WO2001080050A1

WO2001080050A1 - Method of and system for virtual space page service using avatar

Info

Publication number: WO2001080050A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bok-Hyun Kang
Original assignee: Quarterview Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-04-18
Filing date: 2001-04-17
Publication date: 2001-10-25
Also published as: KR20010096234A; KR100460573B1; AU5272601A

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and a system for virtual space page service using avatar to realize a three-dimensional virtual space page, which is distinguished from the conventional plane web page service of an HTML type, through internet by using avatars and virtual space page description files. The system according to the invention includes an avatar virtual space page component file run on a web browser for interpreting virtual space description files to display a three-dimensional virtual space on a web browser, and providing an environment to enable avatars to chat among themselves including a user, and a page editor component file for creating a virtual space as desired by the user by editing a virtual environment at his/her own discretion. The system is characterized in that a web server for operating a virtual space page service using avatar is connected through internet to a user's web browser, in which a virtual space page/page editor component file, graphic/audio objects, a definition file, and virtual space description files are stored.

Description

METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR VIRTUAL SPACE PAGE SERVICE USING

AVATAR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of and system for a virtual space page service using avatars, and in particular, to a method of and system for realizing a three- dimensional virtual space page, which is distinguished from the conventional plane web page service of an HTML type, through internet by using avatars and virtual space page description files.

Background Art

The conventional web page service of HTML type is a service provided in a manner that a user connected to internet downloads HTML files saved in a web server and multimedia files such as graphic files or audio files, and that the web browser interprets and illustrates the HTML file on the web browser. The web page service of HTML type basically has a limit of providing plane pages using characters although it adds a dynamic effect thereto by introducing technologies such as Java, VBScript, JavaScript, etc.

New types of services appear these days to represent a user on internet by using a virtual graphic object called "avatar". An example is a game service using avatar. Avatars move in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space, and chat by displaying characters inputted by the user. An avatar can also play games with other avatars or objects in a virtual space through interaction. O 01/80050

Disclosure of Invention

The inventor of the present invention developed a service of new concept, i.e., a web page service provided in a three-dimensional virtual space, in which avatars can move around, unlike the conventional plane web page service based on characters of HTML type. The point distinguishing the present invention from the conventional service using avatars is that, whereas the conventional services using avatars are provided by installing separate programs at a user's PC, the present invention combines the service using avatars and the web page technology based on the HTML to create a virtual space page using avatars.

According to the present invention, each user can automatically download a component module that enables the user to view a virtual space using avatar by operating a web browser without installing separate programs at his/her own PC to access a web server. Thereafter, the user can download the virtual space description files in the same manner as the web page service of HTML format to view the three-dimensional virtual space on a web browser. The user can also create a virtual space page of his/her own by producing/editing a virtual space page with avatar on a web browser and saving the page in a web server so that third parties can visit the page.

Another point distinguishing the present invention from the conventional service of HTML format is that, once a chatting server is employed in addition to a web server, each visitor can chat in real time by moving around in a virtual space by means of his/her own avatar if two or more visitors visit one virtual space page. Thus, the user can edit the page at any time and upload the modified page on a web server. Any third parties can visit the page produced in this manner, and have a chatting page to chat among themselves in a three-dimensional virtual space.

As the conventional web page service provided in HTML format enables the user to move to another HTML-based web page by clicking characters or pictures linked to another page, the virtual space page according to the present invention also enables the user to move to another HTML-based web page by clicking to graphic objects (furniture, advertisement board, memorandum board, etc.) within a virtual space. At this stage, it is possible for the user to move to another HTML-based web page by moving the avatar to the position where a particular graphic object exists rather than by clicking a mouse. This is an original method of linking introduced by the present invention that cannot be realized by any other kinds of web page services based on HTML.

The service provided by the conventional HTML-based web page can be incorporated into the virtual space page service according to the present invention by linking graphic objects within a virtual space to HTML-based web pages in this manner. For example, the owner of the virtual space page can have a bulletin board of its own by linking the bulletin board page realized through HTML to bulletin board graphic objects within a virtual space, while the owner and visitors of the virtual space page can exchange messages through the bulletin board.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for a virtual space page service to realize a three-dimensional virtual space page on a web server by using avatars so that a user can edit the virtual space page and upload the same to a web server while a plurality of persons can visit the page through a web browser and even chat if the visitors are two or more.

The present invention is realized in a system where a web server operating a virtual space page service, a chatting server, and a user's web browser are connected to one another through internet. According to the present invention, the user can use the virtual space page service by accessing a web server comprising an avatar virtual space page component file for interpreting an avatar virtual space description file into a three dimensional virtual space where avatars can move around therein; an editor component file allowing the user to edit the virtual space at his/her own discretion to create a desired virtual space; virtual space description files, which are text format files for describing the virtual space; each graphic/audio object file; and definition files for defining IDs of each object and motions of avatars.

The virtual space page produced/edited by the user is transmitted to a web server, and is assigned an original URL and stored so that third parties can visit the page by inputting the corresponding URL through a web browser. The present invention is based on an object reusing structure by means of the graphic/audio objects, definition file, and the virtual space description file stored in the web server. The definition file is a file that assigns IDs for each object and classifies the files into different kinds, while the virtual space description file is a file that describes a background of the virtual space using avatar. Of the objects, the basic objects can be continuously used after being stored in the user's PC, and the additional objects can be checked and downloaded whenever the user accesses the server. Therefore, the user using the service according to the present invention on a steady basis needs not consume so much time except the time for initially downloading the running module component and the basic objects. The present invention may include a virtual city component file so as to form a complex virtual city by combining a plurality of virtual space pages produced in an editor component file mode. Additionally includable file in that case is a virtual city description file comprising a header section for defining a name and a size of the virtual city, and a virtual city description section for defining properties of the virtual city. The present invention can provide a new type of three-dimensional page service unlike the conventional HTML-based web page service. The user can produce/edit a three-dimensional virtual space page of his/her own, and can visit a third party's virtual space page by using a web browser only without installing an additional program. Under the conventional web page service, different visitors are unable to interact with one another even if a plurality of persons visit a single web page but is allowed to view the contents only of the corresponding web page. According to the present invention, however, each visitor is displayed in a virtual space in the form of a graphic virtual object called "avatar" when a plurality of persons visit a single virtual space page. Each visitor can also view the avatars of other visitors and communicate with one another by chatting with the corresponding avatars while freely moving around the virtual space. The present invention has an advantage of smoothly linking the conventional web service through an operation of link pages by clicking the linked objects with a mouse.

In conclusion, the present invention realized a virtual space page service of a new concept that allows virtual objects called "avatar" to move around and interact with other visitors for dynamic and three-dimensional expressions unlike the conventional static and plane web page services.

Brief Description of Drawings The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a construction of a virtual space page service using avatar according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating structures of a definition file and virtual space description files;

Fig. 3A and 3B are a part of a flow chart illustrating a process of providing a virtual space page service by using avatar; Fig. 3C is a diagram illustrating a screen of a main page of a web server;

Fig. 3D is a diagram illustrating an avatar virtual space page;

Fig. 4 is a remaining part of the flow chart in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating a screen of an editor of the virtual space page;

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an object reusing structure employed in the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a view magnifying a construction of a screen of a virtual city service according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a construction of a screen of the virtual city service according to the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of virtual city description files.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a construction of a virtual space page service using avatar according to the present invention, in the virtual space page service system using avatar according to the present invention, internet functions to connect a web server 17 for storing virtual space description files to a web browser 27 for displaying a virtual space page by downloading the virtual space description files through access to the web server 17. The chatting server 15 functions to deliver chatting messages among a plurality of users visiting the virtual space page. The web server includes an avatar virtual space page/page editor component files

19, graphic/audio objects 21, definition files 23, and virtual space description file 25s. Further detailed description will be provided later for those files.

The user accesses a web server by means of the web browser installed at his/her own PC. At this stage, the initial service page is displayed in HTML format. The user may select a "Go" menu to the virtual space page as well as a "Do" menu for the editor from the initial page.

If the user selects the "Go" menu to the virtual space page, the web browser determines whether or not the page component of the avatar virtual space page is installed at his/her own PC, or whether or not the page component version accords with the one installed at his/her own PC. In the negative, the user downloads the corresponding component from the web server. In the affirmative, the user proceeds with the next step without downloading the corresponding component. Upon confirmation of the component, the user downloads the definition file and virtual space description files. If the user's PC does not contain a graphic/audio object related to the virtual space description file, the user downloads the related object file so as to view a three-dimensional virtual space and an avatar selected by the user in advance on the user's web browser. The user can move around the virtual space by means of a mouse or a keyboard to chat with another visitor, or move to another page linked another HTML page among the objects within the virtual space by moving an object linked to the other HTML page with a mouse or by moving the avatar toward the object.

If the user has selected a "do page editing," as in case of selecting a "go to virtual space page," the user can download a page editor component, if necessary, by confirming the corresponding component, as well as virtual space description files and related object files, if necessary, to display an editor environment on the user's web browser. Here, the user can create a virtual space as desired by editing a virtual environment at his/her own discretion.

The graphic/audio objects 21, the definition file 23, and the virtual space description file stored in the web server 17 are downloaded and stored (21a, 23a, 25a) in the user's PC 27.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating structures of definition files and virtual space description files.

The definition file 23 mainly comprises a graphic/audio object ID definition section and an avatar motion definition section. The graphic/audio object ID definition section is for assigning IDs to each graphic/audio object, and grouping the graphic/audio objects according to their kinds of the objects. As described above, graphic objects such as wall, floor tiles, diverse kinds of furniture and facilities as well as a variety of audio objects are displayed or reproduced. Those objects are in file formats, and can be stored in a hard disk. The definition file 23 is a file for assigning IDs for each object and classifying the objects according to their kinds. The avatar motion definition section assigns IDs and names for each avatar according to their motions (walking, turning, sitting, standing, smiling, raging, greeting, weeping, etc.). Each motion of an avatar is stored in a hard disk in a file format. The definition file 23 is a file for assigning names and IDs to each avatar and motions thereof. The virtual space description file 25 is a file for describing a background of the virtual space. The virtual space description file 25 comprises a header section, a general graphic object description section, and a tile graphic object description section. The header section includes a title of a room in the virtual space, an ID of the background music file, data on a size of the screen, and data on a size of the tile. The general graphic object description section includes an ID of each object, data on positions of the objects on a coordinate, and data on site links. The tile graphic object description section includes an ID of the tile, data on a position on the title, and data on site links.

For instance, if a particular avatar is named A=31 in the definition file 23, and the A=31 avatar is designated in the virtual space description file 25, the avatar A=31 is displayed in the virtual space. Thus, the definition file is a file containing data for defining an environment of the virtual space in the entire program, while the virtual space description files are files containing IDs and data on each object when creating a particular virtual space. To be specific, the definition file has an identical structure regardless of edition of the virtual space page by each user. However, the virtual space description files have different structures according to each user. This is the same principle as each web page has an HTML file of different contents in the web pages of HTML format.

Fig. 3A and 3B are a part of a flow chart illustrating a process of providing a virtual space page service by using avatar as well as the system and the file structure as described above.

If the user inputs a URL of a home page of a web server in a web browser, the home is displayed in HTML format [101]. If the user is a subscriber, he/she can access the avatar virtual space page service by means of his/her ID and password [103]. Otherwise, the user needs to take the steps of subscribing the home page [105].

Fig. 3C is a diagram illustrating a screen of a main page of a web server. A window 33 is located on a left side of the page for inputting an ID and a password to access the web server. If accessed to the web page of the virtual space page service, an initial service page (main page) of HTML format is provided as shown in Fig. 3C. Here, the user can select any one of two modes, i.e., a "go to the avatar virtual space page" mode [107] or a "go to the page editor" mode [109].

Referring to Fig. 3C, a "My Hello POP (virtual space page)" button 35 and a

"Hello POP Editor (page editor)" button 37 are installed beneath the log-in input window 33. If the user selects the "go to the avatar virtual space page" mode [107], his/her own avatar virtual space page is displayed (Fig. 3D) on a browser once after taking the following steps.

First, confirm whether or not the running module component and the basic objects are saved in the user's PC [111]. The running module component means an running file for viewing a virtual space page, i.e., an "avatar virtual space page component" file that moves within a browser. The basic objects mean basically required objects among the graphic/audio objects, i.e., essential objects for the user's PC. The basic objects receive only once the objects minimally required to reduce the downloading time and save the same in the user's PC, while downloading additional objects from the web server whenever required. Therefore, no hard disk of great capacity is required for the user's PC, and the communication path jam caused by frequent download of the objects can be reduced.

If not existed in the user's PC, the running module component and the basic objects can be downloaded from the web server [113]. Thereafter, the definition file 23 and the virtual space description file 25 can be downloaded from the web server [115]. Here, the virtual space description file means a file uploaded to the web server after being produced/edited by the user in the page editor. If the user is the one who first uses the service according to the present invention, he/she should download the basic virtual space description file provided by the web server. Thereafter, the user should download the definition file and the virtual space description file only.

Next, confirm whether or not the objects used in the virtual space page now on the screen is stored in the user's PC [117]. In the affirmative, the virtual space page can be displayed [119]. In the negative, and if the virtual space page cannot be displayed, a page can be constructed by automatically downloading the necessary objects (the objects that have been used in the virtual space page now on the screen but not existing in the user's PC) [121].

Fig. 4 shows the case when the user has selected the "go to the page editor" by accessing the web server [109]. The screen in that case is shown in Fig. 4A. First, confirm whether or not the running module component and the basic objects exist in the user's PC [123]. In the affirmative, the user can download the definition file and the virtual space description file from the server [127]. In the negative, the user should first download the running module component and the basic objects from the web server [125].

Next, confirm whether or not the objects used in the editor page to appear on the next screen exist in the user's PC [129]. In the negative, the user should download the necessary objects [131] to display the editor page [133]. The displayed editor page is exemplified in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating a screen of an editor of the virtual space page. A tile object corresponding to the case when "marble_000" (39) of a marble tile has been selected from a tile group among the menu on the left side of the screen is displayed on a small window 41. If the corresponding object does not exist in the user's PC before displaying the selected object on the small window 41, the user should download the corresponding object from the web server, and display the same on the window. The user can decorate the virtual space by selecting desired objects. With reference to Fig. 4, confirm whether or not the objects necessary for editing the virtual space page by the user exist in the user's PC [135]. In the negative, the user should download the necessary objects from the web server [137]. In the affirmative, the user can produce/edit the page by using the corresponding objects [139]. In other words, if the corresponding objects have been used in the user's PC and exist therein, the objects can be used per se. This is referred to an object reusing structure that will be described later with reference to Fig. 5.

The virtual space page produced/edited by the user in his/her own PC is transmitted to the web server and saved therein [141]. The file transmitted at this stage is the virtual space description file. Producing/editing a page by the user means producing/editing virtual space description files. The new virtual space page stored in the web server (the virtual space description file) can be downloaded to the user's PC if the user logs in the web server, and selects the "go to the avatar virtual space page" from the initial page [107].

Also, if the newly produced/edited virtual space page (the virtual space description file) is transmitted to the web server, the web server can assign an original URL to the page. For instance, if the URL of the web server is www.chatpop.com, the URL of the newly produced virtual space page can be www.chatpop.com/~kkk. If a user "A" who has edited the virtual space page and uploaded the same to a web server informs another user "B" of this URL, the user "B" can visit the virtual space page of the user "A" by running the web browser and inputting the URL of the web browser in the URL input window. The internal procedure of displaying the virtual space page is as described above. Thus, the avatar virtual space page operates under the structure as if a plurality of random persons visit an ordinary web page of HTML format. This is the reason for entitling the present invention to be a virtual space page by referring to a home page. The present invention has an object reusing structure as described above. This means that the present invention is structured such that all of the objects are assigned IDs by the definition file and stored in a server, and that the virtual space description file is downloaded in the user's PC to confirm the objects.

The following is a detailed description made with reference to Fig. 5. A virtual space description file is read and interpreted by the virtual space page running module component [1]. IDs and properties of objects are included in the virtual space description files. For instance, if an ID is assigned to be "S I 20=properties", confirm whether or not a corresponding file name actually exists in the definition file [2]. In other words, confirm whether or not a file identified by "S 1 20=A00.ext" exists. Subsequently, browses whether or not the corresponding file exists in the hard disk of the user's PC [3]. In the affirmative, the graphic/audio object file AOO.ext is read in a memory. In the negative, the corresponding file is downloaded from a web server through internet [5].

Meanwhile, a virtual city complex can be formed by integrating a plurality of virtual space pages newly produced by using avatar according to the page editor method described above (refer to Fig. 6). In other words, although the above description pertains to a virtual space page with a single chatting page provided by a server, a virtual city can be formed by collecting a plurality of virtual space pages.

This can be realized by a system shown in Fig. 7. A virtual city component file 41 is saved in a web server 17 so that a virtual city component 41a, which has an additional function of linking and displaying a plurality of virtual space pages in comparison with the virtual space page component 29 as described with reference to Fig. 1, can be run in a browser 27 of the user's PC. As in the case of Fig. 1, graphic/audio objects 21, a definition file 21 , virtual space description files 25 are saved in the web server. According to the best mode shown in Fig. 7, virtual city description files 43 are additionally stored in the web server.

Fig. 8 shows the virtual city description file comprising a header section for defining a name and a size of the city, and a city description section. As described with reference to Fig. 2, the virtual city description file has a structure similar to the virtual space description file 25. This means that the background of the virtual space is defined by the virtual space description files 25, while the virtual city is defined by the virtual city description files 43.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain best modes thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A method for virtual , space page service provided by using avatar in a system having a web server for operating a virtual space page service using avatar is connected through internet to a user's web browser, in which a virtual space page/page editor component file, graphic/audio objects, a definition file, and virtual space description files are stored; avatar virtual space page component files for displaying a three- dimensional virtual space page, in which avatars can move, on a web browser and for performing chatting among avatars, and a page editor component file for creating a virtual space as desired by the user by editing the space, the method comprising the steps of: 1) accessing a home page of the web server from the web browser by the user;

2) accessing the virtual space page service by means of an assigned ID and a password of the user, if the user is a subscriber, and registering the user as a subscriber if the user is not a subscriber;

3) selecting a mode for calling an avatar virtual space page component file or a mode for calling a page editor component if accessed to the web server of the virtual space page service;

4-1) if the user has selected a mode for calling an avatar virtual space page component file, constructing a page by confirming whether or not a running module and basic objects are stored in the user's PC, downloading the running module and the basic objects from the web server in the negative, downloading a definition file and virtual space description files from the web server, confirming whether or not the objects used in the virtual space page now on a screen are stored in the user's PC, displaying the virtual space page in the affirmative, and downloading the necessary objects from the web server in the negative; and 4-2) if the user has accessed the web server and selected the page editor component file from an initial page, confirming whether or not the running module and the basic objects exist in the user's PC, downloading the definition file and the virtual space description files in the affirmative, downloading the running module and the basic objects from the web server in the negative, and confirming whether or not the objects used in the editor page to be displayed on the screen exist in the user's PC, displaying an editor page by downloading the necessary objects in the negative, confirming whether or not the objects necessary for editing the virtual space page in the displayed editor page by the user exist in the user's PC, downloading the necessary objects from the web server in the negative, and producing/editing a page by using the corresponding objects, and transmitting the virtual space page produced/edited in the user's PC to the web server, and storing in the same.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of assigning an original URL to the virtual space page produced/edited in the user's PC so that third parties can visit the corresponding page and chat with other visitors.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the definition file comprises: a graphic/audio object ID definition section for assigning IDs to each graphic/audio object and grouping according to the kinds thereof; and an avatar motion definition section for assigning IDs according to motions thereof and assigning names to each avatar, and a virtual space description file comprises: a header section including a title of the virtual space, an ID of a background music file, data on a size of the screen, data on a size of the tile; an general graphic object description section including IDs of each object, data on positions of objects on a coordinate, and data on site link; and a tile graphic object description section including an ID of the tile, data on positions of the tile and data on site link.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of forming a virtual city complex by integrating a plurality of virtual space pages produced in the page editor component file mode by including a virtual city component file.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of forming a virtual city complex by integrating a plurality of virtual space pages produced in the page editor component file mode by including a virtual city component file.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a virtual city description file including a header section for defining a name and a size of the city, and a virtual city description section for defining properties of the city.

7. A system for virtual space page service using avatar, comprising: an avatar virtual space page component file run on a web browser for interpreting a virtual space description file to display a three-dimensional virtual space on a web browser, and providing an environment to enable avatars to chat among themselves including a user; and a page editor component file for creating a virtual space as desired by the user by editing a virtual environment at his/her own discretion, characterized in that a web server for operating a virtual space page service using avatar is connected through internet to a user's web browser, in which a virtual space page/page editor component file, graphic/audio objects, a definition file, and virtual space description files are stored, the description file comprises: a graphic/audio object ID definition section for assigning IDs to each graphic/audio object and grouping the objects according to the kinds thereof, and an avatar motion definition section for assigning IDs according to motions thereof and assigning names to each avatar, and the virtual space description file comprises: a header section including a title of the virtual space an ID of a background music file, data on a size of the screen, data on a size of the tile; an general graphic object description section including IDs of each object, data on positions of objects on a coordinate, and data on site link; and a tile graphic object description section including an ID of the tile, data on positions of the tile and data on site link.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein an original URL is assigned to the virtual space edited through the page editor component file by the user so that third parties can access the edited virtual space through the URL.

9. The system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the web server includes a virtual city component file to form a virtual city complex by integrating a plurality of avatar virtual space pages produced in a page editor component file mode.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a header section for defining a name and a size of the city, and virtual city description files for defining properties of a town.