[0001] The present disclosure relates to a virtual reality and/or virtual world simulation. More
particularly but not exclusively, to a method and a system to enable access and interaction of a
virtual world to multiple users, even if said virtual world is created and owned by another user.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] With advancement in technology, virtual reality technologies are gaining popularity.
Virtual reality (VR) technologies enables simulation of a real-world by generating a two -
dimensional or three-dimensional image or video in a virtual environment. Such systems enable a
10 user to create a virtual world representing a real-world experience. Conventional, virtual
simulation systems are configured to enable an owner of a virtual world to experience a real-world
experience at any time in future or present.
[0003] However, there still exist a need of virtual simulation systems which enables a user to
15 create and share their virtual world with other users.
[0004] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for
enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken
as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already
20 known to a person skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0005] The present disclosure overcomes one or more shortcomings of the prior art and provides
additional advantages discussed throughout the present disclosure. Additional features and
25 advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and
aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed
disclosure.
[0006] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application discloses
30 a method including accessing a virtual world of a first user, by a second user using one or more
3
access parameters and recording an experience of the second user while accessing said virtual
world of the first user. The method also includes receiving a request for replication of at least one
of one or more virtual objects and an environment of the virtual world from the second user and
transmitting an information configured to generate requested at least one of one or more virtual
5 objects and the environment to a second database associated with the second user. Further, the
method includes upgrading a virtual world of the second user based on received information by
generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment in the
virtual world of the second user.
10 [0007] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
discloses that the virtual world is generated based on user preferences of the first user.
[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
discloses that the one or more access parameters comprises at least one of user Identifier (User
15 ID), a password, and an access link.
[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
discloses that the method further includes authorizing the second user based the one or more access
parameters to allow the second user to access the virtual world of the first user.
20
[0010] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application discloses
a system including one or more user devices and a server communicably coupled to the one or
more user devices. The server is configured to enable a second user to access a virtual world of a
first user using one or more access parameters and record an experience of the second user while
25 accessing said virtual world of the first user. The server is also configured to receive a request for
replication of at least one of one or more virtual objects and an environment of the virtual world
of the first user from the second user and transmit an information configured to generate requested
at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment to a second database associated
with the second user. The server is further configured to upgrade a virtual world of the second user
30 based on received information by generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual
objects and the environment in the virtual world of the second user.
4
[0011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
discloses that the virtual world is generated based on user preferences of the first user.
[0012] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
5 discloses that the one or more access parameters comprises at least one of user Identifier (User
ID), a password, and an access link.
[0013] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present application
discloses that the server is further configured to authorize the second user based the one or more
10 access parameters to allow the second user to access the virtual world of the first user.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0014] The main object of the present invention is to enable sharing of the virtual world among
users.
15
[0015] Another main object of the present invention is to allow user impersonation and exploration
to a user of a virtual world owned by another user.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to replicate object elements of a
20 virtual world of another user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain
25 the disclosed embodiments. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies
the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the
figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods
in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of
example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
30
5
[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a system for sharing virtual world simulation of
a user to another user, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0019] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a server required to implement the functionality of the
5 present application, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0020] Fig. 3 is a flow chart representing exemplary method for sharing virtual world simulation
of a user to another user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
10 [0021] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent
conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter.
[0022] Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition
diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially
15 represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or
not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0023] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
20 example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject
matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other embodiments.
[0024] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific
25 embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the
particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
30 [0025] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or method that comprises a
list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other
6
components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system or method. In other
words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the
system or apparatus.
5
[0026] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments
are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it
10 is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to
be taken in a limiting sense.
[0027] The terms like “user devices” or “user” may be used interchangeably throughout the
15 description.
[0028] The terms like “virtual simulation” or “virtual world simulation” or “virtual world” or
“virtual reality” may be used interchangeably throughout the description.
20 [0029] In the present document some of the terms may be used repeatedly throughout the
disclosure. For clarity said terms are illustrated below:
[0030] Term virtual world in context of the present application may refer to a computer simulated
environment, wherein said environment may represent a real or fictitious world governed by rules
25 of interaction. In other words, virtual world may refer to simulated environment where a user may
be able to make changes in the virtual environment as per his/her choice and is allowed to interact
within such environment via his/her avatar. In particular, users in the virtual world may appear on
a platform in the form of representations referred to as avatars. The degree of interaction between
the avatars and the simulated environment may be implemented by one or more applications that
30 govern such interactions as simulated physics, exchange of information between users, and the
like. In an exemplary embodiment, the term virtual world, virtual environment and virtual reality
may be used to interchangeably without departing from the scope of the present application.
7
[0031] Figure 1 shows an exemplary a system 100 for sharing virtual world simulation of a user
to another user. The system 100 includes one or more user devices 102a-102n (interchangeably
referred to as “the user device 102”), a virtual reality server 106 (interchangeably referred to as
5 “the server 106”) operatively coupled to a database 108. The one or more user devices 102a-102n
may be communicably coupled to the server 106 via a network 104.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 includes a single server 106. In alternative
embodiment, the system 100 may include a plurality of servers 106. The one or more user devices
10 102a-102n and the server 106 may include one or more processing units and one or more memories
communicably coupled to each other, to implement one or more functionalities of the user devices
102a-102n and the server 106, respectively. Example of user device 102 may include, but not
limited to, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet and virtual reality devices so
forth. Further, each of the one or more user devices 102a-102n and the server 106 may include any
15 number of other components as required for their operation. However, description of such
components has been avoided for sake of brevity.
[0033] The one or more user devices 102a-102n may enable respective users to generate a virtual
environment. In some embodiments, the one or more user devices 102-102n may be coupled to
20 one or more external devices such as, but not limited to, cameras, speakers, microphones and so
forth. The external devices may aid the user devices 102 to generate a virtual world for the
respective user of the user device 102. In some embodiments, the virtual world may be generated
based on taste, profile, need and desires of a user. In some other embodiments, the virtual world
may be generated based on some real-world experience of the user. In yet another embodiment, a
25 user may define his/her preferences to generate the virtual environment. In alternative
embodiment, the system 100 may determine user preferences to generate the virtual environment.
The virtual world may be generated by any of suitable means such as artificial intelligence, virtual
reality technology, augmented reality technology, neural networks and so forth. However, the
process of generation of virtual world has been omitted from the present disclosure for the sake of
30 brevity. Embodiments of the present disclosure covers or intended to cover any possible and
suitable mean for generating a virtual world or virtual simulation environment.
8
[0034] The one or more user devices 102a-102n may transmit the generated virtual world to the
server 106. In some embodiments, the server 106 may receive the generated virtual world of the
one or more user devices 102a-102n. In other embodiments, the server 106 may aid the one or
more user devices 102a-102n to generate the virtual world at the server 106. The server 106 may
5 store the received or generated virtual world at the database 108. In an exemplary embodiment,
each of the virtual world stored in the database 108 are linked with one or more access parameters.
The one or more access parameters comprises at least one of user Identifier (User ID), a password,
and an access link. In some embodiments, the one or more access parameters may be generated by
the server 106. In some other embodiments, the one or more access parameters may be defined the
10 user.
[0035] The server 106 may enable a second user to access a virtual world of a first user using one
or more access parameters. The server 106 may be configured to authorize the second user based
the one or more access parameters to allow the second user to access the virtual world of the first
15 user. In some embodiments, the one or more access parameters are shared by the first user to the
second user. In some other embodiments, the server 106 may provide the one or more access
parameters to the second user based on a predefined condition. The predefine condition may be
defined by the first user. For example, the first user may define that all the users from X
organization may be provided with the access parameters to the virtual world owned by the first
20 user. Therefore, if a request is made from a second user who is an employee of X organization, the
server 106 may provide the required access parameters. In alternative embodiment, the user may
adopt any suitable mean to provide access to a second person to the virtual world owned by the
first user.
25 [0036] The server 106 may also be configured record an experience of the second user while
accessing said virtual world of the first user. The said experience may be recorded with a
perspective of the second user. The recording of said experience may include user’s view, user
object of interaction, user’s interaction and so forth. The recording may be in any suitable media
form, such as, but not limited to, video, audio, graphical and so forth. Said recording may be stored
30 in a memory of the server 106.
9
[0037] The server 106 may be configured to receive a request for replication of at least one of one
or more virtual objects and an environment of the virtual world of the first user from the second
user. The one or more virtual objects may include graphical representation of one or more real life
objects in said virtual world. Further, the environment of the virtual world may include a theme, a
5 background, a location and so forth. Upon receiving said request, the server 106 may be configured
to transmit an information configured to generate requested at least one of one or more virtual
objects and the environment to a second database associated with the second user. In some
embodiments, said second database may also be stored in the memory of the server 106. The server
106 may then upgrade a virtual world of the second user based on received information by
10 generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment in the
virtual world of the second user.
[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the authorized user or another user
may be able to walk and navigate through the virtual world of a user using one or more access
15 parameters. Another user may be able to interact with one or more virtual objects of the virtual
world. Another user may be able to replicate the one or more virtual objects of the virtual world in
its own virtual world. In some embodiments, the server 106 may log the interaction of another user
with the virtual world of the user. In alternative embodiment, the user device of the user may log
the interaction of another user with the virtual world of the user. Therefore, the system 100 may
20 enable user impersonation and exploration to a user of a virtual world owned by another user.
[0039] Fig. 2 illustrates block diagram of the server 106 configured to implement functionalities
of the present application. The server 106 includes one or more memories (hereinafter referred to
as “the memory 202”) and a processor 204, communicably coupled to each other. The server 106
25 may also include one or more units configured to implement the one or more functionalities of the
server 106.
[0040] In some embodiments, the memory 202 may include any computer-readable medium
known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory
30 (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read
only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks,
and magnetic tapes. In some embodiments, the memory 202 may include information required by
10
the server 104 to implement a platform for generating a virtual world and corresponding access
parameters.
[0041] In some embodiments, the information may be stored within the memory 202 in the form
5 of various data structures. Additionally, the information may be organized using data models, such
as relational or hierarchical data models or lookup tables. The other information may store data,
including temporary data and temporary files, generated by the various units and the processor 204
of the server 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the memory 202 may include one or more virtual
worlds and the associated one or more access parameters.
10
[0042] The processor 204 may be configured to access and process the information stored in the
memory 202. For instance, the processor 204 may be configured to provide a platform to the user
to generate and access virtual worlds. Specifically, the processor 204 may be configured to enable
a second user to access a virtual world of a first user using one or more access parameters. The
15 one or more access parameters comprises at least one of user Identifier (User ID), a password, and
an access link. The processor 204 may be configured to authorize the second user based the one or
more access parameters to allow the second user to access the virtual world of the first user. The
processor 204 may be configured to compare the one or more access parameters from by a second
user to the one or more access parameters associated with a virtual world of a first user. The
20 processor 204 may be configured to record an experience of the second user while accessing said
virtual world of the first user. The processor 204 may also be configured to receive a request for
replication of at least one of one or more virtual objects and an environment of the virtual world
of the first user from the second user. Further, the processor 204 may be configured to transmit an
information configured to generate requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the
25 environment to a second database associated with the second user. In an exemplary embodiment,
the processor 204 may also be configured to upgrade a virtual world of the second user based on
received information by generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and
the environment in the virtual world of the second user.
30
[0043] The server 106 may also include one or more units namely, an access providing unit 206,
a recording unit 208, and a replication unit 210. Said units may be configured to perform one or
11
more functionality of the processor 204. For instance, the access providing unit 206 may be
configured to enable a second user to access a virtual world of a first user using one or more access
parameters associated with the virtual world of the first user. The recording unit 208 may be
configured to record an experience of the second user while accessing said virtual world of the
5 first user. The replication unit 210 may be configured to receive a request for replication of at least
one of one or more virtual objects and an environment of the virtual world of the first user from
the second user. The replication unit 210 may also be configured to transmit an information
configured to generate requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment
to a second database associated with the second user and upgrade a virtual world of the second
10 user based on received information by generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual
objects and the environment in the virtual world of the second user.
[0044] As used herein, the term ‘units’ refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or
15 more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable
components that provide the described functionality. In an embodiment, the other units may be
used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the server 104. It will be appreciated that
such units may be represented as a single unit or a combination of different units.
20 [0045] While the components of the server 106 illustrated in Figure 2 are exemplary in nature,
embodiments intend to cover or other cover any suitable component to be included in the server
106, which may be required to implement the desired functionality of the server 106.
[0046] Embodiments of the present application may be better understood for following examples:
25
[0047] A user “A” created a virtual world which replicates his home. The user A may provide the
access parameters to said virtual world to a user “B”. The user B may provide the shared access
parameters to the server 106 to access the virtual world of the user A. The server 106 upon
authorizing the user B based on the access parameters, provides access to the virtual of the user A
30 to the user B. The user B then be able to view and interact with the virtual world of the user A and
if he so desire, he may be able to request to replication any virtual object, for instance a sofa set,
in his own virtual world. Accordingly, the server 106 may upgrade the virtual world of the user B
12
based on an information associated with the requested virtual object. In some embodiments, the
information may include aesthetic characteristics of said virtual object or any suitable information
required for generation of said virtual object in another virtual world.
5 [0048] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 300 for sharing virtual world simulation of
a user to another user in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0049] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the method 300 includes one or more blocks illustrating a method
for sharing virtual world simulation of a user to another user.
10
[0050] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a
limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to
implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without
departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be
15 implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0051] At step 302, the method 300 includes accessing a virtual world of a first user, by a second
user using one or more access parameters. The one or more access parameters comprises at least
one of user Identifier (User ID), a password, and an access link.
20
[0052] At step 304, the method 300 includes recording an experience of the second user while
accessing said virtual world of the first user. Next at step 306, the method 300 includes receiving
a request for replication of at least one of one or more virtual objects and an environment of the
virtual world from the second user.
25
[0053] At step 308, the method 300 includes transmitting an information configured to generate
requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment to a second database
associated with the second user. Further at step 310, the method 300 includes upgrading a virtual
world of the second user based on received information by generating the requested at least one of
30 one or more virtual objects and the environment in the virtual world of the second user.
[0054] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to
figures and certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit
13
and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions
contained herein.
14
Reference Numerals:
102a-102n User Device
104 Network
106 Server
108 Database
202 Memory
204 Processor
206 Access Providing Unit
208 Recording Unit
210 Replication Unit

WE CLAIM:

1. A method comprising:
accessing a virtual world of a first user, by a second user using one or more access
5 parameters;
recording an experience of the second user while accessing said virtual world of the
first user;
receiving a request for replication of at least one of one or more virtual objects and
an environment of the virtual world from the second user;
10 transmitting an information configured to generate requested at least one of one or
more virtual objects and the environment to a second database associated with the second
user; and
upgrading a virtual world of the second user based on received information by
generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment in
15 the virtual world of the second user.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual world is generated based on user
preferences of the first user.
20 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more access parameters comprises
at least one of user Identifier (User ID), a password, and an access link.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
authorizing the second user based the one or more access parameters to allow the
25 second user to access the virtual world of the first user.
5. A system comprising:
one or more user devices; and
a server communicably coupled to the one or more user devices; the server
30 configured to:
16
enable a second user to access a virtual world of a first user using one or more
access parameters;
record an experience of the second user while accessing said virtual world of the
first user;
5 receive a request for replication of at least one of one or more virtual objects and
an environment of the virtual world of the first user from the second user;
transmit an information configured to generate requested at least one of one or more
virtual objects and the environment to a second database associated with the second user;
and
10 upgrade a virtual world of the second user based on received information by
generating the requested at least one of one or more virtual objects and the environment in
the virtual world of the second user.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the virtual world is generated based on user
15 preferences of the first user.
7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more access parameters comprises at
least one of user Identifier (User ID), a password, and an access link.
20 8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the server is further configured to:
authorize the second user based the one or more access parameters to allow the
second user to access the virtual world of the first user.