WO1997005540A1

WO1997005540A1 - Method for displaying information on a computer screen, related animated information medium, and system therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1997005540A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/001006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin Badinter
Original assignee: Benjamin Badinter
Priority date: 1995-07-26
Filing date: 1995-07-26
Publication date: 1997-02-13
Also published as: AU3082895A

Abstract

A method for displaying information on a computer screen with a graphic interface, wherein a three-dimensional animated figure (1) is displayed to provide interactive help to the computer user. The method comprises the steps of selectively displaying information, particularly promotional information, using the animated helping figure which has a modular structure (10) consisting of a number of elements, and selectively delivering said information over time depending on internal or external events, and in space on one or more elements (11-15) of said modular structure (10). The method is useful for interactive help and advertising media in computer services and particularly on-line services.

Description

Viewing process. - information on a computer screen,; associated animated information port, and system for its implementation

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a method for viewing information on a computer screen. It also relates to an animated support of information associated with this process, as well as a system for its implementation. The massive development of graphical interfaces, in particular Apple System 7.5 ™ and Microsoft WINDOWS ™, for microcomputers has contributed to making accessible to non-specialist users many software and applications whose use was previously limited to users who mastered commands. operating systems. But, at the same time, the complexity of the systems has increased, in particular with the emergence of local and global networks and the development of multimedia systems. It therefore appeared more and more necessary to provide the user of a workstation or of software, in particular in a multimedia environment, assistance with navigation within his computer space and assistance with use. software, which is more efficient and user-friendly than current tutorials, tutorials and guides. It is this need to guide users of IT tools or interactive terminals that has prompted the development and marketing of navigation assistance and assistance procedures, adapted to current graphic interfaces.

As such, the document WO 95/14268 discloses a method of displaying on a screen controlled by a graphical interface a window comprising a three-dimensional digital aid character designed to help and guide a user - and provide him with audible information, in particular the consequences of choosing a menu selection from a key. The help characters described in this document provide navigation assistance by moving from one window to another and by pointing commands within menus.

In addition, we are currently witnessing the development of interactive software in which manufacturers and publishers wish to disseminate advertising information for internal or external use. There are currently methods for broadcasting advertising information in the form of a scrolling trailer or not on the screen. Advertising information windows can also be generated and superimposed on other windows. However, the effectiveness of such supports risks being attenuated by the now banal nature of a window in usual graphic environments.

The object of the invention is to propose a method for displaying information on screen which, while efficiently and user-friendly missions of assistance in navigation within complex computer environments, in particular multimedia systems, provides an original solution in terms of advertising information media within a graphic environment.

According to the invention, the method of viewing information on a computer screen provided with a graphical interface, comprising a viewing of a three-dimensional animated character intended to provide interactive assistance to a user of this computer, is characterized in what it further comprises steps of selective display of information, in particular advertising information, having for support this animated help character which has a modular structure in elements, and in that this information is delivered in a selective manner temporally as a function of internal or external events, and spatially on one or more elements of said modular structure. Thus, with the method according to the invention, the animated helper character is no longer only restricted to guidance and assistance missions but also supports information, for example advertising messages. Thanks to the modular structure of the animated help character, it becomes possible to organize in a particularly flexible and efficient way the distribution of messages while using software. Furthermore, the sustained attention paid to the help character by the user, makes the latter particularly receptive to the messages supported by the character.

The term internal event means any event occurring within the work station, in particular in the execution of the software with which the animated help character is possibly associated. These events can be predetermined times, stages or results characteristic of the progress of software.

The term external event means any event occurring outside the workstation, for example any command or instruction initiated by a user, a remote command received via a modem, or any event detected by means of physical sensors, for example optical , electromagnetic, acoustic or mechanical.

In a practical mode of using the animated help character as an information medium, the method according to the invention comprises steps of selective display comprising a display of a message on an external face of an element of said character of lively help. However, provision can also be made for selective viewing steps to include viewing a message on an inner face of at least one element of the animated help character. These two viewing modes can of course be combined within the same animated help character.

When a message is supported by an interior face of at least one of the elements, steps of selective display then include an opening of at least one element of the animated help character.

Following the opening of at least this element, provision may be made for viewing a message on an interior face of said element. However, it is also conceivable that following the opening of one or more elements, the output from the tubular structure of at least one emblematic object is visualized. They can be emblematic or symbolic objects of the brand of an advertiser or a service provider with which the animated help character is associated.

In a preferred application of the method according to the invention, selective viewing steps include a temporary dissociation of the modular structure of the animated helper character into a set of separate elements. Each of these elements can be moved one relative to the other.

The animated help character used in the display method according to the invention can move within the screen, this movement comprising several stages of movement during each of which the animated help character selectively delivers messages supported by predetermined elements of said animated helper character. We can also foresee that only a part of the elements of the animated help character moves.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the animated help character also delivers audible messages and that some of these audible messages are coupled with visual messages supported by elements of said character.

The animated helping character can also wear one or more accessories, such as a cap, a jersey, a T-shirt, or a sign held by one of his hands, these accessories can also constitute advertising media and / or include a logo of an advertiser with which the animated help character is associated. According to another aspect of the invention, there is placed an animated information support, implemented ααiis the display method according to the invention, within an animated help character, comprising means for pointing areas predetermined of a screen controlled by a graphical interface, characterized in that it further comprises a modular structure comprising a set of elements, some of these elements being arranged to support information, and in that these elements are controllable for selectively deliver said information. This structure may for example be substantially frustoconical in shape comprising a set of stacked annular elements. Some of these annular elements may include an adjustable angular opening to display a message supported on an interior face of the modular structure. One can also provide that other angular elements are designed to be developable and display a message supported on their inner faces. Furthermore, in a particular embodiment of an animated support according to the invention, the modular structure is arranged to contain at least one emblematic object of an advertiser with which the animated help character is associated.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer system comprising control and processing means, graphic interface means associated with a display monitor, means for storing an animated sequence, means for generating on the screen of this monitor a three-dimensional animated help character, implementing the display method according to the invention, this computer system being characterized in that this animated help character has a modular structure comprising support elements for 'information. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below. In the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples: - Figure 1 shows an example of a help character implemented in a system according to the invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates an opening sequence of one of the elements of the modular structure of the figure of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 illustrates a sequence of simultaneous and reverse rotation of two elements of the modular structure;

- Figure 4A illustrates a first opening sequence of two elements of the modular structure, to view a message inside thereof;

- Figure 4B illustrates a second opening sequence of two elements of the modular structure, to let out an object;

- Figure 5 illustrates a breakdown into elements of the modular structure;

- Figure 6A illustrates the start of a deployment sequence of one of the elements of the modular structure;

- Figure 6B illustrates the current deployment sequence;

- Figure 6C shows the modular structure with the two elements deployed; - Figure 7 shows an animated help character according to the invention, carrying several accessories;

- Figure 8 illustrates a first example screen including a help character implemented in a system 1 according to the invention; - Figure 9 illustrates a second example screen in which the help character guides the user in a multimedia environment; and - Figure 10 illustrates a third example screen in which the character of? 2 appears in a window provided in a bar; utils. We will now describe a preferred form of implementation of the method according to the invention, at the same time as an animated help support character, as well as examples of screens obtained with this method, with reference to the aforementioned figures.

First of all, the method according to the invention is generally materialized by animated sequences previously carried out by specialized production tools. These animated sequences are currently preferably stored in a CD-ROM of high capacity optical storage which supports one or more software applications which then benefit from the method according to the invention. However, animated sequences can generally be stored in any type of electronic information medium with appropriate storage capacity and access speed. The workstation or the interactive terminal equipped with the method according to the invention will then be provided equipped with a CD-ROM disc reader or else will be connected to a network having this hardware resource.

The visualization of the animated help character within the windows can be carried out using the resources provided in the graphical interfaces. Thus, in the case of the Apple System 7.5 ™ graphical interface, it is possible to use the QUICK-TIME ™ and MOVIE-PLAYER ™ programs which allow you to display on the screen a video animation stored on CD-ROM disc. or CD-I (Compact-Disc Interactive). The animation sequences can be previously carried out with commercially available production tools, in particular in the field of virtual reality. In a practical example of implementing the method according to the invention, a three-dimensional animated helper character 1 has been created, having an Android appearance and comprising a head 2, a body 10 of form substantially frustoconical having a modular structure, and two hands 3, 4. The modular structure of the body 10 comprises, from the bottom up, a base element 14 having substantially the shape of a skirt for an air cushion, a first element annular 13, two main elements 12, 11 controllable in opening / closing, and an apex element 15. The main elements 11, 12 may have on their outer faces zones 113, 123 provided for supporting messages.

The modular structure 10 can undergo numerous modifications during animation intended to make advertising messages visible. Thus, with reference to FIG. 2, an annular element 11 can open in two parts 111, 112 which, when withdrawing, will reveal a message 113 located on the interior face of this annular element. It is possible to rotate in the opposite direction or in the same direction the two annular elements 11, 12 (Figure 3) on which are affixed messages.

It is also possible to envisage a simultaneous opening of the two superimposed annular elements 11, 12 to reveal a message 40 on the interior faces of these annular elements, with reference to FIG. 4A. It is also possible to provide an opening of the elements 11, 12 of the modular structure 10 to let out an object 41 therefrom, for example a bottle, symbolic or emblematic of an advertiser with which the animated help character 1 is associated, such as the 'illustrates Figure 4B. One can of course imagine any other type of object related to the products or services marketed by advertisers.

The modular structure 10 can also be partially or totally dissociated, with reference to FIG. 5. This dissociation into separate elements 11-15 offers innumerable possibilities for selectively broadcasting messages. It is also possible to provide an opening (FIG. 6A) of an annular element 11 similar to that of two flaps 111, 112, revealing a message 60 (FIG. 6B). This opening can moreover concern several annular elements 11, 12 (FIG. 6C) in order to display a larger message 61.

It may be advantageous to provide the animated help character 1 with accessories, as illustrated in the figure.

7. Thus, the animated helping character 1 can wear the following accessories: - a jersey or T-shirt 100 provided with a logo or an advertising message 101,

a cap 110 also provided with a message support 111, and

- a sign 120 constituting another information medium 121.

This list of accessories that can equip the animated helper character should obviously not be considered as limiting in the context of the present invention. The animated help character 1 which has just been described can be used in numerous software situations, in particular whenever it is advisable to guide the user of a work station or an interactive terminal. and simultaneously disseminate information or advertising messages. Thus, in an example of help in choosing a command, illustrated by FIG. 8, the animated help character 1 can appear in a help window 73, within a screen 70 containing for example a window 75 when choosing an command from a set of commands 74. The animated help character 1 will then point successively with his hand 4 the possible commands made by voicing comments, recommendations or explanations. corresponding to each order. The user of the application, guided by the advice of the animated help character 1, will then choose by means of a pointer 72, knowingly, on a command 71 of his choice. But the contribution original of the aid method according to the invention lies in the fact that the animated aid character 1, while ensuring its aid mission, will broadcast one or more advertising messages 110, 120 using its modular elements for support. The combination of help and distribution functions guarantees that the user is highly receptive to the advertising information viewed. Preferably, the content of the messages will be correlated with the nature of the host applications.

The method according to the invention can also be advantageously implemented in professional and consumer multimedia systems, for which the numerous configurations and the variety of applications very often justify assistance to the user, while offering multiple opportunities for broadcast advertising messages. Thus, with reference to FIG. 9, the animated help character 1 can move within a screen 80 comprising a variable number of windows each associated with supports and applications (for example: communication, audio, video, tuner , printing, files, databases) of a multimedia system, with the mission of advising and guiding the user of the system, while broadcasting messages 81, 82, 83 on the screen 80.

The animated help character 1 can also appear in a window arranged in a toolbar, as illustrated in FIG. 10. It is thus possible to integrate an animated sequence of the help character in a software for viewing services, in particular online services. In the example screen 90 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9, the animated help character 1 appears in a window 95 provided in a toolbar 91 comprising tool control keys 99 and a window 94 in which can be broadcast information and advertising messages 96. The screen 90 further comprises in its main part, of a on the one hand, a window 92 containing information and help messages 97 for the user of the service, and on the other hand, a window 93 containing information and advertising messages 98. During the use of the service, the help character animé 1 will emit audible messages, suggest and designate orders, and distribute and accompany advertising messages. It can appear in window 95 either entirely, in a possibly compact form, or partially.

In general, in the context of the present invention, the animated help character can appear in one or more windows of variable format, migrate in an application window, move from one window to another or move within the screen between windows while pointing to elements of these windows. It can also only appear partially depending on the constraints inherent in application windows. Thus, it can be provided that only certain elements supporting advertising messages are displayed at a given time.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide animated sequences where the help character challenges the user of the workstation, for example by banging virtually against the internal face of the screen, in order to attract in a particularly effective manner the attention of this user.

We can also foresee the presence of several animated help characters on the same screen, each character being the carrier of an advertising message that may change during the animation.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Firstly, it will be readily understood that the method according to the invention can be implemented on other computer equipment than Apple equipment cited in the present description, in particular on equipment around PC microcomputers under Windows ™ graphic interface.

In addition, the animated help character can take a different shape, appearance and aesthetic from that of the character just described, provided that it has a modular structure. Thus, this character can have the appearance of an animal, an android or any other complex creation, and be indifferently genderless, male or female.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be implemented in numerous configurations: isolated computer station, local network, interactive terminal, multimedia system, online services, browsing on the Internet or any other network.

Claims

1. Method for viewing information on a screen of a computer provided with a graphical interface, comprising viewing a three-dimensional animated character (1) intended to provide interactive assistance to a user of this computer, characterized in that that it further comprises steps for the selective display of information (40, 60, 61, 120, 81, 82, 83), in particular advertising information, having as support this animated help character which has a modular structure (10) in elements, and in that this information (40, 60, 61, 120, 81, 82, 83) is delivered selectively temporally as a function of internal or external events, and spatially on one or more elements ( 11-15) of said modular structure (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that selective display steps include a display of a message (110, 120, 81) on an external face of at least one element (11, 12) of the character of animated help (1).

3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that selective viewing steps include viewing a message (40, 60, 61, 82, 83) on at least one inner face of at least an element (11, 12) of the animated help character (1).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that selective display steps include a controllable opening of at least one element (11, 12) of the animated helper character (1).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that following the opening of at least one element (11, 12) of the animated helper character (1), one visualizes on an inner face of said element ( 11, 12) a messaci (40, 60, 61, 82, 83).

6. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that following the opening of at least one element (11, 12) of the animated help character (1); we visualize the exit from the tubular structure (10) of at least one emblematic object of an advertiser with which the animated help character (1) is associated.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that selective viewing steps include a displacement of at least one element (11, 12) of the animated help character (1) •

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that selective viewing steps include a temporary dissociation of the modular structure (10) of the animated help character (1) into a set of separate elements (11- 15).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a movement of the animated help character (1) within a screen (80), this movement comprising several stages of movement during from each of which the animated help character (1) selectively delivers messages (82, 83; 81) having for support predetermined elements (11, 12) of said animated help character (1).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the animated help character (1) also delivers audible messages, and in that these audible messages include messages coupled with visual messages supported by elements of said animated help character.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the animated helper character carries at least one accessory constituting an information medium, in particular of advertising messages. 12. Animated information support (1), implemented in a display method according to one of the preceding claims, within an anim help character (1), comprising means (3, 4) for point to predetermined areas of a screen :, (70, 80) controlled by a graphical interface, characterized in that it further comprises a modular structure (10) comprising a set of elements (11-15), some of these elements being arranged to support information (40, 60, 61, 120, 81, 82, 83), in particular messages, and in that these elements (11,

12) are controllable to selectively display said information (40, 60, 61, 120.81, 82, 83).

13. Support (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the modular structure (10) is of substantially frustoconical shape comprising a set of stacked annular elements (11, 12).

14. Support according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one annular element (11, 12) is movable in rotation about an axis of rotation.

15. Support according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that at least one annular element (11, 12) has an adjustable angular opening to display a message supported on an inner face (113) of the modular structure ( 10).

16. Support according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that at least one annular element (11, 12) is designed to be developable and display a message (61) supported by at least one face of said annular element ( 11, 12).

17. Support according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the modular structure (10) is arranged to contain at least one emblematic object of an advertiser with which is associated the animated help character (1).

18. Computer system comprising control and processing means, graphic interface means associated with a display monitor, means for storing an animated sequence, means for generating on the screen of this monitor a three-dimensional animated help character (1), implementing the display method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that this animated help character (1) has a modular structure (10) comprising elements (11, 12) of information carriers.