Virtual environment controls based on voice chat audio inputs

Abstract

In a virtual environment such as an online game, a voice chat audio signal controls the volume of chat audio signals between users. The volume of chat audio signals between users can be controlled depending on one or more factors such as volume of the user's voices spoken into their audio input device and the relative positions of virtual objects controlled by the users. In one implementation, a voice chat audio signal from a first user to a second user is reduced in volume if a distance between the virtual objects of the first and second players exceeds a threshold distance and if the volume in audio input device of the first player is less than a threshold volume. A volume of a user's chat input can also control aspects of a virtual environment. The result a more realistic audible chat interaction among users controlling characters in a virtual environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory in communication with the processor, the memory comprising session data defining a virtual environment, wherein the session data defines coordinates of a plurality of virtual objects, the memory having computer-readable instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method comprising:   monitoring a distance between a first virtual object controlled by the first participant and a second virtual object controlled by the second participant of a plurality of participants;   determining that the distance between the first virtual object controlled by the first participant and the second virtual object controlled by the second participant of the plurality of participants exceeds a threshold distance; and   reducing a volume of a chat audio signal between the first participant and the second participant in response to determining that the distance between the first virtual object controlled by the first participant and the second virtual object controlled by the second participant of the plurality of participants exceeds the threshold distance.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the volume is reduced to zero if the distance exceeds a maximum threshold distance. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the volume is a function of a maximum volume multiplied by a function of the maximum threshold distance minus the distance divided by the maximum threshold distance when the distance is less than the maximum threshold distance. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the volume is a maximum volume level if the distance is less than a minimum distance threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the volume is a function of a maximum volume multiplied by a function of a maximum threshold distance minus the distance divided by the maximum threshold distance minus the minimum threshold distance, when the distance is greater than the minimum threshold distance and less than the maximum threshold distance. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chat audio signal includes an input chat audio signal generated by an input device capturing voice input by the first participant, and wherein controlling the volume level includes regulating the volume level of the input chat audio signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chat audio signal includes a chat audio output signal delivered to the first participant and a chat audio output signal delivered to the second participant wherein controlling the volume includes regulating an output volume of the chat audio output signals delivered to the first and second participants. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: monitoring a volume level of an input chat audio signal generated by an input device associated with the first participant, wherein the volume level is increased relative to the full volume level in response to determining that the chat audio signal generated by the input device associated with the first participant is above a threshold volume. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for controlling a reaction of a computer-controlled virtual object of a virtual environment, the method comprising:
 receiving session data defining the virtual environment, the session data defining a position of the computer-controlled virtual object that is controlled by an input from a participant by an input controller, the session data causing a generation of session audio data that is coordinated with movement of the computer-controlled virtual object;   receiving a chat audio signal that provides vocal communication between the participant and a plurality of participants;   determining that a volume of the chat audio signal generated from a vocal input of the participant at an input device has a change with respect to a volume threshold; and   in response to determining that the volume of the chat audio signal that provides vocal communication between the participant and the plurality of participants (P 2 -PN) has changed with respect to the volume threshold, executing reaction to be performed by the computer-controlled virtual object.   
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises causing the computer-controlled virtual object to express a gesture indicating that the computer-controlled virtual object has detected a presence of a user-controlled virtual object. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises causing the computer-controlled virtual object to move indicating that the computer-controlled virtual object has detected a presence of a user-controlled virtual object. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the computing device reduces a probability that the reaction is executed when the volume of the chat audio signal does not exceed the volume threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the computing device reduces a probability that the reaction is executed when the position of the computer-controlled virtual object is not within the threshold distance of a position of a user-controlled virtual object. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises modifying a rendering of a user-controlled virtual object to include an expression indicating that the user-controlled virtual object is talking at a reduced volume when the volume of the chat audio signal is below the volume threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises modifying a rendering of the user-controlled virtual object to include an expression indicating that the virtual object is talking at an increased volume when the volume of the chat audio signal is above the volume threshold. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-implemented method for controlling a reaction of a computer-controlled virtual object of a virtual environment, the method comprising:
 receiving session data defining the virtual environment, the session data defining a position of the computer-controlled virtual object that is controlled by an input from a participant by an input controller, the session data causing a generation of session audio data that is coordinated with movement of the computer-controlled virtual object;   receiving a chat audio signal that provides vocal communication between the participant and a plurality of participants;   determining that a characteristic of the chat audio signal generated from a vocal input of the participant at an input device has a change; and   in response to determining that the characteristic of the chat audio signal that provides vocal communication between the participant and the plurality of participants has changed, executing reaction to be performed by the computer-controlled virtual object.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the characteristic of the chat audio signal comprises at least one of a pitch, a volume, an articulation, or a background noise level. 
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises causing the computer-controlled virtual object to express a gesture indicating that the computer-controlled virtual object has detected a presence of a user-controlled virtual object. 
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the reaction comprises causing the computer-controlled virtual object to move indicating that the computer-controlled virtual object has detected a presence of a user-controlled virtual object. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein the computing device reduces a probability that the reaction is executed when the character of the chat audio signal is less than a threshold.