Patent ID: 6323857
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method enabling users to interact, via a set of interconnected terminals, by reference to a virtual space, which method includes the steps ofassociating each terminal of the set with a respective avatar in the virtual space and controlling a location of the respective avatar by means of commands received via the relevant terminal;composing simulated observations of the virtual space, each for a respective one of the terminals of the set and making the simulated observations observable each by means of its respective one of the terminals, the avatars in the simulated observations being observable in conformity with their locations, characterized in that the method includes the steps of:receiving a command which selects a terminal from the set;selecting a sub-space of the virtual space on the basis of the location of the avatar associated with the selected terminal from the set;composing a broadcast signal which represents a further simulated observation of exclusively the sub-space of the virtual space;transmitting the broadcast signal distinctly from signals representing the simulated observations, the broadcast signal being transmitted via a broadcast channel for reception by further terminals outside said set of terminals, for making the further simulated observation observable for passive viewers;wherein different terminals are selected each time for successive time intervals, a respective sub-space of the virtual space being selected for each different terminal on the basis of the location of the respective avatar associated with the relevant terminal, the simulated observation in each time interval representing only an observation of the sub-space of the terminal selected for the relevant time interval.