US6119147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous meetings in a virtual space
Assignee: Majandro LLC
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Filing: 1998-07-28
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2018-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A computer-supported collaborative work environment allows for computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous meetings in a virtual space that enables, recording, reviewing and augmenting meetings that take place in the virtual environment. Meeting participants interact via avatars, i.e., graphical representations of the participants, in a place-based, multi-dimensional graphical environment. Meeting sessions are captured for future replay and augmentation in a multi-modal document. The system utilizes multiple "tracks" in the multi-modal document, such as text discussion, audio commands, graphics, and documents, which are combined into the multi-modal document to preserve a recording of the meeting for future participants. The multi-modal document of this meeting can then be replayed and augmented by future participants ad infinitum to create a single, synchronous meeting. Furthermore, using avatars enables a straightforward method for generating composite screens for multiple sessions, and alleviates privacy concerns of users.
Inventors
- 👤 Lori Toomey
- 👤 Lia Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1831; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; H04L12/1822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for recording computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events in a virtual environment, comprising: a data structure stored in a memory, the data structure storing a synchronous multi-modal document capable of recording a description of the virtual environment and a plurality of aspects of each of a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment and; a plurality of computing devices interconnected into a network, the data structure stored on a first one of the plurality of computing devices; and each of the remaining ones of the plurality of computing devices allowing communication between a user and the data structure; wherein the system allows each user to interact with the data structure to input at least one of the events into the synchronous multi-modal document, the synchronous multi-modal document subject to at least one asynchronous annotation by at least one user, the at least one asynchronous annotation being merged with the synchronous multi-modal document to generate an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for recording computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events in a virtual environment, comprising: a data structure stored in a memory, the data structure storing a synchronous multi-modal document capable of recording a description of the virtual environment and a plurality of aspects of each of a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment and; a plurality of computing devices interconnected into a network, the data structure stored on a first one of the plurality of computing devices; and each of the remaining ones of the plurality of computing devices allowing communication between a user and the data structure; wherein the system allows each user to interact with the data structure to input at least one of the events into the synchronous multi-modal document, the synchronous multi-modal document subject to at least one asynchronous annotation by at least one user, the at least one asynchronous annotation being merged with the synchronous multi-modal document to generate an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the updated synchronous multi-modal document can be further annotated and merged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the updated synchronous multi-modal document can be further reviewed by each user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one data controller, the at least one data controller further comprises: a multi-mode capture controller allowing recording of each event in the multi-modal document; an augmentation controller allowing annotation to the synchronous multi-modal document; and a replay controller allowing replay of at least one event of synchronous multi-modal document to at least one user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a system clock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein each user is represented in the virtual environment by an avatar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation of the at least one user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the avatar can reflect the at least one user's interactions with the system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical description of the virtual environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment includes at least one prop locatable and movable within the virtual environment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment includes links to other virtual environments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment comprises a virtual space in which the events occur.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual space is a virtual meeting room.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, wherein a text string input by a user is displayed as a text bubble in the virtual environment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment further comprises at least one area for displaying information relating to the plurality of events.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual environment further comprises means for each user to enter commands to the system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the commands comprise begin recording, end recording, replay, load information, fast forward and rewind.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the commands further comprise new meeting, goto, load information, playing audio and playing video.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording and annotating computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events occurring in a virtual environment, comprising: creating a data structure for storing events occurring in the virtual environment; recording a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment in a synchronous multi-modal document using the data structure; inputting at least one asynchronous annotation; and re-ordering the at least one asynchronous annotation and the recorded events to create an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording and annotating computer-mediated, multi-modal, asynchronous events occurring in a virtual environment, comprising: creating a data structure for storing events occurring in the virtual environment; recording a plurality of events occurring relative to the virtual environment in a synchronous multi-modal document using the data structure; inputting at least one asynchronous annotation; and re-ordering the at least one asynchronous annotation and the recorded events to create an updated synchronous multi-modal document wherein at least one of the at least one asynchronous annotation appears to have been input synchronously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising: inputting additional asynchronous annotations; re-ordering the additional asynchronous annotations and the events of the updated synchronous multi-modal document; and updating the updated synchronous multi-modal document.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 19, further comprising: monitoring the at least one asynchronous annotation; and updating at least one user interface based on each asynchronous annotation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 19, further comprising replaying at least one event to at least one user via a user interface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |