EP2456530A1

EP2456530A1 - Avatar display modification

Info

Publication number: EP2456530A1
Application number: EP10729846A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Abdelkrim Hebbar; Hakim Hacid; Abderrahmane Maaradji
Original assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Priority date: 2009-07-24
Filing date: 2010-06-30
Publication date: 2012-05-30
Also published as: FR2948480B1; JP5843765B2; WO2011009696A1; US20120188277A1; CN102470275A; KR20120046276A; FR2948480A1; JP2013500511A; US9776090B2

Abstract

The invention relates to an image-processing method in a virtual environment (VE) in which a plurality of avatars, which respectively represent associated users, move about. Said image-processing method includes the following steps: receiving a request (Ra) to adapt how the avatars are displayed on the terminal of a given user, said request (Ra) including at least one adaptation criteria to differentiate the display of the avatars; modifying the data representing the avatars (7a, 7', 7") according to said adaptation criteria; and sending the modified data for adapted display of the avatars (7a, 7', 7") on the terminal (3a, 3) of the given user. The invention also relates to a method for adapting how avatars are displayed in a virtual environment. The invention further relates to an image-processing processor and a corresponding virtual-world server and communication terminal for implementing such methods.

Description

MODIFICATION OF THE AVATARS DISPLAY

An image processing method in a virtual environment, a method for adapting the avatars display, an image processing processor, a virtual world server and a corresponding communication terminal for the implementation of such methods.

Today, the development of the Internet and computer technologies has made it possible to work, play, and exchange information in a virtual world. In general, a virtual world includes several virtual environments, each virtual environment of which is a 3D digital representation imitating a real world environment.

These virtual worlds for example virtual games or places of virtual encounters and exchanges are developing more and more.

In such virtual worlds, users can evolve interactively and communicate with other users using user representation.

We mainly use avatars as the representation of the user. These are usually chosen and manually configured by users according to their tastes. It can be photo, three-dimensional image or any graphic representation. As soon as the user connects to the virtual world his avatar appears in the virtual world.

In addition, a user can create in these virtual worlds a social network in which the user records the users he knows and / or with whom he communicated via avatars.

Typically, when the user connects to the virtual world and his avatar evolves in a virtual environment, the definition of the other avatars present in this virtual environment depends on their geographical distance from the avatar of the connected user. Here we mean by geographical distance, the distance simulated between the avatars in the virtual environment in which the avatars evolve. Thus, the user can see with more precision the avatars geographically close to his avatar.

However, such an implementation requires a lot of resources. Indeed, it is necessary to constantly maintain the calculation of avatars with a lot of details even if these details are not of interest for the user who connects to the virtual world at a given time and place in the virtual world.

In addition, the user can not quickly distinguish the avatars of users who are part of one of his social networks or who are interested in a moment and a specific place in the virtual world.

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art by adapting the display of avatars while reducing the resources required for displaying avatars.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an image processing method in a virtual environment in which a plurality of avatars respectively representing associated users evolve, said image processing method comprising the following steps:

an adaptation request is received from the display of the avatars on the terminal of a given user, said request comprising at least one adaptation criterion for differentiating the display of the avatars,

the data representing the avatars are modified according to said adaptation criterion, and

the modified data is transmitted for a suitable display of the avatars on the terminal of the given user.

The image processing method may further include one or more of the following features, taken separately or in combination:

the adaptation criterion is a criterion of social link between the given user and the users connected to the virtual environment,

a blurring filter is applied to the avatars representing users not belonging to a social network of the given user, said image processing method comprises the following steps:

For each user connected to the virtual environment, a social link coefficient is calculated from said adaptation criterion and social network information of the given user,

"We modify the data representing the avatars according to the coefficient of social link calculated,

for each avatar representing a user belonging to a social network of the given user, a sharpness filter proportional to the calculated social link coefficient is applied,

for each avatar representing a user who does not belong to a social network of the given user, a blur filter inversely proportional to the calculated social link coefficient is applied.

The invention also relates to a method of adapting the display of avatars in a virtual environment in which a plurality of avatars respectively representing associated users evolve, said adaptation method comprising the following steps:

a request is made to adapt the display of the avatars to the terminal of a given user, said request comprising at least one adaptation criterion to differentiate the display of the avatars,

receiving data representing the modified avatars according to said adaptation criterion, and

- Displays the modified avatars on the terminal of the given user.

The invention also relates to an image processing processor comprising at least one processing means for:

receiving a request to adapt the display of the avatars on the terminal of a given user, said request comprising at least one adaptation criterion for differentiating the display of the avatars,

modifying the data representing the avatars according to said adaptation criterion, and

- transmit the modified data for a suitable display of the avatars on the terminal of the given user.

The invention also relates to a virtual world server comprising such an image processing processor.

The invention also relates to a communication terminal comprising such an image processing processor.

The invention also relates to a communication terminal of a user comprising:

means for displaying a virtual environment in which a plurality of avatars respectively representing associated users evolve, and

at least one treatment means for:

Transmitting a request to adapt the display of the avatars on the display means, said request comprising at least one adaptation criterion for differentiating the display of the avatars,

• display the modified avatars on the display medium.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a communication network on which a plurality of communication terminals exchange data with a virtual world server,

FIG. 2a is an example of displaying a virtual environment,

FIG. 2b is an example of a display of a virtual environment in which the display of the avatars is adapted,

FIG. 3a illustrates the steps of a method of adapting the display of avatars in a virtual environment,

FIG. 3b illustrates the steps of an image processing method in a virtual environment,

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the social link with a user given in concentric zones respectively associated with an adaptation criterion,

FIG. 5a is an example of displaying an avatar in high definition,

FIG. 5b is an example of displaying an avatar in average definition, and

FIG. 5c is an example of displaying an avatar in very low definition

In these figures, identical elements bear the same references.

FIG. 1 shows a communication network 1 for example

Internet, a plurality of communication terminals 3a, 3 and a virtual world server 5. The terminals 3a, 3 exchange data with the virtual world server 5 on the communication network 1, so that the users of the terminals 3a, 3 can connect to the virtual world and evolve in the virtual world.

The term communication network 1 here means any type of network, capable of transmitting content to the terminals 3a, 3 and exchange with these terminals 3a, 3 data or messages. Any mode of transmission can be envisaged.

In addition, here communication terminal 3a, 3 means any equipment capable of receiving contents of the communication network 1 and of exchanging data, messages and requests with this same communication network 1.

It may for example be a mobile phone or fixed, a personal digital assistant (or PDA), or a computer or laptop.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2a, each user of a terminal 3a, 3 is associated with an avatar 7a, 7 ', 7 "to represent it in virtual environment EV of the virtual world which is displayed on a medium of display 9a, 9 of the terminal 3a, 3.

Thus, through its avatar 7a, 7 ', 7 "each user can evolve in this virtual environment EV and communicate with other avatars 7a, 7', 7" representing other users.

In addition, each user can have one or more social networks, such as friends networks, workgroup networks, or gaming networks, in the virtual world or in another virtual exchange platform external to the world. virtual. Each network groups together a set of users. This set of users may include a list of user nicknames with possibly associated avatars or their corresponding profiles. Of course, it can be expected that the user is part of a community in the virtual world also forming a social network.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the virtual world server 5 conventionally comprises at least one means for managing the virtual environments in which the avatars operate.

The virtual world server 5 further comprises at least one image processing means 13, for example an image processing processor 13. Alternatively, the processor 13 may be integrated with each terminal 3a, 3.

This processor 13 communicates with a database 15 of users' social networks, whether they are networks in the virtual world or in other virtual exchange platforms. For this, the user must have previously entered his or her corresponding identifiers for the external platforms to the virtual world, thus allowing the database 15 to have access to its social networks.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, an external server 17 includes this database 15. In a variant, it is the virtual world server 5 that comprises the database 15.

According to a first embodiment, when a first user of the terminal

3a connects to the virtual world and its associated avatar 7a evolves in a virtual environment EV, the display of other avatars 7 ', 7 "is done in the first place conventionally (Figure 2a) and if the user wishes it display is adapted (Figure 2b).

For this purpose, the terminal 3a comprises at least one processing means for transmitting to the processor 13 during a step Al a matching request.

Ra of the avatars display on the display means 9a (Figures 1 and 3a). This request

Ra includes at least one adaptation criterion to differentiate the display of avatars.

This adaptation criterion may be a social link criterion, for example a criterion of belonging to a social network of the first user of the terminal 3a, the social network being able to be internal or external to the virtual world. Of course, any other adaptation criterion may be used such as interest criteria or frequency of exchange criteria.

In the example of a criterion of belonging to a social network, the display of avatars must be adapted according to the social network of this first user. Specifically, second T avatars associated with social network users are differentiated from the third 7 "avatars associated with connected users who do not belong to the social network of the first user (see Figure 2b).

The processor 13 then comprises at least one processing means for receiving the adaptation request Ra with the adaptation criterion during a step B1, modifying the data representing the avatars according to the adaptation criterion in step B2 , and transmit to the terminal 3a the data modified in a step B3, for a suitable display of the avatars on the display means 9a (Figures 1 and 3b).

The terminal 3a then receives the modified data in step A2 and displays the avatars on the display means 9a in step A3 (FIG. 3 a).

By way of example, when the adaptation criterion is a criterion for belonging to the social network of the first user of the terminal 3a, the processor 13 comprises at least one processing means for transmitting a request for information to step B21. Ri to the database 15 concerning the social network (s) of the first user (FIGS. 1 and 3b).

The database 15 then transmits the RS data on the social network (s) of the first user to the processor 13 configured to identify from these RS data the connected users who are part of the social network of the user and those who do not. are not part of step B22.

The processor 13 then modifies, during a step B23, the data representing the avatars to differentiate the second avatars 7 'from the users of the social network of the first user and the third avatars 7 "from the other users.

In the example illustrated in Figure 2b, the processor 13 applies a blur filter on the third avatars 7 ", so that the second avatars 7 'are displayed with a good definition compared to the third avatars 7" which are fuzzy.

As a variant, it is possible to display the third avatars 7 "in transparency or to display shadows for the third avatars 7". According to another alternative, it is possible to adapt the second avatars T so that they are displayed larger compared to the third 7 ". Thus, the user of the first terminal 3a easily distinguishes the avatars 7 'users of its social network.

In addition, the resources of the processor 13 for only a few avatars with a good definition are much less important than those needed for a host of avatars in good definition. As a result, the computing effort of the processor 13 is reduced to maintain only certain avatars in good definition.

In addition, when the processor 13 is at the level of the virtual world server 5, the processor 13 transmits less important data on the communication network 1 to the terminal 3a.

Moreover, it is possible to adapt the avatars 7 ', 7 "differently according to the social proximity of the users associated with the first user, in which case the user can define several hierarchical adaptation criteria between them.

For example, the first user can define:

a first criterion, for example a criterion of belonging to a "family" network of the first user,

- a second criterion, for example an interest criterion such as "museum", and

- a third criterion, for example an interest criterion such as "sport".

To illustrate this principle, reference is made to FIG. 4 in which three circular zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 are schematically represented.

the first zone Z1 is associated with the first criterion,

the second zone Z2 is associated with the second criterion,

the third zone is associated with the third criterion.

The avatars must therefore be adapted according to the membership of the users in one of the three zones Z1, Z2, Z3.

For this purpose, the processor 13 comprises at least one means for calculating a social link coefficient for each user based on the adaptation criteria and the social network information of the first user.

Thus, the users connected to the virtual environment EV and belonging to the network "Family" of the first user correspond to the first zone Z1 and are associated with a strong first coefficient of social link Cl. The users connected to the virtual environment EV and belonging to one or more social networks of the first user having for example in their profiles as criterion of interest the museum, correspond to the second zone Z2 and are associated with a second coefficient of social link C2 high month than the first coefficient of social link Cl (C2 <C1).

The users connected to the virtual environment EV and belonging to one or more social networks of the first user having for example in their profiles as criterion of interest the sport correspond to the third zone Z3 and are associated with a third coefficient of social link C3 month high than the second coefficient of social link C2 (C3 <C2).

The users connected to the virtual environment EV and not belonging to a social network of the first user having for example in their profiles as criterion of interest the museum, correspond to the second zone Z2 and are associated with a fourth link coefficient social C4 high month than the second coefficient of social link C2 (C4 <C2).

The users connected to the virtual environment EV and not belonging to a social network of the first user having for example in their profiles as criterion of interest the sport, correspond to the third zone Z3 and are associated with a fifth coefficient of link social C5 high month than the third social coefficient C3 and the fourth coefficient of social link C4 (C5 <C3; C5 <C4).

Once the coefficients have been calculated, the processor 13 adapts the users differently according to these calculated coefficients.

For example, for each second avatar 7 ', a sharpness factor proportional to the calculated social link coefficient is applied.

So,

the second avatars 7 'of the users of zone 1 associated with the first coefficient C1 can be displayed with a very high definition,

the second avatars T of users of zone 2 associated with the second coefficient C2 can be displayed with high definition (FIG. 5a), and

the second avatars T of users of zone 3 associated with the third coefficient C3, can be displayed with medium definition (Figure 5b).

Similarly, for each third avatar 7, a blur factor inversely proportional to the calculated social link coefficient is applied.

So,

the third avatars 7 "of the users of the zone 2 associated with the fourth coefficient C4 can be displayed with an average definition (FIG. 5b), and the third avatars 7" of the users of the zone 3 associated with the fifth coefficient C5 can be displayed with a low definition.

All the other avatars associated with users whose calculated social link coefficient is zero can for example be displayed in very low definition (FIG. 5c).

A second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that when a first user connects to the virtual environment EV, the display of the avatars is directly adapted according to adaptation criteria defined by the user.

It is therefore easy to understand the display of avatars in a virtual mode to quickly distinguish the avatars of the users who interest a given first user at a specific time and place in the virtual environment, while reducing the resources required.

Claims

An image processing method in a virtual environment (EV) in which a plurality of avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") respectively representing associated users evolve, said image processing method comprising the following steps:

an adaptation request (Ra) is received from the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of a given user, said request (Ra) comprising at least one criterion of adaptation to differentiate the display of avatars

the data representing the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") are modified according to said adaptation criterion, and

the modified data is transmitted for a suitable display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of the given user.

An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation criterion is a social link criterion between the given user and the users connected to the virtual environment.

An image processing method according to claim 2, wherein a blur filter is applied to the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") representing users not belonging to a social network of the given user.

4. Method according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein said image processing method comprises the following steps:

for each user connected to the virtual environment (EV), a social link coefficient (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) is calculated from said criterion adaptation and social network information of the given user,

the data representing the avatars are modified according to the calculated social link coefficient (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5).

5. An image processing method according to claim 4, wherein for each avatar (7 ') representing a user belonging to a social network of the given user, applying a sharpness filter proportional to the calculated social link coefficient.

6. An image processing method according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein for each avatar (7 ") representing a user not belonging to a social network of the given user, a blur filter is applied. inversely proportional to the calculated social link coefficient.

7. A method of adapting the display of avatars in a virtual environment (EV) in which a plurality of avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") respectively representing associated users evolve, said adaptation method comprising the following steps :

an adaptation request (Ra) is transmitted from the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of a given user, said request (Ra) comprising at least one criterion adaptation to differentiate the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 "),

receiving data representing the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") modified according to said adaptation criterion, and

the modified avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") are displayed on the terminal (3a, 3) of the given user.

An image processing processor comprising at least one processing means for: receiving an adaptation request (Ra) from the display of the avatars on the terminal of a given user, said request (Ra) comprising at least one adaptation criterion for differentiating the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ' , 7 "),

modifying the data representing the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") according to said adaptation criterion, and

transmitting the modified data for a suitable display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of the given user.

A virtual world server comprising an image processing processor (13) comprising at least one processing means for:

receiving an adaptation request (Ra) from the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of a given user, said request (Ra) comprising at least one criterion d adaptation to differentiate the display of avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 "),

Communication terminal comprising an image processing processor comprising at least one processing means for:

receiving an adaptation request (Ra) from the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") on the terminal (3a, 3) of a given user, said request (Ra) comprising at least one least one adaptation criterion to differentiate the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 "),

11. A communication terminal of a user comprising:

means for displaying (9a, 9) a virtual environment (EV) in which a plurality of avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") respectively representing associated users, and

at least one treatment means for:

t ransmitting an adaptation request (Ra) for displaying the avatars on the display means, said request (Ra) comprising at least one adaptation criterion for differentiating the display of the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ")

• receive data representing the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") modified according to said adaptation criterion, and

• to leave the avatars (7a, 7 ', 7 ") modified on the display means (9a, 9).