U.S. patent application number 10/220378 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for on-line product catalogue and ordering system, and the presentation of multimedia content.
Invention is credited to Mihalcheon, Gregory Arthur.
Application Number | 20030172174 10/220378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9886851 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030172174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mihalcheon, Gregory Arthur |
September 11, 2003 |
On-line product catalogue and ordering system, and the presentation
of multimedia content
Abstract
A method of presenting an on-line product catalogue and ordering
system to a user, said method comprising providing a graphical user
interface representing a virtual space through which users may
navigate, said virtual space including representations representing
products, through which a user may obtain product information and
order a product on-line, and representations representing the other
users of the system, through which the user may identify such other
users and communicate with a selected other user regarding the
products on offer.
Inventors: |
Mihalcheon, Gregory Arthur;
(London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas M Wozny
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall
Suite 1100
100 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-4178
US
|
Family ID: |
9886851 |
Appl. No.: |
10/220378 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
March 2, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB01/00912 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/231 ;
705/26.1; 707/E17.111; 707/E17.138; 715/850 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/954 20190101;
G06F 3/04815 20130101; G06Q 30/0643 20130101; G06Q 30/0601
20130101; G06F 16/90328 20190101; G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/231 ; 705/27;
345/850 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2000 |
GB |
0005083.1 |
Claims
1. A method of presenting an on-line product catalogue and ordering
system to a user, said method comprising providing a graphical user
interface representing a virtual space through which users may
navigate, said virtual space including representations representing
products, through which a user may obtain product information and
order a product on-line, and representations representing other
users of the system, through which the user may identify such other
users and communicate with a selected other user regarding the
products on offer.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said user representations
are represented in a relationship with a first product
representation in said virtual space when selecting a first product
or accessing information relating to said first product, and
represented in a relationship with a second product representation
in said virtual space when selecting a second product or accessing
information relating to said second product.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said relationships said
one or more user representations are represented as spatially
proximate the respective product representation, compared to such
proximity with representations of other products.
4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said product
representations comprise image objects.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said user
representations comprise avatars.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising
presenting audio resources to the user, said audio resources
relating to a product represented in said graphical user
interface.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein a user is represented
within said virtual space in accordance with their temporal
location within an audio resource the user is accessing.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said virtual
space comprises representations of different audio products.
9. A computer program for use in on-line product catalogue and
ordering system, said program being adapted to generate a graphical
user interface representing a virtual space through which users may
navigate, said virtual space including representations representing
products, through which a user may obtain product information and
order a product on-line, and representations representing other
users of the system, through which the user may identify such other
uses and communicate with a selected other user regarding the
products on offer.
10. A method of presenting multimedia content to a user of a
multi-user system, said method comprising providing a graphical
user interface representing a virtual space through which a user
may navigate, said virtual space including representations of a
plurality of multimedia resources and representations of one or
more users, wherein said one or more user representations are
represented in a relationship with a representation of a first
multimedia resource in said virtual space when selecting or
accessing said first resource, and represented in a relationship
with a representation of a second multimedia resource in said
virtual space when selecting or accessing said second resource.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said relationships said
one or more user representations are represented as spatially
proximate the representation of said resource being accessed or
selected, compared to such proximity with representations of other
resources.
12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said resource
representations comprise image objects.
13. A method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said user
representations comprise avatars.
14. A method according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein said
resources comprise audio resources.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein a user is represented
within said virtual space in accordance with their temporal
location within an audio resource the user is accessing.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said audio
resources have representations which are sequentially linked in
said virtual space.
17. A method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein a user may
navigate through said virtual space by selecting an audio control
option in said graphical user interface.
18. A method according to any of claims 10 to 17, said program
being adapted to generate a graphical user interface representing a
plurality of different virtual spaces, each of said different
virtual spaces being independently selectable.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein each of a plurality of
said virtual spaces comprises representations of different audio
resources.
20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each of a
plurality of said virtual spaces comprises representations of
different graphical and/or text resources.
21. A method according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein said
plurality of different virtual spaces comprises a plurality of
different types of virtual spaces.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein one type includes
representations of a plurality of sequentially linked resources,
not all said linked resource representations being displayed in
said interface simultaneously.
23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein one type includes
representations of a plurality of sequentially linked resources,
all said linked resource representations being displayed in said
interface simultaneously.
24. A method according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein one type
includes representations of a plurality of resources which are not
sequentially linked.
25. A method according to any of claims 10 to 24, wherein said
virtual space or spaces is or are each represented in a single
window in said graphical user interface.
26. A computer program for implementing the method of any of claims
10 to 25.
27. A method of presenting on-line audio content from a multi-user
system to a user, said method comprising: receiving audio data via
a data network; representing the position of the user within a
sequence of audio content on a graphical user interface; and
representing the location of other users of the system within said
sequence of audio content on said graphical user interface.
28. A method of transmitting on-line audio content from a
multi-user system, said method comprising: transmitting audio data
from a sequence of audio content via a data network to a user; and
transmitting data indicating the location of other users of the
system within said sequence of audio content to said user via said
data network.
29. A method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein said audio data
is streamed to the user.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an on-line product catalogue and
ordering system and to presenting multimedia content to a user. The
invention provides a multi-user system, and a graphical user
interface representing a virtual space through which a user may
navigate. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates
to the presentation of multimedia content and on-line product
ordering via the World Wide Web (the "Web").
[0002] Real places are sensed in combination with other people
present. Sensations of the same place can vary from bustling to
barren depending on the amount of people present. On the other
hand, the Web can be an alienating and insular experience. Often,
many people can be working at the same time on the Web, without the
opportunity to ask each other questions, or sense that someone else
is interested in the same area. Some on-line product catalogue and
ordering Web sites have attempted to address this problem. For
example, Amazon.com.TM., one such site, has instituted "purchase
circles" allowing prospective purchasers to access bestseller lists
grouped according to selected communities. These communities are
based on a geographical location, workplace, etc.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,173 describes a system in which network
computer users are provided with information about which other
users are "task proximate" to the user, thereby facilitating
spontaneous communications regarding task-related, or other issues.
The information about other users is displayed in a user interface
window, which presents a visual representation of each other user
is "task proximate" to the user. A drawback of the arrangement
described in this patent is that information regarding the "task
proximate" users is always displayed in the same manner, in a
separate window, irrespective of the "task" which the user is
performing, which can be disorienting. In addition, the progress of
any other user within the task is not readily determined without
actually communicating with that other user.
[0004] Also known are "Multi-User Virtual Environments" (MUVEs), in
which on-line users may navigate through a virtual space, see other
users within the same space and communicate with such other users
by means of a multi-user chat application. These are intended to
allow users to work on projects collaboratively, for teaching
purposes, or simply for social interaction.
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of presenting an on-line product catalogue and
ordering system to a user, said method comprising providing a
graphical user interface representing a virtual space through which
users may navigate, said virtual space including representations
representing products, through which a user may obtain product
information and order a product on-line, and representations
representing other users of the system, through which the user may
identify such other users and communicate with a selected other
user regarding the products on offer.
[0006] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method of presenting multimedia
content to a user of a multi-user system, said method comprising
providing a graphical user interface representing a virtual space
through which a user may navigate, said virtual space including
representations of a plurality of multimedia resources and
representations of one or more users, wherein said one or more user
representations are represented in a relationship with a
representation of a first multimedia resource in said virtual space
when selecting or accessing said first resource, and represented in
a relationship with a representation of a second multimedia
resource in said virtual space when selecting or accessing said
second resource.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to detect
and interact with other users present within the virtual space in
which the user resides, in conjunction with obtaining knowledge
regarding resources being accessed or selected by such other
users.
[0008] In one embodiment a user is able to roam around at least one
virtual space representing a product catalogue. Residing within
this space is an avatar of the user accessing the data in that
location. The avatar can be a default representation or one chosen
by the user. By clicking on the avator of another user, a user will
see an identity card which shows who the person is, and how to get
in touch with them. A chat space is provided where the user can ask
other users present in the space questions pertinent to the
products on offer, or other information being accessed by both
parties.
[0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there
is provided a method of presenting on-line audio content from a
multi-user system to a user, said method comprising:
[0010] receiving audio data via a data network;
[0011] representing the position of the user within a sequence of
audio content on a graphical user interface; and
[0012] representing the location of other users of the system
within said sequence of audio content on said graphical user
interface.
[0013] In accordance with a yet further aspect of the invention,
there is provided a method of transmitting on-line audio content
from a multi-user system, said method comprising:
[0014] transmitting audio data from a sequence of audio content via
a data network to a user; and
[0015] transmitting data indicating the location of other users of
the system within said sequence of audio content to said user via
said data network.
[0016] The audio data is preferably streamed to the user, whereby
the position of all users of a multi-user system within individual
audio tracks is readily determined on a server providing audio and
multi-user data.
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a network
configuration used in an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2 to 8 are schematic illustrations of screen shots
from a graphical user interface provided in this embodiment of the
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is an illustration of different personal details
cards which a user may access when using a system of the present
invention.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a plurality of users at user terminals 2 receive
multimedia content via relatively low-bandwidth datalinks 3 such as
ISDN links, and a public data network 4, in this embodiment the
Internet, or an intranet, from a data processing server 6 which is
connected to the Internet 4 by means of a relatively high bandwidth
connection 5, such as an ATM link.
[0022] Each client terminal 2 includes a computer workstation
having a graphical display, data input means such as a keyboard and
a pointing device, e.g. a mouse, and an audio output means such as
stereo loudspeakers. Each of the client terminals 2 includes a
computer program in the form of an Internet browser which is
enabled with an interactive media player, such as a Shockwave.TM.
interactive media player produced by Macromedia.TM..
[0023] The data processing server 6 includes various interworking
computer programs, including a multi-user server program, such as
that provided by Macromedia.TM., a database program, such as an
oracle database, a Web server program for storing and enabling
clients to retrieve multimedia resources such as HTML pages and
image files as well as interactive multimedia program, in this
embodiment a Shockwave.TM. movie The server 6 also includes a
streaming audio server program, such as a Real.TM. server for
storing and transmitting streamed audio on request to a client. In
addition, a customised control program resides on the server 6 and
interworks with the multi-user server, for controlling multi-user
aspects specific to the multi-user aspects of the interactive
multimedia program downloaded to client terminals, when in use. The
interactive multimedia program itself, along with the control
program relying on the server 6 are object-oriented computer
programs written in the object-oriented programming language
Lingo.TM. used with the Macromedia product range.
[0024] When a user wishes to access multimedia content from the
data processing server 6, using the client-resident browser, the
user first requests the Shockwave movie from the Web server in the
data processing server 6, and downloads same. Next, dynamic
information presented to the user in the movie is downloaded from
the database application, and the Shockwave movie is run with
information populated from the database. The user initially starts
with a default location in the movie, and can navigate through the
movie by selecting different types of content which is imported
from the server 6. In addition, multi-user related content is
continually updated by the streaming of control data from the
multi-user server to the multimedia client terminal. Audio content
is streamed from the streaming audio server to the client
terminal.
[0025] In the present embodiment, the user is provided with a
selection of different virtual spaces whereby to navigate through
the multimedia content provided by the server 6, and to interact
with different user groups.
[0026] One type of virtual space provided by the movie is in this
embodiment referred to as a "odyssey", whereby the user accesses a
sequentially linked set of musical audio tracks, for example, a
recommended playlist. A plurality of such odysseys are accessible
by the user via the movie. When experiencing an odyssey, the
"current odyssey", the user may interact with other users, at other
client terminals, who are also experiencing the same odyssey. The
odysseys represent a product catalogue, in that a user may navigate
through the odysseys, obtain product information in the form of
sample audio tracks, and graphical and textual information about
products on offer. A user may also add products, in the form of
music albums, to an on-line shopping basket, whilst navigating
through an odyssey. When desired, the user can "check out" to order
products present in their shopping basket. When the user encounters
another user during an odyssey, the user may identify that other
user and communicate with that user regarding the products on
offer, in this case music albums.
[0027] Another type of virtual space provided by the movie is
referred to in this embodiment as a "dimension". A dimension is a
virtual space in which a selection of multimedia content not
related to the current odyssey is available to the user. When
inhabiting a dimension, the "current dimension", the user is able
to interact with other users inhabiting the same dimension.
[0028] A user may simultaneously experience a selected odyssey and
a selected dimension. The user may navigate between dimensions
whilst remaining in the same odyssey. Similarly, a user may
navigate between odysseys while remaining in the same dimension. In
effect, a dimension is a virtual space containing representations
of and links to primarily non-audio content, and an odyssey is a
musical experience which occurs within a virtual space which may be
shared with other users. Representations of and information
relating to other users sharing a virtual space is available in the
context of both a dimension and an odyssey.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a graphical user interface provided in this
embodiment, in which the user's current odyssey is represented in a
first type of virtual space.
[0030] The graphical user interface includes a window 10 listing
all available odysseys in a selectable format. In order to select a
given odyssey, the user clicks on the selected odyssey in the
window 10, using cursor 9, and then selects the associated join
button 12. When the user selects a given odyssey in the window 10,
information regarding the odyssey is shown in odyssey descriptor
window 11. The currently selected odyssey is shown in current
odyssey box 13.
[0031] Window 14 provides access to all the dimensions available to
the user. The dimensions are represented as a plurality of image
objects 16, 18, 20 . . . . In order to select a given dimension,
the user clicks on the appropriate image object and then selects
the associated join button 22. When the user selects a given
dimension in the window 14, information regarding the dimension is
shown in dimension descriptor window 21. The currently selected
dimension is shown in current dimension box 23.
[0032] The graphical user interface also includes a user list
window 24, providing a selectable list of a subset of the other
users currently logged on to the server 6. The user list is
restricted by the selection of odyssey and/or dimension chosen by
the user. Namely, only users experiencing the same odyssey and/or
users present in the same dimension as the user appear in user list
window 24.
[0033] Textual chat messages generated by other users listed in
user list window 24 appear in chat box 26, whilst textual chat
messages may be generated by the user in entry box 28, and posted
to all other users in the user list. If the user wishes to hold a
private chat with any of the users listed in user list window 24,
the user may select the appropriate user from the user list and
invite them to a private chat. In such a case, the co-participants
in the private chat appear in private list window 30, and chat
boxes 26 and 28 are used to display and post messages solely
amongst the private user list.
[0034] A buddy window 25 indicates to the user when other users
whom the user has previously registered a special interest in are
currently logged on to the server 6. Different buddies are
indicated conveniently by a box having unique position and/or
colour within buddy list window 25. The user may invite a buddy to
a private chat by clicking on the appropriate box when present in
window 25.
[0035] Referring now to virtual space window 8, in the type of
virtual space illustrated in FIG. 2, the user's current odyssey is
represented in the form of a sequence of image objects, in this
embodiment images of virtual planets, 32, 34 and 36, interlinked by
a journey path 38, which in this embodiment passes through virtual
outer space. Each planet image 32, 34 and 36 represents one of the
audio tracks in the link list of audio tracks of the current
odyssey. The user himself is illustrated as an avatar 40 located
along the journey path 38 in accordance with the current track the
user is listening to and with a distance between the planets in
accordance with the current temporal location of the user within
the current audio track. The current audio track is also indicated
in current track box 34.
[0036] Once a user joins an odyssey, the virtual space type
illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown on the graphical user interface,
whilst streamed audio data is also sent from the server 6 to the
user's client terminal, and played to the user via the client
terminal's audio transmission means. The track which is currently
played to the user via the audio transmission means is illustrated
in virtual space window 8 as the planet image 32 appearing
immediately in front of the user's avatar 40. As the audio track
progresses from finish to end, the user's avatar 40 moves forwards
along the journey path 38 towards the planet image 32. Once the
current track is ended, the next track of the sequential track list
is streamed and played to the user and the user's avatar passes the
planet image 32 and moves along the journey path 38 towards the
next planet image 34. As the user's avatar 40 approaches a planet,
the image of the planet enlarges, sized in accordance with
perspective in relation to the user's avatar 40 and the planet
image, thus providing the user with an indication as to how far the
audio track has progressed.
[0037] Other users of the system currently experiencing the same
odyssey as the user are also represented in virtual space window 8
by means of an avatar 42, 43 . . . Thus, each user on the same
odyssey is represented by a different avatar. Each user has a
default avatar, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. However a user
may select an avatar from a selection stored on the server 6 or may
upload their own unique avatar to the server 6 for distribution to
other users. The temporal location of other users within the same
odyssey is also indicated by appropriate positioning of their
avatar 42, 43 . . . along the journey path 38. The other avatars
42, 43 . . . are also sized in accordance with perspective in
relation to the distance between the user's avatar 40 and the other
avatars. Thus, a user can readily identify other users listening to
the same track, or other tracks within the same odyssey. The user
may click on to another user's avatar 42, 43 . . . , in which case
the selected other user's individual details, stored on server 6,
are displayed to the user, as shown in FIG. 4, on the graphical
user interface. The user's details are in the form of a personal
card 44, containing personal information 46 and a private chat
button 47 to invite the user to a private chat. The two, or more
users, may thus discuss the track they are listening to, and the
other tracks in the odyssey, to help determine whether they wish to
make a purchase. The card 44 also includes a button 48 allowing the
user to select between the other user's public details and private
details. The user is only allowed access to the other user's
private details by entry of an appropriate password unique to the
other user.
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of public and private
card which may be provided when a user selects another user's
avatar. A public card 70 provides details openly, as does a
professional card 80, which each include different information
individual to the user, including different selected images. A user
may also have one or more private cards 90, each displaying
different information. Each private card requires entry of a
password in a box 92 provided before the associated information is
displayed. To select between different cards, a user clicks on
radio buttons 72. Each card may include different selected Web
links 74, 84, 94, as desired. These public and private web cards
are the same as would be used as beamable business and/or personal
cards for palm pilots and Psion.TM. pda's.
[0039] The user may obtain additional details regarding the track
currently being played to the user by clicking on the closest
planet image 32, or regarding other tracks further on in the
odyssey sequence by clicking on other planet images in the virtual
space window 8. On such selection, the user is displayed a track
card 50 as shown in FIG. 3, on the graphical user interface. The
track card includes information 52 about the track, a link button
54 providing a hyperlink to a Web resource stored on server 6
related to the track in question, its associated product, in this
embodiment a music album, in a form such as a compact disc or an
on-line data download, containing the track name in question, and a
purchase button 56. On selection of the purchase button, the user
is presented with a window describing purchase information for the
related product, including its price. The user is also presented
with the option of adding the product to their on-line shopping
basket. At any stage, the user may access their current shopping
basket, through shopping basket button 57, located adjacent a
general help button 58, and proceed to make an on-line purchase by
selecting a "check out" option. The user is then connected to
e-commerce enable Web resources, stored on server 6, or linked to a
separate on-line music ordering Web site, allowing the on-line
purchase of their selected product or products.
[0040] The user may navigate through the odyssey by means of audio
control buttons 58, including a play button, a pause button, a stop
button and a fast forward button. Selection of one of the audio
control options not only controls the audio output from the user's
terminal, but also controls the navigation of the user's avatar 40
within the odyssey displayed in virtual space window 8.
[0041] Not all planet images within the current odyssey are
represented concurrently in virtual space window 8 in the type of
virtual space illustrated in FIG. 2, which has a pseudo-3D format.
In order to view all of the current audio tracks at once, and thus
access information conveniently about the audio tracks in the
current odyssey, by clicking 2D odyssey button 62 the user selects
a different type of virtual space representing the current odyssey,
as illustrated in FIG. 5, in a 2D format. The user may always
return to the pseudo 3D format by clicking on 3D odyssey button
60.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, in this type of virtual space the entire
odyssey is represented as a static collection of images of planets
100, 102 . . . connected by the journey path 138. Adjacent each
planet image 100, 102 . . . is an image object, in this embodiment
a star image 110, 112, . . . , whereby access to information
regarding the performing artist for the corresponding track is
accessed. When a user clicks on a star image 110, 112, . . . , a
performer name card 120 is shown within the graphical user
interface. The performer name card includes information 122 about
the performer, a link button 124 whereby access to other Web
resources resident on server 6 is performed by selection, and a
button 126 whereby access to information regarding other audio
tracks for the same performer which are available in this, or other
odysseys, is given. If a user selects a planet image 100, 102 . . .
, a track name information card, similar to that described in
relation to FIG. 3, is shown on a graphical user interface, as
shown in FIG. 7.
[0043] The current temporal location of the user within the
odyssey, in terms of the audio tracks, is also illustrated in this
type of virtual space, by means of an avatar 140 representing the
user appropriately located along the journey path 138.
[0044] By clicking on dimension button 64, the user may also select
a further different type of virtual space, representing the
dimension in which the user currently exists, as shown in FIG. 8.
In this type of virtual space, the user is represented as an avatar
240, and the user has access to various multimedia resources not
related to the audio tracks of the current odyssey. The user is
played audio tracks according to the user's current position in
their current odyssey, whilst the user may access other types of
information via the dimension virtual space.
[0045] The dimension virtual space includes a plurality of image
objects representing resources permanently available within the
dimension, including text and image files. The user may access data
by double clicking on an appropriate image object 200, 202 . . . ,
whereby the associated Web resources, such as HTML pages and/or
image files, are accessed and displayed in the graphical user
interface. Upon access to the resources associated with an image
object, the user's avatar is represented as adjacent the image
object in question on the graphical user interfaces of other users
of the system. The user may also select an image object, and
thereby display an interest in the subject-matter of the resources
associated with the image object, without currently accessing the
resources, by single-clicking on the image object in which case the
user's avatar 240 is represented as adjacent the selected image
object, both on the user's graphical user interface (as shown in
FIG. 8, the user's avatar is represented adjacent the image object
202) and on the graphical user interfaces of other users of the
system. As shown in FIG. 8, the avatars 212, 213 and 214 of other
users of the system are accessing or registering an interest in the
associated resources. On the other hand, a user not accessing or
registering an interest in a particular resource is represented by
an avatar 214 located relatively distant from any image object 200,
202 . . . . As in the case previously described in relation to FIG.
4, the user can access personal details, and initiate a private
chat, by clicking on the avatar of another user, in which case a
personal card similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed
within the graphical user interface.
[0046] It is to be appreciated that selection of the type of
virtual space in virtual space window 8 only affects the graphical
user interface displayed to the user, and does not affect playback
of the audio bitstream for the odysseys. The audio playback is
controlled by means of audio playback control buttons 58 in each
type of virtual space.
[0047] It is also to be appreciated that various modifications and
variations may be employed in relation to the above-described
embodiment. For example, whilst in the above embodiment the
multi-user control on the graphical user interface is implemented
by a customised program (the Shockwave.TM. movie) resident on the
client side interworking with a customised control program on the
server side during access to the multimedia content, in an
alternative embodiment in the multi-user control on the graphical
user interface may be implemented solely by a multi-user control
program resident on the server side, and updated on the client side
by data sent to the user in standard browser-readable format.
[0048] Whilst in the above-described embodiment the product
catalogue is a music catalogue and the virtual space is represented
as virtual outer space, various alternatives are also envisaged.
For example, the product catalogue may be a wine catalogue and the
virtual space generated by the Shockwave movie may be in the form
of a virtual vineyard, in which users navigate through and select
individual grape vines in order to access and order specific wine
products on offer, whilst interacting with other users in the same
manner as described above. The audio streaming aspects of the
invention may, or may not be implemented. Where the products on
offer are not audio-related, the provision of audio content may not
be desired.
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