System for presenting a navigable virtual subway system, and method for operating and using the same

• US 20070291034A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nelson C. Dones
• Original Assignee: Nelson C. Dones
• Inventors: Dones, Nelson C.
• Application Number:
  US11/712,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20070291034A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/427
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/008 Touring maps or guides to public transport networks
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A navigable virtual environment that comprises a graphic representation of an environment modeled after a transportation system which is navigable by a user and which provides at least one service to the user appropriate to the transportation system. The environment is preferably rendered in three dimensions and designed to provide the user with a realistic experience in navigating the transportation system. A method of providing a three-dimensional view of a navigable experience to a user is also provided.

Claims

1. An interactive system providing a three-dimensional view of a navigable experience to a user, comprising:

a computer system capable of communicating with a user computer;

a first program component operative on the computer system for generating a graphical environment displayable on the user computer, the graphical environment including a graphical three-dimensional view within a transportation system, wherein the transportation system includes a graphical three-dimensional view of a plurality of station environments and a graphical representation of at least one transportation vehicle, each station environment including at least one entrance, at least one exit, and at least one service;

a second program component operative on the computer system permitting navigation of the graphical environment in response to one or more signals received from the user computer indicating a desired change in position within the graphical environment, wherein in response to the signals the computer system changes the view within the graphical environment to accommodate the indicated change in position;

a third program component operative on the computer system for providing the at least one service to the user, wherein the at least one service permits the user to obtain an item for use in commerce; and

wherein the graphical environment is designed to provide a substantially realistic view of an actual transportation system, and wherein the at least one transportation vehicle operates on a schedule substantially aligned with a schedule for a transportation vehicle within the actual transportation system.

2. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the environment is viewed from the user'"'"'s perspective in a first person view or at an angle substantially directly behind the graphical representation of the individual.

3. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the service is selected from the group consisting of purchasing tickets to the transportation system, shopping, collecting discount coupons and making hotel and restaurant reservations.

4. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the environment includes advertisements, coupons, or other incentives to the user that relate to merchants, restaurants or tourist locations.

5. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a subway system.

6. The interactive system of claim 5, wherein the graphical representation of the at least one transportation vehicle is a subway car.

7. The interactive system of claim 6, wherein the second program component permits navigation of the graphical environment substantially in real time, whereby the subway car enters and exits the station at approximately the times it would arrive and depart at the actual station.

8. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a rail transportation system.

9. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a bus system.

10. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a naval travel system.

11. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a air travel system.

12. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a passenger automobile transportation system.

13. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the transportation system is a combination of a subway system and a bus system.

14. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer for providing a three-dimensional view of a navigable experience to a user, the instructions comprising:

a first program component operative on the computer system for generating a graphical environment displayable on the user computer, the graphical environment including a graphical three-dimensional view within a transportation system, wherein the transportation system includes a graphical three-dimensional view of a plurality of station environments and a graphical representation of at least one transportation vehicle, each station environment including at least one entrance, at least one exit, and at least one service;

a second program component operative on the computer system permitting navigation of the graphical environment in response to one or more signals received from the user computer indicating a desired change in position within the graphical environment, wherein in response to the signals the computer system changes the view within the graphical environment to accommodate the indicated change in position;

a third program component operative on the computer system for providing the at least one service to the user, wherein the at least one service permits the user to obtain an item for use in commerce; and

wherein the graphical environment is designed to provide a substantially realistic view of an actual transportation system, and wherein the at least one transportation vehicle operates on a schedule substantially aligned with a schedule for a transportation vehicle within the actual transportation system.

15. A method of providing a three-dimensional view of a navigable experience to a user, the method comprising:

providing resources to a user computer for generating a graphical environment displayable on the user computer and designed to provide a graphical three-dimensional view of an actual transportation system, wherein the resources cause the display and functioning of at least one transportation vehicle operating on a schedule substantially aligned with a schedule for a transportation vehicle within the actual transportation system, the graphical view of the actual transportation system including a graphical three-dimensional view of a plurality of station environments, each station environment including at least one entrance, at least one exit, and at least one service;

receiving a first signal from the user computer indicating a desired change in position within the graphical environment, wherein in response to the signal the resources operate to change the view within the graphical environment to accommodate the indicated change in position; and

receiving a second signal from the user computer indicative of the user interacting with at least one service to the user, wherein the at least one service permits the user to obtain an item for use in commerce.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the resources are provided at least in part on a disk based storage medium.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the resources are provided at least in part on a flash drive.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the resources are provided at least in part via a network connection.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the environment is viewed from the user'"'"'s perspective in a first person view or at an angle substantially directly behind the graphical representation of the individual.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the service is selected from the group consisting of purchasing tickets to the transportation system, shopping, collecting discount coupons and making hotel and restaurant reservations.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the environment includes advertisements, coupons, or other incentives to the user that relate to merchants, restaurants or tourist locations.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a subway system.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a rail transportation system.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a bus system.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a naval travel system.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a air travel system.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a passenger automobile transportation system.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportation system is a combination of a subway system and a bus system.