Computer system and method of displaying images

• US 6,672,961 B1
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Uzun, William Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US09/811,229
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/706, 345/420, 463/1, 463/30-34, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet

Abstract

An on-line multi-player virtual reality game is provided. Software is implemented to provide an improved level of detail from various points of view within the virtual reality environment.

Claims

1. A method of providing transmission over a network of data representing visual objects from the point of view from an avatar within a virtual reality environment, said method comprising:

providing data representative of an avatar within said virtual reality environment;

determining a point of reference location of said avatar within said virtual reality environment;

providing data representative of visual objects other than said avatar within said virtual reality environment; and

updating said data representing visual objects other than said avatar at a frequency dependent upon the proximity of said objects to said point of reference location of said avatar.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a plurality of proximity ranges relative to said point of reference location of said avatar within said virtual reality environment;

assigning different update frequency periods to respective ones of said plurality of proximity ranges defining the frequency at which certain update data will be transmitted within said plurality of proximity ranges; and

updating data representing said objects other than said avatar within said virtual reality environment at said frequency assigned to said respective plurality of proximity ranges.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising updating data representing objects other than said avatar based on relative movement of said avatar to said other objects within said virtual reality environment.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising assigning various priority values to said objects other than said avatar relative to each other within respective ones of said plurality of proximity ranges, whereby data representing said objects within each said proximity range that is assigned a higher priority value than other data within the same proximity range will be updated more frequently than said other data.

5. A method of providing transmission over a network of data related to visual objects from the point of view from an avatar within a virtual reality environment, said method comprising:

providing data representative of an avatar within said virtual reality environment;

determining a point of reference location of said avatar within said virtual reality environment;

providing data related to visual objects other than said avatar within said virtual reality environment; and

updating said data related to visual objects other than said avatar at a frequency dependent upon the proximity of said objects to said point of reference location of said avatar.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

providing a plurality of proximity ranges relative to said point of reference location of said avatar within said virtual reality environment;

assigning different update frequency periods to respective ones of said plurality of proximity ranges defining the frequency at which certain update data will be transmitted within said plurality of proximity ranges; and

updating data related to said objects other than said avatar within said virtual reality environment at said frequency assigned to said respective plurality of proximity ranges.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising updating data related to objects other than said avatar based on relative movement of said avatar to said other objects within said virtual reality environment.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising assigning various priority values to said objects other than said avatar relative to each other within respective ones of said plurality of proximity ranges, whereby data related to said objects within each said proximity range that is assigned a higher priority value than other data within the same proximity range will be updated more frequently than said other data.

9. A system for implementing a communications channel between a server on a network supporting a virtual reality environment and a computer on the network for allowing a user to operate within said virtual reality environment, said virtual reality environment being presented to said user on said computer with respect to a point of reference within said virtual reality environment, comprising:

a plurality of proximity ranges relative to said point of reference, said plurality of proximity ranges containing a first proximity range for an element near said point of reference within said virtual reality environment;

a view frustum having a center line containing said point of reference;

a plurality of proximity ranges relative to said view frustum, said plurality of second proximity ranges for determining a second proximity range for said element near said point of reference within said virtual reality environment;

messages sent over said communications channel, said messages having data regarding a change of position for said element as perceived by said user through said view frustum from said point of reference; and

a plurality of update frequencies for said messages, said update frequency being correlated in generally increasing relation with generally increasing proximity to said point of reference as indicated by both said first and second proximity ranges, a particular update frequency being selected from said plurality for sending said messages based on said first and second proximity ranges.

10. The system of claim 9 further including a weighting module programmed as part of said virtual reality for weighting said first and second proximity ranges in said selection of said particular update frequency.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said data regarding a change in position includes a plurality of data for representing different types movement for said point of reference and said view frustum, said different types of movement being represented by different bit lengths within said plurality of data.

12. A method for determining a particular update frequency for a messaging system, said messaging system implementing a communications channel between a server on a network supporting a virtual reality environment and a computer on the network for allowing a user to operate within said virtual reality environment, said virtual reality environment being presented to said user on said computer with respect to a point of reference within said virtual reality environment, said method comprising:

determining a first proximity range for an element from a plurality of proximity ranges relative to said point of reference;

determining a second proximity range for said element from a plurality of proximity ranges relative to a view frustum, said view frustum having a center line containing said point of reference;

correlating a plurality of update frequencies in generally increasing relation with increasing proximity to said point of reference as indicated by both said first and second proximity ranges; and

selecting an particular update frequency for messages within said messaging system from said plurality of update frequencies based on said first and second proximity ranges, said messages having data regarding a change of position for an element perceived by said user from said point of reference.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising weighting said first and second proximity ranges in said selection of said particular update frequency.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising varying a bit length for data representing a type of movement for said point of reference and said view frustum.

15. A system for implementing a communications channel between a server on a network supporting a virtual reality environment and a computer on the network for allowing a user to operate within said virtual reality environment, said virtual reality environment being presented to said user on said computer with respect to a point of reference within said virtual reality environment, comprising:

a circle of proximity centered on said point of reference and indicating a proximity range for an element near said point of reference within said virtual reality environment;

a field of view having a foci at said point of reference, said field of view overlapping a portion of said circle of proximity and including said element;

messages sent over said communications channel, said messages having data regarding a change of position for said element; and

a plurality of update frequencies for said messages, said update frequency being correlated with the location of said element within said circle of proximity or said field of view, said update frequencies increasing with generally increasing proximity to said point of reference, said update frequencies generally increasing with generally increasing proximity to said field of view.