Patent Publication Number: US-2023139126-A1

Title: Virtual environment interactivity for video communications participants

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to video communications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for providing virtual environment interactivity for users of a video communications platform. 
     SUMMARY 
     The appended claims may serve as a summary of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system with software and/or hardware modules that may execute some of the functionality described herein. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates one or more client devices that may be used to participate in a video conference and/or virtual environment. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an exemplary user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an exemplary method that may be performed in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer that may perform processing in some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In this specification, reference is made in detail to specific embodiments of the invention. Some of the embodiments or their aspects are illustrated in the drawings. 
     For clarity in explanation, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, however it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the invention covers alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within its scope as defined by any patent claims. The following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations on, the claimed invention. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In addition, well known features may not have been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. 
     In addition, it should be understood that steps of the exemplary methods set forth in this exemplary patent can be performed in different orders than the order presented in this specification. Furthermore, some steps of the exemplary methods may be performed in parallel rather than being performed sequentially. Also, the steps of the exemplary methods may be performed in a network environment in which some steps are performed by different computers in the networked environment. 
     Some embodiments are implemented by a computer system. A computer system may include a processor, a memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory and non-transitory medium may store instructions for performing methods and steps described herein. 
     I. Exemplary Environments 
       FIG.  1 A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which some embodiments may operate. In the exemplary environment  100 , a first user&#39;s client device  150  and one or more additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  are connected to a processing engine  102  and, optionally, a video communication platform  140 . The processing engine  102  is connected to the video communication platform  140 , and optionally connected to one or more repositories and/or databases, including a user account repository  130  and/or a settings repository  132 . One or more of the databases may be combined or split into multiple databases. The first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  in this environment may be computers, and the video communication platform server  140  and processing engine  102  may be applications or software hosted on a computer or multiple computers which are communicatively coupled via remote server or locally. 
     The exemplary environment  100  is illustrated with only one additional user&#39;s client device, one processing engine, and one video communication platform, though in practice there may be more or fewer additional users&#39; client devices, processing engines, and/or video communication platforms. In some embodiments, one or more of the first user&#39;s client device, additional users&#39; client devices, processing engine, and/or video communication platform may be part of the same computer or device. 
     In an embodiment, processing engine  102  may perform the methods  900 ,  1000 ,  1100 , or other methods herein and, as a result, provide for virtual environment interactivity for video communications participants. A virtual environment may comprise a VR environment or AR environment. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished via communication with the first user&#39;s client device  150 , additional users&#39; client device(s)  160 , processing engine  102 , video communication platform  140 , and/or other device(s) over a network between the device(s) and an application server or some other network server. In some embodiments, the processing engine  102  is an application, browser extension, or other piece of software hosted on a computer or similar device or is itself a computer or similar device configured to host an application, browser extension, or other piece of software to perform some of the methods and embodiments herein. 
     In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client devices  160  may perform the methods  900 ,  1000 ,  1100 , or other methods herein and, as a result, provide for virtual environment interactivity for video communications participants. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished via communication with the first user&#39;s client device  150 , additional users&#39; client device(s)  160 , processing engine  102 , video communication platform  140 , and/or other device(s) over a network between the device(s) and an application server or some other network server. 
     The first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  may be devices with a display configured to present information to a user of the device. In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  present information in the form of a user interface (UI) with UI elements or components. In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  send and receive signals and/or information to the processing engine  102  and/or video communication platform  140 . The first user&#39;s client device  150  may be configured to perform functions related to presenting and playing back video, audio, documents, annotations, and other materials within a video presentation (e.g., a virtual class, lecture, webinar, or any other suitable video presentation) on a video communication platform. The additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  may be configured to viewing the video presentation, and in some cases, presenting material and/or video as well. In some embodiments, first user&#39;s client device  150  and/or additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  include an embedded or connected camera which is capable of generating and transmitting video content in real time or substantially real time. For example, one or more of the client devices may be smartphones with built-in cameras, and the smartphone operating software or applications may provide the ability to broadcast live streams based on the video generated by the built-in cameras. In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  and additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  are computing devices capable of hosting and executing one or more applications or other programs capable of sending and/or receiving information. In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  and/or additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  may be a computer desktop or laptop, mobile phone, video phone, conferencing system, virtual assistant, virtual reality or augmented reality device, wearable, or any other suitable device capable of sending and receiving information. In some embodiments, the processing engine  102  and/or video communication platform  140  may be hosted in whole or in part as an application or web service executed on the first user&#39;s client device  150  and/or additional users&#39; client device(s)  160 . In some embodiments, one or more of the video communication platform  140 , processing engine  102 , and first user&#39;s client device  150  or additional users&#39; client devices  160  may be the same device. In some embodiments, the first user&#39;s client device  150  is associated with a first user account on the video communication platform, and the additional users&#39; client device(s)  160  are associated with additional user account(s) on the video communication platform. 
     In some embodiments, optional repositories can include one or more of a user account repository  130  and settings repository  132 . The user account repository may store and/or maintain user account information associated with the video communication platform  140 . In some embodiments, user account information may include sign-in information, user settings, subscription information, billing information, connections to other users, and other user account information. The settings repository  132  may store and/or maintain settings associated with the communication platform  140 . In some embodiments, settings repository  132  may include virtual environment settings, virtual reality (VR) settings, augmented reality (AR) settings, audio settings, video settings, video processing settings, and so on. Settings may include enabling and disabling one or more features, selecting quality settings, selecting one or more options, and so on. Settings may be global or applied to a particular user account. 
     Video communication platform  140  comprises a platform configured to facilitate video presentations and/or communication between two or more parties, such as within a video conference or virtual classroom. In some embodiments, video communication platform  140  enables video conference sessions between one or more users. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system  170  with software and/or hardware modules that may execute some of the functionality described herein. Computer system  170  may comprise, for example, a server or client device or a combination of server and client devices for extracting a user representation from a video stream to a virtual environment. 
     Video conference module  171  provides system functionality for providing video conferences between one or more video conference participants. Video conference module  171  may comprise part or all of the video communication platform  140  and/or processing engine  102 . Video conference module  171  may host a video conference session that enables one or more participants to communicate over video. In some embodiments, video conference module  171  may require users to authenticate themselves to join a video conference, such as by providing credentials like a username and/or password. In some embodiments, video conference module  171  may allow guest users to join a video conference without authenticating themselves and may notify participants in the meeting that one or more unauthenticated participants are present. A video conference session may include one or more video streams that each display one or more of the participants, or other scenes such as a screenshare or a virtual environment as described herein. In an embodiment, synchronized audio may be provided with the video streams. 
     Software development kit (SDK)  172  provides system functionality for enabling an application to interface with the video conference module  171 . In some embodiments, SDK  172  may comprise an application programming interface (API). SDK  172  may be distributed to enable software developers to use functionality of the video conference module  171  in first party or 3 rd  party software applications. In some embodiments, SDK  172  may enable first party or 3 rd  party software applications to provide video communication such as video conferencing via the video communication platform  140  and processing engine  102 . In some embodiments, SDK  172  may enable VR or AR applications to integrate video communication into a virtual environment. 
     Video extraction module  173  provides system functionality for extracting a portion of video containing a user from video content containing the user and a background. In an embodiment, video extraction module  173  may remove a background from video content. In an embodiment, the video extraction module  173  may determine a boundary between a user in a video and the background. The video extraction module  173  may retain the portion of the video depicting the user and remove the portion of the video depicting the background. In an embodiment, the video extraction module  173  may optionally replace the background with a transparent or translucent background or may leave the background empty. 
     Virtual whiteboard  174  provides system functionality for a virtual collaboration space. In some embodiments, virtual whiteboard  174  may allow functionality such as creating and editing objects, drawing, erasing, creating and deleting text or annotations, and so on. In an embodiment, one or more participants in a video conference session may share one or more virtual whiteboards  174  where they may collaborate and share information. In some embodiments, the contents of one or more virtual whiteboards  174  may be stored for retrieval at a later date. In some embodiments, contents of one or more virtual whiteboards  174  may be combined with other virtual whiteboards  174 , such as by importing the content of virtual whiteboard into another virtual whiteboard. 
     Digital representation generator  175  provides system functionality for generating a digital representation of a user. In an embodiment, the digital representation generator  175  may generate a digital representation of a video conference participant. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be provided in a virtual environment. In an embodiment, the generated digital representation may use an extracted video of a video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In alternative variations, the generated digital representation may be generated based on a still image of the video conference participant. Alternatively, the generated digital representation may be based on configuration settings, such as avatar creation by a video conference participant. In an embodiment, the generated digital representation may comprise a 2D or 3D representation. 
     Digital representation generator  175  may be configured to generate one or several different types of digital representations. In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise extracted video of the video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a flat shape displaying on a surface of the flat shape the extracted video of the video conference participant from video extraction module  173 . In one embodiment, digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a 3D mesh generated based on the extracted video of the video conference participant and displaying on the surface of the 3D mesh the extracted video of the video conference participant. In one embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may comprise a 3D avatar. In one embodiment, the 3D avatar may be generated based on configuration settings of the video conference participant. Alternatively, the 3D avatar may be generated based on the extracted video of the video conference participant. 
     Virtual application  176  provides system functionality for displaying and/or interacting with a virtual environment. In an embodiment, virtual application  176  may enable a user of a video conference application to access a virtual environment from a computer system, such as a desktop, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and other computer systems. In one embodiment, virtual application  176  may comprise the virtual environment. In one embodiment, virtual application  176  comprises a 3D engine for displaying the virtual environment. In one embodiment, the virtual application  176  may receive user input for moving a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment. In one embodiment, the virtual application  176  may allow selecting a location for the digital representation of the video conference participant or may allow free movement. In one embodiment, the virtual application  176  may be embedded in a video conference application. In one embodiment, the virtual application  176  may run in a web browser and may optionally comprise a web application. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates one or more client devices that may be used to participate in a video conference and/or virtual environment. 
     In an embodiment, a VR headset  204  may be worn by a VR user  202  to interact with a VR environment. The VR headset  204  may display 3D graphics to the VR user  202  to represent a VR environment, which may be generated by a VR application. Moreover, the VR headset  204  may track the movement of the VR user&#39;s head and/or other body parts to update its display to simulate an experience of being in the VR environment. In an embodiment, a VR headset  204  may optionally include controllers  206  to control the VR application. In some embodiments, the VR headset  204  may enable the VR user  202  to participate in a video conference within a VR environment. 
     Similarly, in an embodiment, an AR headset may be worn by an AR user to interact with an AR environment. The AR headset may display AR graphics, such as holograms, to the AR user to represent an AR environment, which may be generated by an AR application. The AR application may enable viewing a mixed reality environment that includes some AR objects and some real objects. Moreover, the AR headset may track the movement of the AR user&#39;s head or other body parts to update its display to simulate the AR environment. In an embodiment, an AR headset may optionally include controllers to control the AR application. In some embodiments, the AR headset may enable the AR user to participate in a video conference within an AR environment. 
     In an embodiment, a computer system  216  may provide a video conference application  214  that is communicably connected to video communication platform  140  and processing engine  102 . The video conference application  214  may enable a video conference participant  212  to communicate with other participants on a video conference, including participants joining from video conference application  214  or VR headset  204  or an AR headset. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment  300  in which some embodiments may operate. In an embodiment, computer system  320  provides a video conference application  324  that enables video conference participant  326  to join a video conference session. The video conference application  324  connects to server  310  hosting video conference module  171 . The video conference module  171  may provide system functionality for hosting one or more video conference sessions and connecting one or more participants via video communication. 
     In an embodiment, computer system  320  optionally includes virtual application  176 . In an embodiment, the virtual application  176  may comprise a copy of the virtual environment  304 . In an embodiment, the virtual application  176  may connect to virtual environment server  330  and may enable displaying and interacting with the local copy of the virtual environment  304 . In an embodiment, both the video conference application  324  and virtual application  176  may be displayed to the video conference participant  326 , in some cases simultaneously. In an embodiment, the virtual application  176  may comprise a component of the video conference application  324  or may comprise a separate application. In an embodiment, the virtual application  176  may comprise a 3D engine  326 , which may render the local copy of the virtual environment  304 . In an embodiment, the local copy of the virtual environment  304  may connect to the virtual environment service  332  on the virtual environment server  330 . In some embodiments, the virtual application  176  may communicate with the virtual environment service  332  using an API of the virtual environment service  332 . 
     In an embodiment, a VR/AR device  302 , which may comprise a VR or AR device such as a headset, displays a virtual environment  304 , which may comprise a VR environment or AR environment. VR/AR user  308 , which may comprise a VR or AR user, may interact with the virtual environment  304  using the VR/AR device  302 . Virtual environment  304  may connect with SDK  172  on VR/AR device  302 . SDK  172  enables the virtual environment  304 , which may comprise a VR or AR application, to connect to API  312  on server  310 . The API  312  may provide access to functionality of video conferencing module  171 . Virtual environment  304  may be enabled to provide access to video conference sessions that may include other VR/AR users and video conference participant  326  through SDK  172 , API  312 , and video conference module  171 . 
     In an embodiment, virtual environment  304  may connect to virtual environment service  332  on virtual environment server  330 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment service  332  may host a backend of the virtual environment  304 . The virtual environment service  332  may comprise data and functions for providing the virtual environment  304  to the VR/AR user  308 . For example, virtual environment service  332  may store persistent objects and locations in the virtual environment  304  and maintain a consistent virtual world for experience by other VR/AR users who may also join the same virtual environment through their own VR/AR device. In an embodiment, the virtual environment service may optionally provide the same backend data and services to the local copy of the virtual environment  304  in the virtual application  176 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment service  332  may optionally connect to the API  312  to communicate data to and from the video conference module  171 . For example, the virtual environment service  332  may transmit or receive global data about the virtual environment  304  with the video conference module  171 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment server  330  may include a copy of SDK  172  for interfacing between virtual environment service  332  and API  312 . 
     In an embodiment, the computer system  320 , video conference application  324 , virtual application  176 , server  310 , video conference module  171 , API  312 , and SDK  172  may comprise aspects of a video conference system  350 . In an embodiment, the virtual environment  304 , virtual environment server  330 , and virtual environment service  332  may comprise aspects of a 3 rd  party VR or AR application. Alternatively, the virtual environment  304 , virtual environment server  330 , and virtual environment service  332  may comprise aspects of a first party VR/AR application that comprise further aspects of video conference system  350 . 
     II. Exemplary Systems 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The virtual environment  400  may comprise a VR or AR environment such as a 3D world including digital representations, such as 3D avatars  402 ,  404 ,  406 , of one or more users. Digital representations may also comprise 2D representations, such as images, videos, sprites, and so on. Each of the digital representations may represent a VR/AR user who is viewing and interacting with the virtual environment  400  from a VR/AR device. The virtual environment  400  may be displayed to each VR/AR user from the perspective of their digital representations. The virtual environment  400  is illustrated as an indoor conference room, but any other virtual environment may also be presented such as representations of outdoor areas, video game worlds, and so on. 
     Video conference view  410  in virtual environment  400  may display a video stream  412  including real-time video of video conference participant  414 . The video may be captured from the camera of the computer system of the video conference participant  414 . The VR or AR application may receive video stream  412  from video conference module  171  through SDK  172  and render the video stream  412  on the surface of a 3D object in the virtual environment  400 , such as a 3D representation of a screen, projector, wall, or other object. In an embodiment, the video conferencing application may run in the virtual environment  400 . VR or AR application may render a user interface  416  of the video conferencing application that may contain the video stream  412 . The user interface  416  may also be rendered on the surface of a 3D object. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary virtual environment  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As described elsewhere herein, the virtual environment  400  may comprise a VR or AR environment such as a 3D world including digital representations, such as 3D avatars  402 ,  404 , of one or more users. The virtual environment  400  may include a digital representation  420  of a video conference participant. Digital representation  420  may alternatively be referred to as an avatar, virtual character, or the like. The digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be 2D or 3D. In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise a video of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video may comprise a streaming video that plays in real-time. In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant may be extracted by the video extraction module  173 . In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant may comprise video depicting imagery of the video conference participant with the background removed. One digital representation  420  is illustrated, but more or fewer digital representations of other video conference participants may be provided in the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may have a location and/or facing direction in the virtual environment  400 . For example, the location may comprise coordinates and the facing direction may comprise one or more rotations, quaternions, or so on. In one embodiment, the location and/or facing direction may be modified, which may allow the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant to be moved to different locations in the virtual environment  400  and/or be faced in different directions. In one embodiment, one or more locations in the virtual environment  400  may be selectable, and the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be moved to and displayed at a selected location. In an embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be displayed in a seat, in a standing location, or elsewhere in the virtual environment  400 . 
     The digital representation  420  may be presented in various forms according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may comprise a flat cut out. For example, the digital representation  420  may comprise a flat shape and the video of the video conference participant may be displayed on the flat shape. The flat shape may comprise one or more polygons. In an embodiment, the video of the video conference participant is displayed on a flat surface of the shape. 
     In an embodiment, virtual environment  400  may optionally include a virtual whiteboard  430 . The virtual whiteboard  430  may include one or more user interface controls for adding and editing content on the virtual whiteboard  430 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary user interface  600  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. User interface  600  may comprise an interface of a video conferencing application. Content view  610  displays a view of the virtual environment  400 , including the 3D avatars  402 ,  404  of participants in the video conference. The content view  610  may comprise video content  620 . In an embodiment, content view  610  may display video content from the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, video content  620  of the virtual environment  400  may be captured on a VR/AR device  302  or a virtual environment server  330 . The video content  620  may be encoded in streaming video format by an encoder on a VR/AR device  302 , virtual environment server  330 , or a server  310 . In some embodiments, the encoder may comprise SDK  172 . The video content may be transmitted from the VR/AR device  302  or virtual environment server  330  to the video conference module  171  of the server  310  and on to the computer system  320  and video conference application  324 . User interface  600  may be displayed on a computer system to a video conference participant  326 . 
     In an embodiment, video content  620  may be captured by a virtual camera. The virtual camera may capture a view of the virtual environment  400  comprising a viewport. The viewport may comprise a view of a 3D environment that is captured from a position in the 3D environment. The virtual camera may generate video content based on the portion of the 3D environment that is within the viewport for transmitting to a video conference application. 
     In an embodiment, the virtual camera may be located at the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. For example, the virtual camera may have the same location and/or facing direction as the location and facing direction of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. In an embodiment, virtual camera may have the same location and/or facing direction as the location and facing direction of the eyes, head, chest, or other portion of the digital representation  420  of the video conferencing participant. 
     In an embodiment, the viewpoint for capturing video content  620  may change when the video conference participant moves the digital representation  420  to a new location and/or facing direction in the virtual environment. In an embodiment, the video content  620  may be captured from the new location and/or facing direction. In an embodiment, the virtual camera may be moved to the new location and/or facing direction. 
     In an embodiment, interactive view  630  displays a view of the virtual environment  400  and may enable moving the digital representation  420  to new locations in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the video content  620  and interactive view  630  display simultaneous views into the same virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, the same virtual environment  400  is displayed in both the video content  620  and interactive view  630 , including being backed by the same backend data on virtual environment server  330  and including the same objects and avatars at the same locations. In an embodiment, both video content  620  and interactive view  630  may be updated when changes are made in the virtual environment  400 , such as changes in the location and/or viewpoint of the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, virtual application  176  may provide the interactive view  630 . Interactive view  630  may comprise a component of the video conference application  324  or a separate application. In an embodiment, the interactive view  630  renders the virtual environment  400  in 3D graphics generated by 3D engine  326 . In an embodiment, the interactive view  630  may be provided in a web browser using a web-compatible 3D engine. In an embodiment, the interactive view  630  may enable the video conference participant  326  to perform the same interactions in the virtual environment  400  as are enabled for a VR/AR user  308  accessing the virtual environment  304  from a VR/AR application on VR/AR device  302 . Alternatively, the interactive view  630  may have less functionality or more functionality than a corresponding VR/AR application. In some embodiments, the interactive view  630  may be rendered in 2D, such as a 2D top-down map. In an embodiment, the video content  620  and interactive view  630  may optionally be displayed side by side. In an embodiment, the interactive view  630  may be hidden or opened based on user input. 
     In an embodiment, the interactive view  630  receives user input and may move the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant in response to and based on the user input. In an embodiment, interactive view  630  may display one or more selectable locations where the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be moved. In an embodiment, one or more indicators may be displayed at the selectable locations to indicate that they may be selected. In one embodiment, interactive  630  may display a plurality of seats  460 ,  462 ,  464  that may comprise selectable locations where the digital representation  420  may be moved. An indicator, such as highlighting, circling, effects, and the like, may show the current location of the digital representation  420 , such as seat  462 . In an embodiment, digital representation  420  may be shown at its location in seat  462 . In an embodiment, selectable locations for the digital representation  420  may be predefined, or interactive view  630  may allow an arbitrary location in the virtual environment  400  to be freely selected. In alternative embodiments, interactive view  630  may enable free movement in the virtual environment  400  such as walking or moving around the virtual environment  400  based on user input. In an embodiment, keyboard input, such as arrow keys, may enable the digital representation  420  to walk or move around in the virtual environment  420 . In an embodiment, taps, swiping, or clicking may be used to enable the digital representation  420  to step forward, backward, right, or left in the virtual environment  400 . User input from the video conference participant may comprise taps, clicks, gestures, keyboard input, sensor input, and other user input. 
     In an embodiment, user input may be transmitted from the video conference application  324  on the computer system  320  to the virtual environment service  332  on the virtual environment server  330 . In an embodiment, the user input may be transmitted by an API. Based on the user input, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  to a new location in the virtual environment  400 . For example, when a new location is selected, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  to the selected location. In some embodiments, the digital representation  420  may be moved to the new location instantly, or an animation may be played to move the digital representation  420  to the new location. During a movement animation, the digital representation  420  may be moved to one or more intermediate locations between the original location and the new location. The video content  620  may be updated to display the video stream from the intermediate locations during the movement animation. For example, the virtual camera may be moved to and capture video from the intermediate locations. When free movement is enabled, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400  based on user input, such as allowing the digital representation  420  to walk or move freely in the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, video stream  620  and interactive view  630  display simultaneous views into the same virtual environment  400  and may be simultaneously or concurrently updated when the digital representation  420  is moved. In an embodiment, the virtual camera located at the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  for capturing video stream  620  is also moved to the new location of digital representation  420  when digital representation  420  is moved. The video stream  620  is updated to display video content of the virtual environment  400  from the new location of the digital representation  420  when the digital representation  420  is moved in the interactive view  630 . When free movement is enabled, the video stream  620  may be displayed to be moving freely in the virtual environment  400  in response to free movement of the digital representation  420  in the interactive view  630 . For example, when the digital representation  420  moves forward, the viewpoint of the video stream  620  may move forward, and when the digital representation moves backward, the viewpoint of the video stream  620  also move backward, and so on. The video stream  620  may be simultaneously updated based on movement commands and/or free movement in the interactive view  630 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an exemplary user interface  700  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As described elsewhere herein, content view  710  may display a video stream  720  of the virtual environment  400 . An exemplary interactive view  730  may display the virtual environment from a third person view, such as behind the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, the interactive view  730  may display the digital representation  420 . In an embodiment, the third person view may include selectable locations for moving the digital representation  420 , which may comprise predefined or arbitrary locations, or may enable free movement by the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400 . The interactive view  730  may display the digital representation  420  moving in the virtual environment  400 , such as via one or more animations. In an embodiment, when the digital representation  420  is moved, the digital representation  420  may be displayed at the new location in the interactive view  730 . 
     In an embodiment, the interactive view  730  may be displayed from a first person view of the digital representative. In a first person view, the interactive view  730  may display the same perspective of the virtual environment  400  as the video stream  720 . The first person view may include selectable locations for moving the digital representation  420  or may enable free movement by the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400 . The first person view may be displayed with 3D graphics by the 3D engine  326  while the video stream  720  may comprise 2D video content. In an embodiment, the 3D graphics of the interactive view  730  and the 2D video content are updated simultaneously in response to user input moving the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, free movement of the digital representation  420  may be enabled by keyboard input, such as arrow keys, for the digital representation  420  to walk or move around in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, taps, swiping, or clicking may be used to enable the digital representation  420  to step forward, backward, right, or left in the virtual environment  400 . The video stream  720  may be simultaneously updated based on movement commands and/or free movement in the interactive view  730 . 
     In an embodiment, the interactive view  730  may enable a free look capability. In an embodiment, the first person or third person view of the interactive view  730  may be controlled by a mouse, gesture, controller, or other user input to rotate the viewpoint up, down, left, or right. In an embodiment, the free look may change the orientation of the digital representation  420  to look in the direction of the free look movement of the user input. For example, the free look may change the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  and the orientation of the virtual camera capturing video stream  720  to look in a direction chosen by the free look user input. In an embodiment, the video stream  720  may be updated to face in the direction selected by the free look user input. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary user interface  800  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As described elsewhere herein, content view  810  may display a video stream  820  of the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, content view  810  may comprise an interactive video view that enables user interaction on the video stream  820 . In an embodiment, the interactive video view  810  may receive user input and may move the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant in response to and based on the user input. In an embodiment, interactive video view  810  may be provided by the virtual application  176 . In an embodiment, interactive video view  810  may display one or more selectable locations  830 ,  832  where the digital representation  420  of the video conference participant may be moved. For example, the selectable locations  830 ,  832  may be selected by taps or clicks of the arrows on the video stream  820  of interactive video view  810  or other user input. In an embodiment, one or more indicators may be displayed at the selectable locations to indicate that they may be selected. In an embodiment, selectable locations for the digital representation  420  may be predefined, or interactive video view  810  may allow an arbitrary location in the virtual environment  400  to be freely selected. In alternative embodiments, interactive video view  810  may enable free movement in the virtual environment  400  such as walking or moving around the virtual environment  400  based on user input. In an embodiment, keyboard input, such as arrow keys, may enable the digital representation  420  to walk or move around in the virtual environment  400 . In an embodiment, taps, swiping, or clicking may be used to enable the digital representation  420  to step forward, backward, right, or left in the virtual environment  400 . User input from the video conference participant may comprise taps, clicks, gestures, keyboard input, sensor input, and other user input. 
     In an embodiment, the interactive video view  810  may receive and process the user input and transmit the user input from the video conference application  324  on the computer system  320  to the virtual environment service  332  on the virtual environment server  330 . Optionally, the user input may be transmitted from the video conference application  324  to the virtual environment service  332  through the video conference module  171  on server  310 . In an embodiment, the user input may be transmitted by an API. Based on the user input, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  to a new location in the virtual environment  400 . For example, when a new location is selected, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  to the selected location. In some embodiments, the digital representation  420  may be moved to the new location instantly, or an animation may be played to move the digital representation  420  to the new location. During a movement animation, the digital representation  420  may be moved to one or more intermediate locations between the original location and the new location. The video content  820  may be updated to display the video stream from the intermediate locations during the movement animation. For example, the virtual camera may be moved to and capture video from the intermediate locations. When free movement is enabled, the virtual environment service  332  may move the digital representation  420  in the virtual environment  400  based on user input, such as allowing the digital representation  420  to walk or move freely in the virtual environment  400 . 
     In an embodiment, the virtual camera located at the viewpoint of the digital representation  420  for capturing video stream  820  is also moved to the new location of digital representation  420  when digital representation  420  is moved. The video stream  820  is updated to video content of the virtual environment  400  from the new location of the digital representation  420  when the digital representation  820  is moved in the interactive video view  810 . When free movement is enabled, the video stream  820  may be displayed to be moving freely in the virtual environment  400  in response to free movement of the digital representation  420  in the interactive video view  810 . For example, when the digital representation  420  moves forward, the viewpoint of the video stream  820  may move forward, and when the digital representation moves backward, the viewpoint of the video stream  820  also move backward, and so on. The video stream  820  may be updated based on movement commands and/or free movement in the interactive video view  810 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary method  900  that may be performed in some embodiments. Video content may be captured from the virtual environment  400  in many different ways, and method  900  comprises one exemplary method for doing so. At step  902 , a video conference application or VR/AR application captures 2D video of a 3D virtual environment. In an embodiment, the 2D video may be captured from the viewport of one or more virtual cameras. At step  904 , the video conference application or VR/AR application may capture audio output from the virtual environment and/or from the microphone input of the VR/AR device. At step  906 , the video conference application or VR/AR application may encode the 2D video. In some embodiments, the 2D video may be encoded into a streaming video format and may include the audio output. The encoding may be compressed or uncompressed. At step  908 , the video conference application may stream the 2D video to a video conference module and one or more client devices. 
     III. Exemplary Methods 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an exemplary method  1000  that may be performed in some embodiments. 
     At step  1002 , a video conference session is provided in a virtual environment. In an embodiment, the video conference session is hosted on a server and may connect a plurality of video conference participants. In an embodiment, the video conference session may connect one or more VR/AR users in the virtual environment and one or more video conference participants joining from one or more computer systems. 
     At step  1004 , a digital representation of a video conference participant is provided in the virtual environment. In an embodiment, the digital representation may comprise a 2D or 3D representation of the video conference participant. In one embodiment, the digital representation may comprise streaming video of the video conference participant. 
     At step  1006 , a video stream of the virtual environment is displayed from the viewpoint of the digital representation. In an embodiment, the video stream may be captured by a virtual camera with the same location and facing direction as the location and facing direction of the digital representation of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video stream may comprise 2D video content. 
     At step  1008 , an interactive view of the virtual environment capable of receiving user input is displayed. In an embodiment, the interactive view may comprise a 3D rendering of the virtual environment by a 3D engine. In an embodiment, the interactive view may include one or more selectable locations for moving the digital representation of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the interactive view may enable free movement of the digital representation of the video conference participant. 
     At step  1010 , the digital representation of the video conference participant is moved to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received in the interactive view. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be moved to the new location based on user selection of the new location. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be moved to the new location based on free movement in the virtual environment. 
     At step  1012 , the video stream is updated to display the virtual environment from the new location. In an embodiment, a virtual camera of the digital representation of the video conference participant is moved to the new location. In an embodiment, the video stream and interactive view may be simultaneously updated based on changes in the virtual environment. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an exemplary method  1100  that may be performed in some embodiments. 
     At step  1102 , a video conference session is provided in a virtual environment. In an embodiment, the video conference session is hosted on a server and may connect a plurality of video conference participants. In an embodiment, the video conference session may connect one or more VR/AR users in the virtual environment and one or more video conference participants joining from one or more computer systems. 
     At step  1104 , a digital representation of a video conference participant is provided in the virtual environment. In an embodiment, the digital representation may comprise a 2D or 3D representation of the video conference participant. In one embodiment, the digital representation may comprise streaming video of the video conference participant. 
     At step  1106 , an interactive video view is displayed, including a video stream of the virtual environment displayed from the viewpoint of the digital representation. In an embodiment, the video stream may be captured by a virtual camera with the same location and facing direction as the location and facing direction of the digital representation of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the video stream may comprise 2D video content. 
     At step  1108 , the interactive video view is enabled to receive user input. In an embodiment, the interactive video view is enabled to receive user input on the video stream. In an embodiment, the interactive video view may include one or more selectable locations for moving the digital representation of the video conference participant. In an embodiment, the interactive video view may enable free movement of the digital representation of the video conference participant. 
     At step  1110 , the digital representation of the video conference participant is moved to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received to the interactive video view. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be moved to the new location based on user selection of the new location. In an embodiment, the digital representation of the video conference participant may be moved to the new location based on free movement in the virtual environment. 
     At step  1112 , the video stream is updated to display the virtual environment from the new location. In an embodiment, a virtual camera of the digital representation of the video conference participant is moved to the new location. 
     Exemplary Computer System 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer that may perform processing in some embodiments. Exemplary computer  1200  may perform operations consistent with some embodiments. The architecture of computer  1200  is exemplary. Computers can be implemented in a variety of other ways. A wide variety of computers can be used in accordance with the embodiments herein. 
     Processor  1201  may perform computing functions such as running computer programs. The volatile memory  1202  may provide temporary storage of data for the processor  1201 . RAM is one kind of volatile memory. Volatile memory typically requires power to maintain its stored information. Storage  1203  provides computer storage for data, instructions, and/or arbitrary information. Non-volatile memory, which can preserve data even when not powered and including disks and flash memory, is an example of storage. Storage  1203  may be organized as a file system, database, or in other ways. Data, instructions, and information may be loaded from storage  1203  into volatile memory  1202  for processing by the processor  1201 . 
     The computer  1200  may include peripherals  1205 . Peripherals  1205  may include input peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, video camera, microphone, and other input devices. Peripherals  1205  may also include output devices such as a display. Peripherals  1205  may include removable media devices such as CD-R and DVD-R recorders/players. 
     Communications device  1206  may connect the computer  1200  to an external medium. For example, communications device  1206  may take the form of a network adapter that provides communications to a network. A computer  1200  may also include a variety of other devices  1204 . The various components of the computer  1200  may be connected by a connection medium such as a bus, crossbar, or network. 
     It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may include any one and up to all of the following examples. 
     Example 1: A method comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; providing for display a video stream of the virtual environment from the viewpoint of the digital representation; providing for display an interactive view of the virtual environment capable of receiving user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received in the interactive view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 2: The method of Example 1, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 3: The method of any of Examples 1-2, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 4: The method of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 5: The method of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the video stream and interactive view are simultaneously updated based on changes in the virtual environment. 
     Example 6: The method of any of Examples 1-5, further comprising: displaying the digital representation of the video conference participant in the interactive view at the new location. 
     Example 7: The method of any of Examples 1-6, wherein the interactive view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 8: The method of any of Examples 1-7, wherein the interactive view enables free movement. 
     Example 9: The method of any of Examples 1-8, wherein the interactive view displays a top-down view of the virtual environment. 
     Example 10: The method of any of Examples 1-9, wherein the interactive view displays a third person view of the digital representation. 
     Example 11: The method of any of Examples 1-10, wherein the interactive view displays a first person view from the viewpoint of the digital representation. 
     Example 12: The method of any of Examples 1-11, wherein the interactive view is generated by a 3D engine. 
     Example 13: The method of any of Examples 1-12, wherein the video stream and interactive view are displayed side by side. 
     Example 14: The method of any of Examples 1-13, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying a video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 15: The method of any of Examples 1-14, wherein the video conference session receives communications from the virtual environment via an SDK. 
     Example 16: The method of any of Examples 1-15, wherein the interactive view is provided through an API. 
     Example 17: A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores executable program instructions that when executed by one or more computing devices configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; providing for display a video stream of the virtual environment from the viewpoint of the digital representation; providing for display an interactive view of the virtual environment capable of receiving user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received in the interactive view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 18: The non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 17, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 19: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-18, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 20: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-19, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 21: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-20, wherein the video stream and interactive view are simultaneously updated based on changes in the virtual environment. 
     Example 22: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-21, wherein the executable program instructions further configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: displaying the digital representation of the video conference participant in the interactive view at the new location. 
     Example 23: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-22, wherein the interactive view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 24: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-23, wherein the interactive view enables free movement. 
     Example 25: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-24, wherein the interactive view displays a top-down view of the virtual environment. 
     Example 26: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-25, wherein the interactive view displays a third person view of the digital representation. 
     Example 27: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-26, wherein the interactive view displays a first person view from the viewpoint of the digital representation. 
     Example 28: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-27, wherein the interactive view is generated by a 3D engine. 
     Example 29: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-28, wherein the video stream and interactive view are displayed side by side. 
     Example 30: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-29, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying a video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 31: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-30, wherein the video conference session receives communications from the virtual environment via an SDK. 
     Example 32: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 17-31, wherein the interactive view is provided through an API. 
     Example 33: A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the operations of: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; providing for display a video stream of the virtual environment from the viewpoint of the digital representation; providing for display an interactive view of the virtual environment capable of receiving user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received in the interactive view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 34: The system of Example 33, wherein the virtual environment comprises a VR environment including 3D avatars of one or more users. 
     Example 35: The system of any of Examples 33-35, wherein the virtual environment comprises an AR environment comprising one or more AR holograms. 
     Example 36: The system of any of Examples 33-35, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 37: The system of any of Examples 33-36, wherein the video stream and interactive view are simultaneously updated based on changes in the virtual environment. 
     Example 38: The system of any of Examples 33-37, wherein the processors are further configured to perform the operations of: displaying the digital representation of the video conference participant in the interactive view at the new location. 
     Example 39: The system of any of Examples 33-38, wherein the interactive view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 40: The system of any of Examples 33-39, wherein the interactive view enables free movement. 
     Example 41: The system of any of Examples 33-40, wherein the interactive view displays a top-down view of the virtual environment. 
     Example 42: The system of any of Examples 33-41, wherein the interactive view displays a third person view of the digital representation. 
     Example 43: The system of any of Examples 33-42, wherein the interactive view displays a first person view from the viewpoint of the digital representation. 
     Example 44: The system of any of Examples 33-43, wherein the interactive view is generated by a 3D engine. 
     Example 45: The system of any of Examples 33-44, wherein the video stream and interactive view are displayed side by side. 
     Example 46: The system of any of Examples 33-45, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a flat shape in the virtual environment displaying a video stream of the video conference participant. 
     Example 47: The system of any of Examples 33-46, wherein the video conference session receives communications from the virtual environment via an SDK. 
     Example 48: The system of any of Examples 33-47, wherein the interactive view is provided through an API. 
     Example 49: A method comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; displaying an interactive video view, including a video stream of the virtual environment displayed from the viewpoint of the digital representation; enabling the interactive video view to receive user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received to the interactive video view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 50: The method of Example 49, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 51: The method of any of Examples 49-50, wherein the interactive video view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 52: The method of any of Examples 49-51, wherein the interactive video view enables free movement. 
     Example 53: A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores executable program instructions that when executed by one or more computing devices configure the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; displaying an interactive video view, including a video stream of the virtual environment displayed from the viewpoint of the digital representation; enabling the interactive video view to receive user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received to the interactive video view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 54: The non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 53, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 55: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 53-54, wherein the interactive video view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 56: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of Examples 53-55, wherein the interactive video view enables free movement. 
     Example 57: A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the operations of: providing a video conference session in a virtual environment; providing a digital representation of a video conference participant in the virtual environment; displaying an interactive video view, including a video stream of the virtual environment displayed from the viewpoint of the digital representation; enabling the interactive video view to receive user input; moving the digital representation of the video conference participant to a new location in the virtual environment based on input received to the interactive video view; updating the video stream to display the virtual environment from the new location. 
     Example 58: The system of Example 57, wherein the digital representation of the video conference participant comprises a video of the video conference participant. 
     Example 59: The system of any of Examples 57-58, wherein the interactive video view enables selecting the new location. 
     Example 60: The system of any of Examples 57-59, wherein the interactive video view enables free movement. 
     Some portions of the preceding detailed descriptions have been presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “identifying” or “determining” or “executing” or “performing” or “collecting” or “creating” or “sending” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage devices. 
     The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the intended purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus. 
     Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the method. The structure for a variety of these systems will appear as set forth in the description above. In addition, the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure as described herein. 
     The present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the present disclosure. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium includes a machine (e.g., a computer) readable storage medium such as a read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc. 
     In the foregoing disclosure, implementations of the disclosure have been described with reference to specific example implementations thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of implementations of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims. The disclosure and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.