Patent ID: 6226669
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for use on a network system having a plurality of client sites and a WWW server providing a shared multiple-participant 3D virtual-reality environment, for the purpose of allowing the plurality of client sites to interact with each other in real time;the method comprising the steps of:(1) providing a CIMP module with a client table for registering client information about each client site participating in the shared multiple-participant 3D virtual-reality environment;(2) linking the CIMP module via a CGI module to the WWW server;(3) at a newcomer's client site that just logs into the shared multiple-participant 3D virtual-reality environment, issuing a login request via the network system to the WWW server, causing the WWW server to download a virtual-reality scene file back to the newcomer's client site;(4) at the newcomer's client site, issuing an Initial PDU via the network system to the WWW server when the downloaded virtual-reality scene file is received;(5) at the WWW server, forwarding the received Initial PDU via the CGI module to the CIMP module;(6) at the CIMP module, upon receiving the Initial PDU, performing the steps of:(6-1) issuing an Acknowledge PDU with a uniquely-assigned User ID via the network system back to the newcomer's client site;(6-2) forwarding the received Initial PDU together with the newcomer's User ID to every other client site that is previously registered in the client table indicative of current participation in the shared multiple-participant 3D virtual-reality environment;(7) at any client site, if a change in avatar state occurs, issuing a corresponding Object-State PDU indicative of the change in avatar state to the CIMP module; and(8) at the CIMP module, broadcasting the received Object-State PDU to every other client site currently participating in the shared multiple-participant 3D virtual-reality environment, if any.