NPSNET:A Network Software Architecture for LargeScale Virtual Environments

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Macedonia ◽  
Michael J. Zyda ◽  
David R. Pratt ◽  
Paul T. Barham ◽  
Steven Zeswitz
Keyword(s):  
Software Architecture ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Network Protocol ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Software Architectures ◽  
Interactive Simulation ◽  
Distributed Interactive Simulation ◽  
Network Software

This paper explores the issues involved in designing and developing network software architectures for large-scale virtual environments. We present our ideas in the context of NPSNET-IV, the first 3-D virtual environment that incorporates both the IEEE 1278 distributed interactive simulation (DIS) application protocol and the IP multicast network protocol for multiplayer simulation over the Internet.

scholarly journals ALVIC versus the Internet: Redesigning a Networked Virtual Environment Architecture

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Quax ◽  
Jeroen Dierckx ◽  
Bart Cornelissen ◽  
Wim Lamotte
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Generic Framework ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Networked Virtual Environment ◽  
Near Future

The explosive growth of the number of applications based on networked virtual environment technology, both games and virtual communities, shows that these types of applications have become commonplace in a short period of time. However, from a research point of view, the inherent weaknesses in their architectures are quickly exposed. The Architecture for Large-Scale Virtual Interactive Communities (ALVICs) was originally developed to serve as a generic framework to deploy networked virtual environment applications on the Internet. While it has been shown to effectively scale to the numbers originally put forward, our findings have shown that, on a real-life network, such as the Internet, several drawbacks will not be overcome in the near future. It is, therefore, that we have recently started with the development of ALVIC-NG, which, while incorporating the findings from our previous research, makes several improvements on the original version, making it suitable for deployment on the Internet as it exists today.

Dynamic Grid-Based Algorithms in DDM

2012 ◽  
Vol 433-440 ◽  
pp. 4297-4301
Author(s):  
Hui Ru Wang ◽  
Jing Ding
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Data Distribution ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Interactive Simulation ◽  
Distribution Management ◽  
Distributed Interactive Simulation ◽  
Dynamic Multicast ◽  
Grid Based

For large-scale distributed interactive simulation, it is important and difficult for data to communicate among thousands of objects. The purpose of the Data Distribution Management (DDM) service performs data filter and reduces irrelevant data between federations. Grid-based algorithm can only manage to filter part of irrelevant data. Experimental results show that, compare with normal grid-based algorithms, the dynamic multicast method can minimize.

Visiting Tourist Landmarks in Virtual Reality Systems by Real-Walking

2010 ◽  
pp. 180-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Steinicke ◽  
G. Bruder ◽  
J. Jerald ◽  
H. Frenz
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Interaction Space ◽  
Immersive Virtual Environments ◽  
Redirected Walking ◽  
Virtual City

In recent years virtual environments (VEs) have become more and more popular and widespread due to the requirements of numerous application areas in particular in the 3D city visualization domain. Virtual reality (VR) systems, which make use of tracking technologies and stereoscopic projections of three-dimensional synthetic worlds, support better exploration of complex datasets. However, due to the limited interaction space usually provided by the range of the tracking sensors, users can explore only a portion of the virtual environment (VE). Redirected walking allows users to walk through large-scale immersive virtual environments (IVEs) such as virtual city models, while physically remaining in a reasonably small workspace by intentionally injecting scene motion into the IVE. With redirected walking users are guided on physical paths that may differ from the paths they perceive in the virtual world. The authors have conducted experiments in order to quantify how much humans can unknowingly be redirected. In this chapter they present the results of this study and the implications for virtual locomotion user interfaces that allow users to view arbitrary real world locations, before the users actually travel there in a natural environment.

An Introductory Tutorial for Developing Multiuser Virtual Environments

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rich Gossweiler ◽  
Robert J. Laferriere ◽  
Michael L. Keller ◽  
Randy Pausch
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Source Code ◽  
Dead Reckoning ◽  
Distributed Applications ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Distributed Application ◽  
Broadcast Communication ◽  
Position Data

This paper is an introductory level tutorial describing how to implement a distributed multiparticipant virtual environment (VE). This tutorial is intended for students who are competent programmers and who now wish to implement a distributed multiparticipant application. We describe the fundamental concepts of distributed computing for multiplayer simulations and provide a concrete example, including C source code available via the Internet. The template program demonstrates a simple multiplayer, distributed application, where each player controls the position of a space ship, and communicates the ship's position data over the network. The template uses broadcast communication and a technique called dead-reckoning to improve performance. We give detailed instructions on how to obtain and modify the template, so that students can quickly create their own distributed applications. We conclude by briefly discussing advanced issues that are important when constructing more sophisticated multiparticipant VEs.

Providing Situation Awareness Assistance to Users of Large-Scale, Dynamic, Complex Virtual Environments

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin R. Stytz ◽  
Elizabeth Block ◽  
Brian Soltz
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Real World ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
First Person ◽  
Focus Attention ◽  
Unobtrusive Observation

As virtual environments grow in complexity, size, and scope users will be increasingly challenged in assessing the situation in them. This will occur because of the difficulty in determining where to focus attention and in assimilating and assessing the information as it floods in. One technique for providing this type of assistance is to provide the user with a first-person, immersive, synthetic environment observation post, an observatory, that permits unobtrusive observation of the environment without interfering with the activity in the environment. However, for large, complex synthetic environments this type of support is not sufficient because the mere portrayal of raw, unanalyzed data about the objects in the virtual space can overwhelm the user with information. To address this problem, which exists in both real and virtual environments, we are investigating the forms of situation awareness assistance needed by users of large-scale virtual environments and the ways in which a virtual environment can be used to improve situation awareness of real-world environments. A technique that we have developed is to allow a user to place analysis modules throughout the virtual environment. Each module provides summary information concerning the importance of the activity in its portion of the virtual environment to the user. Our prototype system, called the Sentinel, is embedded within a virtual environment observatory and provides situation awareness assistance for users within a large virtual environment.

A Theoretical Model of Wayfinding in Virtual Environments: Proposed Strategies for Navigational Aiding

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 671-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jui Lin Chen ◽  
Kay M. Stanney
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Spatial Knowledge ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Virtual Spaces

This paper proposes a theoretical model of wayfinding that can be used to guide the design of navigational aiding in virtual environments. Based on an evaluation of wayfinding studies in natural environments, this model divides the wayfinding process into three main subprocesses: cognitive mapping, wayfinding plan development, and physical movement or navigation through an environment. While this general subdivision has been proposed before, the current model further delineates the wayfinding process, including the distinct influences of spatial information, spatial orientation, and spatial knowledge. The influences of experience, abilities, search strategies, motivation, and environmental layout on the wayfinding process are also considered. With this specification of the wayfinding process, a taxonomy of navigational tools is then proposed that can be used to systematically aid the specified wayfinding subprocesses. If effectively applied to the design of a virtual environment, the use of such tools should lead to reduced disorientation and enhanced wayfinding in large-scale virtual spaces. It is also suggested that, in some cases, this enhanced wayfinding performance may be at the expense of the acquisition of an accurate cognitive map of the virtual environment being traversed.

NPSNET and the Naval Postgraduate School Graphics and Video Laboratory

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zyda ◽  
David Pratt ◽  
John Falby ◽  
Paul Barham ◽  
Kristen Kelleher
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Interactive Simulation ◽  
Naval Postgraduate School ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Distributed Interactive Simulation ◽  
Vehicle Simulator ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf

The Naval Postgraduate School Networked Vehicle Simulator IV (NPSNET-IV) is a low-cost, student-written, real-time networked vehicle simulator that runs on commercial, off-the-shelf workstations (the Silicon Graphics IRIS family of computers). NPSNET-IV has been developed at the Naval Postgraduate School's (NPS) Department of Computer Science in the Graphics and Video Laboratory. It utilizes Simulation Network (SIMNET) databases and SIMNET and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) networking formats. The DIS networking format is flexible enough to allow multiple players to game over the Internet. The availability of NPSNET-IV lowers the entry costs of researchers wanting to work with SIMNET, DIS, and follow-on systems. Without the contributions of the department's M.S. and Ph.D. candidates, the NPSNET project would be impossible to maintain and continue. The diversity of their interests accounts for the broad range of research areas within the project.

Portraying and Understanding Large-Scale Distributed Virtual Environments: Experience and Tentative Conclusions

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin R. Stytz ◽  
Bruce Hobbs ◽  
Andrea Kunz ◽  
Brian Soltz ◽  
Kirk Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Autonomous Agents ◽  
Distributed Simulation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Interactive Control ◽  
Near Earth Space ◽  
Distributed Virtual Environments

The Distributed Simulation Internet (DSI) provides users access to large-scale, complex, active, unpredictable virtual environments. If users are to effectively use these environments, they will require support for understanding and acting in these environments. Support is necessary because humans have a time and space limited span of attention. The Satellite Modeler, Omniview true 3D, and Synthetic BattleBridge projects were undertaken to develop and investigate the interfaces and autonomous agents required to effectively support users of the Distributed Simulation Internet. The Satellite Modeler emulates the near-Earth space environment and portrays models of satellites moving in their correct orbits around the Earth. The motion of the satellites is broadcast to users of the DSI. The Satellite Modeler is intended to function as a training and operational aid for orbital analysts and to help them understand key spatial relationships for satellites in near-Earth orbit. The Omniview project was undertaken to provide interactive control and manipulation of a true 3D image and to thereby assist the user in understanding the activity within the DSI-hosted virtual environment. That project developed an interface that provides the Omniview user with the ease of use that a window, icon, mouse, and pointer GUI interface provides to users of 2D displays. The Synthetic BattleBridge is a system that, like the Omniview, portrays a DSI-hosted virtual environment but does not act in it. The Synthetic BattleBridge is designed to support users in making accurate and timely decisions by providing several different types of cognitive support for understanding and analyzing the activity in a battlespace. In this paper, we briefly describe each project and present some observations and conclusions we have drawn based on our experience with them.

Modelling Stages of Behaviour in Social Virtual Communities

2009 ◽  
pp. 1147-1156
Author(s):  
Lynne D. Roberts ◽  
Leigh M. Smith ◽  
Clare M. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Once connected to the Internet, there is a myriad of virtual communities that an individual can connect to, interact within and become a member of. However, little is known about the processes individuals employ in identifying, selecting, and interacting within these virtual communities. How does an individual decide which type of virtual environment they will use? What are the stages that individuals go through in their use of virtual communities? Do the stages of use vary across types of virtual communities? In this article, we examine these questions, focusing on stages of use of individual virtual communities within the larger context of patterns of Internet use over time. First, we examine predictors of the type of virtual environments that an individual might use, highlighting the impact of demographic factors, personality, history, and location of Internet use. Then we draw on our own research to examine stages of use of two types of synchronous text-based virtual environments. Finally, we develop a generic model of stages of use of virtual environments.

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