Interactive software application platform

• US 20040193441A1
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Imaging LLC
• Original Assignee: Barbaro Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Altieri, Frances Barbaro
• Granted Patent: US 7,373,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/366 using viewer tracking

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of integrating information, including real-time information, into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, including accessing the stored information from a database or downloading the real-time information from a source external to the thematic environment; inserting the real-time information into the thematic environment; and displaying the information to a user within the thematic environment. In one embodiment, the computer system is connected to a holographic projection system such that the images from the thematic environment can be projected as holographic projections. The computer system includes an interactive software application platform having at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains thematic environment rules; at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the thematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device.

Claims

1. A method of integrating real-time information into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, comprising:

downloading real-time information from a source external to the virtual thematic environment;

inserting said real-time information into the virtual thematic environment; and

providing access to said real-time information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said real-time information is at least one of audio, video, chronological, text, and GPS.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said real-time information is accessed by a user selection mechanism.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said selection mechanism is a voice recognition system.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said selection mechanism is a hot click button.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said real-time information is displayed within the virtual thematic environment.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said real-time information is provided to the user via a mobile device.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the real-time information is product placement information from a sponsor.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said source is the internet.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said source of said real-time information is one of cable and satellite.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said real-time information is automatically downloaded based on actions of the user within the virtual thematic environment.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user is provided with objects within the virtual thematic environment which operate in real-time with real-time information.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user is provided with mini-applications within the virtual thematic environment which operate in real-time with real-time information.

14. The method according to claim 6, wherein said real-time information is language translation.

15. The method according to claim 6, wherein said virtual thematic environment is holographically projected.

16. A method of integrating information into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, comprising:

accessing a database where the information is stored;

retrieving the information from said database;

inserting the information into the virtual thematic environment; and

displaying the information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the virtual thematic environment is a game.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information is product placement.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information is one of audio, video, and text.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information is updated at predetermined intervals.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the user is provided with mini-applications within the virtual thematic environment which operate in real-time.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein one of said mini-applications is language translation.

23. The method according to claim 16, wherein said virtual thematic environment is holographically projected.

24. A method of providing product placement in a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, comprising:

retrieving information on a sponsored product from a database where product information is stored; and

displaying said sponsored product within the virtual thematic environment.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

providing a selection mechanism to a user such that said product can be accessed by use of said selection mechanism; and

automatically providing said product information on said product to the user after selection of said product.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein automatically providing said product information includes the step of:

automatically directing the user to a website which provides information on said product.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said selection mechanism is displayed on a display screen.

28. The method according to claim 25, wherein said selection mechanism is a voice recognition system.

29. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

returning the user to the virtual thematic environment at a point where the user left the virtual thematic environment.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said selection mechanism is a hot click button.

31. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

providing instructions to the user at said website to perform certain actions.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said actions must be performed within a predetermined period of time.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein said actions must be performed prior to the user being allowed to return to the virtual thematic environment.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein said actions provide points to the user which can be redeemed for a reward.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein said reward is redeemed at said website.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein said reward is redeemed within the virtual thematic environment.

37. The method according to claim 26, wherein the user may make purchases at said website.

38. The method according to claim 26, wherein said website is a virtual website where the user can make virtual purchases for use in the virtual thematic environment.

39. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

tracking movements and purchases of the user at each said website visited by the user and within the virtual thematic environment.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:

providing statistical information on said tracked movements and purchases to a sponsor.

41. A computer system having a program for integrating real-time information into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

means for downloading real-time information from a source external to the virtual thematic environment;

means for inserting said real-time information into the virtual thematic environment; and

means for providing access to said real-time information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

42. A computer system having a program for integrating information into a virtual thematic environment using a computerized system, comprising:

means for accessing a database where the information is stored;

means for retrieving the information from said database;

means for inserting the information into the virtual thematic environment; and

means for displaying the information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

43. A computer system having a program for providing product placement in a virtual thematic environment using a computerized system, comprising:

means for retrieving information on a sponsored product from a database where product information is stored; and

means for displaying said sponsored product within the virtual thematic environment.

44. A computer system for integrating real-time information into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

at least one memory containing at least one program comprising the steps of;

downloading real-time information from a source external to the virtual thematic environment;

inserting said real-time information into the virtual thematic environment; and

providing access to said real-time information to a user within the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one processor for running the program.

45. A computer system for integrating information into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

at least one memory having at least one program comprising the steps of;

accessing a database where the information is stored;

retrieving the information from said database;

inserting the information into the virtual thematic environment; and

displaying the information to a user within the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one processor for running the program.

46. A computer system for providing product placement in a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

at least one memory having at least one program comprising the steps of;

retrieving information on a sponsored product from a database where product information is stored; and

displaying said sponsored product within the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one processor for running the program.

47. A method of integrating holographic images into a virtual thematic environment using a computerized system, comprising:

displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and

projecting said images as holographic projections using a holographic projection system.

48. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

integrating audio and video into said holographic projections.

49. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

integrating real-time information into said virtual thematic environment.

50. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

tracking a location of a user within said holographically projected virtual thematic environment.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein said tracking is performed by a GPS system.

52. The method according to claim 47, further comprising:

integrating at least one of a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system into said holographically projected virtual thematic environment.

53. A computer system having a program for integrating holographic images into a virtual thematic environment using a computerized system, comprising:

means for displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and

means for projecting said images as holographic projections using a holographic projection system.

54. A computer system for integrating holographic images into a virtual thematic environment using a computerized system, comprising:

at least one memory having at least one program comprising the steps of;

displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and

projecting said images as holographic projections using a holographic projection system; and

at least one processor for running the program.

55. An apparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

a computer system which runs a program including displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and

a holographic projection system which projects the virtual thematic environment as holographic images.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein at least one of audio, video, a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system are integrated into said holographically projected virtual thematic environment.

57. The apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising:

a control system accessed by a user to control said holographicically projected images within the virtual thematic environment.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said projection system projects said holographic images in 3D.

59. The apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors to track movement of a user within the virtual thematic environment.

60. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein real-time information is integrated into the virtual thematic environment.

61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said real-time information is downloaded from one of cable and satellite.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said real-time information is automatically downloaded based on actions of a user within the holographically projected virtual thematic environment.

63. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein a user is provided with objects within the holographically projected virtual thematic environment that operate in real-time with real-time information.

64. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein a user is provided with mini-applications within the holographically projected virtual thematic environment which operate in real-time with real-time information.

65. A computer system having an interactive software application platform for providing a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematic environment rules;

at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that said content is manipulated and accessed by any device.

66. The system according to claim 65, further comprising:

at least one graphical user interface (GUI) module.

67. The system according to claim 65, further comprising:

at least one business logic module directed to accounting, sponsor and users, transactions, and collecting content in real-time and injecting said content into the virtual thematic environment.

68. The system according to claim 65, further comprising:

at least one data storage.

69. The system according to claim 65, further comprising:

at least one communication module which provides access to various network services and connection options.

70. The system according to claim 69, wherein said communication module includes network and security features which provide integrity of users and secure interaction between the virtual thematic environment and corporate sponsors.

71. The system according to claim 70, wherein said security features include authentication, anti-cheating mechanisms, secure billing and rewarding systems, and audit functions.

72. The system according to claim 69, wherein said communication module connects to at least one of a satellite system, a voice recognition system, a business intelligence system, a language translation system, a weather system, a GPS system, and a smell system.

73. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

a physics engine which controls behavior of objects affected by laws of nature.

74. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine which controls behavior of objects and the virtual thematic environment.

75. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

a mini-applications library.

76. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

a thematic application/publication/game content component which provides a storage facility for all thematic content required in the virtual thematic environment.

77. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

a networking interface which provides access to various network services required to support a server environment.

78. The system according to claim 66, wherein said GUI module comprises:

a thematic application/publishing/game logic and scripting component which takes data from a rule set and from external sources and modifies the virtual thematic environment.

79. The system according to claim 67, wherein said business logic module comprises:

a new content information module which contains all new audio, video, rules and scripts for use within the virtual thematic environment.

80. The system according to claim 67, wherein said business logic module comprises:

an accounting, billing, and customer support module which provides for information modification and customer support, including billing.

81. The system according to claim 67, wherein said business logic module comprises:

an administration/time information module which provides internal support for the virtual thematic environment and administration.

82. The system according to claim 67, wherein said business logic module comprises:

a reporting tools module which provides internal and external reporting tools.

83. The system according to claim 67, wherein said business logic module comprises:

a sponsor database and a member database providing all sponsor and user information, billing information, business rules, and administration information.

84. The system according to claim 68, wherein said data storage comprises:

a real-time thematic environment database which maintains a state of each user and the virtual thematic environment.

85. A computer system for providing a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

at least one memory having at least one program comprising the steps of;

retrieving information on the virtual thematic environment;

inserting said information into the virtual thematic environment; and

displaying said information to a user within the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one processor for running the program.

86. The system according to claim 85, wherein the virtual thematic environment includes a geographic component.

87. The system according to claim 85, wherein the information in the virtual thematic environment is updated at predetermined intervals.

88. The system according to claim 86, wherein said geographic component includes actual real-world geographic information that is displayed to the user.

89. The system according to claim 85, wherein said information includes real-time information.

90. The system according to claim 85, wherein said information is displayed to the user such that the user can access said information using a selection mechanism.

91. The system according to claim 85, further comprising:

at least one of a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system.

92. The system according to claim 90, wherein said information is information on a product.

93. The system according to claim 92, wherein the user can purchase said product utilizing “

shopping cart”

systems and commercial transaction interfaces at a website.

94. The system according to claim 93, wherein movement and purchases by the user are tracked for informational purposes.

95. The system according to claim 93, further comprising:

a communications component including a security module for maintaining information on user purchases, rewards, points, and user profiles.

96. The system according to claim 92, wherein said product information is provided at a sponsor website.

97. The system according to claim 93, wherein the user is provided with instructions at said website to perform certain actions.

98. The system according to claim 97, wherein said actions must be performed within a predetermined period of time.

99. The system according to claim 97, wherein said actions must be performed prior to the user being allowed to return to the virtual thematic environment.

100. The system according to claim 97, wherein said actions provide points to the user which can be redeemed for a reward.

101. The system according to claim 100, wherein said reward is redeemed at said website.

102. The system according to claim 100, wherein said reward is redeemed within the virtual thematic environment.

103. The system according to claim 93, wherein said website is a virtual website where the user can make virtual purchases for use in the virtual thematic environment.

104. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to integrate real-time information into a virtual thematic environment, the computer system having a program comprising the steps of:

downloading real-time information from a source external to the virtual thematic environment;

inserting said real-time information into the virtual thematic environment; and

providing access to said real-time information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

105. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to integrate information into a virtual thematic environment, the computer system having a program comprising the steps of:

accessing a database where the information is stored;

retrieving the information from said database;

inserting the information into the virtual thematic environment; and

displaying the information to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

106. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to provide product placement in a virtual thematic environment, the computer system having a program comprising the steps of:

retrieving information on a sponsored product from a database where product information is stored; and

displaying said sponsored product within the virtual thematic environment.

107. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to integrate holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, the computer system having a program comprising the steps of:

displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and

projecting said images as holographic projections using a holographic projection system.

108. An apparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

a computer system which runs a program including displaying images from a virtual thematic environment, said computer system including;

at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematic environment rules;

at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that said content is manipulated and accessed by any device;

a holographic projection system which projects the virtual thematic environment as holographic images; and

at least one of audio, video, a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system into said holographically projected virtual thematic environment.

109. The system according to claim 108, wherein said computer system obtains and displays content information in real-time.

110. An apparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

a room containing a plurality of display screens;

a computer system which runs a program including displaying images from a virtual thematic environment, said computer system including;

at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematic environment rules;

at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that said content is manipulated and accessed by any device;

a projection system which projects the virtual thematic environment as images on said displays screens; and

a user-accessible control panel which provides access to said computer system.

111. The system according to claim 110, wherein said control panel is embedded in a chair.

112. The system according to claim 110, wherein said projection system is a holographic projection system.

113. The system according to claim 110, further comprising at least one of audio, video, and a voice recognition system.

114. The system according to claim 111, wherein a display screen is provided on each said chair.

115. The system according to claim 110, wherein the virtual thematic application includes real-time content.

116. An apparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, comprising:

a room containing a plurality of sensors for at least tracking movement of a user through said room;

a computer system which runs a program including displaying images from a virtual thematic environment, said computer system including;

at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematic environment rules;

at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and

at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that said content is manipulated and accessed by any device; and

a holographic projection system which projects the virtual thematic environment as holographic images in said room.

117. The system according to claim 116, further comprising at least one of audio, video, a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system.

118. The system according to claim 116, wherein said room is in a warehouse.

119. The system according to claim 116, further comprising a computer system disposed within at least one room such that the user may at least one of perform other application and connect to a network.

120. The system according to claim 116, wherein the virtual thematic environment includes real-time content.