Abstract: A communication system for workforce management is formed of a system controller managing a plurality of badges associated with workplace devices and employees within the workplace. The controller receives event indicators from the badges. These event indicators are analyzed by the controller to determine whether a task should be created and performed by at least one of the workplace devices and/or at least one of the employees. Task lists and device assignments are dynamically updated in response to current workplace conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for collaborative communications is described. In one embodiment, a central virtual reality communications environment is created. A plurality of client communication devices are connected to the central virtual reality communications environment. Each one of the connected plurality of client communication devices are represented as an avatar present in the central virtual reality communications environment. An uploaded data object is received from any one of the connected plurality of client communication devices. Finally, the data object is displayed in the central virtual reality communications environment to the connected plurality of client communication devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for easily creating virtual graffiti that will be left for a particular device to view. During operation a device will be placed near a first point that is used to define a boundary for the virtual graffiti. The device will locate the first point, and use the point to define the boundary. The device will receive an image that is to be used as virtual graffiti, and will fit the image within the boundary of the virtual graffiti. For example, the device may be consecutively placed near four points that will define a polygon to be used as the boundary for the virtual graffiti. An image will then be received, and the image will be fit within the polygon.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for easily creating virtual graffiti that will be left for a particular device to view. During operation a device will be placed near a first point that is used to define a boundary for the virtual graffiti. The device will locate the first point, and use the point to define the boundary. The device will receive an image that is to be used as virtual graffiti, and will fit the image within or upon the boundary of the virtual graffiti. For example, the device may be consecutively placed near four points that will define a polygon to be used as the boundary for the virtual graffiti. An image will then be received, and the image will be fit within the polygon. Additionally, a device may create virtual graffiti from an image and a boundary.

Abstract: A communication system for workforce management is formed of a system controller managing a plurality of badges associated with workplace devices and employees within the workplace. The controller receives event indicators from the badges. These event indicators are analyzed by the controller to determine whether a task should be created and performed by at least one of the workplace devices and/or at least one of the employees. Task lists and device assignments are dynamically updated in response to current workplace conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for telepresence communications in an environment of a virtual location between two or more participants at multiple locations. First perspective data descriptive of the perspective of the virtual location environment experienced by a first participant at a first location and feature data extracted and/or otherwise captured from a second participant at a second location are processed to generate a first virtual representation of the second participant in the virtual environment from the perspective of the first participant. Likewise, second perspective data descriptive of the perspective of the virtual location environment experienced by the second participant and feature data extracted and/or otherwise captured from features of the first participant are processed to generate a second virtual representation of the first participant in the virtual environment from the perspective of the second participant.

Abstract: A first viewer (310) is activated to define and render a visualization of a first interactive virtual reality experience to a user. At least one first application (320, 330, 340) is selected for use with the first interactive virtual reality experience and at least one first event handler (321, 322, 323, 331, 341, 342) associated with the at least one first application is responsively activated. State information is responsively stored in the viewer concerning the objects in the virtual reality experience, the selected at least one first application (320, 330, 340) and the at least one first event handler (321, 322, 323, 331, 341, 342) in a memory. The first viewer (310), the at least one first application (320, 330, 340), and the at least one first event handler (321, 322, 323, 331, 341, 342) are then deactivated and a second viewer (350) associated with a second interactive virtual reality experience is activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for messaging within a mobile virtual and augmented reality system is provided herein. During operation a user can create “virtual graffiti” (203) that will be left for a particular device (105, 107, 109) to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene. Content filtering may take place on the graffiti so that only specific graffiti is displayed on a user's device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for messaging within a mobile virtual and augmented reality system is provided herein. During operation a user can create “virtual graffiti” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene.

Abstract: A user can create “virtual graffiti” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene. To further enhance the user experience, the virtual graffiti can be dynamic, changing based on a context. For example, a user may leave a virtual graffiti message that changes with, for example, outside temperature, location, weather conditions, or any other context.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for easily creating virtual graffiti that will be left for a particular device to view. During operation a device will be placed near a first point that is used to define a boundary for the virtual graffiti. The device will locate the first point, and use the point to define the boundary. The device will receive an image that is to be used as virtual graffiti, and will fit the image within the boundary of the virtual graffiti. For example, the device may be consecutively placed near four points that will define a polygon to be used as the boundary for the virtual graffiti. An image will then be received, and the image will be fit within the polygon.

Abstract: When providing (101) a user a first interactive virtual reality experience via a first virtual setting and upon detecting (102) a need to transition the user to a second interactive virtual reality experience via a second virtual setting (that is different from the first virtual setting), one maintains (103) a reduced presence of the user in the first virtual setting and establishes (104) a full presence of the user in the second virtual setting. By one approach, these virtual settings can comprise, for example, virtual rooms such as, but not limited to, virtual incident command centers to facilitate the handling of public safety services of various kinds and types.

Abstract: A user can create “virtual graffiti” (203)” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented-reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server (101), along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented-reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented-reality scene. To further enhance the user experience, the virtual graffiti can be dynamic, changing based on ambient-light conditions.

Abstract: A virtual environment server. The server manages time-shifted presentation data between multiple participants in a shared virtual environment system. The server includes a routing module configurable for coupling to multiple participants, a real-time data management module coupled to the routing module, a time-shifted data management module coupled to the routing module, and a data store module coupled to the real-time data management module and to the time-shifted data management module. Participant output presentation data is received from the participants, stored as real-time presentation data, and transferred to appropriate participants. In response to requests from a requesting participant to obtain time-shifted presentation data from a time-shifted participant and any influence participants, time-shifted presentation data is retrieved from the data store module and transferred to the requesting participant.

Abstract: A user can create “virtual graffiti” (203)” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server (101), along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene. To further enhance the user experience, the virtual graffiti can be dynamic, changing based on user's preferences.

Abstract: A virtual environment server. The server manages time-shifted presentation data between multiple participants in a shared virtual environment system. The server includes a routing module configurable for coupling to multiple participants, a real-time data management module coupled to the routing module, a time-shifted data management module coupled to the routing module, and a data store module coupled to the real-time data management module and to the time-shifted data management module. Participant output presentation data is received from the participants, stored as real-time presentation data, and transferred to appropriate participants. In response to requests from a requesting participant to obtain time-shifted presentation data from a time-shifted participant and any influence participants, time-shifted presentation data is retrieved from the data store module and transferred to the requesting participant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for messaging within a mobile virtual and augmented reality system is provided herein. During operation a user can create “virtual graffiti” (203) that will be left for a particular device (105, 107, 109) to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene. Content filtering may take place on the graffiti so that only specific graffiti is displayed on a user's device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for messaging within a mobile virtual and augmented reality system is provided herein. During operation a user can create “virtual graffiti” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing interactions between participants of a shared virtual environment is disclosed. The method comprises establishing a communication session by a first participant of the shared virtual environment with a second participant of the shared virtual environment. A data stream is received by the first participant located at a first location from the second participant located at a second location. Using the received data stream, a view of the shared virtual environment for the first participant is generated. An audio of the received data stream is controlled by the first participant. A text of the controlled audio is generated and the generated text is displayed in the view of the shared virtual environment of the first participant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for messaging within a mobile virtual and augmented reality system is provided herein. During operation a user can create “virtual graffiti” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene.