Patent ID: 8601379
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: A63F,G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for interactively animating an avatar in response to real world input, data of the avatar transmitted between a first user and a second user using a computer program that is executed on at least one computer in a computer network and each of the first user and the second user interacting through a respective computing system that is at least partially executing the computer program, comprising: identifying components of the avatar representing the first user that can be modified using real-time effects; identifying controller input from the second user, the controller input being detected by the computing system, and the controller input indicating a selection of one of the identified components of the avatar representing the first user to be modified during play of a game between the first user and the second user, wherein the second user that provides the controller input is capable of interacting via one or more computer processors with the first user and the first user is capable of interacting via one or more computer processors with the second user; applying the real-time effects onto the selected component of the avatar representing the first user in response to the identified controller input, the applying of the real-time effects onto the identified components acting to augment the avatar of the first user; providing for display the avatar of the first user, having the applied real-time effects, on a screen connected to the computing system of one or both of the first and second users; and tracking movements of the first user so that the tracked movements are followed by the avatar of the first user when displayed; wherein the real-time effects applied onto the selected component of the avatar of the first user move with the movement of the avatar of the first user.