Web page character

• US 20020130894A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lycos Incorporated (Brightcom Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lycos Incorporated (Brightcom Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Young, Christopher I., Langlie, Michael M.
• Application Number:
  US09/809,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130894A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

A computer-implemented system includes generating a character and an object on a portion of a World Wide Web page, causing the character to interact with the object in response to a user input, and controlling movement of the character based on identities of the character and the object. An environment, such as a room, may also be generated for the character and the object. The environment houses the character and the object.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

generating a character and an object on a portion of a World Wide Web page;

causing the character to interact with the object in response to a user input; and

controlling movement of the character based on identities of the character and the object.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an environment for the character and the object, the environment housing the character and the object and including an element.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

performing an action in the environment in response to a user input that relates to the element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprising moving the element.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises moving another element in the environment.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises providing the object.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the action comprises moving the character.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving the object from a second World Wide Web page.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving comprises:

linking to the second World Wide Web page using a Web browser; and

storing data for the object in a cookie on the Web browser.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the object is generated from the data in the cookie.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second World Wide Web page contains a second environment that houses the object.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the World Wide Web page is maintained by a first user and the second World Wide Web page is maintained by a second user.

14. The GUI of claim 13, further comprising:

an element housed in the environment, the element for triggering an action within the environment.

15. The GUI of claim 14, wherein the action comprising moving the element.

16. The GUI of claim 14, wherein the action comprises moving another element in the environment.

17. The GUI of claim 14, wherein the action comprises providing the object.

18. The GUI of claim 14, wherein the action comprises moving the character.

19. The GUI of claim 13, further comprising a banner containing advertisements that refresh periodically.

42. The apparatus of claim ⁴0., wherein the second World Wide Web page contains a second environment that houses the object.

13. A graphical user interface (GUI) on a World Wide Web page, the GUI comprising:

an environment containing an object;

an animated character capable of interacting with the object and of obtaining additional objects; and

a panel which displays the object.

20. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising instructions that cause a machine to:

generate a character and an object on a portion of a World Wide Web page;

cause the character to interact with the object in response to a user input; and

control movement of the character based on identities of the character and the object.

21. The computer program of claim 20, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

generate an environment for the character and the object, the environment housing the character and the object and including an element.

22. The computer program of claim 21, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

perform an action in the environment in response to a user input that relates to the element.

23. The computer program of claim 22, wherein the action comprising moving the element.

24. The computer program of claim 22, wherein the action comprises moving another element in the environment.

25. The computer program of claim 22, wherein the action comprises providing the object.

26. The computer program of claim 22, wherein the action comprises moving the character.

27. The computer program of claim 20, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to:

retrieve the object from a second World Wide Web page.

28. The computer program of claim 20, wherein retrieving comprises:

linking to the second World Wide Web page using a Web browser; and

storing data for the object in a cookie on the Web browser.

29. The computer program of claim 28, wherein the object is generated from the data in the cookie.

30. The computer program of claim 28;

wherein the second World Wide Web page contains a second environment that houses the object.

31. The computer program of claim 20, wherein the World Wide Web page is maintained by a first user and the second World Wide Web page is maintained by a second user.

32. An apparatus comprising:

a memory which stores executable instructions; and

a processor which executes the instructions to;

generate a character and an object on a portion of a World Wide Web page;

cause the character to interact with the object in response to a user input; and

control movement of the character based on identities of the character and the object.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

generate an environment for the character and the object, the environment housing the character and the object and including an element.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

perform an action in the environment in response to a user input that relates to the element.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the action comprises moving the element.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the action comprises moving another element in the environment.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the action comprises providing the object.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the action comprises moving the character.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the processor executes instructions to:

retrieve the object from a second World Wide Web page.

40. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein retrieving comprises:

linking to the second World Wide Web page using a Web browser; and

storing data for the object in a cookie on the Web browser.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the object is generated from the data in the cookie.

43. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the World Wide Web page is maintained by a first user and the second World Wide Web page is maintained by a second user.