Systems, methods, and apparatus for transmitting virtual world content from a server system to a client computer over a data network

Abstract

Virtual world content is transmitted from at least one server to at least one client computer by defining a camera position on the client computer and projecting a geometrical shape from the camera position in the direction of a viewing vector. This geometrical shape defines a subsection of the virtual world content, which is then transmitted to the particular client, where it is maintained within a content cache.

1 . A method for transmitting virtual world content from a server to a client computer over a data network comprising the steps of:
 i) transmitting information from said client computer to said server over said data network;   ii) predicting content required by said client computer based on said transmitted information; and   iii) transmitting said predicted content from said server to said client computer over said data network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said client computer comprises at least one avatar and wherein said transmitted information comprises past and present behavior information associated with said avatar. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one user is associated with said client computer, and further comprising the steps of:
 iv) defining a plurality of subscription levels, of which a particular subscription level is associated with said user; and   v) querying said user for authorization to bill for content not associated with said particular subscription level.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one user is associated with said client computer, and further comprising the steps of:
 vi) defining a plurality of content areas associated with said user, and other content areas not associated with said user; and   vii) querying said user for authorization to bill for content associated with said user.   
     
     
         5 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for transmitting virtual world content comprising:
 viii) a server coupled to a data network, said server adapted to maintain a virtual world comprising a collection of virtual world content;   ix) a client computer coupled to said data network;   x) a first software component adapted to operate said client computer and adapted to transmit information from said client computer to said server over said data network;   xi) a second software component adapted to operate on said server and adapted to:
 (1) predict virtual world content required by said client computer based on said transmitted information; and 
 (2) transmit said predicted content from said server to said client computer over said data network. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said client computer comprises at least one avatar and wherein said transmitted information comprises past and present behavior information associated with said avatar. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one user is associated with said client computer, and said second software component is further adapted to:
 xii) define a plurality of subscription levels, of which a particular subscription level is associated with said user; and;   xiii) query said user for authorization to bill for content not associated with said particular subscription level.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one user is associated with said client computer, and said second software component is further adapted to:
 xiv) define a plurality of content areas associated with said user, and other content areas not associated with said user; and;   xv) query said user for authorization to bill for content associated with said user.