Abstract: An object locking system for preventing unauthorized modification of interactive objects having one or more object states. An object designer interactively assigns one or more object behaviors to each object state. An end user of the object displays the object behavior associated with an object state, typically by invoking the object state with an input device. A lock behavior provides a way of locking an object behavior or aspect of an object. The object designer sets which aspects of an object are to be locked, and a lock controller prevents active access to those aspects accordingly. In addition, an object can be locked based on a password or based on the location of display of the object.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 17, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 14, 2001
Assignee:
Thingworld.com, LLC
Inventors:
Steven Barlow, Eldridge Leaphart, Jr., Guntis V. Strazds, Curtis Rudbart
Abstract: A conversion system for converting one or more components of a time-based component media (TBCM) to one or more interactive objects. In one embodiment, a conversion controller converts components in selected frames in the TBCM to bitmaps stored in an object data structure of an interactive object. The components can then be viewed and modified as separate animated graphic objects independently of the original TBCM.