U.S. Philips Corporation

Rosa Freitag

Paul John Rankin

Martin A Shiels

An interactive entertainment apparatus and a method for controlling the same are described, in which the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative (,), and user input determines which path (A,B) is followed at at least one narrative branch point (,). The user is enabled to selectively capture predetermined pieces of narrative information at interaction points (,) and subsequently reintroduce them at a later interaction point (,). Branch point selection is then handled by the apparatus in dependence on which information was reintroduced and at what point in the narrative. On-screen guidance is provided to the user in terms of interaction point indicators, and reminder artefacts for captured information in the form of miniaturised still pictures from the narrative.

Information handling for interactive apparatus

Methods and apparatus are provided for control access to, and user interaction with, a branch structured narrative entertainment (,). Selected paths (parallel lined portions BC, DE, GY) are locked to a user and may only be accessed on presentation of predetermined access data. The access data may comprise user identification codes or may be the time of day, with such paths only being made available at specific times.

Interactive entertainment content control

A method and apparatus are provided for enabling user interaction with a branch-structured narrative entertainment (90) in which branch path selection (A,B,C) is made at least partially in response to user input. A user is provided with a non-volatile memory, such as a smart card, in which memory is stored data specifying a record of past user interactions. This data is periodically checked and updated by the apparatus and, at one or more branch points (92) of the narrative, access to one or more branch paths (A,B,C) is enabled or denied on the basis of the stored user history.

Interactive entertainment personalization

A method of controlling, and apparatus for, an interactive entertainment system, in which user input influences the path taken through a narrative branch structure (90). Features of the narrative are assigned a respective attribute store containing an attribute value (80-83) and, for at least some paths of the narrative (XA,AB,AC,CD), one or more of the attribute values are altered. At least one branch point (E) of the narrative has conditional access (Y) and default paths (N) leading therefrom, with access being enabled or denied on the basis of one or more current attribute values.

Interactive entertainment attribute setting

An interactive entertainment apparatus and a method for controlling the same are described, in which the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative (90), and user input determines which path (A,B) is followed at at least one narrative branch point (92). The user is enabled to selectively capture predetermined pieces of narrative information at interaction points (72) and subsequently reintroduce them at a later interaction point (73). Branch point selection is then handled by the apparatus in dependence on which information was reintroduced and at what point in the narrative. On-screen guidance is provided to the user in terms of interaction point indicators, and reminder artefacts for captured information in the form of miniaturized still pictures from the narrative.

Interactive entertainment personalisation

Methods and apparatus are provided for user interaction with a branch-structured narrative entertainment, where user input influences the selection of paths at branch points. A user interface (14) holds a record of the narrative structure (48) with the audio and video components being called up from remote or local storage as required. A record is kept (52) of previous user interactions during a narrative and, for one or more branch points, path selection is made by the apparatus at least partially on the basis of the accumulated record.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Rosa Freitag