User Interface

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing a controller interface is provided. In one embodiment, the system may include an input device, an input interface, a processor, and a display. The method is capable of associating input components on the input device with input options available for controlling the virtual characters. The method is further capable of associating the input components with origin points of a virtual representation of a user and target points of a virtual representation of an opponent. The method further allows a user to control a virtual character not representing the user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for interacting with a virtual character, the system comprising:
 an input device, wherein the input device has a plurality of input components such that each input component corresponds to a body part of a first virtual character;   a display device configured to display a second virtual character and a selection indicator;   an input processor configured to receive an input from the input device;   a selection processor configured to determine a target point on the second virtual character based on the selection indicator; and, a behavior processor configured to exhibit a behavior by the body part of the first virtual character on the target point of the second virtual character based on the received input from the input device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the input device is a keyboard, a numerical keypad, a directional interface, a touch-sensitive device, a neurological interface, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the selection indicator is displayed as a reference to selectable parts of the second virtual character. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the selection processor is configured to determine the target point as a part of a body of the second virtual character. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the behavior processor is configured to exhibit the behavior by the body part of the first virtual character on the part of the body of the second virtual character. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the input device includes a depiction of the body parts on the input components. 
     
     
         7 . A method for interacting with a virtual character comprising:
 displaying a first virtual character, wherein the first virtual character comprises a plurality of selectable target points;   receiving a first input indicative of a selected target point;   determining a selected target point based on the received first input;   receiving a second input from an input device, wherein the second input corresponds to a body portion of a second virtual character; and, effectuating an action on the second virtual character based on the selected target point and the body portion.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein receiving the first and second inputs comprises receiving on a keyboard, a numerical keypad, a directional interface, a touch-sensitive device, a neurological interface, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein receiving the first and second inputs comprise receiving from input components, each corresponding to different body parts of the first and second virtual characters. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein effectuating comprises displaying the first virtual character performing the action on the second virtual character. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein effectuating comprises determining the action based on both the selected target point and the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method for controlling a first virtual person in a computer environment, the method comprising:
 associating a first binary input control with a first portion of the first virtual person;   receiving a first number of activations of the first binary input control; and   determining a force of interaction of the first portion of the first virtual person with the computer environment as a function of the first number of activations.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein associating comprises associating a button with the first portion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein associating comprises displaying the first portion on the first binary input control. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein determining comprises determining the force such that a greater force results from a greater value of the first number. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein determining the force of interaction comprises determining a strength of a punch or an amount of insertion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising displaying the first portion of the first virtual character performing the interaction with a displayed second virtual character. 
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling interaction in a computer environment, the method comprising:
 controlling, with a user input, a first virtual character as a self; and   controlling, with the user input, an interaction of a second virtual character with the first virtual character.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein controlling the interaction comprises controlling with buttons of the user input labeled with parts of the first virtual character where selection of one of the buttons causes action by the corresponding part. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein controlling the interaction comprises controlling a body part of the first virtual character in response to selection of a first option on the user input and controlling a part of the body of the second virtual character with which the body part is to make contact in response to selection of a second option on the user input. 
     
     
         21 . A method for controlling a first virtual person in a computer environment, the method comprising:
 identifying a first location for interaction with a pointer device;   associating at least two input controls with a corresponding at least two portions of the first virtual character;   receiving a selection of a first of the at least two input controls; and   causing a first of the at least two portions of the first virtual character to interact with the first location in response to the selection.