Patent ID: 8049756
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: A63F,G06F,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a multi-user animation platform, the method comprising: modeling a three-dimensional space within a computer memory; locating an avatar of a client within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space and being responsive to client input commands, wherein the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity; monitoring the client input commands to determine client activity; and altering the graphical representation of client activity according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected, wherein following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time to indicate how long the client has been inactive, and the inactivity scheme includes an algorithm for altering a transparency of the three-dimensional figure.