Coherent data sharing

A method of sharing and updating shared data structures within a shared computer-generated environment, wherein said environment is generated at each of a plurality of terminals connected to a network, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• at a first terminal, receiving local input;
• at said first terminal, sending an update to each of the other said terminals, wherein said update comprises data for updating said shared data structures in response to said local input;
• at said first terminal, processing said local input by updating said data structures after a specified delay;
• at each of said other terminals, receiving said update via said network and processing said update by updating said data structures;
• and
• at each of said plurality of terminals, rendering said data structures to produce an output frame, including the step of extrapolating one or more data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to a network-received update or in response to delayed local input.

A computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions executable by a user terminal connected to a network, wherein said instructions configure said user terminal to share and update data structures within a shared computer-generated environment by:

• supplying an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to a display means by rendering said data structures;
• updating said data structures in response to input data received over a network or in response to delayed locally-generated input data;
• and
• extrapolating one or more data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to network input data or in response to delayed locally-generated input data.

A computer system programmed to execute stored instructions such that in response to said stored instructions said system is configured to share and update data structures within a shared computer-generated environment by performing the steps of:

• supplying an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to a display means by rendering said data structures;
• updating said data structures in response to input data received over a network or in response to delayed locally-generated input data;
• and
• extrapolating one or more data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to network input data or in response to delayed locally-generated input data.

In a user terminal having memory means, processing means, output display means, user-responsive input means and network connection means, a method of interacting with other network-connected terminals in order to update data structures that represent a shared virtual environment, comprising the steps of:

• supplying an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to said output display means by rendering said data structures;
• updating 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
• extrapolating one or more data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to network input or in response to delayed local input.

Machine-readable instructions downloadable from a serving apparatus to a portable user terminal, wherein

• said serving apparatus includes storage means for storing said machine-readable instructions and network connection means for communicating over a network;
• said user terminal includes memory means, processing means, output display means, user-responsive input means and network connection means for communicating over said network;
• said machine-readable instructions are downloaded from said serving apparatus storage means to said user terminal memory means over said network;
• and
• said user terminal is thereby configured to:
• (a) supply an output image on a frame-by-frame basis to said output display means by rendering said data structures;
• (b) 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
• (c) extrapolate one or more data structures to produce output data if said data structure has not been updated in response to network input or in response to delayed local input.