Enabling communication between users surfing the same web page
First Claim
1. A method for enabling intercommunication among a plurality of users accessing the same Internet web page, each user accessing the Internet through a respective client computer, the web page operating on a content server computer, the method comprising the steps of, when a first user requests intercommunication service via a first client computer:
- sending from a control server to the first client computer a first signal which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a resident animated character for which the first user controls the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the resident character; and
sending from the control server to the first client computer a second signal which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a visitor animated character which is entirely out of the first user'"'"'s control, the control server controlling at least the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the visitor character in accordance with a signal received by the control server from a second client computer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A web page is YACHNEE™ enabled by providing an icon on the page which allows actuation upon being clicked. The user is then able to design a character to represent him on the screen. He also sees characters on screen representing other users, which characters have been designed by the users. A user may move his character all over the screen by dragging it with his mouse and may rotate it towards or away from other characters. The characters may speak to each other, either through a voice communication or typing, in which case the text appears in a bubble (cartoon fashion). A user may change the appearance of a character to reflect an emotion (e.g. anger) and he may invite other characters to a private chat. When a user leaves the web page, the corresponding character disappears from all other users'"'"' screens. Communication among users viewing the same web page is facilitated without the need for any program or plug-in other than what is standard in a web browser. Additionally, such features as the automatic generation and de-activation of chat-rooms are possible, which in previous applications are pre-defined and independent of the presence of users.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for enabling intercommunication among a plurality of users accessing the same Internet web page, each user accessing the Internet through a respective client computer, the web page operating on a content server computer, the method comprising the steps of, when a first user requests intercommunication service via a first client computer:
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sending from a control server to the first client computer a first signal which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a resident animated character for which the first user controls the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the resident character; and
sending from the control server to the first client computer a second signal which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a visitor animated character which is entirely out of the first user'"'"'s control, the control server controlling at least the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the visitor character in accordance with a signal received by the control server from a second client computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26, 27, 28, 29, 36)
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11. A control server for enabling intercommunication among a plurality of users accessing the same Internet web page, each user accessing the Internet through a respective client computer, the web page operating on a content server computer, the control server comprising, a signal generator responsive to the request of a first user via a first client computer for intercommunication service, said signal generator producing:
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a first signal sent to the first client computer which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a resident animated character for which the first user controls the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the resident character; and
a second signal sent to the first client computer which creates on the first client computer'"'"'s display of the web page a visitor animated character which is entirely out of the first user'"'"'s control, the control server controlling at least the appearance, position, movement, and any multimedia output produced by the visitor character in accordance with a signal received by the control server from a second client computer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37)
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21. A method for enabling communication between users accessing a web page on a computer network, each user being connected to the network through a respective client computer using an operating system which produces multilayer window images on a computer screen, the web page operating on a content server computer connected to the network, said method comprising the steps of:
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creating at least one transparent layer over the display of the web page on the users'"'"' computers;
introducing for each user each user an animated character object on the at least one transparent layer;
providing code with each character permitting the corresponding user to control at least one of appearance, position, movement, and multimedia output produced by the respective character;
providing a control server on the network which is in communication with the client computers and relays communications between them;
whereby a chat room for the two users is created over the web page. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 34, 35)
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Specification