US5513129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for controlling computer-generated virtual environment in response to audio signals
Assignee: IAN E MCDOWALL
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Filing: 1993-07-14
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Granted: 1996-04-30
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Expires: 2013-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the control and manipulation of a virtual environment (such as virtual objects therein) in response to a music signal. The music is either interpreted directly to effect the control and manipulation. Alternatively, a control track corresponding to an audio signal (such as a music signal) is prerecorded, played back with the audio signal, and the control track is processed to control and manipulate the virtual world (or to control some other process of a computer system) as the audio signal is playing. In preferred embodiments, a computer creating a virtual world interprets the music, the control track, or both, and uses the resulting information to modify, create, and or control objects in the virtual environment. Preferred embodiments of the inventive system include apparatus for delaying input music to compensate for lag introduced by the system components, such as delay required to implement processing of control tracks corresponding to the input music.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Bolas
- 👤 Ian E. McDowall
- 👤 Michael N. Bolas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for controlling production of a virtual environment by a virtual reality computer system, including the steps of: (a) processing music signals to generate control signals having music and/or control information; and (b) operating the virtual reality computer system in response to the control signals to generate said virtual environment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for controlling production of a virtual environment by a virtual reality computer system, including the steps of: (a) processing music signals to generate control signals having music and/or control information; and (b) operating the virtual reality computer system in response to the control signals to generate said virtual environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) includes the step of: producing a graphic display of the virtual environment on a display device of a type coupled to a head of a human user which provides an immersive visual experience of said virtual environment to the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the graphic display is populated with at least one animated virtual object, where at least one characteristic of the virtual object changes in response to at least one of the music signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the graphic display is a stereoscopic representation of a three-dimensional virtual environment.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for controlling production of a virtual environment by a virtual reality computer system, including the steps of: (a) prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and (b) operating the virtual reality computer system in response to said prerecorded control track to generate said virtual environment.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for controlling production of a virtual environment by a virtual reality computer system, including the steps of: (a) prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and (b) operating the virtual reality computer system in response to said prerecorded control track to generate said virtual environment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (b) includes the step of producing a graphic display of the virtual environment on a display device, and also including the steps of: (c) supplying the audio signal to the virtual reality computer system; and (d) operating the virtual reality computer system in response to both said audio signal and said prerecorded control track to generate said virtual environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 6, wherein step (c) includes the step of supplying the audio signal to the virtual reality computer system with a first delay relative to the prerecorded control track, wherein the first delay is selected to enable generation of sounds in response to the audio signal in a manner so that the sounds have a desired time relationship to the graphic display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (a) includes the step of automatically generating the control track by processing the audio signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (a) includes the step of manually operating an input device to generate the control track.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
39 words
A method for controlling a computer system, including the steps of: (a) prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and (b) operating the computer system in response to said prerecorded control track.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
39 words
A method for controlling a computer system, including the steps of: (a) prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and (b) operating the computer system in response to said prerecorded control track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10, also including the steps of: (c) supplying the audio signal to the computer system; and (d) operating the computer system in response to both the audio signal and the prerecorded control track.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A virtual reality computer system, including: means for supplying a first signal selected from a group consisting of a control signal having music and/or control information generated in response to a music signal, a prerecorded control track having music and/or control information corresponding to the music signal, and a control signal having music and/or control information generated in response to the prerecorded control track; and means for receiving the first signal and influencing action within a virtual environment in response to said first signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A virtual reality computer system, including: means for supplying a first signal selected from a group consisting of a control signal having music and/or control information generated in response to a music signal, a prerecorded control track having music and/or control information corresponding to the music signal, and a control signal having music and/or control information generated in response to the prerecorded control track; and means for receiving the first signal and influencing action within a virtual environment in response to said first signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for supplying the first signal includes an analysis apparatus having means for receiving said music signal in digital or analog form, and processing said music signal to produce control information for modification of objects in the virtual environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said music signal is delayed in time to compensate for delays in other parts of the virtual reality computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for supplying the first signal includes a music playing means for supplying said music signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A virtual reality computer system for producing a virtual environment, including: means for prerecording a control track having music and/or control information corresponding to a music signal; and means for producing the virtual environment in response to said prerecorded control track.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A virtual reality computer system for producing a virtual environment, including: means for prerecording a control track having music and/or control information corresponding to a music signal; and means for producing the virtual environment in response to said prerecorded control track.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the means for producing the virtual environment includes: a display device; and a means for producing a graphic display of the virtual environment on the display device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 16, also including: means for supplying the music signal to the means for producing the virtual environment, and wherein the means for producing the virtual environment includes means for producing said virtual environment in response to both said music signal and said prerecorded control track.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said control track contains additional information to that which can be extracted from the music signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said control track is time shifted relative to the music signal to compensate for delays in said virtual reality computer system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A virtual reality computer system, including: a source of a music signal; and an apparatus for extracting information from the music signal for modification of objects in a virtual environment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A virtual reality computer system, including: a source of a music signal; and an apparatus for extracting information from the music signal for modification of objects in a virtual environment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer system, including: means for prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and a processor which receives the control track and which is programmed with software for operating the computer system in response to said control track.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer system, including: means for prerecording a control track having audio and/or control information corresponding to an audio signal; and a processor which receives the control track and which is programmed with software for operating the computer system in response to said control track.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 22, also including: means for supplying the audio signal to the processor, and wherein the processor is programmed with software for operating the computer system in response to both the audio signal and the control track.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-10-30 | 2000-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | 2004-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-30 | 2007-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |