Information handling for interactive apparatus
First Claim
1. Interactive entertainment apparatus operable to output sequences of image frames comprising a user-influenced path through a branch structured narrative, the apparatus comprising:
- a source of image frame data for all branch structure paths of the narrative;
branch storage means for data defining the narrative branch structure;
user operable input means;
branch selection means coupled to the branch store and operable to determine when the narrative reaches a branch point and to select one of two or more image frame sequences from the image frame data source in dependence on the user input;
an output for the selected image frame sequences; and
narrative memory means operable to capture and subsequently recall one or more predetermined information items from the narrative in response to user input, with the or each predetermined information item having a respective information value associated with it;
wherein the branch selection means is further operable to detect the or each user-directed recall of an information item and, andfor at least one branch point of the narrative, the branch selection is made in dependence on the information values of said recalled information item or items.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive entertainment apparatus and a method for controlling the same are described, in which the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative (90), and user input determines which path (A,B) is followed at at least one narrative branch point (92). The user is enabled to selectively capture predetermined pieces of narrative information at interaction points (72) and subsequently reintroduce them at a later interaction point (73). Branch point selection is then handled by the apparatus in dependence on which information was reintroduced and at what point in the narrative. On-screen guidance is provided to the user in terms of interaction point indicators, and reminder artefacts for captured information in the form of miniaturized still pictures from the narrative.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. Interactive entertainment apparatus operable to output sequences of image frames comprising a user-influenced path through a branch structured narrative, the apparatus comprising:
-
a source of image frame data for all branch structure paths of the narrative; branch storage means for data defining the narrative branch structure; user operable input means; branch selection means coupled to the branch store and operable to determine when the narrative reaches a branch point and to select one of two or more image frame sequences from the image frame data source in dependence on the user input; an output for the selected image frame sequences; and narrative memory means operable to capture and subsequently recall one or more predetermined information items from the narrative in response to user input, with the or each predetermined information item having a respective information value associated with it; wherein the branch selection means is further operable to detect the or each user-directed recall of an information item and, and for at least one branch point of the narrative, the branch selection is made in dependence on the information values of said recalled information item or items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
- 12. A method for user control of an interactive entertainment apparatus, where the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative, and user input determines which path is followed at at least one narrative branch point, characterised in that the user is enabled to selectively capture one or more predetermined information items from the narrative and subsequently recall the or each information item, and at at least one subsequent branch point the selection of the branch path followed is made by the apparatus in dependence on the occurrence or otherwise of user-directed recall of a predetermined one or ones of the said captured information items.
Specification