System for implementing multiple simultaneous meetings in a virtual

Abstract

The virtual reality mixed media meeting room functions to provide the user with a visually familiar conference format and conference controls that are intuitive to operate. In particular, the system presents the conference participants with a visual representation of the various communication equipment that is typically present in a conference room and that is available in the virtual reality mixed media conference. The operation of this communication equipment is analogous to that of the physical communication equipment, so the conference participant needs no training to actively and efficiently participate in the virtual reality mixed media conference. The various aspects of the virtual reality conference are presented in a rendering that emulates the physical appearance and presence of the physical participants and communication devices that would be present in a traditional conference room. The user interacts with the virtual reality mixed media meeting room via the graphical user interface in a point and click manner, thereby eliminating the need for the conference participant to be aware of specific controls or keyboard entries required in previous systems to control their participation in the conference. Furthermore, switching among the plurality of concurrently active virtual reality mixed media conferences to participate in one of these conferences is accomplished by a visually familiar mechanism, such as panning or traveling through a hallway that interconnects the various virtual reality mixed media 'conference rooms.' In addition to being able to move among a plurality of conferences, the conference participants in any selected conference can share applications and jointly participate in the modification of presentations and displays.