USRE44054E1 - Graphic chatting with organizational avatars - Google Patents
Graphic chatting with organizational avatars Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE44054E1 USRE44054E1 US11/820,500 US82050007A USRE44054E US RE44054 E1 USRE44054 E1 US RE44054E1 US 82050007 A US82050007 A US 82050007A US RE44054 E USRE44054 E US RE44054E
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- user
- image
- users
- organization
- organizational
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime, expires
Links
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 147
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 94
- 230000008451 emotion Effects 0.000 claims description 30
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000006854 communication Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000010399 physical interaction Effects 0.000 claims 15
- 230000002996 emotional effect Effects 0.000 claims 12
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 claims 12
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007175 bidirectional communication Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000115929 Anabolia appendix Species 0.000 description 1
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 102100036300 Golgi-associated olfactory signaling regulator Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101710204059 Golgi-associated olfactory signaling regulator Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001323321 Pluto Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282941 Rangifer tarandus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003542 behavioural effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000872 buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000021443 coca cola Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000571 coke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000009508 confectionery Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037308 hair color Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005549 size reduction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008685 targeting Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/107—Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
Definitions
- Appendices A-C which are a part of the present disclosure, and which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, are attached herewith in the form of microfiche consisting of a total of 13 sheets that contain a total of 1,074 frames.
- Appendix A contains source code of computer programs and related data of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, for use in a Personal Computer (such as a PC available from Dell Corporation) running the Microsoft NT Operating System.
- the software in Appendix A can be compiled with a Visual C++ compiler (version 4.0 or later) available from Microsoft Corporation.
- Appendix B describes an architecture of the computer programs and data of Appendix A.
- Appendix C describes a business plan for use of the computer programs and data of Appendix A.
- a link to the Internet or to a commercial service network provides an individual with the opportunity to interact with others who are connected to the network.
- Users of an on-line service may interact through a chat session as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,731 that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- a user typically accesses a chat service website through a personal computer of the type shown in FIG. 1A .
- Personal computer 30 includes a processor chassis 32 in which is mounted a floppy disk drive 34 , which is suitable for reading and writing data from and to floppy disk (now shown), and a hard drive 36 suitable for nonvolatile storage of data and executable programs.
- a monitor 38 is included for displaying graphics and text produced when an executable program is being run on the personal computer and for use in connection with the present invention, for displaying a graphic chat session to a user.
- Input can be provided to personal computer 30 using either a mouse 40 for manipulating a cursor (not shown) on monitor 38 , which is used for selecting menu items and graphic controls displayed on the monitor by pressing an appropriate selection button (not shown) on the mouse, or by input entered by the user on a keyboard 50 .
- processor chassis 32 includes a CD-ROM drive 47 , which is suitable for reading programs and data from a CD-ROM.
- an external modem 41 is coupled to a serial port on processor chassis 32 .
- a modem may be included internally within processor chassis 32 . The modem also connects to a telephone line to convey signals bi-directionally between computer 30 and a server at a remote on-line service (not shown) to which other participants in a chat session are connected in a similar fashion.
- FIG. 1B shows an example of a graphic chatroom as it appears on the monitor of a display device, typically a computer 30 .
- a graphic chatroom may assume an animated on-screen personality called “avatar.”
- avatar 9 which represents the host of the chatroom, welcomes participants with an introductory text message 8 .
- avatar 9 is displayed (see act 10 ) by computer 30 at an initial location on monitor 38 ( FIG. 1A ), and thereafter computer 30 checks if the mouse has moved (in act 11 ), and if so, receives (in act 12 ) the new position, and transfers the new position to other computers (of other participants in the chat session), and displays (in act 13 ) the avatar in the new location on monitor 38 .
- a chatroom participant 20 can manipulate its avatar by using the keyboard 50 and mouse 40 of his computer 30 .
- An avatar's response to the input appears to be real-time to a participant 20 .
- Manipulation of an avatar can result in not only moving an avatar from one locale to another on the screen, but also expressing emotions, dancing, sending a text message, or sleeping, among other options.
- FIG. 2 shows a block diagram 31 in which components housed within processor chassis 32 (of FIG. 1A ) are illustrated.
- a motherboard (not shown) includes a data bus 33 , which provides bi-directional communication between these components and a CPU 53 .
- the components include a display interface 35 , which drives monitor 38 , providing the video signals necessary to produce a graphic display during the chat session and when running other executable programs running on the personal computer.
- a hard drive and floppy drive interface 37 provides bi-directional communication between floppy drive 34 and hard drive 36 , and data bus 33 , enabling data and machine instructions comprising executable programs to be stored and later read into a memory 51 .
- Memory 51 includes both a read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
- the ROM is used for storing a basic input/output operating system used in booting up personal computer 30 and other instructions essential for its operation.
- Machine instructions comprising executable programs are loaded into the RAM via data bus 33 to control CPU 53 .
- a serial/mouse port 39 provides an interface for mouse 40 a data bus 33 so that signals indicative of movement of the mouse and actuation of the buttons on the mouse are input to CPU 53 .
- An optional CD-ROM interface 59 couples optional CD-ROM drive 47 to data bus 33 and may comprise a small computer system interface or other appropriate type of interface designed to respond to the signals output from CD-ROM drive.
- a sound card 43 is connected to data bus 33 and its output is coupled to an amplifier and speaker system 52 to provide a sound capability for personal computer 30 .
- Output signals from keyboard 50 are connected to a keyboard interface 45 , which conveys the signals from the keyboard to data bus 33 .
- an internal modem 54 can be provided, which is coupled directly to data bus 33 .
- external modem 41 can be connected to the data bus through a serial port of personal computer 30 . It should be noted that instead of using a conventional modem, other types of digital adapters can be used to couple personal computer 30 to a telephone line.
- Client and server software in the Tc1/TK language to implement a graphic chatroom is available from, for example, http://openverse.org/.
- An example of virtual reality software for use in forming graphic chatrooms is at http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/ ⁇ graphics/MRToolkit.html that describes a MR (Minimal Reality) Toolkit for the production of virtual reality systems and other forms of three-dimensional user interfaces.
- graphic chat sessions are becoming more practical.
- some or all of the participants are represented by avatars or icons that are grouped in a graphic environment or “world.”
- the display screen on each participant's computer commonly includes a chat pane and a message entry pane.
- the person's identifier, moniker, or name is added to a list.
- a number of different avatars are provided from which a participant may make a selection.
- a participant selects an avatar by using the keyboard 50 and/or the mouse 40 on a pop-up window of the sort depicted in FIG. 3A .
- the participant has the opportunity to customize the avatar selected and alter the appearance of the avatar as used in various gestures or animations that can occur during a chat session.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,731 for further details on user selection of avatars, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,731 (incorporated by reference above).
- Some chatrooms even allow the participants to upload (from outside of the chatroom software) a picture or icon into the chatroom, e.g. if participants see an icon they want to use as an avatar at a website.
- a website that has icons available for use as avatars is illustrated in FIG. 3B (see http://members.tripod.com/ ⁇ mYLaGe/misc2.html). Therefore, pictures that could be used as avatars include M&M® characters 81 and 82 ( FIG. 3B ). It is also well known to use M&M® characters in PC games, such as “The Lost Formulas” available from Simon & Schuster Interactive.
- a user may create their own icon for use as an avatar, e.g. by use of a graphics editor such as Paint Shop Pro available from Jasc Software, Inc. 7905 Fuller Road, Eden Prairie, Minn. Legal protection for such characters is described by, for example, Pierce O'Donnell in the article entitled “What You Need To Know About Character Protection—Has James Bond Made the World Safe For You?” available through the Internet at http://www.legalelite.com/articles/(a)podonnell01.htm.
- Avatars can move freely throughout sites, express themselves through gestures and body language, as well as interact with the environment by playing games, moving objects, decorating rooms, participating in presentations with other users, and making purchases from interests generated from within the chatroom.
- chat sessions involving a well-known person hundreds of people may join the session, but only the host and the moderator are active in the chat session. All other participants are simply observers. However, one or more provisions may be made to display previously submitted questions from the observers for the guest.
- the host controls the chat session.
- the virtual space in which each chat session occurs is sometimes referred to as a “room” because the participants interactively communicate in the way they would communicate in a real room.
- each participant in a graphic chatroom controls only his/her avatar in the chatroom, and each avatar in the chatroom is controlled by one participant.
- a user may acquire supervisory powers to control images on the displays.
- some chatrooms have “acolytes” that act as a chatroom police. Avatars can page an acolyte if they encounter an offensive behavior. An acolyte can then try to reason with the offender, or mute the offender if he cannot be reasoned with.
- Online communities can be formed using Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML).
- VRML Virtual Reality Markup Language
- Business applications for such communities are described in, for example, “The Business Benefits of Online Communities” by Amy Oringel and Konstantin Guericke, available at http://www.vrmlsite.com/apr97/a.cgi/spot3.html.
- multi-user virtual communities were mainly considered a vehicle for gaming and entertainment.
- gaming and entertainment markets will continue to grow, a greater profitability lies in the business applications of virtual communities.
- Shared virtual environments provide companies with personalized communication channels that can be used for a myriad of purposes, such as reaching the target market or collaborating to develop a successful internal framework. Natural interactions in virtual environments offer a heightened experience to users and a cost-effective model to the hosts.
- the shared environments are often not as effective as a live company representative who can form a more personal bond with a potential customer than an order form.
- This lack of personal bond prevents shared environments from being as effective of a customer interaction channel as it can be.
- Customer service, shopping malls, trade shows, and sales showrooms are examples of applications that could significantly benefit from the shared virtual environments if the problem of lack of personal bond can be solved.
- a method and system in accordance with the invention display on a computer or television screen an image that represents a live person communicating with one or more users.
- an organization also called “controlling organization”
- the organization's ownership rights in the image may arise from, for example, copyright law and/or trademark law.
- the controlling organization may own the copyright to a particular character, for example Superman.
- the controlling organization may have acquired trademark rights to an image by using the image in commerce. With both copyrights and trademarks, the image may be registered with the government (e.g. with the copyright or trademark office as appropriate).
- an image displayed on a computer screen to represent a live person communicating through a computer (or television) with (e.g. send a message to or receive a message from) other persons is hereinafter referred to as an “avatar.”
- an organizational avatar is owned by an organization.
- An organizational avatar is different from another type of avatar (hereinafter referred to as “generic avatar”) that merely represents any user in a virtual environment, in that the image of the organizational avatar holds a value or a significance that is independent from its use as an avatar.
- the present invention therefore, pertains to a new class of avatars.
- a user can interact with an organizational avatar in a number of ways. For example, a user can talk to an organizational avatar at a website or in a graphic chatroom (that may provide, for example, a first person view) without using an avatar to represent himself/herself. Alternatively, a user may use an avatar (in a chatroom that provides, for example, a third person view) to represent himself/herself. Depending on the chatroom, a user's choice of avatars may or may not be limited to generic avatars; in some embodiments, the user may not be permitted to choose an organizational avatar. A user who uses an avatar to represent himself in a chatroom may make his avatar not only express various emotions, but also make it physically interact with another avatar, for example by punching, shoving, or lifting another avatar.
- an organization uses an organizational avatar to officially represent the organization.
- This embodiment allows an employee of the controlling organization to communicate with customers and potential customers in the manner normally used in a graphic chatroom.
- this embodiment can be made to allow sales transactions in a conversational manner.
- McDonalds Corporation may decide to use a RONALD McDONALD® avatar in any of the publicly available graphic chatrooms to promote McDonalds products while interacting with generic avatars.
- an organization may set up a chatroom (also called “organizational chatroom”) with a background that is related to (e.g. has the same trade dress as) its product or service, and use an organizational avatar as the host of the organizational chatroom.
- a chatroom also called “organizational chatroom”
- TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. which owns Kentucky Fried Chicken®
- TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. can hire an employee to use a notorious Sanders avatar in its organizational chatroom and talk to other users who visit the Kentucky Fried Chicken® chatroom, e.g., answer questions about ingredients and calories in meals served at the restaurant.
- an organizational chatroom may be used as an online shop, and an employee using an organizational avatar may enter into sales contracts with users of generic avatars, e.g. for the organization to sell goods and/or services to the users.
- the backgrounds for organizational chatrooms can be designed using tiles, which are picture fragments that can be arranged like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle on a computer or television screen to create a background.
- a chatroom software that uses tiles for the background has an archive of different types of tiles. Any number of each type of tile can be retrieved from the archive and placed on the desired spot of a computer or television screen to create a background.
- Use of tiles can reduce the file size for expressing various backgrounds by several times (e.g. can reduce to 1/10) as compared to prior art backgrounds.
- a controlling organization permits the use of organizational avatars, such as avatars of M&M® figures or Barbie dolls, to participants other than the controlling organization.
- organizational avatars such as avatars of M&M® figures or Barbie dolls
- all users of a graphic chatroom may be represented by avatars owned by a single organization.
- An organization may allow users to use the organizational avatars free of charge for the purpose of familiarizing the user(s) with the particular products represented by organizational avatars. By familiarizing the user(s) with the products of the controlling organization, the organization effectively advertises its products.
- free usage of organizational avatars may be allowed indefinitely, may be allowed only prior to the release of a related product, or may be allowed a limited number of times (or over a limited duration).
- a graphic chatroom requires the user to enter a password which the user can only obtain by purchasing a product or service of the organization that operates the chatroom.
- the chatroom software may, for example, require that the user enter a unique number imprinted on a hidden portion of the packaging of a product. Users that are unable to enter such a password may be limited to using generic avatars (selected from a predetermined list), or may not even be allowed to enter the chatroom.
- a restriction in the use of organizational avatars that apply only to non-owners of the corresponding products induces those who are familiar with the avatars to purchase the products.
- having a doll on hand in the real world and using the corresponding avatar online provides a child with a novel touch that is not available to prior art users of graphic chatrooms.
- an organizational avatar may be used in a graphic chatroom, its use is not limited to graphic chatrooms.
- a controlling organization such as McDonalds Corporation, may wish to use one of its avatars, for example an avatar of RONALD McDONALD®, in its website.
- real-time online communication methods such as America Online Instant Messenger, may eventually become graphic and implement organizational avatars. Since the image of RONALD McDONALD® is already familiar to many McDonalds® customers, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar can be effectively used as a spokesperson for McDonalds Corporation.
- Organizational avatars provide organizations with increased connectivity and interactivity with their customers, thereby providing a cost-effective way of marketing and advertising. For example, whereas employees in McDonalds restaurants only focus on selling the various food items on the menu, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar promotes goodwill and collects data from customers in addition to selling the menu items online. Organizational avatars are especially cost-effective when they reside in the Internet which is accessible worldwide, although organizational avatars as described herein can also be distributed on storage media, such as CD-ROMs. Through organizational avatars, companies can market their product or collect data from all over the world. With online activities becoming more prevalent among children and teens, companies that target younger age groups are especially likely to benefit from organizational avatars.
- FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional perspective view of use of a personal computer and modem by a user of a prior art graphic chatroom;
- FIG. 1B is a front view of monitor 38 of FIG. 1A showing an example of a prior art chatroom with an avatar and a message in a message box;
- FIG. 1C is a flowchart depicting acts performed by computer 30 of FIG. 1A in response to the movement of a mouse;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating components in a processor chasis 32 of FIG. 1A ;
- FIG. 3A is a character selection dialog box enabling a user to select an avatar in the graphic chatroom illustrated in FIG. 1B ;
- FIG. 3B is a set of images available for use in a prior art graphic chatroom.
- FIG. 4A illustrates a computer showing an organizational avatar in a graphic chatroom in accordance with the invention
- FIG. 4B illustrates, in a flow chart of one embodiment, acts associated with display of the organizational avatar of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 4C illustrates, in a schematic block diagram the computer of FIG. 4A interconnected by the Internet to a server computer, and to other computers;
- FIG. 4D illustrates, in a flowchart, a process of transferring messages and mouse movements among chatroom participants via the server computer of FIG. 4C ;
- FIG. 4E illustrates chat session participants engaged in a chat session without involving the server computer of FIG. 4C ;
- FIG. 5A illustrates a computer screen showing an organizational avatar in a chatroom having in the background a trade dress owned by the owner of the organizational avatar;
- FIG. 5B illustrates a chat session wherein the background comprises tiles
- FIG. 5C illustrates different types of tiles and possible arrangements of tiles across the computer or television screen to depict a background
- FIG. 5D illustrates, in a flowchart, a process of purchasing a product or service through an organizational avatar
- FIG. 5E illustrates a computer screen showing organizational avatars wherein the organizational avatars are sports team mascot(s);
- FIG. 6A illustrates a computer screen showing a organizational avatar interacting with generic avatars and using an object in a chatroom
- FIG. 6B illustrates an avatar in a punching motion.
- FIG. 6C illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed by the server computer of FIG. 4C to automatically determine the position of the object of FIG. 6A ;
- FIGS. 7A and 7C illustrate a computer screen showing an organizational avatar and a generic avatar exchanging messages about the organization, in a chatroom that does not have the organization's trademark or tradedress in the background;
- FIG. 7B illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed to support a chatroom of the type illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7C ;
- FIG. 8A illustrates a computer screen showing a organizational avatar and a generic avatar in a chatroom that has a trademark in the background, wherein the trademark is not owned by the organization that owns the organizational avatar;
- FIG. 8B illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed to support a chatroom of the type illustrated in FIG. 8A ;
- FIG. 8C illustrates a computer screen showing an on-line shop wherein an employee of the shop manipulates a character avatar
- FIG. 8D illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed to support a display of the type illustrated in FIG. 8C ;
- FIG. 9A illustrates a computer screen showing a chatroom wherein each participant in a chat session manipulates an organizational avatar
- FIG. 9B illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed to support a chatroom of the type illustrated in FIG. 9A ;
- FIG. 9C illustrates a computer screen showing a character selection dialog box enabling a participant to select a BARBIE® avatar
- FIG. 9D illustrates a basketball chatroom entered by the participant after selection of an avatar as illustrated in FIG. 9C ;
- FIG. 10A illustrates a computer screen showing a chatroom wherein each participant in a chat session manipulates a character avatar
- FIG. 10B illustrates, in a flowchart, acts performed to support a chatroom of the type illustrated in FIG. 10A .
- the present invention pertains to a new class of avatars.
- the new class of avatars (“organizational avatars”) in accordance with the present invention holds a value or a significance independent from their use in a virtual environment.
- an organizational avatar is in the image of a trademark, such as Mickey Mouse, Colonel Sanders, or Pikachu (a Pokemon character), or a widely recognized symbol, such as Santa Claus.
- Such organizational avatars represent certain organizations, typically the organizations that own rights to the images of the avatars, in virtual environments. Therefore, users of virtual environments can interface various companies by interacting with those companies' organizational avatars. By using organizational avatars, companies of all sizes can increase their interactivity with customers, advertise cost effectively, and promote a positive image for their products.
- a method and system in accordance with the invention display (e.g., as illustrated by act 122 of FIG. 4B ) on a screen 111 ( FIG. 4A ) of a computer 110 (that is similar or identical to computer 30 described above, unless noted otherwise) an image 112 that represents a live person transferring information (as illustrated by act 123 of FIG. 4B ) to/from one or more users.
- the live person enters into a contract with an owner of image 112 , for use of image 112 .
- image 112 is of Samuel Sanders who founded the Kentucky Fried Chicken® business, and who served as its spokesperson when he was alive.
- image 112 As an avatar (also called “organizational avatar”) has a contract (as per act 121 of FIG. 4B ) with the Kentucky Fried Chicken® business (e.g. with TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. which owns the business Kentucky Fried Chicken®
- image 112 that is used to form an avatar is of a character that represents one of: a person (e.g. Ronald McDonald), an animal (e.g. Mickey Mouse), or a thing (e.g. a rocking chair).
- image 112 is not limited in any manner, and in fact can be any image whatsoever (e.g. can be real and/or imaginary).
- image 112 may be received (see act 126 of FIG. 4B ) by computer 110 either over the Internet (e.g. from a website of the controlling organization that requires the user of computer 110 to enter into the contract, which may be, for example, a click-wrap agreement), or from a computer readable storage medium (e.g. that is packaged in a shrinkwrap that requires the user to enter into a shrink-wrap agreement).
- computer 110 receives software (such as a chatroom client or a 3D browser) from the controlling organization in the same manner as image 112 .
- software may include a feature that prevents use of image 112 outside of the software (e.g. to permit only use of image 112 as authorized by the agreement).
- the software may be a graphic chatroom software that permits use of image 112 only with a server computer operated by the controlling organization.
- the software may be in the form of JAVA bytecodes that include image 112 , so that image 112 is inaccessible when the software is not being used.
- the image may be made usable only with the software sold or provided by the particular organization that creates and controls certain chatrooms.
- An implementation may also be set up so that image 112 is simply located (without any protection, such as encryption) in an appropriate directory in computer 110 that relates to the application software (e.g. C: ⁇ ProgramFiles ⁇ OpenVerse ⁇ ) in case of OpenVerse.
- application software e.g. C: ⁇ ProgramFiles ⁇ OpenVerse ⁇
- misuse of image 112 is not prevented by an engineering mechanism, and instead legal remedies are used to prevent misuse.
- the only difference between a prior art system and a system of this invention is the specific use of image 112 .
- use of image 112 may be restricted via software mechanisms, depending on the various embodiments.
- image 112 is to be used only by the owner of image 112
- software of the prior art is modified so that (1) the choices of avatars that are available to users is limited to a predetermined list that only allows selection of a generic avatar and (2) the choices of avatars that are available to the owner of image 112 includes at least the image 112 .
- the software automatically makes adjustments, for example in hair color or the color of the shirt, in order to avoid the presence of identical avatars in a shared environment.
- image 112 is displayed by a browser in the users' computers, and access to image 112 is provided through websites that are trusted by users, such as the organization's website, a virtual mall (that provides access to a number of such chatrooms), or a directory service (such as YAHOO®). Providing access to image 112 from trusted websites provides an assurance to the users (who use such access) that they are dealing with the genuine organization, and not with an unknown entity. Depending on the implementation, digital certificates may be used to improve confidence of such users.
- image 112 may be a line drawing, a picture, or just portions of such a drawing/picture that together form a trade-dress.
- An organization's ownership rights in such an image 112 may arise from, e.g. copyright law and/or trademark law.
- the organization (or owner) registers image 112 with the government, e.g. in the copyright office or the trademark office.
- Registration of image 112 if performed by the controlling organization, can be performed at any time relative to acts 121 - 123 (described above), depending on the embodiment.
- image 112 need not be registered, and may be a character (such as Superman) that is owned, as per copyright law, by the organization as discussed below in reference to FIG.
- image 112 is used in commerce (as illustrated by act 125 in FIG. 4B ) to acquire ownership rights (e.g. as per trademark law), even though not registered.
- image 112 may have been used to identify the organization itself (e.g. in an advertisement in the real world, such as a billboard or newspaper advertisement), as in the case of the image of Chris Sanders that is used with the initials “KFC” to represent the Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant.
- image 112 may have been used to identify a product (or service) provided by the organization, and to distinguish from the product (or service) from others (e.g. on a store shelf), as in the case of an image of a Coke® bottle (which is a product in the real world) which may be used as an avatar to represent the Coca-Cola Company.
- a trade dress of an organization (which is acquired by use of a packaging or design of a product (or service) either in the real world or in the on-line world to identify source) may also be used to form image 112 .
- the examples refer to registered trade marks that are well recognized, although as noted above the trade marks need not be registered.
- image 112 may have been used to indicate a source of a product or service even if that source is unknown, as in the case of an image of Mr. Clean (which may be used as an avatar) used to indicate a source of “Mr. Clean Wipes-Ups” Kitchen wipes and Bathroom wipes, although users may not know that Mr. Clean is a mark of Proctor and Gamble.
- image 112 may identify a level of quality of a product or service, e.g. as in the case of “Mr. Clean Wipes-Ups.”
- image 112 may be a symbol that invokes goodwill among the users, again as in the case of Mr. Clean.
- image 112 that evokes goodwill is the image of RONALD McDONALDTM (a statue of which is commonly found in McDonald's restaurants), that may be used as described herein to represent on a computer screen a real live customer service representative of McDonald's Corporation. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, an image that is used to form an organizational avatar as described herein includes but is not limited to an image protected by the Lanham Act (the Trademark Act of 1946), as defined at, for example, 15 U.S.C. ⁇ 1127 that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- Lanham Act the Trademark Act of 1946
- This invention does not cover use of an image 112 as an avatar by a person not authorized by the controlling organization, if image 112 is owned by the controlling organization.
- the controlling organization has a contract with the person (that is being represented by the avatar), who may be, for example, (1) an employee (or contractor) that represents the organization to the user or (2) another user, e.g. of software provided by the organization to advertise products or services to such users.
- Use of such an image 112 by an unauthorized person may be prosecuted by the controlling organization under other legal theories, such as trade mark, trade dress, right of publicity and unfair competition (e.g. misrepresentation) laws.
- an organization uses an organizational avatar to officially represent the organization, e.g. in a graphic chatroom accessed from the organization's website.
- Software for such a graphic chatroom may be automatically downloaded into computer 110 ( FIG. 4A ) in the form of JAVA bytecodes, as soon as a user indicates an interest in interacting with a live person when visiting the organization's website.
- the organization's chatroom may be a portion of a virtual mall, and software for the virtual mall may be already loaded in computer 110 .
- Such graphic chatroom software causes a number of computers 110 A- 110 N (wherein A ⁇ I ⁇ N. N being the total number of users) to have an identical display on their respective monitors as illustrated in FIG. 4C .
- Each of the corresponding users 20 A- 20 N that operate the respective computers 110 A- 110 N is represented in the display by a corresponding avatar 120 A- 120 N.
- Avatars (also called “generic avatars”) 120 A- 120 N may be formed by images that are not identified with any specific organization, product or service as per trademark law, and that are not characters of the type protected as per copyright law (e.g. not owned by an organization other than the controlling organization).
- avatars 120 A- 120 N may be formed as stick figures as illustrated in FIG. 4C .
- the display includes at least one organizational avatar 120 Q that represents another user 20 Q who is a spokesperson for the controlling organization. Therefore, in this embodiment there are two classes of avatars: organizational avatars used by organizations, and generic avatars used by users. So, an employee of a business, and customers (or potential customers) communicate with one another (send and receive messages) in the manner normally used in a graphic chatroom, and transact business in a conversational manner.
- Use of organizational avatar 120 Q to conduct business allows an organization's employee to 20 Q evoke good will of users 20 A- 20 N for the organization, as compared to use of a generic avatar 120 I that does not evoke such feeling.
- user 20 Q's physical characteristics such as race, gender, clothing, and physical handicap
- use of a graphic chatroom to conduct business provides customers with a real-world feel, e.g. because customers can discuss their common problems amongst themselves. Therefore, use of an organizational avatar 20 Q in a graphic chat room as described herein provides advantages' of both, the real world and the on-line world.
- a server computer 130 is programmed with chat software 131 to assist in transfer of information (as illustrated by act 123 of FIG. 4B ) among computers 120 A- 120 N and a computer 120 Q that is operated by user 20 Q.
- chat software 131 to assist in transfer of information (as illustrated by act 123 of FIG. 4B ) among computers 120 A- 120 N and a computer 120 Q that is operated by user 20 Q.
- FIG. 4E such a server computer is not used and instead, an organizational computer 139 Q communicates directly with user computer 1391 (note that there may be any number of such user computers). Such direct communication (without server computer 130 ) may take place via the Internet, or may also be via dial-up into computer 139 Q.
- Server computer 130 maintains local buffers 132 A- 132 N and 132 Q to hold data related to corresponding users 20 A- 20 N and 20 Q.
- computer 120 Q may receive a message or mouse movement (or a clickstream of arrow keys) from user 20 Q (as illustrated by act 133 in FIG. 4D ) and transmit this information to server computer 130 ( FIG. 4C ).
- Server computer 130 in turn saves this information in its memory (e.g., in a memory location specific to user 20 Q), and supplies the information (as illustrated by act 134 in FIG. 4D ) to all users (e.g. to each of computers 120 A- 120 N that update their respective displays in the normal manner).
- a user computer 120 Q updates the display locally, so as to make the avatar responses to mouse movements appear more realtime than if the update is performed through a server.
- chat software 131 in computer 130 is programmed to permit one or more of users 120 A- 120 N to be “black-listed” by user 120 Q.
- a user 1201 may be black-listed if s/he misbehaves by making obscene comments.
- users may be simply “muted” wherein only messages from such users are blocked.
- users that are muted may be allowed to “whisper.”
- Users may be “muted” for reasons other than misbehavior, e.g. if there is insufficient room (i.e.
- the number N of users exceeds a predetermined maximum that can be serviced by a single employee 20 Q, an example of such a maximum is 10).
- users have to wait their turn to speak with an organizational avatar, and are automatically “muted” upon entry into the graphic chatroom. Only a user whose turn it is to speak is “un-muted” As in the normal manner, users that are muted and/or black-listed can observe everything in the graphic chat room, but cannot participate in the discussion.
- computer 120 Q receives (as illustrated by act 135 in FIG. 4D ) from user 20 Q an instruction about black-listing of user 20 A, and transmits the instruction to computer 130 .
- Computer 130 informs user 20 A about being black-listed, and updates a database of black-listed users (e.g. may mark in memory region 132 A that user is black-listed). Similar acts are performed to remove a user from the black-list.
- Users 20 A- 20 N communicate with one another in the normal manner of a graphic chatroom. For example, a computer 12 ON receives (see act 137 in FIG. 4D ) a message, emotion, mouse movement or other such information from user 20 N and transfers this information to server 130 .
- Server 130 checks (see act 138 ) the database to see if user 20 N that generated the information is black-listed, and if not transfers the information to all of computers 120 A- 120 N and computer 120 Q.
- computers 130 and 120 Q are both owned and operated by the controlling organization. Therefore, the functionality of these two computers can be combined into a single computer to yield the architecture illustrated in FIG. 4D .
- computer 120 Q may be the only computer owned and/or operated by the controlling organization, and server computer 130 may be owned and/or operated by a service provider (in which case the organization need not deal with operation and maintenance of computer 130 ).
- an organization operates a chatroom (also called “organizational chatroom”) having a background 141 ( FIG. 5A ) that is related to (e.g. has the same trade dress as or contains a trade mark of) the product or service the organization offers, and an image 142 that has a similar relation (which is used as an organizational avatar).
- chatroom also called “organizational chatroom”
- background 141 FIG. 5A
- image 142 that has a similar relation
- TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. (“TriCon”) may set up a chatroom with a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant in its background and hire an employee to talk to other users by using a notorious Sanders avatar 142 .
- TriCon may hire the chatroom service provider to create a chatroom with a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant in its background.
- TriCon may have the chatroom service also provide one or more organizational avatars for the chatroom.
- the background can be built using a number of tiles 140 A- 140 N (wherein A ⁇ I ⁇ N, N being the total number of tiles) and objects 144 A- 144 Z that are displayed over such tiles, as shown in FIG. 5B .
- Tiles 140 A- 140 N are graphic segments that can be arranged to depict the desired background.
- Each tile 140 I can be either the same as or different from another tile 140 J.
- Such tiles can be selected to form a background 148 ( FIG. 5C ) from a list 149 (also in FIG. 5C ) that shows tiles of various colors and patterns.
- Each tile 140 I occupies a spot on the computer or television screen, as depicted by the rectangles 146 in FIG. 5C .
- a one-tree tile 140 A, two-tree tile 140 B are shown arranged alternating with one another to form a row 147 to depict a snow-covered field.
- Objects 144 A- 144 Z (wherein A ⁇ I ⁇ Z. Z being the total number of objects) such as small landmarks 144 A or snowman 144 B can be placed on top of the tiles to embellish the background.
- Various avatars 120 A- 120 R move around on top of such a background.
- a tiled background as illustrated in FIG. 5C can be constructed, simply by clicking on a tile in list 149 and then clicking at a location in window 150 where the tile is to be placed.
- an entire background can be quickly and easily constructed by any person, without the need to learn and use a conventional graphics editor.
- tiled backgrounds can be downloaded more quickly than a conventional background in the form of an image in a single “.jpg” or “.gif” file. For example, if a single tile were used repeatedly at each of a number of locations of a background, to form the entire background consisting of 100 tiles, the speed to download the single tile is 100 times faster.
- Tiles 140 A- 140 N and objects 144 A- 144 M is well suited for use with organizational avatars of the type described herein.
- tiles in a background are easy to change without having to redraw the entire background, making them ideal for advertisements that change over time. For example, a tile having the letter “M” to advertise McDonalds can be replaced with another tile having the letters “KFC” to advertise Kentucky Fried Chicken.
- a billboard 145 in FIG. 5B is an object 144 , it can simply be replaced with another object.
- billboard 145 is formed of a set of individual tiles, that set of tiles (that make up billboard 145 ) can be replaced with different tiles to change the content of the billboard.
- a chatroom service provider can customize the background to accommodate different organizations (e.g. the same background can be used with both KFC and McDonalds, if appropriate tiles are replaced). Also, using tiles dramatically reduces the size of the files needed to create backgrounds because the same tile 140 can be chosen as many times as necessary to create the desired background. The memory space that has been freed by the file size reduction can then be used to store a greater variety of tiles, broadening the tile options for background.
- message 143 is about the organization or its product/service, e.g. solicitation of users to work at the restaurant, or answers to questions about ingredients and calories in meals served at the restaurant, recommendation of certain items on the menu.
- message 143 is not about the organization, e.g. may be about current topics in the news (such as the Florida election and changes to the electoral college).
- Robert Sanders avatar 142 may even walk with a user (not shown) into restaurant 141 , and in response, the background changes to depict the inside, rather than the outside, of a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant.
- chatroom may be used as an on-line shop, and an employee using an organizational avatar may enter into sales contracts with users using generic avatars, e.g. for the organization to sell goods and/or services to the users.
- generic avatars e.g. for the organization to sell goods and/or services to the users.
- Chris Sanders avatar 142 may take an order (in act 152 of FIG. 5B ) from a user.
- the user may be provided with a menu for selection of a payment method (wherein the user can select, for example, to pay with a credit card number, or choose to pay upon delivery).
- the default method could be payment on delivery, and the user may be simply informed of this payment method.
- the ordered item is delivered (as illustrated by act 153 ) in real life, to the user's address.
- one or more portions of information about the user that are used to form such a sales contract may be already on file with the organization, in which case the user may simply order selected items from the menu, without being required to provide any further input.
- a sports team may set up a chatroom decorated with the sports team's colors, and use an avatar that resembles the sports team's mascot(s) (such as ACE and DIAMOND in case of Toronto Blue Jays illustrated in FIG. 5E ) as host(s) in the chatroom, e.g. to sell sports paraphernalia and tickets for the next game.
- a customer instead of physically going to or telephoning a business's office or store, a customer can simply use their personal computer to make a purchase, ask questions, or take care of a problem.
- FIGS. 5A and 5E no generic avatars are shown, because these examples illustrated chatrooms that provide a first person view and the user does not use an avatar. Moreover, in these examples, there are either (1) no other users, or (2) other users are black-listed and not visible, or (3) the software supports only one-on-one communication (between organizational avatar(s) and a single user). However, in a more typical example illustrated in FIG. 6 A, the chatroom software provides a third person view, and the user's choice of avatars is limited to generic avatars (such as avatars 161 and 162 ). As noted above, in this example as well, the user is not permitted to choose organizational avatar 163 which is used only by the organization's spokesperson.
- avatars 161 - 163 may or may not be animated.
- a generic avatar that is animated allows a user to interact with an organizational avatar not just by text and sound, but also by movement of limbs and/or gestures.
- Animated avatars can play games using graphic objects, push or punch each other, or make faces at each other, among other activities.
- a computer can effectively make an avatar appear to move by switching rapidly between different images used to represent the same avatar. For example, an avatar can be made to execute a series of punches by switching rapidly between the two images 168 , 169 in FIG. 6B .
- chatroom 164 modeled after a McDonalds(& playroom entertains users, by playing a game with avatars 161 and 162 .
- the controlling organization e.g. McDonald's Corporation
- uses its chatroom FIG. 6A
- the value of organizational avatars as a public relations tool is further enhanced by the fact that the avatars can entertain the chatroom participants in a myriad of ways.
- An organizational avatar 163 can play games using various objects, sing and dance, participate in a race, or perform a magic show. Therefore, chatroom 164 ( FIG. 6A ) serves a purpose other than substituting for a physical store (as described above in reference to FIGS. 5A and 5E ).
- avatar 163 uses a ball 165 to play a game with avatars 161 and 162 . Therefore, a chatroom can be set up to include objects, sounds, or any other embellishment that augment the chatroom's appeal.
- Ball 165 is automatically controlled by server 130 ( FIG. 4C ), in response to movements by avatars 161 - 163 .
- server computer 130 computes (in act 171 of FIG. 6C ) the new position of the ball based on the movement and location of an avatar, and based on location of wall or other obstacle in chatroom 164 ( FIG. 6A ).
- act 172 computer 130 checks if the new position interferes with the current position of an avatar, wall or other obstacle, and if so returns to act 171 and if not goes to act 173 .
- act 173 computer 130 displays the ball at the new position. Thereafter, computer 130 goes to act 174 to check for movement of an avatar, and if so goes to act 171 and otherwise returns to act 173 . Note that computer 130 may implement act 174 by simply waiting on avatar movement, instead of actively checking.
- Avatar 162 is illustrated in FIG. 6A after selection of the “bored” emotion.
- the two classes of avatars have different behavioral options.
- a controlling organization may, for instance, limit the ability of ,organizational avatar 163 to express certain emotions (such as anger and sadness), although generic avatars 161 and 162 are permitted the full range of emotions.
- Limiting organizational avatar 163 's behavior options reduces the likelihood of a user 20 Q ( FIG. 4C ) offending customers, and reducing the good will associated with organizational avatar 163 .
- the “punch” option in the menu 166 may be disabled for the organizational avatar 163 , but not for other users because punching other user avatars might adversely affect McDonalds' image.
- organizational avatar 163 may have the ability to override the commands of users, e.g. mute problematic users.
- An organization that is concerned about maintaining order in its chatroom may automatically record all activities in a chatroom, for playback by a supervisor of user 20 Q ( FIG. 4C ) in case of complaints about user 20 Q.
- a user may choose to whisper (as discussed elsewhere), sleep or morph.
- FIGS. 5A and 6A illustrate use of an organizational avatar with a background that is also owned by the controlling organization
- FIGS. 5E and 7A illustrate chatrooms that have no background.
- the respective messages from organizational avatars 175 and 176 are related to their organization, as illustrated by act 181 in FIG. 7B .
- a text pane 177 may be used to display the message “do you know how many different M&M colors there are” from M&M character 176 .
- avatars 176 and 161 are being used by real live persons to talk to one another in real time.
- voice recordings or even live speech may be exchanged by such users.
- an organizational avatar can participate in a chat session that is not hosted by an owner of the organizational avatar (such chat session is hereinafter “generic chat session”).
- a chat session such chat session is hereinafter “generic chat session”.
- Chris Sanders avatar 142 can enter a chatroom having a generic background that is unrelated to Kentucky Fried Chicken®, if this generic chatroom is accessible from the Kentucky Fried Chicken®t chatroom of FIG. 5A (e.g. in case of a virtual mall).
- server computer 130 displays (see act 182 in FIG. 7B ) such an unrelated background, although displaying (see act 183 ) organizational avatar 142 .
- Generic avatars 161 and 162 may also enter this chatroom ( FIG. 7C ), if the McDonald's chatroom ( FIG.
- chatroom having a background of one organization can be entered by an organizational avatar of another organization, so that the two organization target the same group of consumers, e.g. in case of a virtual mall of the type described above. Therefore, if M&M's® were targeting the same group of customers as Kentucky Fried Chicken®, an agreement to allow each other's organizational avatars in their respective chatrooms would be an effective marketing strategy.
- organizational avatar 176 belonging to M&M® Corporation shows a generic avatar 167 , the way to the M&M® chatroom, from the chatroom of Kentucky Fried Chicken®.
- server computer 130 displays the trademark avatar of M&M® corporation (in act 184 of FIG.
- server computer 130 receives the message and transmits the message to the user in control of generic avatar 167 .
- an organization uses (see act 192 in FIG. 8D ) a character from the public domain to form an avatar.
- FIG. 8C shows a Santa Claus avatar 191 in an organizational chatroom 196 accessible through the organization's website.
- An employee of an organization for example a Christmas store, uses avatar 191 to speak about Santa Claus, about being at the North Pole, and that it's only 10 days to Christmas. Additionally, the avatar 191 may talk about products/services of the Christmas store to visitors of the website (see act 193 in FIG. 8D ).
- the products and/or services may be related to the character (e.g. Christmas gifts in case of Santa Claus).
- avatars in the form of various creatures or objects related to Christmas, such as elves, candy canes, and reindeers.
- users may or may not be able to use one of those Christmas avatars to interact with the Santa Clause avatar 191 .
- the user sends and/or receives messages that are related to Christmas or to the organization's products/services (see act 194 ).
- the information exchange can result in a sale of product/service by the organization (see act 195 ).
- Such use of a well-known character as an organizational avatar has the advantage of receiving instant goodwill from visitors who may not be knowledgeable about the organization.
- the organization may promote its organizational avatar in the mind of the user, e.g. by displaying the image of the avatar at points of sale, and by advertisement and publicity. Such activities may cause the image to achieve “secondary meaning” (the public associates the image with the organization), so that over time an organizational avatar formerly from the public domain now becomes a trade mark of the organization.
- all users of a graphic chatroom are represented by a corresponding number of avatars from a single organization, and each user enters into a contract with the organization for use of the corresponding image (that is owned by the organization).
- images may have a common theme.
- a graphic chatroom 200 entitled “BARBIE” is made available at the website www.barbie.com, and allows users to appear as any one of a number of organizational avatars 201 A- 201 N that each have the same image as the corresponding BARBIE® dolls, such as dolls named Barbie, Christie, Kira and Maria.
- an organization uses a number of images (e.g. that are to be used for avatars 201 A- 201 N) to identify products or services of the organization (see act 211 in FIG. 9B ). Thereafter, a number of users (e.g. that are represented by avatars 201 A- 201 N) contract (as illustrated by act 212 ) with the organization to use such images in their computers. Next, each computer displays (see act 213 ) the images to represent the users, as illustrated in FIG. 9A . Thereafter, server computer 130 programmed with graphic chatroom software 131 transfers (see act 214 in FIG.
- the just-described graphic chatroom of the alternative embodiment may be designed with a background appropriate for the corresponding avatars (see act 215 in FIG. 9B ), e.g. may contain furniture of a BARBIE® doll house, and may be in pink color.
- one or more users are allowed to use such avatars free of charge, so as to familiarize the user(s) with the corresponding products, thereby to serve as an advertisement for the products.
- all avatars used in a chatroom may share a common theme, e.g., all of the avatars can be in the image of BARBIE® dolls.
- all avatars are owned by the same organization, such as avatars in the image of Mickey Mouse, Lion King, and Snow White, all of which are owned by Disney.
- the chatroom software may allow users to use avatars of newly-released or yet-to-be-released BARBIE® dolls, so that users purchase these dolls after using the corresponding avatars (see act 216 of FIG. 9B ).
- free usage of organizational avatars may be allowed indefinitely, or may be allowed only prior to release of a related product, or may be allowed a limited number of times (or over a limited duration).
- the user must purchase such a product prior to use of the organizational avatar.
- the contract described above in reference to act 212 may be formed at the same time that the organization sells a product or service to the user (as illustrated by act 217 ).
- each computer checks (see act 218 ) if a purchase has occurred.
- a character selection screen see FIG. 9C
- the user may be required to enter a password in box 221 , and the password may be available only on purchase of a BARBIE® doll.
- Such a password may be imprinted on a hidden portion of the packaging of the BARBIE® doll, so that the user must open the packaging to retrieve the doll and the password.
- the password may be generic, thereby to allow a user to use any of the various BARBIE® avatars.
- the password may be specific such that only a purchaser of a specific BARBIE® doll, such as the WARRIORS doll, is able to use the corresponding WARRIORS avatar in the graphic chatroom 223 ( FIG. 9D ).
- Users that are unable to enter such a password may be limited to using generic avatars (selected from a predetermined list 222 ), or may not even be allowed to enter chatroom 223 , depending on the implementation. Such restriction in the use of organizational avatars to only owners of the corresponding products induces users to purchase the products.
- an organizational avatar formed by an image that is a trade mark, trade name, service mark or trade dress of an organization is replaced by another organizational avatar that is formed by an image in which the organization has a copyright.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B uses as avatars 301 A- 301 N corresponding characters Simba, Timon and Pumbaa from the DISNEY movie “The Lion King.”
- acts 312 - 318 illustrated in FIG. 10B for use of avatars 301 A- 301 N are similar or identical to the corresponding acts 212 - 218 described above in reference to FIG. 9B .
- the organization acquires rights to the images (e.g.
- the organization may allow use of the characters free of charge, in the hope that at least one of the users buys (see act 316 ) a product or service related to one of the characters, which product or service is sourced by the organization.
- the word “sourced” is used to indicate that the organization itself need not sell the product or service, but may license other organizations to perform such sales.
- Organizational avatars may also be used with Internet-related applications other than chatrooms and websites.
- a real-time mode of communication such as America Online Instant Messenger may implement organizational avatars if it develops graphics capability.
- Organizational avatars provide organizations with increased connectivity and interactivity with their customers, thereby providing a cost-effective way of marketing and advertising. For example, whereas employees in McDonalds restaurants only focus on selling the various food items on the menu, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar promotes goodwill (e.g., by playing games and giving out coupons) and collects data from customers (e.g., by using an online suggestion box) in addition to selling the menu items online. Advertising with organizational avatars can be enhanced by the use of banners around the border of the chatroom background, or by the use of tile advertisements as part of the background.
- Organizational avatars are especially cost-effective in that they reside in the Internet, which is accessible worldwide. Through organizational avatars, companies can interface customers from all over the world. With online activities becoming more prevalent among children and teens, companies that target younger age groups are especially likely to benefit from organizational avatars.
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
- Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
- Operations Research (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
Abstract
A new class of avatars (“organizational avatars”) created in accordance with the present invention holds a value or a significance independent from their use in a virtual environment, unlike the generic avatars whose value is limited to their being used in a chatroom. For example, an organizational avatar may be in the image of a trademark (which may be copyrighted), such as Mickey Mouse, Colonel Sanders, or Pikachu (a Pokemon character). The organizational avatars may represent certain organizations, typically the organizations that own trademark and/or copyright rights to the images used to form the avatars in virtual environments. Therefore, users of virtual environments can interface various companies by interacting with organizational avatars. Alternatively, organizational avatars may represent users independent of the organization, but under a contract with the organization that owns the image the avatars depict. By using organizational avatars, companies of all sizes can increase their interactivity with customers, advertise cost effectively, and promote a positive image for their products. Tiles are used to provide faster download of a chatroom's background. Tiles also allow rapid generation of a chatroom's background, eliminating the need to use a graphics editor.
Description
Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,186. The reissue applications are application Ser. No. 11/820,500 (the present application), which is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,186 and application Ser. Nos. 11/840,939, 11/840,940, 11/840,941, and 11/859,491 all of which are divisional reissues of U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,186.
Appendices A-C which are a part of the present disclosure, and which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, are attached herewith in the form of microfiche consisting of a total of 13 sheets that contain a total of 1,074 frames.
Appendix A contains source code of computer programs and related data of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, for use in a Personal Computer (such as a PC available from Dell Corporation) running the Microsoft NT Operating System. The software in Appendix A can be compiled with a Visual C++ compiler (version 4.0 or later) available from Microsoft Corporation. Appendix B describes an architecture of the computer programs and data of Appendix A. Appendix C describes a business plan for use of the computer programs and data of Appendix A.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Use of a computer for communicating online with others has recently become popular with the increased awareness by the public of the Internet and of services provided by commercial service networks. In addition to enabling access to information and exchange of messages, a link to the Internet or to a commercial service network provides an individual with the opportunity to interact with others who are connected to the network. Users of an on-line service may interact through a chat session as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,731 that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A user typically accesses a chat service website through a personal computer of the type shown in FIG. 1A .
Input can be provided to personal computer 30 using either a mouse 40 for manipulating a cursor (not shown) on monitor 38, which is used for selecting menu items and graphic controls displayed on the monitor by pressing an appropriate selection button (not shown) on the mouse, or by input entered by the user on a keyboard 50. Optionally, processor chassis 32 includes a CD-ROM drive 47, which is suitable for reading programs and data from a CD-ROM. To enable personal computer 30 to communicate during an online chat session, an external modem 41 is coupled to a serial port on processor chassis 32. Optionally, a modem may be included internally within processor chassis 32. The modem also connects to a telephone line to convey signals bi-directionally between computer 30 and a server at a remote on-line service (not shown) to which other participants in a chat session are connected in a similar fashion.
A serial/mouse port 39 provides an interface for mouse 40 a data bus 33 so that signals indicative of movement of the mouse and actuation of the buttons on the mouse are input to CPU 53. An optional CD-ROM interface 59 couples optional CD-ROM drive 47 to data bus 33 and may comprise a small computer system interface or other appropriate type of interface designed to respond to the signals output from CD-ROM drive. Optionally, a sound card 43 is connected to data bus 33 and its output is coupled to an amplifier and speaker system 52 to provide a sound capability for personal computer 30. Output signals from keyboard 50 are connected to a keyboard interface 45, which conveys the signals from the keyboard to data bus 33. If external modem 41 is not used, an internal modem 54 can be provided, which is coupled directly to data bus 33. Alternatively, external modem 41 can be connected to the data bus through a serial port of personal computer 30. It should be noted that instead of using a conventional modem, other types of digital adapters can be used to couple personal computer 30 to a telephone line.
Client and server software in the Tc1/TK language to implement a graphic chatroom is available from, for example, http://openverse.org/. An example of virtual reality software for use in forming graphic chatrooms is at http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/˜graphics/MRToolkit.html that describes a MR (Minimal Reality) Toolkit for the production of virtual reality systems and other forms of three-dimensional user interfaces.
With the increasing use of modems operating at speeds of at least 28.8 Kbps on commercial networks, graphic chat sessions are becoming more practical. As noted above, in a graphic chat session, some or all of the participants are represented by avatars or icons that are grouped in a graphic environment or “world.” In addition to a graphic window showing the chat world, the display screen on each participant's computer commonly includes a chat pane and a message entry pane. When another user joins the chat session, the person's identifier, moniker, or name is added to a list. In some chatrooms, a number of different avatars are provided from which a participant may make a selection. Usually, a participant selects an avatar by using the keyboard 50 and/or the mouse 40 on a pop-up window of the sort depicted in FIG. 3A . Sometimes, the participant has the opportunity to customize the avatar selected and alter the appearance of the avatar as used in various gestures or animations that can occur during a chat session. For further details on user selection of avatars, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,731 (incorporated by reference above).
Some chatrooms even allow the participants to upload (from outside of the chatroom software) a picture or icon into the chatroom, e.g. if participants see an icon they want to use as an avatar at a website. One example of such a website that has icons available for use as avatars is illustrated in FIG. 3B (see http://members.tripod.com/˜mYLaGe/misc2.html). Therefore, pictures that could be used as avatars include M&M® characters 81 and 82 (FIG. 3B ). It is also well known to use M&M® characters in PC games, such as “The Lost Formulas” available from Simon & Schuster Interactive.
Also, a user may create their own icon for use as an avatar, e.g. by use of a graphics editor such as Paint Shop Pro available from Jasc Software, Inc. 7905 Fuller Road, Eden Prairie, Minn. Legal protection for such characters is described by, for example, Pierce O'Donnell in the article entitled “What You Need To Know About Character Protection—Has James Bond Made the World Safe For You?” available through the Internet at http://www.legalelite.com/articles/(a)podonnell01.htm.
During a graphic chat session, comments that have been transmitted by those participating in the chat session appear in a text pane or a speech balloon next to the user's avatar, and any message being entered by the user appears in another pane on the user's computer display screen. Avatars can move freely throughout sites, express themselves through gestures and body language, as well as interact with the environment by playing games, moving objects, decorating rooms, participating in presentations with other users, and making purchases from interests generated from within the chatroom.
In chat sessions involving a well-known person, hundreds of people may join the session, but only the host and the moderator are active in the chat session. All other participants are simply observers. However, one or more provisions may be made to display previously submitted questions from the observers for the guest. The host controls the chat session. The virtual space in which each chat session occurs is sometimes referred to as a “room” because the participants interactively communicate in the way they would communicate in a real room.
Typically, each participant in a graphic chatroom controls only his/her avatar in the chatroom, and each avatar in the chatroom is controlled by one participant. However, a user may acquire supervisory powers to control images on the displays. U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,296, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, discusses power to summon another user, power to create, modify, or delete objects, and an enhanced power to change locales within the chatroom. In order to control the behaviors of avatars, some chatrooms have “acolytes” that act as a chatroom police. Avatars can page an acolyte if they encounter an offensive behavior. An acolyte can then try to reason with the offender, or mute the offender if he cannot be reasoned with.
An article entitled “The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communities” by John Suler, Department of Psychology, Rider University available at http://www.rider.edu/users/suler/psycyber/psyav.html#Types discusses various types of avatars, for example “matching” avatars and “clan” avatars. Matching avatars are designed to accompany each other and indicate a connection or a bond between the members represented by the matching avatars. Clan avatars are worn by members of the same social group. Clan avatars tend to share the same basic design with slight variations to differentiate one avatar from another. As such, each user announces his/her allegiance to the clan by adopting its collective visual appearance, while also maintaining some measure of individuality. Clan avatars are found almost exclusively among adolescents for whom belonging to a peer group—and conforming to its standards—is a developmental hallmark. Considerable creativity and technical skills may go into creating matching avatars and clan avatars.
Online communities can be formed using Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML). Business applications for such communities are described in, for example, “The Business Benefits of Online Communities” by Amy Oringel and Konstantin Guericke, available at http://www.vrmlsite.com/apr97/a.cgi/spot3.html. As stated therein, until recently, multi-user virtual communities were mainly considered a vehicle for gaming and entertainment. Although gaming and entertainment markets will continue to grow, a greater profitability lies in the business applications of virtual communities. Shared virtual environments provide companies with personalized communication channels that can be used for a myriad of purposes, such as reaching the target market or collaborating to develop a successful internal framework. Natural interactions in virtual environments offer a heightened experience to users and a cost-effective model to the hosts.
As noted in the article authored by Amy Oringel and Konstantin Guericke, companies of all sizes can use shared environments over the Internet as open communication channels with their customers. Use of the shared environments benefit the customers by providing them with a way of interacting with the company representatives in a more personalized manner than writing a letter or sending an electronic mail to a faceless employee. Likewise, use of the shared environments benefit the companies by allowing them to reach their target consumers much more easily than with an HTML site. By using the shared environments, companies may receive feedback or offer services. Furthermore, when satisfied customers share their positive experiences with a company and its products, the customers themselves become advocates for the company and its products.
However, the shared environments are often not as effective as a live company representative who can form a more personal bond with a potential customer than an order form. This lack of personal bond prevents shared environments from being as effective of a customer interaction channel as it can be. Customer service, shopping malls, trade shows, and sales showrooms are examples of applications that could significantly benefit from the shared virtual environments if the problem of lack of personal bond can be solved.
A method and system in accordance with the invention display on a computer or television screen an image that represents a live person communicating with one or more users. Typically, at least a portion of the image is owned by an organization (also called “controlling organization”) and the use of the image is approved by the controlling organization. The organization's ownership rights in the image may arise from, for example, copyright law and/or trademark law. The controlling organization may own the copyright to a particular character, for example Superman. Also, the controlling organization may have acquired trademark rights to an image by using the image in commerce. With both copyrights and trademarks, the image may be registered with the government (e.g. with the copyright or trademark office as appropriate).
An image displayed on a computer screen to represent a live person communicating through a computer (or television) with (e.g. send a message to or receive a message from) other persons is hereinafter referred to as an “avatar.” As mentioned elsewhere herein, in several embodiments, an organizational avatar is owned by an organization. An organizational avatar is different from another type of avatar (hereinafter referred to as “generic avatar”) that merely represents any user in a virtual environment, in that the image of the organizational avatar holds a value or a significance that is independent from its use as an avatar. The present invention, therefore, pertains to a new class of avatars.
A user can interact with an organizational avatar in a number of ways. For example, a user can talk to an organizational avatar at a website or in a graphic chatroom (that may provide, for example, a first person view) without using an avatar to represent himself/herself. Alternatively, a user may use an avatar (in a chatroom that provides, for example, a third person view) to represent himself/herself. Depending on the chatroom, a user's choice of avatars may or may not be limited to generic avatars; in some embodiments, the user may not be permitted to choose an organizational avatar. A user who uses an avatar to represent himself in a chatroom may make his avatar not only express various emotions, but also make it physically interact with another avatar, for example by punching, shoving, or lifting another avatar.
In one embodiment, an organization uses an organizational avatar to officially represent the organization. This embodiment allows an employee of the controlling organization to communicate with customers and potential customers in the manner normally used in a graphic chatroom. Furthermore, this embodiment can be made to allow sales transactions in a conversational manner. For example, McDonalds Corporation may decide to use a RONALD McDONALD® avatar in any of the publicly available graphic chatrooms to promote McDonalds products while interacting with generic avatars.
In another embodiment, an organization may set up a chatroom (also called “organizational chatroom”) with a background that is related to (e.g. has the same trade dress as) its product or service, and use an organizational avatar as the host of the organizational chatroom. For example, TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc., which owns Kentucky Fried Chicken®, can set up a chatroom that has the trade dress of a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant. TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. can hire an employee to use a Colonel Sanders avatar in its organizational chatroom and talk to other users who visit the Kentucky Fried Chicken® chatroom, e.g., answer questions about ingredients and calories in meals served at the restaurant. If the organization is a business, an organizational chatroom may be used as an online shop, and an employee using an organizational avatar may enter into sales contracts with users of generic avatars, e.g. for the organization to sell goods and/or services to the users.
The backgrounds for organizational chatrooms can be designed using tiles, which are picture fragments that can be arranged like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle on a computer or television screen to create a background. A chatroom software that uses tiles for the background has an archive of different types of tiles. Any number of each type of tile can be retrieved from the archive and placed on the desired spot of a computer or television screen to create a background. Use of tiles can reduce the file size for expressing various backgrounds by several times (e.g. can reduce to 1/10) as compared to prior art backgrounds.
In yet another embodiment, a controlling organization permits the use of organizational avatars, such as avatars of M&M® figures or Barbie dolls, to participants other than the controlling organization. For example, all users of a graphic chatroom may be represented by avatars owned by a single organization. An organization may allow users to use the organizational avatars free of charge for the purpose of familiarizing the user(s) with the particular products represented by organizational avatars. By familiarizing the user(s) with the products of the controlling organization, the organization effectively advertises its products. Depending on the business model, free usage of organizational avatars may be allowed indefinitely, may be allowed only prior to the release of a related product, or may be allowed a limited number of times (or over a limited duration).
In another implementation of the above embodiment, a graphic chatroom requires the user to enter a password which the user can only obtain by purchasing a product or service of the organization that operates the chatroom. The chatroom software may, for example, require that the user enter a unique number imprinted on a hidden portion of the packaging of a product. Users that are unable to enter such a password may be limited to using generic avatars (selected from a predetermined list), or may not even be allowed to enter the chatroom. A restriction in the use of organizational avatars that apply only to non-owners of the corresponding products induces those who are familiar with the avatars to purchase the products. Moreover, having a doll on hand in the real world and using the corresponding avatar online provides a child with a novel touch that is not available to prior art users of graphic chatrooms.
Although an organizational avatar may be used in a graphic chatroom, its use is not limited to graphic chatrooms. A controlling organization, such as McDonalds Corporation, may wish to use one of its avatars, for example an avatar of RONALD McDONALD®, in its website. In addition, real-time online communication methods, such as America Online Instant Messenger, may eventually become graphic and implement organizational avatars. Since the image of RONALD McDONALD® is already familiar to many McDonalds® customers, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar can be effectively used as a spokesperson for McDonalds Corporation.
Organizational avatars provide organizations with increased connectivity and interactivity with their customers, thereby providing a cost-effective way of marketing and advertising. For example, whereas employees in McDonalds restaurants only focus on selling the various food items on the menu, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar promotes goodwill and collects data from customers in addition to selling the menu items online. Organizational avatars are especially cost-effective when they reside in the Internet which is accessible worldwide, although organizational avatars as described herein can also be distributed on storage media, such as CD-ROMs. Through organizational avatars, companies can market their product or collect data from all over the world. With online activities becoming more prevalent among children and teens, companies that target younger age groups are especially likely to benefit from organizational avatars.
The present invention pertains to a new class of avatars. Unlike the generic prior art avatars that are valuable only because they represent live persons in a shared virtual environment, the new class of avatars (“organizational avatars”) in accordance with the present invention holds a value or a significance independent from their use in a virtual environment. Unlike a generic avatar that is normally created by an artist for use by any person in a chatroom, one embodiment of an organizational avatar is in the image of a trademark, such as Mickey Mouse, Colonel Sanders, or Pikachu (a Pokemon character), or a widely recognized symbol, such as Santa Claus. Such organizational avatars represent certain organizations, typically the organizations that own rights to the images of the avatars, in virtual environments. Therefore, users of virtual environments can interface various companies by interacting with those companies' organizational avatars. By using organizational avatars, companies of all sizes can increase their interactivity with customers, advertise cost effectively, and promote a positive image for their products.
A method and system in accordance with the invention display (e.g., as illustrated by act 122 of FIG. 4B ) on a screen 111 (FIG. 4A ) of a computer 110 (that is similar or identical to computer 30 described above, unless noted otherwise) an image 112 that represents a live person transferring information (as illustrated by act 123 of FIG. 4B ) to/from one or more users. In one embodiment, the live person enters into a contract with an owner of image 112, for use of image 112. In an example illustrated in FIG. 4A , image 112 is of Colonel Sanders who founded the Kentucky Fried Chicken® business, and who served as its spokesperson when he was alive. The person using image 112 as an avatar (also called “organizational avatar”) has a contract (as per act 121 of FIG. 4B ) with the Kentucky Fried Chicken® business (e.g. with TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. which owns the business Kentucky Fried Chicken® In some embodiments, image 112 that is used to form an avatar is of a character that represents one of: a person (e.g. Ronald McDonald), an animal (e.g. Mickey Mouse), or a thing (e.g. a rocking chair). In certain embodiments, image 112 is not limited in any manner, and in fact can be any image whatsoever (e.g. can be real and/or imaginary).
Depending on the embodiment, image 112 may be received (see act 126 of FIG. 4B ) by computer 110 either over the Internet (e.g. from a website of the controlling organization that requires the user of computer 110 to enter into the contract, which may be, for example, a click-wrap agreement), or from a computer readable storage medium (e.g. that is packaged in a shrinkwrap that requires the user to enter into a shrink-wrap agreement). Preferably, but not necessarily, computer 110 receives software (such as a chatroom client or a 3D browser) from the controlling organization in the same manner as image 112. Such software may include a feature that prevents use of image 112 outside of the software (e.g. to permit only use of image 112 as authorized by the agreement). For example, the software may be a graphic chatroom software that permits use of image 112 only with a server computer operated by the controlling organization. Alternatively, the software may be in the form of JAVA bytecodes that include image 112, so that image 112 is inaccessible when the software is not being used. As yet another alternative, the image may be made usable only with the software sold or provided by the particular organization that creates and controls certain chatrooms.
An implementation may also be set up so that image 112 is simply located (without any protection, such as encryption) in an appropriate directory in computer 110 that relates to the application software (e.g. C:\ProgramFiles\OpenVerse\) in case of OpenVerse. In such an implementation, misuse of image 112 is not prevented by an engineering mechanism, and instead legal remedies are used to prevent misuse. In one such implementation, the only difference between a prior art system and a system of this invention is the specific use of image 112. As noted elsewhere, use of image 112 may be restricted via software mechanisms, depending on the various embodiments. For example, if image 112 is to be used only by the owner of image 112, then software of the prior art is modified so that (1) the choices of avatars that are available to users is limited to a predetermined list that only allows selection of a generic avatar and (2) the choices of avatars that are available to the owner of image 112 includes at least the image 112. In the latter case, if more than one user choose the same avatar to represent himself/herself with, the software automatically makes adjustments, for example in hair color or the color of the shirt, in order to avoid the presence of identical avatars in a shared environment.
In one embodiment, image 112 is displayed by a browser in the users' computers, and access to image 112 is provided through websites that are trusted by users, such as the organization's website, a virtual mall (that provides access to a number of such chatrooms), or a directory service (such as YAHOO®). Providing access to image 112 from trusted websites provides an assurance to the users (who use such access) that they are dealing with the genuine organization, and not with an unknown entity. Depending on the implementation, digital certificates may be used to improve confidence of such users.
Depending on the embodiment, image 112 may be a line drawing, a picture, or just portions of such a drawing/picture that together form a trade-dress. An organization's ownership rights in such an image 112 may arise from, e.g. copyright law and/or trademark law. Preferably, but not necessarily, the organization (or owner) registers image 112 with the government, e.g. in the copyright office or the trademark office. Registration of image 112, if performed by the controlling organization, can be performed at any time relative to acts 121-123 (described above), depending on the embodiment. Moreover, image 112 need not be registered, and may be a character (such as Superman) that is owned, as per copyright law, by the organization as discussed below in reference to FIG. 10A . Note that such a character need not be owned by the organization in another embodiment, as discussed below in reference to FIG. 11A . In one embodiment, image 112 is used in commerce (as illustrated by act 125 in FIG. 4B ) to acquire ownership rights (e.g. as per trademark law), even though not registered.
For example, image 112 may have been used to identify the organization itself (e.g. in an advertisement in the real world, such as a billboard or newspaper advertisement), as in the case of the image of Colonel Sanders that is used with the initials “KFC” to represent the Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant. As another example, image 112 may have been used to identify a product (or service) provided by the organization, and to distinguish from the product (or service) from others (e.g. on a store shelf), as in the case of an image of a Coke® bottle (which is a product in the real world) which may be used as an avatar to represent the Coca-Cola Company. Therefore, a trade dress of an organization (which is acquired by use of a packaging or design of a product (or service) either in the real world or in the on-line world to identify source) may also be used to form image 112. Note that for simplicity the examples refer to registered trade marks that are well recognized, although as noted above the trade marks need not be registered.
As yet another example, image 112 may have been used to indicate a source of a product or service even if that source is unknown, as in the case of an image of Mr. Clean (which may be used as an avatar) used to indicate a source of “Mr. Clean Wipes-Ups” Kitchen wipes and Bathroom wipes, although users may not know that Mr. Clean is a mark of Proctor and Gamble. As still another example, image 112 may identify a level of quality of a product or service, e.g. as in the case of “Mr. Clean Wipes-Ups.” As yet another example, image 112 may be a symbol that invokes goodwill among the users, again as in the case of Mr. Clean. Another example of image 112 that evokes goodwill is the image of RONALD McDONALD™ (a statue of which is commonly found in McDonald's restaurants), that may be used as described herein to represent on a computer screen a real live customer service representative of McDonald's Corporation. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, an image that is used to form an organizational avatar as described herein includes but is not limited to an image protected by the Lanham Act (the Trademark Act of 1946), as defined at, for example, 15 U.S.C. § 1127 that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
This invention does not cover use of an image 112 as an avatar by a person not authorized by the controlling organization, if image 112 is owned by the controlling organization. Instead, the controlling organization has a contract with the person (that is being represented by the avatar), who may be, for example, (1) an employee (or contractor) that represents the organization to the user or (2) another user, e.g. of software provided by the organization to advertise products or services to such users. Use of such an image 112 by an unauthorized person may be prosecuted by the controlling organization under other legal theories, such as trade mark, trade dress, right of publicity and unfair competition (e.g. misrepresentation) laws.
In one embodiment, an organization uses an organizational avatar to officially represent the organization, e.g. in a graphic chatroom accessed from the organization's website. Software for such a graphic chatroom may be automatically downloaded into computer 110 (FIG. 4A ) in the form of JAVA bytecodes, as soon as a user indicates an interest in interacting with a live person when visiting the organization's website. Alternatively, the organization's chatroom may be a portion of a virtual mall, and software for the virtual mall may be already loaded in computer 110.
Such graphic chatroom software causes a number of computers 110A-110N (wherein A≦I≦N. N being the total number of users) to have an identical display on their respective monitors as illustrated in FIG. 4C . Each of the corresponding users 20A-20N that operate the respective computers 110A-110N is represented in the display by a corresponding avatar 120A-120N. Avatars (also called “generic avatars”) 120A-120N may be formed by images that are not identified with any specific organization, product or service as per trademark law, and that are not characters of the type protected as per copyright law (e.g. not owned by an organization other than the controlling organization). For example, avatars 120A-120N may be formed as stick figures as illustrated in FIG. 4C .
In addition to generic avatars 120A-120N, the display includes at least one organizational avatar 120Q that represents another user 20Q who is a spokesperson for the controlling organization. Therefore, in this embodiment there are two classes of avatars: organizational avatars used by organizations, and generic avatars used by users. So, an employee of a business, and customers (or potential customers) communicate with one another (send and receive messages) in the manner normally used in a graphic chatroom, and transact business in a conversational manner.
Use of organizational avatar 120Q to conduct business allows an organization's employee to 20Q evoke good will of users 20A-20N for the organization, as compared to use of a generic avatar 120I that does not evoke such feeling. Moreover, unlike the real world, user 20Q's physical characteristics (such as race, gender, clothing, and physical handicap) are hidden from users 20A-20N, thereby to provide a more uniform experience to users 20A-20N, regardless of which employee of the organization is acting as user 20Q. Also, use of a graphic chatroom to conduct business provides customers with a real-world feel, e.g. because customers can discuss their common problems amongst themselves. Therefore, use of an organizational avatar 20Q in a graphic chat room as described herein provides advantages' of both, the real world and the on-line world.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4C , a server computer 130 is programmed with chat software 131 to assist in transfer of information (as illustrated by act 123 of FIG. 4B ) among computers 120A-120N and a computer 120Q that is operated by user 20Q. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4E , such a server computer is not used and instead, an organizational computer 139Q communicates directly with user computer 1391 (note that there may be any number of such user computers). Such direct communication (without server computer 130) may take place via the Internet, or may also be via dial-up into computer 139Q.
Server computer 130 (FIG. 4C ) maintains local buffers 132A-132N and 132Q to hold data related to corresponding users 20A-20N and 20Q. During operation, computer 120Q may receive a message or mouse movement (or a clickstream of arrow keys) from user 20Q (as illustrated by act 133 in FIG. 4D ) and transmit this information to server computer 130 (FIG. 4C ). Server computer 130 in turn saves this information in its memory (e.g., in a memory location specific to user 20Q), and supplies the information (as illustrated by act 134 in FIG. 4D ) to all users (e.g. to each of computers 120A-120N that update their respective displays in the normal manner). In one embodiment, a user computer 120Q updates the display locally, so as to make the avatar responses to mouse movements appear more realtime than if the update is performed through a server.
In the embodiment just described, chat software 131 in computer 130 (FIG. 4C ) is programmed to permit one or more of users 120A-120N to be “black-listed” by user 120Q. For example, a user 1201 may be black-listed if s/he misbehaves by making obscene comments. Instead of being “black-listed,” users may be simply “muted” wherein only messages from such users are blocked. Depending on the embodiment, users that are muted may be allowed to “whisper.” Users may be “muted” for reasons other than misbehavior, e.g. if there is insufficient room (i.e. the number N of users exceeds a predetermined maximum that can be serviced by a single employee 20Q, an example of such a maximum is 10). In one embodiment, users have to wait their turn to speak with an organizational avatar, and are automatically “muted” upon entry into the graphic chatroom. Only a user whose turn it is to speak is “un-muted” As in the normal manner, users that are muted and/or black-listed can observe everything in the graphic chat room, but cannot participate in the discussion.
When a user is being black-listed, computer 120Q receives (as illustrated by act 135 in FIG. 4D ) from user 20Q an instruction about black-listing of user 20A, and transmits the instruction to computer 130. Computer 130 informs user 20A about being black-listed, and updates a database of black-listed users (e.g. may mark in memory region 132A that user is black-listed). Similar acts are performed to remove a user from the black-list. Users 20A-20N communicate with one another in the normal manner of a graphic chatroom. For example, a computer 12ON receives (see act 137 in FIG. 4D ) a message, emotion, mouse movement or other such information from user 20N and transfers this information to server 130. Server 130 checks (see act 138) the database to see if user 20N that generated the information is black-listed, and if not transfers the information to all of computers 120A-120N and computer 120Q.
In one embodiment, computers 130 and 120Q are both owned and operated by the controlling organization. Therefore, the functionality of these two computers can be combined into a single computer to yield the architecture illustrated in FIG. 4D . Alternatively, computer 120Q may be the only computer owned and/or operated by the controlling organization, and server computer 130 may be owned and/or operated by a service provider (in which case the organization need not deal with operation and maintenance of computer 130).
In one implementation of the embodiment just described, an organization operates a chatroom (also called “organizational chatroom”) having a background 141 (FIG. 5A ) that is related to (e.g. has the same trade dress as or contains a trade mark of) the product or service the organization offers, and an image 142 that has a similar relation (which is used as an organizational avatar). For example, TriCon Global Restaurants, Inc. (“TriCon”) may set up a chatroom with a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant in its background and hire an employee to talk to other users by using a Colonel Sanders avatar 142. If an embodiment requires that organizational avatars be used only with the software of a specific chatroom service provider, TriCon may hire the chatroom service provider to create a chatroom with a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant in its background. Optionally, TriCon may have the chatroom service also provide one or more organizational avatars for the chatroom.
When setting up a chatroom that can accommodate organizational avatars, the background can be built using a number of tiles 140A-140N (wherein A≦I≦N, N being the total number of tiles) and objects 144A-144Z that are displayed over such tiles, as shown in FIG. 5B . Tiles 140A-140N are graphic segments that can be arranged to depict the desired background. Each tile 140I can be either the same as or different from another tile 140J. Such tiles can be selected to form a background 148 (FIG. 5C ) from a list 149 (also in FIG. 5C ) that shows tiles of various colors and patterns. Each tile 140I occupies a spot on the computer or television screen, as depicted by the rectangles 146 in FIG. 5C . Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, such tiles in combination with each other, make a complete background. For example, in FIG. 5B , a one-tree tile 140A, two-tree tile 140B are shown arranged alternating with one another to form a row 147 to depict a snow-covered field. Objects 144A-144Z (wherein A≦I≦Z. Z being the total number of objects) such as small landmarks 144A or snowman 144B can be placed on top of the tiles to embellish the background. Various avatars 120A-120R move around on top of such a background.
A tiled background as illustrated in FIG. 5C can be constructed, simply by clicking on a tile in list 149 and then clicking at a location in window 150 where the tile is to be placed. In this manner, an entire background can be quickly and easily constructed by any person, without the need to learn and use a conventional graphics editor. Furthermore, such tiled backgrounds can be downloaded more quickly than a conventional background in the form of an image in a single “.jpg” or “.gif” file. For example, if a single tile were used repeatedly at each of a number of locations of a background, to form the entire background consisting of 100 tiles, the speed to download the single tile is 100 times faster. Although a user computer 139I needs to make 100 copies of the single tile to form the image, with the speed advantage of personal computers (PCs), the incremental time may not even be noticeable by a user. If a number of tiles are used to form a 100 tile background, the speed advantage is proportionately reduced, but is still several times faster than downloading an entire background as a single image.
As illustrated by act 151, talking between two or more live persons as described herein takes place by the computer's transferring messages 143. In one embodiment, message 143 is about the organization or its product/service, e.g. solicitation of users to work at the restaurant, or answers to questions about ingredients and calories in meals served at the restaurant, recommendation of certain items on the menu. In another embodiment, message 143 is not about the organization, e.g. may be about current topics in the news (such as the Florida election and changes to the electoral college). Depending on the employee's behavior, Colonel Sanders avatar 142 may even walk with a user (not shown) into restaurant 141, and in response, the background changes to depict the inside, rather than the outside, of a Kentucky Fried Chicken® restaurant.
If the organization is a business, such a chatroom may be used as an on-line shop, and an employee using an organizational avatar may enter into sales contracts with users using generic avatars, e.g. for the organization to sell goods and/or services to the users. In the just-described example, Colonel Sanders avatar 142 may take an order (in act 152 of FIG. 5B ) from a user. Optionally, the user may be provided with a menu for selection of a payment method (wherein the user can select, for example, to pay with a credit card number, or choose to pay upon delivery). Alternatively, the default method could be payment on delivery, and the user may be simply informed of this payment method. Thereafter, the ordered item is delivered (as illustrated by act 153) in real life, to the user's address. Depending on the implementation, one or more portions of information about the user that are used to form such a sales contract may be already on file with the organization, in which case the user may simply order selected items from the menu, without being required to provide any further input.
Of course, as would be apparent to the skilled artisan, other businesses may also be operated in this manner. As another example, a sports team may set up a chatroom decorated with the sports team's colors, and use an avatar that resembles the sports team's mascot(s) (such as ACE and DIAMOND in case of Toronto Blue Jays illustrated in FIG. 5E ) as host(s) in the chatroom, e.g. to sell sports paraphernalia and tickets for the next game. Thus, instead of physically going to or telephoning a business's office or store, a customer can simply use their personal computer to make a purchase, ask questions, or take care of a problem.
In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5E , no generic avatars are shown, because these examples illustrated chatrooms that provide a first person view and the user does not use an avatar. Moreover, in these examples, there are either (1) no other users, or (2) other users are black-listed and not visible, or (3) the software supports only one-on-one communication (between organizational avatar(s) and a single user). However, in a more typical example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the chatroom software provides a third person view, and the user's choice of avatars is limited to generic avatars (such as avatars 161 and 162). As noted above, in this example as well, the user is not permitted to choose organizational avatar 163 which is used only by the organization's spokesperson. Depending on the embodiment, avatars 161-163 (FIG. 6A ) may or may not be animated. A generic avatar that is animated allows a user to interact with an organizational avatar not just by text and sound, but also by movement of limbs and/or gestures. Animated avatars can play games using graphic objects, push or punch each other, or make faces at each other, among other activities. A computer can effectively make an avatar appear to move by switching rapidly between different images used to represent the same avatar. For example, an avatar can be made to execute a series of punches by switching rapidly between the two images 168, 169 in FIG. 6B .
Specifically, RONALD McDONALD avatar 163 in a chatroom 164 modeled after a McDonalds(& playroom entertains users, by playing a game with avatars 161 and 162. In this manner, the controlling organization (e.g. McDonald's Corporation) uses its chatroom (FIG. 6A ) to improve public relations, to promote a positive attitude toward its products not only in the minds of young participants who play with Ronald McDonald in the chatroom, but also in the minds of those children's parents. The value of organizational avatars as a public relations tool is further enhanced by the fact that the avatars can entertain the chatroom participants in a myriad of ways. An organizational avatar 163 can play games using various objects, sing and dance, participate in a race, or perform a magic show. Therefore, chatroom 164 (FIG. 6A ) serves a purpose other than substituting for a physical store (as described above in reference to FIGS. 5A and 5E ).
In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A , avatar 163 uses a ball 165 to play a game with avatars 161 and 162. Therefore, a chatroom can be set up to include objects, sounds, or any other embellishment that augment the chatroom's appeal. Ball 165 is automatically controlled by server 130 (FIG. 4C ), in response to movements by avatars 161-163. For example, server computer 130 computes (in act 171 of FIG. 6C ) the new position of the ball based on the movement and location of an avatar, and based on location of wall or other obstacle in chatroom 164 (FIG. 6A ). Next, in act 172, computer 130 checks if the new position interferes with the current position of an avatar, wall or other obstacle, and if so returns to act 171 and if not goes to act 173. In act 173, computer 130 displays the ball at the new position. Thereafter, computer 130 goes to act 174 to check for movement of an avatar, and if so goes to act 171 and otherwise returns to act 173. Note that computer 130 may implement act 174 by simply waiting on avatar movement, instead of actively checking.
In order to express an emotion, a user selects the “Avatar” item in the menu bar (FIG. 6A ) to open a drop down list box, and selects the “Emotion” item which opens up another list box 166. Box 166 allows the user to select any of a number of emotions, such as happy, sad, angry, bored, and punch. Avatar 162 is illustrated in FIG. 6A after selection of the “bored” emotion. In one embodiment, the two classes of avatars (organizational and generic) have different behavioral options. A controlling organization may, for instance, limit the ability of ,organizational avatar 163 to express certain emotions (such as anger and sadness), although generic avatars 161 and 162 are permitted the full range of emotions. Limiting organizational avatar 163's behavior options reduces the likelihood of a user 20Q (FIG. 4C ) offending customers, and reducing the good will associated with organizational avatar 163. For example, the “punch” option in the menu 166 may be disabled for the organizational avatar 163, but not for other users because punching other user avatars might adversely affect McDonalds' image. Also, as noted above, organizational avatar 163 may have the ability to override the commands of users, e.g. mute problematic users. An organization that is concerned about maintaining order in its chatroom may automatically record all activities in a chatroom, for playback by a supervisor of user 20Q (FIG. 4C ) in case of complaints about user 20Q. In addition to emotions, a user may choose to whisper (as discussed elsewhere), sleep or morph.
Although FIGS. 5A and 6A illustrate use of an organizational avatar with a background that is also owned by the controlling organization, other kinds of backgrounds can also be used in a graphic chatroom. For example, FIGS. 5E and 7A illustrate chatrooms that have no background. In each of FIGS. 5E and 7A , the respective messages from organizational avatars 175 and 176 are related to their organization, as illustrated by act 181 in FIG. 7B . Also, as illustrated in FIG. 7A , a text pane 177 may be used to display the message “do you know how many different M&M colors there are” from M&M character 176. Note that avatars 176 and 161 are being used by real live persons to talk to one another in real time. Depending on the embodiment, instead of text messages, voice recordings or even live speech may be exchanged by such users.
Also, just like any other avatar, an organizational avatar can participate in a chat session that is not hosted by an owner of the organizational avatar (such chat session is hereinafter “generic chat session”). For example, Colonel Sanders avatar 142 can enter a chatroom having a generic background that is unrelated to Kentucky Fried Chicken®, if this generic chatroom is accessible from the Kentucky Fried Chicken®t chatroom of FIG. 5A (e.g. in case of a virtual mall). In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C , server computer 130 displays (see act 182 in FIG. 7B ) such an unrelated background, although displaying (see act 183) organizational avatar 142. Generic avatars 161 and 162 may also enter this chatroom (FIG. 7C ), if the McDonald's chatroom (FIG. 6A ) is also part of the virtual mall. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C , Colonel Sanders avatar 142 is providing directions to the nearest KFC, although such an organizational avatar may discuss topics that are unrelated to the organization (such as news events, politics, sports, history etc) in the manner of discussions in the real world.
Note that a chatroom having a background of one organization can be entered by an organizational avatar of another organization, so that the two organization target the same group of consumers, e.g. in case of a virtual mall of the type described above. Therefore, if M&M's® were targeting the same group of customers as Kentucky Fried Chicken®, an agreement to allow each other's organizational avatars in their respective chatrooms would be an effective marketing strategy. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8A , organizational avatar 176 belonging to M&M® Corporation shows a generic avatar 167, the way to the M&M® chatroom, from the chatroom of Kentucky Fried Chicken®. In such a case, server computer 130 displays the trademark avatar of M&M® corporation (in act 184 of FIG. 8A ), background image 141 of Kentucky Fried Chicken® (in act 185), and generic avatar 167 (in act 186). When a user in control of organizational avatar 176 provides a message 188 (FIG. 8B ), server computer 130 receives the message and transmits the message to the user in control of generic avatar 167.
In another embodiment, an organization uses (see act 192 in FIG. 8D ) a character from the public domain to form an avatar. FIG. 8C , for example, shows a Santa Claus avatar 191 in an organizational chatroom 196 accessible through the organization's website. An employee of an organization, for example a Christmas store, uses avatar 191 to speak about Santa Claus, about being at the North Pole, and that it's only 10 days to Christmas. Additionally, the avatar 191 may talk about products/services of the Christmas store to visitors of the website (see act 193 in FIG. 8D ). Depending on the implementation, the products and/or services may be related to the character (e.g. Christmas gifts in case of Santa Claus). Optionally, there may be other avatars in the form of various creatures or objects related to Christmas, such as elves, candy canes, and reindeers. Depending on the implementation, users may or may not be able to use one of those Christmas avatars to interact with the Santa Clause avatar 191. With or without using an avatar, the user sends and/or receives messages that are related to Christmas or to the organization's products/services (see act 194). Finally, the information exchange can result in a sale of product/service by the organization (see act 195).
Such use of a well-known character as an organizational avatar has the advantage of receiving instant goodwill from visitors who may not be knowledgeable about the organization. Furthermore, the organization may promote its organizational avatar in the mind of the user, e.g. by displaying the image of the avatar at points of sale, and by advertisement and publicity. Such activities may cause the image to achieve “secondary meaning” (the public associates the image with the organization), so that over time an organizational avatar formerly from the public domain now becomes a trade mark of the organization.
In an alternative embodiment, all users of a graphic chatroom are represented by a corresponding number of avatars from a single organization, and each user enters into a contract with the organization for use of the corresponding image (that is owned by the organization). Depending on the implementation, such images may have a common theme. In one example illustrated in FIG. 9A , a graphic chatroom 200 entitled “BARBIE” is made available at the website www.barbie.com, and allows users to appear as any one of a number of organizational avatars 201A-201N that each have the same image as the corresponding BARBIE® dolls, such as dolls named Barbie, Christie, Kira and Teresa.
In one implementation of the alternative embodiment, an organization uses a number of images (e.g. that are to be used for avatars 201A-201N) to identify products or services of the organization (see act 211 in FIG. 9B ). Thereafter, a number of users (e.g. that are represented by avatars 201A-201N) contract (as illustrated by act 212) with the organization to use such images in their computers. Next, each computer displays (see act 213) the images to represent the users, as illustrated in FIG. 9A . Thereafter, server computer 130 programmed with graphic chatroom software 131 transfers (see act 214 in FIG. 9B ) messages (and any other information, such as gestures, movement etc) between the users, in the above-described manner, so that children across the world can become friends. The just-described graphic chatroom of the alternative embodiment may be designed with a background appropriate for the corresponding avatars (see act 215 in FIG. 9B ), e.g. may contain furniture of a BARBIE® doll house, and may be in pink color.
In one implementation, one or more users are allowed to use such avatars free of charge, so as to familiarize the user(s) with the corresponding products, thereby to serve as an advertisement for the products. Depending on the embodiment, all avatars used in a chatroom may share a common theme, e.g., all of the avatars can be in the image of BARBIE® dolls. In one embodiment, all avatars are owned by the same organization, such as avatars in the image of Mickey Mouse, Lion King, and Snow White, all of which are owned by Disney. In the above-described example, the chatroom software may allow users to use avatars of newly-released or yet-to-be-released BARBIE® dolls, so that users purchase these dolls after using the corresponding avatars (see act 216 of FIG. 9B ). Depending on the business model, free usage of organizational avatars may be allowed indefinitely, or may be allowed only prior to release of a related product, or may be allowed a limited number of times (or over a limited duration).
In another implementation of the alternative embodiment, the user must purchase such a product prior to use of the organizational avatar. For example, the contract described above in reference to act 212 may be formed at the same time that the organization sells a product or service to the user (as illustrated by act 217). Thereafter, each computer checks (see act 218) if a purchase has occurred. For example, in a character selection screen (see FIG. 9C ), the user may be required to enter a password in box 221, and the password may be available only on purchase of a BARBIE® doll. Such a password may be imprinted on a hidden portion of the packaging of the BARBIE® doll, so that the user must open the packaging to retrieve the doll and the password.
The password may be generic, thereby to allow a user to use any of the various BARBIE® avatars. Alternatively, the password may be specific such that only a purchaser of a specific BARBIE® doll, such as the WARRIORS doll, is able to use the corresponding WARRIORS avatar in the graphic chatroom 223 (FIG. 9D ). Users that are unable to enter such a password may be limited to using generic avatars (selected from a predetermined list 222), or may not even be allowed to enter chatroom 223, depending on the implementation. Such restriction in the use of organizational avatars to only owners of the corresponding products induces users to purchase the products. Moreover, having a doll on hand in the real world, while using the corresponding avatar on-line provides a child with a novel touch and feel experience that is not available to prior art users of graphic chatrooms. Furthermore, the organization, Mattel can sell to users other products that are displayed in such a chatroom 223.
In variants of the above-described embodiments, an organizational avatar formed by an image that is a trade mark, trade name, service mark or trade dress of an organization is replaced by another organizational avatar that is formed by an image in which the organization has a copyright. One example illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B uses as avatars 301A-301N corresponding characters Simba, Timon and Pumbaa from the DISNEY movie “The Lion King.” Unless otherwise noted below, acts 312-318 illustrated in FIG. 10B , for use of avatars 301A-301N are similar or identical to the corresponding acts 212-218 described above in reference to FIG. 9B . Although not illustrated in FIG. 10B , the organization acquires rights to the images (e.g. either from an original author or due to work for hire), prior to act 312. Here as well, the organization may allow use of the characters free of charge, in the hope that at least one of the users buys (see act 316) a product or service related to one of the characters, which product or service is sourced by the organization. Note that the word “sourced” is used to indicate that the organization itself need not sell the product or service, but may license other organizations to perform such sales.
Organizational avatars may also be used with Internet-related applications other than chatrooms and websites. For example, a real-time mode of communication such as America Online Instant Messenger may implement organizational avatars if it develops graphics capability.
Organizational avatars provide organizations with increased connectivity and interactivity with their customers, thereby providing a cost-effective way of marketing and advertising. For example, whereas employees in McDonalds restaurants only focus on selling the various food items on the menu, a RONALD McDONALD® avatar promotes goodwill (e.g., by playing games and giving out coupons) and collects data from customers (e.g., by using an online suggestion box) in addition to selling the menu items online. Advertising with organizational avatars can be enhanced by the use of banners around the border of the chatroom background, or by the use of tile advertisements as part of the background. Organizational avatars are especially cost-effective in that they reside in the Internet, which is accessible worldwide. Through organizational avatars, companies can interface customers from all over the world. With online activities becoming more prevalent among children and teens, companies that target younger age groups are especially likely to benefit from organizational avatars.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the embodiments and implementations described herein will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure. For example, although in the embodiment described above in reference to FIG. 10A characters of avatars 301A-301N are all from the same copyrighted work (DISNEY movie “The Lion King”) characters from different works can be made available in a common chatroom. Examples of other such characters that the same owner Disney could make available include, for example, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto (Mickey's dog), and Donald Duck. Also, instead of computer 110, a television can be used in other embodiments. Numerous such modifications and adaptations are encompassed by the attached claims.
Claims (82)
1. A method of communicating between users, the method comprising:
contracting with, by an owner of an image with a first user and/or a second user, for use of said image in a graphic environment approved by said owner, said image characterizing a source of a product or service offered by said owner;
configuring said graphic environment;
said configuring allowing a second user to communicate with said first user in said graphic environment;
displaying said image to a the first user as an organizational avatar having the same trade dress as said source of said product or service, said organizational avatar representing said source of said product or service, said displaying to represent a second user communicating with said first user in the graphic environment that is configured to allow, wherein said configuring controls various emotional expressions of said first and second users as well as physical interactions, if desired, between a representation of said first user and said image organizational avatar representing said second user to emulate an actual physical interaction between said first and second users; and
transferring a message between said first user and said second user over a network.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said image represents a public knowledge about said owner and distinguishes said source from other sources.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
registering said image with an agency of government as a trade mark, service mark, or trade name of said owner.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said image is formed by a plurality of elements that together define a trade dress of a product or service of said owner.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said image is a mascot of said owner.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said owner owns a copyright in said image.
7. The method of claim 6 1, wherein said image is a character.
8. The method of claim 6 1 further comprising: the owner being a source of dolls of said image of a type that is recognized as representing said source, and said organizational avatar has the appearance of one of said dolls.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said graphic environment is a background being composed with a plurality of tiles.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one tile in said plurality has different images and colors from another tile in said plurality.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a group of tiles in said plurality are identical.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said background is static relative to a screen of the computer.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a part of said background moves relative to a screen of the computer.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
using at least a part of the background to identify a product or service of said owner.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a part of said background is used for advertising.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a part of said background includes a trade name, trade mark, trade dress, or service mark of an organization other than said owner.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of said background has an appearance of at least one room.
18. The method of claim 9 further comprising changing said background in response to movement of at least a portion of said image.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said representation of the first user, hereinafter “first image”, does not identify a source of a product or service; and said image representing said second user is hereinafter “second image”, and the method further comprising:
moving at least a portion of said first image in response to operation of a first computer by said first user; and
moving at least a portion of said second image in response to operation of a second computer by said second user.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
receiving from the first user an instruction to morph; and replacing the first image with a morphed version of said first image.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
displaying a third image, hereinafter “object,” and
automatically moving said object in response to movement of at least one of said first image and said second image.
22. The method of claim 19 further comprising said second user using said second image in singing, dancing, telling jokes, or being a magician.
23. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
said second user overriding said first users manipulation of said first image at least part of the time.
24. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
displaying a indicating a plurality of first images including said first image, wherein each first images does not identify a source of a product or service; and
receiving from the first user an identity of said first image, wherein said displaying of first image to represent said first user is performed subsequent to said receiving.
25. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
receiving from the first user an identity of an emotion; and
replacing the first image with a modified version of said first image to express said emotion.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein said emotion is hereinafter “first emotion,” and the method further comprises:
receiving from the second user an identity of a second emotion; and
replacing the second image with a modified version of said second image to express said second emotion;
wherein said second emotion is one of a second plurality of emotions and said first emotion is one of a first plurality emotions, said second plurality being a subset of said first plurality.
27. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving from the first user an identity of one of the physical interactions to be performed with the second user; and
replacing at least one of the first image and the second image with a modified version thereof, to perform said one of the physical interactions.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein said physical interactions includes punching, shoving or lifting another object in the graphic environment.
29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message includes a voice recording of one of the first user and the second user.
30. The method of claim 1 , wherein said message includes text and the method further comprises: displaying said text in a first location during receipt of said text, and displaying said text at a second location thereafter.
31. The method of claim 1 , wherein said displaying is performed by a first computer operated by the first user, the method further comprising:
a server computer receiving the message over a network; and
the server computer transmitting the message to a plurality of computers including the first computer and a second computer operated by the second user.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the message is hereinafter “first message” and said server computer supports confidential communication between said first user and said second user, and the method further comprising:
said first user transmitting a second message to said second user via said confidential communication, wherein said second message includes information related to purchase of said product or service;
wherein, during the confidential communication, the server computer transfers the second message to the second user but not to any other users.
33. The method of claim 1 , wherein said contracting with an owner of an image comprises:
the second user accessing a website of an organization; and downloading said image from said website.
34. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
the first user inserting a computer-readable storage medium into a first computer that displays the image; and
the first computer reading said image from said storage medium.
35. The method of claim 1 , wherein said message pertains to customer service or customer survey for an organization.
36. The method of claim 1 , wherein an organization is a business and said message includes an offer to sell or an advertisement for said product or service.
37. The method of claim 1 , wherein an organization is a church or a religious institution and said message includes a preaching.
38. The method of claim 1 , wherein an organization is an educational institution and said message includes a teaching.
39. The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of employees of an organization work in shifts twenty-four hours a day as said second user, to respond to messages from a plurality of first users including said first user.
40. The method of claim 1 , wherein said image is hereinafter “second image” the method further comprising:
displaying a first image to represent said first user, wherein said first image identifies said source; and
moving at least a portion of said first image in response to operation of a portion of receiving information from a first computer by said first user; and moving at least a portion of said second image organizational avatar in response to operation of a portion of receiving information from a second computer by said second user;
wherein said first computer and said second computer are included communicatively coupled in said a system of computers.
41. The method of claim 1 , wherein said representation of said first user is an image that identifies said source, the method further comprising:
displaying a list indicating a plurality of images including said first image and said second image, wherein each said first image and said organizational avatar each identifies said owner;
receiving from the first user an identity of said first image; and
receiving from the second user an identity of said second image organizational avatar; wherein said displaying of images said organizational avatar to said first user to represent said users second user is performed subsequent to said receiving.
42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:
checking if each of said first user and said second user has purchased said product or service; and performing said receiving only after said checking.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein said checking includes:
prompting each user for a password.
44. A signal encoded in a carrier medium and including instructions to perform the displaying and transferring of claim 1 .
45. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions to perform the displaying and transferring of claim 1 .
46. A computer system comprising:
a first computer by a first user represented by a first image provided by an organization, said image characterizing a source of a product or service offered by said organization;
a second computer by a second user represented by a second image; and
wherein both of said first and second computers are configured to display a graphic environment acceptable to said organization, said first and second images are animated in said graphic environment that is configured to allow various emotional expressions of said first and second users as well as physical interactions, if desired, between said first and second images to emulate an actual physical interaction between said first and second users.
47. The system of claim 46 wherein said first image was previously used by said organization to identify itself or to identify a product or service offered by said organization.
48. The system of claim 47 , wherein said first image comprises a trade mark, trade dress, a trade name or service mark of said organization.
49. The system of claim 47 , wherein said organization holds a copyright in said image.
50. The system of claim 46 further comprising a text message displayed on either one or both of the first and second computers and pertaining to marketing, business transaction, or customer service for the organization.
51. A method for users to interact with each other, the method comprising:
an organization using a plurality of images to identify products or services of said organization, each image being owned by said organization;
a plurality of users contracting with the, by an organization with a plurality of users, for use of said plurality of images which identify products or services of said organization with each image being owned by said organization, each of said plurality of images being an organizational avatar that has the same trade dress that identifies said products or services of said organization so that said organizational avatar is recognized as a source of said product or service;
configuring a graphic environment;
representingsaid configuring allowing said users to communicate in said graphic environment, and causing said organizational avatar to represent one of said users in asaid graphic environment that is configured to allow, and allowing various emotional expressions of said users as well as physical interactions, if desired, among said users by animating corresponding said images to emulate an actual physical interaction among said users;
a computer operated by each user displayingsending said plurality of images to computers associated with each of the plurality of users with each imageof the plurality of images representing one of said users in the graphic environment by moving one of said plurality of images towards another one of said plurality of images to emulate that one of said plurality of users walks towards another one of said plurality of users for talking; and
transferringreceiving, from a computer associated with one of said plurality of users, at least one message between said one of said plurality of users and said another of said plurality of users and controlling said emotional expression of said plurality of users.
52. The method of claim 51 further comprising: the organization selling, by the organization, a product to each user prior to said contracting.
53. The method of claim 52 , wherein there is a list consisting of descriptions of only said plurality of images.
54. The method of claim 52 further comprising: checking if each user has purchased a product of said organization; and performing said displaying only after said checking.
55. The method of claim 54 , wherein each of said images is of a corresponding plurality of products of said organization; and one of said images represents a user only if said user has purchased said corresponding product.
56. The method of claim 54 , wherein said checking includes:
prompting for a password imprinted on packaging of said product.
57. The method of claim 54 , wherein said product is a doll.
58. The method of claim 51 further comprising the organization selling a product to at least one user subsequent to said transferring.
59. The method of claim 51 further comprising displaying a list of images to each user for selection of an image to represent said each user, said plurality of images forming at least a majority of images described by said list.
60. The method of claim 51 , further comprising each computer displaying a background image having a theme in common with said plurality of images.
61. A signal encoded in a carrier medium and including instructions to perform the displaying and transferring of claim 51 .
62. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions to perform the displaying and transferring of claim 51 .
63. A method for users to interact with each other, the method comprising:
all users contracting with, by an organization with all of the users, for use of a plurality of characters having a common theme, each character being owned by said organization and used in;
configuring a graphic environment on a computer in accordance with the common theme representing the organization, and providing data for plural characters to interact on the computer in the graphic environment, at least one of the characters being an organizational avatar that has the same trade dress as a product or service of the organization, making said organizational avatar recognized as a source of said product or service;
areceiving data from said computer operated by each userat least one user;
displaying said plurality of characters with each character representing one of said users in said graphic environment;
that is configured to allowwhere said configuring controls said users to express their respective emotional expressions orand to have physical interactions with each other, if desired, to emulate a real environment, said graphic environment being composed by graphic tiles;
one of said userswhere said configuring also controls conducting a conversation by one of said users, including moving a corresponding one of said imagescharacters towards another one of said imagecharacters representing ana user; and
transferring at least one message between said users.
64. The method of claim 63 further comprising selling, by the organization selling, a product to each user prior to said contracting.
65. The method of claim 63 further comprising: checking if each user has purchased a product of said organization; and performing said displaying only after said checking.
66. The method of claim 65 , wherein each of said plurality of characters is used with a corresponding plurality of products of said organization; and one of said plurality of characters represents a user only if said user has purchased a corresponding one of said corresponding product plurality of products.
67. The method of claim 65 , wherein said checking includes prompting for a password imprinted on packaging of said product.
68. The method of claim 65 , wherein said product is a doll.
69. The method of claim 63 further comprising the organization selling a product to at least one user subsequent to said transferring.
70. A method of communicating between users, the method comprising:
contracting with an owner of an image for use of said image in a graphic environment approved by said owner, said image characterizing a source of a product or service offered by said owner;
displaying said image to a first user as an organizational avatar that is recognizable as said source of said product or service to represent a second user communicating with said first user in the graphic environment that is configured to allow various emotional expressions of said first and second users as well as physical interactions, if desired, between a representation of said first user and said organizational avatar representing said second user to emulate an actual physical interaction between said first and second users;
transferring a message between said first user and said second user over a network; and
controlling emotions of the displayed organizational avatar that represents the second user, said controlling comprising limiting the emotions that the organizational avatar indicative of the image can represent to a first set of limits on emotions for the organizational avatar, wherein said limiting only limits the emotions that the organizational avatar can represent to said first set of limits, and does not limit emotions to all of said first set of limits for at least said first user.
71. A method for users to interact with each other, the method comprising:
contracting by an organization owning a plurality of images that identify products or services of said organization with a plurality of users, each of said plurality of images being an organizational avatar that is recognizable as identifying said products or services of said organization and said organizational avatar representing one of said users in a graphic environment that is configured to allow various emotional expressions of said users as well as physical interactions, if desired, among said users by animating corresponding said images to emulate an actual physical interaction among said users;
transmitting, to at least one of a plurality of computers operated by at least one of the plurality of users, said plurality of images with each of the plurality of images representing one of said users in the graphic environment by moving one of said plurality of images towards another one of said plurality of images to emulate that one of said plurality of users moves towards another one of said plurality of users while talking to said another one of said plurality of users;
transferring at least one message from said one of said plurality of users directed to said another of said plurality of users and for controlling said emotional expressions of at least some of said plurality of users; and
controlling emotions of the organizational avatar that represents one of the users to limit the emotions that the organizational avatar can represent in a first way that represents a limit on emotions for the organizational avatar, wherein said controlling only limits the emotions that the organizational avatar can represent, and does not limit emotions for other avatars.
72. A method for users to interact with each other, the method comprising:
contracting, by an organization, with all of the users, for use of a plurality of characters having a common theme, each of said characters being owned by said organization and used in a graphic environment by the users in accordance with the common theme representing the organization and at least one of the characters being an organizational avatar that represents and is recognizable as representing the organization;
receiving data on at least one computer operated by at least one user displaying said plurality of characters with each character representing one of said users in said graphic environment that is configured to allow said users to express their respective emotional expressions and to have physical interactions with each other to emulate a real environment, said graphic environment being composed by graphic tiles;
conducting, by one of said users, a conversation including moving a corresponding one of said characters towards another one of said characters representing a user;
transferring at least one message from said one of said users to another of said users; and
limiting emotional expressions which can be presented by those users that represent characters owned by the organization, while not limiting corresponding emotional expressions for other users who do not represent characters owned by the organization.
73. The method of claim 1 wherein said trade dress is in the form of a trademark.
74. The method of claim 1 wherein said trade dress is in the form of a copyright.
75. The method of claim 1 wherein said displaying takes place on a computer used by said first user.
76. The method of claim 1 further comprising
contracting by an owner of an image with said second user for use of an image by said second user in said graphic environment, said second image characterizing a source of a product or service offered by said owner; and
said displaying further comprises displaying said second image to said first user as an organizational avatar that is in the form of intellectual property that is owned by said owner and identifies said owner as a source of a product or service.
77. The method of claim 75 wherein said displaying also takes place on a computer used by said second user.
78. The method of claim 77 where the image used by said second user is the same as the image used by said first user.
79. The method of claim 77 where the image used by said second user is not the same as the image used by said first user.
80. The method of claim 77 wherein said trade dress is in the form of a copyright.
81. The method of claim 76 further comprising: selling, by the organization, a product to each user.
82. The method of claim 76, further comprising:
said transferring a message comprises transfer by a computer associated with a user, at least one message between said one of said plurality of users and said another of said plurality of users and for controlling said emotional expressions of said plurality of users.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/820,500 USRE44054E1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2007-06-19 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/732,628 US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2000-12-08 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
US11/820,500 USRE44054E1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2007-06-19 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/732,628 Reissue US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2000-12-08 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USRE44054E1 true USRE44054E1 (en) | 2013-03-05 |
Family
ID=27734985
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/732,628 Expired - Lifetime US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2000-12-08 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
US11/820,500 Expired - Lifetime USRE44054E1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2007-06-19 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/732,628 Expired - Lifetime US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2000-12-08 | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6910186B2 (en) |
Cited By (175)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100306681A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2010-12-02 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd. | Creation and modification of valid functional design layouts |
US20110252344A1 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2011-10-13 | Apple Inc. | Personalizing colors of user interfaces |
US20130194280A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-08-01 | NHN ARTS Corporation | System and method for providing an avatar service in a mobile environment |
US20130311528A1 (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2013-11-21 | Raanan Liebermann | Communications with a proxy for the departed and other devices and services for communicaiton and presentation in virtual reality |
US20140273721A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Foo Katan | System, method and apparatus for providing interactive and online experience with toys containing unique identifiers |
US9189571B2 (en) | 2011-06-11 | 2015-11-17 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Automated re-use of structural components |
US9245381B2 (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2016-01-26 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd | Visual distortion effects through translucent structures in design software |
US9245064B2 (en) | 2009-11-24 | 2016-01-26 | Ice Edge Business Solutions | Securely sharing design renderings over a network |
US9355197B2 (en) | 2013-01-25 | 2016-05-31 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd | Real-time depth of field effects within design software |
US9471719B2 (en) | 2012-12-10 | 2016-10-18 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd | Efficient lighting effects in design software |
US9519407B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2016-12-13 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Automatically creating and modifying furniture layouts in design software |
US20160371709A1 (en) * | 2013-11-20 | 2016-12-22 | Blab, Inc. | Determining information inter-relationships from distributed group discussions |
US9536340B2 (en) | 2004-08-17 | 2017-01-03 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. | Software incorporating efficient 3-D rendering |
US9576400B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2017-02-21 | Apple Inc. | Avatar editing environment |
US9958858B2 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2018-05-01 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Associating computer-executable objects with three-dimensional spaces within an architectural design environment |
US10242477B1 (en) * | 2017-01-16 | 2019-03-26 | Snap Inc. | Coded vision system |
US10848446B1 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2020-11-24 | Snap Inc. | Displaying customized electronic messaging graphics |
US10852918B1 (en) | 2019-03-08 | 2020-12-01 | Snap Inc. | Contextual information in chat |
US10861170B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2020-12-08 | Snap Inc. | Efficient human pose tracking in videos |
US10872451B2 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2020-12-22 | Snap Inc. | 3D avatar rendering |
US10880246B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2020-12-29 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in electronic messages |
US10893385B1 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2021-01-12 | Snap Inc. | Detection of a physical collision between two client devices in a location sharing system |
US10895964B1 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2021-01-19 | Snap Inc. | Interface to display shared user groups |
US10896534B1 (en) | 2018-09-19 | 2021-01-19 | Snap Inc. | Avatar style transformation using neural networks |
US10901687B2 (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2021-01-26 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for presenting content reviews in a virtual world |
US10902661B1 (en) | 2018-11-28 | 2021-01-26 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic composite user identifier |
US10904181B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-01-26 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized graphics having reactions to electronic message content |
US10911387B1 (en) | 2019-08-12 | 2021-02-02 | Snap Inc. | Message reminder interface |
US10922450B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2021-02-16 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. | Associating computer-executable objects with timber frames within an architectural design environment |
US10936066B1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Sleep detection in a location sharing system |
US10936157B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Selectable item including a customized graphic for an electronic messaging application |
US10939246B1 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Location-based context information sharing in a messaging system |
US10949648B1 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2021-03-16 | Snap Inc. | Region-based stabilized face tracking |
US10951562B2 (en) | 2017-01-18 | 2021-03-16 | Snap. Inc. | Customized contextual media content item generation |
US10952013B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2021-03-16 | Snap Inc. | Selective location-based identity communication |
US10963529B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2021-03-30 | Snap Inc. | Location-based search mechanism in a graphical user interface |
US10964082B2 (en) | 2019-02-26 | 2021-03-30 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based on weather |
US10979752B1 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2021-04-13 | Snap Inc. | Generating media content items based on location information |
USD916809S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
US10984575B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Body pose estimation |
USD916871S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
USD916810S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface |
US10984569B2 (en) | 2016-06-30 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based ideogram generation |
USD916872S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface |
USD916811S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
US10991395B1 (en) | 2014-02-05 | 2021-04-27 | Snap Inc. | Method for real time video processing involving changing a color of an object on a human face in a video |
US11010022B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2021-05-18 | Snap Inc. | Global event-based avatar |
US11030813B2 (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Video clip object tracking |
US11032670B1 (en) | 2019-01-14 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Destination sharing in location sharing system |
US11030789B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Animated chat presence |
US11039270B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Points of interest in a location sharing system |
US11036781B1 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of servers |
US11036989B1 (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Skeletal tracking using previous frames |
US11048916B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2021-06-29 | Snap Inc. | Automated avatar generation |
US11055514B1 (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2021-07-06 | Snap Inc. | Image face manipulation |
US11063891B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2021-07-13 | Snap Inc. | Personalized avatar notification |
US11069103B1 (en) | 2017-04-20 | 2021-07-20 | Snap Inc. | Customized user interface for electronic communications |
US11074675B2 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2021-07-27 | Snap Inc. | Eye texture inpainting |
US11080917B2 (en) | 2019-09-30 | 2021-08-03 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic parameterized user avatar stories |
US11100311B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2021-08-24 | Snap Inc. | Neural networks for facial modeling |
US11103795B1 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2021-08-31 | Snap Inc. | Game drawer |
US11110350B2 (en) | 2018-12-03 | 2021-09-07 | Intuitive Research And Technology Corporation | Multiplayer teleportation and summoning |
US11120601B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Animated expressive icon |
US11122094B2 (en) | 2017-07-28 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Software application manager for messaging applications |
US11120597B2 (en) | 2017-10-26 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Joint audio-video facial animation system |
US11128715B1 (en) | 2019-12-30 | 2021-09-21 | Snap Inc. | Physical friend proximity in chat |
US11128586B2 (en) | 2019-12-09 | 2021-09-21 | Snap Inc. | Context sensitive avatar captions |
US11140515B1 (en) | 2019-12-30 | 2021-10-05 | Snap Inc. | Interfaces for relative device positioning |
US11166123B1 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-11-02 | Snap Inc. | Grouped transmission of location data in a location sharing system |
US11169658B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2021-11-09 | Snap Inc. | Combined map icon with action indicator |
US11176737B2 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2021-11-16 | Snap Inc. | Textured mesh building |
US11189098B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | 3D object camera customization system |
US11189070B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | System and method of generating targeted user lists using customizable avatar characteristics |
US11188190B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | Generating animation overlays in a communication session |
US11199957B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2021-12-14 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized avatars based on location information |
US11217020B2 (en) | 2020-03-16 | 2022-01-04 | Snap Inc. | 3D cutout image modification |
US11218838B2 (en) | 2019-10-31 | 2022-01-04 | Snap Inc. | Focused map-based context information surfacing |
US11227442B1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-01-18 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with semantic graphical elements |
US11229849B2 (en) | 2012-05-08 | 2022-01-25 | Snap Inc. | System and method for generating and displaying avatars |
US11245658B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-02-08 | Snap Inc. | System and method of generating private notifications between users in a communication session |
US11263817B1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-03-01 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with face tracking |
US11284144B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2022-03-22 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of GPUs |
US11294936B1 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2022-04-05 | Snap Inc. | Adaptive spatial density based clustering |
US11310176B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2022-04-19 | Snap Inc. | Content suggestion system |
US11307747B2 (en) | 2019-07-11 | 2022-04-19 | Snap Inc. | Edge gesture interface with smart interactions |
US11320969B2 (en) | 2019-09-16 | 2022-05-03 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with battery level sharing |
US11356720B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2022-06-07 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand |
US11360733B2 (en) | 2020-09-10 | 2022-06-14 | Snap Inc. | Colocated shared augmented reality without shared backend |
US11411895B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2022-08-09 | Snap Inc. | Generating aggregated media content items for a group of users in an electronic messaging application |
US11425062B2 (en) | 2019-09-27 | 2022-08-23 | Snap Inc. | Recommended content viewed by friends |
US11425068B2 (en) | 2009-02-03 | 2022-08-23 | Snap Inc. | Interactive avatar in messaging environment |
US11438341B1 (en) | 2016-10-10 | 2022-09-06 | Snap Inc. | Social media post subscribe requests for buffer user accounts |
US11450051B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2022-09-20 | Snap Inc. | Personalized avatar real-time motion capture |
US11455082B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Collaborative achievement interface |
US11452939B2 (en) | 2020-09-21 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Graphical marker generation system for synchronizing users |
US11455081B2 (en) | 2019-08-05 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Message thread prioritization interface |
US11460974B1 (en) | 2017-11-28 | 2022-10-04 | Snap Inc. | Content discovery refresh |
US11516173B1 (en) | 2018-12-26 | 2022-11-29 | Snap Inc. | Message composition interface |
US11538045B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-12-27 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for determining a commentary rating |
US11543939B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2023-01-03 | Snap Inc. | Encoded image based messaging system |
US11544885B2 (en) | 2021-03-19 | 2023-01-03 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality experience based on physical items |
US11562548B2 (en) | 2021-03-22 | 2023-01-24 | Snap Inc. | True size eyewear in real time |
US11580682B1 (en) | 2020-06-30 | 2023-02-14 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with augmented reality makeup |
US11580700B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2023-02-14 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality object manipulation |
US11615592B2 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-03-28 | Snap Inc. | Side-by-side character animation from realtime 3D body motion capture |
US11616745B2 (en) | 2017-01-09 | 2023-03-28 | Snap Inc. | Contextual generation and selection of customized media content |
US11619501B2 (en) | 2020-03-11 | 2023-04-04 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based on trip |
US11625873B2 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2023-04-11 | Snap Inc. | Personalized media overlay recommendation |
US11636654B2 (en) | 2021-05-19 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | AR-based connected portal shopping |
US11636662B2 (en) | 2021-09-30 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | Body normal network light and rendering control |
US11651572B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | Light and rendering of garments |
US11651539B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | System for generating media content items on demand |
US11663792B2 (en) | 2021-09-08 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Body fitted accessory with physics simulation |
US11662900B2 (en) | 2016-05-31 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Application control using a gesture based trigger |
US11660022B2 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Adaptive skeletal joint smoothing |
US11670059B2 (en) | 2021-09-01 | 2023-06-06 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on body gestures |
US11673054B2 (en) | 2021-09-07 | 2023-06-13 | Snap Inc. | Controlling AR games on fashion items |
US11676199B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2023-06-13 | Snap Inc. | Generating customizable avatar outfits |
US11683280B2 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2023-06-20 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system including an external-resource dock and drawer |
US11704878B2 (en) | 2017-01-09 | 2023-07-18 | Snap Inc. | Surface aware lens |
US11734959B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Activating hands-free mode on mirroring device |
US11734894B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Real-time motion transfer for prosthetic limbs |
US11734866B2 (en) | 2021-09-13 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on voice |
US11748958B2 (en) | 2021-12-07 | 2023-09-05 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality unboxing experience |
US11748931B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2023-09-05 | Snap Inc. | Body animation sharing and remixing |
US11763481B2 (en) | 2021-10-20 | 2023-09-19 | Snap Inc. | Mirror-based augmented reality experience |
US11790531B2 (en) | 2021-02-24 | 2023-10-17 | Snap Inc. | Whole body segmentation |
US11790614B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-10-17 | Snap Inc. | Inferring intent from pose and speech input |
US11798238B2 (en) | 2021-09-14 | 2023-10-24 | Snap Inc. | Blending body mesh into external mesh |
US11798201B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-10-24 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with whole-body outfits |
US11809633B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-11-07 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with pointing based navigation |
US11818286B2 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2023-11-14 | Snap Inc. | Avatar recommendation and reply |
US11823346B2 (en) | 2022-01-17 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | AR body part tracking system |
US11830209B2 (en) | 2017-05-26 | 2023-11-28 | Snap Inc. | Neural network-based image stream modification |
US11836866B2 (en) | 2021-09-20 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | Deforming real-world object using an external mesh |
US11836862B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | External mesh with vertex attributes |
US11842411B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2023-12-12 | Snap Inc. | Location-based virtual avatars |
US11852554B1 (en) | 2019-03-21 | 2023-12-26 | Snap Inc. | Barometer calibration in a location sharing system |
US11854069B2 (en) | 2021-07-16 | 2023-12-26 | Snap Inc. | Personalized try-on ads |
US11863513B2 (en) | 2020-08-31 | 2024-01-02 | Snap Inc. | Media content playback and comments management |
US11870743B1 (en) | 2017-01-23 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Customized digital avatar accessories |
US11870745B1 (en) | 2022-06-28 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Media gallery sharing and management |
US11868414B1 (en) | 2019-03-14 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Graph-based prediction for contact suggestion in a location sharing system |
US11875439B2 (en) | 2018-04-18 | 2024-01-16 | Snap Inc. | Augmented expression system |
US11880947B2 (en) | 2021-12-21 | 2024-01-23 | Snap Inc. | Real-time upper-body garment exchange |
US11888795B2 (en) | 2020-09-21 | 2024-01-30 | Snap Inc. | Chats with micro sound clips |
US11887260B2 (en) | 2021-12-30 | 2024-01-30 | Snap Inc. | AR position indicator |
US11893166B1 (en) | 2022-11-08 | 2024-02-06 | Snap Inc. | User avatar movement control using an augmented reality eyewear device |
US11900506B2 (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2024-02-13 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on facial expressions |
US11908083B2 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Deforming custom mesh based on body mesh |
US11908243B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Menu hierarchy navigation on electronic mirroring devices |
US11910269B2 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality content items including user avatar to share location |
US11922010B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2024-03-05 | Snap Inc. | Providing contextual information with keyboard interface for messaging system |
US11928783B2 (en) | 2021-12-30 | 2024-03-12 | Snap Inc. | AR position and orientation along a plane |
US11941227B2 (en) | 2021-06-30 | 2024-03-26 | Snap Inc. | Hybrid search system for customizable media |
US11956190B2 (en) | 2020-05-08 | 2024-04-09 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with a carousel of related entities |
US11954762B2 (en) | 2022-01-19 | 2024-04-09 | Snap Inc. | Object replacement system |
US11960784B2 (en) | 2021-12-07 | 2024-04-16 | Snap Inc. | Shared augmented reality unboxing experience |
US11973732B2 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2024-04-30 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with avatar generation |
US11969075B2 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2024-04-30 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality beauty product tutorials |
US11978283B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2024-05-07 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with a hands-free mode |
US11983826B2 (en) | 2021-09-30 | 2024-05-14 | Snap Inc. | 3D upper garment tracking |
US11983462B2 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2024-05-14 | Snap Inc. | Conversation guided augmented reality experience |
US11991419B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2024-05-21 | Snap Inc. | Selecting avatars to be included in the video being generated on demand |
US11996113B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-05-28 | Snap Inc. | Voice notes with changing effects |
US11995757B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-05-28 | Snap Inc. | Customized animation from video |
US12002146B2 (en) | 2022-03-28 | 2024-06-04 | Snap Inc. | 3D modeling based on neural light field |
US12008811B2 (en) | 2020-12-30 | 2024-06-11 | Snap Inc. | Machine learning-based selection of a representative video frame within a messaging application |
US12020358B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Animated custom sticker creation |
US12020384B2 (en) | 2022-06-21 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Integrating augmented reality experiences with other components |
US12020386B2 (en) | 2022-06-23 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Applying pregenerated virtual experiences in new location |
US12034680B2 (en) | 2021-03-31 | 2024-07-09 | Snap Inc. | User presence indication data management |
US12047337B1 (en) | 2023-07-03 | 2024-07-23 | Snap Inc. | Generating media content items during user interaction |
US12046037B2 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2024-07-23 | Snap Inc. | Adding beauty products to augmented reality tutorials |
US12051163B2 (en) | 2022-08-25 | 2024-07-30 | Snap Inc. | External computer vision for an eyewear device |
Families Citing this family (370)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030064807A1 (en) * | 2001-09-25 | 2003-04-03 | Walker Jay S. | Method and apparatus for linked play gaming |
JP2001195491A (en) * | 1999-11-02 | 2001-07-19 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Selling support method for commodity associated with living space, method and system for charging the same and recording medium |
US8645137B2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2014-02-04 | Apple Inc. | Fast, language-independent method for user authentication by voice |
JP4785283B2 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2011-10-05 | キヤノン株式会社 | Server computer, control method and program |
KR100363952B1 (en) * | 2000-08-08 | 2002-12-12 | 학교법인 인하학원 | A Method for Multimedia Communication on Mobile PCs |
US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2005-06-21 | Kyunam Kim | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
JP2002215931A (en) * | 2001-01-17 | 2002-08-02 | Fujitsu Ltd | Communication method, electronic commerce method, and management device |
JP4765182B2 (en) * | 2001-01-19 | 2011-09-07 | ソニー株式会社 | Interactive television communication method and interactive television communication client device |
EP1357517A4 (en) * | 2001-02-02 | 2009-05-20 | Sharp Kk | Animation data creating method, animation data creating device, terminal device, computer-readable recording medium recording animation data creating program and animation data creating program |
US20020138836A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2002-09-26 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for recommending television programming through a celebrity or using a celebrity profile |
ES2245730T3 (en) * | 2001-03-27 | 2006-01-16 | Lego A/S | PROCEDURE, SYSTEM AND STORAGE MEANS FOR AN ICON LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION TOOL. |
US7124372B2 (en) * | 2001-06-13 | 2006-10-17 | Glen David Brin | Interactive communication between a plurality of users |
US7133900B1 (en) * | 2001-07-06 | 2006-11-07 | Yahoo! Inc. | Sharing and implementing instant messaging environments |
US7472187B2 (en) | 2001-09-28 | 2008-12-30 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Communications and information resource manager |
US7313617B2 (en) | 2001-09-28 | 2007-12-25 | Dale Malik | Methods and systems for a communications and information resource manager |
US7007085B1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2006-02-28 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Message log for wireline, voice mail, email, fax, pager, instant messages and chat |
WO2003045058A1 (en) * | 2001-11-23 | 2003-05-30 | Nokia Corporation | Television chat room |
US7359943B2 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2008-04-15 | Yahoo! Inc. | Providing instant messaging functionality in non-instant messaging environments |
US7421660B2 (en) * | 2003-02-04 | 2008-09-02 | Cataphora, Inc. | Method and apparatus to visually present discussions for data mining purposes |
US7386439B1 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2008-06-10 | Cataphora, Inc. | Data mining by retrieving causally-related documents not individually satisfying search criteria used |
US7401020B2 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2008-07-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Application of emotion-based intonation and prosody to speech in text-to-speech systems |
US20040043806A1 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2004-03-04 | Keith Kirby | Online vehicle collection and play activity |
US20050287925A1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2005-12-29 | Nathan Proch | Collectible item and code for interactive games |
US20030156135A1 (en) * | 2002-02-15 | 2003-08-21 | Lucarelli Designs & Displays, Inc. | Virtual reality system for tradeshows and associated methods |
KR100478613B1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2005-03-28 | 가시오게산키 가부시키가이샤 | Data communication apparatus, data communication system and method thereof |
US7039677B2 (en) * | 2002-05-07 | 2006-05-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Threaded text-based chat collaboration |
US7096255B2 (en) * | 2002-05-21 | 2006-08-22 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. | System and method for providing a roster list of temporary contacts having expiration periods designated by a user in an instant messaging environment |
US7685237B1 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2010-03-23 | Aol Inc. | Multiple personalities in chat communications |
AU2002950502A0 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2002-09-12 | E-Clips Intelligent Agent Technologies Pty Ltd | Animated messaging |
GB0220748D0 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2002-10-16 | Saw You Com Ltd | Improved communication using avatars |
GB2393803A (en) * | 2002-10-01 | 2004-04-07 | Hewlett Packard Co | Two mode creature simulaton |
US20050083851A1 (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2005-04-21 | Fotsch Donald J. | Display of a connection speed of an on-line user |
WO2004046876A2 (en) | 2002-11-18 | 2004-06-03 | America Online, Inc. | Enhanced buddy list interface |
US7636755B2 (en) | 2002-11-21 | 2009-12-22 | Aol Llc | Multiple avatar personalities |
US8037150B2 (en) | 2002-11-21 | 2011-10-11 | Aol Inc. | System and methods for providing multiple personas in a communications environment |
US7676542B2 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2010-03-09 | Sap Ag | Establishing a collaboration environment |
US7908554B1 (en) * | 2003-03-03 | 2011-03-15 | Aol Inc. | Modifying avatar behavior based on user action or mood |
US7913176B1 (en) | 2003-03-03 | 2011-03-22 | Aol Inc. | Applying access controls to communications with avatars |
US20070168863A1 (en) * | 2003-03-03 | 2007-07-19 | Aol Llc | Interacting avatars in an instant messaging communication session |
US20070113181A1 (en) * | 2003-03-03 | 2007-05-17 | Blattner Patrick D | Using avatars to communicate real-time information |
US20040179039A1 (en) | 2003-03-03 | 2004-09-16 | Blattner Patrick D. | Using avatars to communicate |
US7669134B1 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2010-02-23 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for displaying information during an instant messaging session |
US7862428B2 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2011-01-04 | Ganz | Interactive action figures for gaming systems |
WO2005020129A2 (en) * | 2003-08-19 | 2005-03-03 | Bandalong Entertainment | Customizable avatar and differentiated instant messaging environment |
KR100834747B1 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2008-06-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method And Apparatus For Providing Digital Television Viewer With Friendly User Interface Using Avatar |
US7503006B2 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2009-03-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Visual indication of current voice speaker |
US8489769B2 (en) * | 2003-10-02 | 2013-07-16 | Accenture Global Services Limited | Intelligent collaborative expression in support of socialization of devices |
US20050177505A1 (en) * | 2003-11-24 | 2005-08-11 | Keeling John E. | System and method for registering a user with an electronic bill payment system |
US7465212B2 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2008-12-16 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
AU2011204948B2 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2013-07-11 | 2121200 Ontario Inc. | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
CA2697021C (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2014-04-08 | Howard Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
AU2011203115B2 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2013-06-13 | 2121200 Ontario Inc. | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
AU2011204771B2 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2013-07-11 | 2121200 Ontario Inc. | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7534157B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-05-19 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
DE102004061884B4 (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2007-01-18 | Combots Product Gmbh & Co. Kg | Method and system for telecommunications with virtual substitutes |
US7707520B2 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2010-04-27 | Yahoo! Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing flash-based avatars |
WO2005074596A2 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2005-08-18 | Yahoo! Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing real-time notification for avatars |
CA2551782A1 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2005-08-11 | Combots Product Gmbh & Co. Kg | Method and system for telecommunication with the aid of virtual control representatives |
WO2005076582A1 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2005-08-18 | Combots Product Gmbh & Co.Kg | Establishment of links with the aid of contact elements |
US7430720B2 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2008-09-30 | America Online, Inc. | System and method for preventing screen-scrapers from extracting user screen names |
US20060080702A1 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2006-04-13 | Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. | Systems and methods for delivering content over a network |
US7465231B2 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2008-12-16 | Gametap Llc | Systems and methods for delivering content over a network |
US7814426B2 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2010-10-12 | Sap Aktiengesellschaft | Reusable component in a collaboration workspace |
CN1985531B (en) * | 2004-07-07 | 2010-09-29 | 三星电子株式会社 | Device and method for downloading character image from web site in wireless terminal |
US7675519B2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2010-03-09 | Elite Avatars, Inc. | Persistent, immersible and extractable avatars |
US8547380B2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2013-10-01 | Elite Avatars, Llc | Persistent, immersible and extractable avatars |
US20060109273A1 (en) * | 2004-11-19 | 2006-05-25 | Rams Joaquin S | Real-time multi-media information and communications system |
US20090198604A1 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2009-08-06 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Tracking a participant loss in a virtual world |
US9652809B1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2017-05-16 | Aol Inc. | Using user profile information to determine an avatar and/or avatar characteristics |
US7468729B1 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2008-12-23 | Aol Llc, A Delaware Limited Liability Company | Using an avatar to generate user profile information |
US7616561B1 (en) | 2005-01-19 | 2009-11-10 | Juniper Networks, Inc. | Systems and methods for routing data in a communications network |
US20060190555A1 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2006-08-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | Wrapping non-live objects for liveness |
US8473382B2 (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2013-06-25 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Virtual collateral for real-world obligations |
US20090138333A1 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2009-05-28 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liablity Of The State Of Delaware | Follow-up contacts with virtual world participants |
US20090144148A1 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2009-06-04 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Attribute enhancement in virtual world environments |
US8512143B2 (en) | 2005-07-18 | 2013-08-20 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Third party control over virtual world characters |
US7958047B2 (en) | 2005-02-04 | 2011-06-07 | The Invention Science Fund I | Virtual credit in simulated environments |
US20090043682A1 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2009-02-12 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Real-world profile data for making virtual world contacts |
US8556723B2 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2013-10-15 | The Invention Science Fund I. LLC | Third party control over virtual world characters |
US20140335948A1 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2014-11-13 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Third Party Control Over Virtual World Characters |
US8566111B2 (en) | 2005-02-04 | 2013-10-22 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Disposition of component virtual property rights |
US8271365B2 (en) | 2005-02-04 | 2012-09-18 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Real-world profile data for making virtual world contacts |
US8457991B2 (en) | 2005-02-04 | 2013-06-04 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Virtual credit in simulated environments |
US20070118420A1 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2007-05-24 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Context determinants in virtual world environment |
WO2006092647A1 (en) * | 2005-03-04 | 2006-09-08 | Nokia Corporation | Offering menu items to a user |
US20060235932A1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2006-10-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Chat server mute capability |
US8606950B2 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2013-12-10 | Logitech Europe S.A. | System and method for transparently processing multimedia data |
US8047848B2 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2011-11-01 | Vince Scott Margiotta | Method and system for providing incentives in a business environment |
US9583141B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2017-02-28 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Implementing audio substitution options in media works |
US9065979B2 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2015-06-23 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Promotional placement in media works |
US9426387B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2016-08-23 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Image anonymization |
US7860342B2 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2010-12-28 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Modifying restricted images |
US9092928B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2015-07-28 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Implementing group content substitution in media works |
US8732087B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2014-05-20 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Authorization for media content alteration |
US8203609B2 (en) | 2007-01-31 | 2012-06-19 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Anonymization pursuant to a broadcasted policy |
US9230601B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2016-01-05 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Media markup system for content alteration in derivative works |
US8910033B2 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2014-12-09 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Implementing group content substitution in media works |
US8963926B2 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2015-02-24 | Pandoodle Corporation | User customized animated video and method for making the same |
US8207843B2 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2012-06-26 | Huston Charles D | GPS-based location and messaging system and method |
US9344842B2 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2016-05-17 | Charles D. Huston | System and method for viewing golf using virtual reality |
US8933967B2 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2015-01-13 | Charles D. Huston | System and method for creating and sharing an event using a social network |
US9445225B2 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2016-09-13 | Huston Family Trust | GPS based spectator and participant sport system and method |
US11972450B2 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2024-04-30 | Charles D. Huston | Spectator and participant system and method for displaying different views of an event |
US8677377B2 (en) | 2005-09-08 | 2014-03-18 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for building an intelligent automated assistant |
JP4357474B2 (en) * | 2005-11-07 | 2009-11-04 | ソニー・エリクソン・モバイルコミュニケーションズ株式会社 | Communication terminal device and computer program |
EP1806692A1 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2007-07-11 | Alcatel Lucent | System for storing and providing information for personalizing user devices |
US20070214106A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-13 | Johnston Julia K | Iconographic-based attribute mapping system and method |
US7925723B1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2011-04-12 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Collaborative configuration of a media environment |
US8128450B2 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2012-03-06 | Mattel, Inc. | Thermochromic transformable toy |
US8601379B2 (en) * | 2006-05-07 | 2013-12-03 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Methods for interactive communications with real time effects and avatar environment interaction |
US8343547B2 (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2013-01-01 | Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. | Solid dosage form comprising solid dispersion |
US20080046823A1 (en) * | 2006-08-15 | 2008-02-21 | Scott Anson Korbin | Web-based sales transaction interface tool with dynamic personal branding and method of use |
US9304675B2 (en) | 2006-09-06 | 2016-04-05 | Apple Inc. | Portable electronic device for instant messaging |
US9318108B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2016-04-19 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant |
US7782866B1 (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2010-08-24 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Virtual peer in a peer-to-peer network |
US9275372B2 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2016-03-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | Controlling active and passive participation in a thread of conversation |
US20080091635A1 (en) * | 2006-10-16 | 2008-04-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Animated picker for slider bars and two-dimensional pickers |
CA2565757A1 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2008-04-26 | Daniel Langlois | System for interactively linking real entities to virtual entities thereof |
US20100110073A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2010-05-06 | Tahg Llc | Method for creating, storing, and providing access to three-dimensionally scanned images |
AU2007237363B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2010-04-29 | 2121200 Ontario Inc. | Feature codes and bonuses in virtual worlds |
US7983955B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2011-07-19 | Ganz | System and method for tiered website access |
TW200824767A (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-16 | Yu-Hsi Ho | Materialization system for virtual object and method thereof |
US7860934B1 (en) * | 2007-01-30 | 2010-12-28 | Intuit Inc. | Method and apparatus for tracking financial transactions for a user |
US9098167B1 (en) | 2007-02-26 | 2015-08-04 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Layered visualization of content representations |
US7849420B1 (en) | 2007-02-26 | 2010-12-07 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Interactive content representations enabling content sharing |
US7840903B1 (en) | 2007-02-26 | 2010-11-23 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Group content representations |
GB0703974D0 (en) * | 2007-03-01 | 2007-04-11 | Sony Comp Entertainment Europe | Entertainment device |
US8977255B2 (en) | 2007-04-03 | 2015-03-10 | Apple Inc. | Method and system for operating a multi-function portable electronic device using voice-activation |
US9215512B2 (en) | 2007-04-27 | 2015-12-15 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Implementation of media content alteration |
US20080274806A1 (en) * | 2007-05-02 | 2008-11-06 | S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. And 816877 Ontario Limited | Character development and exchange |
US8272951B2 (en) * | 2007-05-02 | 2012-09-25 | Ganz | Attribute building for characters in a virtual environment |
US7908556B2 (en) * | 2007-06-14 | 2011-03-15 | Yahoo! Inc. | Method and system for media landmark identification |
US8260266B1 (en) | 2007-06-26 | 2012-09-04 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Method and system for third-party discovery of proximity-based services |
US9954996B2 (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2018-04-24 | Apple Inc. | Portable electronic device with conversation management for incoming instant messages |
TW200903377A (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2009-01-16 | Asustek Comp Inc | Display method and managed module of frame before entering operating system |
US8128500B1 (en) | 2007-07-13 | 2012-03-06 | Ganz | System and method for generating a virtual environment for land-based and underwater virtual characters |
US20090037822A1 (en) * | 2007-07-31 | 2009-02-05 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Context-aware shared content representations |
US20090049513A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-02-19 | Root Jason E | System and method for controlling a virtual environment of a user |
US8118636B2 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2012-02-21 | Ganz | Pet of the month exclusive limited time rewards |
US9111285B2 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2015-08-18 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | System and method for representing content, user presence and interaction within virtual world advertising environments |
US20090077186A1 (en) * | 2007-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | Inventec Corporation | Interface, system and method of providing instant messaging service |
US8348716B2 (en) * | 2007-09-19 | 2013-01-08 | Ganz | Pet of the month with music player |
US8600779B2 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2013-12-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Advertising with an influential participant in a virtual world |
US8606634B2 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2013-12-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Providing advertising in a virtual world |
GB2453938A (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-29 | Nortel Networks Ltd | Controlling communication session within a virtual environment |
US8261307B1 (en) | 2007-10-25 | 2012-09-04 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Wireless multimedia content brokerage service for real time selective content provisioning |
US9908046B2 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2018-03-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for personalizing content presented in an avatar wait state |
EP2058756A1 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2009-05-13 | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. | Apparatus and method of administering modular online environments |
US20090119604A1 (en) * | 2007-11-06 | 2009-05-07 | Microsoft Corporation | Virtual office devices |
US20090128567A1 (en) * | 2007-11-15 | 2009-05-21 | Brian Mark Shuster | Multi-instance, multi-user animation with coordinated chat |
US8612302B2 (en) | 2007-11-19 | 2013-12-17 | Ganz | Credit swap in a virtual world |
US20090132357A1 (en) * | 2007-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | Ganz, An Ontario Partnership Consisting Of S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. And 816877 Ontario Limited | Transfer of rewards from a central website to other websites |
US8088002B2 (en) * | 2007-11-19 | 2012-01-03 | Ganz | Transfer of rewards between websites |
US8626819B2 (en) | 2007-11-19 | 2014-01-07 | Ganz | Transfer of items between social networking websites |
US20090149236A1 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2009-06-11 | Leviathan Entertainment | Creating a Virtual Item Skin from Content in a Real Time Trivia Match |
US8167724B2 (en) * | 2007-12-10 | 2012-05-01 | Gary Stephen Shuster | Guest management in an online multi-player virtual reality game |
US8615479B2 (en) | 2007-12-13 | 2013-12-24 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Methods and systems for indicating behavior in a population cohort |
US9211077B2 (en) | 2007-12-13 | 2015-12-15 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Methods and systems for specifying an avatar |
US8356004B2 (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2013-01-15 | Searete Llc | Methods and systems for comparing media content |
US10204525B1 (en) | 2007-12-14 | 2019-02-12 | JeffRoy H. Tillis | Suggestion-based virtual sessions engaging the mirror neuron system |
US9418368B2 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2016-08-16 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Methods and systems for determining interest in a cohort-linked avatar |
US8046700B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2011-10-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for managing encounters in a virtual world environment |
US20090164919A1 (en) * | 2007-12-24 | 2009-06-25 | Cary Lee Bates | Generating data for managing encounters in a virtual world environment |
US8527334B2 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2013-09-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Advertising revenue sharing |
US9775554B2 (en) | 2007-12-31 | 2017-10-03 | Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Population cohort-linked avatar |
US9330720B2 (en) | 2008-01-03 | 2016-05-03 | Apple Inc. | Methods and apparatus for altering audio output signals |
US8327272B2 (en) | 2008-01-06 | 2012-12-04 | Apple Inc. | Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for viewing and managing electronic calendars |
US20090187833A1 (en) * | 2008-01-19 | 2009-07-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Deploying a virtual world within a productivity application |
US8719077B2 (en) * | 2008-01-29 | 2014-05-06 | Microsoft Corporation | Real world and virtual world cross-promotion |
US8464166B2 (en) * | 2008-02-11 | 2013-06-11 | Ganz | Friends list management |
US8321513B2 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2012-11-27 | Ganz | Multiple-layer chat filter system and method |
US20090225075A1 (en) * | 2008-03-06 | 2009-09-10 | Bates Cary L | Sharing Virtual Environments Using Multi-User Cache Data |
US20090225074A1 (en) * | 2008-03-06 | 2009-09-10 | Bates Cary L | Reconstruction of Virtual Environments Using Cached Data |
US20100211899A1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-19 | Robb Fujioka | Virtual Marketplace Accessible To Widgetized Avatars |
US10460085B2 (en) | 2008-03-13 | 2019-10-29 | Mattel, Inc. | Tablet computer |
CA2623188C (en) * | 2008-03-20 | 2011-02-15 | Ganz, An Ontario Partnership Consisting Of 2121200 Ontario Inc. And 2121812 Ontario Inc. | Social networking in a non-personalized environment |
US8448190B2 (en) * | 2008-03-24 | 2013-05-21 | MFV.com, Inc. | Methods, systems, and computer readable media for high reliability downloading of background assets using a manifest in a virtual world application |
US9037486B2 (en) * | 2008-03-28 | 2015-05-19 | Ganz | Method for disabling and re-enabling third-party ads |
CA2623966A1 (en) * | 2008-04-01 | 2009-01-12 | Ganz, An Ontario Partnership Consisting Of 2121200 Ontario Inc. And 2121 812 Ontario Inc. | Reverse product purchase in a virtual environment |
US8832552B2 (en) * | 2008-04-03 | 2014-09-09 | Nokia Corporation | Automated selection of avatar characteristics for groups |
US8996376B2 (en) | 2008-04-05 | 2015-03-31 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent text-to-speech conversion |
US20120011454A1 (en) * | 2008-04-30 | 2012-01-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for intelligently mining data during communication streams to present context-sensitive advertisements using background substitution |
US20090276704A1 (en) * | 2008-04-30 | 2009-11-05 | Finn Peter G | Providing customer service hierarchies within a virtual universe |
US8051462B2 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2011-11-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | Secure communication modes in a virtual universe |
US10496753B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2019-12-03 | Apple Inc. | Automatically adapting user interfaces for hands-free interaction |
US8627209B2 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2014-01-07 | Ganz | Social networking in a non-personalized environment |
US8612363B2 (en) * | 2008-06-12 | 2013-12-17 | Microsoft Corporation | Avatar individualized by physical characteristic |
US20090315893A1 (en) * | 2008-06-18 | 2009-12-24 | Microsoft Corporation | User avatar available across computing applications and devices |
US20090315916A1 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | On-the-fly creation of virtual places in virtual worlds |
US20090327907A1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2009-12-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Integrating character-based profiles within a social network |
US20100005007A1 (en) * | 2008-07-07 | 2010-01-07 | Aaron Roger Cox | Methods of associating real world items with virtual world representations |
US8446414B2 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2013-05-21 | Microsoft Corporation | Programming APIS for an extensible avatar system |
US20120246585A9 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2012-09-27 | Microsoft Corporation | System for editing an avatar |
US20100030549A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2010-02-04 | Lee Michael M | Mobile device having human language translation capability with positional feedback |
US8384719B2 (en) * | 2008-08-01 | 2013-02-26 | Microsoft Corporation | Avatar items and animations |
US8037416B2 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2011-10-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Presenting and filtering objects in a virtual world |
US20100035692A1 (en) * | 2008-08-08 | 2010-02-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Avatar closet/ game awarded avatar |
US8239259B2 (en) * | 2008-08-15 | 2012-08-07 | Ganz | Donations in a virtual environment |
US20100058235A1 (en) * | 2008-09-03 | 2010-03-04 | Ganz | Method and system for naming virtual rooms |
US20100070884A1 (en) * | 2008-09-17 | 2010-03-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dynamically Linking Avatar Profiles Within a Virtual Environment |
US20100100447A1 (en) * | 2008-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | Ganz | Toy system and extravaganza planner |
US8510800B2 (en) | 2008-10-27 | 2013-08-13 | Ganz | Temporary user account for a virtual world website |
US8988421B2 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2015-03-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | Rendering avatar details |
US8291218B2 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2012-10-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Creating and using secure communications channels for virtual universes |
US8458601B2 (en) | 2008-12-04 | 2013-06-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for item inquiry and information presentation via standard communication paths |
WO2010067118A1 (en) | 2008-12-11 | 2010-06-17 | Novauris Technologies Limited | Speech recognition involving a mobile device |
US8255807B2 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2012-08-28 | Ganz | Item customization and website customization |
US20100161443A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Ganz, An Ontario Partnership Consisting Of 2121200 Ontario Inc. And 2121812 Ontario Inc. | Purchases using unique codes |
US7685023B1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2010-03-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method, system, and computer program product for virtualizing a physical storefront |
US9176579B2 (en) * | 2008-12-29 | 2015-11-03 | Avaya Inc. | Visual indication of user interests in a computer-generated virtual environment |
US8239776B2 (en) * | 2009-01-14 | 2012-08-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Behavior detection and alert in virtual worlds based on spatial and temporal criteria |
US8291327B2 (en) * | 2009-01-14 | 2012-10-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Detecting avatar following in a virtual environment |
US8826129B2 (en) * | 2009-01-21 | 2014-09-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multi-touch device having a bot with local and remote capabilities |
US20100191571A1 (en) * | 2009-01-23 | 2010-07-29 | At&T Mobility Ii Llc | Dynamic advertisement |
US8434010B2 (en) | 2009-02-12 | 2013-04-30 | International Business Machines Corporation | Standardized visual indicators in electronic media |
US8788943B2 (en) * | 2009-05-15 | 2014-07-22 | Ganz | Unlocking emoticons using feature codes |
US20110078052A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2011-03-31 | Yunus Ciptawilangga | Virtual reality ecommerce with linked user and avatar benefits |
US20100306121A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | Yunus Ciptawilangga | Selling and delivering real goods and services within a virtual reality world |
US20100306120A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | Yunus Ciptawilangga | Online merchandising and ecommerce with virtual reality simulation of an actual retail location |
US20100306084A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | Yunus Ciptawilangga | Need-based online virtual reality ecommerce system |
US10241752B2 (en) | 2011-09-30 | 2019-03-26 | Apple Inc. | Interface for a virtual digital assistant |
US8386930B2 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2013-02-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Contextual data center management utilizing a virtual environment |
US10241644B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2019-03-26 | Apple Inc. | Actionable reminder entries |
US9858925B2 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2018-01-02 | Apple Inc. | Using context information to facilitate processing of commands in a virtual assistant |
US20120309363A1 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2012-12-06 | Apple Inc. | Triggering notifications associated with tasks items that represent tasks to perform |
US20100325182A1 (en) * | 2009-06-17 | 2010-12-23 | Ganz, An Ontario Partnership Consisting Of 2121200 Ontario Inc., And 2121812 Ontario Inc. | Downloadable multimedia with access codes |
US9431006B2 (en) | 2009-07-02 | 2016-08-30 | Apple Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for automatic speech recognition |
CA2772135C (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2013-12-31 | Ganz | System and method for limiting the number of characters displayed in a common area |
US9014546B2 (en) | 2009-09-23 | 2015-04-21 | Rovi Guides, Inc. | Systems and methods for automatically detecting users within detection regions of media devices |
JP2011070511A (en) * | 2009-09-28 | 2011-04-07 | Sony Corp | Terminal device, server device, display control method, and program |
US20110078030A1 (en) * | 2009-09-29 | 2011-03-31 | Ganz | Website with activities triggered by clickable ads |
US8795072B2 (en) * | 2009-10-13 | 2014-08-05 | Ganz | Method and system for providing a virtual presentation including a virtual companion and virtual photography |
US20110099483A1 (en) * | 2009-10-25 | 2011-04-28 | Bruce James Navin | Website Recording of Reactions of a Designated User through interaction with characters |
US20110112937A1 (en) * | 2009-11-12 | 2011-05-12 | Schorrbusch Robert M | iMotorZ |
US9244533B2 (en) * | 2009-12-17 | 2016-01-26 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Camera navigation for presentations |
US10553209B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2020-02-04 | Apple Inc. | Systems and methods for hands-free notification summaries |
US10705794B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2020-07-07 | Apple Inc. | Automatically adapting user interfaces for hands-free interaction |
US10276170B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2019-04-30 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant |
US10679605B2 (en) | 2010-01-18 | 2020-06-09 | Apple Inc. | Hands-free list-reading by intelligent automated assistant |
US8977584B2 (en) | 2010-01-25 | 2015-03-10 | Newvaluexchange Global Ai Llp | Apparatuses, methods and systems for a digital conversation management platform |
US8682667B2 (en) | 2010-02-25 | 2014-03-25 | Apple Inc. | User profiling for selecting user specific voice input processing information |
US8836719B2 (en) | 2010-04-23 | 2014-09-16 | Ganz | Crafting system in a virtual environment |
US8323068B2 (en) | 2010-04-23 | 2012-12-04 | Ganz | Villagers in a virtual world with upgrading via codes |
US8719730B2 (en) | 2010-04-23 | 2014-05-06 | Ganz | Radial user interface and system for a virtual world game |
WO2011149961A2 (en) * | 2010-05-24 | 2011-12-01 | Intersect Ptp, Inc. | Systems and methods for identifying intersections using content metadata |
US8380725B2 (en) | 2010-08-03 | 2013-02-19 | Ganz | Message filter with replacement text |
US9484065B2 (en) | 2010-10-15 | 2016-11-01 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Intelligent determination of replays based on event identification |
US8667519B2 (en) | 2010-11-12 | 2014-03-04 | Microsoft Corporation | Automatic passive and anonymous feedback system |
US10762293B2 (en) | 2010-12-22 | 2020-09-01 | Apple Inc. | Using parts-of-speech tagging and named entity recognition for spelling correction |
CA2767720C (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2015-11-17 | Ganz | Method and system for creating a virtual world where user-controlled characters interact with non-player characters |
US9262612B2 (en) | 2011-03-21 | 2016-02-16 | Apple Inc. | Device access using voice authentication |
US8423892B1 (en) * | 2011-04-13 | 2013-04-16 | Zynga Inc. | System and method for monitoring player interactions with branded virtual objects in a virtual environment |
US10057736B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2018-08-21 | Apple Inc. | Active transport based notifications |
US8771080B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2014-07-08 | Zynga Inc. | Socially-mediated flash sales |
GB2513822A (en) | 2011-08-24 | 2014-11-12 | Ibm | Context-based messaging system |
US8994660B2 (en) | 2011-08-29 | 2015-03-31 | Apple Inc. | Text correction processing |
US20130084978A1 (en) * | 2011-10-03 | 2013-04-04 | KamaGames Ltd. | System and Method of Providing a Virtual Environment to Users with Static Avatars and Chat Bubbles |
US8721456B2 (en) | 2012-02-17 | 2014-05-13 | Ganz | Incentivizing playing between websites |
US10134385B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-11-20 | Apple Inc. | Systems and methods for name pronunciation |
US9483461B2 (en) | 2012-03-06 | 2016-11-01 | Apple Inc. | Handling speech synthesis of content for multiple languages |
US9280610B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2016-03-08 | Apple Inc. | Crowd sourcing information to fulfill user requests |
US9721563B2 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2017-08-01 | Apple Inc. | Name recognition system |
US9495129B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2016-11-15 | Apple Inc. | Device, method, and user interface for voice-activated navigation and browsing of a document |
US9576574B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2017-02-21 | Apple Inc. | Context-sensitive handling of interruptions by intelligent digital assistant |
US9547647B2 (en) | 2012-09-19 | 2017-01-17 | Apple Inc. | Voice-based media searching |
JP5475935B1 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2014-04-16 | グリー株式会社 | Server, control method thereof, and control program thereof |
US20140121007A1 (en) * | 2012-10-30 | 2014-05-01 | Zynga Inc. | Playing a social game with automatic players |
GB2508832A (en) * | 2012-12-11 | 2014-06-18 | Cavia Ltd | Social network based online shopping environment and method of managing discount codes |
CN104969289B (en) | 2013-02-07 | 2021-05-28 | 苹果公司 | Voice trigger of digital assistant |
US9368114B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2016-06-14 | Apple Inc. | Context-sensitive handling of interruptions |
WO2014144579A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Apple Inc. | System and method for updating an adaptive speech recognition model |
US9922642B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-03-20 | Apple Inc. | Training an at least partial voice command system |
US9582608B2 (en) | 2013-06-07 | 2017-02-28 | Apple Inc. | Unified ranking with entropy-weighted information for phrase-based semantic auto-completion |
WO2014197336A1 (en) | 2013-06-07 | 2014-12-11 | Apple Inc. | System and method for detecting errors in interactions with a voice-based digital assistant |
WO2014197334A2 (en) | 2013-06-07 | 2014-12-11 | Apple Inc. | System and method for user-specified pronunciation of words for speech synthesis and recognition |
WO2014197335A1 (en) | 2013-06-08 | 2014-12-11 | Apple Inc. | Interpreting and acting upon commands that involve sharing information with remote devices |
US10176167B2 (en) | 2013-06-09 | 2019-01-08 | Apple Inc. | System and method for inferring user intent from speech inputs |
EP3937002A1 (en) | 2013-06-09 | 2022-01-12 | Apple Inc. | Device, method, and graphical user interface for enabling conversation persistence across two or more instances of a digital assistant |
CN105265005B (en) | 2013-06-13 | 2019-09-17 | 苹果公司 | System and method for the urgent call initiated by voice command |
WO2015020942A1 (en) | 2013-08-06 | 2015-02-12 | Apple Inc. | Auto-activating smart responses based on activities from remote devices |
TW201530458A (en) * | 2013-10-14 | 2015-08-01 | Robb Fujioka | Widgetized avatar and a method and system of creating and using same |
US9674563B2 (en) | 2013-11-04 | 2017-06-06 | Rovi Guides, Inc. | Systems and methods for recommending content |
US9620105B2 (en) | 2014-05-15 | 2017-04-11 | Apple Inc. | Analyzing audio input for efficient speech and music recognition |
US10592095B2 (en) | 2014-05-23 | 2020-03-17 | Apple Inc. | Instantaneous speaking of content on touch devices |
US9502031B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2016-11-22 | Apple Inc. | Method for supporting dynamic grammars in WFST-based ASR |
US9633004B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-04-25 | Apple Inc. | Better resolution when referencing to concepts |
US9785630B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-10-10 | Apple Inc. | Text prediction using combined word N-gram and unigram language models |
US10170123B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2019-01-01 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent assistant for home automation |
US9760559B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-09-12 | Apple Inc. | Predictive text input |
WO2015184186A1 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2015-12-03 | Apple Inc. | Multi-command single utterance input method |
US9715875B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-07-25 | Apple Inc. | Reducing the need for manual start/end-pointing and trigger phrases |
US10289433B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2019-05-14 | Apple Inc. | Domain specific language for encoding assistant dialog |
US9734193B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-08-15 | Apple Inc. | Determining domain salience ranking from ambiguous words in natural speech |
US10078631B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2018-09-18 | Apple Inc. | Entropy-guided text prediction using combined word and character n-gram language models |
US9430463B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2016-08-30 | Apple Inc. | Exemplar-based natural language processing |
US9842101B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-12-12 | Apple Inc. | Predictive conversion of language input |
US9338493B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2016-05-10 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant for TV user interactions |
US10659851B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2020-05-19 | Apple Inc. | Real-time digital assistant knowledge updates |
CN105320532B (en) * | 2014-07-31 | 2020-04-21 | 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 | Method, device and terminal for displaying interactive interface |
US10446141B2 (en) | 2014-08-28 | 2019-10-15 | Apple Inc. | Automatic speech recognition based on user feedback |
US9818400B2 (en) | 2014-09-11 | 2017-11-14 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for discovering trending terms in speech requests |
US10789041B2 (en) | 2014-09-12 | 2020-09-29 | Apple Inc. | Dynamic thresholds for always listening speech trigger |
US9668121B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2017-05-30 | Apple Inc. | Social reminders |
US9886432B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2018-02-06 | Apple Inc. | Parsimonious handling of word inflection via categorical stem + suffix N-gram language models |
US10127911B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2018-11-13 | Apple Inc. | Speaker identification and unsupervised speaker adaptation techniques |
US10074360B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2018-09-11 | Apple Inc. | Providing an indication of the suitability of speech recognition |
US9646609B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2017-05-09 | Apple Inc. | Caching apparatus for serving phonetic pronunciations |
US10552013B2 (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2020-02-04 | Apple Inc. | Data detection |
US9711141B2 (en) | 2014-12-09 | 2017-07-18 | Apple Inc. | Disambiguating heteronyms in speech synthesis |
US10033670B2 (en) | 2014-12-22 | 2018-07-24 | Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. | Electronic messaging management |
US20160180364A1 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Spin Master Ltd. | Method of driving sales of a physical product |
US9901827B2 (en) | 2015-01-06 | 2018-02-27 | Spin Master Ltd. | Methods and system relating to physical constructions and virtual representations |
KR101583181B1 (en) * | 2015-01-19 | 2016-01-06 | 주식회사 엔씨소프트 | Method and computer program of recommending responsive sticker |
KR20160089152A (en) * | 2015-01-19 | 2016-07-27 | 주식회사 엔씨소프트 | Method and computer system of analyzing communication situation based on dialogue act information |
KR20150035877A (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2015-04-07 | 네이버 주식회사 | Method, system and recording medium for transaction processing using real time conversation |
US9865280B2 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2018-01-09 | Apple Inc. | Structured dictation using intelligent automated assistants |
US10567477B2 (en) | 2015-03-08 | 2020-02-18 | Apple Inc. | Virtual assistant continuity |
US9721566B2 (en) | 2015-03-08 | 2017-08-01 | Apple Inc. | Competing devices responding to voice triggers |
US9886953B2 (en) | 2015-03-08 | 2018-02-06 | Apple Inc. | Virtual assistant activation |
KR20160110008A (en) * | 2015-03-10 | 2016-09-21 | 성명석 | Method for providing chatting service |
US9899019B2 (en) | 2015-03-18 | 2018-02-20 | Apple Inc. | Systems and methods for structured stem and suffix language models |
US9842105B2 (en) | 2015-04-16 | 2017-12-12 | Apple Inc. | Parsimonious continuous-space phrase representations for natural language processing |
US10083688B2 (en) | 2015-05-27 | 2018-09-25 | Apple Inc. | Device voice control for selecting a displayed affordance |
US10127220B2 (en) | 2015-06-04 | 2018-11-13 | Apple Inc. | Language identification from short strings |
US9578173B2 (en) | 2015-06-05 | 2017-02-21 | Apple Inc. | Virtual assistant aided communication with 3rd party service in a communication session |
US10101822B2 (en) | 2015-06-05 | 2018-10-16 | Apple Inc. | Language input correction |
US10255907B2 (en) | 2015-06-07 | 2019-04-09 | Apple Inc. | Automatic accent detection using acoustic models |
US11025565B2 (en) | 2015-06-07 | 2021-06-01 | Apple Inc. | Personalized prediction of responses for instant messaging |
US10186254B2 (en) | 2015-06-07 | 2019-01-22 | Apple Inc. | Context-based endpoint detection |
US10671428B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 | 2020-06-02 | Apple Inc. | Distributed personal assistant |
US10747498B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 | 2020-08-18 | Apple Inc. | Zero latency digital assistant |
US9697820B2 (en) | 2015-09-24 | 2017-07-04 | Apple Inc. | Unit-selection text-to-speech synthesis using concatenation-sensitive neural networks |
US10366158B2 (en) | 2015-09-29 | 2019-07-30 | Apple Inc. | Efficient word encoding for recurrent neural network language models |
US11010550B2 (en) | 2015-09-29 | 2021-05-18 | Apple Inc. | Unified language modeling framework for word prediction, auto-completion and auto-correction |
US11587559B2 (en) | 2015-09-30 | 2023-02-21 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent device identification |
US10691473B2 (en) | 2015-11-06 | 2020-06-23 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant in a messaging environment |
US10049668B2 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2018-08-14 | Apple Inc. | Applying neural network language models to weighted finite state transducers for automatic speech recognition |
US10223066B2 (en) | 2015-12-23 | 2019-03-05 | Apple Inc. | Proactive assistance based on dialog communication between devices |
US10446143B2 (en) | 2016-03-14 | 2019-10-15 | Apple Inc. | Identification of voice inputs providing credentials |
US9934775B2 (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2018-04-03 | Apple Inc. | Unit-selection text-to-speech synthesis based on predicted concatenation parameters |
US9972304B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2018-05-15 | Apple Inc. | Privacy preserving distributed evaluation framework for embedded personalized systems |
US10249300B2 (en) | 2016-06-06 | 2019-04-02 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent list reading |
US10049663B2 (en) | 2016-06-08 | 2018-08-14 | Apple, Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant for media exploration |
DK179309B1 (en) | 2016-06-09 | 2018-04-23 | Apple Inc | Intelligent automated assistant in a home environment |
US10586535B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2020-03-10 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent digital assistant in a multi-tasking environment |
US10067938B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2018-09-04 | Apple Inc. | Multilingual word prediction |
US10490187B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2019-11-26 | Apple Inc. | Digital assistant providing automated status report |
US10509862B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2019-12-17 | Apple Inc. | Dynamic phrase expansion of language input |
US10192552B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2019-01-29 | Apple Inc. | Digital assistant providing whispered speech |
DK179343B1 (en) | 2016-06-11 | 2018-05-14 | Apple Inc | Intelligent task discovery |
DK179415B1 (en) | 2016-06-11 | 2018-06-14 | Apple Inc | Intelligent device arbitration and control |
DK201670540A1 (en) | 2016-06-11 | 2018-01-08 | Apple Inc | Application integration with a digital assistant |
DK179049B1 (en) | 2016-06-11 | 2017-09-18 | Apple Inc | Data driven natural language event detection and classification |
US10123188B2 (en) * | 2016-07-08 | 2018-11-06 | Kathleen M. Von Duntz | Holiday telephone apparatus, system and method |
US10043516B2 (en) | 2016-09-23 | 2018-08-07 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent automated assistant |
US10593346B2 (en) | 2016-12-22 | 2020-03-17 | Apple Inc. | Rank-reduced token representation for automatic speech recognition |
DK201770439A1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-12-13 | Apple Inc. | Offline personal assistant |
DK179496B1 (en) | 2017-05-12 | 2019-01-15 | Apple Inc. | USER-SPECIFIC Acoustic Models |
DK179745B1 (en) | 2017-05-12 | 2019-05-01 | Apple Inc. | SYNCHRONIZATION AND TASK DELEGATION OF A DIGITAL ASSISTANT |
DK201770432A1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2018-12-21 | Apple Inc. | Hierarchical belief states for digital assistants |
DK201770431A1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2018-12-20 | Apple Inc. | Optimizing dialogue policy decisions for digital assistants using implicit feedback |
DK179560B1 (en) | 2017-05-16 | 2019-02-18 | Apple Inc. | Far-field extension for digital assistant services |
US10586369B1 (en) * | 2018-01-31 | 2020-03-10 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Using dialog and contextual data of a virtual reality environment to create metadata to drive avatar animation |
US11151602B2 (en) * | 2018-04-30 | 2021-10-19 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for acquiring commentary about a media content event |
CN108854069B (en) * | 2018-05-29 | 2020-02-07 | 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 | Sound source determination method and device, storage medium and electronic device |
US10672193B2 (en) | 2018-08-21 | 2020-06-02 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Methods of restricted virtual asset rendering in a multi-user system |
US11389735B2 (en) | 2019-10-23 | 2022-07-19 | Ganz | Virtual pet system |
US11113890B2 (en) * | 2019-11-04 | 2021-09-07 | Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. | Artificial intelligence enabled mixed reality system and method |
US11358059B2 (en) | 2020-05-27 | 2022-06-14 | Ganz | Live toy system |
EP3985669A1 (en) * | 2020-10-16 | 2022-04-20 | Moodagent A/S | Methods and systems for automatically matching audio content with visual input |
Citations (145)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5255834A (en) * | 1991-12-13 | 1993-10-26 | Ero Industries | Article carriers with incorporated three-dimensional graphical display panels |
US5411259A (en) | 1992-11-23 | 1995-05-02 | Hero, Inc. | Video sports game system using trading cards |
US5544320A (en) | 1993-01-08 | 1996-08-06 | Konrad; Allan M. | Remote information service access system based on a client-server-service model |
US5606652A (en) | 1992-04-29 | 1997-02-25 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Real-time processing system for animation images to be displayed on high definition television systems |
US5659692A (en) * | 1992-01-13 | 1997-08-19 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Computer method and apparatus for video conferencing |
US5682469A (en) | 1994-07-08 | 1997-10-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Software platform having a real world interface with animated characters |
US5684943A (en) | 1990-11-30 | 1997-11-04 | Vpl Research, Inc. | Method and apparatus for creating virtual worlds |
US5717869A (en) | 1995-11-03 | 1998-02-10 | Xerox Corporation | Computer controlled display system using a timeline to control playback of temporal data representing collaborative activities |
US5736982A (en) | 1994-08-03 | 1998-04-07 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Virtual space apparatus with avatars and speech |
US5802296A (en) | 1996-08-02 | 1998-09-01 | Fujitsu Software Corporation | Supervisory powers that provide additional control over images on computers system displays to users interactings via computer systems |
US5822428A (en) * | 1997-03-07 | 1998-10-13 | Great Notions Corp. | Data encryption for product information and access |
US5853327A (en) | 1994-07-28 | 1998-12-29 | Super Dimension, Inc. | Computerized game board |
US5880731A (en) | 1995-12-14 | 1999-03-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Use of avatars with automatic gesturing and bounded interaction in on-line chat session |
US5886697A (en) | 1993-05-24 | 1999-03-23 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved graphical user interface having anthropomorphic characters |
US5890963A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1999-04-06 | Yen; Wei | System and method for maintaining continuous and progressive game play in a computer network |
US5923330A (en) | 1996-08-12 | 1999-07-13 | Ncr Corporation | System and method for navigation and interaction in structured information spaces |
US5926179A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-07-20 | Sony Corporation | Three-dimensional virtual reality space display processing apparatus, a three-dimensional virtual reality space display processing method, and an information providing medium |
WO1999042917A2 (en) | 1998-02-21 | 1999-08-26 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Attention-based interaction in a virtual environment |
US5956038A (en) | 1995-07-12 | 1999-09-21 | Sony Corporation | Three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method and system, an information recording medium and method, an information transmission medium and method, an information processing method, a client terminal, and a shared server terminal |
US5959281A (en) | 1997-02-07 | 1999-09-28 | Lulirama International, Inc. | Interactive card reading system |
US5966526A (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1999-10-12 | Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai | Simulation device for fostering a virtual creature |
US5964660A (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1999-10-12 | Vr-1, Inc. | Network multiplayer game |
US6009458A (en) | 1996-05-09 | 1999-12-28 | 3Do Company | Networked computer game system with persistent playing objects |
US6012961A (en) | 1997-05-14 | 2000-01-11 | Design Lab, Llc | Electronic toy including a reprogrammable data storage device |
JP2000057373A (en) | 1998-07-27 | 2000-02-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Inf Technol Center America Inc | System for creating, editing and distributing three- dimensional virtual reality environment, method for distributing information, method for updating virtual reality environment and method for executing virtual reality environment |
US6031549A (en) | 1995-07-19 | 2000-02-29 | Extempo Systems, Inc. | System and method for directed improvisation by computer controlled characters |
US6049778A (en) | 1997-10-31 | 2000-04-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for administering a reward program |
US6057856A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2000-05-02 | Sony Corporation | 3D virtual reality multi-user interaction with superimposed positional information display for each user |
US6072466A (en) | 1996-08-02 | 2000-06-06 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Virtual environment manipulation device modelling and control |
WO2000033533A1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 2000-06-08 | Red Fig Limited | Interactive media system |
US6081830A (en) | 1997-10-09 | 2000-06-27 | Gateway 2000, Inc. | Automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms |
US6159101A (en) | 1997-07-24 | 2000-12-12 | Tiger Electronics, Ltd. | Interactive toy products |
US6173267B1 (en) | 1998-02-24 | 2001-01-09 | Laurie Cairns | Method for product promotion |
US6175857B1 (en) | 1997-04-30 | 2001-01-16 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for processing attached e-mail data and storage medium for processing program for attached data |
US6200216B1 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2001-03-13 | Tyler Peppel | Electronic trading card |
US6210272B1 (en) | 1997-12-22 | 2001-04-03 | Health Hero Network, Inc. | Multi-player interactive electronic game for health education |
US6219045B1 (en) | 1995-11-13 | 2001-04-17 | Worlds, Inc. | Scalable virtual world chat client-server system |
US6227931B1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 2001-05-08 | Judith Ann Shackelford | Electronic interactive play environment for toy characters |
US6227966B1 (en) | 1997-02-19 | 2001-05-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai | Simulation device for fostering a virtual creature |
US6251017B1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2001-06-26 | David Leason | Game or lottery with a reward validated and/or redeemed online |
US6253167B1 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 2001-06-26 | Sony Corporation | Client apparatus, image display controlling method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method, and program providing medium |
US6268872B1 (en) | 1997-05-21 | 2001-07-31 | Sony Corporation | Client apparatus, image display controlling method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method, and program providing medium |
US6267672B1 (en) | 1998-10-21 | 2001-07-31 | Ayecon Entertainment, L.L.C. | Product sales enhancing internet game system |
KR20010073524A (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2001-08-01 | 이홍 | Device of electronic animal raising using internet and method thereof |
US6273815B1 (en) | 1999-06-08 | 2001-08-14 | Katherine C. Stuckman | Virtual electronic pet and method for use therewith |
JP2001222585A (en) | 2000-02-08 | 2001-08-17 | Sony Corp | Server device, method and system for consulting service for financial product and terminal device for the system |
US20010020955A1 (en) | 2000-02-16 | 2001-09-13 | Teruhiko Nakagawa | Information display method and information display system |
US6290566B1 (en) | 1997-08-27 | 2001-09-18 | Creator, Ltd. | Interactive talking toy |
US6290565B1 (en) | 1999-07-21 | 2001-09-18 | Nearlife, Inc. | Interactive game apparatus with game play controlled by user-modifiable toy |
WO2001069830A2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-20 | Creator Ltd. | Networked interactive toy system |
WO2001069829A2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-20 | Creator Ltd. | Networked interactive toy apparatus operative to promote sales |
JP2001283024A (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-12 | Hiroshi Fukuda | Device, method and system for managing virtual store and information recording medium |
US20010031603A1 (en) | 1997-05-19 | 2001-10-18 | Oz Gabai | Programable assembly toy |
US6311195B1 (en) | 1996-12-20 | 2001-10-30 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for sending E-mail, method and apparatus for receiving E-mail, sending/receiving method and apparatus for E-mail, sending program supplying medium, receiving program supplying medium and sending/receiving program supplying medium |
JP2001321571A (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2001-11-20 | Sega Corp | Data issuing method information display system, and charging method |
WO2001090841A2 (en) | 2000-05-26 | 2001-11-29 | Ebada.Com Inc. | Advertisement system and method using character nurturing game |
US20020002514A1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2002-01-03 | Teruhisa Kamachi | Virtual-space providing apparatus, virtual-space providing system, and virtual-space providing method |
JP2002016171A (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2002-01-18 | Sharp Corp | Semiconductor device |
US6349301B1 (en) | 1998-02-24 | 2002-02-19 | Microsoft Corporation | Virtual environment bystander updating in client server architecture |
US20020022993A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-21 | Miller Michael R. | System, method and article of manufacture for presenting product information to an anonymous user |
US20020022523A1 (en) | 2000-08-17 | 2002-02-21 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Learning/growing system using living goods and method thereof |
US6352478B1 (en) | 1997-08-18 | 2002-03-05 | Creator, Ltd. | Techniques and apparatus for entertainment sites, amusement parks and other information and/or entertainment dispensing sites |
US6356867B1 (en) | 1998-11-26 | 2002-03-12 | Creator Ltd. | Script development systems and methods useful therefor |
WO2002022224A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 | 2002-03-21 | Dark Blue Sea Pty Ltd | A system and method for simulating ownership and management of a sporting contestant |
US20020036617A1 (en) | 1998-08-21 | 2002-03-28 | Timothy R. Pryor | Novel man machine interfaces and applications |
US20020040327A1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2002-04-04 | Sony Corporation | Community service offering apparatus, community service offering method, program storage medium, and community system |
WO2002027591A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2002-04-04 | Sony Corporation | Agent system, agent selling method, information providing device, and data recorded medium |
US6368177B1 (en) | 1995-11-20 | 2002-04-09 | Creator, Ltd. | Method for using a toy to conduct sales over a network |
US20020054094A1 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2002-05-09 | Satoru Matsuda | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, service providing system, and computer program thereof |
US6394872B1 (en) | 1999-06-30 | 2002-05-28 | Inter Robot Inc. | Embodied voice responsive toy |
US20020065746A1 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2002-05-30 | Adrianne Lewis | System and method of advertising on a computer network |
US20020065890A1 (en) * | 1999-12-03 | 2002-05-30 | Ira Barron | Internet based automated outbound message delivery method and system |
US20020068500A1 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2002-06-06 | Oz Gabai | Adaptive toy system and functionality |
US6404438B1 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2002-06-11 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | Behavioral learning for a visual representation in a communication environment |
US6406370B1 (en) | 1998-10-06 | 2002-06-18 | Konami Co., Ltd. | Method for controlling character behavior in video games, video game machine, and computer-readable recording medium on which video game program is recorded |
US20020090985A1 (en) | 2000-09-07 | 2002-07-11 | Ilan Tochner | Coexistent interaction between a virtual character and the real world |
EP1228792A1 (en) | 2000-12-06 | 2002-08-07 | Eludo Limited | Interconnection of users via a communications network, for competitive gaming |
US20020111808A1 (en) | 2000-06-09 | 2002-08-15 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for personalizing hardware |
US6449518B1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2002-09-10 | Sony Corporation | Storage medium, robot, information processing device and electronic pet system |
US20020147640A1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2002-10-10 | Laura Daniele | System for obtaining credits for playing games and awarding and redeeming coupons |
JP2002297498A (en) | 2000-08-01 | 2002-10-11 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc | Communication system, executing apparatus for computer program, recording medium, the program, providing method for broadcast program and editing method therefor |
US20020160835A1 (en) | 2000-03-08 | 2002-10-31 | Kenji Fujioka | Training-style video game device, character training control method and readable storage medium storing character training control program |
US6476830B1 (en) | 1996-08-02 | 2002-11-05 | Fujitsu Software Corporation | Virtual objects for building a community in a virtual world |
US20020169672A1 (en) | 1998-05-20 | 2002-11-14 | Barnhart Thomas L. | System and method for attracting online viewers through distribution of hidden-award substrates redeemable at an online site |
US6493001B1 (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2002-12-10 | Sony Corporation | Method, apparatus and medium for describing a virtual shared space using virtual reality modeling language |
WO2002099581A2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-12-12 | Xdyne, Inc. | Networked computer system for communicating and operating in a virtual reality |
US6494762B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2002-12-17 | Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd. | Portable electronic subscription device and service |
US6519771B1 (en) | 1999-12-14 | 2003-02-11 | Steven Ericsson Zenith | System for interactive chat without a keyboard |
US6522333B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2003-02-18 | Electronic Arts Inc. | Remote communication through visual representations |
US6539400B1 (en) | 1999-09-20 | 2003-03-25 | Ncr Corporation | Information gathering and personalization techniques |
US6554679B1 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2003-04-29 | Playmates Toys, Inc. | Interactive virtual character doll |
US6559863B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2003-05-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and methodology for video conferencing and internet chatting in a cocktail party style |
US6560511B1 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2003-05-06 | Sony Corporation | Electronic pet system, network system, robot, and storage medium |
US6572431B1 (en) | 1996-04-05 | 2003-06-03 | Shalong Maa | Computer-controlled talking figure toy with animated features |
US6587834B1 (en) | 2000-02-01 | 2003-07-01 | Dixon, Iii James W. | Method for promoting interest in a website |
US6595858B1 (en) | 1999-08-26 | 2003-07-22 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Image-display game system |
CA2475463A1 (en) | 2002-02-08 | 2003-08-14 | Mattel, Inc. | Online vehicle collection and play activity |
US6609968B1 (en) | 1997-12-26 | 2003-08-26 | Bandai, Co., Ltd. | Rearing simulation apparatus |
US6612501B1 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2003-09-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Computer game and method of playing the same |
US6616532B2 (en) | 2000-11-13 | 2003-09-09 | John M. Albrecht | Electronic game enhancement systems and methods |
US6650761B1 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | Digimarc Corporation | Watermarked business cards and methods |
US20030220885A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2003-11-27 | Bruno Lucarelli | Collectible item authentication and ownership system and method of selling collectible items |
US20030222902A1 (en) | 1999-06-02 | 2003-12-04 | Fabrice Chupin | System and method of a web browser with integrated features and controls |
US6663105B1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2003-12-16 | Scott L. Sullivan | Game or lottery with a reward validated and/or redeemed online |
US6685565B2 (en) | 2000-04-18 | 2004-02-03 | Kceo Inc. | Video game device, character relationship level display method, and readable storage medium storing character relationship level display program |
US20040030595A1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2004-02-12 | Park Jong Hyouk | Method of advertisement using online games |
US6692360B2 (en) | 2000-07-21 | 2004-02-17 | Konami Corporation | Game system, commercial game apparatus, network game apparatus, client device, and recording medium |
US6704784B2 (en) | 1998-01-23 | 2004-03-09 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system and program providing medium |
US20040046736A1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2004-03-11 | Pryor Timothy R. | Novel man machine interfaces and applications |
US6719604B2 (en) | 2000-01-04 | 2004-04-13 | Thinking Technology, Inc. | Interactive dress-up toy |
US20040075677A1 (en) | 2000-11-03 | 2004-04-22 | Loyall A. Bryan | Interactive character system |
US6727925B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2004-04-27 | Michelle Lyn Bourdelais | Browser-based room designer |
US6734885B1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2004-05-11 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus, method and computer program for virtual reality transparent avatars |
US6735324B1 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2004-05-11 | Digimarc Corporation | Digital watermarks and trading cards |
US6734884B1 (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2004-05-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Viewer interactive three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional images in virtual three-dimensional workspace |
US6739941B1 (en) | 2000-07-20 | 2004-05-25 | Planet Rascals | Method and articles for providing education and support related to wildlife and wildlife conservation |
US6772195B1 (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2004-08-03 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | Chat clusters for a virtual world application |
US6773344B1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2004-08-10 | Creator Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for integration of interactive toys with interactive television and cellular communication systems |
US6773325B1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2004-08-10 | Hasbro, Inc. | Toy figure for use with multiple, different game systems |
US20040193489A1 (en) | 2000-08-14 | 2004-09-30 | Eric Boyd | Offline-online incentive points system and method |
US6813605B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2004-11-02 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Methods and systems for selling voice data |
US6845486B2 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2005-01-18 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | User support method and user support apparatus |
US20050059483A1 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2005-03-17 | Borge Michael D. | Interactive action figures for gaming schemes |
US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2005-06-21 | Kyunam Kim | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
US6954728B1 (en) | 2000-05-15 | 2005-10-11 | Avatizing, Llc | System and method for consumer-selected advertising and branding in interactive media |
US6959166B1 (en) | 1998-04-16 | 2005-10-25 | Creator Ltd. | Interactive toy |
US7039940B2 (en) | 2001-09-04 | 2006-05-02 | Clay Alan Weatherford | Method and system for distributing video content over a network |
US20060093142A1 (en) | 1995-11-22 | 2006-05-04 | Bruce Schneier | Methods and apparatus for awarding prizes based on authentication of computer generated outcomes using coupons |
US7054831B2 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2006-05-30 | Eric Koenig | System and method for combining interactive game with interactive advertising |
US7062722B1 (en) | 2000-08-22 | 2006-06-13 | Bruce Carlin | Network-linked interactive three-dimensional composition and display of saleable objects in situ in viewer-selected scenes for purposes of promotion and procurement |
US7061493B1 (en) | 1999-04-07 | 2006-06-13 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | System for designing and rendering personalities for autonomous synthetic characters |
US7066781B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2006-06-27 | Denise Chapman Weston | Children's toy with wireless tag/transponder |
US7086005B1 (en) | 1999-11-29 | 2006-08-01 | Sony Corporation | Shared virtual space conversation support system using virtual telephones |
US7143358B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2006-11-28 | Yuen Henry C | Virtual world internet web site using common and user-specific metrics |
US20060285441A1 (en) | 1995-11-22 | 2006-12-21 | Walker Jay S | Systems and methods for improved health care compliance |
US7168051B2 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2007-01-23 | Addnclick, Inc. | System and method to configure and provide a network-enabled three-dimensional computing environment |
US7266522B2 (en) | 2000-12-07 | 2007-09-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system in electronic commerce for uniquely identifying products to improve reliability and confidence in transactions initiated online |
US7314407B1 (en) | 2000-09-25 | 2008-01-01 | Pearson Carl P | Video game system using trading cards |
US20080002666A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2008-01-03 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Communication system providing integrated wireless and packet communication services |
US20080009350A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-01-10 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20080163055A1 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2008-07-03 | S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. And 816877 Ontario Limited | System and method for product marketing using feature codes |
US7448231B2 (en) | 2001-10-08 | 2008-11-11 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Process for preparing batch materials for the manufacture of glass |
US7465212B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-12-16 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20090131164A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-05-21 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7850527B2 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2010-12-14 | Creative Kingdoms, Llc | Magic-themed adventure game |
-
2000
- 2000-12-08 US US09/732,628 patent/US6910186B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2007
- 2007-06-19 US US11/820,500 patent/USRE44054E1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (183)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5684943A (en) | 1990-11-30 | 1997-11-04 | Vpl Research, Inc. | Method and apparatus for creating virtual worlds |
US5255834A (en) * | 1991-12-13 | 1993-10-26 | Ero Industries | Article carriers with incorporated three-dimensional graphical display panels |
US5659692A (en) * | 1992-01-13 | 1997-08-19 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Computer method and apparatus for video conferencing |
US5606652A (en) | 1992-04-29 | 1997-02-25 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Real-time processing system for animation images to be displayed on high definition television systems |
US5411259A (en) | 1992-11-23 | 1995-05-02 | Hero, Inc. | Video sports game system using trading cards |
US5544320A (en) | 1993-01-08 | 1996-08-06 | Konrad; Allan M. | Remote information service access system based on a client-server-service model |
US5886697A (en) | 1993-05-24 | 1999-03-23 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved graphical user interface having anthropomorphic characters |
US5682469A (en) | 1994-07-08 | 1997-10-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Software platform having a real world interface with animated characters |
US6388665B1 (en) | 1994-07-08 | 2002-05-14 | Microsoft Corporation | Software platform having a real world interface with animated characters |
US5853327A (en) | 1994-07-28 | 1998-12-29 | Super Dimension, Inc. | Computerized game board |
US5736982A (en) | 1994-08-03 | 1998-04-07 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Virtual space apparatus with avatars and speech |
US20010039206A1 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2001-11-08 | Tyler Peppel | Electronic trading card |
US6200216B1 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2001-03-13 | Tyler Peppel | Electronic trading card |
US5956038A (en) | 1995-07-12 | 1999-09-21 | Sony Corporation | Three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method and system, an information recording medium and method, an information transmission medium and method, an information processing method, a client terminal, and a shared server terminal |
US6031549A (en) | 1995-07-19 | 2000-02-29 | Extempo Systems, Inc. | System and method for directed improvisation by computer controlled characters |
US5717869A (en) | 1995-11-03 | 1998-02-10 | Xerox Corporation | Computer controlled display system using a timeline to control playback of temporal data representing collaborative activities |
US6219045B1 (en) | 1995-11-13 | 2001-04-17 | Worlds, Inc. | Scalable virtual world chat client-server system |
US20070050716A1 (en) | 1995-11-13 | 2007-03-01 | Dave Leahy | System and method for enabling users to interact in a virtual space |
US7181690B1 (en) | 1995-11-13 | 2007-02-20 | Worlds. Com Inc. | System and method for enabling users to interact in a virtual space |
US6368177B1 (en) | 1995-11-20 | 2002-04-09 | Creator, Ltd. | Method for using a toy to conduct sales over a network |
US20060285441A1 (en) | 1995-11-22 | 2006-12-21 | Walker Jay S | Systems and methods for improved health care compliance |
US20060093142A1 (en) | 1995-11-22 | 2006-05-04 | Bruce Schneier | Methods and apparatus for awarding prizes based on authentication of computer generated outcomes using coupons |
US5880731A (en) | 1995-12-14 | 1999-03-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Use of avatars with automatic gesturing and bounded interaction in on-line chat session |
US6572431B1 (en) | 1996-04-05 | 2003-06-03 | Shalong Maa | Computer-controlled talking figure toy with animated features |
US6009458A (en) | 1996-05-09 | 1999-12-28 | 3Do Company | Networked computer game system with persistent playing objects |
US6072466A (en) | 1996-08-02 | 2000-06-06 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Virtual environment manipulation device modelling and control |
US5802296A (en) | 1996-08-02 | 1998-09-01 | Fujitsu Software Corporation | Supervisory powers that provide additional control over images on computers system displays to users interactings via computer systems |
US6476830B1 (en) | 1996-08-02 | 2002-11-05 | Fujitsu Software Corporation | Virtual objects for building a community in a virtual world |
US5923330A (en) | 1996-08-12 | 1999-07-13 | Ncr Corporation | System and method for navigation and interaction in structured information spaces |
US5890963A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1999-04-06 | Yen; Wei | System and method for maintaining continuous and progressive game play in a computer network |
US6057856A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2000-05-02 | Sony Corporation | 3D virtual reality multi-user interaction with superimposed positional information display for each user |
US5926179A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-07-20 | Sony Corporation | Three-dimensional virtual reality space display processing apparatus, a three-dimensional virtual reality space display processing method, and an information providing medium |
US6311195B1 (en) | 1996-12-20 | 2001-10-30 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for sending E-mail, method and apparatus for receiving E-mail, sending/receiving method and apparatus for E-mail, sending program supplying medium, receiving program supplying medium and sending/receiving program supplying medium |
US5959281A (en) | 1997-02-07 | 1999-09-28 | Lulirama International, Inc. | Interactive card reading system |
US6227966B1 (en) | 1997-02-19 | 2001-05-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai | Simulation device for fostering a virtual creature |
US5822428A (en) * | 1997-03-07 | 1998-10-13 | Great Notions Corp. | Data encryption for product information and access |
US5966526A (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1999-10-12 | Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai | Simulation device for fostering a virtual creature |
US6734884B1 (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2004-05-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Viewer interactive three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional images in virtual three-dimensional workspace |
US6175857B1 (en) | 1997-04-30 | 2001-01-16 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for processing attached e-mail data and storage medium for processing program for attached data |
US6012961A (en) | 1997-05-14 | 2000-01-11 | Design Lab, Llc | Electronic toy including a reprogrammable data storage device |
US20010031603A1 (en) | 1997-05-19 | 2001-10-18 | Oz Gabai | Programable assembly toy |
US6268872B1 (en) | 1997-05-21 | 2001-07-31 | Sony Corporation | Client apparatus, image display controlling method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method, and program providing medium |
US6253167B1 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 2001-06-26 | Sony Corporation | Client apparatus, image display controlling method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method, and program providing medium |
US5964660A (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1999-10-12 | Vr-1, Inc. | Network multiplayer game |
US6159101A (en) | 1997-07-24 | 2000-12-12 | Tiger Electronics, Ltd. | Interactive toy products |
US6352478B1 (en) | 1997-08-18 | 2002-03-05 | Creator, Ltd. | Techniques and apparatus for entertainment sites, amusement parks and other information and/or entertainment dispensing sites |
US20040046736A1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2004-03-11 | Pryor Timothy R. | Novel man machine interfaces and applications |
US6720949B1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2004-04-13 | Timothy R. Pryor | Man machine interfaces and applications |
US7042440B2 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2006-05-09 | Pryor Timothy R | Man machine interfaces and applications |
US6449518B1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2002-09-10 | Sony Corporation | Storage medium, robot, information processing device and electronic pet system |
US6290566B1 (en) | 1997-08-27 | 2001-09-18 | Creator, Ltd. | Interactive talking toy |
US6081830A (en) | 1997-10-09 | 2000-06-27 | Gateway 2000, Inc. | Automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms |
US6049778A (en) | 1997-10-31 | 2000-04-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for administering a reward program |
US6210272B1 (en) | 1997-12-22 | 2001-04-03 | Health Hero Network, Inc. | Multi-player interactive electronic game for health education |
US6609968B1 (en) | 1997-12-26 | 2003-08-26 | Bandai, Co., Ltd. | Rearing simulation apparatus |
US6704784B2 (en) | 1998-01-23 | 2004-03-09 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus and method, information processing system and program providing medium |
WO1999042917A2 (en) | 1998-02-21 | 1999-08-26 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Attention-based interaction in a virtual environment |
US6349301B1 (en) | 1998-02-24 | 2002-02-19 | Microsoft Corporation | Virtual environment bystander updating in client server architecture |
US6173267B1 (en) | 1998-02-24 | 2001-01-09 | Laurie Cairns | Method for product promotion |
US6959166B1 (en) | 1998-04-16 | 2005-10-25 | Creator Ltd. | Interactive toy |
US20020169672A1 (en) | 1998-05-20 | 2002-11-14 | Barnhart Thomas L. | System and method for attracting online viewers through distribution of hidden-award substrates redeemable at an online site |
JP2000057373A (en) | 1998-07-27 | 2000-02-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Inf Technol Center America Inc | System for creating, editing and distributing three- dimensional virtual reality environment, method for distributing information, method for updating virtual reality environment and method for executing virtual reality environment |
US20020036617A1 (en) | 1998-08-21 | 2002-03-28 | Timothy R. Pryor | Novel man machine interfaces and applications |
US6493001B1 (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2002-12-10 | Sony Corporation | Method, apparatus and medium for describing a virtual shared space using virtual reality modeling language |
US6734885B1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2004-05-11 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus, method and computer program for virtual reality transparent avatars |
US6406370B1 (en) | 1998-10-06 | 2002-06-18 | Konami Co., Ltd. | Method for controlling character behavior in video games, video game machine, and computer-readable recording medium on which video game program is recorded |
US6267672B1 (en) | 1998-10-21 | 2001-07-31 | Ayecon Entertainment, L.L.C. | Product sales enhancing internet game system |
US6356867B1 (en) | 1998-11-26 | 2002-03-12 | Creator Ltd. | Script development systems and methods useful therefor |
WO2000033533A1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 2000-06-08 | Red Fig Limited | Interactive media system |
US7143358B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2006-11-28 | Yuen Henry C | Virtual world internet web site using common and user-specific metrics |
US6554679B1 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2003-04-29 | Playmates Toys, Inc. | Interactive virtual character doll |
US7061493B1 (en) | 1999-04-07 | 2006-06-13 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | System for designing and rendering personalities for autonomous synthetic characters |
US6663105B1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2003-12-16 | Scott L. Sullivan | Game or lottery with a reward validated and/or redeemed online |
US6251017B1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2001-06-26 | David Leason | Game or lottery with a reward validated and/or redeemed online |
US20020026358A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-28 | Miller Michael R. | System, method and article of manufacture for alerting a user to a promotional offer for a product based on user-input bar code information |
US20020026357A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-28 | Miller Michael Robert | System, method, and article of manufacture for targeting a promotion based on a user-input product identifier |
US20020022994A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-21 | Miller Michael Robert | System, method and article of manufacture for generating a personal web page/web site based on user-input bar code information |
US20020022993A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-21 | Miller Michael R. | System, method and article of manufacture for presenting product information to an anonymous user |
US20020022992A1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 2002-02-21 | Miller Michael R. | System, method and article of manufacture for form-based generation of a promotional offer |
US7089083B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2006-08-08 | Sony Corporation | Electronic pet system, network system, robot, and storage medium |
US6560511B1 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2003-05-06 | Sony Corporation | Electronic pet system, network system, robot, and storage medium |
US6650761B1 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | Digimarc Corporation | Watermarked business cards and methods |
US20030222902A1 (en) | 1999-06-02 | 2003-12-04 | Fabrice Chupin | System and method of a web browser with integrated features and controls |
US6273815B1 (en) | 1999-06-08 | 2001-08-14 | Katherine C. Stuckman | Virtual electronic pet and method for use therewith |
US6394872B1 (en) | 1999-06-30 | 2002-05-28 | Inter Robot Inc. | Embodied voice responsive toy |
US6227931B1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 2001-05-08 | Judith Ann Shackelford | Electronic interactive play environment for toy characters |
US7054831B2 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2006-05-30 | Eric Koenig | System and method for combining interactive game with interactive advertising |
US6612501B1 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2003-09-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Computer game and method of playing the same |
US6290565B1 (en) | 1999-07-21 | 2001-09-18 | Nearlife, Inc. | Interactive game apparatus with game play controlled by user-modifiable toy |
US6595858B1 (en) | 1999-08-26 | 2003-07-22 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Image-display game system |
US6539400B1 (en) | 1999-09-20 | 2003-03-25 | Ncr Corporation | Information gathering and personalization techniques |
US6522333B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2003-02-18 | Electronic Arts Inc. | Remote communication through visual representations |
US6772195B1 (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2004-08-03 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | Chat clusters for a virtual world application |
US7086005B1 (en) | 1999-11-29 | 2006-08-01 | Sony Corporation | Shared virtual space conversation support system using virtual telephones |
US20020065890A1 (en) * | 1999-12-03 | 2002-05-30 | Ira Barron | Internet based automated outbound message delivery method and system |
US6519771B1 (en) | 1999-12-14 | 2003-02-11 | Steven Ericsson Zenith | System for interactive chat without a keyboard |
US6727925B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2004-04-27 | Michelle Lyn Bourdelais | Browser-based room designer |
US6404438B1 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2002-06-11 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | Behavioral learning for a visual representation in a communication environment |
US20020068500A1 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2002-06-06 | Oz Gabai | Adaptive toy system and functionality |
US6719604B2 (en) | 2000-01-04 | 2004-04-13 | Thinking Technology, Inc. | Interactive dress-up toy |
KR20010073524A (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2001-08-01 | 이홍 | Device of electronic animal raising using internet and method thereof |
US6587834B1 (en) | 2000-02-01 | 2003-07-01 | Dixon, Iii James W. | Method for promoting interest in a website |
JP2001321571A (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2001-11-20 | Sega Corp | Data issuing method information display system, and charging method |
JP2001222585A (en) | 2000-02-08 | 2001-08-17 | Sony Corp | Server device, method and system for consulting service for financial product and terminal device for the system |
US6559863B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2003-05-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and methodology for video conferencing and internet chatting in a cocktail party style |
US20010020955A1 (en) | 2000-02-16 | 2001-09-13 | Teruhiko Nakagawa | Information display method and information display system |
US7850527B2 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2010-12-14 | Creative Kingdoms, Llc | Magic-themed adventure game |
US7081033B1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2006-07-25 | Hasbro, Inc. | Toy figure for use with multiple, different game systems |
US6773325B1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2004-08-10 | Hasbro, Inc. | Toy figure for use with multiple, different game systems |
US20020160835A1 (en) | 2000-03-08 | 2002-10-31 | Kenji Fujioka | Training-style video game device, character training control method and readable storage medium storing character training control program |
WO2001069572A1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-20 | Creator Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for commercial transactions in an interactive toy environment |
WO2001069830A2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-20 | Creator Ltd. | Networked interactive toy system |
WO2001069829A2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-20 | Creator Ltd. | Networked interactive toy apparatus operative to promote sales |
US6773344B1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2004-08-10 | Creator Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for integration of interactive toys with interactive television and cellular communication systems |
JP2001283024A (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-12 | Hiroshi Fukuda | Device, method and system for managing virtual store and information recording medium |
US6494762B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2002-12-17 | Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd. | Portable electronic subscription device and service |
US20020147640A1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2002-10-10 | Laura Daniele | System for obtaining credits for playing games and awarding and redeeming coupons |
US6685565B2 (en) | 2000-04-18 | 2004-02-03 | Kceo Inc. | Video game device, character relationship level display method, and readable storage medium storing character relationship level display program |
US20030220885A1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2003-11-27 | Bruno Lucarelli | Collectible item authentication and ownership system and method of selling collectible items |
US6954728B1 (en) | 2000-05-15 | 2005-10-11 | Avatizing, Llc | System and method for consumer-selected advertising and branding in interactive media |
WO2001090841A2 (en) | 2000-05-26 | 2001-11-29 | Ebada.Com Inc. | Advertisement system and method using character nurturing game |
US20040030595A1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2004-02-12 | Park Jong Hyouk | Method of advertisement using online games |
US20020111808A1 (en) | 2000-06-09 | 2002-08-15 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for personalizing hardware |
JP2002016171A (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2002-01-18 | Sharp Corp | Semiconductor device |
US6845486B2 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2005-01-18 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | User support method and user support apparatus |
US20020002514A1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2002-01-03 | Teruhisa Kamachi | Virtual-space providing apparatus, virtual-space providing system, and virtual-space providing method |
US6739941B1 (en) | 2000-07-20 | 2004-05-25 | Planet Rascals | Method and articles for providing education and support related to wildlife and wildlife conservation |
US6692360B2 (en) | 2000-07-21 | 2004-02-17 | Konami Corporation | Game system, commercial game apparatus, network game apparatus, client device, and recording medium |
US6735324B1 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2004-05-11 | Digimarc Corporation | Digital watermarks and trading cards |
JP2002297498A (en) | 2000-08-01 | 2002-10-11 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc | Communication system, executing apparatus for computer program, recording medium, the program, providing method for broadcast program and editing method therefor |
US20020054094A1 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2002-05-09 | Satoru Matsuda | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, service providing system, and computer program thereof |
US7058897B2 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2006-06-06 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, service providing system, and computer program thereof |
US6813605B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2004-11-02 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Methods and systems for selling voice data |
US20040193489A1 (en) | 2000-08-14 | 2004-09-30 | Eric Boyd | Offline-online incentive points system and method |
US20020022523A1 (en) | 2000-08-17 | 2002-02-21 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Learning/growing system using living goods and method thereof |
US7062722B1 (en) | 2000-08-22 | 2006-06-13 | Bruce Carlin | Network-linked interactive three-dimensional composition and display of saleable objects in situ in viewer-selected scenes for purposes of promotion and procurement |
US20020090985A1 (en) | 2000-09-07 | 2002-07-11 | Ilan Tochner | Coexistent interaction between a virtual character and the real world |
WO2002022224A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 | 2002-03-21 | Dark Blue Sea Pty Ltd | A system and method for simulating ownership and management of a sporting contestant |
US7314407B1 (en) | 2000-09-25 | 2008-01-01 | Pearson Carl P | Video game system using trading cards |
US20020040327A1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2002-04-04 | Sony Corporation | Community service offering apparatus, community service offering method, program storage medium, and community system |
WO2002027591A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2002-04-04 | Sony Corporation | Agent system, agent selling method, information providing device, and data recorded medium |
US20030126031A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2003-07-03 | Akiko Asami | Agent system, agent selling method, information providing device, and data recorded medium |
US7168051B2 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2007-01-23 | Addnclick, Inc. | System and method to configure and provide a network-enabled three-dimensional computing environment |
US7066781B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2006-06-27 | Denise Chapman Weston | Children's toy with wireless tag/transponder |
US7488231B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2009-02-10 | Creative Kingdoms, Llc | Children's toy with wireless tag/transponder |
US20020065746A1 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2002-05-30 | Adrianne Lewis | System and method of advertising on a computer network |
US7478047B2 (en) | 2000-11-03 | 2009-01-13 | Zoesis, Inc. | Interactive character system |
US20040075677A1 (en) | 2000-11-03 | 2004-04-22 | Loyall A. Bryan | Interactive character system |
US6616532B2 (en) | 2000-11-13 | 2003-09-09 | John M. Albrecht | Electronic game enhancement systems and methods |
EP1228792A1 (en) | 2000-12-06 | 2002-08-07 | Eludo Limited | Interconnection of users via a communications network, for competitive gaming |
US7266522B2 (en) | 2000-12-07 | 2007-09-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system in electronic commerce for uniquely identifying products to improve reliability and confidence in transactions initiated online |
US6910186B2 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2005-06-21 | Kyunam Kim | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars |
WO2002099581A2 (en) | 2001-06-05 | 2002-12-12 | Xdyne, Inc. | Networked computer system for communicating and operating in a virtual reality |
US7039940B2 (en) | 2001-09-04 | 2006-05-02 | Clay Alan Weatherford | Method and system for distributing video content over a network |
US7448231B2 (en) | 2001-10-08 | 2008-11-11 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Process for preparing batch materials for the manufacture of glass |
CA2475463A1 (en) | 2002-02-08 | 2003-08-14 | Mattel, Inc. | Online vehicle collection and play activity |
US20050059483A1 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2005-03-17 | Borge Michael D. | Interactive action figures for gaming schemes |
US20100151940A1 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2010-06-17 | Ganz | Interactive action figures for gaming systems |
US20090053970A1 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2009-02-26 | Ganz | Interactive action figures for gaming schemes |
US20090054155A1 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2009-02-26 | Ganz | Interactive action figures for gaming systems |
US7425169B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-09-16 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20090063282A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-03-05 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7442108B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-10-28 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20080134099A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-06-05 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7465212B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-12-16 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20080109313A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-05-08 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20090029772A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-01-29 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20090029768A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-01-29 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20080040230A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-02-14 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20080040297A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-02-14 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20080009351A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-01-10 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US7789726B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2010-09-07 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20090118009A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-05-07 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7534157B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-05-19 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20090131164A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-05-21 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7568964B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-08-04 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20090204420A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-08-13 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7604525B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-10-20 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US7618303B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2009-11-17 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US7677948B2 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2010-03-16 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption and marketing |
US20080009350A1 (en) | 2003-12-31 | 2008-01-10 | Ganz | System and method for toy adoption marketing |
US20080002666A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2008-01-03 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Communication system providing integrated wireless and packet communication services |
US20080163055A1 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2008-07-03 | S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. And 816877 Ontario Limited | System and method for product marketing using feature codes |
Non-Patent Citations (91)
Title |
---|
"3D Avatar Information: Have an avatar you want us to put in an OW world?", http://www.outerworlds.com/crown/avatars.html, OuterWorlds Universe Copyright © 1998-2000 SeeRay Studios, LLC, (pp. 1-2). |
"3-D Store", OuterWorlds Universe Copyright © 1998-2000 SeeRay Studios, LLC, http://www.outerworlds.com/crown/3d-store.html, (pp. 1-2). |
"Business Development", The Palace Visual Chat, © Copyright 1999 Communities.com, (8 Pages). |
"Call Me Avatar-Sep. 1, 1999", http://web3d.about.com/compute/web3d/library/weekly/aa090199.html, (pp. 1-5). |
"Club Caribe Guidebook", © 1989 Quantum Computer Services, Inc., © 1989 Lucasfilm Ltd, (10 Pages). |
"Deanna's World: The Chat Parlor-Chat Online With Your Friends", http://www.dworldonline.com/dworld8.html, © 1999, (pp. 1-9). |
"Have Avatar Will Travel", Oct. 27, 1999, http://web3d.about.com/compute/web3d/library/weekly/aa102799.html, (pp. 1-4). |
"Information Resources in Virtual Reality: Technical Report No. B-93-1", http://www.hitl.washington.edu/kb/irvr/orvr.html, Mar. 5, 1996, (pp. 1-24). |
"Life at the Palace: A Cyberpsychology Case Study", http://www.rider.edu/users/suler/psycyber/palacestudy.html, May 1996, (49 Pages). |
"Microsoft Agent: Software services to enhance the use interface of applications and Web pages", © 1999 Microsoft Corporation, All Rights Reserved; (2 Pages). |
"Microsoft Office 2000 Help: Overview of the Office Assistant"; http://support.microsoft.com/support/Office/In-ProdHlp/Office/ofhowOverviewAssistant.asp Jul. 3, 2000; (5 Pages). |
"Mr. Clean" Copyright © 2000 Proctor & Gamble, http://www.mrclean.com/home..html, (5 Pages). |
"Primagames.com: News: 'M&Ms' Characters to Appear in PC Game", Nov. 22, 1999, http://www.primagames.com/news/article/611, (1 Page). |
"Psychology of Cyberspace-Games Avatars Play", http://www.rider.edu./users/suler/psycyber/avgames.html, Nov. 1997, (pp. 1-8). |
"Spotlight: VRMLSite Magazine", http://www.vrmlsite.com/apr97/a.cgi/spot3.html, © 1997 Aereal, Inc., (pp. 1-6). |
"Symbolic Avatar Acting in Shared Virtual Environments", www.dfki.de/imedia/workshops/i3-spring99/w4-final/broll.html, (pp. 1-10). |
"The Other Worlds: Psychology of Cyberspace-Comparing Online Chat Worlds" http://www.rider.edu./users/suler/psycyber/otherworlds.html May 1997, (pp. 1-11). |
"The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communities", www.rider.edu/users/suler/psycyber/psyav.html, May 96, revised Jun. 96, Jan. 97, Jul. 97, Feb. 99, Apr. 99 (v.2.7), (pp. 1-31). |
"The Sims 10th Anniversary", http://thesims2.ea.com/, dated Feb. 26, 2010. |
"The Sims Booklet," dated 2000. |
"The Sims", http://en.wikipedia.org/wikii, retrieved Feb. 6, 2010. |
"Web Workshop: Designing Characters for Microsoft Agent" http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/deschar.asp; Oct. 1998; (pp. 1-13). |
"Web Workshop-Designing Characters for Microsoft Agent", http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/charactereditor.asp, Oct. 1998, © 2000 Microsoft Corporation, (pp. 1-4). |
"Web Workshop-Guidelines for Designing Character Interaction", http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/guidelines.asp, Oct. 1998, (pp. 1-13). |
"Web Workshop-Microsoft Agent User Interface"; http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/userinterface.asp, Oct. 1998; (pp. 1-6). |
"Web Workshop-Using the Microsoft Agent Character Editor", http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/imedia/agent/charactereditor,asp. Oct. 1998, (pp. 1-12). |
"What Is Virtual Reality", Oct. 7, 1998, http://www.cse.d-mu.ac.uk/~cph/VR/whatisvr.html, (pp. 1-44). |
"What Is Virtual Reality", Oct. 7, 1998, http://www.cse.d-mu.ac.uk/˜cph/VR/whatisvr.html, (pp. 1-44). |
3rd Party Comments re: Response to Office action for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525, dated Nov. 2, 2010. |
Action Closing Prosecution for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525, dated Feb. 25, 2010. |
Action Closing Prosecution for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303 dated Nov. 14, 2011. |
Action Closing Prosecution of Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 Date=Sep. 8, 2010. |
Action Closing Prosecution of Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964-dated Sep. 8, 2011. |
Action Closing Prosecution of Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948 Date=Sep. 14, 2010. |
Action Closing Prosecution of Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948-dated Sep. 14, 2010. |
Amendment and Response to Office action for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525, dated Oct. 19, 2010. |
Appeal Docketing Notice of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,422, dated Nov. 26, 2012. |
Canadian Search Report CA2665737; Oct. 26, 2010. |
Connie Guglielmo, "Barbie Invites Girls to Dot-Com Party", Inter@active Week, Oct. 2, 2000 (p. 54). |
Decision on Appeal of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,341, dated Oct. 30, 2012. |
Decision on Appeal of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,343, dated Oct. 30, 2012. |
Decision Vacating Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303, dated Jun. 30, 2010. |
Denial of Petition for the Director to Review the Denial of Reexamination Request No. 90/011,310, dated Jan. 26, 2012. |
Eric Anschutz, "Our New Fried, Corporate Interest: VRLMSite Magazine", http://www.vrmlsite.com/feb97/a/cgi/spot4.html, (pp. 1-8). |
Examiners Answer for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Nov. 15, 2011. |
Fujitsu, "Habitat v2.1", 1992, (pp. 1-21). |
International Search Report for PCT/CA2004/002206 dated May 2, 2005. |
International Search Report for PCT/CA2009/000271 dated Sep. 7, 2010. |
Japanese Patent Office, Decision of Refusal, Japanese Application No. 2006-545875, Dated Feb. 18, 2009. |
Johnson, M. P., A. Wilson, B. Blumberg, C. Kline, and A. Bobick, Sympathetic interfaces: using a plush toy to direct synthetic characters. Proceedings of the CHI 99 conference on Human factors in computing systems, 1999. |
Johnson, M.P., et al., Sympathetic Interfaces: Using a Plush Toy to Direct Synthetic Characters. Proceedings of the CHI 99 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1999. |
Margaret Morabito, "Enter The On-Line World of Lucas-film" RUN, Aug. 1986, (pp. 24-28). |
Microsoft et al; "Microsoft announces launch date for UltraCorps-second premium title for the Internet Gaming Zone Oblivion", M2 presswire, Newswire; Trade, May 28, 1998. |
neopets.com "The Ottawa Citizen", dated Feb. 7, 2000. |
Neopets-Archeology, retrieved Mar. 25, 2010. |
Nothing but Neopets, "Neopian History.", retrieved Mar. 24, 2010. |
Notice of Appeal in Inter Partes Reexamination of of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Feb. 10, 2011. |
Notice of Appeal in Inter Partes Reexamination of of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948 dated Feb. 17, 2011. |
Notice of Termination of Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303, dated Sep. 30, 2010. |
Office action for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303-dated Dec. 17, 2010. |
Office action from Reexam Ganz-36219US25 dated Aug. 19, 2010. |
Order Denying Ex Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Dec. 10, 2010. |
Order Denying Request Reopen of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,345, dated Nov. 7, 2012. |
Order Granting Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964. |
Order Granting Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525. |
Order Granting Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303 Nov. 8, 2010. |
Order Granting Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948. |
Petition for the Director to Review the Denial of Reexamination Request No. 90/011,310, dated Jan. 6, 2011. |
Petition to Review Denial for Ex Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Jan. 6, 2011. |
Prima's Official Strategy Guide-The Sims, dated 2000. |
Rebuttal Brief Entered of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,422, dated Nov. 15, 2012. |
Rebuttal Brief of 3rd Party of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,422, dated Sep. 13, 2012. |
Renewed Request Reopen of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,345, dated Nov. 21, 2012. |
Request for ExParte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 no Exhibits Nov. 1, 2010. |
Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964-with Exhibits B, C, N, O, R, S. |
Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525-with Exhibits H, I, J, K, L, X, and Y. |
Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303-with Exhibits B, C, D, E, M, N, and O. |
Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948-with Exhibits B,C,D,E,O,P,Q,R,S,T. |
Request to Reopen Prosecution of Reexamination Request No. 95/001,341, dated Nov. 30, 2012. |
Right of Appeal notice for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Jan. 15, 2011. |
Right of Appeal notice for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,604,525 dated Nov. 14, 2011. |
Right of Appeal notice for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,677,948 dated Jan. 18, 2011. |
Search Report-AU-2009202828, dated Jan. 13, 2011. |
Search Report-AU-2009202829, dated Jan. 4, 2011. |
Search Report-AU-2009202831, dated Jan. 12, 2011. |
Second Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,618,303-with Exhibits B, C, D, E, F, L and M. |
Siona LaFrance, "Meet The SIMS", The Times-Picayune, Mar. 16, 2000, et E1, E3 and E4. |
Status Inquiry on Petition for the Director to Review the Denial of Reexamination Request No. 90/011,310, dated Jan. 13, 2012. |
Telecomworldwide et al; "Product Sidewire", Newsletter, Oct. 10, 1995, M2 Communications ISSN: 1363-9900. |
U.S. Copyright Registrations for The Sims expansion packs. |
USPTO Communication Form for Ex Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,568,964 dated Nov. 12, 2010. |
Cited By (282)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100306681A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2010-12-02 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd. | Creation and modification of valid functional design layouts |
US8762877B2 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2014-06-24 | Ice Edge Business Solutions Ltd. | Creation and modification of valid functional design layouts |
US9536340B2 (en) | 2004-08-17 | 2017-01-03 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. | Software incorporating efficient 3-D rendering |
US9519407B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2016-12-13 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Automatically creating and modifying furniture layouts in design software |
US11425068B2 (en) | 2009-02-03 | 2022-08-23 | Snap Inc. | Interactive avatar in messaging environment |
US9245064B2 (en) | 2009-11-24 | 2016-01-26 | Ice Edge Business Solutions | Securely sharing design renderings over a network |
US11869165B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2024-01-09 | Apple Inc. | Avatar editing environment |
US9542038B2 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2017-01-10 | Apple Inc. | Personalizing colors of user interfaces |
US10607419B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2020-03-31 | Apple Inc. | Avatar editing environment |
US20110252344A1 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2011-10-13 | Apple Inc. | Personalizing colors of user interfaces |
US9576400B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2017-02-21 | Apple Inc. | Avatar editing environment |
US11481988B2 (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2022-10-25 | Apple Inc. | Avatar editing environment |
US9189571B2 (en) | 2011-06-11 | 2015-11-17 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Automated re-use of structural components |
US9047710B2 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2015-06-02 | Line Play Corporation | System and method for providing an avatar service in a mobile environment |
US20130194280A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-08-01 | NHN ARTS Corporation | System and method for providing an avatar service in a mobile environment |
US20130311528A1 (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2013-11-21 | Raanan Liebermann | Communications with a proxy for the departed and other devices and services for communicaiton and presentation in virtual reality |
US11607616B2 (en) | 2012-05-08 | 2023-03-21 | Snap Inc. | System and method for generating and displaying avatars |
US11229849B2 (en) | 2012-05-08 | 2022-01-25 | Snap Inc. | System and method for generating and displaying avatars |
US11925869B2 (en) | 2012-05-08 | 2024-03-12 | Snap Inc. | System and method for generating and displaying avatars |
US9471719B2 (en) | 2012-12-10 | 2016-10-18 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd | Efficient lighting effects in design software |
US9355197B2 (en) | 2013-01-25 | 2016-05-31 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd | Real-time depth of field effects within design software |
US9245381B2 (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2016-01-26 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd | Visual distortion effects through translucent structures in design software |
US20140273721A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Foo Katan | System, method and apparatus for providing interactive and online experience with toys containing unique identifiers |
US9958858B2 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2018-05-01 | Ice Edge Business Solutions, Ltd. | Associating computer-executable objects with three-dimensional spaces within an architectural design environment |
US10289758B2 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2019-05-14 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. | Automatically resolving boundaries within an architectural design environment |
US20160371709A1 (en) * | 2013-11-20 | 2016-12-22 | Blab, Inc. | Determining information inter-relationships from distributed group discussions |
US11443772B2 (en) | 2014-02-05 | 2022-09-13 | Snap Inc. | Method for triggering events in a video |
US10991395B1 (en) | 2014-02-05 | 2021-04-27 | Snap Inc. | Method for real time video processing involving changing a color of an object on a human face in a video |
US11651797B2 (en) | 2014-02-05 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | Real time video processing for changing proportions of an object in the video |
US10922450B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2021-02-16 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. | Associating computer-executable objects with timber frames within an architectural design environment |
US11048916B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2021-06-29 | Snap Inc. | Automated avatar generation |
US11631276B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2023-04-18 | Snap Inc. | Automated avatar generation |
US11662900B2 (en) | 2016-05-31 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Application control using a gesture based trigger |
US10984569B2 (en) | 2016-06-30 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based ideogram generation |
US11438288B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2022-09-06 | Snap Inc. | Displaying customized electronic messaging graphics |
US11418470B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2022-08-16 | Snap Inc. | Displaying customized electronic messaging graphics |
US10855632B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2020-12-01 | Snap Inc. | Displaying customized electronic messaging graphics |
US11509615B2 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2022-11-22 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized electronic messaging graphics |
US10848446B1 (en) | 2016-07-19 | 2020-11-24 | Snap Inc. | Displaying customized electronic messaging graphics |
US11438341B1 (en) | 2016-10-10 | 2022-09-06 | Snap Inc. | Social media post subscribe requests for buffer user accounts |
US11962598B2 (en) | 2016-10-10 | 2024-04-16 | Snap Inc. | Social media post subscribe requests for buffer user accounts |
US11100311B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2021-08-24 | Snap Inc. | Neural networks for facial modeling |
US11580700B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2023-02-14 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality object manipulation |
US11218433B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2022-01-04 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in electronic messages |
US11876762B1 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2024-01-16 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in media overlays |
US11843456B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2023-12-12 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in media overlays |
US10938758B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in media overlays |
US10880246B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2020-12-29 | Snap Inc. | Generating and displaying customized avatars in electronic messages |
US11616745B2 (en) | 2017-01-09 | 2023-03-28 | Snap Inc. | Contextual generation and selection of customized media content |
US11704878B2 (en) | 2017-01-09 | 2023-07-18 | Snap Inc. | Surface aware lens |
US12028301B2 (en) | 2017-01-09 | 2024-07-02 | Snap Inc. | Contextual generation and selection of customized media content |
US10242477B1 (en) * | 2017-01-16 | 2019-03-26 | Snap Inc. | Coded vision system |
US11544883B1 (en) | 2017-01-16 | 2023-01-03 | Snap Inc. | Coded vision system |
US11989809B2 (en) | 2017-01-16 | 2024-05-21 | Snap Inc. | Coded vision system |
US10559107B1 (en) | 2017-01-16 | 2020-02-11 | Snap Inc. | Coded vision system |
US11991130B2 (en) | 2017-01-18 | 2024-05-21 | Snap Inc. | Customized contextual media content item generation |
US10951562B2 (en) | 2017-01-18 | 2021-03-16 | Snap. Inc. | Customized contextual media content item generation |
US11870743B1 (en) | 2017-01-23 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Customized digital avatar accessories |
US11069103B1 (en) | 2017-04-20 | 2021-07-20 | Snap Inc. | Customized user interface for electronic communications |
US11593980B2 (en) | 2017-04-20 | 2023-02-28 | Snap Inc. | Customized user interface for electronic communications |
US11451956B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2022-09-20 | Snap Inc. | Location privacy management on map-based social media platforms |
US11842411B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2023-12-12 | Snap Inc. | Location-based virtual avatars |
US10963529B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2021-03-30 | Snap Inc. | Location-based search mechanism in a graphical user interface |
US11385763B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2022-07-12 | Snap Inc. | Map-based graphical user interface indicating geospatial activity metrics |
US11995288B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2024-05-28 | Snap Inc. | Location-based search mechanism in a graphical user interface |
US11782574B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2023-10-10 | Snap Inc. | Map-based graphical user interface indicating geospatial activity metrics |
US10952013B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2021-03-16 | Snap Inc. | Selective location-based identity communication |
US11418906B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2022-08-16 | Snap Inc. | Selective location-based identity communication |
US11392264B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2022-07-19 | Snap Inc. | Map-based graphical user interface for multi-type social media galleries |
US11893647B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2024-02-06 | Snap Inc. | Location-based virtual avatars |
US11474663B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2022-10-18 | Snap Inc. | Location-based search mechanism in a graphical user interface |
US11830209B2 (en) | 2017-05-26 | 2023-11-28 | Snap Inc. | Neural network-based image stream modification |
US11882162B2 (en) | 2017-07-28 | 2024-01-23 | Snap Inc. | Software application manager for messaging applications |
US11122094B2 (en) | 2017-07-28 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Software application manager for messaging applications |
US11659014B2 (en) | 2017-07-28 | 2023-05-23 | Snap Inc. | Software application manager for messaging applications |
US11120597B2 (en) | 2017-10-26 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Joint audio-video facial animation system |
US11610354B2 (en) | 2017-10-26 | 2023-03-21 | Snap Inc. | Joint audio-video facial animation system |
US11930055B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2024-03-12 | Snap Inc. | Animated chat presence |
US11706267B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2023-07-18 | Snap Inc. | Animated chat presence |
US11354843B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2022-06-07 | Snap Inc. | Animated chat presence |
US11030789B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Animated chat presence |
US11460974B1 (en) | 2017-11-28 | 2022-10-04 | Snap Inc. | Content discovery refresh |
US11411895B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2022-08-09 | Snap Inc. | Generating aggregated media content items for a group of users in an electronic messaging application |
US10936157B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Selectable item including a customized graphic for an electronic messaging application |
US10949648B1 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2021-03-16 | Snap Inc. | Region-based stabilized face tracking |
US11769259B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2023-09-26 | Snap Inc. | Region-based stabilized face tracking |
US11682054B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2023-06-20 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for presenting content reviews in a virtual world |
US11200028B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-12-14 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for presenting content reviews in a virtual world |
US10901687B2 (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2021-01-26 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for presenting content reviews in a virtual world |
US11120601B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2021-09-14 | Snap Inc. | Animated expressive icon |
US11688119B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2023-06-27 | Snap Inc. | Animated expressive icon |
US11880923B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2024-01-23 | Snap Inc. | Animated expressive icon |
US11523159B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2022-12-06 | Snap Inc. | Generating media content items based on location information |
US10979752B1 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2021-04-13 | Snap Inc. | Generating media content items based on location information |
US11468618B2 (en) | 2018-02-28 | 2022-10-11 | Snap Inc. | Animated expressive icon |
US11310176B2 (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2022-04-19 | Snap Inc. | Content suggestion system |
US11875439B2 (en) | 2018-04-18 | 2024-01-16 | Snap Inc. | Augmented expression system |
US11074675B2 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2021-07-27 | Snap Inc. | Eye texture inpainting |
US11030813B2 (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Video clip object tracking |
US11715268B2 (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2023-08-01 | Snap Inc. | Video clip object tracking |
US11348301B2 (en) | 2018-09-19 | 2022-05-31 | Snap Inc. | Avatar style transformation using neural networks |
US10896534B1 (en) | 2018-09-19 | 2021-01-19 | Snap Inc. | Avatar style transformation using neural networks |
US11868590B2 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Interface to display shared user groups |
US11294545B2 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2022-04-05 | Snap Inc. | Interface to display shared user groups |
US10895964B1 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2021-01-19 | Snap Inc. | Interface to display shared user groups |
US11610357B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2023-03-21 | Snap Inc. | System and method of generating targeted user lists using customizable avatar characteristics |
US10904181B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-01-26 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized graphics having reactions to electronic message content |
US11477149B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-10-18 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized graphics having reactions to electronic message content |
US11245658B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-02-08 | Snap Inc. | System and method of generating private notifications between users in a communication session |
US11171902B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-11-09 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized graphics having reactions to electronic message content |
US11189070B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | System and method of generating targeted user lists using customizable avatar characteristics |
US11455082B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Collaborative achievement interface |
US11824822B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized graphics having reactions to electronic message content |
US11704005B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2023-07-18 | Snap Inc. | Collaborative achievement interface |
US11538045B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2022-12-27 | Dish Network L.L.C. | Apparatus, systems and methods for determining a commentary rating |
US11321896B2 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2022-05-03 | Snap Inc. | 3D avatar rendering |
US11103795B1 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2021-08-31 | Snap Inc. | Game drawer |
US10872451B2 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2020-12-22 | Snap Inc. | 3D avatar rendering |
US12020377B2 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Textured mesh building |
US11836859B2 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | Textured mesh building |
US20220044479A1 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2022-02-10 | Snap Inc. | Textured mesh building |
US11620791B2 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2023-04-04 | Snap Inc. | Rendering 3D captions within real-world environments |
US11176737B2 (en) | 2018-11-27 | 2021-11-16 | Snap Inc. | Textured mesh building |
US10902661B1 (en) | 2018-11-28 | 2021-01-26 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic composite user identifier |
US11887237B2 (en) | 2018-11-28 | 2024-01-30 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic composite user identifier |
US11783494B2 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2023-10-10 | Snap Inc. | Efficient human pose tracking in videos |
US11199957B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2021-12-14 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized avatars based on location information |
US11698722B2 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2023-07-11 | Snap Inc. | Generating customized avatars based on location information |
US11315259B2 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2022-04-26 | Snap Inc. | Efficient human pose tracking in videos |
US10861170B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2020-12-08 | Snap Inc. | Efficient human pose tracking in videos |
US11110350B2 (en) | 2018-12-03 | 2021-09-07 | Intuitive Research And Technology Corporation | Multiplayer teleportation and summoning |
US11055514B1 (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2021-07-06 | Snap Inc. | Image face manipulation |
US11798261B2 (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2023-10-24 | Snap Inc. | Image face manipulation |
US11516173B1 (en) | 2018-12-26 | 2022-11-29 | Snap Inc. | Message composition interface |
US11032670B1 (en) | 2019-01-14 | 2021-06-08 | Snap Inc. | Destination sharing in location sharing system |
US11877211B2 (en) | 2019-01-14 | 2024-01-16 | Snap Inc. | Destination sharing in location sharing system |
US10939246B1 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Location-based context information sharing in a messaging system |
US11751015B2 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2023-09-05 | Snap Inc. | Location-based context information sharing in a messaging system |
US10945098B2 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2021-03-09 | Snap Inc. | Location-based context information sharing in a messaging system |
US11693887B2 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2023-07-04 | Snap Inc. | Adaptive spatial density based clustering |
US11294936B1 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2022-04-05 | Snap Inc. | Adaptive spatial density based clustering |
US11557075B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2023-01-17 | Snap Inc. | Body pose estimation |
US11010022B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2021-05-18 | Snap Inc. | Global event-based avatar |
US11714524B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2023-08-01 | Snap Inc. | Global event-based avatar |
US10984575B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Body pose estimation |
US11809624B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2023-11-07 | Snap Inc. | Sleep detection in a location sharing system |
US10936066B1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2021-03-02 | Snap Inc. | Sleep detection in a location sharing system |
US11275439B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2022-03-15 | Snap Inc. | Sleep detection in a location sharing system |
US11574431B2 (en) | 2019-02-26 | 2023-02-07 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based on weather |
US10964082B2 (en) | 2019-02-26 | 2021-03-30 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based on weather |
US11301117B2 (en) | 2019-03-08 | 2022-04-12 | Snap Inc. | Contextual information in chat |
US10852918B1 (en) | 2019-03-08 | 2020-12-01 | Snap Inc. | Contextual information in chat |
US11868414B1 (en) | 2019-03-14 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Graph-based prediction for contact suggestion in a location sharing system |
US11852554B1 (en) | 2019-03-21 | 2023-12-26 | Snap Inc. | Barometer calibration in a location sharing system |
US11039270B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Points of interest in a location sharing system |
US11638115B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | Points of interest in a location sharing system |
US11166123B1 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2021-11-02 | Snap Inc. | Grouped transmission of location data in a location sharing system |
US11973732B2 (en) | 2019-04-30 | 2024-04-30 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with avatar generation |
USD916872S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface |
USD916809S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
USD916871S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
USD916810S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface |
USD916811S1 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-04-20 | Snap Inc. | Display screen or portion thereof with a transitional graphical user interface |
US11917495B2 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2024-02-27 | Snap Inc. | Detection of a physical collision between two client devices in a location sharing system |
US10893385B1 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2021-01-12 | Snap Inc. | Detection of a physical collision between two client devices in a location sharing system |
US11601783B2 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2023-03-07 | Snap Inc. | Detection of a physical collision between two client devices in a location sharing system |
US11189098B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | 3D object camera customization system |
US11188190B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2021-11-30 | Snap Inc. | Generating animation overlays in a communication session |
US11823341B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | 3D object camera customization system |
US11676199B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2023-06-13 | Snap Inc. | Generating customizable avatar outfits |
US11443491B2 (en) | 2019-06-28 | 2022-09-13 | Snap Inc. | 3D object camera customization system |
US11307747B2 (en) | 2019-07-11 | 2022-04-19 | Snap Inc. | Edge gesture interface with smart interactions |
US11714535B2 (en) | 2019-07-11 | 2023-08-01 | Snap Inc. | Edge gesture interface with smart interactions |
US11455081B2 (en) | 2019-08-05 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Message thread prioritization interface |
US11588772B2 (en) | 2019-08-12 | 2023-02-21 | Snap Inc. | Message reminder interface |
US10911387B1 (en) | 2019-08-12 | 2021-02-02 | Snap Inc. | Message reminder interface |
US11956192B2 (en) | 2019-08-12 | 2024-04-09 | Snap Inc. | Message reminder interface |
US11822774B2 (en) | 2019-09-16 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with battery level sharing |
US11662890B2 (en) | 2019-09-16 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with battery level sharing |
US11320969B2 (en) | 2019-09-16 | 2022-05-03 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with battery level sharing |
US11425062B2 (en) | 2019-09-27 | 2022-08-23 | Snap Inc. | Recommended content viewed by friends |
US11270491B2 (en) | 2019-09-30 | 2022-03-08 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic parameterized user avatar stories |
US11676320B2 (en) | 2019-09-30 | 2023-06-13 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic media collection generation |
US11080917B2 (en) | 2019-09-30 | 2021-08-03 | Snap Inc. | Dynamic parameterized user avatar stories |
US11218838B2 (en) | 2019-10-31 | 2022-01-04 | Snap Inc. | Focused map-based context information surfacing |
US11063891B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2021-07-13 | Snap Inc. | Personalized avatar notification |
US11563702B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2023-01-24 | Snap Inc. | Personalized avatar notification |
US11128586B2 (en) | 2019-12-09 | 2021-09-21 | Snap Inc. | Context sensitive avatar captions |
US11582176B2 (en) | 2019-12-09 | 2023-02-14 | Snap Inc. | Context sensitive avatar captions |
US11036989B1 (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Skeletal tracking using previous frames |
US11594025B2 (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2023-02-28 | Snap Inc. | Skeletal tracking using previous frames |
US11908093B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with semantic graphical elements |
US11810220B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2023-11-07 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with face tracking |
US11263817B1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-03-01 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with face tracking |
US11227442B1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-01-18 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with semantic graphical elements |
US11636657B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | 3D captions with semantic graphical elements |
US11140515B1 (en) | 2019-12-30 | 2021-10-05 | Snap Inc. | Interfaces for relative device positioning |
US11128715B1 (en) | 2019-12-30 | 2021-09-21 | Snap Inc. | Physical friend proximity in chat |
US11893208B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2024-02-06 | Snap Inc. | Combined map icon with action indicator |
US11169658B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2021-11-09 | Snap Inc. | Combined map icon with action indicator |
US11356720B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2022-06-07 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand |
US11651022B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of servers |
US11831937B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2023-11-28 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of GPUS |
US11651539B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | System for generating media content items on demand |
US11263254B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2022-03-01 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of servers |
US11036781B1 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2021-06-15 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of servers |
US11991419B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2024-05-21 | Snap Inc. | Selecting avatars to be included in the video being generated on demand |
US11729441B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2023-08-15 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand |
US11284144B2 (en) | 2020-01-30 | 2022-03-22 | Snap Inc. | Video generation system to render frames on demand using a fleet of GPUs |
US11619501B2 (en) | 2020-03-11 | 2023-04-04 | Snap Inc. | Avatar based on trip |
US11775165B2 (en) | 2020-03-16 | 2023-10-03 | Snap Inc. | 3D cutout image modification |
US11217020B2 (en) | 2020-03-16 | 2022-01-04 | Snap Inc. | 3D cutout image modification |
US11818286B2 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2023-11-14 | Snap Inc. | Avatar recommendation and reply |
US11625873B2 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2023-04-11 | Snap Inc. | Personalized media overlay recommendation |
US11978140B2 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2024-05-07 | Snap Inc. | Personalized media overlay recommendation |
US11969075B2 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2024-04-30 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality beauty product tutorials |
US11956190B2 (en) | 2020-05-08 | 2024-04-09 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with a carousel of related entities |
US11922010B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2024-03-05 | Snap Inc. | Providing contextual information with keyboard interface for messaging system |
US11822766B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | Encoded image based messaging system |
US11543939B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2023-01-03 | Snap Inc. | Encoded image based messaging system |
US12046037B2 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2024-07-23 | Snap Inc. | Adding beauty products to augmented reality tutorials |
US11683280B2 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2023-06-20 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system including an external-resource dock and drawer |
US11580682B1 (en) | 2020-06-30 | 2023-02-14 | Snap Inc. | Messaging system with augmented reality makeup |
US11863513B2 (en) | 2020-08-31 | 2024-01-02 | Snap Inc. | Media content playback and comments management |
US11360733B2 (en) | 2020-09-10 | 2022-06-14 | Snap Inc. | Colocated shared augmented reality without shared backend |
US11893301B2 (en) | 2020-09-10 | 2024-02-06 | Snap Inc. | Colocated shared augmented reality without shared backend |
US11888795B2 (en) | 2020-09-21 | 2024-01-30 | Snap Inc. | Chats with micro sound clips |
US11452939B2 (en) | 2020-09-21 | 2022-09-27 | Snap Inc. | Graphical marker generation system for synchronizing users |
US11833427B2 (en) | 2020-09-21 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | Graphical marker generation system for synchronizing users |
US11910269B2 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality content items including user avatar to share location |
US11615592B2 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-03-28 | Snap Inc. | Side-by-side character animation from realtime 3D body motion capture |
US11660022B2 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Adaptive skeletal joint smoothing |
US12002175B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2024-06-04 | Snap Inc. | Real-time motion transfer for prosthetic limbs |
US11450051B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2022-09-20 | Snap Inc. | Personalized avatar real-time motion capture |
US11748931B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2023-09-05 | Snap Inc. | Body animation sharing and remixing |
US11734894B2 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Real-time motion transfer for prosthetic limbs |
US12008811B2 (en) | 2020-12-30 | 2024-06-11 | Snap Inc. | Machine learning-based selection of a representative video frame within a messaging application |
US11790531B2 (en) | 2021-02-24 | 2023-10-17 | Snap Inc. | Whole body segmentation |
US11908243B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Menu hierarchy navigation on electronic mirroring devices |
US11978283B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2024-05-07 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with a hands-free mode |
US11809633B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-11-07 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with pointing based navigation |
US11734959B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Activating hands-free mode on mirroring device |
US11798201B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2023-10-24 | Snap Inc. | Mirroring device with whole-body outfits |
US11544885B2 (en) | 2021-03-19 | 2023-01-03 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality experience based on physical items |
US11562548B2 (en) | 2021-03-22 | 2023-01-24 | Snap Inc. | True size eyewear in real time |
US12034680B2 (en) | 2021-03-31 | 2024-07-09 | Snap Inc. | User presence indication data management |
US11636654B2 (en) | 2021-05-19 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | AR-based connected portal shopping |
US11941767B2 (en) | 2021-05-19 | 2024-03-26 | Snap Inc. | AR-based connected portal shopping |
US11941227B2 (en) | 2021-06-30 | 2024-03-26 | Snap Inc. | Hybrid search system for customizable media |
US11854069B2 (en) | 2021-07-16 | 2023-12-26 | Snap Inc. | Personalized try-on ads |
US11983462B2 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2024-05-14 | Snap Inc. | Conversation guided augmented reality experience |
US11908083B2 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2024-02-20 | Snap Inc. | Deforming custom mesh based on body mesh |
US11670059B2 (en) | 2021-09-01 | 2023-06-06 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on body gestures |
US11673054B2 (en) | 2021-09-07 | 2023-06-13 | Snap Inc. | Controlling AR games on fashion items |
US11663792B2 (en) | 2021-09-08 | 2023-05-30 | Snap Inc. | Body fitted accessory with physics simulation |
US11900506B2 (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2024-02-13 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on facial expressions |
US11734866B2 (en) | 2021-09-13 | 2023-08-22 | Snap Inc. | Controlling interactive fashion based on voice |
US11798238B2 (en) | 2021-09-14 | 2023-10-24 | Snap Inc. | Blending body mesh into external mesh |
US11836866B2 (en) | 2021-09-20 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | Deforming real-world object using an external mesh |
US11636662B2 (en) | 2021-09-30 | 2023-04-25 | Snap Inc. | Body normal network light and rendering control |
US11983826B2 (en) | 2021-09-30 | 2024-05-14 | Snap Inc. | 3D upper garment tracking |
US11651572B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-05-16 | Snap Inc. | Light and rendering of garments |
US11836862B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-12-05 | Snap Inc. | External mesh with vertex attributes |
US11790614B2 (en) | 2021-10-11 | 2023-10-17 | Snap Inc. | Inferring intent from pose and speech input |
US11763481B2 (en) | 2021-10-20 | 2023-09-19 | Snap Inc. | Mirror-based augmented reality experience |
US11996113B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-05-28 | Snap Inc. | Voice notes with changing effects |
US11995757B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-05-28 | Snap Inc. | Customized animation from video |
US12020358B2 (en) | 2021-10-29 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Animated custom sticker creation |
US11960784B2 (en) | 2021-12-07 | 2024-04-16 | Snap Inc. | Shared augmented reality unboxing experience |
US11748958B2 (en) | 2021-12-07 | 2023-09-05 | Snap Inc. | Augmented reality unboxing experience |
US11880947B2 (en) | 2021-12-21 | 2024-01-23 | Snap Inc. | Real-time upper-body garment exchange |
US11887260B2 (en) | 2021-12-30 | 2024-01-30 | Snap Inc. | AR position indicator |
US11928783B2 (en) | 2021-12-30 | 2024-03-12 | Snap Inc. | AR position and orientation along a plane |
US11823346B2 (en) | 2022-01-17 | 2023-11-21 | Snap Inc. | AR body part tracking system |
US11954762B2 (en) | 2022-01-19 | 2024-04-09 | Snap Inc. | Object replacement system |
US12002146B2 (en) | 2022-03-28 | 2024-06-04 | Snap Inc. | 3D modeling based on neural light field |
US12020384B2 (en) | 2022-06-21 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Integrating augmented reality experiences with other components |
US12020386B2 (en) | 2022-06-23 | 2024-06-25 | Snap Inc. | Applying pregenerated virtual experiences in new location |
US11870745B1 (en) | 2022-06-28 | 2024-01-09 | Snap Inc. | Media gallery sharing and management |
US12051163B2 (en) | 2022-08-25 | 2024-07-30 | Snap Inc. | External computer vision for an eyewear device |
US11893166B1 (en) | 2022-11-08 | 2024-02-06 | Snap Inc. | User avatar movement control using an augmented reality eyewear device |
US12047337B1 (en) | 2023-07-03 | 2024-07-23 | Snap Inc. | Generating media content items during user interaction |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20030156134A1 (en) | 2003-08-21 |
US6910186B2 (en) | 2005-06-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
USRE44054E1 (en) | Graphic chatting with organizational avatars | |
US7685234B2 (en) | Multimedia system allowing consumers using multimedia interface to modify and share product information | |
Schroeder | The social life of avatars: Presence and interaction in shared virtual environments | |
US7396281B2 (en) | Participant interaction with entertainment in real and virtual environments | |
US7568004B2 (en) | Method and system for sharing brand information | |
Hemp | Avatar-based marketing | |
US9516074B2 (en) | Transfer of items between social networking websites | |
US9137273B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for distributing virtual goods over the internet | |
US8549416B2 (en) | Feature codes and bonuses in virtual worlds | |
US8088002B2 (en) | Transfer of rewards between websites | |
US20020022516A1 (en) | Advertising inside electronic games | |
US20120110477A1 (en) | Systems and methods for enabling virtual social interactions | |
Gardner | Buzz marketing with blogs for dummies | |
Frohlich et al. | Breaking up is hard to do: family perspectives on the future of the home PC | |
Hodge et al. | The Virtual Worlds Handbook: How to Use Second Life® and Other 3D Virtual Environments: How to Use Second Life® and Other 3D Virtual Environments | |
De Mesa | Brand avatar: Translating virtual world branding into real world success | |
CA2643584C (en) | Transfer of rewards and other items between websites | |
Book | These bodies are FREE, so get one NOW!: Advertising and branding in social virtual worlds | |
McKeown | E-customer: Customers Just Got Faster and Smarter. Catch Up | |
Hofman-Kohlmeyer | Method of product placement in computer games. Qualitative research amongst Polish players | |
Kargin | Literacy in a new playground: Young children's literacy practices in commercially designed virtual play worlds | |
Unruh | Snap Crackle Pop | |
Lavallee | Imho (In My Humble Opinion): A Guide to the Benefits and Dangers of Today's Communication Tools | |
Scialdone | Participant Interaction and Social Exchange-Centered Design in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games: A Qualitative Study of Furcadia |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GANZ, ONTARIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIM, KYUNAM;REEL/FRAME:028477/0110 Effective date: 20070412 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |