Method and apparatus for maintaining information about users sharing the cells partitioning a computer-generated environment
First Claim
1. A computer network configured to define and update a shared computer-generated environment, said network comprising:
- a serving computer configured to divide a computer-generated environment into a plurality of cells; and
a plurality of user-computer terminals having display means, storage means, processing means and network connection means, wherein a first user-computer-terminal is configured to define an entry in said computer-generated environment in one cell or in a plurality of adjoining cells;
said user-computer terminal network connection receives notification data about other users sharing cells occupied said first user;
said user-computer terminal storage means is configured to store a list of users that share or have shared cells occupied by said first user; and
said user-computer terminal processing means is configured to generate a message for another user identified in said list and to generate a local representation of said environment in response to data received from other users and in response to other user movements.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network is configured to define and update a shared computer-generated environment. A serving computer divides a computer-generated environment into a plurality of cells. A plurality of user computer terminals have display devices, storage, processing capability and a connection to the network. A first user computer terminal defines an entry in the computer-generated environment in one or in a plurality of adjoining cells. The network connection receives notification data about other users sharing cells occupied by the first user. A list of users are stored that share or have shared cells occupied by the first user. The processing capability generates a message for another user identified in the list and generates a local representation of the environment in response to data received from other users and in response to user movements. In this way, it is possible for a very large number of users to share a common computer-generated environment using available networking and processing capabilities.
161 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A computer network configured to define and update a shared computer-generated environment, said network comprising:
-
a serving computer configured to divide a computer-generated environment into a plurality of cells; and
a plurality of user-computer terminals having display means, storage means, processing means and network connection means, wherein a first user-computer-terminal is configured to define an entry in said computer-generated environment in one cell or in a plurality of adjoining cells;
said user-computer terminal network connection receives notification data about other users sharing cells occupied said first user;
said user-computer terminal storage means is configured to store a list of users that share or have shared cells occupied by said first user; and
said user-computer terminal processing means is configured to generate a message for another user identified in said list and to generate a local representation of said environment in response to data received from other users and in response to other user movements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of updating a computer-generated environment shared between users connected via computer terminals connected to a network, said computer-generated environment being divided into cells, wherein a user'"'"'s computer terminal performs the method comprising:
-
receiving notification of other users sharing the same cell or cells;
updating a list of users that share or have shared the same cell;
generating a message for at least one user in said list;
updating an environment generated on the computer terminal in response to other user data; and
updating said list in response to user movements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer such that, when executing said instructions, a computer will perform the method comprising:
-
receiving notification of users sharing cells, wherein a network of computer have generated an environment divided into a plurality of cells;
updating a list of users that share or have shared the same cell;
generating a message for at least one user in said list;
updating an environment generated on the computer terminal in response to other user data; and
updating said list in response to user movements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification