Communication system and method including rich media tools
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Abstract
The rich media communication system of the present invention provides a user with a three-dimensional communication space or theater having rich media functions. The user may be represented in the theater as a segmented video image or as an avatar. The user is also able to communicate by presenting images, videos, audio files, or text within the theater. The system may include tools for allowing lowered cost of animation, improved collaboration between users, presentation of episodic content, web casts, newscasts, infotainment, advertising, music clips, video conferencing, customer support, distance learning, advertising, social spaces, and interactive game shows and content.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1-41. -41. (canceled)
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42. A rich media communication system, comprising:
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a user interface having a background presentation scene with rich media targets onto which a user can direct rich media content, and having selectable graphical representations associated with the user;
a server to provide the user interface, having the rich media content and a selected graphical representation of the user therein, at a remote location; and
a directory to locate users that are capable of communicating with each other via their respective user interfaces using rich media presentations of rich media content in conjunction with their respective selected graphical representation, wherein users are organized into user-defined groups in the directory. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for rich media communications, the method comprising:
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providing a communicator window that can present rich media content;
presenting a particular character in the communicator window, wherein the presentation of the particular character is user-selectable from a plurality of different graphical representations, the selected particular character corresponding to a user of the communicator window;
providing capability to switch between different graphical representations of the particular character during communication in the communicator window; and
organizing rich media communications users in a directory of groups, each user being associated with their own respective independent communicator windows that can present rich media content and respective graphical representations. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. A system, comprising:
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means for providing an independently customizable user interface window having a representation associated with a particular rich media communication user;
means for providing a media target in the user interface window onto which the particular user may direct rich media content;
means for communicating the user interface window to a remote location; and
means for organizing rich media communications users in a directory of user-defined communities, each user being associated with their own respective independent user interface having rich media content, the communities being organizable in hierarchical levels, at least one hierarchical level being associated with a moderator for that level. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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56. A rich media communication system, comprising:
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a first window usable to invoke a plurality of rich media communication tools, the rich media communication tools including;
a second window usable to allow a user of the first window to select a three-dimensional avatar representation associated with the user and further usable to allow the user to control presentation of the selected avatar representation and of rich media content to other rich media communications users;
a third window usable to present rich media content associated with the other rich media communications users, at least some of the other rich media communication users being associated with their own first windows that are usable to invoke rich media communication tools; and
a hierarchical directory to organize the rich media communications users into user defined groups. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59)
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60. An apparatus, comprising:
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a user interface usable to invoke a plurality of tools, the tools including;
a first tool usable to allow a user of the user interface to select from among a plurality of graphical representations associated with the user and further usable to allow the user to control presentation of a selected graphical representation and of rich media content to other rich media communications users, the first tool further being usable to allow the user to switch between different graphical representations associated with the user during a communication session on the user interface;
a second tool usable to allow the user to create at least one of the selectable graphical representations associated with the user; and
a third tool usable to allow the user to control presentation of graphical communications from other rich media communications users that have their own user interfaces; and
a hierarchical directory to organize the rich media communications users into user defined groups. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62)
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Specification