US 11,741,674 B1
Navigating a virtual camera to a video avatar in a three-dimensional virtual environment, and applications thereof
Kristofor Bernard Swanson, Anchorage, AK (US)
Assigned to Katmai Tech Inc., New York, NY (US)
Filed by Katmai Tech Inc., New York, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/931,807.
Int. Cl. G06T 19/00 (2011.01); G06T 15/20 (2011.01); G06T 15/04 (2011.01)
CPC G06T 19/003 (2013.01) [G06T 15/04 (2013.01); G06T 15/20 (2013.01); G06T 2200/24 (2013.01); G06T 2219/024 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer implemented method for navigating in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment, comprising:
(a) receiving data specifying a three-dimensional virtual space;
(b) receiving a position and direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, the position and direction input by a first user, the position and direction representing a first virtual camera used to render the three-dimensional virtual space to the first user;
(c) receiving a video stream captured from a camera positioned to capture the first user;
(d) from a first perspective of a second virtual camera of a second user, rendering for display to the second user a first image of the three-dimensional virtual space;
(e) receiving an input, comprising either:
(1) receiving, from the first user, a summoning request for the second virtual camera to be moved towards the position, and receiving, from the second user, a first consent to the summoning request, or
(2) receiving, from the second user, a transportation request for the second virtual camera to be moved towards the position, and receiving, from the first user, a second consent to the transportation request;
(f) determining a second perspective of the second virtual camera such that the second perspective is to view the position;
(g) from the second perspective of the second virtual camera, rendering for display to the second user a second image of the three-dimensional virtual space, the second image including the video stream mapped to a model in the three-dimensional virtual space representing the first user.