WO1998015905A1

WO1998015905A1 - Interactive environment providing real-time software-control using remote host

Info

Publication number: WO1998015905A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/018233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Gulas
Original assignee: Mirage Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-10-07
Filing date: 1997-10-07
Publication date: 1998-04-16

Abstract

A system provides multimedia communication over the Internet or other online service. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a computer host (11) that is accessible over the online service (17). The user is provided with a freely removable storage medium (13), for storing digital video information and on which digital video information has been stored. The User also has a local digital reading device (14) for reading data from the storage medium (13); and a local computer (12) running a client process (16) providing access (i) to the digital video information stored on the local storage medium (13) when the medium (13) is loaded in the reading device (14) and (ii) over the online service (17) to the computer host (11). Finally, this system includes a server process (15) running on the computer host (11) for controlling access by the client process (16) to the local storage medium (13) for digital video information.

Description

Interactive Environment Providing Real-Time Software-Control Using Remote Host

Technical Field The present invention relates to interactive computer-controlled environments that may included dolls and other animated objects, particularly over a communications link to a remote host. Summary of the Invention

In a first embodiment, the invention furnishes a system for providing multimedia communication over the Internet or other online service. ("Online service" for the purpose of this description and the following claims includes the Internet.) The system includes a computer host that is accessible over the online service. The user is provided with a freely removable storage medium, such as a CD ROM or other optically encoded disk, for storing digital video information and on which digital video information has been stored; the storage medium is part of the system. The user also has (as part of the system) a local digital reading device for reading data from the storage medium; and a local computer running a client process providing access (i) to the digital video information stored on the local storage medium when the medium is loaded in the reading device and (ii) over the online service to the computer host. Finally the system includes a server process running on the computer host for controlling access by the client process to the local storage medium for digital video information. In a related method in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a computer host accessible over the Internet or other online service. The user is provided with a freely removable storage medium, such as an optically encoded disk, or, for storing digital video information and on which digital video information is stored. The user has a local digital reading device for reading data from the storage medium. The user also has a local computer having access to the storage medium when the medium is loaded in the reading device and access over the Internet to the computer host. The user is provided with a program which when loaded in the local computer causes the establishment of a client process for accessing the storage medium and communicating with the computer host. The medium and the program are loaded into the local computer and the local computer is placed in communication over the online service with the computer host so as to cause the client process to be established. In addition, a server process is caused to run on the computer host for controlling access by the client process to the local storage medium for digital video information. The user is provided with the optically encoded disk as well as with a program that when loaded into the local computer establishes the client process, and thereafter when these items are loaded into the local computer and the local computer is placed in communication with the computer host, the system of the invention is established. The present invention provides in a second embodiment an apparatus establishing an interactive environment providing a real-time software-controlled three-dimensional animated object. The apparatus in this embodiment includes:

(a) a local computer having a local data-entry arrangement (such as a keyboard), a display, and a data communications port that is distinct from the data-entry arrangement;

(b) a switch bank coupled to the data communications port and providing a multi-line switched output;

(c) an animated three-dimensional object coupled to the switched output of the switch bank; and (d) a local process running on the local computer for controlling the animated object based at least in part on user interaction via the data-entry arrangement. In a further embodiment, the local process is under control of a remote computer host, running a host process, that is in communication with the local computer. Communication between the remote computer and the local computer may be over an online service, such as the Internet. The animated object may be a doll, and alternatively or in addition may include force-reflecting and transmitting elements permitting the communication of forces utilizing a similarly equipped computer in a remote location.

Brief Description of the Drawings The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with a first class of embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with a second class of embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 3 provides a circuit diagrams of a switch bank suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 provides detail of the switch modules 351-358 of Fig. 3. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

In Fig. 1 is shown a block diagram of a first class of embodiments of the present invention. In a system in accordance with this embodiment, a local computer 12 and a host computer 11 are in communication with one another over an online service such as the Internet indicated by line 17. In one further embodiment, the host computer 11 is a server over the World Wide Web providing a Web page that is accessed by the local computer 12, in accordance with methods known in the art. The interaction over the Internet between the local computer 12 and the computer host 11 is indicated schematically by dashed double-headed arrow 18. The user of the local computer 12 is provided with a freely removable storage medium 13 for storing digital video information and on which digital video information has been stored. The storage medium may be implemented, for example, as an optically encoded disk such as a CD ROM. It may also be implemented, for example, as a removable high capacity floppy disk, such as sold by Iomega Corporation of Roy, Utah, under the trademarks Zip and Jazz. Alternatively the storage medium may be implemented as a removable Winchester drive, as a PCMCIA card, or as any other removable medium deemed convenient. The local computer 12 is in turn provided with a local digital reading device 14 for reading data from the storage medium 13 and into which the medium 13 has been loaded. In accordance with these embodiments, the storage medium 13 is physically delivered to the user by means other than the Internet, for example, by mail or courier. In this way the storage medium 13 can be used to convey to the user a large quantity of information without regard to bandwidth requirements for communication over the Internet. The information stored on storage medium 13 may take a wide range of forms, such as mail order catalogue content, home shopping network content, entertainment-quality multimedia presentations for purposes of entertainment, games, advertizing, marketing, or education.

Accordingly, when the local computer 12 interacts with the computer host 11, there is a host process 15 running on the host 11 and a client process 16 running on the local computer 12. The host process 15 is configured so as to control access by the client process 16 to the removable storage medium 13. Such a configuration of the host process can be achieved, for example, utilizing approaches similar to those of Java applets for use in the Java environment available from Sun Microsystems, Inc., Mountain View, California. The effect is that the online communication between the local computer 12 and the computer host 11 can take place with relatively low bandwidth requirements, and the high bandwidth required for digital video information is provided locally, under control of the host process 15, by the separately provided removable storage medium 13. It is within the scope of the present invention that the host process 15 and the client process 16 may be configured in a manner known in the art to permit the user to order or purchase goods or services online in an interactive session. In such an embodiment, for example, the local storage medium may provide a visual or multimedia presentation of goods for sale, and the presentation may be supplemented by information relating to price and /or availability provided by the computer host. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide to the user a program that establishes the client process 16 on the storage medium 13 in addition to the digital video information that is stored on the medium 13. In Fig. 2 is shown a block diagram of an apparatus that establishes an interactive environment in accordance with a second class of embodiments of the present invention. A local computer 22 has a display 222 and a data input arrangement such as keyboard 221, as well as local storage device 241. The local storage device may, but need not necessarily, be implemented as in the case of the embodiment of Fig. 1 as a local reading device with a removable storage medium such as a CD ROM. The local computer also has a data communication port coupled to a large current switch 29 that may be implemented in the general manner described below in connection with Fig. 3. The large current switch is in turn coupled to an animated 3-D object 20. The object 20 may be implemented, for example, as a doll that is electronically controlled. The doll may portray a character that is integrated in an application program so as to provide assistance, education, or entertainment to the user. For children, for example, the doll may portray a "Pal" to provide guidance through a particular computer application or to entertain. The action of the program, operating in part as a result of input from the keyboard, controls movement and other action of the doll. Similarly, another remotely disposed computer, configured in the same general manner as that shown as item 22, with keyboard, display, local storage device, large current switch, and animated 3-D object may be placed in communication with the local computer 22 so as to permit two users, for example children, to actuate some or all of the animated object associated the other computer. That is, each doll may be actuated and controlled in whole or in part by the person at a remote location.

In the case of adult users, the animated object may be implemented, for example, as a hand that is provided with force-reflecting and transmitting elements, so as to permit the communication of forces utilizing a similarly equipped computer in a remote location. Thus two users may shake hands. A first person may then experience the force exerted by the hand actuated by a second person and vice versa. Suitable force-reflecting devices are described in United States patents 5,629,594, 5,625,576, 5,459,382, and 4,762,016, and references cited therein; these patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Of course, the object may take many other forms as circumstances may require or suggest; for example the object may be a suitably equipped seat to receive force reflection, so that the user could experience sensations associated with a ride while seeing appropriate images (such as the scene changing in the course of a ride) on the display 222. Indeed, the images may be three-dimensional and provided using dual projection systems or dual-image wearable imaging devices in accordance with techniques known in the art.

In a further embodiment of this class, force-reflecting and transmitting elements may be configured for the purpose of supplying exercises to an individual either to maintain health or for rehabilitative purposes, for example, after cerebrovascular trauma. When two users in separate locations utilize similar force-reflecting and transmitting elements operating in conjunction with local computers in communication with each other directly or through a host computer, a further embodiment permits the users to play games that involve physical movements at each location.

The foregoing experiences may result on the one hand from the local computer 22 running a local process and accessing local storage device 241 for appropriate video and other content as needed. On the other hand, the local computer 22 may be in communication over an online service 27 such as the Internet with a computer host 21, in a manner as described above in connection with Fig. 1. The host may be running a host process 25 that is used to exert control (indicated by dashed arrow 28) over a client process 26 running on the local computer 22. Moreover, the computer host 21 may be used for placing the local computer 22 in communication with another computer similar to local computer 22 for communication with another user for the purposes described above.

Fig. 3 is a schematic of a switch bank suitable for use in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 2. The switch bank, which itself is not a part of the present invention, is the subject of patent applications filed for inventions of Serge R. LaFontaine, Ian W. Hunter, and Sylvain Martel. The switch bank includes switches that are capable of handling currents that are large in comparison to those normally handled through a computer communications port. In this embodiment is provided an input connector 311, which may be a male or female 25 pin connector. The connector 311 has contact points for making connections with a mating connector that is in communication with the parallel port of the computer. There are eight data lines from this connector that are in communication through buffers 361 and 362 with the inputs of semiconductor switch modules 321 through 328 respectively. Also connected to the output of buffers 361 and 362 is connector 312, which may be a 25-pin male or female connector to provide an auxiliary connection to the computer's parallel port to permit daisy-chaining of peripherals. The output of each of the switch modules 321 through 328 appears as one of the contact points 351 through 358 of a suitable output connector, such as a screw terminal block. Power to the device is supplied between the points identified as item 34. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 331 through 338 respectively are connected through buffers 359 and 360 to the inputs of switches 321 through 328 respectively. The other side of each of the LEDs 331 through 338 is connected to connector 313 and thereafter through a series resister in each case to a supply, as discussed below in connection with Fig. 4. In Fig. 42 can be seen the general arrangement for each semiconductor switch module 321 through 138 and its associated LED 31 through 38 respectively. The data line from the parallel port is here shown as item 41 across which is placed a load resister 411, having a typical value of 1000 ohms. The data line goes through buffer 42 to the input of hexFET 44, which is gate 441. The gate is biased through 680 ohm resister 43 at a suitable voltage so that when the

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP output of buffer 42 goes high, the hexFET is caused to conduct from the source 443 to the drain 442; the drain 442 is in communication with the screw terminal block, which provides the output contact point. Meanwhile, when the output of buffer 42 goes high, this output is also connected to the input of inverter 45, the output of which then goes low, permitting LED 46 to be illuminated through series resister 47, which has a typical value of 330 ohms. In this manner an appropriate signal on data line 41 will cause the screw terminal block to be grounded by hexFET 44 and the LED 46 to be illuminated simultaneously.

The switch bank may be implemented as a physically distinct subsystem, or alternatively may, for example, be incorporated into the animated object 20. Alternatively, or in addition, the coupling between the animated object to the local computer 22 may be achieved using a radio frequency data link or an infra red data link, using techniques known in the art, so that the object 20 may be controlled with a wireless coupling to the computer. In such a case, the switch 29 may be implemented by a suitable internal controller that is signaled by the wireless coupling just described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for providing multimedia communication over an online service, the system comprising:

(a) a computer host accessible over an online service; (b) a freely removable storage medium for storing digital video information and on which digital video information has been stored;

(c) a local digital reading device for reading data from the storage medium into which the medium has been loaded;

(d) a local computer running a client process providing access (i) to the digital video information stored on the local storage medium when the medium is loaded in the reading device and (ii) over the online service to the computer host; and

(e) a server process running on the computer host for controlling access by the client process to the local storage medium for digital video information.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an optically encoded disk.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the online service is the Internet.

4. A method for effectuating multimedia communication over an online service, the method comprising:

(a) providing a computer host accessible over an online service;

(b) providing to a user a freely removable storage medium for storing digital video information and on which digital video information has been stored, the user having (i) a local digital reading device for reading data from the storage medium and (ii) a local computer having access to the storage medium when the medium is loaded in the reading device and over the Internet to the computer host; and also providing to the user a program which when loaded in the local computer causes the establishment of a client process for accessing the storage medium and communicating with the computer host; (c) loading the medium and the program into the local computer and placing the local computer in communication over the online service with the computer host so as to cause the client process to be established;

(d) causing a server process to run on the computer host for controlling access by the client process to the local storage medium for digital video information.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the storage medium is an optically encoded disk.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the online service is the Internet.

7. Apparatus establishing an interactive environment providing a real-time software-controlled three-dimensional animated object, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a local computer having a local data-entry arrangement, a display, and a data communications port that is distinct from the data-entry arrangement;

(c) an animated three-dimensional object coupled to the switched output of the switch bank; and

(d) a local process running on the local computer for controlling the animated object based at least in part on user interaction via the data-entry arrangement.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the local process is under control of a remote computer host, running a host process, that is in communication with the local computer.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein communication between the remote computer and the local computer is over an online service.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the online service is the Internet.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the animated object is a doll.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the animated object includes force-reflecting and transmitting elements permitting the communication of forces with a remote location.