Method of transmitting signals between communications stations

• US 5,844,597 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kettler, Robert, Annegarn, Marcellinus J. J. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/373,737
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 348/15, 348/14, 348/16, 348/578, 348/13, 379/202, 379/204, 379/205, 379/96, 379/94, 379/93, 379/93.17, 379/93.19, 379/93.21, 379/93.23, 379/93.01, 379/90.01, 395/330, 395/329, 395/332, 395/348, 395/349
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Method of transmitting signals between communication stations via a network, in which a central control station is adapted to transmit a picture of a virtually real ambience to each connected station. In the picture, connected stations are represented by objects which can be displaced by the user of the corresponding station. Other stations such as information sources are represented by stationary objects in the form of buildings. As soon as objects touch or overlap each other, an actual communication connection (for example a telephone conversation, a database consult, a transaction) is established between the corresponding stations. A "chat box" application is also provided, with the particular property that the extent of interaction between conversation partners is dependent on the mutual distance between their corresponding objects in the picture.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting signals between communication stations via a network, comprising the steps of:

generating a picture in which each station which is connected to the network is represented by a station object;

positioning each station object within said picture in response to positioning signals communicated by each station, each of said station objects thereby having a station position within said picture;

transmitting the generated picture with said station objects at their respective station position;

determining the extent to which an at least one station'"'"'s position within said picture corresponds to an at least one other station'"'"'s position; and

transmitting signals between the at least one station and the at least one other station in dependence upon the said extent to which their station positions correspond.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein two or more stations are interconnected in dependence upon the extent of correspondence of their station positions.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one parameter of the transmitted signal is dependent on the distance between the station positions.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitted signal comprises sound signals having an amplitude, and the signal parameter is constituted by the amplitude of said sound signals.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein stations are uniquely interconnected at a still further extent of correspondence of station positions.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the station object further has an orientation in dependence upon the positioning signals and wherein at least one parameter of the transmitted signal is dependent on the mutual orientation of the corresponding station objects.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transmitted signal comprises sound signals having an amplitude, and the signal parameter is constituted by the amplitude of said sound signals.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein stations are uniquely interconnected at a still further extent of correspondence of station positions.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the station object corresponding to a station can be selected by a user of said station.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an attribute of a displayed object is controlled by a parameter of the signal of the corresponding station.