Abstract: Data is shared over a network which has a plurality of network connected terminals, each including memory and a processor. The memory includes instruction for managing object duplication, wherein in response to a data requirement of a first of the network terminals, a second of the network terminals duplicates the object at the first terminal. Data is accessed is the using locally executed object instructions at the first terminal. Data consistency is maintained between duplicated objects. said the duplicate objects include a duplicate master and duplicates and, performing a load balancing task or in the case of a network connectivity failure, the respective state thereof may be switched.

Abstract: Data structures within a shared computer-generated environment, are updated. A user terminal has memory a processor, input, network connection and a display. The memory stores data structures and instructions. The instructions configure the processor to supply an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to the output display by rendering the data structures. The data structures are updated in response to input data from another network-connected terminal or in response to delayed locally-generated input data received from the input. The data structures are extrapolated to produce output data if the data structure has not been updated in response to network input or in response to delayed locally-generated input.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer network configured to define and update data structures within a shared computer-generated environment, wherein a local instantiation 1001 of one of said data structures is known as a duplicate master 805 and updates remote instantiations 1004 of said data structure known as duplicas 804 according to distance-based Position History-Based Dead Reckoning 906. Said updating operation 906 according to distance-based PHBDR minimises the amount of data 1402 transmitted for the purpose thereof and the quality factor 1601 implemented according to an improved embodiment of the present invention dynamically maximises (1501, 1502, 1503) the usage made of the network bandwidth 702 available at any time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for describing (603) objects (1604) to be shared over a network (1502) by a plurality of network-connected terminals (1501, 1504, 1506) by means of ASCII instructions (201, 202, 206) and for the compiling (103, 104) thereof within an instructions set (208) executable by said network-connected terminals. Each of said network-connected terminals (1501, 1504, 1506) is equipped with visual display means, processing means, storage means and memory means, wherein said memory means is configured to store (1603) said executable instructions set (208) and said processing means is configured by said executable instruction set (208) to manage the duplication of said described objects (1604).

Abstract: Data is shared over a network, having a plurality of network-connected terminals, each including a visual display processor, storage and memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions for equipping objects stored therein with attributes and for managing the duplication of the objects. The processor is configurable by the program instructions to perform the steps of equipping an object with attributes at a first of the network terminals; at a second of the network terminals, matching the object attributes of the first terminal with the attributes of an object amongst all of the objects stored in the second terminal; duplicating the object from the second terminal to the first terminal; at the first terminal, accessing data in the duplicated object using locally executed object instructions; and maintaining data consistency between the duplicated objects.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to share and update data structures within a shared computer-generated environment, including a user terminal having memory means, processing means, input means, network connection means and display means, wherein said memory means stores said data structures and instructions, whereby said instructions configure said processing means to supply an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to said output display means by rendering said data structures; update said data structures in response to input data from another network-connected terminal or in response to delayed locally-generated input data received from said input means; and extrapolate said data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to network input or in response to delayed locally-generated input.

Abstract: A computer network is configured to define and update a shared computer-generated environment. A serving computer divides a computer-generated environment into a plurality of cells. A plurality of user computer terminals have display devices, storage, processing capability and a connection to the network. A first user computer terminal defines an entry in the computer-generated environment in one or in a plurality of adjoining cells. The network connection receives notification data about other users sharing cells occupied by the first user. A list of users are stored that share or have shared cells occupied by the first user. The processing capability generates a message for another user identified in the list and generates a local representation of the environment in response to data received from other users and in response to user movements. In this way, it is possible for a very large number of users to share a common computer-generated environment using available networking and processing capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer network configured to define and update data structures within a shared computer-generated environment, wherein a local instantiation 1001 of one of said data structures is known as a duplicate master 805 and updates remote instantiations 1004 of said data structure known as duplicas 804 according to distance-based Position History-Based Dead Reckoning 906. Said updating operation 906 according to distance-based PHBDR minimises the amount of data 1402 transmitted for the purpose thereof and the quality factor 1601 implemented according to an improved embodiment of the present invention dynamically maximises (1501, 1502, 1503) the usage made of the network bandwidth 702 available at any time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for describing (603) objects (1604) to be shared over a network (1502) by a plurality of network-connected terminals (1501, 1504, 1506) by means of ASCII instructions (201, 202, 206) and for the compiling (103, 104) thereof within an instructions set (208) executable by said network-connected terminals. Each of said network-connected terminals (1501, 1504, 1506) is equipped with visual display means, processing means, storage means and memory means, wherein said memory means is configured to store (1603) said executable instructions set (208) and said processing means is configured by said executable instruction set (208) to manage the duplication of said described objects (1604).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sharing data over a network, having a plurality of network-connected terminals (101, 104, 106, 108), each comprising visual display means (204, 213, 223), processing means (301, 401), storage means (305) and memory means (304, 404); wherein said memory means is configured to store program instructions (503) for equipping objects stored therein with attributes and for managing the duplication of said objects.

Abstract: A method of sharing data over a network is disclosed, which has a plurality of network connected terminals, each comprising memory means and processing means. Said memory means include instructions (403) for managing object duplication, wherein in response to a said data requirement of a first of said network terminals, a second of said network terminals duplicates (504) said an object at said first terminal. Data is accessed (505) in said object using locally executed object instructions at said first terminal. Data consistency is maintained (506) between duplicated objects (404, 405). Said duplicate objects comprise a duplicate master (405) and duplicates (404) and, upon performing a load balancing task or in the case of a network connectivity failure (507), the respective state thereof may be switched (508).