Three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method and system using local and global object identification codes

• US 6,020,885 A
• Filed: 07/09/1996
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Honda, Yasuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kenneth S.
• Application Number:
  US08/676,545
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 395/615, 395/617, 395/331, 395/335, 395/200.33, 395/200.35, 707/104, 707/201, 345/331, 345/335, 345/332, 345/339, 345/355, 709/203, 709/205
• US Class Current: 715/757
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/27 involving both synthetic and natural picture components, e.g. synthetic natural hybrid coding [SNHC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

The dynamic control of object identification codes involved in the customization of virtual reality space objects, such as object addition and deletion, by users is facilitated. Each of client terminals 13-1 through 13-3 sets given local IDs obj101 through obj103 for a cylindrical object, a quadrangular prism object, and a conical object independently of the other client terminals. Tables T131 through T133 are registered in a server terminal 11-1 beforehand for the client terminals 13-1 and 13-3 respectively. The tables T131 through T133 each list the relationship between local IDs obj101 through obj103 of the objects controlled by the corresponding client terminal and the global IDs objA through objC controlled by the server terminal 11-1. Use of these tables T131 through T133 allows the client terminals 13-1 through 13-3 to separately set, add or delete the local IDs obj101 through obj103.

Claims

1. A method of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space comprising the steps of:

connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to a shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

setting a plurality of local identification codes, each local identification code uniquely identifying each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

controlling the states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in the plurality of client terminals by converting on the shared server terminal the local identification codes identifying the three-dimensional objects whose states are to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code by use of a conversion table registered in the shared server terminal in advance,

wherein the conversion allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the conversion allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals.

2. The method of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

updating, on one of the plurality of client terminals, the state of any of the plurality of three-dimensional objects according to an operation made by a user of the client terminal; and

notifying the shared server terminal of update information about the update of any of the plurality of three-dimensional objects along with the corresponding local identification code.

3. The method of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space according to claim 2, wherein the update information about the update of any of the plurality of three-dimensional objects is information associated at least one of behavior, rotation, and change in color of the updated three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional virtual reality space.

4. The method of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

transferring the local identification codes between the plurality of client terminals and the shared server terminal over the communication network according to a communication protocol known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol),

wherein the plurality of client terminals are unspecified.

5. The method of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

representing the plurality of three-dimensional objects by three-dimensional graphics data described in VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language).

6. A system of sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space comprising:

a shared server terminal;

a connecting means for connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to the shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

a setting means for setting a plurality of local identification codes that each uniquely identify each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

a conversion table registered in the shared server terminal in advance for converting the local identification codes that identify three-dimensional objects whose states are to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals.

7. An information recording medium for use in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, the information recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to a shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

setting a plurality of local identification codes, each local identification code uniquely identifying each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

converting the local identification codes that identify three-dimensional objects whose state is to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is recorded on the information recording medium in a state readable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals.

8. An information recording method for use in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, the information recording method recording a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to a shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

setting a plurality of local identification codes, each local identification code uniquely identifying each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

converting the local identification codes that identify three-dimensional objects whose states are to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is recorded on the information recording medium in a state readable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals.

9. An information transmission medium for use in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, the information transmission medium transmitting a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to a shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

setting a plurality of local identification codes, each local identification code uniquely identifying each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

converting the local identification codes that identify three-dimensional objects whose states are to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is receivable by at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals and transmitted to at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals in an executable state.

10. An information transmission method for use in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, the information transmission method transmitting a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

connecting a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, to a shared server terminal for controlling states of the plurality of three-dimensional objects via a communication network;

setting a plurality of local identification codes, each local identification code uniquely identifying each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects displayed on each of the plurality of client terminals; and

converting the local identification codes that identify three-dimensional objects whose states are to be controlled into a corresponding global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is receivable by at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals and transmitted to at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminals.

11. An information processing method of a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the information processing method comprising the steps of:

transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

converting the local identification code into a global identification code wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals.

12. A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the shared server terminal comprising:

a communication means for transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

a conversion table for converting the local identification code into a global identification code wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals.

13. An information recording medium for use in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the information recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

converting a local identification code into a global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is recorded in the information recording medium in a state readable and executable by the shared server terminal.

14. An information recording method for use in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the information recording method recording a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

converting the local identification code into a global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is recorded in the information recording medium in a state readable and executable by the shared server terminal.

15. An information transmitting medium for use in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the information transmission medium transmitting a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

converting the local identification code into a global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is transmitted to the shared server terminal in a state receivable and executable by the shared server terminal.

16. An information transmission method for use in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system in which a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space, including a plurality of three-dimensional objects, are connected to a shared server terminal for controlling the state of each of the plurality of three-dimensional objects in each of the plurality of client terminals via a communication network, the information transmission method transmitting a computer program comprising the processing steps of:

transferring a local identification code uniquely identifying one of the plurality of three-dimensional objects on one of the plurality of client terminals via the communication network; and

converting the local identification code into a global identification code;

wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object displayed within one client terminal and the corresponding global identification code to identify associated local identification codes, and wherein the converting allows other client terminals to receive the associated local identification codes and associated update information and in accordance therewith update corresponding three-dimensional objects within the three-dimensional virtual reality space displayed on the other client terminals, and

wherein the computer program is transmitted to the shared server terminal in a state receivable and executable by the shared server terminal.

17. A system for controlling a virtual reality space which includes a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:

a shared server terminal for controlling the three-dimensional object, where the shared server terminal identifies the three-dimensional object by a global identification code;

a communication network;

a client terminal for receiving information about the three-dimensional object from the shared server terminal over the communication network and sending the information about the three-dimensional object to the shared server terminal over the communication network, where the client terminal identifies the three-dimensional object by a local identification code; and

a conversion table which can be used to convert the local identification code into the global identification code wherein the conversion table allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of a three-dimensional object transmitted to/from the client terminal and the global identification code to identify an associated local identification code, and wherein the conversion table allows another client terminal to receive the associated local identification code and the information about the three-dimensional object and in accordance therewith update the three-dimensional object within the three-dimensional virtual reality space.

18. A method of controlling a virtual reality space which includes a three-dimensional object, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the three-dimensional object by a shared server terminal which identifies the three-dimensional object by a global identification code;

transferring information about the three-dimensional object between the shared server terminal and a client terminal over a communication network, where the client terminal identifies the three-dimensional object by a local identification code; and

converting the local identification code into the global identification code using a conversion table wherein the converting allows the shared server terminal to use the local identification code of the three-dimensional object transmitted to/from the client terminal and the global identification code to identify an associated local identification code, and wherein the conversion table allows another client terminal to receive the associated local identification code and the information about the three-dimensional object and in accordance therewith update the three-dimensional object within the three-dimensional virtual reality space.