Personalized server-based system for building virtual environments
AssigneeRoblox Corporation
InventorJohn James Shedletsky, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for creating and operating virtual worlds has an Internet-connected server, and software executing on the Internet-connected server from a non-transitory physical medium. The software provides tools enabling creation of a new virtual world, including terrain and objects in the new virtual world, and a physics simulation engine providing simulation for movement of objects in the new virtual world created. The physics simulation engine has a default physics simulation mode wherein simulation approximates real-world physics, and at least one alternative simulation mode wherein simulation applies physics substantially different than real-world physics. Simulation may be switched between the default mode and the alternative mode.
Claims18
A system for creating and operating virtual worlds, comprising:
- an Internet-connected server;
- and
- software executing on the Internet-connected server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing:
- tools operable by a user, enabling creation of a virtual world by the user, including terrain and objects in the virtual world;
- and
- a physics simulation engine providing simulation for movement and interaction of objects according to laws of physics in the virtual world, the physics simulation engine comprising:
- a default physics simulation mode wherein simulation approximates real-world physics, with the laws of physics approximating the laws in the real world;
- and
- an alternative simulation mode wherein simulation applies physics substantially differently than real-world physics, applying physical laws that are different than the laws in the real world;
- a configuration engine enabling the user to set and change physical properties in the alternative simulation mode;
- and
- a switching mechanism enabling the user to apply the default mode and the alternative mode exclusively in different regions of the virtual world.
A method, comprising:
- creating a virtual world, including terrain and objects in the virtual world, using tools provided by software executing on a processor of a network-connected server from a non-transitory medium;
- applying a dual-mode physics simulation engine to the virtual world, the physics simulation engine having a first mode wherein simulation approximates real-world physics, and a second simulation mode wherein simulation applies physics substantially differently than real-world physics;
- setting and changing physical properties in the alternative simulation mode, using a user-operable configuration engine;
- and
- switching, by a user-operable switching mechanism, between the first mode and the second mode in different regions of the virtual world.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.