Time-dependent client inactivity indicia in a multi-user animation environment

• US 10,102,661 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pfaqutruma Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian Mark Shuster
• Inventors: Shuster, Brian Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Craddock, Robert
• Application Number:
  US15/012,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20160148412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6653 for altering the visibility of an object, e.g. preventing the occlusion of an object, partially hiding an object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/36 Level of detail
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/62 Semi-transparency

Abstract

A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Claims

1. A method for multi-user animation comprising:

modeling a three-dimensional space within a computer memory;

locating an avatar within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a client to act within the modeled three-dimensional space;

monitoring the input commands to determine a period of time the client is inactive, wherein the period of time the client is inactive is determined using cessation of any user input commands regardless of whether the commands cause movement of the avatar; and

removing the avatar from the space in response to determining that the client has remained inactive for a threshold period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically displaying the avatar engaging in a graphical representation of a waiting action during at least part of an inactivity period taking place between the last client interaction with the avatar and removing the avatar.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least part of an activity period is the entire period taking place between the last client interaction with the avatar and removing the avatar.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one of the avatar tapping its toes, pacing and scratching its head.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring inactivity of the client using cessation of interaction with the avatar as a starting time.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a user of the client to resume interaction with the three-dimensional space when the user directs the avatar to reenter the three-dimensional space.

7. A method for multi-user animation, comprising:

modeling a three-dimensional space within a computer memory;

locating an avatar within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a client to act within the modeled three-dimensional space;

monitoring the input commands to determine how long the client is inactive, wherein how long the client is inactive is determined using cessation of any user commands regardless if the user commands cause movement of the avatar; and

moving the avatar to a home location in response to determining that the client has remained inactive for a threshold period of time.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising automatically displaying the avatar engaging in a graphical representation of a waiting action during at least part of an inactivity period taking place between the last client interaction with the avatar and moving the avatar.

9. The method of claim 8, where in the at least part of an activity period is the entire period taking place between the last client interaction with the avatar and removing the avatar.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one of the avatar tapping its toes, pacing and scratching its head.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising measuring inactivity of the client using cessation of interaction with the avatar as a starting time.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising allowing a user of the client to resume interaction with the three-dimensional space when the user directs the avatar to leave the home location.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing the avatar to reenter the three-dimensional space based on the client input commands.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing the avatar to leave the home location, based on the client input commands.

15. A method for multi-user animation, comprising:

modeling a three-dimensional space within a computer memory;

locating an avatar within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a client to act within the modeled three-dimensional space;

monitoring the input commands to determine how long the client is inactive, wherein how long the client is inactive is determined using cessation of any user commands regardless if the user commands cause movement of the avatar; and

moving the avatar to a safe location that is reserved expressly for inactive avatars in response to determining that the client has remained inactive for a threshold period of time.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising automatically displaying the avatar engaging in a graphical representation of a waiting action during at least part of an inactivity period taking place between the last client interaction with the avatar and moving the avatar.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the avatar out of the safe location upon resumption of client activity.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one of the avatar tapping its toes, pacing and scratching its head.

19. The method of claim15, further comprising measuring inactivity of the client using cessation of interaction with the avatar as a starting time.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising allowing a user of the client to resume interaction with the three-dimensional space when the user directs the avatar to leave the safe location.