Effects of Local-Lag Mechanism on Task Performance in a Desktop CVE System

Consistency maintenance is a kernel problem inCollaborative Virtual Environment (CVE) research. The approaches usedin Networked Virtual Environments (e.g., DR algorithm) could not be usedin CVEs, for they could not prevent short-term inconsistency. Therefore,local-lag mechanism has been proposed to eliminate short-term inconsistencyin CVEs. Choosing a proper lag value is a key problem in local-lagmechanism. This paper studied the effects of lag value (0ms--900ms) ontask performance in a desktop CVE system. Experimental resultsindicate that the effect of lag value on task performance is notlinear. The effect could be separated into four segments by threedividing points: 150ms, 300ms and 600ms. Lag has no effect on taskperformance while ranging from 0ms to 150ms. From 150ms to 300ms,lag slightly affects task performance. Lag deteriorates taskperformance seriously while ranging from 300ms to 600ms. When lag islonger than 600ms, the task cannot be accomplished sometimes.