System and method for substituting an animated character when a remote control physical character is unavailable
US5977951A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09B5/065
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An educational computer system includes a computer, a display device, a remote control character, and a wireless modem for communication between the computer and the remote control character. The remote control character can move and speak in response to signals from the computer, thereby allowing the remote control character to interact with the user and with characters displayed on the display device. When a program is run, the computer determines whether the remote control character is available. If it is not, the computer substitutes an animated character that is displayed on the display device. The computer periodically checks for the remote control characters while displaying the animated character. If the remote control character becomes available, the animated character is discontinued and the computer begins sending voice and movement information to the remote control character. Similarly, if the remote control character becomes unavailable while the program is running, the program will automatically revert to the animated character and the program will continue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.