{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853922","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853922","title":"Virtual area communications","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2013-02-19T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":19,"abstract":"A virtual area has a spatial visualization and includes zones that are associated with respective geometric boundaries located in relation to the spatial visualization. Realtime data stream connections between sources and sinks of network nodes in the zones of the virtual area are administered to provide a wide variety of virtual area applications, including virtual area applications that implement spatial rules for one or more synchronous conferencing services (e.g., instant messaging, such as text chat, audio conferencing, video conferencing, application sharing, and file sharing)."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Virtual Area Communications patent addresses the problem of disconnected and unengaging virtual interactions by creating spatial virtual environments with dynamic communication channels. The core innovation involves administering real-time data stream connections between sources and sinks of network nodes in zones within a spatial visualization. This allows the implementation of spatial rules for synchronous conferencing services, such as instant messaging, audio conferencing, video conferencing, application sharing, and file sharing.\n\nThe key technical approach involves defining geometric boundaries within the virtual area and associating them with specific communication protocols. This allows the system to dynamically adjust communication channels based on the user's location and interactions within the virtual space. For example, users who are close to each other in the virtual environment can easily engage in spontaneous conversations, while those who are further apart may communicate through more formal channels.\n\nThe business value lies in creating more immersive and productive virtual experiences. This technology can be applied to various industries, including education, healthcare, and entertainment. In education, it can create more engaging learning environments. In healthcare, it can facilitate remote consultations and collaborative diagnosis. In entertainment, it can power virtual concerts and interactive gaming experiences.\n\nThe market opportunity is significant, as the demand for virtual communication and collaboration tools continues to grow. The Virtual Area Communications patent offers a unique and innovative solution that can help organizations create more effective and engaging virtual experiences. This technology has the potential to transform how we work, learn, and connect in the digital age. It is a significant step towards creating more human-centered and intuitive virtual environments.","layman_explanation":"The Virtual Area Communications patent addresses a growing problem in today's world: the disconnect and lack of engagement in virtual interactions. As more people work remotely and rely on virtual meetings and collaboration tools, the limitations of these technologies become increasingly apparent. Existing solutions often fail to replicate the natural flow of communication and collaboration that occurs in a physical office environment.\n\nThis innovation aims to solve this problem by creating spatial virtual environments where communication channels are dynamically adjusted based on proximity. Imagine a virtual office where you can easily chat with colleagues who are 'nearby' in the virtual space, while more formal communication channels are used for those who are 'further away.' This approach mimics the way we interact in the real world, making virtual interactions feel more natural and intuitive.\n\nThe technology works by creating a virtual space with defined zones and associating these zones with specific communication protocols. When users enter a particular zone, the system automatically adjusts their communication settings to match the zone's requirements. For example, a 'meeting room' zone might automatically enable audio and video conferencing, while a 'quiet zone' might disable notifications and distractions.\n\nThis technology matters because it has the potential to transform the way we work, learn, and connect in the digital age. By creating more immersive and engaging virtual experiences, it can improve productivity, foster collaboration, and reduce the sense of isolation that often accompanies remote work. The market impact is significant, with the potential to disrupt the existing virtual collaboration and communication landscape. The competitive advantages include improved spatial awareness, dynamic communication channels, and enhanced user experience. This could lead to increased ROI for companies adopting this technology.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology could be further developed to incorporate augmented reality and mixed reality elements, blurring the lines between the physical and virtual worlds. Market adoption is likely to accelerate as more organizations embrace remote work and virtual collaboration. Investment implications are positive, as this technology has the potential to generate significant returns for investors who are willing to take a long-term view.","technical_analysis":"The Virtual Area Communications patent outlines a system for creating and managing virtual areas with spatial awareness. The technical architecture comprises several key components working in concert to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. At its core, the system relies on a spatial visualization engine that renders the virtual environment and tracks the position of users and objects within it. This engine must be capable of handling complex geometries and rendering them efficiently to maintain a high frame rate.\n\nThe geometric boundary definition module is responsible for defining the zones within the virtual area and associating them with specific communication protocols. This module allows administrators to create spatial rules that govern how users interact with each other and with the environment. For example, a zone could be defined as a 'meeting room' where audio and video conferencing are automatically enabled for users within the zone.\n\nThe real-time data stream management system is crucial for handling the flow of data between sources and sinks of network nodes. This system must be capable of handling a large number of concurrent connections and ensuring low latency to maintain a responsive user experience. The system also needs to be robust and fault-tolerant to handle network disruptions and ensure that data is delivered reliably.\n\nThe synchronous conferencing service integration layer integrates with existing conferencing services and adapts them to the spatial environment. This layer allows users to seamlessly transition between different communication modes, such as text chat, audio conferencing, and video conferencing, without having to switch between different applications. The system supports a variety of integration patterns, including APIs, webhooks, and custom plugins.\n\nFrom a coding perspective, the system likely involves a combination of client-side and server-side components. The client-side components are responsible for rendering the virtual environment and handling user input. The server-side components are responsible for managing the spatial data, enforcing the communication rules, and routing data streams. The performance characteristics of the system depend on several factors, including the complexity of the virtual environment, the number of concurrent users, and the network bandwidth. Careful optimization is required to ensure a smooth and responsive user experience.","business_analysis":"The Virtual Area Communications patent presents a significant market opportunity in the rapidly growing virtual collaboration and communication space. The increasing adoption of remote work and virtual events has created a demand for more immersive and engaging virtual experiences. This technology addresses the limitations of traditional video conferencing and instant messaging tools by creating spatial virtual environments with dynamic communication channels.\n\nThe market opportunity size is substantial, with the global virtual events market projected to reach billions of dollars in the coming years. The demand for virtual collaboration tools is also growing rapidly, as organizations seek to improve productivity and engagement among remote employees. This patent offers a competitive advantage by providing a more intuitive and natural way for users to interact in virtual spaces.\n\nThe business model for this technology could involve licensing the patent to existing virtual event platforms and collaboration tool providers. Alternatively, a new company could be formed to develop and market a standalone virtual area communication platform. The revenue potential is significant, with the potential to generate substantial licensing fees or subscription revenue.\n\nFrom a strategic positioning perspective, this technology could be positioned as a premium solution for organizations that are looking to create the most immersive and engaging virtual experiences. The competitive advantages include improved spatial awareness, dynamic communication channels, and enhanced user experience. The ROI projections are attractive, with the potential to generate significant cost savings and revenue growth for organizations that adopt this technology.\n\nHowever, there are also risks to consider. The market for virtual collaboration tools is highly competitive, and there are many existing solutions that offer similar functionality. The technology also requires significant investment in research and development to bring it to market. Despite these risks, the Virtual Area Communications patent represents a compelling business opportunity with the potential to transform the way we work, learn, and connect in the digital age.","faqs":null,"topics":["virtual area communications","virtual collaboration","spatial computing","realtime data streams","synchronous conferencing","virtual","communications","offers"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Virtual Area Communications - Revolutionizing Virtual Interactions","description":"Discover how Virtual Area Communications creates immersive virtual environments with dynamic communication. Explore the patent's technical details, business applications, and market impact.","keywords":["virtual area communications","virtual collaboration","spatial computing","realtime data streams","synchronous conferencing","patent","patent US-9853922"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853922","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853922","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Virtual area communications\" (US-9853922). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853922","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853922","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853922","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T04:06:57.347Z"}