Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited

Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited

Tomas Gillo

Gary M Zalewski

Scott Christopher Waugaman

Mitchell Goodwin

Attila Vass

Mark Horneff

Nick Ryan

Systems and method are provided for executing an application for interfacing with a virtual reality scene. In one method includes capturing image data of an object using a camera and processing the image data of the object to identify geometric parameters of object. During an interactive session processed by a computer system, the method uses the captured image data and the identified geometric parameters of the object to track movements of the object. The method then causes rendering on a display, the virtual object. The virtual object is used to represent the object. The virtual object rendered on the display such that movement of the object causes rendering of corresponding movement by the virtual object on the display screen.

Systems for using three-dimensional object as controller in an interactive game

A system for initiating and using a three-dimensional object as a controlling device when interfacing with a computer system used for interactive video game play is provided. One example system includes an interface for receiving data from a capturing device of a three-dimensional space and storage coupled with computer system. The computer system provides data to a screen and receiving user input to obtain geometric parameters of the three-dimensional object and assign actions to be performed with the three-dimensional object when moved or placed in positions in front of the capture device during interactive video game play. The geometric parameters and the assigned actions being saved to a database on the storage for access during interactive video game play or future interactive sessions.

An entertainment device comprises a detector operable to detect whether a representation of a game feature of one or more games associated with the entertainment device should be obtained from the one or more games in response to a predetermined game event of the one or more games, a processor operable to obtain the representation of the game feature from the one or more games, a storage arrangement operable to store the representation of the game feature obtained from the one or more games, and a renderer operable to render the obtained representation of the game feature stored in the storage arrangement as a game feature within a virtual environment associated with the entertainment device, the rendered game feature within the virtual environment being a trophy object.

Entertainment device and method

A data transfer system comprises a server and a plurality of devices each operable as a client of the server. The server in turn comprises a notification arrangement to notify a device that it is to become a member of a peer group comprising other clients of the server. The server further comprises a client/server data transmitter to send data to the respective device upon such notification. Each device in turn comprises a client/server data receiver to receive respective data from the server, and a peer-to-peer communicator to send respective data received from the server to one or more peers, and to receive from one or more peers respective data that was sent to it or them by the server.

Apparatus and method of data transfer

A method for user interaction with a three-dimensional virtual world is disclosed. The virtual world comprises one or more public spaces and one or more private spaces. A user may be represented in the virtual world by an avatar. The user can manipulate the avatar via a user interface. According to the method a custom gesture may be generated for the avatar. The gesture may be associated with one or more user interface signals.

Avatar customization

An entertainment device operable to connect to a first on-line virtual environment comprises a group membership selector operable to select members of a group of entertainment devices connected to a first on-line virtual environment comprising a plurality of connected entertainment devices, a server evaluator operable to evaluate a plurality of servers of a second on-line virtual environment according to one or more criteria while the entertainment device is connected to the first on-line virtual environment, a server selector operable to select at least a first server of the second on-line virtual environment based upon the evaluation while the entertainment device is connected to the first on-line virtual environment, and a storage arrangement operable to cause the storage of server selection data defining the selected server.

A computer-implemented method is provided to interactively capture and utilize a three-dimensional object as a controlling device for a computer system. One operation of the method is capturing depth data of the three-dimensional object. In another operation, the depth data of the three-dimensional object undergoes processing to create geometric defining parameters for the three-dimensional object. The method can also include defining correlations between particular actions performed with the three-dimensional object and particular actions to be performed by the computer system. The method also includes an operation to save the geometric defining parameters of the three-dimensional object to a recognized object database. In another operation, the correlations between particular actions performed with the three-dimensional object and particular actions to be performed by the computer system in response to recognizing the particular actions are also saved to the recognized object database.

Dynamic three-dimensional object mapping for user-defined control device

A method for and system for communicating using a virtual world are disclosed. In the method an avatar may be associated with a source of an email. An email may be generated within the virtual world and one or more images of an avatar may be associated with the email. The email may be sent to a real device and the one or more images may be presented at a destination of the email. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to generate a virtual world; associate an avatar with a source of an email; generate an email within the virtual world; associate one or more images of an avatar with the email; send the email to a real device; and present the one or more images at a destination of the email.

Avatar email and methods for communicating between real and virtual worlds

A system and method for communicating with a virtual world are disclosed. The virtual world may comprise a simulated public space configured to facilitate interaction among a plurality of users and one or more private spaces. Each private space may be associated with a particular user of the plurality of users. A particular user's interactions with the virtual world may be represented by one or more corresponding actions of an avatar. A communication device may be simulated in the virtual world. Communication may take place between the simulated communication device and a real communication device. The virtual world may be generated by one or more processors configured to simulate a communication device in the virtual world and communicate between the simulated communication device and a real communication device.

System and method for communicating with a virtual world

A system and method for routing communications among real and virtual communication devices are disclosed. The system includes one or more processors configured to generate a virtual world. The one or more processors may be configured to generate a virtual communication device and implement a configurable router adapted to facilitate routing of a communication among one or more real communication devices and the virtual communication device. A user of the virtual world may be associated with a virtual communication device and one or more real communication devices. A routing preference for reception of communications targeted to the user is implemented among the virtual communication device and the one or more real communication devices.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Tomas Gillo