Control of interactions within virtual environments

Abstract

A method for restricting the number of consequential interactions to further virtual objects having a relationship with a first virtual object, resulting from an interaction with said first virtual object. The method comprises: defining a maximum number of consequential interactions, counting consequential interactions, and stopping further interaction when the maximum number of consequential interactions is reached.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dedicated control element for controlling the functionality of three-dimensional virtual objects belonging to a set of three-dimensional virtual objects within a distributed three-dimensional virtual environment, said dedicated control element being associated with said environment, and comprising:
 a set identifier configured to determine whether a three-dimensional virtual object within said distributed three-dimensional virtual environment is a member of said set, and   a set controller configured to process events associated with said member of said set, thereby to provide relationship-based control for members of said set.   
     
     
         2 . The dedicated control element of  claim 1 , wherein said set is defined by a physical relationship within said environment. 
     
     
         3 . The dedicated control element of  claim 2 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a one-way physical relationship with a further virtual object. 
     
     
         4 . The dedicated control element of  claim 2 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a two-way physical relationship with a further virtual object. 
     
     
         5 . The dedicated control element of  claim 2 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a one-way physical relationship with another member of said set, or wherein said physical relationship comprises a two-way physical relationship with another member of said set. 
     
     
         6 . The dedicated control element of  claim 2 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a mutual movement relationship, such that said set is defined as the group of all virtual objects that move when a further virtual object is moved. 
     
     
         7 . The dedicated control element of  claim 1 , wherein said set is defined by a logical relationship between virtual objects. 
     
     
         8 . The dedicated control element of  claim 1 , configured to recognize a predetermined trigger to invoke a corresponding predetermined interaction among members of said set. 
     
     
         9 . The dedicated control element of  claim 1 , wherein said set controller is configured to process said events according to a relationship between said three-dimensional virtual object and said set. 
     
     
         10 . The dedicated control element of  claim 1 , wherein said set control functionality is configured for processing one member of the group consisting of events received from any object and applicable to said three-dimensional virtual object identified as belonging to said set; and events received from said three-dimensional virtual object identified as belonging to said set, thereby to provide relationship-based control for members of said set. 
     
     
         11 . The dedicated control element of  claim 10 , wherein said set is defined by a physical relationship within said environment. 
     
     
         12 . The dedicated control element of  claim 11 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a one-way physical relationship with a further virtual object. 
     
     
         13 . The dedicated control element of  claim 11 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a two-way physical relationship with a further virtual object. 
     
     
         14 . The dedicated control element of  claim 11 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a one-way physical relationship with another member of said set. 
     
     
         15 . The dedicated control element of  claim 11 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a two-way physical relationship with another member of said set. 
     
     
         16 . The dedicated control element of  claim 11 , wherein said physical relationship comprises a mutual movement relationship, such that said set is defined as the group of all virtual objects that move when a further virtual object is moved. 
     
     
         17 . The dedicated control element of  claim 10 , wherein said set is defined by a logical relationship between virtual objects. 
     
     
         18 . The dedicated control element of  claim 10 , configured to recognize a predetermined trigger to invoke a corresponding predetermined interaction among members of said set. 
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling functionality of a set of three-dimensional virtual objects within a distributed three-dimensional virtual environment, the three-dimensional virtual environment implemented on electronic processors networked together, the method comprising:
 incorporating allowable functionality for said set of three-dimensional virtual objects within a dedicated control element associated with said distributed three-dimensional virtual environment,   incorporating identification functionality within said dedicated control element to enable said dedicated control element to distinguish between three-dimensional virtual objects within said set and three-dimensional virtual objects not within said set, and   thereby allowing said dedicated control element to apply rules applicable to said set to control virtual objects within said set.   
     
     
         20 . A distributed common three-dimensional virtual environment implemented on an electronic processor networked to other electronic processors, the common virtual environment comprising:
 three-dimensional virtual scenery; and   a plurality of expert game control modules, each game control module comprising control and implementation data for implementing a respectively different game within said three-dimensional virtual scenery.