FR2869709A1 - Three dimensional scene modeling system for e.g. role playing game, has representation unit representing positions and displacements of real person in virtual world as virtual character - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a capturing unit (28) to capture positions and displacements of a real person (26) in a real scene (12). The unit (28) has a transmitter device which is worn by the real person, where the device is detected by receiving terminals (34). A representation unit (30) represents the positions and displacements of the real person in virtual world as a virtual character (32). Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a server connected to a three dimensional scene modeling system (B) a method for modeling a three dimensional scene.

Description

The present invention relates to a modeling system and method

  a three-dimensional scene by a virtual world, and a server connected to such a system.

  This type of modeling system is particularly used in the field of online video games, including the Role Playing Game (RPG) type online. In this type of game, users, connected to the system by means of an access terminal via a data transmission network, embody a virtual character evolving in a virtual world modeled by the system. These virtual characters are likely to interact with each other in different ways.

  In order to achieve this function, the modeling system comprises: means for representing at least one user of the system in the virtual world as a virtual character, the user being connected to the system by means of an access terminal via a data transmission network; and - means of interaction with the user to change his character in the virtual world.

  Each of the users connected to the system can only interact with another user connected by means of an access terminal, which limits the possibilities of using such a modeling system.

  The purpose of the invention is notably to widen the possibilities of using such a modeling system.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a system for modeling a three-dimensional scene by a virtual world in which virtual characters are likely to evolve, this system comprising: means for representing at least one user of the virtual character system in this virtual world as a virtual character, the user being connected to the system by means of an access terminal via a data transmission network; and means for interacting with the user to evolve his character in the virtual world, characterized in that, the three-dimensional scene being a real scene in which at least one real person is likely to evolve, the system further comprises : means of capturing the positioning and movements of the real person in the real scene; means for representing this real person, his positioning and his movements in the virtual world as a virtual character.

  This modeling system makes it possible to evolve virtual characters in a virtual scene representing a real scene in which real people evolve. This opens the possibility of interaction between people connected to the system and people in the real world.

  A modeling system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features: the means for capturing the positioning and movements of the real person comprise at least one transmitting device intended to be worn by the real person and a a plurality of receiver terminals arranged in the real scene; the sending device comprises a unique identifier; the modeling system comprises a database for storing information relating to the real person, this information being associated with the identifier of the transmitting device intended to be worn by this real person; the modeling system comprises means for signaling, in the real scene, a positioning and a displacement respectively corresponding to the positioning and moving in the virtual world of the virtual character representing the connected user, these signaling means being arranged in the real scene; the modeling system comprises a database for storing information concerning real elements of the real scene represented in the virtual world, this information being searchable by the connected user from his access terminal; the modeling system comprises means for connecting the connected user with the real person; the modeling system comprises means for connecting several users simultaneously connected to the system; The invention also relates to a server connected to a system as defined above, characterized in that it houses the user representation means and the representation means of the real person.

  Finally, the invention relates to a modeling method, using a modeling system, of a three-dimensional scene by a virtual world in which virtual characters are likely to evolve, this method comprising steps during which : - at least one user of the system is represented in this virtual world as a virtual character, the user being connected to the system by means of an access terminal via a data transmission network; and the user interacts with the system to evolve his character in the virtual world, characterized in that, the three-dimensional scene being a real scene in which at least one real person is likely to evolve, the method further comprises steps during which: - we capture a positioning and movements of the real person in the real scene; - we represent this real person, his positioning and his movements in the virtual world as a virtual character.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the single appended figure, which schematically represents the structure of a modeling system according to an embodiment. of the invention.

  There is shown in this single figure, a system 10 for modeling a three-dimensional scene 12 by a virtual world 14.

  A user 16 is connected to the system 10 by means of an access terminal 18 via a data transmission network 20, for example the Internet network. The modeling system comprises conventional means for representing this user 16 in the virtual world 14, as a virtual character 23. The modeling system 10 further comprises means 24 for interaction with the user 16 for the user. to evolve his character 23 in the virtual world 14.

  The virtual character 23 can evolve in two ways in the virtual world 14. It can move in real time in the virtual scene, or be transported instantly to another part of the scene, for example by clicking, with a pointer of interaction means 24, on an area of a general plane representing the scene.

  Optionally, the representation means 22 furthermore make it possible to display a status associated with the virtual character 23. For example, the representation means 22 display whether the user 16 is busy, in conference, on the telephone, free or other.

  The three-dimensional scene 12 is a real scene, in which a real person 26 evolves. In order to represent this real person 26 in the virtual world 14, the modeling system comprises means 28 for capturing the positioning and displacements of the real person 26 in the real scene 12. The system 10 further comprises representation means 30 this real person 26, his positioning and his movements in the virtual world 14 as a virtual character 32.

  The representation means 22 and 30 are for example materialized by correspondence tables between, on the one hand, an identifier and possibly a password, respectively corresponding to the user 16 or to the real person 26, and other on the other hand, the virtual character 23, respectively 32, as well as the characteristics of this virtual character.

  Preferably, the representation means 22, 30, as well as the interaction means 24, are hosted on a server 33 connected to the data transmission network 20.

  In general, the means 28 for capturing the positioning and displacements of the real person 26 comprise at least one transmitting device, for example of the RFID type, carried by this real person 26. A plurality of receiver terminals 34 are arranged in the real scene 12 in order to square this real scene. The transmitter device carried by the person 26 is detected by these receiver terminals 34, which allows the representation means 30 to deduce the position of the real person 26 in the real scene 12. The virtual character 32 representing the real person 26 is then positioned in the virtual scene 14 at a place equivalent to that where it is in the real scene 12.

  Preferably, the transmitter device carried by the real person 26 has a unique identifier. Thus, when several real people evolve in the real scene 12, the modeling system 10 is able to differentiate them. A database 36 for the storage of information is provided, including a database 36A for storing information about real people.

  The information concerning a real person 26 is then associated with the identifier of the transmitting device carried by this real person 26.

  With the database 36A, the user 16 has access to the information about the real person 26. It can thus, for example, obtain his identity as well as his postal or telephone coordinates.

  It should be noted that the system 10 may optionally include search means of a real person 26 in the real scene 12. The user 16 can thus provide the name of a real person 26 to these search means, so that they determine the location of this real person in the real scene.

  Moreover, the modeling system 10 optionally comprises signaling means 38 arranged in the real scene 12, intended to signal the positioning and / or displacement respectively corresponding to the positioning and / or displacement in the virtual world 14 of the virtual character 23 representing the user 16 connected. For example, in the case where the real scene is a lounge with various stands 37, each of these stands 37 may include a signaling means 38 displaying the identity of a connected person whose virtual character is in the corresponding stand. The modeling system 10 further comprises means for connecting the connected user 16 with the real person 26. For example, these connection means can be located near the signaling means 38, the real person 26 being informed that the virtual character 23 is positioned there.

  These linking means may comprise secure financial transaction means between the connected user 16 and the actual person 26. Thus, in the case where the real person 26 is a representative of a stand 37, the connected person 16 can make financial transactions with him as if he were present at the show. The opposite is also possible, that is, a representative of a booth can be a connected person.

  In the case where several users are simultaneously connected to the system 10, it is also possible to provide means for connecting several users, such as instant messaging or videoconferencing, as well as secure financial transaction means between two users simultaneously connected. on the system 10.

  The database 36 for the storage of information may further comprise a database 36B for storing information concerning real elements of the real scene 12, for example information concerning objects put up for sale on the show, which are represented in the virtual scene 14. This information is searchable by the user 16 connected from his access terminal, which can thus have access to demo videos or to characteristics of an object, for example by clicking on this object using the pointer of the interaction means.

  Thus, the user 16 can see private demonstrations, possibly personalized, for each object of the real scene 12 referenced in the database 36B.

  It is clear that the invention opens opportunities for visits to real places, in which live people, such as salons, through a virtual world.

Claims (10)

  1. System (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) by a virtual world (14) in which virtual characters (23, 32) may evolve, this system (10) comprising: - means (22) representing at least one user (16) of the system (10) in this virtual world (14) as a virtual character (23), the user (16) being connected to the system (10) by means of an access terminal (18) via a data transmission network (20); and means for interacting with the user to evolve his character in the virtual world, characterized in that the three-dimensional scene (12) is a real scene in which at least one real person (26) is likely to evolve the system (10) further comprises: means (28) for capturing the positioning and displacements of the real person (26) in the actual scene (12); means (30) for representing this real person (26), his positioning and his movements in the virtual world (14) as a virtual character (32).   2. System (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to claim 1, wherein the means (28) for capturing the positioning and movements of the real person (26) comprise at least one transmitting device for be carried by the actual person (26) and a plurality of receiver terminals (34) disposed in the actual scene (12).   A system (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting device comprises a unique identifier.   A system (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to claim 3, comprising a database (36) for storing information about the real person (26), this information being associated with the identifier of the transmitting device to be worn by that real person (26).   5. System (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for signaling, in the real scene, a positioning and a displacement respectively corresponding to the positioning and moving in the virtual world (14) of the virtual character (23) representing the user (16) connected, these signaling means being arranged in the real scene (12).   A system (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a database for storing information about real elements of the actual scene (12) represented in the virtual world (14), this information being searchable by the user (16) connected from his access terminal (18).   7. System (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for connecting the connected user with the real person.   8. System (10) for modeling a three-dimensional scene (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for connecting several users simultaneously connected to the system.   9. Server (33) connected to a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it houses the means (22) for representing the user (16) and the means (30) of representation of the real person (26).   10. A modeling method, using a modeling system (10), of a three-dimensional scene (12) by a virtual world (14) in which virtual characters are likely to evolve (23, 32) , said method comprising steps in which: - at least one user (16) of the system (10) is represented in this virtual world (14) as a virtual character (23), the user (16) being connected to the system (10) by means of an access terminal (18) via a data transmission network (20); and the user (16) interacts with the system (10) to evolve his or her character in the virtual world, characterized in that the three-dimensional scene (12) is a real scene in which at least one real person (26) is The method, which is capable of evolving, furthermore comprises steps in which: - a positioning and movements of the real person (26) are captured in the real scene (12); we represent this real person (26), his positioning and his movements in the virtual world (14) as a virtual character (32).