Influencing virtual actors in an interactive environment
DC CAFC
First Claim
1. A method for generating a behavior vector for a virtual actor in an interactive theatre by interpreting stimuli from visitors, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of sensors detecting and sensing at least one physical characteristic at a plurality of positions within a theatre area within which a number of visitors are free to move about, said sensors generating sensor signals;
interpreting said sensor signals to provide at least one physical characteristic signal including position information, wherein said physical characteristic signal provides information on visitor activity and location within said theater area;
providing a behavior model for at least one virtual actor;
analyzing said at least one physical characteristic signal, a change over time of said physical characteristic signal and said behavior model for said at least one virtual actor to generate a behavior vector of said at least one virtual actor using said position information and said at least one physical characteristic signal, said behavior vector being generated in real-time;
whereby a virtual actor reacts and interacts, in real-time, with visitors depending on the visitors'"'"' actions and evolution of said actions.
3 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The described methods are directed to influencing movement of virtual actors in an interactive theater. This interactive theater can be in the shape of a dome. A method for generating a behavior vector for a virtual actor in an interactive theatre by interpreting stimuli from visitors is provided. The method comprises: providing a plurality of sensors detecting and sensing at least one physical characteristic at a plurality of positions within a theater area within which a number of visitors are free to move about, the sensors generating sensor signals; interpreting the sensor signals to provide at least one physical characteristic signal including position information, wherein the physical characteristic signal provides information on visitor activity and location within the theater area; providing a behavior model for at least one virtual actor; analyzing the at least one physical characteristic signal and the behavior model for the at least one virtual actor to generate a behavior vector of the at least one virtual actor using the position information and the at least one physical characteristic signal, whereby a virtual actor reacts and interacts with visitors. The methods also comprise using a generated virtual environment stimulus and generating new actors.
128 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method for generating a behavior vector for a virtual actor in an interactive theatre by interpreting stimuli from visitors, the method comprising:
-
providing a plurality of sensors detecting and sensing at least one physical characteristic at a plurality of positions within a theatre area within which a number of visitors are free to move about, said sensors generating sensor signals;
interpreting said sensor signals to provide at least one physical characteristic signal including position information, wherein said physical characteristic signal provides information on visitor activity and location within said theater area;
providing a behavior model for at least one virtual actor;
analyzing said at least one physical characteristic signal, a change over time of said physical characteristic signal and said behavior model for said at least one virtual actor to generate a behavior vector of said at least one virtual actor using said position information and said at least one physical characteristic signal, said behavior vector being generated in real-time;
whereby a virtual actor reacts and interacts, in real-time, with visitors depending on the visitors'"'"' actions and evolution of said actions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
17. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visitor can be an adult, a child or an animal.
-
18. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said behavior model comprises, for each psychological factor, a list of parameters comprising a type of stimuli to which it responds, an order of the derivative of said physical characteristic signal, a condition and a reaction eqauation and wherein said behavior vector is first calculated for each physical characteristic signal and then summed to generate an overall behavior vector.
-
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said behavior model comprises psychological factors, wherein said psychological factors are at least one of age factor, hunger, thirst, sleepiness, attention span and disability and wherein said list of parameters for the psychological factor of hunger is
-
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said behavior model comprises data concerning a current state for at least one psychological factor.
-
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said current state for hunger is 0.5 and wherein said reaction equation for hunger is
-
22. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said behavior model comprises psychological factors and whrein said psychological factors are at least one of age factor, hunger, thirst, sleepiness, attention span and disability.
-
Specification
-
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeVirtual Solutions LLC (General Patent Corporation)
-
Original AssigneeGodot Huard, Philippe Fortier
-
InventorsHuard, Godot, Fortier, Philippe
-
Primary Examiner(s)Bayerl, Raymond J.
-
Assistant Examiner(s)Thai, Cuong T.
-
Application NumberUS09/459,049Time in Patent Office1,131 DaysField of Search345/863, 345/473, 345/419, 345/420, 345/848, 345/849, 345/751, 345/753, 345/757, 345/100, 345/156US Class Current715/863CPC Class CodesG06F 3/011 Arrangements for interactio...G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by oth...
