modification to virtual objects or real objects, as appropriate, within the immersive experience for the user  202 . In further embodiments, the user  202  wears a wearable virtual reality device while also being present in an immersive reality space with projected immersive reality features projected by the main projector  224 . The camera  234  may include multiple cameras or lenses to observe both the immersive experience seen within the VR headset  204  and the projected immersive experience projected by the main projector  224 . Similarly, the projector  236  may include multiple projectors to control or modify appearance of detected virtual objects or real objects in both the VR headset  204  or other virtual reality wearable or in an immersive experience in an immersive experience space. 
     Time duration of the alteration of the appearance of the suspected object may be controlled in any suitable manner. The projector  236  may alter the appearance of the suspected object for a predetermined time, such as for 5 seconds. In another example, the alteration of the appearance of the suspected object may continue by the projector  236  until a further input is received from the user. For example, the user  202  may provide an indication that the user  202  has successfully identified the suspected object and the alteration of the appearance by the projector  236  may stop. The user  202  may provide the indication in any suitable way, such as a predetermined hand gesture, a spoken word detected by a microphone of the verification module, or by activating an input device on a user interface such as the user interface of a wearable device worn by the user  202  and in data communication with the verification module  218 . 
     The sensor  238  may include any suitable sensor to detect information about the area in which the user  202  is located. The sensor  238  may be an infrared sensor, an acoustic sensor, a radar system, a motion sensor system and others. A radar system and a motion sensor system may determine presence of a physical object in the immersive experience space occupied by the user  202  and another object. The sensor  238  may include environmental sensors that collect information such as temperature, wind speed, orientation or acceleration, or other physical factors of the environment where the user  202  is located. If the user  202  is operating a vehicle, the sensor  238  may detect vehicle speed and steering, acceleration and braking inputs by the user  202 . If the vehicle is a driver assisted vehicle, the sensor  238  may collect all information available to the driver assistance system such as images from cameras, navigation and location data, data from Lidar sensors, and others. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  238  may further gather information about the user  202 . Such information may include biometric information, such as pulse rate or respiratory rate, skin conductivity, pupil dilation, haptic information about one or more touches of the user  202 , and so forth. Thus, the sensors may include or be part of a wearable device such as a watch, belt or harness. Further, such user data may include information about the position, posture and movement of the user  202 . Any sort of data that may be useful by the verification module  18  for monitoring the user  202  may be sensed by the sensor  238 . 
     The sensor  238  may be in data communication with the processing system  240 . In some embodiments, the sensor  238  merely senses a condition and report information to the processing system  240 . In other embodiments, one or more of the sensors  208  may be controllable, such as by the processing system  240 . The sensor  238 , the processing system  240  as well as the camera  234  and the projector  236  may be in data communication with other devices over any suitable communication networks. 
     In an example of operation, the camera  234  operates in conjunction with the processing system  240  and the sensor  238  to try to understand the virtual reality environment  222 . The camera  234  and the processing system  240  cooperate to identify an unrecognized situation that requires further evaluation. In a first embodiment, the camera  234  and the processing system  240  operate to identify an unrecognized situation and, in response, activate the sensor  238  to collect additional information. In a second embodiment, the user  202  takes an action that serves as an input to the sensor to cause the sensor to collect additional information. 
     The camera  234  provides data and information to the processing system  240 . The camera  234  provides image data, for example, that may be used by the processing system  240  to determine objects in the virtual reality environment  222  and to understand whether the objects are virtual or real objects. For example, if the virtual reality environment  222  is a classroom full of children and a dog, the processing system  240  operates to determine if the dog is a virtual dog or a real dog. The processing system  240  may receive information from the sensor  238  to use to understand the environment. For example, the sensor  238  may provide information that the user  202  or others present in the virtual reality environment  222  are panicking. In another example, the camera  234  may provide an image of a fierce animal such as tiger  232 . The sensor  238  may include an infrared sensor that responds to heat information to confirm the presence of a live tiger or, if no significant heat signal is present, to clarify that the tiger  232  is a virtual tiger. Based on received inputs, the processing system  240  determines a reason for the panic, such as the presence in the virtual reality environment  222  of a virtual tiger. 
     In embodiments, the processing system  240  includes an artificial intelligence or machine learning module. The processing system  240 , in conjunction with the artificial intelligence or machine learning module, operates to identify an unrecognized situation for the user  202 . An unrecognized situation is one in which the user  202  may be immersed in an experience and unable to discern real objects, characters and events from virtual objects, characters and events. In extreme cases, the unrecognized situation may cause the user  202  to feel endangered because of the presence of a dangerous object or situation, such as the tiger  232 . In other cases, the user  202  may feel disorientated about the boundaries of reality and virtuality. The processing system  240 , in conjunction with the artificial intelligence or machine learning module, operates to ensure an enjoyable user experience for the user  202 . An enjoyable user experience generally excludes anxiety, fear, panic, disorientation and confusion. In some embodiments, the artificial intelligence or machine learning module may receive inputs from the user to control the extent to which the user wishes to have an unrecognized situation identified and managed for the user by the verification module  218 . 
     The artificial intelligence or machine learning module is able to learn from past experience to develop an understanding of current situations in the virtual reality environment  222 . The artificial intelligence or machine learning module may communicate with a remote source of information to receive training information and other data sets. The artificial intelligence or machine learning module may be provided with an initial model defining objects or situations that are associated with an unrecognized situation. For example, presence of a weapon or a tiger  232  in the virtual reality environment  222  represents an unrecognized situation. The virtual reality environment  222  may receive update model information over time to assist in identifying and evaluating unrecognized situations. 
     In one example, the verification module  218  is part of a service provided by a service provider. In an embodiment, the verification module  218  operates as an app on the mobile phone or other device of the user  202 . A service provider may be the operator of a mobile network accessible by the mobile device or a broadband network providing content items such as video, gaming and immersive experiences to users such as user  202 . In such an example, the service provider may collect at a remote site information received from multiple verification modules of multiple users. The information may be used to develop training data and other information which may be communicated over a network of the service provider to the verification module  218 . 
     In this embodiment, the processing system  240  has access to up-to-date information about immersive experiences in a virtual reality environment  222  that may present an unrecognized situation for the user  202 . The processing system  240  may use the up-to-date information to automatically identify the unrecognized situation and provide reassurance to the user  202 . 
     In an example, the virtual reality environment  222  is a classroom full of students including the user  202 . The camera  234  provides an image of a dog in the classroom to the processing system  240 . In one embodiment, the processing system  240  refers to an initial rule set and concludes that a dog should not be in a classroom and therefore automatically alerts the user  202  to the unrecognized situation. In a second embodiment, the processing system  240  has access to an updated rule set with information that sometimes, service dogs are present in classrooms. The updated rule set is based on information collected from other users in other immersive experiences. Based on this information and the updated rule set, the processing system  240  does not alert the user  202  to an unrecognized situation. 
     In another examples, the verification module  218  may be used to resolve possible confusion among real objects or people and virtual objects or people or holograms. In a first example, an immersive reality game is being played among a group including the user. At some point, a player introduces a second ball to the game. This may create some confusion about whether second ball is a real ball or a virtual ball. The user  202  can signal verification module  218  to identify the second ball. If the second ball is real, the verification module  218  provides a suitable indication to the user  202 . If the second ball is a virtual ball, the validation module illuminates the second ball to provide a clear visual indication that the second ball is a hologram or a virtual ball. In a first embodiment the visual indication is visible only to the user  202  associated with the verification module  218 . In a second embodiment, the visual indication is visible to all participants in the immersive reality game. 
     In a second example, at a party, a person attending the party may be a real person or may be a hologram of an individual who is actually located remotely. In case of a question, the user  202  can activate the verification module  218  to provide an indication of that the person is a real person or a hologram. 
     In an embodiment, multiple users have devices including respective verification modules  218 . The multiple users, or their validation modules, may collaborate. This may be done on an opt-in process in which the user  202  agrees to share data with other systems including other validation modules. For example, at a party where guests are enjoying an immersive experience together, a first verification module  218  may initiate a collaboration. The validation modules share information, including camera data from the camera  234  of each validation module and sensor data from the sensor  238 . Sharing may be in any suitable fashion, such as by wireless communication over a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi or other network connection. The respective processing systems may share conclusions about a suspect object or unrecognized situation. The respective processing systems may collaborate to alter the hologram of a virtual object which is threatening or otherwise represents a suspect object or an unrecognized situation. 
       FIG.  2 C  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method  250  in accordance with various aspects described herein. In embodiments, the verification module can be triggered by a user such as user  202  or by occurrences in the virtual reality environment  222 .  FIG.  2 C  shows one embodiment of a method  250  in which the user triggers the verification module  218 . Both methods may operate independently and simultaneously in embodiments to assist users in identifying what it real in a virtual environment and what is virtual in the virtual environment. 
     At block  252 , an immersive experience is initiated. The immersive experience may be implemented for one or more users in a particular space or environment which may be termed an immersive experience space. The users may use wearable equipment, such as a virtual reality headset or goggles to enable them to visually engage with the immersive experience. In some examples, the users may use plain, unassisted sight to participate in the immersive experience in which, for example, visual aspects of the immersive experience are provided by a main projector or on a display device such as a computer monitor, or a combination of these. The immersive experience may include audio aspects as well, and the equipment may include one or more speakers for providing audio components to the users and one or more microphones for collecting audio information in the space or environment. The immersive experience may be provided in any suitable manner by any suitable equipment, such as a user computer located in or near the space or an augmented reality server accessible over a communications network. 
     At block  254 , the immersive experience is monitored by, for example, a verification module. In the method  250 , the verification module monitors user reaction to detect a request to intervene in the immersive experience and identify virtual or real features. For example, users using goggles or with plain sight become immersed in the experience and may lose their bearings or orientation or the ability to readily discern what aspects of the immersive experience are real and what are virtual. The better and more immersive the experience, the more likely this may happen to a user. A more immersive experience may rely on improved data communication technology and virtual reality or augmented reality technology to blur or obscure boundaries between real, physical aspects of the experience and virtual aspects of the experience. Such aspects may include objects, individuals and situations, such as weapons, threatening people, and a dangerous location or situation where the user may be situated. The user may be confronting a suspect object that seems out of place or unexplained or risky in some way. The user may be confronting an unexpected situation that leaves the user unsettled or alarmed or concerned, particularly if the user is fully immersed in the experience. The unexpected situation may involve a suspected object that might pose a risk to the user and the nature of which as a real or virtual object is unclear. The unexpected situation may involve a suspected action, such as real or virtual user performing an unexpected act that may threaten the user. The user may feel that something is off, such as a person in the immersive experience charging at the user, and wonder whether the person is a real person or just a virtual reality projection. In such a case, the user needs clarification and to snap out of the immersive experience for a moment. If everything is as expected, then the user can resume the experience. If a genuinely dangerous or concerning situation is present, the user can take other actions to alter or terminate the experience. 
     At block  256 , the method  250  includes detecting a trigger initiated by one or more users. The trigger operates as an indication from the user multiple users requesting identification or verification of a suspected object for the user. The indication may be a predefined hand gesture or a spoken word by the user  202 . In embodiments, the method  250  views the particular space where the user is located during the immersive experience, such as with a camera. The camera may be sensitive to visual light, infrared energy or any other suitable technology to monitor the activities of the user. In other embodiments, a motion detector may be sensitive to user motions, such as through radar or lidar to detect a hand gesture, head motion, body motion or other trigger of the user. In still other embodiments, the method may employ a microphone or other audio-sensing technology to detect an audible trigger from the user. For example, the user may have specified a trigger word which, when uttered, serves as a trigger at block  256 . In yet other examples, the method may rely on information from other sensors to detect biometric information of the user, such as pulse rate or respiratory rate, skin conductivity, pupil dilation, haptic information about one or more touches of the user, for example. Based on an elevated respiratory rate, for example, the method  250  may conclude the user is anxious and identify the respiratory rate or anxiety as a trigger at block  256 . In other embodiments, any other identification of a questioned object may serve as a trigger and as a request for clarification. 
     At block  258 , the method  250  identifies real or virtual objects in the immersive experience. In an embodiment, the method receives input from a camera, sensors, or both that are viewing the particular space where the user is located during the immersive experience. A processing system may receive image data and other sensory data and run analytics on the received image data and sensory data. In some embodiments, the analytics may use artificial intelligence or machine learning (collectively referred to as AI/ML) to identify virtual or real objects or persons in the immersive experience. The AI/ML understands, from past experience and learning from this system and other cooperating systems, what is an acceptable situation and what is not depending on the situation, the location, other users, and other factors. For example, a paralyzed man in a wheelchair jumps suddenly to attack others may trigger the system to perform detection via analytics and to conclude that, based on experience, such a person is most likely a virtual object. 
     Thus, in some embodiments, the AI/ML system retrieves from storage information about known immersive experience situations. The AI/ML system compares any information about the current immersive experience such as image information from the camera and sensor data from sensors, with the retrieved information about known immersive experience situations. Based on the comparison, the AI/ML system may conclude that an object is more likely a virtual object or more likely a real object and alert the user accordingly. As the AI/ML system processes more immersive experiences, the AI/ML system becomes trained on the immersive experiences and develops a knowledge base for comparison with image and other data for current immersive experiences. 
     In some embodiments, the method  250  may rely on inputs from a sensor system, such as a system using microwave sensors, ultrasound sensors, infrared sensors and others, to verify objects appearing in the immersive experience. This includes those objects that prompted the user to trigger the detection process at block  256 . In this manner, the user understands quickly what is going on in the immersive experience when the method exposes the objects. 
     At block  260 , the method  250  provides an indication to the user about virtual or real objects in the immersive experience. In an embodiment, the method  250  uses a projector to modify the visual appearance of a suspected object to show that the suspected object is a virtual object. For example, the projector may cause the suspected object to appear to the user to be out of focus or pixelated. In another example, the projector  236  may cause the suspected object to appear to have different colors or to have a particular visual affect, such as to appear to glow or to shimmer. In another example, the projector may illuminate the suspected object with a particular light to alter the appearance of the suspected object for the user. In another example, the method  250  may overlay another projection over the suspected object to make it appear as a virtual object along with the other virtual objects in the immersive experience, so the user knows what is virtual and what is real and if there is a concern to the user. In other embodiments, the method  250  makes it clear to the user what is real and what is virtual, and it is up to the user to take action or continue the immersive experience. 
     At block  262 , the method resumes the immersive experience. Control returns to block  254  where the method  250  continues monitoring the immersive experience. In some examples, the user may decide to modify or terminate the immersive experience based on the identification of the suspected object or an unexpected situation. 
       FIG.  2 D  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method  270  in accordance with various aspects described herein. In  FIG.  2 D , the method  270  illustrates an embodiment in which the verification module can be triggered by occurrences in an immersive experience created in an immersive experience space as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B . 
     At block  272 , similar to block  252  ( FIG.  2 C ), immersive experience is initiated. The immersive experience may be implemented for one or more users in a particular space or environment. In the immersive experience, visual aspects are provided by a main projector or on a display device such as a computer monitor, or a combination of these. The users may use equipment such as a virtual reality headset or goggles to visually engage with the immersive experience. In other examples, users may use unassisted eyesight for the immersive experience. The immersive experience may include audio aspects as well, and the equipment may include one or more speakers for providing audio components to the users and one or more microphones for collecting audio information in the space or environment. The immersive experience may be provided in any suitable manner by any suitable equipment. 
     At block  274 , the immersive experience is monitored by, for example, a verification module. For example, the verification module monitors the scene of the immersive experience to identify an unexpected situation that may affect the user, such as leaving the user unsettled or alarmed or concerned. Further, the verification module monitors the scene to identify an unexpected situation that may be out of the ordinary. Still further, the verification module monitors the scene to identify a suspected object or a suspected action that may cause concern or suspicion by a user involved in the immersive experience. The method  270  may receive information such as image data and sensor data from one or more cameras and sensors. The method  270  reviews the received data to identify an unexpected situation or unrecognized situation, an out of the ordinary situation, or a suspected object. 
     At block  276 , the method  270  determines if the immersive experience involves an unexpected or unrecognized situation, an out of the ordinary situation, or a suspected object, or some other situation that should be called to the attention of the user. The unexpected action may be based on a suspected object or a suspected action occurring in the immersive experience. In some embodiments, the method  270  relies on artificial intelligence or machine learning (collectively, AI/ML) to analyze the scene. For example, the method  270  receives data about the immersive experience. The method  270  further receives information about other immersive experiences and compares features of the current immersive experience with the retrieved information about similar immersive experiences. The method  270  may store and retrieve information about acceptable and unacceptable immersive experiences, including as part of an AI/ML process. 
     In another embodiment, the method  270  may receive information from a remote source about analysis of other immersive experiences. For example, the method  270  may be implemented as part of a service which monitors immersive experience for user, such as on a subscription basis. Other devices monitor other users and the immersive experiences of the other users. Information about such immersive experiences and user interaction therewith may be shared as part of the service. As part of the service, the shared information is provided to the method  270  for monitoring and analyzing immersive experiences including the current immersive experience. In an example, the immersive experience being monitored at block  274  and analyzed at block  276  may involve a sporting event in which the user participates with others. The method  270  may determine that a dog is present in the immersive experience and that the presence of a dog in such an experience is not normal and should be signaled to the user. However, based on additional information received from a remote source, the AI/ML process may determine that sometimes service dogs or companion animals are present at such a sporting event or immersive experience. Based on that determination, the method  270  may decide not to alert the user. In some embodiments, the method  270  may choose an alert from several possible alerts. In this example, the chosen alert may be a low-level alert that merely calls the presence of the dog to the attention of the user, rather than a higher-level alert that sounds an emergency and signals danger. 
     At block  276 , if no unrecognized situation or other occurrence is determined by the method  270  which requires alerting the user, control returns to block  274  to continue monitoring the immersive experience. The method  270  may remain in a loop including block  274  and block  276  during the progress of the immersive experience until the immersive experience ends or is terminated or interrupted by the user. 
     If, at block  276 , an unrecognized situation or suspected object is determined, at block  278 , the method  270  determines if the suspected object is a real object in the space with the user or a virtual object or hologram that is not a physical object and exists only as part of the immersive experience. In the example where a dog is present at a sporting event in an immersive experience, the AI/ML process understands that a dog is not normally present in such a situation. The method  270  in some embodiments collects information from one or more sensors. The sensors may include, for example, microwave sensors, ultrasound sensors, infrared sensors, audio sensors, and others. The sensor information may be used by the method  270  to determine if the objects appearing in the immersive experience, including those which triggered the detection process, are real or not. Position information from the sensors may be compared with position information from, for example, a camera. In the example, the method  270  receives information from an infrared sensor that detects the heat signature associated with a live dog in the same position as was determined by image information from a camera. The method  270  then concludes that the dog is real. On the other hand, if the infrared sensor indicates no heat signature, and other sensors such as radar or lidar indicate no physical body present in the location where the camera identified the dog, the method  270  concludes the dog is virtual. 
     At block  280 , the method  270  signals the user about the unrecognized situation or suspected object. This may be done in any suitable way in the immersive experience. For example, the method  270  may include severely reducing the resolution of the projection of the immersive experience to make the projection appear very choppy, if the method is connected to and in control of the projection system. In another example, the method  270  may include projecting different color light onto the virtual objects in the immersive experience space from a separate projector. The separate projector may be wearable by the user such as mounted on the head on the user or affixed in the place as a separate system under control of the method  270 . 
     In other embodiments, any suitable or appropriate signal may be provided to the user at block  280 . For example an audio tone may be sounded for the user to hear, or a first distinct audio tone may be sounded to indicate a suspected object is real and a second audio tone may be sounded to indicate the suspected object is virtual or a hologram. If the user is wearing a headset or goggles or other wearable device that permits haptic response, the block  280  may include generating a haptic signal to the user such as a vibration or tapping on the skin of the user. 
     After signaling the user at block  280 , control may return to block  274  to continue monitoring the immersive experience. In other embodiments, the method may end, the immersive experience may end or the user may terminate the immersive experience. 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in  FIG.  2 C  and  FIG.  2 D , it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a block diagram is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network  300  in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular a virtualized communication network is presented that can be used to implement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system  100 , the subsystems and functions of system  200 , method  250  and method  270  presented in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  3   . For example, virtualized communication network  300  can facilitate in whole or in part presenting an immersive experience to a user, determining if an object or a situation in the immersive experience is likely to make the user feel apprehension or concern, identifying the situation or identifying the object as a virtual object, and changing the visual appearance of the object or the situation to verify real and virtual objects in the immersive experience to reassure the user. 
     In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via a transport layer  350 , a virtualized network function cloud  325  and/or one or more cloud computing environments  375 . In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leverages application programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations; supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance and reliability expectations. 
     In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typically integrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communication network employs virtual network elements (VNEs)  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. that perform some or all of the functions of network elements  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 , etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrate of networking capability, often called Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of being directed with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocols to perform a broad variety of network functions and services. This infrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typical type of substrate being servers that support Network Function Virtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities based on generic computing resources, with specialized network technologies brought to bear when general-purpose processors or general-purpose integrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein as merchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communication services can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads. 
     As an example, a traditional network element  150  (shown in  FIG.  1   ), such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE  330  composed of NFV software modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. The software can be written so that increasing workload consumes incremental resources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it&#39;s elastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similar fashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edge caches, and middle boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool. Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planning and growing infrastructure easier to manage. 
     In an embodiment, the transport layer  350  includes fiber, cable, wired and/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces to provide broadband access  110 , wireless access  120 , voice access  130 , media access  140  and/or access to content sources  175  for distribution of content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, in some cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place, and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times, the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannot be abstracted or virtualized and might require special DSP code and analog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementation as VNEs  330 ,  332  or  334 . These network elements can be included in transport layer  350 . 
     The virtualized network function cloud  325  interfaces with the transport layer  350  to provide the VNEs  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. to provide specific NFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud  325  leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to support networking workloads. The virtualized network elements  330 ,  332  and  334  can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-one mapping of traditional network element function or alternately some combination of network functions designed for cloud computing. For example, VNEs  330 ,  332  and  334  can include route reflectors, domain name system (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management entity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers for IP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers and other network elements. Because these elements don&#39;t typically need to forward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributed across a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of the capability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higher availability than its former monolithic version. These virtual network elements  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. can be instantiated and managed using an orchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services. 
     The cloud computing environments  375  can interface with the virtualized network function cloud  325  via APIs that expose functional capabilities of the VNEs  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. to provide the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network function cloud  325 . In particular, network workloads may have applications distributed across the virtualized network function cloud  325  and cloud computing environment  375  and in the commercial cloud or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these third-party locations. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4   , there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein,  FIG.  4    and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment  400  in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computing environment  400  can be used in the implementation of network elements  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 , access terminal  112 , base station or access point  122 , switching device  132 , media terminal  142 , and/or VNEs  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. Each of these devices can be implemented via computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, computing environment  400  can facilitate in whole or in part presenting an immersive experience to a user, determining if an object or a situation in the immersive experience is likely to make the user feel apprehension or concern, identifying the situation or identifying the object as a virtual object, and changing the visual appearance of the object or the situation to verify real and virtual objects in the immersive experience to reassure the user. 
     Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices. 
     As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors as well as other application specific circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals or data and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. It should be noted that while any functions and features described herein in association with the operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processing circuit. 
     The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data. 
     Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. 
     Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored by the medium. 
     Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. 
     With reference again to  FIG.  4   , the example environment can comprise a computer  402 , the computer  402  comprising a processing unit  404 , a system memory  406  and a system bus  408 . The system bus  408  couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory  406  to the processing unit  404 . The processing unit  404  can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit  404 . 
     The system bus  408  can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory  406  comprises ROM  410  and RAM  412 . A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer  402 , such as during startup. The RAM  412  can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data. 
     The computer  402  further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)  414  (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD  414  can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)  416 , (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette  418 ) and an optical disk drive  420 , (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk  422  or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD  414 , magnetic FDD  416  and optical disk drive  420  can be connected to the system bus  408  by a hard disk drive interface  424 , a magnetic disk drive interface  426  and an optical drive interface  428 , respectively. The hard disk drive interface  424  for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein. 
     The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer  402 , the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described herein. 
     A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM  412 , comprising an operating system  430 , one or more application programs  432 , other program modules  434  and program data  436 . All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM  412 . The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. 
     A user can enter commands and information into the computer  402  through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard  438  and a pointing device, such as a mouse  440 . Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  404  through an input device interface  442  that can be coupled to the system bus  408 , but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc. 
     A monitor  444  or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus  408  via an interface, such as a video adapter  446 . It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor  444  can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer  402  via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor  444 , a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc. 
     The computer  402  can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s)  448 . The remote computer(s)  448  can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer  402 , although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storage device  450  is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN)  452  and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN)  454 . Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  402  can be connected to the LAN  452  through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter  456 . The adapter  456  can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN  452 , which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter  456 . 
     When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  402  can comprise a modem  458  or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN  454  or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN  454 , such as by way of the Internet. The modem  458 , which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus  408  via the input device interface  442 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer  402  or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device  450 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used. 
     The computer  402  can be operable to communicate with any wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. 
     Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  5   , an embodiment  500  of a mobile network platform  510  is shown that is an example of network elements  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 , and/or VNEs  330 ,  332 ,  334 , etc. For example, platform  510  can facilitate in whole or in part presenting an immersive experience to a user, determining if an object or a situation in the immersive experience is likely to make the user feel apprehension or concern, identifying the situation or identifying the object as a virtual object, and changing the visual appearance of the object or the situation to verify real and virtual objects in the immersive experience. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform  510  can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or access points such as base station or access point  122 . Generally, mobile network platform  510  can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile network platform  510  can be included in telecommunications carrier networks and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform  510  comprises CS gateway node(s)  512  which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s)  540  (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network  560 . CS gateway node(s)  512  can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s)  512  can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network  560 ; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory  530 . Moreover, CS gateway node(s)  512  interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)  518 . As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s)  512  can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s)  512 , PS gateway node(s)  518 , and serving node(s)  516 , is provided and dictated by radio technologies utilized by mobile network platform  510  for telecommunication over a radio access network  520  with other devices, such as a radiotelephone  575 . 
     In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, PS gateway node(s)  518  can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to the mobile network platform  510 , like wide area network(s) (WANs)  550 , enterprise network(s)  570 , and service network(s)  580 , which can be embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform  510  through PS gateway node(s)  518 . It is to be noted that WANs  550  and enterprise network(s)  570  can embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) or radio access network  520 , PS gateway node(s)  518  can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s)  518  can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks. 
     In embodiment  500 , mobile network platform  510  also comprises serving node(s)  516  that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) in the radio access network  520 , convey the various packetized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s)  518 . It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s)  518 ; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s)  516  can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN). 
     For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)  514  in mobile network platform  510  can execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided by mobile network platform  510 . Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)  518  for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s)  516  for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s)  514  can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through mobile network platform  510  to ensure network&#39;s operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s)  512  and PS gateway node(s)  518  can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN  550  or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobile network platform  510  (e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in  FIG.  1 ( s )  that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage. 
     It is to be noted that server(s)  514  can comprise one or more processors configured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobile network platform  510 . To that end, the one or more processors can execute code instructions stored in memory  530 , for example. It should be appreciated that server(s)  514  can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore. 
     In example embodiment  500 , memory  530  can store information related to operation of mobile network platform  510 . Other operational information can comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through mobile network platform  510 , subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory  530  can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s)  540 , WAN  550 , SS7 network  560 , or enterprise network(s)  570 . In an aspect, memory  530  can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store. 
     In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter,  FIG.  5   , and the following discussion, are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data types. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  6   , an illustrative embodiment of a communication device  600  is shown. The communication device  600  can serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals  114 , mobile devices  124 , vehicle  126 , display devices  144  or other client devices for communication via either communications network  125 . For example, computing device  600  can facilitate in whole or in part presenting an immersive experience to a user, determining if an object or a situation in the immersive experience is likely to make the user feel apprehension or concern, identifying the situation or identifying the object as a virtual object, and changing the visual appearance of the object or the situation to verify real and virtual objects in the immersive experience. 
     The communication device  600  can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver  602  (herein transceiver  602 ), a user interface (UI)  604 , a power supply  614 , a location receiver  616 , a motion sensor  618 , an orientation sensor  620 , and a controller  606  for managing operations thereof. The transceiver  602  can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver  602  can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof. 
     The UI  604  can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad  608  with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device  600 . The keypad  608  can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device  600  or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad  608  can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI  604  can further include a display  610  such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device  600 . In an embodiment where the display  610  is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad  608  can be presented by way of the display  610  with navigation features. 
     The display  610  can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device  600  can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The display  610  can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user&#39;s finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display  610  can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device  600  or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface. 
     The UI  604  can also include an audio system  612  that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high-volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system  612  can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system  612  can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI  604  can further include an image sensor  613  such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images. 
     The power supply  614  can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device  600  to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies. 
     The location receiver  616  can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device  600  based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor  618  can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device  600  in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor  620  can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device  600  (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics). 
     The communication device  600  can use the transceiver  602  to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller  606  can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device  600 . 
     Other components not shown in  FIG.  6    can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device  600  can include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so on. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn&#39;t otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “a first determination,” “a second determination,” and “a third determination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determination is to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc. 
     In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory. 
     Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can be generated including services being accessed, media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained by various methods including user input, detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams, sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to an authorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types of data, and so forth. 
     Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority. 
     As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited to determining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing communication network coverage, etc. 
     As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While various components have been illustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as multiple components, without departing from example embodiments. 
     Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communications media. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments. 
     In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the related drawings. 
     Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms), which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth. 
     As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units. 
     As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. 
     What has been described above includes mere examples of various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/or claimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained. 
     As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signal conveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format of information in a signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the second item. In a further example of indirect coupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the second item, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening items. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.