Apparatus and method for creating a virtual three-dimensional environment, and method of generating revenue therefrom

Abstract

An apparatus and method for creating and using a virtual three-dimensional environment, and methods for generating revenue based on the virtual three-dimensional environment. The virtual three-dimensional environment includes a virtual three-dimensional city model which is a realistically accurate city environment including all the details of an actual city. Defined elements within the virtual city model serve to promote corresponding third-party businesses and related entities in the real world. Users interface with the virtual city model to explore the city and learn about or become more familiar with the defined elements within the virtual city model. The virtual three-dimensional city model which is realistically accurate of an environment also facilitates multiple other uses.

1 . A computer-implemented system configured to maintain and cause a display of a virtual city model of an actual city, said system comprising:
 at least one data storage device which stores a plurality of instructions and stores data representing:
 (a) a plurality of city elements, the city elements being three-dimensional representations of actual elements within an actual boundary of the actual city, at least one of said city elements including an image skin applied to a three-dimensional structure, at least two of said city elements being anchor city elements, said anchor city elements representing spaced-apart actual elements having identifiable architectural characteristics within said actual city, said anchor city elements encouraging a user to explore any city elements between said anchor city elements, said boundary displayable by a display device and said city elements displayable by the display device within said display of the boundary, 
 (b) at least one advertiser information set predetermined to be associated with at least a portion of at least one of said city elements, wherein said city element represents a place of business of an advertiser, and 
 (c) a boundary display effect, said boundary display effect being configured to increasingly obscure an area outside said boundary; and 
   at least one processor configured to execute said instructions to:
 enable the advertiser to lease at least one advertiser information set such that, upon each payment of a recurring predetermined lease fee during a corresponding lease period, the advertiser controls at least a portion of the data of the advertiser information set associated with said portion of said city element, and 
 enable the user of the virtual city model to:
 (a) select a viewing angle from a plurality of different viewing angles for viewing the city elements within the boundary displayable by the display device, 
 (b) navigate the different city elements within the boundary displayable by the display device at each selected viewing angle, 
 (c) select at least a portion of each of a plurality of the city elements, 
 (d) cause a display of at least a portion of the advertiser information set associated with the selected portion of the city element, and 
 (e) display the boundary display effect as the area outside said boundary.