Interactive modeling and guided design method and system

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for an interactive modeling and guided design system. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a location design from which a game is derived, defining a collection of roles based upon the game, running the game utilizing instance avatars to represent the users of the game, collecting information from the game, and altering the design of a location based upon the information.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a computer, a location design;   deriving a game based in part upon the location design, the game further based in part upon a scenario enacted on the location design;   defining a collection of roles based upon the game wherein each role is associated with a category avatar;   running, by the computer, the game wherein users are represented by instance avatars;   collecting, by the computer, information from the game; and   altering, by the computer, the location design based upon the information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instance avatar of each user is within a game-persistent modeled instance of the location design. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the game-persistent modeled instance is generated through the use of a game engine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a physical model of the location design from the altered location design.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein collecting information from the game further comprises receiving user supplied alterations of the location design. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein altering the location design based upon the information comprises iteratively altering, by the computer, the location design wherein more than one game is ran and each successive game utilizes the altered location design from a previous game. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 defining a scoring system, the scoring system used to score actions of the users during the game;   publicizing the game;   defining a means of user enticement, wherein the user enticement encourages the users to participate in the game.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein publicizing the game utilizes involves distributing game access information through use of a game network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a location design involves receiving information concerning elements, wherein each element has a separate existence from a simulated location based upon the location design. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the elements are automatically added to the simulated location. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a location design is receiving a building design. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 at least one user device; and   one or more computers configured to interact with the at least one user device and further operable to:
 receive a location design; 
 generate a simulation of a location based upon the location design; 
 run a game implementing a scenario and making use of the simulation, wherein users are represented in the game by instance avatars; 
 collect information from the game, the information based upon actions of the users, wherein each user acts according to his role; and 
 alter the location design based upon the information. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured to receive user supplied alterations of the location design. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured iteratively run the game wherein each successive game utilizes an altered location design resulting from a previous game. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured implement a scoring system, the scoring system scoring actions of each user based upon a role the user is participating with in the game. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured populate the simulation with elements, each element having an existence separate from a location represented within the simulation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured interact with one or more game networks enabling users of the game networks to participate in the game. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured interact with a three dimensional modeling system, the three dimensional modeling system capable of rendering a physical model of the altered location design. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers are further configured provide for proximity limitations between the users of the game. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers consist of one computer, the device is a user interface device, and the one computer comprises the user interface device.