SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL EXPLORATION

Abstract

The system and method for providing immersive virtual exploration. The system (100) includes a virtual reality (VR) interface (110) with hand controllers and motion sensors for interactive experiences, a global destination database (120) storing 3D models and satellite imagery with cultural metadata. An avatar customization module (130) uses AI for personalized options. A time travel module (140) enables temporal navigation and memory storage. Platform compatibility (150) ensures seamless transitions and cloud-based synchronization. Social interaction (160) allows users to invite friends and collaborate. A virtual marketplace (170) offers digital goods and secure transactions. A drone camera module (180) enables aerial exploration with adjustable controls. Data privacy and security (190) employs encryption and audits to safeguard user information from unauthorized access. This system revolutionizes virtual exploration with comprehensive features for diverse user experiences. FIG. 1

Specification

Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of immersive virtual reality (VR) systems, and more particularly, system and method for providing users with interactive and immersive experiences.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, traditional systems across various sectors like shopping, education, training, and entertainment often face significant challenges. These conventional approaches typically rely heavily on physical presence and manual processes, which can lead to inefficiencies, environmental impact, and safety concerns. Recognizing these limitations, the present invention seeks to revolutionize these sectors by leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) technology to offer more efficient, immersive, and sustainable solutions.
[0003] Traditional shopping methods necessitate physical travel to brick-and-mortar stores, contributing to increased vehicle usage and carbon emissions. Moreover, the construction and maintenance of these physical stores consume valuable land and resources, exacerbating environmental pressures such as global warming. Industries, particularly those involving hazardous environments like chemical manufacturing, often rely on conventional safety training methods that include classroom sessions and limited practical exercises. These methods may not adequately prepare workers for real-world hazards, potentially leading to safety breaches.
[0004] Traditional disaster preparedness training relies on theoretical knowledge and occasional drills, which may not fully equip individuals to respond effectively during emergencies like fires or earthquakes. This approach lacks the immersive and practical experience needed to ensure readiness and effective response in real-world scenarios. Also, the conventional shopping involves physical visits to multiple stores, which can be time-consuming and physically demanding. Manual browsing and purchasing processes further add to inefficiencies in the shopping experience.
[0005] Managing a physical store requires significant manual effort, including inventory management, pricing, and transaction processing. These processes are prone to errors and inefficiencies, impacting overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Traditional educational methods often rely on textbooks, lectures, and limited practical experiences, which may not fully engage students or cater to diverse learning styles. Complex subjects require hands-on practice for effective learning and retention.
[0006] Furthermore, the conventional virtual environments often provide limited options for avatar customization and social interaction, which can hinder user engagement and personalization. Data security and privacy are critical concerns in conventional systems where user data may be vulnerable to breaches and unauthorized access. Protecting user information requires robust encryption protocols and adherence to stringent security practices.
[0007] Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method for providing users with interactive and immersive experiences which addresses the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An objective of the present invention is to minimize carbon emissions and resource consumption associated with traditional shopping by transitioning to a virtual marketplace.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to improve worker preparedness for hazardous environments through immersive VR simulations, reducing the risk of workplace accidents.
[00010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide realistic virtual scenarios for emergency preparedness, ensuring users gain practical experience in handling crises like fires and earthquakes.
[00011] Another objective of the present invention is to enable users to shop from home via a virtual marketplace, enhancing convenience and streamlining the purchasing process.
[00012] Another objective of the present invention is to automate inventory management, pricing, and transactions within the virtual marketplace to reduce manual labor and enhance efficiency for shop owners.
[00013] Another objective of the present invention is to utilize VR to offer interactive educational experiences, improving engagement and understanding, particularly in complex subjects.
[00014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide extensive avatar customization and immersive social interaction features within the virtual environment to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
[00015] Another objective of the present invention is to implement robust encryption and authentication measures to safeguard user data, addressing concerns related to privacy and security in virtual environments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[00016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for immersive virtual exploration. The system includes a processing subsystem hosted on a server. The processing subsystem is configured to execute on a network to control bidirectional communications among a plurality of modules. The processing subsystem includes a virtual reality (VR) interface configured to provide a plurality of users with an immersive visual and interactive experience, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface comprises one or more hand controllers and motion sensors, to enable the plurality of user to interact with one or more virtual objects and navigation within a virtual environment. The processing subsystem also includes a global destination database configured to store 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and metadata comprising historical and cultural information associated with each landmark. The processing subsystem also includes an avatar customization module configured to offer a variety of options for customizing avatars, and an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options based on user preferences. The processing subsystem also includes a time travel module configured to provide a temporal navigation interface that allows the plurality of users to select and experience different time periods within the virtual environment, and store user-specific moments and events for future revisits. The processing subsystem also includes a platform compatibility module configured to ensure compatibility and seamless transitions between one or more devices and utilize a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress and data consistency across different devices and platforms. The processing subsystem also includes a social interaction module configured to enable the plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment via links or direct invitations, and facilitate collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among multiple users within the virtual environment. The processing subsystem also includes a virtual marketplace configured to provide a digital storefront where the plurality of users can purchase virtual goods, using real money or in-game currency, and integrate with a secure payment gateway to process transactions. The processing subsystem also includes a drone camera module configured to provide controls for a virtual drone that the corresponding plurality of users can navigate to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offer a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude to capture different viewpoints. The processing subsystem also includes a data privacy and security module configured to implement encryption protocols to secure user data and comply with security practices and conduct regular security audits to protect against unauthorized access and exploitation.
[00017] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing immersive virtual exploration. The method includes rendering high-resolution 3D environments on a virtual reality (VR) with head-tracking capabilities and enabling user interaction with virtual objects and navigation using input devices. The method also includes maintaining a global destination database by storing 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and associating metadata with each landmark. The method also includes enabling avatar customization by offering options for customizing avatars and using an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options. The method also includes implementing a time travel feature by providing a temporal navigation interface for exploring different time periods and storing user-specific moments for future revisits. The method also includes ensuring platform compatibility by designing an architecture that supports seamless transitions between one or more platforms and utilizing a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress across devices. The method also includes enabling social interaction by allowing a plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment, and facilitating collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among users. The method also includes creating a virtual marketplace by establishing a digital storefront for purchasing virtual goods and integrating a secure payment gateway for processing transactions. The method also includes incorporating a drone camera feature by providing controls for a virtual drone to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offering a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude. The method also includes ensuring data privacy and security by implementing encryption protocols to secure user data and adhering to industry-standard security practices and conducting regular security audits.
[00018] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00019] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[00020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system for immersive virtual exploration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer or a server in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[00022] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrates a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for providing immersive virtual exploration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00023] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00024] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[00025] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[00026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[00027] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00028] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of immersive virtual reality (VR) systems, and more particularly, system and method for providing users with interactive and immersive experiences. The system includes a processing subsystem hosted on a server. The processing subsystem is configured to execute on a network to control bidirectional communications among a plurality of modules. The processing subsystem includes a virtual reality (VR) interface configured to provide a plurality of users with an immersive visual and interactive experience, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface comprises one or more hand controllers and motion sensors, to enable the plurality of user to interact with one or more virtual objects and navigation within a virtual environment. The processing subsystem also includes a global destination database configured to store 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and metadata comprising historical and cultural information associated with each landmark. The processing subsystem also includes an avatar customization module configured to offer a variety of options for customizing avatars, and an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options based on user preferences. The processing subsystem also includes a time travel module configured to provide a temporal navigation interface that allows the plurality of users to select and experience different time periods within the virtual environment, and store user-specific moments and events for future revisits. The processing subsystem also includes a platform compatibility module configured to ensure compatibility and seamless transitions between one or more devices and utilize a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress and data consistency across different devices and platforms. The processing subsystem also includes a social interaction module configured to enable the plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment via links or direct invitations, and facilitate collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among multiple users within the virtual environment. The processing subsystem also includes a virtual marketplace configured to provide a digital storefront where the plurality of users can purchase virtual goods, using real money or in-game currency, and integrate with a secure payment gateway to process transactions. The processing subsystem also includes a drone camera module configured to provide controls for a virtual drone that the corresponding plurality of users can navigate to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offer a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude to capture different viewpoints. The processing subsystem also includes a data privacy and security module configured to implement encryption protocols to secure user data and comply with security practices and conduct regular security audits to protect against unauthorized access and exploitation.
[0001] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system for immersive virtual exploration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) includes a processing subsystem (105) hosted on a server (108). In one embodiment, the server (108) may include a cloud-based server. In another embodiment, parts of the server (108) may be a local server coupled to a user device (not shown in FIG.1). The processing subsystem (105) is configured to execute on a network (115) to control bidirectional communications among a plurality of modules. In one example, the network (115) may be a private or public local area network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet. In another embodiment, the network (115) may include both wired and wireless communications according to one or more standards and/or via one or more transport mediums. In one example, the network (115) may include wireless communications according to one of the 802.11 or Bluetooth specification sets, or another standard or proprietary wireless communication protocol. In yet another embodiment, the network (115) may also include communications over a terrestrial cellular network, including, a global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), and/or enhanced data for global evolution (EDGE) network.
[00029] The system (100) includes a virtual reality (VR) interface (110) configured to provide a plurality of users with an immersive visual and interactive experience, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface (110) comprises one or more hand controllers and motion sensors, to enable the plurality of user to interact with one or more virtual objects and navigation within a virtual environment. More specifically, the VR interface (110) provides a highly immersive and interactive experience for users, designed to simulate real-world environments with exceptional fidelity. Compatible with a variety of leading VR headsets, including Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the interface integrates seamlessly with these devices to deliver an unparalleled visual experience. Users interact within the virtual environment using hand controllers equipped with precise motion sensors. These controllers enable users to manipulate virtual objects with lifelike accuracy, supporting actions like grabbing, moving, and rotating objects within the simulated space.
[00030] Also, the VR interface (110) renders environments in high-resolution 3D, featuring realistic textures and dynamic lighting effects that enhance immersion. Users experience a sense of depth and spatial presence as they navigate through virtual landscapes using intuitive gestures and locomotion methods. Environmental conditions such as weather changes and day-night cycles are simulated in real-time, further enriching the immersive experience. Feedback mechanisms like haptic vibrations provide tactile responses, reinforcing the realism of interactions within the virtual environment.
[00031] Overall, the VR interface (110) not only facilitates exploration and interaction within virtual worlds but also ensures a responsive and engaging user experience through advanced motion tracking and environmental simulation capabilities.
[00032] The system (100) also includes a global destination database (120) configured to store 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and metadata comprising historical and cultural information associated with each landmark. More specifically, the global destination database (120) within the system (100) is meticulously designed to store and manage an extensive collection of 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks. This global destination database (120) forms the backbone of the immersive virtual exploration experience, providing users with detailed and accurate representations of iconic locations around the world. Each landmark within the global destination database (120) is recreated using advanced 3D modelling techniques and high-resolution satellite images, ensuring that every detail is captured with precision and realism.
[00033] The global destination database (120) does not merely store visual representations; it also includes comprehensive metadata associated with each landmark. This metadata encompasses historical and cultural information, offering users educational insights into the significance and background of the locations they explore. For example, users visiting the Eiffel Tower in the virtual environment can access detailed information about its construction, historical events associated with it, and its cultural impact.
[00034] Furthermore, the global destination database (120) is dynamically updated to include new landmarks and cultural sites, ensuring that users have access to the latest and most relevant information. These updates are facilitated through periodic data refreshes from a central server, which integrates new 3D models and imagery into the database. This dynamic updating mechanism ensures that the virtual environment remains current and continually enriched with new content.
[00035] The global destination database (120) architecture is designed for high efficiency and scalability, capable of handling large volumes of data while maintaining fast access times for users. Advanced indexing and retrieval algorithms enable quick and seamless access to the 3D models and associated metadata, ensuring a smooth user experience. The integration of historical and cultural metadata not only enhances the educational value of the virtual exploration but also provides context and depth, making the virtual visits more informative and engaging.
[00036] Furthermore, the system (100) includes an avatar customization module (130) configured to offer a variety of options for customizing avatars, and an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options based on user preferences. More specifically, the avatar customization module (130) in the system (100) is designed to provide users with extensive options for creating and personalizing their virtual representations, enhancing their immersive experience within the virtual environment. The avatar customization module (130) offers a wide range of customization features, allowing users to modify various aspects of their avatars, including hairstyles, clothing, accessories, and facial features. These options enable users to create avatars that closely resemble their real-life appearance or embody their creative fantasies, ensuring a deeply personalized and engaging experience.
[00037] Central to the module's functionality is an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) based personalization engine. This engine analyses user preferences, past choices, and interaction patterns to suggest relevant customization options tailored to individual tastes. For example, if a user frequently selects casual clothing and specific accessories, the AI engine will prioritize and recommend similar styles during future customization sessions. This intelligent recommendation system not only streamlines the customization process but also enhances user satisfaction by providing options that align with their preferences.
[00038] The AI-based personalization engine utilizes machine learning algorithms to continuously improve its recommendation accuracy. By learning from each user's customization history and feedback, the engine refines its suggestions, making them more pertinent and personalized over time. This adaptive learning capability ensures that the customization experience remains dynamic and responsive to changing user tastes.
[00039] Furthermore, the avatar customization module (130) integrates seamlessly with other components of the system (100). Customized avatars may be used to represent users in various virtual environments, from exploring global landmarks to participating in social interactions with friends. This integration enhances the continuity and coherence of the user experience, as avatars maintain their personalized features across different virtual scenarios.
[00040] The avatar customization module (130) also supports cross-platform compatibility, allowing users to customize their avatars on various devices, including VR headsets, smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. This ensures that users can access and modify their avatars from their preferred devices without losing any customization data. Cloud-based synchronization services are employed to maintain consistency and continuity of avatar features across platforms.
[00041] The system (100) also includes a time travel module (140) configured to provide a temporal navigation interface that allows the plurality of users to select and experience different time periods within the virtual environment, and store user-specific moments and events for future revisits. More specifically, the time travel module (140) is a sophisticated component of the system (100), designed to provide users with a temporal navigation interface that enables them to explore and experience different time periods within the virtual environment. This module offers a unique and immersive feature that significantly enhances the educational and entertainment value of the virtual reality (VR) experience.
[00042] At the core of the time travel module (140) is the temporal navigation interface, which allows users to seamlessly select and transition between various historical and future time periods. By interacting with this intuitive interface, users can choose specific eras or moments in history, such as the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, or even speculative future scenarios. The high-resolution 3D environments are meticulously recreated using historical data, satellite imagery, and advanced modelling techniques to ensure an authentic and immersive experience. This detailed rendering allows users to witness significant historical events, explore ancient civilizations, or envision futuristic cities with remarkable realism.
[00043] In addition to exploring predefined historical and future scenarios, the time travel module (140) includes a feature for storing user-specific moments and events. Users can capture their unique experiences and interactions within the virtual environment, creating personal memories that can be revisited at any time. This functionality is particularly valuable for educational purposes, as students can document their learning journeys, or for social interactions, where users can save and share memorable virtual experiences with friends and family.
[00044] The time travel module (140) employs advanced data storage and retrieval systems to manage these user-specific moments efficiently. Each captured moment is associated with metadata that includes the time period, location, and user interactions, ensuring that the memories are contextually rich and easily accessible. Users can organize their stored moments into customizable timelines, providing a structured way to revisit and reflect on their virtual experiences.
[00045] To enhance the realism and educational value of the temporal navigation interface, the time travel module (140) integrates predictive analytics and simulation algorithms. These technologies allow the system to generate plausible future scenarios based on historical trends, scientific data, and user inputs. This feature not only adds a speculative and exploratory dimension to the VR experience but also encourages users to think critically about historical developments and future possibilities.
[00046] The time travel module (140) is designed to be cross-platform compatible, ensuring that users can access their temporal navigation interface and stored moments from various devices, including VR headsets, smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. Cloud-based synchronization services are utilized to maintain the consistency and continuity of user data across platforms, allowing users to seamlessly transition between devices without losing their personalized experiences.
[00047] The system (100) also includes a platform compatibility module (150) configured to ensure compatibility and seamless transitions between one or more devices and utilize a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress and data consistency across different devices and platforms. At the heart of the platform compatibility module (150) is a robust cross-platform architecture that supports a wide range of devices and operating systems. This architecture is designed to provide a consistent user interface and experience across different platforms, ensuring that users can access the virtual environment with the same level of functionality and visual fidelity whether they are using a high-end VR headset or a standard smartphone. The platform compatibility module (150) employs adaptive design principles and responsive layouts to optimize the VR experience for each device, taking into account factors such as screen size, resolution, and input methods.
[00048] To facilitate seamless transitions between devices, the platform compatibility module (150) utilizes a cloud-based synchronization service. This service acts as a central repository for user data, including avatar customization settings, virtual world configurations, saved moments, and in-app purchases. Whenever a user makes changes or progress within the virtual environment, these updates are automatically synchronized with the cloud server in real-time. This ensures that the most recent state of the user's data is always available, regardless of the device they log in from.
[00049] The cloud-based synchronization service employs sophisticated data management techniques to handle large volumes of data efficiently. It uses a combination of incremental synchronization and conflict resolution algorithms to ensure that data is updated swiftly and accurately across all devices. Incremental synchronization minimizes the amount of data transferred by only updating changes, while conflict resolution algorithms ensure that any discrepancies between different device states are resolved in a consistent manner.
[00050] Security and data privacy are paramount concerns for the platform compatibility module (150). The cloud synchronization service employs end-to-end encryption protocols to protect user data during transmission and storage. This ensures that sensitive information, such as personal details and payment information, is safeguarded against unauthorized access and breaches. Regular security audits and adherence to industry-standard practices further enhance the security posture of the module.
[00051] To enhance user experience, the platform compatibility module (150) includes features for offline access and data caching. When users are temporarily disconnected from the internet, the module allows them to continue interacting with the virtual environment using cached data. Once the connection is restored, any changes made offline are synchronized with the cloud server, ensuring that user progress is not lost. This offline capability is particularly beneficial for users in areas with unstable internet connectivity or those who wish to use the platform during travel.
[00052] The platform compatibility module (150) also supports multi-device login, allowing users to be logged in on multiple devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful for users who wish to use different devices for different aspects of the VR experience. For instance, a user might explore the virtual environment using a VR headset at home and then switch to a smartphone to access their stored moments or make in-app purchases while on the go. The platform compatibility module (150) ensures that all devices remain in sync, providing a cohesive and integrated experience
[00053] Also, the system (100) includes a social interaction module (160) configured to enable the plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment via links or direct invitations, and facilitate collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among multiple users within the virtual environment. More specifically, the social interaction module (160) is a key component designed to foster collaboration, communication, and shared experiences among users within the virtual environment. This module enables users to invite friends to join them in the VR space through various means, such as sharing links or sending direct invitations. By facilitating real-time interaction and exploration, the social interaction module (160) transforms solitary virtual experiences into dynamic, social engagements.
[00054] At the core of the social interaction module (160) is a robust invitation system that allows users to seamlessly bring their friends into the virtual world. Users can generate invitation links that can be shared via email, messaging apps, or social media platforms. Additionally, the social interaction module (160) supports direct invitations sent through the app, making it easy for users to connect with their contacts. The invitation system may be designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that both tech-savvy and less experienced users can effortlessly invite their friends to join them.
[00055] Once friends accept the invitations, the social interaction module (160) enables real-time, collaborative exploration of the virtual environment. Multiple users can navigate the same virtual spaces simultaneously, sharing experiences and discoveries as they explore together. The social interaction module (160) supports a variety of collaborative activities, such as joint visits to virtual landmarks, group photo sessions, and participation in interactive events or games. This shared exploration fosters a sense of community and enhances the overall immersive experience.
[00056] To facilitate effective communication among users, the social interaction module (160) incorporates several communication tools. Voice chat and text messaging are integrated into the virtual environment, allowing users to converse naturally as they explore. Voice chat is optimized for low latency and high audio quality, ensuring clear and immediate communication. Text messaging includes features such as emoji support, multimedia sharing, and message threading, making it versatile for different types of interactions. These communication tools are seamlessly integrated into the user interface, ensuring that they enhance rather than disrupt the immersive experience.
[00057] The social interaction module (160) also includes features to manage social interactions and ensure a positive user experience. Users have control over their privacy settings, allowing them to choose who can send them invitations and who can join their virtual sessions. The social interaction module (160) supports the creation of private and public sessions, giving users the flexibility to explore alone or with friends. Additionally, users can manage their friend lists, block or mute disruptive individuals, and report inappropriate behaviour, ensuring a safe and enjoyable virtual environment.
[00058] To enhance social engagement, the social interaction module (160) includes various collaborative features and activities. Users can participate in group activities such as virtual treasure hunts, where they work together to find hidden items and unlock rewards. The social interaction module (160) also supports shared content creation, allowing users to co-create virtual environments, build structures, and design landscapes collaboratively. These activities not only foster teamwork and creativity but also add replay value and depth to the virtual experience.
[00059] The social interaction module (160) is designed to be scalable and robust, capable of handling large numbers of simultaneous users without compromising performance. It utilizes cloud-based servers to manage real-time data synchronization, ensuring that all users see consistent and up-to-date information. The social interaction module (160) employs advanced networking techniques to minimize latency and optimize bandwidth usage, providing a smooth and responsive experience even in crowded virtual environments.
[00060] Security and privacy are paramount considerations in the design of the social interaction module (160). All communication between users is encrypted to protect against eavesdropping and data breaches. The social interaction module (160) adheres to industry-standard security practices and undergoes regular audits to ensure compliance with data protection regulations. User data, including communication logs and friend lists, is stored securely and managed with strict access controls.
[00061] Furthermore, the system (100) includes a virtual marketplace (170) configured to provide a digital storefront where the plurality of users can purchase virtual goods, using real money or in-game currency, and integrate with a secure payment gateway to process transactions. More specifically, At the heart of the virtual marketplace (170) is an extensive catalogue of virtual goods, which includes a wide array of items such as souvenirs, merchandise, accessories for avatar customization, and exclusive content like rare virtual assets or special features. The marketplace is designed to reflect the cultural and thematic elements of different virtual locations, providing users with an authentic and enriched shopping experience. For instance, a user exploring a virtual recreation of the Eiffel Tower might find themed souvenirs like miniature Eiffel Towers, French pastries, or Parisian fashion accessories.
[00062] The virtual marketplace (170) is designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing, ensuring an intuitive shopping experience. Users can easily navigate through different categories of items, use search functions to find specific products, and apply filters to sort items by price, popularity, or relevance. Each item in the marketplace comes with detailed descriptions, high-resolution images, and user reviews, helping users make informed purchasing decisions.
[00063] To facilitate transactions, the virtual marketplace (170) integrates a secure payment gateway that supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards, digital wallets, and in-game currency. The payment gateway is designed to ensure the security and privacy of user transactions. It employs encryption protocols and secure authentication methods to protect user payment information and prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the marketplace complies with industry-standard security practices and regulatory requirements, providing users with a safe and trustworthy environment for their purchases.
[00064] One of the key features of the virtual marketplace (170) is its support for in-game currency. Users can earn this currency through various in-app activities, such as completing challenges, participating in events, or finding hidden items within the virtual environment. This gamification element not only enhances user engagement but also provides a rewarding incentive for users to explore and interact more deeply with the virtual world. The in-game currency can be used alongside or instead of real money to purchase items in the marketplace, offering flexibility and additional value to users.
[00065] To enhance user engagement and retention, the marketplace includes a recommendation engine powered by artificial intelligence (AI). This engine analyses user behaviour, preferences, and purchase history to suggest items that the user might be interested in. By offering personalized recommendations, the AI engine helps users discover new products and encourages repeat purchases, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
[00066] The virtual marketplace (170) also supports seasonal promotions, sales, and exclusive offers, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving shopping environment. Users can take advantage of discounts, limited-time offers, and special bundles, which are prominently displayed in the marketplace interface. These promotional activities not only drive sales but also create a sense of urgency and excitement among users.
[00067] Social features are integrated into the marketplace to enhance the community aspect of the platform. Users can share their purchases, wish lists, and recommendations with friends, fostering a social shopping experience. The marketplace also supports user-generated content, such as product reviews and ratings, which helps build a sense of community and trust among users.
[00068] To ensure scalability and reliability, the virtual marketplace (170) is built on a robust cloud infrastructure. This allows it to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted service even during peak usage times. The cloud-based architecture also facilitates regular updates and maintenance, ensuring that the marketplace remains up-to-date with new features, security enhancements, and product offerings.
[00069] Moreover, the system (100) includes a drone camera module (180) configured to provide controls for a virtual drone that the corresponding plurality of users can navigate to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offer a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude to capture different viewpoints. More specifically, the core functionality of the drone camera module (180) revolves around its user interface, which is intuitive and responsive, allowing for precise control of the drone's movements. Users can effortlessly adjust the drone's direction, altitude, and angle using hand controllers, motion sensors, or traditional input devices like keyboards and touchscreens. The control system is designed to be user-friendly, providing smooth and accurate responses to user inputs, making it accessible even for those new to drone navigation.
[00070] To enhance the exploration experience, the drone camera module (180) provides multiple viewing modes. Users can switch between different perspectives, such as a first-person view from the drone's camera, which offers a direct and immersive experience, and a third-person view that provides a broader perspective of the surroundings. This flexibility allows users to tailor their exploration experience according to their preferences and the specific details they wish to observe.
[00071] The drone camera module (180) is equipped with advanced imaging capabilities, delivering high-resolution visuals that capture the intricate details of the virtual environment. This includes the ability to zoom in on specific areas of interest, offering a closer look at landmarks, objects, and other features within the virtual space. The high-quality imagery ensures that users can fully appreciate the visual richness and realism of the recreated environments.
[00072] One of the standout features of the drone camera module (180) is its ability to simulate realistic drone physics, adding to the authenticity of the experience. The module replicates real-world drone dynamics, including inertia, acceleration, and deceleration, providing a realistic feel to the drone's movement. This not only enhances the immersion but also adds a layer of challenge and excitement to the navigation process.
[00073] The drone camera module (180) also includes a robust collision detection system, which prevents the drone from passing through objects or terrain, ensuring a realistic and consistent experience. This system is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the virtual environment and enhancing the user's sense of presence within the virtual world.
[00074] To cater to various user needs and preferences, the drone camera module (180) supports customizable settings. Users can adjust parameters such as the drone's speed, sensitivity of the controls, and the field of view, allowing them to fine-tune the experience to their liking. These customization options ensure that users can have a comfortable and personalized exploration experience.
[00075] For educational and informational purposes, the drone camera module (180) can be integrated with the platform's metadata database. This allows users to access detailed information about specific locations or objects within the virtual environment directly through the drone interface. For instance, while exploring a historical landmark, users can receive pop-up information, videos, or audio guides that provide context and background, enriching their understanding of the site.
[00076] The drone camera module (180) also includes social features, enabling users to share their drone footage with friends or the broader user community. Users can capture and record their exploration sessions, creating videos or snapshots that can be shared on social media or within the platform's own sharing features. This fosters a sense of community and allows users to showcase their discoveries and experiences.
[00077] To ensure optimal performance, the drone camera module (180) is built on a robust and scalable architecture, capable of handling high-resolution data and real-time processing demands. It leverages cloud-based resources to provide consistent performance across different devices and platforms, ensuring that users enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted experience regardless of their hardware capabilities.
[00078] The system further includes a data privacy and security module (190) configured to implement encryption protocols to secure user data and comply with security practices and conduct regular security audits to protect against unauthorized access and exploitation. More specifically, at the core, the data privacy and security module (190) is the implementation of advanced encryption protocols. All user data, including personal information, payment details, and interaction logs, are encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms such as AES-256. This ensures that data is rendered unreadable to unauthorized parties, both during transmission over the network and when stored on servers. The use of end-to-end encryption further enhances security by ensuring that data remains encrypted from the point of departure to the point of arrival, minimizing the risk of interception.
[00079] The data privacy and security module (190) also incorporates secure authentication mechanisms to verify user identities and control access to the virtual environment. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is employed, requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification, such as passwords, biometric data, or one-time codes sent to their mobile devices. This layered approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if one authentication factor is compromised.
[00080] To maintain the highest security standards, the data privacy and security module (190) adheres to industry-standard security practices and frameworks, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Compliance with these regulations ensures that the platform respects user privacy rights and handles sensitive data responsibly. Regular updates to the security policies and procedures are implemented to stay current with evolving threats and regulatory requirements.
[00081] In addition to encryption and secure authentication, the data privacy and security module (190) includes comprehensive access controls and permissions management. This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data and system functions. Role-based access control (RBAC) is implemented, allowing administrators to define and manage user roles and associated permissions, ensuring that users can only access the data and functions necessary for their roles.
[00082] To detect and respond to potential security threats, the data privacy and security module (190) incorporates real-time monitoring and intrusion detection systems. These systems continuously monitor network traffic, user activities, and system logs for signs of suspicious behaviour or anomalies that may indicate a security breach. Automated alerts and incident response protocols are in place to ensure swift action in the event of a detected threat, minimizing potential damage and preventing further exploitation.
[00083] Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are a key feature of the module, ensuring that the platform remains secure against emerging threats. These audits are conducted by both internal security teams and external security experts, who perform thorough evaluations of the system's security posture. Penetration testing, code reviews, and security scans are part of these assessments, identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
[00084] The data privacy and security module (190) also includes a comprehensive data backup and disaster recovery plan. Regular backups of user data and system configurations are performed, ensuring that data can be restored in the event of data loss or system failure. The disaster recovery plan outlines procedures for restoring operations quickly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuity of service.
[00085] User education and awareness are also integral to the module's effectiveness. The platform provides users with information on best practices for data security, such as creating strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and protecting personal information. By empowering users with knowledge, the platform helps to mitigate risks associated with human error and social engineering attacks.
[00086] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer or a server in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The server (200) includes processor(s) (230), and memory (210) operatively coupled to the bus (220). The processor(s) (230), as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit, or a combination thereof.
[00087] The memory (210) includes several subsystems stored in the form of executable program which instructs the processor (230) to perform the method steps illustrated in FIG. 1. The memory (210) includes a processing subsystem (105) of FIG.1. The processing subsystem (105) further has following modules: a virtual reality (VR) interface (110), a global destination database (120), an avatar customization module (130), a time travel module (140), a platform compatibility module (150), a social interaction module (160), a virtual marketplace (170), a drone camera module (180) and a data privacy and security module (190).
[00088] The virtual reality (VR) interface (110) configured to provide a plurality of users with an immersive visual and interactive experience, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface (110) comprises one or more hand controllers and motion sensors, to enable the plurality of user to interact with one or more virtual objects and navigation within a virtual environment. The global destination database (120) configured to store 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and metadata comprising historical and cultural information associated with each landmark. The avatar customization module (130) configured to offer a variety of options for customizing avatars, and an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options based on user preferences. The time travel module (140) configured to provide a temporal navigation interface that allows the plurality of users to select and experience different time periods within the virtual environment, and store user-specific moments and events for future revisits. The platform compatibility module (150) configured to ensure compatibility and seamless transitions between one or more devices and utilize a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress and data consistency across different devices and platforms. The social interaction module (160) configured to enable the plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment via links or direct invitations, and facilitate collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among multiple users within the virtual environment. The virtual marketplace (170) configured to provide a digital storefront where the plurality of users can purchase virtual goods, using real money or in-game currency, and integrate with a secure payment gateway to process transactions. The drone camera module (180) configured to provide controls for a virtual drone that the corresponding plurality of users can navigate to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offer a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude to capture different viewpoints. The data privacy and security module (190) configured to implement encryption protocols to secure user data and comply with security practices and conduct regular security audits to protect against unauthorized access and exploitation.
[00089] The bus (220) as used herein refers to be internal memory channels or computer network that is used to connect computer components and transfer data between them. The bus (220) includes a serial bus or a parallel bus, wherein the serial bus transmits data in bit-serial format and the parallel bus transmits data across multiple wires. The bus (220) as used herein, may include but not limited to, a system bus, an internal bus, an external bus, an expansion bus, a frontside bus, a backside bus and the like.
[00090] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrates a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for providing immersive virtual exploration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (300) includes rendering high-resolution 3D environments on a virtual reality (VR) with head-tracking capabilities and enabling user interaction with virtual objects and navigation using input devices in step 310. More specifically, rendering high-resolution 3D environments on a virtual reality (VR) platform with head-tracking capabilities involves generating detailed and realistic virtual scenes that users can explore through their VR headsets. The head-tracking technology allows the VR system to accurately monitor the user's head movements in real-time, adjusting the perspective and visuals accordingly to create an immersive experience. Enabling user interaction with virtual objects and navigation involves using input devices such as hand controllers, motion sensors, or gloves, which allow users to manipulate and interact with elements within the virtual environment, providing a seamless and interactive user experience.
[00091] The method (300) also includes maintaining a global destination database by storing 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and associating metadata with each landmark in step 320. More specifically, maintaining a global destination database involves storing detailed 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks. This database also includes metadata for each landmark, such as historical and cultural information. In step 320, this comprehensive repository enables accurate and immersive virtual representations of these landmarks, providing users with both visual and educational experiences.
[00092] Furthermore, the method (300) includes enabling avatar customization by offering options for customizing avatars and using an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options in step 330. More specifically, enabling avatar customization involves providing users with a range of options to personalize their avatars according to individual preferences. This includes selecting hairstyles, clothing, accessories, and facial features among other choices. The process is enhanced by an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine which analyses user input and behaviours to suggest customization options that align with their preferences. This AI engine enhances user engagement by offering tailored suggestions, thereby creating a more immersive and personalized virtual experience.
[00093] The method (300) also includes implementing a time travel feature by providing a temporal navigation interface for exploring different time periods and storing user-specific moments for future revisits in step 340. More specifically, implementing a time travel feature involves creating a user interface that allows users to navigate through different time periods within the virtual environment. This temporal navigation interface enables users to select specific historical eras or future scenarios to explore. Additionally, the system stores user-specific moments and events, capturing interactions and experiences that users can revisit in the future. This feature enhances the immersive nature of the virtual experience by allowing users to engage with historical contexts or speculative futures within the virtual world.
[00094] The method (300) also includes ensuring platform compatibility by designing an architecture that supports seamless transitions between one or more platforms and utilizing a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress across devices in step 350. More specifically, ensuring platform compatibility involves designing an architecture that enables smooth transitions between multiple platforms, such as VR headsets, smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. This architecture ensures that users can seamlessly switch between devices without losing their progress or data. To achieve this, the system employs a cloud-based synchronization service which stores and synchronizes user data across all devices. This service ensures that updates, preferences, and user interactions are consistently maintained across platforms, enhancing convenience and accessibility for users interacting with the virtual environment from different devices.
[00095] Moreover, the method (300) includes enabling social interaction by allowing a plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment, and facilitating collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among users in step 360. More specifically, enabling social interaction involves creating functionalities within the virtual environment that allow multiple users to interact and collaborate. Users can invite friends to join the virtual space either through direct invitations or by sharing links. Once connected, the system facilitates collaborative activities such as exploring virtual locations together, participating in games or activities, and engaging in real-time communication through text, voice, or other interactive means. This feature enhances user engagement by fostering social connections and creating shared experiences within the virtual world, thereby enriching the overall user experience.
[00096] The method (300) also includes creating a virtual marketplace by establishing a digital storefront for purchasing virtual goods and integrating a secure payment gateway for processing transactions in step 370. More specifically, creating a virtual marketplace involves setting up a digital platform where users can browse and purchase virtual goods. This marketplace functions similarly to an online store, offering a variety of items such as virtual souvenirs, merchandise, and other digital products. To facilitate transactions, the system integrates a secure payment gateway that enables users to make purchases using real money or in-game currency. This ensures that financial transactions within the virtual environment are safe and reliable, providing users with a seamless shopping experience while maintaining the security of their payment information.
[00097] Furthermore, the method (300) includes incorporating a drone camera feature by providing controls for a virtual drone to explore environments from an aerial perspective and offering a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude in step 380. More specifically, incorporating a drone camera feature involves integrating controls within the virtual environment that allow users to operate a virtual drone. This feature enables users to navigate and explore virtual environments from an aerial perspective, offering a bird's-eye view of the surroundings. The system provides a user interface that allows users to adjust the drone's movement, change its viewing angle, and control its altitude. This enhances user exploration by providing dynamic perspectives and viewpoints within the virtual world, enriching the overall immersive experience for users interacting with the environment.
[00098] The method (300) also includes ensuring data privacy and security by implementing encryption protocols to secure user data and adhering to industry-standard security practices and conducting regular security audits in step 390. More specifically, ensuring data privacy and security involves implementing robust measures to protect user data within the virtual environment. This includes employing encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information such as personal data and payment details from unauthorized access or breaches. The system adheres to industry-standard security practices, which encompass guidelines and protocols recognized within the cybersecurity field. Regular security audits are conducted to assess and validate the effectiveness of these measures, ensuring that the virtual platform maintains a high level of security integrity over time. These efforts collectively work to mitigate risks and maintain user trust by prioritizing the confidentiality and integrity of their data.
[00099] Various embodiments of the system and method for providing immersive virtual exploration offers several significant advantages across various domains by leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology to address existing limitations in conventional systems. Firstly, in terms of environmental impact, the invention reduces the need for physical travel to shops by creating a virtual marketplace within VR. This not only lowers vehicle usage and carbon emissions but also minimizes the construction and maintenance of physical store infrastructures, thereby conserving land and resources.
[000100] The system enhances industrial safety training by simulating hazardous scenarios through VR. Workers in industries such as chemical manufacturing can receive immersive training that prepares them more effectively for real-world situations, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents and enhancing workplace safety protocols.
[000101] Additionally, the system improves disaster preparedness training by offering realistic simulations of emergency scenarios like fires or earthquakes. This enables users to practice and refine their responses in a controlled environment, potentially saving lives during actual emergencies through better-prepared individuals and communities.
[000102] Furthermore, the system enhances shopping convenience by allowing users to browse and purchase products from virtual shops within their homes. This eliminates the need for physical store visits, saving time and effort while providing a more streamlined shopping experience for consumers.
[000103] Moreover, the automation features within the virtual marketplace benefit shop owners by reducing manual labour associated with tasks like inventory management and transaction processing. This automation improves operational efficiency and enhances the overall business process, offering a smoother experience for both customers and businesses.
[000104] The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of the described techniques may be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, as well as any combinations of such components. The term "processor" or "processing subsystem" may generally refer to any of the foregoing logic circuitry, alone or in combination with other logic circuitry, or any other equivalent circuitry. A control unit including hardware may also perform one or more of the techniques of this disclosure.
[000105] Such hardware, software, and firmware may be implemented within the same device or within separate devices to support the various techniques described in this disclosure. In addition, any of the described units, modules, or components may be implemented together or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. Depiction of different features as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be realized by separate hardware, firmware, or software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules or units may be performed by separate hardware, firmware, or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware, firmware, or software components.
[000106] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[000107] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[000108] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
, Claims:1. A system (100) for immersive virtual exploration comprising:
a processing subsystem (105) hosted on a server (108), wherein the processing subsystem (105) is configured to execute on a network (115) to control bidirectional communications among a plurality of modules comprising:
a virtual reality (VR) interface (110) configured to provide a plurality of users with an immersive visual and interactive experience, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface (110) comprises one or more hand controllers and motion sensors, to enable the plurality of user to interact with one or more virtual objects and navigation within a virtual environment;
a global destination database (120) configured to store 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and metadata comprising historical and cultural information associated with each landmark;
an avatar customization module (130) configured to offer a variety of options for customizing avatars, and an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options based on user preferences;
a time travel module (140) configured to provide a temporal navigation interface that allows the plurality of users to select and experience different time periods within the virtual environment, and store user-specific moments and events for future revisits;
a platform compatibility module (150) configured to ensure compatibility and seamless transitions between one or more devices, and utilize a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress and data consistency across different devices and platforms;
a social interaction module (160) configured to enable the plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment via links or direct invitations, and facilitate collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among multiple users within the virtual environment;
a virtual marketplace (170) configured to provide a digital storefront where the plurality of users can purchase virtual goods, using real money or in-game currency, and integrate with a secure payment gateway to process transactions;
a drone camera module (180) configured to provide controls for a virtual drone that the corresponding plurality of users can navigate to explore environments from an aerial perspective, and offer a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude to capture different viewpoints; and
a data privacy and security module (190) configured to implement encryption protocols to secure user data, and comply with security practices and conduct regular security audits to protect against unauthorized access and exploitation.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual reality (VR) interface (110) is configured to simulate real-time environmental conditions such as weather and lighting.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the global destination database (120) is dynamically updated with new landmarks and cultural sites through periodic updates from a central server.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the avatar customization module (130) comprises a facial recognition feature configured to allow users to create avatars that resemble their real-life appearance.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual marketplace (170) comprises a recommendation engine configured to suggest virtual goods and enhancements based on the user's previous purchases and browsing history.
6. A method (300) for providing immersive virtual exploration comprising:
rendering high-resolution 3D environments on a virtual reality (VR) with head-tracking capabilities, and enabling user interaction with virtual objects and navigation using input devices; (310)
maintaining a global destination database by storing 3D models and high-resolution satellite imagery of global landmarks, and associating metadata with each landmark; (320)
enabling avatar customization by offering options for customizing avatars, and using an artificial intelligence (AI) based personalization engine to suggest customization options; (330)
implementing a time travel feature by providing a temporal navigation interface for exploring different time periods, and storing user-specific moments for future revisits; (340)
ensuring platform compatibility by designing an architecture that supports seamless transitions between one or more platforms, and utilizing a cloud-based synchronization service to maintain user progress across devices; (350)
enabling social interaction by allowing a plurality of users to invite friends to join the virtual environment, and facilitating collaborative exploration, interaction, and communication among users; (360)
creating a virtual marketplace by establishing a digital storefront for purchasing virtual goods, and integrating a secure payment gateway for processing transactions; (370)
incorporating a drone camera feature by providing controls for a virtual drone to explore environments from an aerial perspective, and offering a user interface for adjusting the drone's movement, angle, and altitude; and (380)
ensuring data privacy and security by implementing encryption protocols to secure user data, and adhering to industry-standard security practices and conducting regular security audits. (390)
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein maintaining a global destination database comprises dynamically updating the database with new landmarks and cultural sites through periodic updates from a central server.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein providing the temporal navigation interface comprises incorporating a predictive analytics engine to simulate future scenarios based on historical data and user input.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein establishing the digital storefront for purchasing the virtual goods comprises implementing a recommendation engine that suggests virtual goods and enhancements based on the user's previous purchases and browsing history.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein implementing the encryption protocols to secure user data comprises incorporating multi-factor authentication for verifying user identity before granting access to the virtual environment and personal data.
Dated this 19th day of November 2024

Signature

Prakriti Bhattacharya
Patent Agent (IN/PA- 5178)
Agent for the Applicant

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