Patent ID: 8631417

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of sharing information comprising: at a server system: exchanging information with a first client and a second client, wherein the first and second clients are mutually participating in a communication session, including: transmitting to the second client information representing a plurality of objects in a multi-dimensional virtual environment, wherein the multi-dimensional virtual environment is rendered at the second client from a vantage point configured for the second client; and transmitting to the first client a first image for display by a client application, the first image to be displayed at the first client including a representation of the multi-dimensional virtual environment viewed from the vantage point that is configured for the second client; wherein the second client has an application, distinct from the client application, for rendering multi-dimensional virtual environments; and transmitting access control data to the second client, the access control data indicating an access level to the multi-dimensional virtual environment for a first user, the access level being determined based on social network information associated with the first user, wherein the access level is determined based on a degree of separation between the first user and a second user of the multi-dimensional virtual environment.