WO2002015511A2

WO2002015511A2 - Remotely commanded entities for wireless terminals

Info

Publication number: WO2002015511A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/024047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Asko Komsi; Tarja Teppo
Original assignee: Nokia Inc.
Priority date: 2000-08-15
Filing date: 2001-08-01
Publication date: 2002-02-21
Also published as: WO2002015511A3; AU2001278099A1

Abstract

A system for sending entities and instructions from one wireless terminal (12) to another (14). The entities may be visual figures and can perform various actions on the screen of the terminal of the recipient or invoke abilities supported by the terminals, but under the instructions of the sender. A message, such as a commercial message can also be associated with the entity. The entity and its possible actions are stored in memory either in the server (20) connected to the wireless system or in either of the terminals.

Description

REMOTELY COMMANDED ENTITIES FOR WIRELESS TERMINALS

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to a system for executing and displaying entities in wireless terminals and more particularly to a system for executing and displaying entities consisting of different media types such as pictures, sounds, and animation in wireless terminals which are sent from and commanded by a different unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Wireless terminal systems have become extremely popular due to their convenience. They enable customers to constantly be in contact with other people using the wireless terminal their telephone calls even in remote locations. However, in addition to their basic functions, wireless terminals now offer a number of services to give additional convenience to users. Thus, it is possible to use the device to receive short messages and to use it as a pager.

Users also find the devices to be sources of entertainment by using various special features. Thus, it is possible to send short messages back and forth between friends using the display screen on the wireless terminal, using a multitude of services or downloading new ringing tones. Users find features such as this to be entertaining and appreciate the ability of the equipment to include more entertaining features.

Various kinds of animated creatures are available in a number of forms. A very popular Japanese toy includes an animated pet which exhibits lifelike behavior. The owner must take care of the virtual pet by having it eat, play, sleep, etc. The virtual pet will also die if it is not taken care of.

Also, available is a furry toy which can interact with the user. The user can do various actions which cause the toy to interact and to also perform certain actions in response.

Animated creatures are also available via a graphical user interface on computers and may aid the user in finding his way around the computer functions.

Various other types of animated figures are available for computer control. Some of these are interactive.

These various characters can be entertaining and helpful in their own setting. However, consumers are likely to appreciate even more entertaining figures and figures which perform additional functions. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides an entity in a wireless terminal system which is created and controlled from elsewhere than where it is received and executed. This invention also provides an entity in a wireless terminal system which has an ability to perform audio/visual and wireless terminal specific actions of which the sender can select the most adequate ones that convey a message to the receiver.

This invention further provides an entity that can be stored in a server which is accessible from at least one computer or a wireless terminal, and connected to a wireless network. This invention also provides a wireless terminal that is able to both send and receive entities and to execute the actions the entities are equipped with.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and entertaining entity which can be programmed a series of actions that construct the entity's ability and its personality.

This invention further provides a new and entertaining way of communicating between wireless terminal users, in which the sender selects the actions that the entity will perform in the receiver's terminal in order to convey a message.

This invention further provides a mechanism which allows the entities to be commanded by using a specific language or set of instructions, where the words of the language map to actions which are capable of being performed by the entity. This invention further provides a mechanism which allows the entities to be equipped with pre-programmed actions which are already included in the entity when retrieved from electronic memory prior to sending, that are executed according to preset rules when the entity is active in a wireless terminal.

This invention is achieved by providing an entity such as an animated figure which may be placed in a receiving terminal from a sending terminal and may be controlled in its actions by the sending terminal. The entity may be established either in the memory of the receiving terminal or in the server. The creature may adopt a personality and intelligence of its own to perform additional functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagram of a system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing the entity management unit functionalities in the wireless terminal and their connection to other resources of the wireless terminal; and

Figure 3 is a diagram of a unit for managing the creation and movement of the entity of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENΗON Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, wherein a wireless network 10 is shown as being connected to a plurality of wireless terminals including 12 and 14. At the same time, a plurality of servers such as server 20 is accessible by a plurality of computers such as personal computer 18 and wireless terminals such as 12 and 14. The system may operate in a standard wireless terminal arrangement where messages are merely placed directly or via an intermediate server from one terminal to another. However, it is also possible to access the server by way of a computer in order to place information into storage which may be recovered by a wireless terminal or which may be sent later by one wireless terminal to a second wireless terminal. The server is connected to the wireless terminals in a standard wireless network arrangement. At the same time, the server is accessible through an internet connection to the various computers.

The basic concept of the present invention is to allow a first wireless terminal user to retrieve an entity equipped with an ability to perform different audio/visual and wireless terminal specific actions when commanded with the language specific for the entity, to his own wireless terminal, command the entity using the language and send an entity to a second wireless terminal user and have it perform various actions as the first user has commanded. These actions may include jumping, running, sitting, extending an arm, sleeping, exploding, and making a noise. The actions can also invoke abilities of the wireless terminals such as placing a phone call to a specified number, taking the wireless terminal user to a certain URL, vibrating the wireless terminal and warning the wireless terminal user of a low battery.

The term "entity" is herein used in the sense of any item that can be individually selected and manipulated from memory. It can include an animated character, a picture, graphic design, bitmap, a sound effect or an URL. It may have a visual appearance which can be displayed on a screen or may not. The entity may be retrieved from storage and sent to a second wireless terminal. The sender may send not only the particular entity but include instructions as to what actions the entity should take at the receiving terminal. It is also possible to send instructions, and use an entity stored in the second terminal to execute them. A written text may also be added to the actions. Thus, the entity may move around the screen while the written message is given. It is also possible for the entity to speak the message if the receiving terminal is equipped with a voice generator.

The entity may have any appearance and can be in the shape of a monster, such as a ghost, skeleton, witch, Frankenstein monster, vampire, wolfhian, mummy, etc. It could also be an animal, any kind of a graphic and could even be a company logo or trademark. Virtually any visual appearance which consists of at least one pixel can be used. Some entities do not require a visual appearance, such as sound or URL. Also, some entities are "invisible", that is, only a command is sent and the visual appearance is added at the receiving terminal.

The appearance of the entity can be described by a bitmap, it can also be an animated GIF, a 3D graphic, a Shockwave presentation, video equipment, etc. The entity is stored in memory, either in one of the wireless terminals or in the server of the wireless network.

If user A wishes to send an entity to user B, user A retrieves the specific entity from the memory of the server or his own wireless terminal and also commands which of a series of actions it wishes for the entity to perform. This infonnation is sent along to the terminal address of user B. The sending of an entity uses a terminal-to-terminal messaging standard available in the wireless network. When user B receives the entity, the entity then goes through a series of actions. The entity may be stored in a wireless terminal, a server in a wireless network, or both. Later, user A can send a command and have the entity retrieved from memory.

The description given so far of the system relates to sending entities from wireless terminal to wireless terminal as a form of messaging. In fact, due to the limited keyboard, small display space, and small overall dimensions, it is often inconvenient to create the entity or to program the different actions from the wireless terminal. Accordingly, it is also possible to interact with the server connected to the wireless network by using the internet or other type of networking from a personal computer or similar device. For example, a user can go to his personal computer in his home or office and by way of the internet connect to a storage location in a server where he can then design and store the entity he desires. He can also program in various actions and utilize terminology to describe the action. To help the design of an entity, creation tools can be used by a personal computer or wireless terminal. Since designing such characters requires skill, it would also be possible to instead merely download an existing entity from a series of standard entities stored in the server using the wireless terminal or to download other entities from other sources. It is also possible to access a server from a personal computer and send an entity to a wireless terminal using the terminal address. The entity may also have a menu associated with it, so that when it is retrieved from storage, the user may select an action from the menu. The menu could also allow links to a website, place a call, send a message or any other action. It is also possible that the visual appearance of commercial logos and trademarks might be used as an entity with a commercial message attached.

As shown in Figure 2, the entity has a number of different parts. First, it has a listing of the various actions which it recognizes and can perform. It also includes programmable features which determine its "personality". It may have associated it with a commercial message. Any audio/visual content which make up the look and sound of the entity is also included. The specific actions that the sender has commanded the entity to perform this time and the attributes of the action are also included. Some actions are preprogrammed and executed according to preset rules. All of these parts make up the particular entity which is being sent between terminals.

As indicated above, a language will be created which the entities will understand. The execution part of the Management Unit interprets this language and maps it to certain actions and makes the entity perform the actions. For example, the sender can select and retrieve an entity such as a dog from memory. The dog has the ability to bark, run, eat and sleep. The sender wants to show a dog barking and commands the entity using the word BARK and sends it to another terminal.

When the receiving terminal executes the entity, it displays an animation of a dog barking, consisting of pictures and sounds on the screen of the receiving terminal. It should be remembered that the main purpose of the entity is entertaining communication with others in a personalized manner. Accordingly, it must be easy for the sender to create, send, receive and execute the entities.

Figure 3 shows the management unit of the entity. Thus, for each step in operation, this figure shows the connections between the management unit functionalities and other wireless terminal resources. Accordingly, if the entity is created in the wireless terminal, it utilizes the terminal internal resources and tenninal display. When the entity is retrieved or stored in the memory, it can be stored in the terminal memory, the server memory or both. When sending or receiving the entity both the display and terminal's capability to connect to wireless terminal network and send data is utilized. When the end-user wants to command the entity, it can be done by using the terminal display. When the end-user wants to execute a received entity, terminal internal resources and terminal display are utilized.

The wireless terminal provides a list of words that are a part of the language that the entities understand, that a specific entity supports and a sender can use. The specific words and the actions the words map to, are delivered as part of the entity, stored in the electronic memory of the wireless terminal or in a server connected to a wireless network. The general words that all the entities understand are stored in a wireless teπninal. The entities as described above, are sent from one wireless terminal to another to perform actions as commanded by the sender. However, it is possible to make the entities more self sufficient in that they can be instructed to perform certain actions on their own without further input from the sender. For example, if the sender requests the recipient call him and the entity performs an action that asks the recipient to call, but the recipient does not call the sender within a certain amount of time, the entity can automatically reappear and remind the recipient of the need to call the sender. Thus, a certain amount of intelligence is added to the entity so that it automatically performs additional functions. Additional "intelligence" can be added to the entity as it evolves. The entities can have other functions as well such as responses to events taking place in a wireless terminal. For example, the entity can automatically perform a certain action when the terminal rings or the battery is running low. It can also act as a screen saver on the terminal and can take the action of falling asleep on the screen when the screen light turns off.

The entity could also keep a calendar and automatically appear to remind the user about events such as meetings, birthdays, concerts, etc.

It would also be possible to use the entity to perform tasks as an assistant in the same way that some computer programs have computerized animated characters acting as an assistant.

The entity can also be commanded to contact the server to connect to services or update some of its features. It may eventually be possible that the entities can interact with other entities using the

Internet. Thus, it would be possible to utilize your own entity as a representation of your identity.

Websites could also be established which support such entities, give helpful tips, list game sites, etc. Individuals can access this information by using their entity to "carry back" information they are interested in.

The particular actions that have been described above will be governed by a specific set of rules. First, there will be a specific syntax so that the computer system can understand the various action and act on them in a proper fashion. Various rules will also be in effect as to how long the content of the message may be active. Also, how long the system will wait for a response from the recipient. Rules may also be present so that if the recipient terminal is unable to interpret the content or does not have the appropriate function, an alternative action may be specified. For example, if the recipient does not have the appropriate equipment to have the entity talk, it may instead display a written message.

It is also possible to attach to the entity additional functions which can be considered a "mind" of the entity. This may be a set of actions which allow the entity to interpret instructions so that it may perfonn alternate actions instead. The mind may also keep the entity alive so that it does not disappear after the specific set of instructions occur. It can also "commit suicide" in that it will cease to exist after a series of actions are provided. The mind may allow the entity to act as a conduit to connect with other servers or terminals.

Table 1 gives a short listing of sample commands that an entity could utilize. In the first column, the command name is given. In the center column, a series of choices are provided for each of the actions. The right hand column indicates the specific message or other content which is to be carried in the action.

As can be seen, the list of actions may be very lengthy and may be expanded further by a user as desired. Such actions are only limited by the user's imagination and the storage space of the system.

Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of sending an entity to a wireless terminal, comprising: at a first location, indicating an entity to be retrieved from an electronic memory, actions to be taken by said entity and a second location to which the entity and actions are sent; receiving on a wireless terminal at said second location said entity which performs said actions on said wireless terminal at said second location.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic memory is located in a wireless terminal at said first location.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic memory is located in said wireless terminal at said second location.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic memory is located in server connected to said wireless tenninal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first location includes another wireless terminal.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first location includes a computer connected to a server which is connected to a wireless network.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said entity has associated therewith additional programming which is activated later without further instructions.

8. A system for sending an entity to a wireless terminal, comprising: a wireless network, including a server and a memory; a receiving wireless terminal including a display and a memory; an initiating device for indicating an entity to be sent and for indicating actions which the entity will perform; wherein said entity is retrieved from storage and sent through said wireless network to said wireless teπninal so as to display said entity on said display in said wireless terminal and to cause said entity to act in accordance with the indicated actions.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a wireline network connected to said server and at least one computer.

10. 10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said initiating device is said computer.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said initiating device is another wireless teπninal.

12. A system of receiving and executing the actions of an entity comprising: a wireless network, including a server to which a wireless teπninal can connect when executing an action; a receiving wireless terminal including a display, a memory and the unit for managing the execution of action of said entity; an initiating device for indicating an entity to be sent and actions which the entity will perform; wherein said entity is retrieved from storage and sent through said wireless network to said receiving wireless terminal so as to display said entity and to cause said entity to act in accordance with said actions.

13. A method of advertising using a wireless terminal system, comprising: retrieving an entity and an associated commercial message from electronic storage; sending said entity and commercial message from a first location to a second location with instructions for controlling attributes of said entity; receiving at a second location said entity, commercial message and instructions so that said entity is displayed according to said instructions and presents said commercial message.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: sending a personal message along with said instructions.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said first and second locations are wireless terminals.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second locations is a PC.

17. A method of sending an entity, comprising: retrieving an entity from electronic storage; displaying a menu of actions associated with said entity; selecting at least one of said displayed actions and indicating another location to which said entity and action are sent; receiving at said another location said entity and selected action, wherein said entity performs said action at said another location.