System and method for shared integrated online social interaction
First Claim
1. A graphical user interface associated with a group interaction application for facilitating an online group interaction among a first online member of a group and at least one other online member of the group over a network, the identity of the group members is saved as a group when the group is offline, comprising:
- a group space comprising a first display area for displaying material associated with a first group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates;
a skin drop target for receiving an indication of a visual effect dropped by the first online member and for thereby causing the appearance of the group space to be altered consistent with the dropped indication of a visual effect; and
at least one control selectable by the first online member for selecting at least one other activity and for thereby automatically causing to be displayed in the group space a second display area for displaying material associated with at least a second group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates, each of the at least one other online group members is automatically shown and can interact with display areas corresponding to both the first and the second display areas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.
312 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A graphical user interface associated with a group interaction application for facilitating an online group interaction among a first online member of a group and at least one other online member of the group over a network, the identity of the group members is saved as a group when the group is offline, comprising:
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a group space comprising a first display area for displaying material associated with a first group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates; a skin drop target for receiving an indication of a visual effect dropped by the first online member and for thereby causing the appearance of the group space to be altered consistent with the dropped indication of a visual effect; and at least one control selectable by the first online member for selecting at least one other activity and for thereby automatically causing to be displayed in the group space a second display area for displaying material associated with at least a second group activity in which each of the at least one other online group members participates, each of the at least one other online group members is automatically shown and can interact with display areas corresponding to both the first and the second display areas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable medium having thereon computer-readable instructions corresponding to an online group interaction application resource set comprising:
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a plurality of activity modules, each adapted to provide an activity function to a first user of an online group interaction application program; a module manager for managing the plurality of activity modules; a skin drop target that receives an indication of a visual effect dropped by the first user and alters the appearance of a group space to be consistent with the dropped indication of a visual effect; and a group framework for interfacing to the plurality of modules and the module manager, and for interfacing to networking facilities for providing networking capability to the first user of the group interaction application program, the first user can engage in a first activity via the networking capability with a group of at least one other user remotely located and the first user can engage in a second activity with the group upon selection of the second activity by the first user; the group interaction application resource set further comprises a group space component to provide module-specific user interface visual elements for viewing by the first user; the group space component provides a graphical user interface having a first display area for displaying material associated with the first group activity and at least one control selectable by the first user for selecting the second activity and for automatically causing to be displayed via the graphical user interface a second display area for displaying material associated with the second activity, each member of the group of at least one other user is automatically shown and can interact with display areas corresponding to both the first and the second display areas. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification