Interactive virtual thematic environment

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of integrating information, including real-time information, into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, including accessing the stored information from a database or downloading the real-time information from a source external to the thematic environment; inserting the real-time information into the thematic environment; and displaying the information to a user within the thematic environment. In one embodiment, the computer system is connected to a holographic projection system such that the images from the thematic environment can be projected as holographic projections. The computer system includes an interactive software application platform having at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains thematic environment rules; at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the thematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of initiating a virtual thematic application, the method comprising:
 receiving a request from a user at an electronic device, to initiate a virtual thematic application that is accessible at said electronic device;   initiating said virtual thematic application at said electronic device; and   providing a display with said electronic device, such that said user is presented with a plurality of virtual locations representative of real-world locations in a geographic area and visually rendered on said display;   inserting data into said display from a computer memory accessed by the electronic device, on said geographic area and said plurality of virtual locations, such that said plurality of virtual locations correspondingly change as said user moves in said real-world locations by use of a GPS device in said electronic device; and   receiving inputted information into said electronic device, from said user, on items retrieved from said plurality of virtual locations in said geographic area and which are shown on said display.   
     
     
         30 . A system, comprising:
 a primary electronic device configured to access a virtual thematic application, said primary electronic device configured to initiate said virtual thematic application in response to a user request;   a display provided with said electronic device, wherein said user is presented with a plurality of virtual locations representative of real-world locations in a geographic area and which are visually rendered on said display; and   a GPS device disposed within said electronic device, said GPS device which is configured to insert data into said display from a computer memory, to change said plurality of virtual locations on said display as said electronic device moves in said corresponding real-world locations in said geographic area;   wherein said computer memory, which is accessed by said electronic device, receives inputted information into said electronic device, from said user, on items retrieved from said plurality of virtual locations in said geographic area and which are shown on said display.   
     
     
         31 . A computer system which automatically integrates content into an electronic device, comprising:
 at least one memory having at least one program which comprises the steps of:
 receiving a request from a user at the electronic device, to initiate a virtual thematic application that is accessible at the electronic device; 
 initiating said virtual thematic application at the electronic device; and 
 providing a display with the electronic device, such that said user is presented with a plurality of virtual locations representative of real-world locations in a geographic area and visually rendered on said display; 
 inserting data into said display from a computer memory accessed by the electronic device, on said geographic area and said plurality of virtual locations, such that said plurality of virtual locations correspondingly change as said user moves in said real-world locations by use of a GPS device in the electronic device; and 
 receiving inputted information into the electronic device, from said user, on items retrieved from said plurality of virtual locations in said geographic area and which are shown on said display; and 
   at least one processor configured to run the program.   
     
     
         32 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing executable code which automatically integrates content into an electronic device, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user at the electronic device, to initiate a virtual thematic application that is accessible at the electronic device;   initiating said virtual thematic application at the electronic device; and   providing a display with the electronic device, such that said user is presented with a plurality of virtual locations representative of real-world locations in a geographic area and visually rendered on said display;   inserting data into said display from a computer memory accessed by the electronic device, on said geographic area and said plurality of virtual locations, such that said plurality of virtual locations correspondingly change as said user moves in said real-world locations by use of a GPS device in the electronic device; and   receiving inputted information into the electronic device, from said user, on items retrieved from said plurality of virtual locations in said geographic area and which are shown on said display.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 exposing said user to company branding during execution of said virtual thematic application.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 providing real-time dynamic weather data for said geographic area in said virtual thematic application.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a plurality of other users is present in said virtual thematic application. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 cross-indexing said user to a character profile, representing said user or other users, which tracks decisions of said user or other users during said virtual thematic application.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said character profile includes non-identifying demographic data. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein geographic data on said plurality of virtual locations includes data on said real-world locations. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 evaluating user actions in order to generate an event for said user in said virtual thematic application.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said electronic device is a cell phone. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 providing audio and video data to said user in said virtual thematic application.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 storing game benefit data for said user on said electronic device.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 storing external game benefits on a database at a second electronic device accessed over a computerized network.