U.S. patent application number 11/693543 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for celebrity voices in a video game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Leviathan Entertainment, LLC. Invention is credited to Dean Alderucci, Raymond J. Mueller, Andrew S. Van Luchene.
Application Number | 20070218986 11/693543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327624 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070218986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Luchene; Andrew S. ; et
al. |
September 20, 2007 |
Celebrity Voices in a Video Game
Abstract
Virtual environments in which players are able to select
synthetic voices for their characters are described. The voices may
be celebrity voices or impersonations of celebrity voices. A player
may provide a spoken message to the game server, which converts the
spoken message into a text message and then outputs the text
message in audible form using a celebrity voice.
Inventors: |
Van Luchene; Andrew S.;
(Santa Fe, NM) ; Mueller; Raymond J.; (Palm Beach
Gardens, FL) ; Alderucci; Dean; (Westport,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GONZALES PATENT SERVICES
4605 CONGRESS AVE. NW
ALBUQUERQUE
NM
87114
US
|
Assignee: |
Leviathan Entertainment,
LLC
1012 Marquez Pl #205a
Santa Fe
NM
87505
|
Family ID: |
46327624 |
Appl. No.: |
11/693543 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11421026 |
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
11693543 |
Mar 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
60727121 |
Oct 14, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/822 20140902;
A63F 2300/5553 20130101; A63F 2300/5513 20130101; A63F 13/35
20140902; A63F 2300/807 20130101; A63F 13/792 20140902; A63F 13/87
20140902; A63F 2300/575 20130101; A63F 13/424 20140902; A63F 13/54
20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/030 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a virtual environment accessible
by a plurality of players, wherein the players are able to interact
with the virtual environment and each other via avatars; receiving
a text message from a first player; associating the text message
with a synthetic voice message; outputting the synthetic voice
message to a second player.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a voice
message from the first player and converting the voice message into
a text message.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic voice message is a
recording of a celebrity voice.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a plurality
of synthetic voices.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising receiving a synthetic
voice selection from the first player.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein receiving a synthetic voice
selection comprises receiving a fee from the first player in return
for the ability of have the selected synthetic voice associated
with text messages provided by the first player.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the synthetic voice selection is
for a limited period of time.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising: receiving an offer
from the first player of a fee in return for the ability of have
the selected synthetic voice associated with text messages provided
by the first player; receiving an offer from a second player of a
fee in return for the ability of have the selected synthetic voice
associated with text messages provided by the second player; and
associating the synthetic voice with only one of the first and
second players, based on the offers.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording game related
messages in a plurality of different voices; and identifying each
different voice as a different synthetic voice.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of the voices is a
voice that is a celebrity voice.
11. A method comprising: providing a virtual environment accessible
by a plurality of players, wherein the players are able to interact
and play games with the virtual environment and each other via
avatars; receiving a text message from a first player; displaying
the text message in a game; storing the text message; outputting
the text message in the form of a fixed media presentation.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the fixed media presentation is
a literary work.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the literary work is a comic
book.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the comic book contains screen
capture images from the game.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the fixed media presentation is
a movie.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising: associating the text
message with a synthetic voice message; and outputting the
synthetic voice message to a second player.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: receiving a voice
message from the first player; and converting the voice message
into a text message.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a plurality
of synthetic voices.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving a synthetic
voice selection from the first player.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein receiving a synthetic voice
selection comprises receiving a fee from the first player in return
for the ability of have the selected synthetic voice associated
with text messages provided by the first player.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The following application is a continuation in part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/421,026 "Video Game Environment that
Tracks Help and Advice Provided to Other Player Characters," filed
May 30, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/727,121 "Methods, Processes, and Systems to
Enhance a Player Experience of a Video Game," filed Oct. 14, 2005,
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Virtual Environments which are accessible to multiple
subscribers via a server are well known. For example, hundreds of
thousands of players access games known as massive multi player
online games (MMOGs). Players of these games customarily access a
game repeatedly (for durations typically ranging from a few minutes
to several days) over given period of time, which may be days,
weeks, months or even years. The games are often constructed such
that players pay a periodic subscription price (e.g., $15 per
month) rather than, or in addition to, paying a one time purchase
price for the game. Often, though not necessarily, these games have
no ultimate "winner" or "winning goal," but instead attempt to
create an enjoyable playing environment and a strong player
community. Virtual communities like Linden Lab's "Second Life"
provide a three-dimensional metaverse in which people (who may or
may not pay a fee for the right to access the metaverse) create
avatars that are able to interact with other avatars as well as the
local environment. It would be advantageous to provide improved
methods and apparatus for increasing the enjoyment and/or longevity
of these virtual environments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0004] Massive multi player online games (MMOGs) or massive
multi-player role-playing games (MMORPGs) are computer game which
are capable of supporting hundreds, thousands, or millions of
players simultaneously. Typically, this type of game is played in a
giant persistent world where the game continues playing regardless
of whether or not real players are logged in. Players commonly
access these games through a network such as the Internet, and may
or may not be required to purchase additional software or hardware
in order to play the game. Such networks allow for people all over
the world to participate and interact with each other in a virtual
environment. The present disclosure provides systems and methods
which contribute to the evolution and longevity of such a game.
[0005] According to one or more embodiments, the present invention
provides a voice recognition system for use in a gaming
environment. In a massive multi player online gaming experience,
players are able to select a synthetic voice for their characters
in the game. Any words that are spoken by the character are then
spoken using the synthetic voice. According to one embodiment, when
the player speaks into a headset, his voice is converted into text
using voice recognition software. The text can then be converted
into messages spoken by the synthetic voice selected by the
user.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a network system 10 according to one
embodiment includes a central server 20 in communication with a
plurality of video game playing units 18. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that any number of video game playing
units may be in communication with the central server. Typically,
the number of video game playing units changes at various times as
players join games and as players stop playing games. Similarly,
more than one server may operate to coordinate the activities of
the video game playing units, as is well known in the art.
[0007] Central server 20 may comprise any computing device (e.g.,
one or more computers) capable of communicating with other
computing devices. The server 20 typically comprises a processor
which is in communication with a storage device, such as an
appropriate combination of RAM, ROM, hard disk, and other well
known storage media. Central server 20 may comprise one or more
personal computers, web servers, dedicated game servers, video game
consoles, any combination of the foregoing, or the like.
[0008] Each video game device 18 may comprise any device capable of
communicating with central server 20, providing video game
information to a player, and transmitting the player's desired
actions to the central server. Each video game device typically
comprises a processor which is in communication with a storage
device, such as an appropriate combination of RAM, ROM, hard disk,
and other well known storage media. Suitable video game devices
include, but are not limited to, personal computers, video game
consoles, mobile phones, and personal data assistants (PDAs).
[0009] Some or all of video game 17 can be stored on central server
20. Alternatively, some or all of video game 17 may be stored on
the individual video game devices 18. Typically, the video game
devices are able to communicate with one another. Such
communication may or may not be facilitated by central server 20.
Accordingly, a player 19a accessing video game 17 via game device
18a may be able to play with a player 19b accessing video game 17
via game device 18b. As shown, it may be possible for multiple
players (e.g. 19c, 19d) to access central server 20 via the same
game device (e.g. 18c).
[0010] Regardless of whether video game 17 is stored on central
server 20 or video game devices 18, server 20 is typically
configured to facilitate play of the game between multiple game
players.
[0011] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides various methods
and systems which are suitable for use in a virtual metaverse. As
used herein, the term "virtual" includes the concept "in a
computer-generated environment or other intangible space." Further
more, a "metaverse" includes a collection of online virtual
environments which are accessible to one or more players of one or
more online games or communities. In some embodiments, certain
areas in a metaverse may be restricted to some players. Examples of
metaverses include Massive Multi Player Online Video Game (MMPOVGs)
such as World of Warcraft and virtual communities such as Second
Life.
[0012] MMPOVGs (sometimes referred to as Massive Multi Player
Online Role Playing Games MMPORPGs) include video games and virtual
environments that are provided by and accessed via at least two
video game consoles connected to a Video Game Central Server via a
network such as an internet or intranet, or as part of a
peer-to-peer network including at least two Video Game Consoles. In
some embodiments, players create and/or control characters that may
interact with each and their surrounding virtual environment in a
Metaverse that is stored on the Video Game Central Server and/or
the Video Game Consoles.
[0013] The games and metaverses wherein these games take place are
typically accessible to player via a video game console. For the
purposes of the present disclosure, "video game consoles" include
devices comprising a CPU, memory, and optional permanent storage
residing at a player location that can allow for the playing of
video games. Examples include, home PCs, Microsoft Xbox, and Sony
Playstation, Wii, Playstation portable, etc. Dedicated video game
consoles may be useful for only playing video games, while
multifunctional video game consoles, such as personal computers,
PDA's and the like may be useful for performing multiple tasks
including, but not limited to playing video games.
[0014] According to numerous embodiments, in order to access a
particular, metaverse, virtual environment, or game, a video game
console Video Game Central may be in electronic communication with
a video game server. A video game server may include a CPU, memory,
and permanent or temporary storage and be in electronic
communication with multiple players via multiple video game
consules. As such, the plurality of players are able to interact
with each other as well as the metaverse by accessing the video
game server via their video game consoles.
[0015] As stated above, a particular metaverse may include one or
more virtual or game environments. For the purposes of the present
disclosure the terms "virtual environment," "game environment" and
the like include a region, sub-region or area of a metaverse such
as a country, city, era, building, etc., which is in some way
recognizably different from another region, sub-region, or area of
the metaverse.
[0016] It will be understood that a "game" as used herein need not
be a "game" in the traditional sense of a competition in which a
winner and/or loser is determined, but rather that the term "game"
incorporates the idea of the metaverse regardless of the intended
purpose. Accordingly, both World of Warcraft and Second Life would
be referred to as games for the purposes of the present disclosure.
Moreover, a person or entity who enters the metaverse in order to
conduct business, tour the metaverse, or simply interact with
others or the virtual environment, with or without competing
against another entity is still considered to be "playing a
game."
[0017] Furthermore, the term "player" includes any entity that
accesses the metaverse, regardless of whether or not the player
intends to or is capable of competing against other players.
Typically, a player will register an account with a Video Game
Central Server or within a peer-to-peer network and create
Characters that can interact with other Characters in a Video Game
Environment. The term "character" includes persona created by a
player in a metaverse, while an avatar" includes the physical
embodiment of a character in the metaverse.
[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the game server may be
configured to maintain a character account for each character that
accesses the metaverse. A character account includes information
related to a particular character. Accordingly, a character account
may be a program and/or database that tracks various character
related data including, but not necessarily limited to, character
attributes.
[0019] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a character
attribute may include any quality, trait, feature or characteristic
a particular Character can have. Examples of character attributes
include, but are not limited to: [0020] 1. A score [0021] 2.
Possession, ownership, control, etc. of a virtual object [0022] 3.
Character Skills and abilities--which may be inherent or acquired,
and include but are not limited to: the ability to cast certain
spells, foretell the future, read minds, use certain weapons, cook,
hunt, find herbs, assemble herbs into potions, mine, assemble
objects into other objects, fly, and/or enchant other player
characters. [0023] 4. Physical appearance [0024] 5. An emblem or
mark [0025] 6. A synthetic voice, which an audible signal that is
recognized as speech or song. A synthetic voice may be a recording
of a real person speaking, or may be generated electronically. In
come embodiments, a synthetic voice may be a celebrity voice. In
some embodiments, a celebrity voice may be a voice, the sound of
which is or would be recognizable by a statistically significant
percentage of the target audience. Examples of celebrity voices
include the voices of real life celebrities such as famous actors,
politicians, singers and other celebrities (e.g. James Earl Jones,
Richard Nixon, Ellen DeGeneres) as well as famous characters such
as Bart Simpson, and Bugs Bunny. A Celebrity Voice may be spoken by
a real life celebrity, spoken by a celebrity voice impersonator, or
created or enhanced using electronic means. [0026] 7. Possession,
ownership, control, etc. of virtual tangible or intangible assets
such as virtual money [0027] 8. Virtual help points or credits
[0028] 9. The ability to join groups of other players at a later
time [0029] 10. A score for subsequent matching of later game
parameters [0030] 11. A relationship with another character [0031]
12. A genetic profile or makeup
[0032] These character attributes may or may not change during a
character life. The term "character life" may include the fixed
period of virtual or real world time that a player character can
exist in a game environment.
[0033] The games described herein frequently make use of Non-Player
Characters (NPC) or Computer Generated Characters (CGC). The terms
NPCs and CGCs may include any character that is controlled by the
system rather than being controlled by a player. However, under
certain conditions NPCs or CGCs may be controlled by one or more
players.
[0034] According to many embodiments, avatars in a metaverse
attempt to complete, negotiate, beat, or experience one or more
game parameters. Examples of game parameters include, but are not
limited to: [0035] 1. Completing all or part of a mission in a game
[0036] 2. Playing for a certain period of time [0037] 3. Winning a
match against another player character or computer generated
character [0038] 4. Reaching a certain level or score [0039] 5.
using or obtaining an ability or technology [0040] 6. kill/death
ratios [0041] 7. obtaining an object [0042] 8. solving a puzzle
[0043] 9. accuracy with weapons [0044] 10. effective use of the
proper weapon [0045] 11. killing a certain character/creature
[0046] 12. getting through or to a certain geographic area [0047]
13. decreasing or increasing Karma Points [0048] 14. getting,
buying, exchanging or learning a new skill or player attribute
[0049] 15. having a child [0050] 16. getting married [0051] 17.
obtaining, buying, trading, producing or developing raw materials
[0052] 18. producing goods or services [0053] 19. earning income
[0054] 20. earning a higher rank in an army [0055] 21. winning an
election among two or more player characters [0056] 22. achieving
deity status [0057] 23. improving player character status or caste
[0058] 24. assisting other player characters with any of the above
[0059] 25. speed of accomplishing any of the above [0060] 26.
and/or any part of a metaverse experience by which characters can
be measured.
[0061] According to some embodiments, two or more characters,
players, entites, etc. may decide to enter into an enforceable
agreement such as a virtual contract. Some examples of virtual
contracts and methods by which they may be created and enforced are
provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/652,036, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/355,232,
11/624,662, 11/611,050, and 11/279,991 which hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0062] One example of a virtual contract may be a player to player
Contract which may be a binding contract between player characters
that allows the players to provide or exchange game attributes to
one another. In some embodiments, once a player-to-player contract
is established, the game server or peer-to-peer network
automatically distributes game attributes between the player
characters based on the contract conditions.
[0063] According to various embodiments, players may desire to
trade, sell, loan, etc. various in-game items. Accordingly, a
particular metaverse or game environment may include an in-game
Marketplace wherein players and characters can exchange goods and
services including, but not limited to, items, attributes,
contracts, etc.
[0064] According to some embodiments, distinctions may be made
between players of different experience levels. In such an
embodiment, a novice Player may be a player who has spent less than
a certain amount of playing time in a given metaverse or game
environment and/or who has been flagged or otherwise identified as
requiring the help of a more experienced player, such as an expert,
to complete a Game Parameter.
[0065] Player Account--includes an account on the Video Game
Central Server or within a peer-to-peer network that contains a
Player profile including personal, billing, and character account
information.
[0066] Billing Information--any information pertaining to billing a
player including, but not limited to, a billing address, credit
card account, bank account, pay pal account or other payment
information.
[0067] Player Attribute--shall mean any attribute that can be
applied to a player account. Player Attributes shall include, but
not be limited to: [0068] 1. Real Money [0069] 2. Discount of
monthly fees for playing game [0070] 3. Monthly fee for playing a
game [0071] 4. Global character attribute settings for all
characters created by player across multiple games. [0072] 5.
Rewards for encouraging another player to signup to play
[0073] According to various embodiments, a particular voice (or any
voice at all) may be available only if the character has reached a
certain level or acquired a certain attribute in the game.
[0074] According to yet another embodiment, the game can be saved
along with the converted text and synthetic voice of players, so
that the saved game result can be edited and turned into a product
such as a movie or comic book.
[0075] According to yet another embodiment, the voice used could be
a famous voice, such as a voice of a famous character or celebrity
or an impersonation thereof.
[0076] Various fee structures could be available. For example,
celebrities could charge a different fee for allowing a player to
use his or her voice, while celebrity impersonations could have a
reduced fee. A billing system could keep track of fees for various
celebrities and pay a percentage to the celebrities based, for
example, on demand or player usage. Moreover, fees for using the
speech in the game could be different then fees for using the
speech in a saved game result, such as a movie.
[0077] According to another embodiment, certain words could be
spoken in different celebrity voices by the same character. For
instance, certain slogans could be spoken in one voice, while the
rest of the speech is spoken in another voice. Certain words,
spoken by the synthetic voice of certain celebrities could only be
available to characters once they have acquired certain attributes
in the game. For example, a player might choose a voice like Julia
Childs' for any situations involving cooking, except when the
player chooses to say the word "bam" in which instances the system
might substitute Emeril Legasse's voice for such word(s).
[0078] According to one embodiment, an administrative tool may
allow a player to specify what voice he wants to use for particular
slogans and catch phrases. The tool may further allow the player to
agree to a licensing fee to use the voice. Such tool may also
permit the player to select different voices for different times of
the day, day of the week, etc., and/or under different
circumstances. For example, the player may wish to use one voice
when conducting business, another voice when waging war and yet
another voice when speaking with players or player characters
designated as being of the opposite sex.
[0079] According to another embodiment, rather than the character
needing to speak into a headset, the system can convert text that
is typed into a virtual world chat window into audible voice files.
In addition, or in the alternate, players can create voice files of
their spoken voice and/or pre-translated celebrity or other
synthetic or recorded voices and such players can invoke or
otherwise cause such pre-recorded or pre-translated voice/text to
be spoken upon request, command or other indication provided by
such player and/or automatically based upon one or more rules or
predefined situations. Using such pre-recorded voices, previously
entered and/or translated text, players can create short phrases
and/or complete sentences/paragraphs or entire conversations ahead
of time. Such features could prove useful in myriad situations and
provide benefits for players that are unable to speak or speak
clearly and/or can save valuable time in providing messages to
players that may be offline or otherwise unavailable. For example,
a player might wish to deliver the same voice mail message to many
other players or player characters, whether or not such player or
player character is presently available. For example, a player may
record the phrase "pay your bills" and translate such phrase into a
celebrity voice, such as Mr. T, and then deliver the message via
e-mail, voice mail, or other communications, such as via an NPC or
anytime such player comes into contact with any other player that
owes such first player money or is overdue in paying such amounts
when due. Voice Phrases can also be hyperlinked to keyboard keys. A
player can press the key to have the phrase spoken in the game
environment.
[0080] As stated above, a saved game result may be used to create a
movie. The movie may or may not use text, spoken audio, or both.
When creating a movie out of or from part or all of a saved game
result, the player can convert text entries used in the saved game
into audible voice files. A license fee to use the synthetic voice
files created from the real voice files of a celebrity can be
charged the player, for example, as a flat fee, a monthly fee, an
upfront fee, or based on the amount of language that is created
and/or the situations or frequency that the voice is used. In the
case more than one player is making use of the same celebrity
voice, such fees could be based in whole or in part upon the total
amount of usage. The fee can be charged when the file is created or
when it is heard by third parties or a combination of these
factors.
[0081] According to another embodiment, players can also assign
voices to other players and thereby alter the sounds made by those
players, either as they hear themselves and/or as others hear them.
For example, when other players speak to the player, they speak in
voices specified by the player on his video game console, or, in
some embodiments, on all player consoles.
[0082] The voice to text and text to voice software and/or
synthesized voices or other data can be stored on the game server
or on the video game consoles or on any other suitable computing
device and/or storage device(s). If the voice software and/or
voices are stored on the game server, that server may convert some
or all the files and transmits them to the game consoles or where
and when needed. If the voice software, voices and/or data is
stored on the game consoles, the game server can transmit, for
example, the original text and or voice files to the consoles where
they are converted to new voice files and played for the
player.
[0083] For purposes of this disclosure, the game console may
include or be in the form of a headset (or any combination of
hardware) capable of receiving and transmitting voice files
generated from players.
[0084] According to various embodiments, exemplary character
attributes that could allow the character to speak in a certain
synthetic voices include, but are not limited to: [0085] 1.
Obtaining or failing to obtain a certain score in the game [0086]
2. Solving or failing to solve a certain puzzle in the game [0087]
3. Obtaining or failing to obtain a certain level in the game
[0088] 4. Acquiring or failing to acquire a certain virtual item in
the game [0089] 5. Obtaining or failing to obtain a certain peer
score in the game. [0090] 6. Paying or failing to pay an extra fee
for the right to have access to certain synthetic voices [0091] 7.
Having a player account for a certain period of time [0092] 8.
Purchasing a character expansion pack for the game. [0093] 9.
Helping or failing to help other player's in the game obtain
certain attributes for their characters [0094] 10. Being or not
being a member of a certain group of players [0095] 11. Fulfilling
a virtual obligation [0096] 12. Failing to fulfill a virtual
obligation [0097] 13. Any combination of the forgoing and/or
achieving or failing to achieve a game objective and/or within a
prescribed time.
[0098] According to one or more embodiments, some voices may be
offered on a limited or exclusive basis. For example, a particular
game may only allow a certain number of players (e.g. 1, 5, 10, 50,
100, etc.) to use a particular voice. Players may bid against each
other for the right to use high demand voices.
[0099] According to an embodiment, once purchased, the voice may be
used by the player's character until the player character stops
playing the game. Alternatively, the voice may be purchased for
only a set period of time, for example, until the character dies or
is killed, finished the game or a level of the game, completes a
task, or upon expiration of a given time period, such as a certain
number of play-time minutes or hours, or a day, week, or month.
[0100] If the voice is only purchased for a set period of time, a
player may be able to renew his or her subscription to the voice
for a lower, higher or the same fee. The player may or may not have
to bid against other players in order to renew his or her voice
subscription. A subscription service may or may not relate to the
exclusivity of the voice. For example, some voices may be available
for subscription and usable only by players who subscribe while
other voices may be available to anyone.
[0101] According to some embodiments, voice owners or subscribers
may be able to resell their voices.
[0102] According to yet another embodiment, players may have the
right to bid or make offers for voices that are not offered in the
game. The bids could be guaranteed, for example, by a credit card,
so that the demand reflected by the bids is real and actionable.
Accordingly, player may be able to coax a celebrity into doing
celebrity voice offers by presenting a quantified offer. For
example, a particular game may be able to show the availability of
2 million dollars in offered payments towards the use of Julia
Roberts, James Earl Jones, or Bart Simpson's voice. The game
designer could offer all or a percentage of the guaranteed funds to
celebrities or voice impersonators for performing voice over
work.
[0103] According to a further embodiment, players who sign up for a
not yet available voice and back up their request with a credit
card or other guaranteed source, may be provided with incentives
such as reduced fees or other perks once the voice becomes
available.
[0104] According to another embodiment, certain words could be
spoken in different celebrity voices by the same character. For
instance certain slogans could be spoken in one voice, while the
rest of the speech is spoken in another voice. Certain words,
spoken by the synthetic voice of certain celebrities could only be
available to characters once they have acquired certain attributes
in the game.
[0105] Various character attributes that could allow the character
to speak in a certain synthetic voices include, but are not limited
to: [0106] 1. Obtaining a certain score in the game [0107] 2.
Solving a certain puzzle in the game [0108] 3. Obtaining a certain
level in the game [0109] 4. Acquiring a certain virtual item in the
game [0110] 5. Obtaining a certain peer score in the game. [0111]
6. Paying an extra fee for the right to have access to certain
synthetic voices [0112] 7. Having a player account for a certain
period of time [0113] 8. Purchasing a character expansion pack for
the game. [0114] 9. Helping other player's in the game obtain
certain attributes for their characters
[0115] Those having skill in the art will recognize that there is
little distinction between hardware and software implementations.
The use of hardware or software is generally a choice of
convenience or design based on the relative importance of speed,
accuracy, flexibility and predictability. There are therefore
various vehicles by which processes and/or systems described herein
can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware) and
that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the
technologies are deployed.
[0116] At least a portion of the devices and/or processes described
herein can be integrated into a data processing system with a
reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art
will recognize that a typical data processing system generally
includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display
device, memory, processors, operating systems, drivers, graphical
user interfaces, and application programs, interaction devices such
as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback
loops and control motors. A typical data processing system may be
implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available
components to create the gaming environment described herein.
[0117] Accordingly, the presently described system may comprise a
plurality of various hardware and/or software components such as
those described below. It will be appreciated that for ease of
description, the variously described hardware and software
components are described and named according to various functions
that it is contemplated may be performed by one or more software or
hardware components within the system. However, it will be
understood that the system may incorporate any number of programs
configured to perform any number of functions including, but in no
way limited to those described below. Furthermore, it should be
understood that while, for ease of description, multiple programs
and multiple databases are described, the various functions and/or
databases may, in fact, be part of a single program or multiple
programs running in one or more locations.
[0118] Exemplary programs include: [0119] 1. Central Server [0120]
a. Game Program [0121] b. Voice to Text Program [0122] c. Text to
Voice Program [0123] d. Game Databases [0124] e. Saved Game Editor
Program [0125] f. Billing Program [0126] 2. Game Consule (PC or
Xbox, or Playstation) [0127] a. Game Program
[0128] Exemplary databases include [0129] 1. Player Database [0130]
a. Player ID [0131] b. Player Name [0132] c. Player Address [0133]
d. Player Billing Information [0134] e. Player Character ID(s) 1-N
[0135] f. Account Setting(s) for Voice-to-Text option(s) [0136] 2.
Character Database [0137] a. Character ID [0138] b. Character
Attributes 1-N [0139] c. Character Setting(s) for Voice-to-Text
option(s) [0140] d. Saved Game Result(s) 1-N [0141] 3. Available
Synthetic Voice Database [0142] a. Synthetic Voice ID [0143] b.
Synthetic Voice Description [0144] c. Synthetic Voice Alphabet and
Sample Words [0145] 4. Saved Game Result Database [0146] a. Saved
Game ID Number [0147] b. Saved Game File [0148] c. Saved Game
Status (raw, recompiled, edited)
[0149] It will be appreciated that the various software and
hardware components described above will be configured to perform a
variety of functions and methods. Listed below are some exemplary
methods that might be performed by the systems as described
herein:
[0150] Voice-Text [0151] 1. Receive voice recording [0152] 2.
Convert voice recording into text [0153] 3. Display text in game
[0154] 4. Save text in game result
[0155] Text-Voice [0156] 1. Receive text (either typed or spoken
text) [0157] 2. Retrieve synthetic voice selection [0158] 3.
Convert text into synthetic voice selection [0159] 4. Output text
using synthetic voice selection
[0160] Voice-Text-Voice [0161] 1. Receive voice recording [0162] 2.
Convert voice recording into text [0163] 3. Retrieve synthetic
voice selection [0164] 4. Convert text into synthetic voice
selection [0165] 5. Output text using synthetic voice selection
[0166] Voice-Text-Editor [0167] 1. Receive voice recording [0168]
2. Convert voice recording into text [0169] 3. Save text with saved
game result [0170] 4. Retrieve saved game result in game editor
[0171] 5. Receive edited text from game editor [0172] 6. Output
saved game with edited text (in poster or comic book format)
[0173] Text-Voice-Editor [0174] 1. Receive text of dialogue [0175]
2. Retrieve synthetic voice selection [0176] 3. Convert text into
synthetic voice selection [0177] 4. Output text using synthetic
voice selection [0178] 5. Save game result with synthetic voice
selection [0179] 6. Retrieve saved game result in editor [0180] 7.
Receive edited synthetic voice from game editor [0181] 8. Output
saved game result with edited synthetic voice (in movie format)
[0182] Synthetic Voice Selection [0183] 1. Receive Player Log in
[0184] 2. Determine character attributes [0185] 3. Determine
Synthetic Voices Available for those character attributes [0186] 4.
Output Available Voices [0187] 5. Receive Player Synthetic Voice
Selection [0188] 6. Save Player Synthetic Voice Selection
[0189] Synthetic Voice Obtained Upon Successful Completion of Game
Criteria [0190] 1. Receive indication that Player completed Game
Criteria [0191] 2. Determine if a Synthetic Voice is available for
that Game Criteria [0192] 3. If Synthetic Voice is available, flag
player account with access to Synthetic Voice.
[0193] Synthetic Voice Upsell [0194] 1. Receive player log in
[0195] 2. Determine if synthetic voice is available for that player
[0196] 3. Output offer to use synthetic voice [0197] 4. If offer is
accepted store offer acceptance in player account [0198] 5.
Activate Synthetic voice for that player account.
[0199] Billing System For Using Synthetic Voice in Game [0200] 1.
Determine if Player account used (or signed up for) synthetic voice
[0201] 2. Retrieve fee for using synthetic voice [0202] 3. Retrieve
player account information [0203] 4. Apply fee to player
account
[0204] Billing System For Using Voice to Text editor [0205] 1.
Determine if player used editor to alter Voice to Text saved game
results [0206] 2. Retrieve fees for using editor [0207] 3. Retrieve
player account information [0208] 4. Apply fee to player
account
[0209] Billing System For Using Synthetic Voice in Editor [0210] 1.
Determine if player used Text to Voice in Editor [0211] 2. Retrieve
fees for using editor [0212] 3. Retrieve player account information
[0213] 4. Apply fee to player account
[0214] Of course it will be appreciated that the systems methods
described herein are provided for the purposes of example only and
that none of the above systems methods should be interpreted as
necessarily requiring any of the disclosed components or steps nor
should they be interpreted as necessarily excluding any additional
components or steps.
[0215] The invention is described with reference to several
embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, and those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the invention is readily applicable to many other
diverse embodiments and applications. Accordingly, the subject
matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious
combinations and subcombinations of the various systems, methods
and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or
properties disclosed herein.
[0216] The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or
composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0217] The term "process" means any process, algorithm, method or
the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0218] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or
otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all
references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent
antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term `process` or a
like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a `step` or
`steps` of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.
[0219] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the
embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some
embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment", "another
embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all)
embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0220] The term "variation" of an invention means an embodiment of
the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0221] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an
embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is
mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment
described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0222] The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof
mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0223] The term "consisting of" and variations thereof mean
"including and limited to", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0224] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0225] The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0226] The term "herein" means "in this patent application,
including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0227] The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a
plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means
any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly
specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of a
widget, a car and a wheel" means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car,
(iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel,
(vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
[0228] Numerical terms such as "one", "two", etc. when used as
cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one
widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical
term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that
numerical term. For example, the phrase "one widget" does not mean
"at least one widget", and therefore the phrase "one widget" does
not cover, e.g., two widgets.
[0229] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless
expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based
on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on".
[0230] The term "represent" and like terms are not exclusive,
unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term
"represents" do not mean "represents only", unless expressly
specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "the data
represents a credit card number" describes both "the data
represents only a credit card number" and "the data represents a
credit card number and the data also represents something
else".
[0231] The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause
or other set of words that express only the intended result,
objective or consequence of something that is previously and
explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a
claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies
do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or
otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.
[0232] The term "e.g." and like terms means "for example", and thus
does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the
sentence "the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data
structure) over the Internet", the term "e.g." explains that
"instructions" are an example of "data" that the computer may send
over the Internet, and also explains that "a data structure" is an
example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet.
However, both "instructions" and "a data structure" are merely
examples of "data", and other things besides "instructions" and "a
data structure" can be "data".
[0233] The term "determining" and grammatical variants thereof
(e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an
object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely
broad sense. The term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of
actions and therefore "determining" can include calculating,
computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g.,
looking up in a table, a database or another data structure),
ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include
receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing
data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" can include
resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.
[0234] The term "determining" does not imply certainty or absolute
precision, and therefore "determining" can include estimating,
predicting, guessing and the like.
[0235] The term "determining" does not imply that mathematical
processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical
methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or
process is used.
[0236] The term "determining" does not imply that any particular
device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily
perform the determining.
[0237] It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art that the various processes described herein may be implemented
by, e.g., appropriately programmed general purpose computers and
computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more
microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital
signal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory
or like device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing
one or more processes defined by those instructions.
[0238] A "processor" means one or more microprocessors, central
processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers,
digital signal processors, or like devices or any combination
thereof.
[0239] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a
feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation
such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more
than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the
first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to
refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply
that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does
not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature
(e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one
widget).
[0240] Each claim in a set of claims has a different scope.
Therefore, for example, where a limitation is explicitly recited in
a dependent claim, but not explicitly recited in any claim from
which the dependent claim depends (directly or indirectly), that
limitation is not to be read into any claim from which the
dependent claim depends.
[0241] When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third"
and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal
number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to
indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that
particular feature from another feature that is described by the
same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may
be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget".
Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second"
before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship
between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other
characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere
usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term
"widget" (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or
after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that
either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and
(3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any
other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of
ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features
identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of
the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget"
does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.
[0242] When a single device or article is described herein, more
than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may
alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is
described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as
being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more
than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).
[0243] Similarly, where more than one device or article is
described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single
device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than
one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality
of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single
computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that
is described as being possessed by more than one device or article
may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.
[0244] The functionality and/or the features of a single device
that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more
other devices which are described but are not explicitly described
as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need
not include the described device itself, but rather can include the
one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments,
have such functionality/features.
[0245] Numerous embodiments are described in this patent
application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The
described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting
in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely
applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the
disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,
software, and electrical modifications. Although particular
features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it
should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in
the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference
to which they are described, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0246] The present disclosure is neither a literal description of
all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the
invention which must be present in all embodiments.
[0247] Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first
page of this patent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the
end of this patent application) is to be taken as limiting in any
way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). An Abstract has
been included in this application merely because an Abstract of not
more than 150 words is required under 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b).
[0248] The title of this patent application and headings of
sections provided in this patent application are for convenience
only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any
way.
[0249] Devices that are described as in communication with each
other need not be in continuous communication with each other,
unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices
need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may
actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For
example, a machine in communication with another machine via the
Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period
of time (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in
communication with each other may communicate directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
[0250] A description of an embodiment with several components or
features does not imply that all or even any of such
components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of
optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of
possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise
specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or
required.
[0251] Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be
described in a sequential order, such processes may be configured
to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order
of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily
indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order.
On the contrary, the steps of processes described herein may be
performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be
performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as
occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described
after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by
its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated
process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto,
does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are
necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated
process is preferred.
[0252] Although a process may be described as including a plurality
of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are
essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope
of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit
some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified
explicitly, no step is essential or required.
[0253] Although a product may be described as including a plurality
of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features,
that does not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or
required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the
described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all
of the described plurality.
[0254] Unless expressly specified otherwise, an enumerated list of
items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or
all of the items are mutually exclusive. Therefore it is possible,
but not necessarily true, that something can be considered to be,
or fit the definition of, two or more of the items in an enumerated
list. Also, an item in the enumerated list can be a subset (a
specific type of) of another item in the enumerated list. For
example, the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not
imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually
exclusive--e.g., an item can be both a laptop and a computer, and a
"laptop" can be a subset of (a specific type of) a "computer".
[0255] Likewise, unless expressly specified otherwise, an
enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does
not imply that any or all of the items are collectively exhaustive
or otherwise comprehensive of any category. For example, the
enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that
any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any
category.
[0256] Further, an enumerated listing of items does not imply that
the items are ordered in any manner according to the order in which
they are enumerated.
[0257] In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the
phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6, applies to that limitation.
[0258] In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include
the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35
U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation,
regardless of whether that limitation recites a function without
recitation of structure, material or acts for performing that
function. For example, in a claim, the mere use of the phrase "step
of" or the phrase "steps of" in referring to one or more steps of
the claim or of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).
[0259] With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified
function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6, the
corresponding structure, material or acts described in the
specification, and equivalents thereof, may perform additional
functions as well as the specified function.
[0260] Computers, processors, computing devices and like products
are structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such
products can be operable to perform a specified function by
executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a
memory device of that product or in a memory device which that
product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a
program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any
particular algorithm that might be disclosed in this patent
application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art
that a specified function may be implemented via different
algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a
mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.
[0261] Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing
a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112,
paragraph 6, structure corresponding to a specified function
includes any product programmed to perform the specified function.
Such structure includes programmed products which perform the
function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i)
a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an
algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a
different algorithm for performing the function.
[0262] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of
an apparatus for performing the process. The apparatus can include,
e.g., a processor and those input devices and output devices that
are appropriate to perform the method.
[0263] Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as
other types of data) may be stored and transmitted using a variety
of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners. In
some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be
used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the
software instructions that can implement the processes of various
embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software
may be used instead of software only.
[0264] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium
that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions, data
structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like
device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission
media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic
random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main
memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and
fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus
coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey
acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as
those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data
communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include,
for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic
tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical
medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with
patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any
other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described
hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can
read.
[0265] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying data (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For
example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii)
carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or
transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols,
such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and
TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy
or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the
art.
[0266] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of
a computer-readable medium storing a program for performing the
process. The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate
format) those program elements which are appropriate to perform the
method.
[0267] Just as the description of various steps in a process does
not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments
of an apparatus include a computer/computing device operable to
perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described
process.
[0268] Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a
process does not indicate that all the described steps are
required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a
program or data structure include a computer-readable medium
storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to
perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described
process.
[0269] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database
structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii)
other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented
herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of
information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed
besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or
elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases
represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that the number and content of the entries can
be different from those described herein. Further, despite any
depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including
relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed
databases) are well known and could be used to store and manipulate
the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or
behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes,
such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a
known manner, be stored locally or remotely from any device(s)
which access data in the database.
[0270] Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network
environment including a computer that is in communication (e.g.,
via a communications network) with one or more devices. The
computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly,
via any wired or wireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or
Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio
channel, an optical communications line, commercial on-line service
providers, bulletin board systems, a satellite communications link,
a combination of any of the above). Each of the devices may
themselves comprise computers or other computing devices, such as
those based on the Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. or Centrino.TM.
processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any
number and type of devices may be in communication with the
computer.
[0271] In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority
may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present
invention may, in an embodiment, be practiced on one or more
devices without a central authority. In such an embodiment, any
functions described herein as performed by the server computer or
data described as stored on the server computer may instead be
performed by or stored on one or more such devices.
[0272] The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in
the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or
inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be
claimed in this patent application, but may nevertheless be claimed
in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of
priority of this patent application. Applicants intend to file
additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that
has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in this patent
application.
* * * * *