SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING USERS TO INTERACT IN A VIRTUAL SPACE
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Abstract
The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user'"'"'s avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user'"'"'s avatar.
67 Citations
11 Claims
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1-3. -3. (canceled)
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4. A method for enabling a first user to interact with other users in a virtual space, each user being associated with a three dimensional avatar representing the user in the virtual space, the method comprising:
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customizing, using a client device processor, an avatar in response to input by the first user input; receiving, by the client device, position information associated with fewer than all of the other user avatars from a server process; and determining, by the client device, a displayable set of the other user avatars associated with the client device display. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A client device for enabling a first user to interact with other users in a virtual space, each user being associated with a three dimensional avatar representing the user in the virtual space, the device comprising:
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a memory storing instructions; and a processor programmed using the instructions to; create a custom avatar in response to input by the first user; receive position information associated with fewer than all of the other user avatars; and determine a set of the other users'"'"' avatars displayable on a screen associated with the client device.
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Specification