`
`Electronic Patent Application Fee Transmittal
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING USERS TO INTERACT IN A VIRTUAL
`SPACE
`
`
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name: Dave Leahy
`
`Filer:
`
`Anatoly Weiser.
`
`Filed as Small Entity
`
`Utility under 35 USC 11 1 (a) Filing Fees
`
`Description
`
`Fee Code
`
`Quantity
`
`Sub-Total in
`USD($)
`
`Claims:
`
`Miscellaneous-Filing:
`
`Petition:
`
`
`
` 1
`
`
`
`1 200Petition fee— 37 CFR 1.17(g) (Group II) 200
`
`
`
`MS 1004
`
`1
`
`MS 1004
`
`

`

`Sub-Total in
`Description USD($) Quantity
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent-Appeals—and-lnterference:
`
`Post-AlIowance-and-Post-lssuance:
`
`Extension-of—Time:
`
`Total in USD ($)
`
`Miscellaneous:
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
`
`4994356
`
`Confirmation Number:
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING USERS TO INTERACT IN A VIRTUAL
`SPACE
`
`
`
`
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`
`Dave Leahy
`
`——
`
`Filer Authorized By:
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`AP019CON3
`
`——
`
`01:37:41
`Time Stamp:
`
`
`
`
`Application Type: Utility under 35 USC 111(a)
`
`Payment information:
`
`yes
`Submitted with Payment
`PaymentType Deposit Account
`
`
`
`Payment was successfully received in RAM
`
`$662
`
`Deposit Account
`
`503196
`
`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.16 (National application filing, search, and examination fees)
`
`The Director ofthe USPTO is hereby authorized to charge indicated fees and credit any overpayment as follows:
`
`3
`
`

`

`Document
`Number
`
`Document Description m Message Digest
`
`.
`
`.
`
`File Size(Bytes)/
`
`761720
`
`Multi
`
`Pages
`
`Part l.zip (ifappl.)
`
`Preliminaw Amendment
`
`AmendmentPreliminary-Image.
`pdf
`
`0424bfc1(285767298539681bd032713cb4
`456(12
`
`Information:
`Information:
`
`
`fee-infopdf
`
`Warnings:
`
`Petition for review by the Office of
`Petitions.
`
`PetitionReAbsentInventorPIusP
`etitionFromGrandparent—
`l mag e. pdf
`
`2013749
`
`
`
`95188611577%be9f7734ebc9562000829868add
`
`356678
`
`Assignee showing of ownership per 37
`CFR 3.7303).
`
`Ru|e3dot73bStatement—Image.
`pdf
`
`097(8122831328905655b57le74dc7b547o3
`def/IS
`
`Oath or Declaration filed
`
`_
`DeclarationFromParent—Image.
`pdf
`
`759851
`
`317(033e01002f886be1f4cf606b98331080
`5111
`
`Information:
`
`
`Application-Image.pdf
`
`1 1306775
`
`3740e051516:4136e6b229220b8bd7ac81b
`48477
`
`Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
`
`Document Description
`
`Start
`
`Specification
`
`Appendix to the Specification
`
`Claims
`
`36
`
`Drawings-only black and white line drawings
`
`
`Warnings:
`Information:
`
`Fee Worksheet (PTO-06)
`
`Warnings:
`
`36883
`
`e7123df83ccc743af1629f31dm6f1aéQMcé
`316
`
`4
`
`

`

`Information:
`
`
`
`Total Files Size (in bytes) 15235656
`
`This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
`characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
`Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
`
`New Applications Under 35 U.S.C. 111
`lfa new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
`1.53(b)—(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
`Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date ofthe application.
`
`National Stage of an International Application under 35 U.S.C. 371
`Ifa timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
`U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/EO/903 indicating acceptance of the application as a
`national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in due course.
`
`the application.
`
`New International Application Filed with the USPTO as a Receiving Office
`lfa new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
`an international filing date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 1810), a Notification of the International Application Number
`and of the International Filing Date (Form PCT/RO/105) will be issued in due course, subject to prescriptions concerning
`national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the international filing date of
`
`5
`
`

`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`AP 0|9CON3
`Patent
`
`In re Application of:
`
`Dave Leahy er al.
`
`Serial No.: To Be Assigned
`
`Filed:
`
`January 13, 2009
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`To Be Assigned
`
`Examiner:
`
`To Be Assigned
`
`Attomey File No.: AP 019CON3
`
`Office Action Mailed On: WA
`
`For:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING
`USERS TO INTERACT m A VIRTUAL
`SPACE
`
`Confirmation No.:
`
`Mail Stop Petition
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313—1450
`
`PETITION BY ASSIGNEE FOR FILING PATENT APPLICATION UNDER 37
`
`C.F.R. § 1.4713!
`
`The above-referenced application is filed herewith with signed § 1.63 declarations (from the
`
`original utility parent application) of three of the four joint inventors. The remaining joint inventor,
`
`S. [Mitra] Ardon, refuses to sign a § L63 declaration, notwithstanding the fact that he is under an
`
`obligation to do so at the request of the Assignee of the signing inventors' interests, Worlds Inc.
`
`("Worlds"). Therefore, Worlds petitions that it be allowed to proceed with prosecution of this
`
`application without Mr. Ardon's signature, as allowed under 37 CFR §1 .47. The reasons are fully set
`
`Transmitted electronically to the Patent and Trademark Office.
`
`ELECTRONIC FILING
`
`Depositor‘s Name; Anatolx S. Weiser
`
`Date:
`
`January l3‘2009
`
`Signature: IAnatolx S. Weiser/
`
`6
`
`

`

`forth in the analogous petition filed in August of 2000 in the parent application serial number
`
`08/747,420; and in the analogous petition of November 2, 2006,
`
`in the parent application serial
`
`number 1 1/591 ,878. Both petitions in the parent applications were granted or entered, and Assignee
`
`requests Official Notice to be taken of those petitions and the decisions thereon.
`
`AP 019CON3
`Patent
`
`Payment of the petition fee under 37 CPR. l.l7(g) is made together with the filing of the
`
`present petition, and any shortfall is also authorized to be charged to Deposit Account Number 50-
`
`3196.
`
`
`Dated: March 18 2009
`
`Respectfully submitted,‘
`
`lAnatoly S. Weiser/
`Anatoly S. Weiser, Reg. No. 43,229
`3525 Del Mar Heights Road, #295
`San Diego, CA 92130
`(858) 720-9431
`
`7
`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATESPATENT AND TRADEMARK OI‘F‘lCE
`‘
`'
`
`u
`
`-
`
`Commissioner for Patent:
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Washington, DC. 20231
`mam
`
`Paper No. 29
`
`. TOWNSEND & TOWNSEND & CREW
`
`.
`
`-
`
`~
`
`'
`
`»
`
`-
`
`8TH FLOOR
`TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
`SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-3834
`
`COPY MAILED
`‘
`
`SEP 1 9 2000
`SPECIAL PROGRAMS OFFICE
`DAG FOR PATENTS
`
`In re Application of
`Leahy, Challinger, Adler, and Ardon
`Application No. 08/747,420
`Filed: 12 November, 1996
`Attorney Docket No. 17376-5
`
`_
`
`‘
`
`»
`:
`: DECISION ACCORDING STATUS
`: UNDER 37 CFR 1.47(a)
`:
`
`This is in response to the renewed petition under 37 CPR 1.47(a)1 filed on 7 and
`supplemented by facsimile on 18 August, 2000.
`
`The petition isGBANlED
`
`Petitioner has shown that the non-signing inventor has refused to join in the filing
`of the above-identified application after having been presented with the application
`papers. Specifically, the declaration of facts of Philip R. Albert establishes that the
`non-signing inventor was presented with a copy of the application papers but
`refused to execute the declaration.
`'
`
`The above-identified application and papers have been reviewed and found in
`compliance with 37 CFR 1.47la). This application is hereby accorded Rule ] 4Zta)
`
`As provided in Rule 1.47ia), this Office will forward notice of this application's
`filing to the non-signing inventor at the address given in the Declaration. Notice of
`the filing of this application will also be published in the Official Gazette.
`
`IA grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.117(3) requires:
`(1) proof that the non-signing inventor cannot bereached or refuses to sign the oath or declaration after having
`been presented with the application papers (specification, claims and drawings);
`(2) an acceptable oath or declaration In compliance with 35 U‘S.C.
`§§115andt16;
`'
`(3) the petition tee; and
`(4) a statement oi the East known address of the non-signing inventor.
`
`’
`
`8
`
`

`

`Application No. 08/747,420
`
`After this decision is mailed, the application will be forwarded to the Office of
`initial Patent Examination for correction of the bibliographic data sheet and
`issuance of a corrected Filing Receipt as requested in the facsimile supplement to
`the petition filed on 18 August, 2000. Thereafter, the file will be forwarded to
`~ Publishing Division for processing into a patent.
`
`'
`
`It is noted that petitioner has withdrawn the petition to correct the non-signing
`inventor's name.
`
`Telephone inquiries related to this decision should be directed to Petitions Attorney
`Douglas I. Wood at 703-308-6918..
`
`flk‘,u .. y/lfi/‘Lkbfl _ 4". k__
`
`4” / ‘
`
`
`. Flanagan
`Beverly
`Supervisory Petitions Examiner
`Office of Petitions
`Office of the Deputy Commissioner
`for Patent Examination Policy
`
`9
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`S. Mitra Ardon
`1056 Noe
`'
`San Fransisco, CA 94114
`
`‘
`
`In re Application of
`Leahy at al.
`Application No.‘ 08/747,420
`Filed: 12 November, 1996
`For: Scalable Virtual Word Chat Client-Server System
`Dear Mr. Ardon:
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`United States Patent enlerademark Office
`Washington. D.C. 20231
`mama
`
`
`
`Paper No. 30
`
`-COPY MA‘LED
`
`SE? 1 9 2000
`
`ECiN- pmurwlflh uFFiC
`SP DACFOB PATENTS
`
`You are named as a joint inventor in the above identified United States patent application, filed
`under the provisions of 35 U.$.C. 116 (United States Code), and 37 CFR 1.47(a), Rules of Practice
`in Patent Cases. Should a patent be granted on the application you will be designated therein as a
`joint inventor.
`.
`
`As a named inventor you are entitled to inspect any paper in the tile wrapper of the application,
`order copies of all or any part thereof (at a prepaid cost per 37 CFR 1.19) or make your position of
`record in the application. Alternatively, you may arrange to do any of the preceding through a
`registered patent attorney or agent presenting written authorization from you.
`If you care to join.
`the application, counsel of record (see below) would presumably assist you. Joining in the
`application would entail the filing of an appropriate oath or declaration by you pursuant to 37 CFR
`1.63.
`'
`
`Telephone inquiries regarding this communication should be directed to Petitions Attorney Douglas
`I. Wood at 703/308-6918. Requests for information regarding your application should be directed
`to the File information Unit at 703/308-2733.
`Information regarding how to pay for and order a
`copy of the application, or. a specific paper in the application. should be directed to Certification
`Division at 703/308-9726 or 1-800-972-6382 (outside the Washington D.C. area).
`
`gig/W/é N
`
`. Flanagan
`Beverly
`Supervisory Petitions Examiner
`Office of Petitions
`Office of the Deputy Commissioner '
`for Patent Examination Policy
`
`TOWNSEND & TOWNSEND & CR‘EW
`8TH FLOOR
`TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
`SAN FRANSiCO, CA 94111-3839
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

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`
`.
`.
`.
`ApplicanVPate‘nt-‘Owner:‘ ”an”;
`.
`
`
`
`Applicjtidn.~b.lPat_ent'No.:.
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`assignee-ms.ror concurrently is being,:5bbmittbd for recerdatibn putsuant to 37 CFR 3:11.
`
`
`
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`
`
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`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`DECLARATION
`
`-
`'
`'
`v . As a‘tbelow named inventor, l declare lh"
`My residence, post office address and citiz’cnship are as stated below next to my name; I belitvc‘ 1 am the original, first and sole inventor
`(1 below) or an original. first and joint inventor (if plural inventors are named below) of the subject matter which
`if onl one name is liste
`(
`y
`hich a patent is sought on the invention entitled: SCALABLE VIRTUAL WORLD CHAT CLIENT-SERVER
`is claimed and for w
`4
`_
`.
`SYSTEM the specification of which _ is attached hereto or _ was filed on
`as Application No.
`and was amended
`on _ (if applicable).
`I have reviewed and understand the contents of the above identified 5 ecification. including the claims. as amended by any amendment
`referred to above.
`l acknowledge the duty to disclose information which is material to the examination of this application in accordance
`with Title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.56.
`1 claim foreign priority benefits under Tttle 35, United States Code, Section
`119 of any foreign applications(s) for patent or inventor's certificate listed below and have also tdennfied below any foreign application
`for patent or inventor’s certificate having a filing date before that of the application on which priority is claimed.
`
`Prior Foreign Application(s)
`
`
`
`
`
`Application No.
`
`
`
`Date of Filing
`
`
`
`
`
`Priority Claimed
`
`Under 35 USC 119
`
`
`Yes
`No
`
`
`
`l hereby claim the benefit under Title 35. United States Code § 119m of any United States provisional application(s) listed below;
`
`
`Ap lication No.
`Filing Date
`
`60/020,296 M
`
`l claim the benefit under Title 35. United States Code. Section 120 of any United States application(s) listed below and, insofar as the
`subject matter of each of the claims of this application is not disclosed in the prior United States application in the manner provided by
`the first paragraph of Title 35. United States Code. section 112. I acknowledge the duty to disclose material information as defined in
`Title 37, Code of Federal Regulations. section 1.56 which occurred between the filing date of the prior application and the national or
`PCT international filing date of this application:
`
`am of mm m
`
`_— Patented __ Pending __ Abandoned
`
`—_ _Patemed __ Pending
`Abandoned
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Full Name
`of lnventorl
`
`Lasr Name
`Leah
`
`
`
`
`
`First Name
`Dave
`
`~
`
`‘
`
`Middle Name or Initial
`.
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Country of Citizenship
`USA
`Zip Code
`State/Country
`94618
`CA
`Middle Name or lnitialw
`
`.
`
`Country of Citizenship
`USA
`Zip Code
`State/Country
`95060
`CA
`Middle Name or Initial
`Thomas
`Country of Citizenship
`USA
`State/Country
`‘ CA
`
`Zip Code
`94107
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Residence &
`
`Citizenshi-
`Post Office
`Address
`
`
`Full Name
`
`of Inventor 2
`
`Oakland
`Post Office Address
`6056 Romany Road
`Lasr Name
`Challinger
`
`State/Foreign Country
`CA '
`City
`Oakland
`Firsr Name
`Judith
`
`Residence 5!.
`Citizenshi
`Post Office
`Address
`Full Name
`of Inventor 3
`Residence &
`Citizenshi-
`Post Olfice
`Address
`
`.
`
`City
`Santa Cruz
`Post Office Address
`244 Northrop Place
`Last Name
`Adler
`City
`San Francisco
`Post Office Address
`510 Third Street, Suite 530
`
`.
`
`State!Foreign Country
`CA
`City
`Santa Cruz
`first Name
`B.
`State/Foreign Country
`CA
`City
`San Francisco
`
`of inventor 4
`
`Ardon
`
`S.
`
`[Mitra]
`
`C itizenshi
`
`Address
`
`City
`San Francisco
`
`State/Foreign Country
`CA
`
`Country of Citizenship
`USA
`
`‘
`City
`Post Office Address
`San Frantisco
`1056 Noe '
`
`
`State/Country
`CA
`
`Zip Code
`94114
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`I
`r_—————-————
`“(c "u: gnu m,“ on Janna-vane Anon- vu uuvuuauvu “1“,. v.,...
`'
`.
`.
`I furnace uectare that all Statemean maue nerem 0| my own IUIUchugC
`'are believed to be true; and further that these statements were made with the knowledge that v/tllful false statements and the like so made
`are punishable by fine or imprisonment.
`‘Olh. under Seetion 1001 of Title 18 of the Ur
`| States Code. and that such willful false
`Statements may jeopardize the validity oi -./ application or any patent issuing thereon.
`-v
`
`r
`
`Signature of Inventor 1
`
`Signature of Inventor 2
`
`S. [Mitra] Ardon
`
`Dave Leahy
`
`Signature of Inventor 4
`
`wWITJ‘ImNIdoeI
`
`(Page 2 of 2)
`
`.
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

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`arc beliewtto be true; and further that these statements were‘made with the knowledge mar willful 'f'ziléé EQéfiiéquEhh the like so made
`are punishable by fine or imprisonment,
`~oth, under Section 1001 of Title 18 of the Un’
`1 States Code. and that such willful false
`statements may jeopardize the validity 0“. application or any patent issuing thereon.
`
`Signature of Inventor 1
`
`Signature of Inventor 2
`
`Dave Leahy
`
`h Judith Challinger
`
`-
`
`Signature of Inventor 4
`
`S. [Mitre] Ardon
`
`mmmmm «:1
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`(Page 2 of 2)
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`I iuumzt awn-ml: um 'du auscutcua uldu» “\-l‘4||l u: In} Unit untuwluus» an. nu. uuu nun .0. na“... .. 4.....- ‘1'. ...
`are believed to be true; and further that these Statements were made with the knowledge that willful false statements and the like so made
`' vare punishable by fine or imprisonment.
`‘oth. under Section 1001 ofTirle I8 of the U13"
`I States Code, and that such wrllful false
`V
`statements may jeopardize the validity o. -_.- application or any patent issuing thereon.
`
`....—..-.. a..- u»....
`
`Signature of Inventor 2
`
` Signature of Inventor 3
` Signature of Inventor I
`9 P f
`\
`
`
`Dave Leahy 1 M 5 M 'Judith Challiner
`,
`B.Thomas Adler
`
`
`
`
`
`Signature of Inventor 4
`
` S. [Mitra] Arden
`
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`”01mede
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`(Page 2 of 2)
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`Attorney Docket No.
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`AP019CON3
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`PATENT
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`.SCALABLE VIRTUAL WORLD CHAT CLIENT-SERVER SYSTEM
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`EACKGROUND OF THE INVENTQQfl
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`The present invention relates to the field of packet
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`communications. More specifically,
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`in one embodiment
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`the
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`invention provides an efficient communications network for
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`I
`client-server networks with large numbers of clients.
`A client—server network is a network where one or
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`more servers are coupled to one or more clients over a
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`'
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`communications channel. Typically, each server and each
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`client is assigned an address so that each can determine which
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`network messages are directed to it. While such a system may
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`have only one server, it typically has many clients.
`
`A server
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`object is one which waits for a request from a client object
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`and then performs some service in response to the client
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`request.
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`A client is an object that makes the request.
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`The
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`2O
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`designation of a particular object
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`(computer hardware and/or
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`software proCess) as a "server" object or a "client" object is
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`Thus, a given object can be a server for some
`not fixed.
`services and a client of other services.
`‘
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`"A'typica1 computer network has one or more file and
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`print servers with a number of clients, where the clients are
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`the desktop computers or workstations of the computer users,
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`all coupled to a high—speed netwbrk cable. Client-server
`communications in such a network are easily handled for
`
`several reasons. When clients are not all communicating with
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`the server at once the server need not be designed to handle
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`4 all the clients at one time. Another reason is that the
`network traffic is much less than the network capacity
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`furthermore,
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`the clients in a typical computer network need
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`not necessarily be communicating in real—time with the server.
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`However, where many client machines or processes are
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`communicating with each other in real-time through the server,
`several problems arise.
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`For example, where a client-server system is used
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`for real-time exchange of information, such as a distributed
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`virtual reality network where users at client machines
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`visually and aurally interact with other users at other client
`machines, communication is much more difficult, especially
`
`where the information is high-bandwidth data such as audio
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`streams, graphic images and image streams.
`
`One application of
`
`such a client-server system is for game playing, where the
`
`positions and actions of each user need to be communicated
`
`between all the players to inform each client of the state
`changes (position, actions, etc.) which occurred at the other
`
`clients.
`
`The server might maintain global state information
`
`and serve as a data server for the clients as they request
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`visual, program and other data as the game progresses.
`
`Some game systems use a peer-to-peer architecture.
`
`In a peer—to—peer architecture, a copy of the data which is
`common to all clients is kept by the client and information
`which needs to pass between clients is broadcast over the
`'network. This limits the number of clients which can be
`
`connected to the network, because the number of messages
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`passing between clients is on the order of the square of the
`
`number of clients. With true broadcasting, one message is-
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`sent and all clients listen for it, but not all network
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`topologies can handle broadcasts.
`
`.where less than all the.
`
`clients are participating in a game, for example, messages
`cannot be broadcast because there are clients which should not
`
`be receiving the broadcast message.
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`Instead,
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`the broadcast
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`between the players is handled by generating one message to
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`each player client.
`
`This architecture is further limited where the
`
`network is not a dedicated netWork, but is an open network,
`
`the term "Internet"
`such as the Internet. As used herein,
`refers to the global
`inter-network of networks which
`communicates primarily using packets sent according to TCP/IP
`
`(Iransport gontrol grotocol/Lnternet grotocol) standards well
`
`known in the art of computer intercommunicaticn. With
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`l
`Internet communications,
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`true broadcasting is not even
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`possible because th? network's extent is not known or fixed.
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`3.
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`Thus, messages to all players must be sent as_separate
`messages.
`An additional problem with Internet communications
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`is that packet delivery is not guaranteed nor is it even as
`reliable as a dedicated network.
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`Therefore, what is needed is an efficient system for
`
`communication between many client systems over dedicated or
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`open networks to provide graphical interaction between users
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`operating the client systems.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a highly scalable
`architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi—user;
`
`interactive virtual world system.
`
`In a preferred embodiment a
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`plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional,
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`computer—generated graphical space where each user executes a
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`client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of
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`that user.
`
`The virtual world shows avatars representing the
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`other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual
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`word.
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`In order that the view can be updated to reflect the
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`motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is
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`transmitted to a central server process which provides
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`positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the'
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`user at that client process.
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`The client process also uses an
`
`environment database to determine which background objects to
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`render as well as to limit the movement of the user’s avatar.
`
`A further understanding of the nature and advantages
`
`of the inventions herein may be realized by reference to the
`
`remaining portions of the specification and the attached
`drawings.
`
`BRlEF DESCRIPTION QF gag DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.
`
`1 is a client screen view in a virtual world
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`system according to the present
`
`invention.
`
`FIG.
`
`2 is a logical block diagram of the hardware
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`elements of a virtual world system.
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`3 is a block diagram of the elements of one
`FIG.
`_
`embodiment of a virtual world system, showing two clients and
`one server.
`
`FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of a client
`
`system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.S is an illustration of an avatar.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF IHE EREPERBED EMBODIMENT
`
`Although the preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention can be used in a variety of applications, as will be
`
`apparent after reading the below description,
`the preferred
`.
`embodiment is described herein using the example of a
`client-server architecture for use in a virtual world "chat"
`
`system.
`
`In this chat.system, a user at each client system
`
`interacts with one or more other users at other client systems
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`by inputting messages and sounds and by performing actions,
`where these messages and actions are seen and acted upon by
`
`other clients.
`
`FIG.
`
`1 is an example of what such a client
`
`might display.
`
`Each user interacts with a client system and the
`
`client system is networked to a virtual world server.
`
`The
`
`client system are desktop computers,
`
`terminals, dedicated game
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`controllers, workstations, or similar devices which have
`
`graphical displays and user input devices.
`
`The term "client"
`
`generally refers to a client machine, system and/or process,
`but is also used to refer to the client and the user
`
`controlling the client.
`
`FIG.
`
`1 is an illustration of a client screen display
`
`10 seen by one user in the chat system.
`
`Screen display 10 is
`
`shown with several stationary objects (wall, floor, ceiling
`
`Each avatar 18
`and clickable object 13) and two "avatars" 18.
`is a three dimensional figure chosen by a user to represent
`
`the user in the virtual world.
`
`Each avatar 18 optionally
`
`includes a label chosen by the user.
`
`In this example,
`
`two
`
`users are shown: "Paula" and "Ken", who have chosen the
`
`"robot" avatar and the penguin avatar, respectively. Each
`user interacts with a client machine (not shown) which
`produces a display dimilar to screen display 10, but from the
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`Screen.
`perspective of the avatar for that client/user.
`display 10 is the view from the perspective of a third user,
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`D, whose avatar is not shown since D's avatar is not within
`
`D’s own view. Typically, a user cannot see his or her own
`avatar unless the chat system allows "our of body" viewing or
`
`the avatar's image is reflected in a mirrored object in the
`virtual world.
`
`Each user is free to move his or her avatar around
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`10
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`In order that each user see the correct
`in the virtual world:
`location of each of the other avatars, each client machine
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`sends its current location, or changes in its current
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`location,
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`to the server and receives updated position
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`information of the other clients.
`
`While FIG.
`
`1 shows two avatars (and implies a
`
`third),
`
`typically many more avatars will be present.
`
`A
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`typical virtual world will also be more complex than a single
`room.
`The virtual world View shown in FIG.
`1 is part of a
`
`virtual world of several rooms and connecting hallways as
`
`indicated in a world map panel 19, and may include hundreds or
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`users and their avatars.
`
`So that the virtual world is
`
`scalable to a large number of clients,
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`the virtual world
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`server must be much more discriminating as to what data is~
`
`provided to each clients.
`
`In-the example of FIG. 1, although
`
`a status panel 17 indicates that six other avatars are
`present, many other avatars are in the room, but are filtered
`out for crowd control.
`
`FIG.
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`2 is a simplified block diagram of the physical
`
`architecture of the virtual world chat system. Several
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`clients 20 are shown which correspond with the users
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`controlling avatars 18 shown in screen display 10. These
`clients 20 interact with the virtual world server 22 as well
`
`as the other clients 20 over a network 24 which,
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`in the
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`is a TCP/IP network such
`specific embodiment discussed here,
`as the Internet. Typically,
`the link from the client is
`
`narrowband,
`
`such as 14.4 kbps (kilobits/second).
`
`Typically, but not always, each client 20 is
`
`implemented as a separate computer and one or more computer
`systems are used toéimplement virtual world server 22. As
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`used here,
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`the computer system could be a desktop computer as
`
`are well known in the art, which use CPU's available from
`Intel Corporation, Motorola, SUN Microsystems, Inc.,
`International Business Machines (IBM). or the like and are
`
`controlled by operation systems such as the Windows® program
`
`which runs under the MS-DOS operating system available from
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`Microsoft Corporation,
`
`the Macintosh® 0/3 from Apple Computer,
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`or the Unix® operating system available from a variety of
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`vendors. Other suitable computer systems include notebook
`
`computers, palmtop computers, hand—held programmable computing
`
`those
`devices, special purpose graphical game machines (e.g.,
`sold by Sony, SEGA, Nintendo, etc.), workstations,
`terminals,
`and the like.
`‘
`‘rThe virtual world chat system is described below
`with reference to at least two hypothetical users, A and B.
`
`the actions of the system are described with
`Generally,
`reference to the perspective of user A.
`It is to be
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`understood that, where appropriate, what is said about user A
`
`applies to user B, and vice versa,_and that the description
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`below also holds for a system with more than two users (by
`
`having multiple users A and/or B). Therefore, where an
`interaction between user A and user B is described,
`implied
`
`therein is that the interaction could take place just as well
`with users A and B having their roles reversed and could take
`
`place in the same manner between user A and user C, user D,
`etc.
`The architecture is described with reference to a system
`
`where each user is associated with their own client computer
`
`system separate from the network and servers, however a person
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`of ordinary skill in the art of network configuration would
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`understand, after reading this description, how to vary the
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`architecture to fit other physical arrangements, such as
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`multiple users per computer system or a system using more
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`complex network routing structures than those shown here.
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`person of ordinary skill in the art of computer programming
`will also understand that where a process is described with
`
`reference to a client or server,
`
`that process could be a
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`'program executed by a CPU in that client or server system and
`the program could be stored in a permanent memory, such as a
`l‘
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`hard drive or read-only memory (ROM), or in temporary memory,
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`such as random access memory (RAM).
`
`A person of ordinary
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`skill in the art of computer programming will also understand
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`how to store, modify and access data structures which are
`
`shown to be ac