Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement.
Abstract:
A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.
Abstract:
In a multi-participant modeled virtual reality environment, avatars are modeled beings that include moveable eyes creating the impression of an apparent gaze direction. Control of eye movement may be performed autonomously using software to select and prioritize targets in a visual field. Sequence and duration of apparent gaze may then be controlled using automatically determined priorities. Optionally, user preferences for object characteristics may be factored into determining priority of apparent gaze. Resulting modeled avatars are rendered on client displays to provide more lifelike and interesting avatar depictions with shifting gaze directions.
Abstract:
A computer system is used to host a virtual reality universe process in which multiple avatars are independently controlled in response to client input. The host provides coordinated motion information for defining coordinated movement between designated portions of multiple avatars, and an application responsive to detect conditions triggering a coordinated movement sequence between two or more avatars. During coordinated movement, user commands for controlling avatar movement may be in part used normally and in part ignored or otherwise processed to cause the involved avatars to respond in part to respective client input and in part to predefined coordinated movement information. Thus, users may be assisted with executing coordinated movement between multiple avatars.
Abstract:
A method of radially expanding and plastically deforming tubular members (10, 100, 200) is provided that includes selecting a tubular member, determining an anisotropy value and a strain hardening value for the selected tubular member (10, 100, 200), multiplying the anisotropy value times the strain hardening value to generate an expandability value for the selected tubular member (10, 100, 200); and if the expandability value is greater than 0.12, then radially expanding and plastically deforming the selected tubular member (10, 100, 200).
Abstract:
A method for measuring irregularities on the outer surface of an article employs an apparatus to obtain qualitative information regarding a first portion of the outer surface of the article, which can be used to generate a visual representation of a first portion of the outer surface of the article. Then, the article is moved by a predetermined amount, and the apparatus is again used to generate a visual representation of a second portion of the surface of the article. This process is repeated to obtain a plurality of visual representations that together span across a predetermined amount of the surface of the article. Then, the plurality of visual representations are processed to generate a single comprehensive enlarged visual representation of a relatively large surface area of the article, which is preferably shaded, colored, or otherwise highlighted to illustrate the irregularities that are formed therein. The single comprehensive enlarged visual representation can be used to analyze the nature of such irregularities.
Abstract:
A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.