Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within a virtual environment. Various methods for efficient modeling, rendering, and shading are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for two-dimensional screen sharing within the virtual environment. In some embodiments, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space. The three-dimensional virtual space comprises a plurality of participants and an avatar representing each of the plurality of participants. A presentation stream is received from a first client device of a first participant. The presentation stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of a presentation screen in the three-dimensional virtual space. A selection of the presentation screen is received from a second participant. A two-dimensional view of the presentation stream is rendered to the second participant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method, system, device, and computer program product for providing awareness of who are able to hear audio in a virtual conference. For each of the users in the virtual conference, a device of the speaking user or a server determines whether a respective user is able to hear the speaking user based on whether a respective sound volume at which the respective user is able hear the speaking user exceeds a threshold amount. The speaking user's device or the server outputs a notification indicating the users that are able to hear the speaking user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects for integrating a two-dimensional video conference into a three-dimensional virtual environment. An aspect begins by rendering the virtual environment, including a first avatar. The virtual environment is rendered on a first device, belonging to a first user, and from a perspective of a first virtual camera controlled by the first user. The first avatar represents the first user at a location of the first virtual camera. The aspect then provides operations for connecting the user in the 3D virtual environment with a video conferencing platform (VCP) server to connect to a video conference hosted by the VCP server. The aspect continues by transmitting and receiving video and audio data to and from the VCP server. The aspect concludes by rendering the received audio and video data into the 3D virtual environment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that allows for the use of optical labels in a virtual environment. The system and methods generate a virtual optical label with embedded data. A 3D model of an object is rendered for display in a virtual environment, where the 3D model incorporates the virtual optical label. The virtual optical label is displayed on the 3D model in the virtual environment. A scanned image of the virtual optical label is received via a camera application of a mobile computing device. Based on receiving the scanned image, an action is performed based on the embedded data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within a virtual environment. Various methods for efficient modeling, rendering, and shading are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects for resituating virtual cameras and avatars in a virtual environment. An aspect begins by rendering the virtual environment, including a first avatar and a second avatar. The virtual environment is rendered on a first device, belonging to a first user, and from a perspective of a first virtual camera controlled by the first user. The first avatar represents the first user at a location of the first virtual camera. The second user views the virtual environment from a perspective of a second virtual camera at a location of the second avatar. The aspect proceeds by repositioning the first virtual camera and the first avatar to a first location and resituating the second avatar to a second location. The aspect concludes by sending a message instructing a second device, belonging to the second user, to resituate the second virtual camera to the second location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that allows for the real-time build out of a virtual environment. The system and methods receive, via a web browser, a user selection of a three-dimensional (3D) model in a virtual environment. The user selection is made during an active user session of the user. Based on receiving the user selection, an editor is launched from within the web browser. The editor is used to modify properties of the 3D model in real-time during the active user session. One or more user inputs are received indicating the properties of the 3D model to be modified. Based on the one or more user inputs, the properties of the 3D model are modified in real-time. The 3D model is rendered to reflect the properties within the virtual environment during the active user session.

Abstract: In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and direction in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and direction input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects for altering avatar backgrounds and rendering volumetric avatars in a three-dimensional virtual environment. An aspect begins by receiving, from a first device of a first user, configuration settings specifying how a background of a first user's avatar is to be presented to a second user in the 3D virtual environment. The aspect continues by capturing a video stream of the first user and altering portions of the video stream. The configuration settings and the video stream with the altered background are used to render the first user's avatar. Another aspect begins by receiving configuration settings and a video stream with a background. The aspect continues by rendering a front surface, back surface, and side surface of an avatar based on the configuration settings and video stream.

Abstract: In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and orientation in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and orientation input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.

Abstract: In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and orientation in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and orientation input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.

Abstract: In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and orientation in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and orientation input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects for altering avatar backgrounds and rendering volumetric avatars in a three-dimensional virtual environment. An aspect begins by receiving, from a first device of a first user, configuration settings specifying how a background of a first user's avatar is to be presented to a second user in the 3D virtual environment. The aspect continues by capturing a video stream of the first user and altering portions of the video stream. The configuration settings and the video stream with the altered background are used to render the first user's avatar. Another aspect begins by receiving configuration settings and a video stream with a background. The aspect continues by rendering a front surface, back surface, and side surface of an avatar based on the configuration settings and video stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.

Abstract: In an aspect, a computer-implemented method allows for navigation in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. In the method, data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space is received. A position and direction in the three-dimensional virtual space is received. The position and direction input by a first user and representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user. A video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user is received. A second virtual camera is navigated according to an input of a second user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a video stream captured from a camera on a first device of a first user and a specification of an emote are received. The specification is input by the first user through the first device. Then, the video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the three-dimensional virtual environment is rendered for display to the second user through a second device. This rendering includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar, and the emote attached to the three-dimensional model of the avatar, where the emote emits sound played by the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that allows for the use of optical labels in a virtual environment. The system and methods generate a virtual optical label with embedded data. A 3D model of an object is rendered for display in a virtual environment, where the 3D model incorporates the virtual optical label. The virtual optical label is displayed on the 3D model in the virtual environment. A scanned image of the virtual optical label is received via a camera application of a mobile computing device. Based on receiving the scanned image, an action is performed based on the embedded data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that allows for the real-time build out of a virtual environment. The system and methods receive, via a web browser, a user selection of a three-dimensional (3D) model in a virtual environment. The user selection is made during an active user session of the user. Based on receiving the user selection, an editor is launched from within the web browser. The editor is used to modify properties of the 3D model in real-time during the active user session. One or more user inputs are received indicating the properties of the 3D model to be modified. Based on the one or more user inputs, the properties of the 3D model are modified in real-time. The 3D model is rendered to reflect the properties within the virtual environment during the active user session.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a video stream captured from a camera on a first device of a first user and a specification of an emote are received. The specification is input by the first user through the first device. Then, the video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the three-dimensional virtual environment is rendered for display to the second user through a second device. This rendering includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar, and the emote attached to the three-dimensional model of the avatar, where the emote emits sound played by the second device.