CN1757057A - Using avatars to communicate - Google Patents

Abstract

A graphical user interface on a display device for using a computer to communicate using an avatar includes an instant message sender display. The instant message sender display includes a sender portion that displays a sender avatar capable of displaying multiple animations. The sender avatar is animated in response to a trigger related to content of a message sent from a sender to a recipient and may be animated to send to another user an out-of-band communication that conveys information independent of information conveyed directly in the text message sent. An avatar also may be included in one or more of multiple online personas enabled for a user an instant messaging communications session. An avatar may be animated in response to the animation of another avatar in the same communications session.

Description

Use avatars to communicate

Technical field

This instructions relates to the diagrammatic representation of the communications applications operator (hereinafter " transmit leg ") in the communication that sends in computer network.

Background technology

Online service can provide the ability that sends and receive instant message to the user.Instant message is visited the instant message service, visit has been installed and has used instant message to serve necessary communication software, can obtain to reflect the private online talk between two or more people of information of other user's online states usually separately.

The instant message transmit leg can send the clauses and subclauses of self-expression to the instant message take over party.The realization of current instant message self-expression makes the user can select the setting of self-expression separately, and for example good friend's icon and good friend's wallpaper convey to after these are provided with and see this people or other users that carry out online interaction with this people.

Summary of the invention

Graphic user interface on the calculator display organization can use avatars (avatar) to communicate.Graphic user interface comprises the instant message sender display.The instant message sender display has the transmit leg part, and its demonstration can show the sender avatar of multiple animation.The instant message sender display also has can be presented at the message formation zone that sends to the text that comprises take over party's the message from transmit leg, and communication controler.At least a communication controler can be operated and be used to receive an indication: the message that shows in message constitutes the zone will send to the take over party from transmit leg.In response to relating to the trigger that sends to take over party's message content from transmit leg sender avatar is carried out flash demo.

Realization can comprise one or more following features.For example, the instant message sender display can comprise receiving unit and the message history zone that shows take over party's avatars.Take over party's avatars can in response to relate to transmit leg send to the take over party message content trigger and show a plurality of animations.The message history zone can be presented at the content and the identification identity relevant with the take over party of the multiple messages that sends between transmit leg and the take over party.Take over party's avatars responds the animation of sender avatar and carries out flash demo.

Graphic user interface can comprise and be used to show that potential take over party's contact list shows.Contact list shows whether can indicate each potential take over party can receive message.Potential take over party can be combined as the group, and is associated with the indication of group's identity.

The potential take over party who shows on contact list can be associated with potential take over party's avatars.Potential take over party's avatars may be displayed on the contact list that is associated with potential take over party's identity.Potential take over party's avatars can respond the animation of other local potential take over party's avatars that show and demonstrate at the enterprising action picture of contact list.The animation of potential take over party's avatars can comprise the animation that is similar to substantially or is different from the potential take over party's avatars animations that show in other places on the contact list.The animation of potential take over party's avatars can comprise the animation of representing other local potential take over party's avatars animations that show on the contact list.

Graphic user interface can be the graphic user interface that is used for the instant messaging session.Trigger comprises part or all of Message-text.

The outward appearance of sender avatar or animation can the indicative for environments conditions, the personal characteristics relevant with transmit leg, the emotional state relevant with transmit leg, setting feature or the activity relevant with transmit leg.

Can respond the passage of scheduled volume time and sender avatar is carried out flash demo, at scheduled volume in the time, transmit leg does not transmit message to the take over party, perhaps at this scheduled volume in the time, transmit leg does not use transmit leg and take over party signal post in the communication session to use the computing equipment of usefulness.

The avatars animation that is used as communications conduit can comprise the animation of outburst (breakout), and the local display graphics that this animation relates to outside the proper space that is occupied by this avatars is expressed.Sender avatar can be carried out flash demo to send the sound that is used for voice communication.

The above realization that technology is discussed can comprise the computer program that is used to generate graphic user interface, and configuration is used to be illustrated in the graphic user interface on display device or system or the device.

Another general aspect, communication comprises with can carrying out the avatars of flash demo with first user of diagrammatic representation in relating to first user and the second user's communications session.Message is transmitted between first user and second user.Message is transmitted explicit information to second user from first user.The band external information passes to second user by the variation of using avatars outward appearance or avatars animation as communications conduit.This out-of-band communication comprises environment (context) that relates to first user and the communication that is different from the information of transmitting in the message that sends between first user and second user.

Realization can comprise one or more following characteristics.For example, communication session can be the instant messaging session.Avatars can be the FA Facial Animation that does not comprise the body that has ear or leg, perhaps can be to comprise neck, and not comprise the FA Facial Animation of the body that has ear or leg.

This band external information can comprise the information of the indication and the first user-dependent environmental baseline.Environmental baseline can comprise the environmental baseline that relates near the weather that the geographic position takes place of first user.The band external information can indicate with the first user-dependent personal characteristics or with the first user-dependent emotional state.

This band external information can comprise the information of the indication and the first user-dependent setting feature.Set feature and can comprise feature that relates to the time in first user one day or the feature that relates to the time in 1 year.The time can comprise holiday or season in this year, and can be in spring, summer, autumn or winter this season.Setting feature can comprise with work setting or amusement relevant feature is set.Amusement setting can comprise that the seabeach is provided with, and the torrid zone is provided with or the winter sports setting.

This band external information can comprise the information of the mood that relates to first user.This first user's mood can be happy, in sadness or the anger one.

This band external information can comprise the information relevant with first user's activity.This activity can just be finished from the same basically time that first user is delivered to second user by first user message outside this band.This action can be work or listen to the music.This band external information can comprise the information that first user relevant with avatars closed sound of transmitting.

Transmitting the band external information from first user can be triggered based on the information of being transmitted the message from first user to second user to second user's avatars animation.This trigger can comprise part or all of Message-text.This trigger can comprise listened to the part of message.This trigger can comprise the passage of scheduled volume time, and in the time, first user is not to second user's pass-along message or do not have use first user and the employed computer equipment of second telex network in communication session at this scheduled volume.

Can comprise the facial expression of avatars as the avatars animation of communications conduit, the gesture that the hand of avatars or arm are made, the sound that moves or send by avatars of avatars body.At least some sound can comprise the voice based on first user's voice.The avatars animation that is used as communications conduit can comprise that the animation of outburst, this animation are included in the normal display space local display graphics in addition that is occupied by avatars and express.The animation of outburst can comprise that contracting of avatars is folded, and size is adjusted or reorientated.

First user can be provided by the multiple pre-configured avatars with relevant preliminary election animation.First user can select specific avatars to represent this user in communication session.First user can be associated with selecteed avatars to represent first user in follow-up communication session always.

First user can change the outward appearance of avatars.The outward appearance that makes first user change avatars can comprise allows first user use slider bar to come the specified modification of the special characteristic of indicating graphic expression, or allows first user change the outward appearance of avatars to reflect first user's feature.First user's feature can be the age, sex, hair color, in eye color or the facial characteristics one.

The outward appearance that makes first user change avatars can comprise makes first user by increasing, and the accessories (prop) that show on change or the deletion avatars are changed the outward appearance of avatars.Accessories can be glasses, sunglasses, in cap or the earrings one.

First user can change the trigger that is used to cause the avatars animation.The text that this trigger is comprised can comprising from first user to second messages sent by users.

Avatars can carry out flash demo to transmit information as supplementary to first user.Can realize to be used for using avatars beyond the communications applications by comprising online magazine.

The description of avatars can be showed with the form that is similar to the trade card substantially.The trade card of avatars is described and can be comprised and the first user-dependent feature.

Also have another one general aspect, multiple online role's perception is realizing in instant messaging communication session.Be identified at least two identity that message can be pointed in the communication environment.User's first role can show first of above-mentioned identity, and same user's second role can show second of above-mentioned identity simultaneously.Each of first and second roles all comprises the avatars that can carry out flash demo, and first role is different with second role.

Realization can comprise one or more following features.For example, first role can be different from second role, thereby first role calls and the different avatars of second avatars that the role calls.

First role can call first avatars, and second role can call second graph and express.It can be same avatars that this first avatars and second graph are expressed.The animation that is associated with this first avatars can be with to express the animation that is associated different with this second graph.The outward appearance that is associated with this first avatars can be different with the outward appearance that is associated with this second graph expression.

Avatars can be relevant with multiple sound.Avatars can be based on the text of the message that sends in the instant messaging session and is carried out flash demo.Avatars also can carry out flash demo to send out-of-band communication.

First role can be relevant with first group of identity, thus this first role with the member's of these first group of identity communication session in show.Second role can be relevant with second group of identity, thus this second role with the member's of these second group of identity communication session in show.

The role can be associated with first identity, different role can with this first identity relevant identity faciation related.First role who is shown as first identity can be the merging of the role relevant with this first identity and the different role of closing with this identity faciation.The role relevant with this first identity can cover the different role of (override) and this identity faciation pass to the degree that clashes.

Another one general aspect, multiple online role's perception is realizing in instant messaging communication session.The instant message using user interface that is used for the instant messaging session is presented on instant message take over party system.This communication session relates at least one potential instant message take over party and single potential instant message transmit leg.The message that has comprised text message and role is sent out away.A plurality ofly may select this role the roles from relevant with the instant message transmit leg, so that show when the videotex message by potential instant message take over party.The role who selects comprises the set of one or more self-expression clauses and subclauses and can carry out the sender avatar of flash demo.The role who selects presents in potential instant message take over party system when presenting another part of message.

Realization can comprise one or more following features.For example, the transmit leg role can be by the instant message transmit leg from a plurality of may role select relevant with the instant message transmit leg.This role can present before or after starting communication by potential instant message transmit leg.The self-expression clauses and subclauses can comprise one or more wallpapers, emotion icons and sound.Can define one or more role.

First role can be assigned to the first potential instant message take over party, so that this first role is called automatically afterwards and shows in the instant messaging session that relates to this first potential instant message take over party.Second role can be assigned to the second potential instant message take over party, so that this second role is called automatically afterwards and shows in the instant messaging session that relates to this second potential instant message take over party.This second role should distinguish over this first role to small part.

First role can be assigned to first group of potential instant message take over party, so as in the member's who has comprised first crowd of this potential instant message take over party instant messaging session this first role by after called automatically and showed.Second role can be assigned to the second potential instant message take over party, so that this second role is called automatically afterwards and shows in the instant messaging session that relates to this second potential instant message take over party.This second role should distinguish over this first role to small part.

Can ban use of among a plurality of roles.Ban use of one in the polygonal look can be based upon on the instant message take over party basis.

One among a plurality of roles can be the work role of being correlated with the appearance of instant message transmit leg on the working position relevant with the instant message transmit leg.Among a plurality of roles one can be with the appearance of at home instant message transmit leg relevant family role.Determine that the instant message transmit leg is in or in the working position.In response to definite instant message transmit leg is at home, can select family role to be used for the instant messaging session.In response to definite instant message transmit leg is on the working position, can select work role to be used for the instant messaging session.

The role who shows can be selected by potential instant message take over party, and this was selected based on the time in one day, sky in the week, or the potential instant message take over party relevant with potential instant message take over party group.

At least some features of role can be transparent to the instant message transmit leg.The avatars of this transmit leg can carry out flash demo to send out-of-band communication to potential instant message take over party from the instant message transmit leg.

Another one general aspect, avatars can be used for communication.The user by using the avatars can carry out flash demo with diagrammatic representation.This avatars is relevant with the various features of the outward appearance of the feature templates of multiple animation and representative performance avatars individual character.

Realization can comprise one or more following features.For example, avatars can be relevant with the description of this avatars individual character of identification.The individual character of this avatars can comprise this user personality at least some features unique at least some features.Second user can express with diagrammatic representation with the second graph that can carry out flash demo.This second graph is expressed can be relevant with the various features of the outward appearance of the feature templates of representative performance second graph expression individual character with multiple animation.The individual character that this second graph is expressed can comprise the first avatars individual character at least some features unique at least some features.Communication information can send between this first user and this second user.

Another one general aspect, first avatars carries out flash demo based on perceiving the animation that second graph expresses.First avatars that use can be carried out flash demo comes with diagrammatic representation first user, and use can be carried out the second graph of flash demo and express with diagrammatic representation second user.Communication information sends between this first user and second user.Receive the indication of the animation of first avatars, and response and express based on the reception of this animation indication and to second graph and to carry out flash demo.

Realization can comprise one or more following features.For example, the indication that receives animation can be any animation of first avatars, perhaps can be first avatars multiple may animation in the indication of specific animation.The animation that can respond and express based on second graph and subsequently first avatars is carried out flash demo.

Can respond the specific part of transmission message between first user and second user and first avatars is carried out flash demo.This message can send or send to first user from second user to second user from first user.First avatars can carry out flash demo to send out-of-band communication to second user from first user.

The realization of technology discussed above can comprise method or process, system or device, or the computer software on the computer-accessible medium.

The details of one or more realizations is illustrated in accompanying drawing and following instructions.Other features will embody in instructions, accompanying drawing and claims.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1,2 and 5 can make user's present graphical express the user interface map of serving with the instant message of self-expression.

The content that Fig. 3 is based on instant message is carried out the process flow diagram flow chart of flash demo to avatars.

Fig. 4 is the block diagram of this paper trigger of the signal exemplary animation of avatars and each animation.

Fig. 6 is the block diagram of an example process of signal, this process relate to two instant message client systems and instant message host computer system between communication, carry out flash demo thereby the graphical user of another instant message client system is expressed based on the animation that the graphical user of an instant message client system is expressed.

Fig. 7 selects also the arbitrarily process flow diagram flow chart of customized graphics expression.

Fig. 8 describes to be showed the avatars block diagram that is used for self-expression by the user for example.

Fig. 9 is the user interface synoptic diagram that customized graphics is expressed outward appearance.

Figure 10 is used for the user interface synoptic diagram that snapshot that representative of graphics expresses describes.

Figure 11 A is shown in the line angle look, avatars, the block diagram that concerns between avatars behavior and the avatars outward appearance.

Figure 11 B is to use each process flow diagram flow chart that communicates among different online roles and two the instant message take over partys.

Figure 12 is the user interface synoptic diagram that the instant message transmit leg can be selected in can be used on the line angle look.

Figure 13 makes the instant message transmit leg can create and store the online role's who has comprised the avatars that is used for self-expression exemplary user interface synoptic diagram.

Figure 14 is to use the family can change the online role's who has comprised the avatars that is used for self-expression process flow diagram flow chart.

Figure 15 is to use the process flow diagram flow chart of the outer message of avatars transmission band to the instant message take over party.

Figure 16,17 and 18 makes instant message user present graphical express the exemplary communications systems synoptic diagram that is used for self-expression.

Embodiment

Represent the avatars of instant message user to carry out flash demo based on the message that sends between transmit leg and the take over party.The instant message application interface is arranged to and detects input predetermined or user-defined feature string, and the predefine animation of these feature strings and avatars is connected.Representative or the selected avatars of transmit leg in the demonstration of the enterprising action picture of take over party's instant message application interface, and optionally on the instant message application interface of transmit leg, demonstrate.Avatars presents based on animation model, has comprised the grid of definition in this model, and the polygon of use, the form of avatars, definition image are with the texture of the grid of cover graphics expression, and the light mapping of the light source effect on the definition avatars.The animation model that is used for avatars comprises special geometric figure, in the bottom line model (underlying wire model) of constructing graphic expression grid, comprise at least one thousand polygons, at least two ten are mixed shape, facial expression that each shape definition is different or shape.Animation model comprises multiple animation, and these animations can present and be used for by the avatars of animation model definition and the animation that can be associated with one or more sound effects.The animation model that is used for avatars can only comprise the face and the neck of face and/or avatars.

The avatars of representative of consumer also can be used for sending out-of-band communication to another user in communication session, and this communication and institute in the text message that sends be the information that has nothing to do of information conveyed directly.This band external information can be transmitted as communications conduit by change or the avatars animation that uses this avatars outward appearance.Illustrate, out-of-band communication can comprise about the transmit leg setting, environment, and the information of activity or mood, this information are not explicit transmission, and are the parts of the text message that exchanged of transmit leg and take over party.

The user can name and preserve multiple different " online role " or " online individual character ", and these are avatars for example, good friend's sound, the group that the instant message self-expression of good friend's wallpaper and emotion icons (for example emotion icons) is provided with.Thereby, the identity that relies on telex network to use, they can be in instant messaging environment visit and represent a preliminary election role among its online role, perhaps they also can manually call and manage them and represent online role to other people.The function at instant message interface and feature can be distinguished to some extent according to the online role who uses in the instant message talk.

The avatars of representative of consumer can need not user operation in communication session, and carries out flash demo based on the animation of the another one avatars of representing the another one user in the same communication session.This can be called an avatars to the behavior of another avatars from dynamic response.

Fig. 1 has illustrated to make the user to represent a kind of exemplary graphical user 100 of avatars with the instant message service of self-expression.User interface 100 can be browsed by the user, this user is the instant message transmit leg, and its instant messaging program is arranged to and represents relevant avatars and be used as the user identity that shows one or more other users or customer group (being referred to as the instant message take over party).Especially, user IMSender is to use the instant message transmit leg of user interface 100.This instant message transmit leg with the instant messaging session of the instant message take over party SuperBubbyFan1 that represents take over party's avatars 115 in represent avatars 135.Graph of a correspondence user interface (not shown) is used by instant message take over party SuperBubbyFan1.In this way, as seen, take over party's avatars 115 also is like this above sender avatar 135 each in the user interface of transmit leg and take over party's user interface.The instant messaging session can be simultaneously, simultaneously approaching or continuous carrying out.

User interface (UI) 100 comprises instant message user interface 105 and instant message buddy list window 170.

Instant message user interface 105 has instant message take over party part 110 and instant message transmit leg part 130.Instant message take over party part 110 shows take over party's avatars 115 of being selected by this instant message take over party, and instant message sends upright instant message talk that carries out with it.Equally, instant message transmit leg part 130 shows the sender-selected sender avatar 135 of this instant message.The demonstration of sender avatar 135 makes the instant message transmit leg can this avatars of perception just show the instant message transmit leg specific instant message take over party of communication with it in the instant message user interface 105. Avatars 135 and 115 is personalized clauses and subclauses of being selected to be used as self-expression by instant message user.

Instant message user interface 105 comprises that instant message constitutes zone 145, be used to constitute the instant message information that will send to the instant message take over party and be used for showing message history text box 125 with the copy of instant message take over party's instant messaging session.Each bar sends to, or all is listed in the message history text box 125 with time sequencing from the message that the instant message take over party receives, and each bar all has the user's who sends this message indication, shown in 126.Message history text box 126 randomly comprises the timestamp 127 of each bar message of transmission.

Wallpaper can be applied to a plurality of parts of graphic user interface 100.For example, wallpaper can be applied to be positioned at the window portion 120 outside the message history text box 125 or be positioned at message and constitute window portion 140 outside the zone 145.Take over party's avatars 115 is above the wallpaper that is applied to window portion 120 or replace this wallpaper and show, and the wallpaper that is applied to window portion 120 is corresponding to this take over party's avatars 115.Equally, sender avatar 135 is above the wallpaper that is applied to window portion 140 or replace this wallpaper demonstration, and this wallpaper that is applied to window portion 120 is corresponding to this sender avatar 135.In some implementations, the border of frame or other types may be displayed on around the avatars, as is presented at shown in sender avatar 135 border 157 on every side.Be applied in be positioned at that message constitutes outside the zone 145 but not the wallpaper of the window portion 140 within the border 157 different wallpaper can be applied in the window portion 158 that is positioned within the border 157.The demonstration of wallpaper can disunity, and can comprise the object that carries out flash demo.The wallpaper that is applied to window portion 120 and 140 can be that the personalized clauses and subclauses that can be selected by instant message user are to be used for self-expression.

Instant message user interface 105 also comprises a stack features controller 165 and one group of transmission control unit (TCU) 150.Inter alia, feature controller 165 can be controlled such as encryption, and the talk into different communication modes is transmitted in the talk daily record, the characteristic of font size and color control and spell check.This group transmission control unit (TCU) 150 comprises that controller 160 triggers the transmission that is typed into the message in the instant message formation zone 145, also has controller 155 to be used to revise the outward appearance or the behavior of sender avatar 135.

Instant message buddy list window 170 comprises the sender-selected tabulation 175 of instant message of potential instant message take over party (" good friend ") 180a-180g.The contact person that the normally potential instant message transmit leg of good friend (is IMSender at this) is familiar with.In tabulation 175, statement 180a-180g comprises the text of the good friend's who is comprised in the recognized list 175 screen title; Yet, in addition or optionally information can be used for representing one or more good friends, for example relevant avatars with the good friend, these avatars have reduced dimensionally, and are static or animation.For example, statement 180a comprises the instant message take over party avatars of screen title and called after SuperBuddyFan1.Statement 180a-180g provides the connectivity information of closing the good friend can for the instant message transmit leg, and for example whether the good friend is online, and how long good friend's line duration has, and whether the good friend leaves, or whether the good friend is using mobile device etc.

The good friend can be grouped in one or more defined by the user or previously selected groupings (" group ") by the instant message transmit leg.As shown in the figure, instant message buddy list window 170 has three groups, and the good friend 182, colleague 184 and family 186.SuperBuddyFan1 185a belongs to good friend group 182, and ChattingChuck 185c belongs to colleague group 184.When good friend's instant message client program can received communication, the statement of the good friend on the buddy list just the good friend group under the good friend title or explain below show.As shown in the figure, potential at least instant message take over party 180a-180g is online.On the contrary, when good friend's instant message client program can not received communication, the good friend's statement in the buddy list just can not show below its relevant group, explains but can change into the good friend of 188 times demonstrations of title off-line from other groups.All good friends that tabulation comprises in 175 all group 182,184 or 186 one of them down, or the title off-line shows for 188 times.

As shown in Figure 1, in instant messaging communication session, each of sender avatar 135 and take over party's avatars 115 all is the graph image of representative of consumer.Transmit leg is showed sender avatar 135 as self-expression, and the take over party shows that also take over party's avatars 115 is as self-expression.At this, animated graphics express 135 and 115 each all be the avatars that includes only facial graph image, can be called facial avatars or head avatars.In other realization, avatars can comprise other body assembly.Illustrate, the Thanksgiving turkey avatars can comprise the image of whole turkey, contains head, neck, body and feather.

Sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo in response to the instant message that sends to the instant message take over party, and take over party's avatars 115 can respond the instant message of instant message take over party transmission and carry out flash demo.For example, the instant message text that is sent by transmit leg can trigger the animation of sender avatar 135, and can be triggered the animation of take over party's avatars 115 by the instant message text that the instant message take over party sends to transmit leg.

Especially, the Message-text that is sent out is specified in message specification text box 145 by transmit leg.The text that is input in the message specification text box 145 is addressed to the take over party when transmit leg activates transmission button 160.When transmission button 160 was activated, instant message was applied as the text that animation trigger is searched message.When recognizing animation trigger, sender avatar 135 just uses the animation relevant with the trigger of being discerned to carry out flash demo.This process will be described in the back more fully.By similar mode, by instant message take over party transmission and searched as animation trigger by the Message-text of transmit leg reception, and when finding, take over party's avatars 115 just uses the animation relevant with the trigger of being discerned to carry out flash demo.Illustrate, Message-text can comprise feature string " LOL ", and this is the acronym of representative " cachinnating ".Feature string " LOL " can trigger the animation of sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115, is laughing thereby sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115 just demonstrate.

As optional or other mode, sender avatar 135 can respond the instant message that sends from the instant message take over party and carry out flash demo, and take over party's avatars 115 can respond the message that sends from the instant message transmit leg and carry out flash demo.For example, the instant message text that is sent by transmit leg can trigger the animation of take over party's avatars 115, and can be triggered the animation of sender avatar 135 by the instant message text that the instant message take over party sends to transmit leg.

Especially, the Message-text that will send has transmit leg to specify in message specification text box 145.The text that is input in the message specification text box 145 is sent to the take over party when transmit leg activates transmission button 160.When transmission button 160 was activated, instant message application program search message text was used for animation trigger.When recognizing animation trigger, take over party's avatars 115 just uses the animation relevant with the trigger of being discerned to carry out flash demo.By similar mode, the Message-text that is sent and received by transmit leg by the instant message take over party is searched be used for animation trigger and, when finding, sender avatar 135 just uses the animation relevant with the trigger of being discerned to carry out flash demo.

In addition, sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115 can directly respond from transmit leg or take over party's request and carry out flash demo.The direct animation of sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115 makes the use avatars can be used as and transmits the instrument of information and need not to follow instant message between transmit leg and take over party.For example, transmit leg can be carried out an action, causes that directly sender avatar 135 carries out flash demo, and perhaps the take over party can carry out an action, causes that directly take over party's avatars 115 carries out flash demo.This action can comprise presses the animation of wanting the pairing button of playing animation or selecting to play from the animation tabulation.For example, transmit leg can present with certain button, and this button encourages the animation in sender avatar 135 and is different from and sends button 160.Selector button can not need be carried out the animation that other actions just cause the sender avatar 135 that will play, for example is sent in the instant message that message constitutes appointment in the zone 145.The animation of playing can choose at random from the possible animation of sender avatar 135, and perhaps the animation of Bo Fanging can just be selected before selector button.

Be presented at avatars 135 on the instant message user interface 105 and 115 one of them animations and can cause animation in other avatars.For example, the animation of take over party's avatars 115 can trigger the animation in the sender avatar 135, and vice versa.Illustrate, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo and be cryyed to show.The animation of response sender avatar 135, take over party's avatars 115 also can carry out flash demo and cry to show.The animation of response sender avatar 135, take over party's avatars 115 also can carry out flash demo and cry to show.As optional mode, take over party's avatars 115 can also carry out flash demo to show comfort or to sympathize with, with the sobbing animation of response sender avatar 135.In the another one example, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo and also be represented kiss, and in response, take over party's avatars 115 can carry out flash demo and blush with expression.

Take over party's avatars 115 can demonstrate the mood of the transmit leg that response transmitted by sender avatar 135.Illustrate, respond frowning or the sobbing animation of sender avatar 135, take over party's avatars 115 also can show sadness.As optional mode, take over party's avatars 115 also can carry out flash demo and attempt to allow sender avatar 135 brace up to indicate, and for example by smiling, shows funny expression, for example tongue is spued, or the expression of displaying sympathy etc.

Avatars 135 and 115 can respond the idling cycle that detects schedule time length and carry out flash demo.For example, through one section transmit leg after inactive time, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo to provide the outward appearance that avatars is being slept, left from instant message interface 105, or some other the inactive behavior of indication.Avatars 135 or 115 also can carry out a series of flash demos during transmit leg is inactive.These a series of animations can respond and detect idle phase and constantly repeat or only play once.In an example, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo to provide the outward appearance that avatars is being slept, and just allows avatars show after sleeping a period of time then and leaves from instant message user interface 105.Avatars 135 or the 115 continuous demonstrations of a plurality of animations by the expression transmit leg inertia time can provide pastime to transmit leg.The growth that this can cause transmit leg that instant message user interface 105 is used, it can cause the increase of instant message service provider market share again.

Sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115 can carry out the weather of flash demo with reflection transmit leg and take over party geographic position of living in respectively.For example, if raining on the transmit leg geographic location, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo to put on raincoat or open umbrella so.The raindrop that also can comprise flash demo with sender avatar 135 corresponding wallpapers falls rainy with the top that is presented at sender avatar 135.The sender avatar 135 that responds weather and play or the animation of take over party's avatars 115 can be triggered by the Weather information that receives on transmit leg computing machine or the take over party's computing machine respectively.For example, this Weather information can be pushed to the computing machine of transmit leg by the host computer system of the immediate news systems that is using.If the Weather information that is pushed is represented to rain, then play animation corresponding to the sender avatar 135 of rainy day.

In addition, avatars can be used for and can be expressed in the content outside the text of communicating by letter between the each side in the communication session with language with listening.For example, if text " Hi " occurs in the message that transmit leg sends, sender avatar 135 can be carried out flash demo and be said that with pronunciation " Hello " responds.In the another one example, when text " otp " or text " making a phone call " occurring in the message that sends the take over party, take over party's avatars 115 can carry out flash demo and say that with pronunciation " woulding you please wait for a moment " responds.As the another one example, in response to idle condition, avatars can attempt to cause transmit leg or take over party's attention in the mode of the sense of hearing.For example, be determined when wanting idle when the take over party sends the message comprise question mark and transmit leg to transmit leg, take over party's avatars 115 will pronounce to say " feed? you? " to attempt to cause the response of transmit leg for take over party's problem.

Transmit leg can ignore take over party's avatars 115 or sender avatar 135 is further spoken to stop take over party's avatars 115 or sender avatar 135.Illustrate, transmit leg may more be ready to ignore take over party's avatars 115 and speak to stop take over party's avatars 115.In another one realizes, to express not do for presentation graphic and comprehend, avatars can show blocks mouth.

The sound of avatars can with the user's relevant voice unanimity with avatars.In order to accomplish that like this feature of user's voice can extract from user's sample sound.The sound that feature of extracting and sample sound can be used for making up avatars.As other or optional mode, the sound of avatars does not need consistent with user's voice, can be sound any generation or that record in advance.

Sender avatar 135 can be used for transmitting the setting of transmit leg or certain aspect of environment.Illustrate, the animation of sender avatar 135 and outward appearance can reflect the time of transmit leg, the environment of aspect such as date or place or transmit leg, aspects such as object or condition.For example, when transmit leg uses instant message user interface 105 at night, sender avatar 135 can demonstrate wears nightwear and lamp is being opened illuminating all the other dark parts of the screen that display graphics expresses, and/or sender avatar 135 can regularly show and yawns.When transmit leg is when using instant message user interface 105 in the festive occasion, the mode dressing that sender avatar 135 can be spent a holiday with demonstration, for example wear just as the Santa Claus in Dec, the pumpkin that closes on Halloween, or July early stage Uncle Sam.The outward appearance of sender avatar 135 also can reflect the weather or the geographic position of living in of transmit leg.For example, when rain in the residing position of transmit leg, sender avatar 135 pairing wallpapers can comprise the raindrop and/or the sender avatar 135 of landing can be with rain cap or below the umbrella of opening.In the another one example, when tropical position transferred immediate news, sender avatar 135 can show wore the seabeach clothes to transmit leg.

Sender avatar 135 also can be passed on the action of being carried out by transmit leg when transmit leg is using instant message user interface 105.For example, when transmit leg was listened to the music, avatars 135 demonstrates had been with earphone.When transmit leg was worked, sender avatar 135 can be worn business wear, wore suit and tie such as showing.

The outward appearance of sender avatar 135 also can be passed on the mood or the emotional state of transmit leg.For example, sender avatar 135 can be by frowning or falling down an eye drip tear and transmit sad state.The outward appearance of sender avatar 135 or take over party's avatars 115 can be respectively as transmit leg or take over party.For example, the outward appearance of sender avatar 135 can be in the age close with transmit leg so that sender avatar 135 demonstrates.In one implementation, of the same age as transmit leg, sender avatar 135 also can demonstrate and be getting in years.In the another one example, the outward appearance of take over party's avatars 115 can be in the age close with the take over party so that take over party's avatars 115 demonstrates.

In some implementations, the wallpaper that is applied to the wallpaper of window portion 120 and/or is applied to window portion 140 can comprise one or more animate object.This animate object can be continual or according to preestablish or at random time cycle property repeat a series of animation.As other or optional mode, the wallpaper that is applied to window portion 120 and 140 can respond the Message-text that sends between transmit leg and the take over party and carry out flash demo.For example, the instant message text that is sent by transmit leg can trigger the animation that is included in the animate object in the sender avatar 135 pairing wallpapers, and can trigger the animation that is included in the animate object in take over party's avatars 115 pairing wallpapers by the instant message text that the instant message take over party sends to transmit leg.The animate object that is included in the wallpaper can carry out setting or the environment of flash demo to reflect take over party and transmit leg respectively, action and mood.

Avatars can be as the mechanism that is realized self-expression or additional no textcommunication by the user relevant with avatars.For example, sender avatar 135 is avatarsization of transmit leg, and take over party's avatars 115 is avatarsization of take over party.This avatars is represented this user in the instant messaging session that relates to this user.The individual character of transmit leg or emotional state can cast out or pass on by the individual character of avatars in addition.Some users may more be ready to use the avatars of more accurately representing this user.Therefore, the user can change the outward appearance of avatars or behavior more accurately to reflect this user's individual character.In some cases, transmit leg may more be ready to select to use avatars to come self-expression, rather than shows the true picture of transmit leg.For example, some people may more be ready to use avatars to send the video or the photo of transmit leg.

With reference to figure 2, the animation of avatars can relate to the size adjustment of avatars or reorientate, and more manys or different spaces so that this avatars occupies on instant message user interface 105 than avatars moral raw capacity.In the example of Fig. 2, the size of sender avatar 205 has increased, so that avatars 205 can cover the part that instant message constitutes zone 145 and controller 155.In addition, the element of the user interface except that avatars 100 also can be by using additional space or using different spaces to show on user interface 100.For example, sender avatar can be described to have the starfish of expressionization face and may be displayed on the wallpaper that has comprised the animation fish.Be included in animation fish on the wallpaper and can be hauled out original boundaries around the sender avatar 135, and be presented at outside the original boundaries zone and swim.

With reference to figure 3, signal process 300 is used for the avatars based on the self-expression of instant message content is carried out flash demo.Especially, represent the avatars response of instant message transmit leg to carry out flash demo by the text that transmit leg sends.The wallpaper of avatars also carries out flash demo.Process 300 is finished by the processor of carrying out the instant messaging program.In general, the Message-text that mails to the instant message take over party is searched as animation trigger, when finding trigger, represents the avatars of instant message transmit leg just to carry out flash demo in a particular manner based on the certain triggers that is found.Show that the wallpaper that is used for avatars comprises a moving object or a plurality of moving object.These one or more objects can carry out flash demo based on the text message content that sends, or based on other trigger and carry out flash demo, include, but is not limited to the passage of schedule time amount, the generation of certain day or the time in one day, the animation of the sender avatar of any kind of, the animation of sender avatar particular type, the animation of take over party's avatars of any kind, the animation of take over party's avatars particular type etc.When transmit leg in the schedule time length during inertia, avatars shows the multiple animation that each is relevant with idle condition in proper order.

When instant message transmit leg startup relevant and instant message take over party's instant messaging session with avatars, process 300 beginnings (step 305).In order to accomplish these, transmit leg can be from the title of selective reception side in the buddy list of buddy list Fig. 1 170.As optional mode, take over party's title can be input to make instant message can be designated and the form that sends in.As the optional mode of another one, transmit leg can start the instant message application program, and this application program can be used for registering and enter immediate news systems and intended receiver are about to the immediate news systems that starts as communication session user.In case the take over party is designated in this manner, will make decision, whether the avatars copy relevant with transmit leg and take over party is present in the instant message client system that transmit leg is using.If there is no, the copy that will fetch this avatars in the instant messaging process uses.For example, the information that presents take over party's avatars can be fetched from instant message host computer system or instant message take over party client there.In some cases, can be by sender-selected specific avatars in instant messaging communication session process, to use.As optional or other mode, this avatars can be determined in advance and be associated with transmit leg.

Processor shows the user interface that is used for instant messaging session, and this session has comprised the avatars relevant with transmit leg and has been applied to the wallpaper (step 307) that avatars shows the user interface at place.Avatars can, for example, the wallpaper top that is applied to the window portion of instant message interface display shows.In the another one example, avatars is presented at a part or a plurality of part at instant message interface, such as window portion 120 or 140 and Fig. 1.In the example of Fig. 3, the wallpaper consistent with avatars can be included in an object or a plurality of object that carries out flash demo in the instant messaging conversation procedure.

Processor receives the Message-text (step 310) that will send to the instant message take over party by the transmit leg input, and sends the message (step 315) that meets take over party's input text.The animation trigger that the avatars that processor is showed Message-text and multiple and transmit leg is relevant compares (step 320).Trigger can comprise any letter, numeral or symbol that can use keyboard or keypad to key in.Multiple trigger can be associated with animation.

With reference to figure 4, showed the example 400 of the trigger relevant again with the animation 405a-405q of special pattern expression model.Among the animation 405a-405q each all has a plurality of relevant trigger 410a-410q.Especially, illustrate, the animation 405a that avatars is smiled has relevant trigger 410a.Each of trigger 410a all comprises a plurality of feature strings.Especially, trigger 410a comprises " :) " trigger 411a, ":-) " trigger 412a, " 0:-) " trigger 413a, " 0 :) " trigger 414a and " Nice " trigger 415a.As shown in the figure, trigger can be an English word, and for example 415a, or expression is as 411a-414a.Other examples of trigger comprise specific abbreviation, as " lol " 411n, and english phrase, as " Ohno " 415e.As discussed above, when one in the trigger involved in instant message the time, avatars carries out flash demo with regard to using the animation relevant with trigger.In an example, involved in instant message the time as " Nice ", avatars will be smiled.In one implementation, one or more triggers relevant with animation can be changed by the user.For example, the user can be associated new trigger and animation, for example arrives trigger 410a so that avatars is smiled by increasing " Happy ".In the another one example, the user can delete the trigger relevant with animation (just, trigger not being associated with animation), for example deletion " Nice " 415a.In also having the another one example, the user can change the trigger relevant with animation, for example changes " wink " trigger 413b into " winks ".

In some implementations, specific trigger can only be associated with an animation.In other realization, specific trigger can allow to be associated with a plurality of animations.In some implementations, have only one can respond specific trigger and play in a plurality of animations.The single animation of this that play can be selected from a plurality of animations at random or in predefined mode.In other were realized, these a plurality of animations can be play continuously based on an independent trigger all.In some implementations, can allow the user to delete certain specific animation.For example, the user can delete and cry animation 405g.In this case, the user can delete the some or all of triggers relevant with crying animation 405g and maybe can select some or all of trigger 410g is associated with different animation, and animation 405a for example smiles.

With reference to figure 3, processor judges whether trigger is included in (step 325) in the message again.When having comprised trigger in the message (step 325), processor identification and the animation (step 330) that is identified the trigger correlation type.This can be by using database table, tabulation, or one or more triggers are associated with the animation of certain type are used for avatars and discern the file of particular type animation and wait and finish.Various types of animations comprise, for example, smile 405a, nictation 405b, the 405c that frowns has the expression 405d that sticks out one's tongue, surprised expression 401d, kiss 405f cries 405g, and 405h greatly smiles, sleeping expression 405i, the expression of nodding 405j, 405k sighs, sad expression 405l, cruel expression 405m, laugh 405n, disappearance 405o hears flavor 405p, or the pantomimia on Fig. 4 such as expression 405q of refusal.Play the animation (step 335) of the particular type of avatars.

Randomly, the animation (step 337) of at least one wallpaper object can be discerned and play to processor on the basis that trigger and transmission Message-text are complementary.

Processor is monitored the idling cycle (step 345) of communication activity (step 340) to check when transmit leg is in idle condition or communication activity of transmit leg in inertia in the cycle.Transmit leg can be in idle condition after one period that does not have message to send.Be to check idle condition, processor can judge whether transmit leg is not imported or transferred immediate news, or experienced time of scheduled volume with the interactive action of instant messaging application.As optional mode, when transmit leg does not use processor wherein to turn round the computer system of scheduled volume time, can detect idle condition by processor.

When processor detects inertia when (can be called idle condition), just recognize certain type the animation (step 350) relevant with idle condition.This can pass through database table during detecting idle condition, tabulate or the file of discerning one or more type animations waits and finishes.The animation of the type of playing during detecting idle condition can be identical or different with the animation play based on trigger in the instant message.Play the animation (step 355) of institute's identification types.In one implementation, can discern and polytype animation that broadcast is relevant with idle condition.When processor detects transmit leg when no longer idle, for example by receiving the input from transmit leg, processor can stop playing animation incident (not showing) immediately.In some implementations, the user can select the order that various types of animations are play and/or selected animation to play at idling cycle when idling cycle is play a plurality of animation.The user can dispose or determine in addition not have duration that message sends to formulate idling cycle to the user.

In some implementations, processor can detect wallpaper objects trigger device, and this trigger is different from and is used for sender avatar is carried out the trigger (step 360) of flash demo.For example, processor can detect the passage of scheduled volume time.In the another one example, processor can detect in the content of instant message and comprise the trigger that is used for wallpaper object animation, and this trigger is different from and is used for sender avatar is carried out the trigger of flash demo.Other wallpaper objects trigger device can be including (but not limited to) the generation of certain day or the special time in a day, the existence of any sender avatar animation, the existence of the sender avatar of particular type, the existence of take over party's avatars animation, and/or the existence of take over party's avatars of particular type.The trigger that is used for wallpaper object animation also can be that the user is configurable, so that the user selects to comprise the animation of any particular type, play which animation and be used for the trigger of one or more wallpaper objects.The trigger of an object of wallpaper or certain type animation of a plurality of objects can with avatars is carried out trigger that flash demo is associated in one identical or different.

When processor detects wallpaper objects trigger device (step 360), the animation (step 337) of at least one wallpaper object is discerned and play to processor.

To the instant message and the instant message that each processor receives of each transmission, carry out the process (step 310-335) of during transferring immediate news, discerning and play all kinds animation.Process (step 340-355) in identification during the inertia cycle and broadcast all kinds animation event can occur repeatedly in instant messaging communication session.Step 310-355 can irregular repetition until the end of instant messaging session.

Identification and play the corresponding instant message that sends or during the transmit leg inertia cycle in the process (step 320-355) of all kinds animation play also finish by the instant messaging application processor of reception message.In this way, the animation of sender avatar can be browsed by the transmit leg of immediate news systems and take over party.Like this, the animation of avatars just transmits information to the take over party who directly is not included in the instant message from transmit leg.

With reference to figure 5, instant message interface 500 can be used to send and to receive instant message by the transmit leg of voice-based immediate news systems.In voice-based immediate news systems, instant message is heard by the user rather than is read.This instant message can be based on the immediate news systems user's of voice audio sound-recording, or this instant message can comprise use text-speech engine and is converted to the text that can listen voice.This audio sound-recording maybe can listen voice to be play by the user.Voice-based instant message interface 500 can show the avatars 505 corresponding to the user of the immediate news systems that has therefrom received voice-based instant message.Avatars 505 can respond the instant message that receives and carry out flash demo automatically, and avatars 505 just seems saying the content of instant message like this.The take over party can watch the animation of avatars 505 and collect the not direct or indeterminate information of transmitting in instant message.The animation of rely on playing, the take over party can have the ability to judge, for example, and the mood of transmit leg, or transmit leg is serious or is jokeing.

Especially, audio message can be to handle with the identical or similar mode of processing of the animation process 300 Chinese version instant messages of Fig. 3.In this case, various types of animations are triggered by the audio trigger that is included in the instant message.

In some implementations, avatars 505 can show and saying instant message.For example, avatars 505 can comprise the animation of mouth action, and this mouth action is corresponding to the accuracy of the phoneme in the human speech with raising speech animation.When instant message comprises text, text-voice process can produce the sound that is sent by avatars 505, animation corresponding to the phoneme in the text that produces, and lip-sync process can be used for voice playing and lip animation in synchronization, thereby phoneme can be heard simultaneously in that the corresponding animation of the mouth of avatars 505 is descried.When instant message comprises audio sound-recording, can generate animation corresponding to phoneme in the audio sound-recording, and lip-sync broadcast and the lip animation in synchronization that is used for audio sound-recording.

In the another one example, transmit leg can be recorded the audio-frequency unit relevant with one or more animations of avatars 505.This recording just can be played out in the corresponding animation of playing avatars 505.

Fig. 6 has illustrated to be used for passing through the example process 600 of instant message host computer system 604 communications between instant message client 602a and 602b, the animation of playing in expressing in response to another different graphic carries out flash demo to an avatars.Use each user among client 602a and the 602b all to be associated with the representative in instant message task process and the avatars of playing the part of the user.Communication between client 602a and the 602b is promoted by instant message host computer system 604.In general, communication process 600 makes the client 602a and the second client 602b can send and from the other side's received communication of winning.This communication sends by instant message host computer system 604.Communication partly or entirely can trigger an animation or a plurality of animation in the avatars that is associated with the user of first client 602a, or with avatars that the user of second client 602b is associated in an animation or a plurality of animation.

The instant messaging session is based upon between first client 602a and second the client 602b, and wherein communication sends (step 606) by server of instant message host computer system 604.This communication session comprises the user's who represents the first client 602a first avatars and represents the user's of second client 602b second graph to express.This can look like, for example, and with reference to described such realization of the step 305 of prior figures 3.In general, the user of first client 602a and the user of second client 602b the two can use with Fig. 1 in the similar user interface of user interface 100, sender avatar and take over party's avatars are displayed on first client 602a and second the client 602b in this interface.

In instant messaging communication session process, the user input relevant with the first client 602a will send to the user's of the second client 602b instant message text, and the text is gone up by client 602a and carries out the processor reception (step 608) that this instant messaging is used.The text of input can comprise one the trigger that is used for from the first avatars model animation.The processor of carrying out instant messaging application in instant message task sends the text of input to the second client 602b (step 610) by host computer system 604.Particularly, host computer system 604 receives this message and this message is transmitted to the second client 602b (step 612) from the first client 602a.This message has just been received (step 614) by the second client 602b.After receiving this message, the second client 602b shows this message on the user interface that is used for showing from the message of the first client 602a.This user interface can be similar corresponding to the instant message user interface 105 of transmit leg and take over party's avatars with demonstration among Fig. 1.

The two has the copy of this message the first client 602a and the second client 602b, and the first client 602a and the second client 602b the two all begin text in the processing messages to judge whether text in the message has triggered any animation during the first and second avatars models copy separately.When handling this message, in fact the first client 602a and the second client 602b can walk abreast or serial processing basically, still the two processing messages in an identical manner all of the first client 602a and the second client 602b.

Specifically, the text in the first client 602a search message is used for animation trigger and plays (step 616a) with the animation of discerning certain type.First client 602a identification has certain animation of identification types animation and is used for user-dependent first avatars (step 618a) with the first client 602a then.The first client 602a plays and to have discerned animation and be used for user-dependent first avatars (step 620a) with the first client 602a.This first avatars model is used to discern the animation that will play, because this first avatars model is associated with the first client 602a that sends message.The first client 602a and the second client 602b use the same copy of this first avatars model to come process information, thereby can see same animation event on the first client 602a and the second client 602b.

Animation from the first avatars model triggers the animation of expressing model from second graph.In order to accomplish like this, the first client 602a gives the animation of the identification types of first avatars broadcast based on the response text trigger, identification will be for expressing certain type the animation of playing (step 622a) with the user-dependent second graph of second client 602b.The first client 602b is that second graph is expressed the animation (step 624a) of playing same type.

First client also can be discerned certain type animation will playing for the wallpaper of corresponding first avatars and the wallpaper of the identification animation (step 626a) of playing first avatars.The wallpaper of this avatars can comprise an object or a plurality of object that carries out flash demo in the instant messaging conversation procedure.The animation of this object or a plurality of objects based on, for example, trigger in the instant message or the passage of scheduled volume time and take place.The animation of wallpaper object can be that the user is configurable, so that the user selects whether to play animation or any animation of particular type and is used for the trigger of one or more wallpaper objects.An object of wallpaper or the trigger that is used for certain type of animation of a plurality of objects can be with identical or different with one that avatars is carried out trigger that flash demo is associated.After message was sent out or handles, the user of the first client 602a can not send any other message in a period of time.The first client 602a detects such one period inertia cycle (going on foot all 628a).First client 602a identification is also play animation detected by the first client 602a and certain section inertia cycle correlation type.This can be during detected idling cycle by using database table, tabulate or the file of discerning one or more type animations is finished.

The second client 602b handles instant message in the mode identical with the first client 602a.Specifically, all the parallel message processing procedure step 616a-630a with first client 602a execution is identical with step 616b-630b processing messages, each step for the second client 602b.Because each among the first client 602a and the second client 602b all has the avatars copy corresponding to the user of the first client 602a and the second client 602b, be displayed on identical animation on the first client 602a as the result of execution in step 616a-630a and also be used as the result of execution in step 616b-630b and be displayed on the second client 602b.

In the process of communication session 600, the animation of this type that the indication of text based message takes place.Yet the animation that has dissimilar contents also can trigger the animation of this avatars.For example, comprise the feature of the voice signal of voice-based message into and can trigger animation from this avatars.

With reference to figure 7, process 700 is used to select and random customized graphics is expressed to use with immediate news systems.Avatars can be customized and be used for reflecting individual character that the user relevant with avatars will express or another aspect of self-expression.When process 700 is selected avatars the user from multiple avatars, and this selection is performed the processor reception (step 705) of process 700.For example, the user can select special pattern to express from the multiple avatars of as schematically shown in Figure 8 avatars.Among the avatars 805a-805r each all is associated with the avatars model of assignment graph expression outward appearance.Among the avatars 805a-805r each also all comprises a plurality of relevant animations, and each animation is identified as a specific animation types.This selection course can, for example, the user finishes when selecting an avatars from the avatars that a group shows.The demonstration of avatars can be put on display a plurality of avatars in window, for example the little image (may be called as " thumbnail " in some is realized) by showing each avatars.As other or optional mode, demonstration can be the tabulation that the user therefrom selects the avatars title.

Fig. 8 has illustrated a plurality of avatars 805a-805r.Among the avatars 805a-805r each all comprises outward appearance, and title and individual character are described.In an example, avatars 805a has outward appearance 810a, and title 810b and individual character are described 810c.The outward appearance of avatars for example can show as and to live, fabricate or historical personage, and sea life, amphibian, Reptilia, mammal, birds, or animate object etc.Some avatars can a bubble head, for example avatars 805a-805r.In an example, the outward appearance of avatars 805b has comprised a sheep head.The outward appearance of other avatars can only comprise a part or the specified portions of head.For example, the outer appearnce of avatars 805l is similar to one group of lip.Other avatars can be shown by the body except that head.For example, the outward appearance of avatars 805n has also comprised complete crab body except that head.Avatars can be presented at the top of the wallpaper relevant with avatars in the mode of theme.In an example, avatars 805i is presented at the top that presentation graphic is expressed the wallpaper marshy of 805j life.

Among the avatars 805a-805r each all has basic state expression.For example, avatars 805f seems and is very glad that avatars 805j seems and is hard hit, and avatars 805m seems very angry.Avatars can have other basic status expression, and is for example frightened or boring.The basic status expression of avatars can influence the behavior of avatars, comprises the animation or the sound of avatars.In an example, avatars 805f has glad basic status expression and therefore has the behavior of common happiness, thereby and avatars 805m have the basic status expression of the shape of creeping have alarmed usually, creeping-type with ghost like behavior.In the another one example, glad avatars can have cheerful and light-hearted sound and angry avatars can demonstrate sonorific the time and shouts.The action result that the basic status of avatars expression can be used as with this avatars associated user is modified.Illustrate, the message number that the happiness degree of avatars performance can send or receive with the user is relevant.When the user sends or received a lot of message in the time at predefined phase, avatars can be than sending in the time of this predefined phase or seeming glaier receive less message the time.

The user of immediate news systems can select in these a plurality of avatars of 805a-805r.Among the avatars 805a-805r each all with the performance certain particular type individual character outward appearance, feature and behavior are associated.For example, can select to have the avatars 805f of dolphin external appearance characteristic.

Among the avatars 805a-805r each all is to have individual character, the multidimensional role of sound and visible features even depth.With by using no animation, the X-Y scheme icon shows independent certain aspect of user and compares, the avatars among the avatars 805a-805r can show about representing the information of this avatars user's enriched types.The attribute of avatars has been realized physical features, emotion feature and about the communication of the environmental information of this user's other types, and this communication by the two-dimentional icon representation that uses not action be can't fine coupling (or or even disabled).In an example, avatars can reflect state of user, mood, and individual character.In the another one example, avatars can reflect user's position, action and other environmental information.These features of user can be by the outward appearance of avatars, and the animation that can see and the sound that can listen transmit.

In an example of avatars individual character, the avatars of SoccerBuddy (not shown) by name is associated with energetic individual character.In fact, the individual character of avatars SoccerBuddy can be described as energetic, and is happy, reliable enthusiasm and young.Incident in the behavior reflection football match of avatars SoccerBuddy.For example, the animation of shouting of avatars is the chant of " come come ", and his animation of smile greatly is " advancing---ball--", and in the animation of frowning or the animation of putting out one's tongue, avatars shows a yellow card.By using wallpaper, the team that the designated representative of SoccerBuddy is specific.The distinctive feature of avatars SoccerBuddy comprises the bottom of coming the presentation graphic expression with the pin of clamping plate.General pin is the bottom as avatars.Avatars SoccerBuddy can move by the pogo stick in foot to show everywhere and move.In several animations, for example avatars has been left, and the pin of avatars can become big and open from the SoccerBuddy branch.Pin can be done flash demo and play football around showing.

In the another one example, the silent movie avatars is the silent movie performer's in generation to generation nineteen thirty nineteen twenty a palinmnesis.The silent movie avatars is described by using chimney cap and walking stick formula beard.The silent movie avatars is not related with acoustic phase.Replace speech, the silent movie avatars perhaps shows how to express the notice replacement that similar mode is had literal with speech in silent movie.

In other examples, avatars can meet current incident or season.In an example, avatars can be played the part of certain team or entrant in the team that has comprised occupation or asf motor.Avatars can be played the part of football team, baseball team, or basketball team, or certain the specific entrant in the team.In an example, can play the part of the team that is engaged in specific finals series.The example of seasonal avatars comprises Santa Claus's avatars, Uncle Sam's avatars, the Thanksgiving turkey avatars, the jack-o'-lantern avatars, Valentine's Day the love avatars, Easter egg avatars and easter bunny avatars etc.

The animation trigger of avatars can be modified or customize (step 710) when various and the animation avatars correlation type will take place.For example, the user can revise the trigger that shows among Fig. 4 and represents when avatars will carry out flash demo, describe about Fig. 3 as the front.Trigger be can increase and its word that comprises frequent use, phrase, or feature string made.Trigger also can be modified so that the individual character that the animation of playing as the result of trigger can representative of graphics be expressed.Revise trigger and can help to define individual character of expressing by avatars and the self-expression that is used as the user.

The user also can dispose the outward appearance (step 715) of avatars.This also can help to define the individual character of avatars, and transmits the self-expression aspect of transmit leg.For example, also with reference to figure 9, outward appearance is revised the outward appearance that user interface 900 can be used for disposing avatars.In the example in Fig. 9, outward appearance is revised user interface 900 makes the user can revise a plurality of features of avatars head.For example, the hair of avatars, eyes, nose, the lip and the colour of skin can be used outward appearance to revise user interface 900 and dispose.For example, hair slider bar 905 can be used to revise the hair lengths of avatars.The diverse location representative of graphics of hair slider bar 905 is expressed the difference of hair may length, and this length is consistent with the different demonstrations of avatars hair in being included in and being configured avatars model file that avatars is correlated with.Eyes slider bar 910 can be used for revising the avatars eye color, and each position representative of graphics of eyes slider bar 910 is expressed a different possible color of eyes, and each color all is reflected in the avatars model file.Nose slider bar 915 can be used for revising the outward appearance of avatars nose, and each position representative of graphics expression nose of nose slider bar 915 is reflected in a different possible outward appearance in the avatars model file.In a similar fashion, lip slider bar 920 can be used for revising the outward appearance of avatars lip, each position representative of graphics of lip slider bar 920 is expressed different a possible outward appearance of lip, and is associated with different lips demonstrations in the avatars model file.The colour of skin of avatars also can use colour of skin slider bar 925 to revise.A kind of possibility colour of skin that each possible position representative of graphics of colour of skin slider bar 925 is expressed, every kind of colour of skin all shows in the avatars model file.

Can preview in avatars browser 930 as the avatars outward appearance of using slider bar 905-925 result to create.The selected value of slider bar 905-925 is reflected in the shown avatars of avatars browser 930.In one implementation, upgrade when avatars browser 930 can each slider bar in 905-925 be moved, thereby the change that the outward appearance of avatars is made can be immediately as seen.In another one realized, avatars browser 930 can upgrade once after all slider bar 905-925 use.

Rotational slide bar 935 makes the avatars rotation that shows in the avatars browser 930.For example, avatars can along with respect to avatars not certain of gyrobearing rotate to rotational slide bar 935 selected certain digital degree.In one implementation, this central vertical by the avatars head is extended, and during the not gyrobearing of avatars to be avatars direct face forward.Use the head of rotational slide bar 930 rotation avatars can watch all faces of avatars to show the change of the avatars outward appearance that use slider bar 905-925 is made.Avatars browser 930 can upgrade when rotational slide bar 930 moves, thereby the change in avatars orientation can be immediately as seen.

Outward appearance is revised user interface 900 and is also comprised hair tool button 940, skin tool button 945 and accessories tool button 950.Select hair tool button 940 to show the instrument that is used to revise avatars hair different characteristic.For example, can realize change as the instrument that the result who selects hair tool button 940 shows, for example, the length of avatars hair, color is pruned pattern and comb method.In one implementation, the modification of the hair of avatars being made as the shown instrument of result of selecting hair tool button 940 is reflected in the avatars illustration of avatars browser 930.

Similarly, select skin tool button 945 to show the instrument that is used to revise avatars skin various aspects.For example, can realize as the shown instrument of result of selecting scalp skin tool button 945.For example, revise the color of avatars skin, dark brown to the avatars increase, increase sashimi to avatars, or change the aging of avatars skin to provide the outward appearance at age that avatars is showed.In one implementation, the modification of the skin of avatars being made as the shown instrument of result of selecting skin tool button 945 is reflected in the avatars illustration of avatars browser 930.

In a similar fashion, select accessories tool button 950 to show to be used for instrument that one or more accessories are associated with avatars.For example, can add eyes to avatars by the use of accessories instrument, earrings, cap, or other can be worn by avatars, or demonstrate on avatars or near the article of avatars.In one implementation, be presented in the avatars illustration of avatars browser 930 to the accessories that avatars increases as the shown instrument of the result who selects accessories tool button 950.In some implementations, might all be included in the avatars model file by the accessories relevant with avatars.These accessories are controlled at whether each accessories was all made visible when display graphics was expressed.In some implementations, accessories can be created and displaying by using the 2 D animation technology.The animation in synchronization that the displaying of accessories and three-dimensional picture are expressed.Accessories can generate after avatars is by initial creation and be associated with avatars.

In case all modifications that the avatars outward appearance is thirsted for obtaining are finished, the user just can accept this modification by selecting issue button 955.Select issue button 955 to preserve the modification that the outward appearance of avatars is made.In addition, when the copy of avatars is made an amendment with reflection by other users of immediate news systems hold, send for other users to reflect the avatars copy after the renewal of avatars being made an amendment by the user.This copy of avatars can upgrade so that make all avatars copy have identical outward appearance, has consistance thereby be used to send and receive between the avatars of out-of-band communication.Outward appearance is revised user interface 900 and can be used only to change the avatars copy of relative users by the user.Therefore, just stop the user that other avatars corresponding to other users that may be rewritten are made amendment.The renewal copy that sends to these other avatars of user is because other users revise these other avatars.Stop other avatars of user's modification to guarantee that all avatars copies are identical.

The avatars of signal can have and not contain the hair of being revised by slider bar 905-925, eyes, nose, one outward appearance in the lip or the colour of skin in avatars browser 930.For example, the outward appearance from the avatars 8051 of Fig. 8 does not contain hair, eyes, nose and the colour of skin.In this case, outward appearance modification user interface 900 can be ignored slider bar 905-925 and comprise slider bar other aspects with control avatars outward appearance.For example, outward appearance is revised and is comprised the tooth slider bar when user interface 900 can be modified in the outward appearance of avatars 8051.In addition, interface 900 can be customized with suitable and reliable realization based on selected avatars and toward which direction strengthen.

In the example of another one configuration avatars outward appearance, the configurable facial characteristics of avatars can be by using the mixing shape establishment to animation model that should avatars.Mix shape definition and can carry out the avatars part of flash demo.In some implementations, mixing shape can comprise and can be used for revising to cause the grid percentage of the corresponding modify in the facial characteristics.In this case, the user can revise and the ability of the grid number percent that is configured the mixing shape that facial characteristics is associated with the facial characteristics that possesses the configuration avatars by the controller that uses slider bar or other types.

Using outward appearance to revise outside the user interface 900 modification avatars profiles, also can revise the color of avatars, texture, and particle.Especially, can change the color or the shade of avatars.The texture that is applied to avatars can be modified as the skin of aging or aging avatars.In addition, the width of avatars, length, texture and particle color can be customized.In an example, be used to describe hair or facial hair, beard for example, the avatars particle can be modified increasing of the hair of expressing or beard with display graphics.

Refer again to Fig. 7, can select display graphics wallpaper of expressing and the animation (step 720) that is used for the object on the wallpaper above it.This can pass through, and for example, selects wallpaper to finish from the possible wallpaper of a cover.Wallpaper can comprise movable object, or this user can alternative and animation as the selected object that will on selected wallpaper, increase.

Can create and comprise the avatars image, the trade card (step 725) of a kind of description of avatars.In some implementations, the trade card also can comprise the user's relevant with avatars description.The trade card can be shared with the user of other immediate news systems information is provided for other users that express with this user's relational graph.

Still with reference to Figure 10, the example of a trade card has been described wherein.Front 1045 display graphics of trade card express 1046.The animation of avatars can be play by selecting animation controller 1047.The back side 1050 of trade card has comprised the descriptive information about avatars, comprises the name of avatars, date birthday, and the city, place, what type likes, and what is disliked, and custom and serious hope are done anything.As shown in Figure 10, the front 1045 of trade card and the back side 1050 the two all show.In some implementations, only can show one side among 1045 and 1050 of trade card at one time.In this case, the user can be by using certain face of controlling shown trade card in turn-over controller 1048 or 1052.The shop of the annex of avatars 1046 can have access to by selecting shop controller 1049 illustrated in therefrom buying in the trade card.

Still with reference to figure 7, also can the output pattern expression be used for using use (step 730) in another one.In some implementations, avatars can be employed but not messages application is used.In an example, avatars can be shown as user capture provider, ISP for example, the part of customization homepage.The instant message transmit leg can pull avatars to the customization homepage in case avatars can be browsed by the pairing user of this avatars.In the another one example, avatars can be used for wherein that avatars can be browsable application to anyone.The avatars that the instant message transmit leg can pull transmit leg is in the online magazine of the publicity visit of the blog of transmit leg or another type.This user can repeat once or more times process 700 in step till the user pleases oneself to the outward appearance of avatars and behavior.This avatars can be saved and to be paired user in instant messaging communication session visible.

Still with reference to Figure 10, avatars is provided with user interface 1000 and comprises individual character district 1002.Selection is presented at the behavior that individual character page or leaf 1010 in the individual character district that avatars is provided with user interface 1000 is used to revise one or more avatars.In one implementation, avatars is provided with user interface 1000 and can uses with the wallpaper of selecting avatars and/or be avatars establishment trade card with the process 700 of Fig. 7.

The individual character district 1002 that avatars is provided with user interface 1000 comprises avatars tabulation 1015, has wherein comprised one or more the various avatars corresponding to the immediate news systems user.In this one or more avatars each can designatedly have different individual characteies be used for use when specific people exchanges or under specific circumstances.In one implementation, avatars can change outward appearance or behavior according to the mutual with it people of user.For example, certain avatars can be created the individual character that becomes to have to like business exchange, and the another one avatars can be created and becomes to have to like the individual character that exchanges with the kinsfolk.Each avatars can also have the small icon of each avatars outward appearance to be presented in the tabulation together with name.Select 1015 avatars to specify the behavior of selected avatars from tabulating.For example, avatars 1020 is selected as that user's default graphics expresses, be selected from avatars tabulation 1015, thereby the behavior of avatars 1020 just can be designated.

The avatars title that is included in the avatars tabulation can be changed by selecting rename button 1025.Selection rename button shows the instrument that is used for changing from the avatars titles of avatars tabulation 1015 selections.Similarly, avatars can be expressed by selecting default button 1030 to be designated as default graphics select avatars from avatars tabulation 1015 after.Avatars can be by selecting delete button 1030 to delete select this avatars from avatars tabulation 1015 after.In one implementation, in avatars display notification before the deletion from avatars tabulation 1015.Avatars also can be created by selecting to create button 1040.When establishment button 1040 was pressed, new login just was added in the avatars tabulation 1015.This login can be with the mode selected and modification identical with other avatars in the avatars tabulation 1015.

The behavior of avatars is summarized out being presented on card positive 1045 in the individual character district and the card backside 1050.Card positive 1045 comprises the diagram of avatars and the wallpaper that avatars 1020 shows above it.Card positive 1045 comprises that also shop controller 1049 is as buying the means of accessories for selected avatars 1020.Card backside 1050 comprises the user's who describes selected avatars 1020 and selected avatars information.This description can comprise name, date birthday, the user's of position and this avatars and this avatars other identities and descriptive information.Card backside 1050 also can comprise the diagram of selected avatars 1020 and the wallpaper that avatars 1020 shows on it.The trade card that is created as the part of avatars customization procedure 700 comprises by avatars card positive 1045 and the card backsides 1050 that interface 1000 generates automatically is set.

The individual character district 1002 that avatars is provided with interface 1000 can comprise that a plurality of link 1055-1070 are to the various otherwise instruments that are used to revise selected avatars 1020 behaviors.For example, avatars link 1055 can be led to the instrument that is used to revise selected avatars 1020 outward appearances.In one implementation, select the outward appearance of avatars link 1055 in can displayed map 9 to revise user interface 900.In another one realized, avatars link 1055 can show and be used to replace or otherwise just select the instrument of selected avatars 1020.In also having the another one example, avatars connects 1055 and can allow the outward appearance of avatars to be transformed into other types.For example, this instrument can allow the outward appearance of avatars 1020 to become the avatars of cat from the avatars of dog.

Can select wallpaper link 1060 to be used to select the instrument of the wallpaper that selected avatars 1020 describes with demonstration on it.In one implementation, this wallpaper can be movable.

The link 1065 that can select a sound can be revised the used instrument of sound that avatars 1020 is made to show.When avatars has action, or other the time, can play this sound to obtain user's attention.

Can select mood link 1070 to be used for to get the instrument of emotion icons with appointment when selected avatars 1020 exchanges with demonstration.Emotion icons is the two-dimentional inactive image that sends when certain trigger is included in the instant message text.The change that the instrument that use obtains by link 1055-1070 is made can be reflected on card positive 1045 and the card backside 1050.After the modification that all avatars that comprise in to avatars tabulation 1015 thirst for carrying out had been finished, avatars was provided with interface 1000 and can eliminates by selection X button 1075.

By herein, especially about system and technology described in Figure 11 A-14, during the clauses and subclauses that may make the user assemble multiple self-expression were gathered to " online role " or " online individual character ", these clauses and subclauses just can be saved and arbitrarily be associated with one or more title of appointment.The clauses and subclauses of each self-expression all are used for showing the feature or the preference of instant message transmit leg or instant message transmit leg, and can comprise at user option binary object.These self-expression clauses and subclauses can be by potential instant message take over party (" instant message take over party ") before the communication done by potential instant message transmit leg (" instant message transmit leg ") starts, during, or do afterwards have a perception.For example, the clauses and subclauses of self-expression can comprise the avatars that is applied in the position that has the context layout on the user interface, image, for example wallpaper etc.The context layout is typically indicated and by getting in touch between the represented user of self-expression clauses and subclauses.For example, wallpaper can be applied in the zone that shows from the message of instant message transmit leg, or on user interface the zone around the dialog region.The self-expression clauses and subclauses also comprise sound, animation, video clipping, and emotion icons (for example smiley).Individual character also can comprise a stack features or the function relevant with individual character.For example, can realize for example encrypted transmission, instant message talk daily record and instant message is forwarded to features such as optional communication system to given individual character.

The user can with other users talk in specify the individual character that will show, no matter be in advance or in the process that communication session " flies ".This allows the user that different online crowds is showed different individual characteies.Especially, the user can preserve one or more individual characteies (for example each individual character typically comprise instant message self-expression clauses and subclauses group for example, avatars, good friend's sound, good friend's wallpaper and emotion icons, and/or a stack features or a function), and they can be with these individual character names to realize calling of they, the different user that exchanged with them of individual character that they can be different with each or these users' group connect in case with these other users or group's communication process in show suitable/selected individual character automatically, or they can create each different individual character of establishment in interpolation or custom tabular or user's group or individual other user's the process itself.Like this, individual character can show other people in the interactive online environment (for example instant message and chat) according to the distribution that the user did.And, individual character can be assigned with, create, and/or be associated with other settings, thereby can be based on the time in one day, geographical or virtual position, or even each feature or attribute (for example, the cold individual character in state of Colorado winter or in the chatroom chat individual character in the participation process) etc. show specific individual character.

In a lot of examples, the instant message transmit leg can have a plurality of online roles that use in instant messaging communication session.Each online role is relevant with this specific online role's who represents the instant message transmit leg avatars.Under many circumstances, the online role of each of specific instant message transmit leg is correlated with different avatars.This is not to want so necessary.And even when two or more online roles of specific instant message transmit leg comprise same avatars, the outward appearance of this avatars or behavior also can be different among this online role each.In an example, the starfish avatars can be associated with two online roles of specific instant message transmit leg.With this starfish avatars that an online role is associated can have other starfish avatars of being associated with other online roles different animation.Even two starfish avatars all comprise same animation, and starfish avatars can be done action and show animation based on the particular type of different triggers, and is not shown to the identical animation of other starfish avatars.

Figure 11 A has shown online role, avatars, the relation between avatars behavior and the avatars outward appearance.Especially Figure 11 A has shown online role 1102a-1102e and the avatars 1104a-1104d relevant with online role 1102a-1102e.Among the avatars 1104a-1104d each comprises outward appearance 1106a-1106c and behavior 1108a-1108d.Especially, avatars 1104a comprises outward appearance 1106a and behavior 1108a; Avatars 1104b comprises outward appearance 1106b and behavior 1108b; Avatars 1104c comprises outward appearance 1106c and behavior 1108c; And avatars 1104d comprises outward appearance 1106c and behavior 1108d.Avatars 1104c and 1104d comprise on the outward appearance 1106c this point similar.Yet the difference of avatars 1104c and 1104d is that avatars 1104c comprises behavior 1108c and avatars 1104d comprises behavior 1108d.

Among the online role 1102a-1102e each all with avatars 1104a-1104d in one be associated.Especially, online role 1102a is associated with avatars 1104a; Online role 1102b is associated with avatars 1104b; Online role 1102c also is associated with avatars 1104b and online role 1102d is associated with avatars 1104c; And online role 1102e is associated with avatars 1104d.As online role 1102a be associated with avatars 1104a illustrate that online role can be associated with certain avatars that or not is not associated other online role.

A plurality of online roles can use same avatars.This illustrates by online role 1102b and the 1102c that all is associated with avatars 1104b.In this case, the avatars 1104b outward appearance of being showed is identical with behavior to two of online role 1102b and 1102c.In some cases, a plurality of online roles can use the similar pattern with the identical appearance of showing different behaviors to express, and illustrate as online role 1102d and 1102e.Online role 1102d and 1102e express 1104c with the similar pattern with identical appearance 1106c and 1104d is associated.Avatars 1102d and 1102e, yet, different behavior 1108c and 1108d also showed respectively.

In the process of creating individual character, the instant message transmit leg can forbid that specific individual character shows to indicate instant message take over party and/or group.For example, if the instant message transmit leg wants to confirm that " arbitrarily " individual character is not shown to boss or colleague unexpectedly, this instant message transmit leg can forbid that " arbitrarily " individual character is shown to boss with individual artificial basis, and can forbid on group's basis that " arbitrarily " individual character is shown to " colleague " group.Can provide suitable user interface to make this selection to help the instant message transmit leg.Equally, can give the instant message transmit leg provide that option prevents an accident with " locking " instant message take over party or a group instant message take over party's individual character or unintentionally individual character switch and/or increase.Like this, for example, the instant message transmit leg just can lock " work " individual character to boss with individual artificial basis, or gives " colleague " group locking " work " individual character on group's basis.In the another one example, the individual character that random individual character can not be applied to lock.

Figure 11 B has shown makes the instant message transmit leg can be chosen in the canonical process 1100 that the line angle look makes its energy perception instant message transmit leg.Selected online role comprises the online role's of expression instant message transmit leg avatars.Process 1100 generally includes to be selected and shows to comprise the online role who represents this sender avatar.This instant message transmit leg is created or is revised one or more individual characteies, comprises the avatars (step 1105) of representing this transmit leg.Online individual character can be passed through, and for example, the avatars among Figure 10 is provided with user interface 1000 and creates and revise.Be created in the line angle look and generally include the clauses and subclauses of the sender-selected one or more self-expressions of instant message and/or feature and function to be shown to specific instant message take over party or instant message take over party's group.Can provide user interface to help the instant message transmit leg and make this selection, as shown in figure 12.

Figure 12 has shown optant's user interface 1200, can make the instant message transmit leg 1205,1210, selects available individual character in 1215,1220,1225,1230,1235,1240,1245,1250 and 1255.User interface 1200 can have controller 1260 sends instant message can " to hinder " other users' individual character and controller 1265 current by the selected individual character setting of instant message transmit leg with preview.By using avatars that interface 1000 is set, the user can be before talking with take over party's instant message, during, or change afterwards shows instant message take over party's individual character, comprises avatars.

As optional mode, the selection of individual character also can not need the interference of transmit leg and take place automatically.For example, can make the automatic judgement that transmit leg is transferring immediate news from work.In this case, all communication can be selected and be used for to the individual character that be used in the work automatically.As the another one example, can make the automatic judgement that transmit leg is transferring immediate news from family, and will can be selected and be used for all communication automatically with individual character at home.In a kind of like this realization, transmit leg can not be controlled and select which individual character to use.In another is realized, the automatic selection of individual character can be used in the individual character of transmit leg select related in, can be used as can be by the default setting of transmit leg change in the automatic selection of individual character in this case.

Figure 13 has shown typical user interface series 1300, is used to make the instant message transmit leg can create and store individual character, and/or selects the various aspects such as the avatars of individual character, good friend's wallpaper, good friend's sound and smiley etc.As shown in the figure, user interface 1305 makes the instant message transmit leg can select the clauses and subclauses of one group of one or more self-expression and preserves these group self-expression clauses and subclauses as individual character.User interface 1305 also makes the instant message transmit leg can preview and change the instant message individual character.For example, user interface 1305 makes the instant message transmit leg can select avatars 1310 (at this, referring to SuperBuddy), good friend's wallpaper 1315, emotion icons 1320 (at this, referring to smiley) and good friend's sound 1325.Provide a group controller 1340 make the instant message transmit leg can preview general introduction 1340a and the clauses and subclauses 1340b that preserves these self-expressions of selecting as individual character.Individual character 1345 can be named and preserve to the instant message transmit leg, thereby also can use individual character 1350 to one or more instant message take over party individualities or one or more instant message take over partys' group.Provide management area 1350a that the instant message transmit leg can be deleted, preserve, or the various instant message individual characteies of rename.When selecting the self-expression clauses and subclauses, can show other interfaces for example user interface 1355 make the instant message transmit leg can select specific self-expression clauses and subclauses.User interface 1355 comprises the theme 1360 that set of diagrams shape is expressed, and makes the instant message transmit leg can select particular topic 1365 and selection special pattern expression 1370 in selected theme.Provide a group controller 1375 to make the selection of self-expression clauses and subclauses to help the instant message transmit leg.The instant message transmit leg also can have the ability of selecting pre-defined theme, for example, and by using user interface 1380.On user interface 1380, the instant message transmit leg can select the various kinds 1385 of selecting theme in advance also by selecting particular types 1390, demonstrates the clauses and subclauses of one group of self-expression of selecting in advance, 1390a, 1390b, 1390c, 1390d, 1390e, and 1390f.This group can be can not change or the instant message transmit leg can have the ability of any one self-expression clauses and subclauses of selecting in advance in this group of independent change.Also provide controller part 1395 to make the instant message transmit leg can select this theme.

In another was realized, the feature or function at instant message interface can be selected or select in advance to be used to select or the option of current use individual character and changing based on the user.Feature or function can be transparent to the instant message transmit leg.For example, when using " work " individual character, the instant message of listing can be encrypted, and copy can record in the daily record, and perhaps copy can be transmitted to specified contact person as the management assistant.Can provide warning to represent that to the instant message take over party instant message talk is being recorded or is being browsed to adapt to this situation by other people.As comparison, if selected non-professional " arbitrarily " individual character, list that instant message can not encrypted and not copy be recorded or transmit.

As a further example, instant message transmit leg indication reception instant message is invalid (for example if selected " work " individual character, by selecting " leaving " message or passing through off-line), the message that receives from other people between dynamic stage can be forwarded to other instant message take over party as the management assistant so, maybe can be transmitted to the e-mail address that the instant message transmit leg is used.As comparison,, just do not take special measure to come the transmission of acknowledge message if selected non-professional " arbitrarily " individual character.

In one implementation, feature relevant with individual character and function are transparent to the instant message transmit leg, and can depend on the one or more general introduction kinds of selecting in advance when setting individual character.For example, can inquire the instant message transmit leg with from a group individual character kind such as specialty, management, unofficial, have a holiday, select in the irregular grade.In above example, " work " individual character can be to set as " occupation " individual character kind and " arbitrarily " individual character can be that conduct " unofficially " individual character kind sets.In another was realized, the instant message transmit leg can be selected feature relevant with individual character and function separately.

Refer again to Figure 11 B, individual character just has been stored (step 1110).Individual character can be stored in immediate news systems, on the instant message host computer system, or on the host computer system of another one host computer system as the copartner that weighs into authentication or visit provider.

Next step, the instant message transmit leg specify individual character be illustrated in the instant message task in the future maybe when be busy with instant message in the future and the instant message take over party talk in the time (step 1115).The instant message transmit leg can wish to show different individual characteies to the group in different instant message take over partys and/or the buddy list.The instant message transmit leg can use user interface to specify personalized clauses and subclauses according to each good friend group to individual character at least.For example, the instant message transmit leg specifies omnidistance avatars can for all individual characteies, but gives other individual characteies (as work, family according to each group, friend) specifies different good friend's sound, and specify wallpaper for the inner independent individual character that is adapted to specific instant message take over party of group according to individuality.The instant message transmit leg can be according to the personality attributes of specifying other of certain scheduled event or trigger.For example, rain if weather is illustrated in the residing geographic position of instant message transmit leg, certain potential instant message take over party can designatedly see the rainy day individual character.Can use the acquiescence priority rule to manage conflict, perhaps the user can select between the individual character that priority rule is demonstrated with solution or be demonstrated conflict between the self-expression clauses and subclauses that are used to merge individual character.

For example, one group of acquiescence priority rule can be by giving individual the be individual character of basic appointment and the highest priority of self-expression clauses and subclauses appointment, give the group and specify time high priority, and the distribution of giving individual character that domestic consumer done for the basis and personalized clauses and subclauses specifies minimum priority to solve conflict between the specified individual character for the distribution of the individual character done of basis and personalized clauses and subclauses.Yet these are given tacit consent to priority rules and specify different priority rules to be used to manage conflict to come heavy duty can for user's right to choose.

Next step starts the instant message task (step 1120) between instant message transmit leg and the instant message take over party.This instant message task can be started by instant message transmit leg or instant message take over party.

The instant message user interface is submitted to the instant message take over party, is configured the individual character that is assigned to the instant message take over party by the instant message transmit leg to show, comprises avatars (step 1125), for example, and as shown in the user interface 100 of Fig. 1.This individual character by the instant message take over party selects comprises the avatars relevant with individual character, can be that specific instant message take over party is when opening communication window but perceived before the communication startup by the instant message transmit leg.Whether this can allow the user to determine to start and the communicating by letter of instant message take over party.For example, the instant message transmit leg may be noticed the individual character in the instant message take over party displaying work, and this instant message transmit leg can determine prevention to transfer immediate news.It is especially true when this avatars at instant message receiver is presented on the contact list.Another aspect, the avatars that manifests the instant message take over party after transferring immediate news can cause communicating by letter more effectively.

Suitable individual character/personalized the clauses and subclauses that are provided with for the good friend this good friend by the instant message client program be sent to this good friend when the instant message transmit leg is communicated by letter.For example, supporting common personalized clauses and subclauses, in the realization of group's personalized clauses and subclauses and individual's personalized clauses and subclauses,, be provided with else and if just sent the personalized clauses and subclauses of group if the personalized clauses and subclauses that will send the individual to the good friend have been set.If individual and group's personalized clauses and subclauses all do not have to be provided with, just send common personalized clauses and subclauses.As the another one example, in the realization of common personalized clauses and subclauses of support and the personalized clauses and subclauses of group, just send the personalized clauses and subclauses of group that are used for the affiliated group of good friend if be provided with, otherwise send common personalized clauses and subclauses.In the realization of only supporting the personalized clauses and subclauses of group, send the personalized clauses and subclauses of group that are used for group under the good friend to the good friend.

Instant message task between instant message transmit leg and the instant message take over party also can start (step 1130) by instant message transmit leg or second instant message take over party.

With respect to second instant message task, the second instant message user interface is submitted to second instant message take over party, configuration is used to show the individual character that comprises avatars, be similar to the user interface shown in Fig. 1, distribute to second instant message take over party (step 1135) by the instant message transmit leg.Can with describe similar mode about top step 1125 and show this individual character.Yet, show second instant message take over party's individual character and avatars can be different from as showing first instant message take over party's individual character and avatars described in the top step 1125.

With reference to Figure 14, canonical process 1400 makes the instant message transmit leg can change the individual character that is assigned to the instant message take over party.In process 1400, receive the new online role that will be assigned to the instant message take over party, comprise that the user of avatars selects (step 1405).Change can receive by instant message selector switch 1200, for example discuss about Figure 12, and can comprise by using such user interface to select self-expression clauses and subclauses and/or feature and function maybe can comprise and use so online role in interface " obstruction " or good friend's avatars as above.Stop avatars to be meant the use to one or more clauses and subclauses by the instant message take over party, for example avatars is diverted by the instant message transmit leg.Representational, all the personalized clauses and subclauses in the online role of instant message receiver are all diverted during " obstruction " online role by the instant message transmit leg.

Next step, the more new user interface that is used for the instant message take over party is based on the individual character of selecting recently and submitted (step 1410).

Figure 15 shows example process 1500 and is used to revise the outward appearance of expressing with instant message transmit leg relational graph, and perhaps behavior is to transmit the outer message of band to the instant message take over party.This process can be finished by immediate news systems, for example respectively about Figure 16, and the communication system of describing in 17 and 18 1600,1700 and 1800.Be with outer message to be meant send to pass on the message of band external environment (context), in other words, transmit the direct information that has nothing to do of the information of transmission with instant message text itself institute by sending to the take over party.Like this, the take over party observes the outward appearance of avatars and behavior to receive directly or the information of clear and definite transmission in instant message itself.Illustrate, out-of-band communication can comprise about the transmit leg setting, environment, and the information of behavior or state, this information are not transmitted or as the text message part of transmit leg and take over party exchange.

Process 1500 monitors at immediate news systems and begins (step 1510) when communication environment and transmit leg are used for the environment of out-of-band communication indicator.Indicator can be the transmit leg setting, environment, and behavior, or the indicator of state, this information is indeterminate to be transmitted in the instant message that is sent by transmit leg.For example, the band external indicator can be the incident and the indication on date on the transmit leg position, can use or use the computing machine acquisition of transmit leg from the relevant clock and watch of immediate news systems.Indicator can be the indication of transmit leg physical location.Indicator can be meant out the indication of transmission location weather conditions, can be from the weather forecast service, as provide the website place of geographic position Weather information to obtain.

In addition, indicator can point out, or the behavior of the transmit leg that takes place near the time that instant message sends.For example, indicator can from the transmit leg computing machine other, or the application program of the time activity that sends near instant message judges.For example, indicator can detect transmit leg and use media player application program to come playing back music, listens to the music with the reflection transmit leg thereby the avatars relevant with transmit leg just can demonstrate the appearance that has on earphone.As the another one example, indicator can detect transmit leg and use calculator application work, works with the reflection transmit leg thereby avatars can demonstrate the appearance that has on eyes.

The behavior of transmit leg also can be used for being monitored to by the making of camera that focuses on transmit leg.The video information that camera took can be used for judging the behavior and the state of transmit leg.For example, the position of transmit leg point on the face can be judged out by the video information of clapping from camera.The position of face points can be reflected in the avatars relevant with transmit leg with motion.Like this, if transmit leg want, such as, smile, avatars is also just smiled so.

The indicator of transmit leg state also can be operated this equipment and be used for judging the state of transmit leg and the computing machine that is indicated to transmit leg of transmit status from other equipment.For example, transmit leg can be worn the equipment of monitor heart rate, and judges the state of transmit leg from heart rate.For example, equipment can infer that when detecting the heart rate of raising transmit leg is very exciting or excited.The computing machine that the state that equipment can send transmit leg is indicated to transmit leg uses with the avatars with transmit leg.

Immediate news systems is made the judgement (step 1520) that whether has been detected about the out-of-band communication indicator.When the out-of-band communication indicator was detected, immediate news systems judged whether avatars must be modified, customization, or do animation to reflect detected out-of-band communication indicator (step 1530); During this time or otherwise, immediate news systems continues monitoring out-of-band communication indicator (step 1510).Which action judges needs, and immediate news systems can use date table, tabulates or comprises the file of out-of-band communication indicator, will take a relevant action for each out-of-band communication indicator.Not that each detected out-of-band communication indicator has all required action.For example, when changing from the indicator setting of front, indicator can only require action to some out-of-band communication indicator.Illustrate, immediate news systems can periodic monitor clock and watch application program be daytime or night with the judgement setting relevant with transmit leg.In case immediate news systems has and is provided with night and takes action based on detecting the out-of-band communication indicator, immediate news systems just need not be based on to afterwards night being provided with the detection of indicator and taking action.Immediate news systems only when receiving the interference that is used for the out-of-band communication indicator that is provided with daytime just based on being provided with night and taking action.

When requiring to take action (step 1540), the outward appearance of avatars and behavior are modified (step 1550) with regard to response out-of-band communication indicator.

In an example, when out-of-band communication indicator for displaying transmit leg transferred immediate news at night, the outward appearance of avatars was just worn nightwear instead.When the indicator for displaying transmit leg just sends message during holiday, avatars just can with holiday avatars mode wear.Illustrate, avatars can dress up as the Santa Claus in Dec, near the pumpkin of Halloween, or early stage Uncle Sam in July.

In the another one example, when the band external indicator showed transmit leg in office, avatars can be worn commercial clothes, for example suit and tie.The outward appearance of avatars also can reflect the weather in transmit leg geographic position of living in or total weather.For example, when rain in the position of out-of-band communication indicator for displaying transmit leg, the wallpaper of avatars may be modified as umbrella that the raindrop that contains landing or demonstration open and/or avatars and can show and have on rain cap.

As the another one example, when out-of-band communication indicator for displaying transmit leg was being listened to the music, the outward appearance of avatars can be modified to the appearance of display graphics expression with earphone.As other or optional mode, the outward appearance of avatars can change based on the music categories that transmit leg is being listened.When indicator indication transmit leg is being worked (in the working position of transmit leg or in the another one position), avatars can seem to wear commercial clothes, for example wears suit and tie.Shown in this example, different out-of-band communication indicators can trigger the identical appearance of avatars.Especially, transmit leg is in out-of-band communication indicator in the work and transmit leg and just can both causes avatars at the out-of-band communication indicator of execution work and show and wear suit and tie.

In the example that also has another one out-of-band communication indicator, the state of transmit leg can be indicated like this.In this case, the outward appearance of avatars can be modified the state that reflects indication.For example, when transmit leg was very sad, avatars just can be modified the sad state that reflects transmit leg, for example frowned or cryyed by allowing avatars do animation.In the another one example,, can detect tired out, busy or pressure status is arranged and this avatars is just done animation and transmitted a kind of like this emotion state based on the action that detects transmit leg.

Be modified afterwards in the outward appearance of avatars and/or behavior with reflection band external indicator (step 1550), the avatars after the renewal, or the indication that avatars has upgraded just is passed to take over party's (step 1560).In a word, the avatars after the renewal, or the indication that avatars has been upgraded provides by the instant message that transmit leg sends with next bar, however this is not all must be so in each is realized.In some implementations, the change of avatars can be independent of the transmission of communication and be passed to the take over party.As other or optional mode, when the buddy list at instant message user interface comprised the demonstration of sender avatar, the change of avatars outward appearance can be passed to each good friend who comprises this transmit leg.Like this, just make the take over party can perceive avatars, behavior and/or outward appearance after the renewal of out-of-band communication are provided to transmit leg.

Figure 16 has illustrated communication system 1600, and it comprises and can start method, system 1605 by the instant message that communication link 1615 and instant message host computer system 1610 communicate.Communication system 1600 also comprises the instant message take over party system 1620 that can communicate by communication link 1615 and instant message host computer system 1610.By using communication system 1600, the user of instant message transmit leg system 1605 can with user's switched communication of instant message take over party system 1620.Communication system 1600 can be carried out flash demo to be used as self-expression by the instant message transmit leg to avatars.

In one implementation, instant message transmit leg system 1605, instant message take over party system 1620, or in the instant message host computer system 1610 any one can comprise the computing machine of or the logical purpose of more Daeporis, the computing machine of one or more special-purpose purposes (for example dedicated programmed is used for the equipment that exchanges with the other side), the perhaps combination of or logical purpose computing machine of more Daeporis and one or more special-purpose purpose computing machine.Illustrate, instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620 can be the personal computer equipment of personal computer or other kinds, for example personal digital assistant or mobile communication equipment.In some implementations, instant message transmit leg system 1605 and/or instant message take over party system 1620 can be the mobile phones that can receive instant message.

Instant message transmit leg system 1605, instant message take over party system 1620 and instant message host computer system 1610 can be arranged at one or more internal system or operate with its concord, as, for example, one or more LAN (local area network) and/or one or more WAN (wide area network).Communication link 1615 representational being included between instant message transmit leg system 1605 and the instant message host computer system 1610 provide direct or indirect communication, with the irrelevant transmission network (not shown) of physical isolation.The example of transmission network comprises the Internet, World Wide Web, WAN, LAN, wired and the wireless telephony network of analog or digital (for example, public switched telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network network (ISDN), and the various realizations of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), radio, televisor, telegram, or satellite system and other are used for the mechanism of transportation data.Communication link 1615 can comprise can be by the communication path (not shown) of one or more transport network communication described above.In the communication path each can comprise, and is for example wired, wireless, telegram or satellite communication pathway.

Instant message host computer system 1610 can be supported instant message service or the Internet access irrelevant with the network of instant message transmit leg.Like this, instant message host computer system 1610 just can allow the user to send and receive instant message, no matter whether they have the right to use any specific Internet service that (ISP) is provided.Instant message host computer system 1610 also can be supported other service, comprises, for example, administration of accounts service, directory service, and chatting service.Instant message host computer system 1610 has the framework that the equipment that makes in the instant message host computer system 1610 can be communicated by letter with other people.In order to transmit data, instant message host computer system 1610 is used one or more standards or special-purpose instant message protocol.

In order to be linked into instant message host computer system 1610 with the instant message task in the realization that starts Figure 16, instant message transmit leg system 1605 will create by the connection of communication link 1615 to instant message host computer system 1610.In case the connection to instant message host computer system 1610 is set up, what instant message transmit leg system 1605 can be direct or indirect transmits data to instant message host computer system 1610 and obtains content therefrom.By being linked into instant message host computer system 1610, whether the instant message transmit leg can use the instant message client that is positioned on the instant message method, system 1605 to use to observe has specific user online, observe the user and whether can receive instant message, exchange instant message with specific instant message take over party, participate in the group chat chamber and go, swap file is picture for example, invite or document, find other the message receiver that similar interest is arranged, obtain information such as the news or the stock quotation of customization, and search website.Instant message take over party system 1620 can similar operations be connected with the of the same period of instant message host computer system 1610 to create.

In addition, the instant message transmit leg can be browsed before the communication of carrying out with the instant message take over party or other of preview avatars and/or the online role relevant with the instant message transmit leg aspect.For example, certain aspect of the selected individual character of instant message take over party, as by the selected avatars of instant message take over party, can be by buddy list itself prior to communicating perceived arriving.Can perceive by the instant message take over party by instant message take over party selected other aspects of selecting individual character and to be done, but the opening of the communication window that is used for specific instant message take over party before communication starts.For example, the animation of expressing with instant message transmit leg relational graph can be only in communication window as seen, the user interface among Fig. 1 100 for example.

In one implementation, the instant message that sends between instant message sender system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620 sends by instant message host computer system 1610.In another is realized, the instant message that sends between instant message sender system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620 sends by the server (not shown) that the third party participates in, and,, also send by instant message host computer system 1610 in some cases.In also having another realization, instant message directly sends between instant message sender system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620.

Technology in this instructions, processing and idea can realize by using communication system 1600.One or more processes can be at client/hosted environment, the client environment of isolated or off-line, or above combination environment is realized down.For example, some function of one or more processes can be finished by instant message transmit leg system 1605 fully, and other functions can be finished by host computer system 1610, or is finished by the joint operation of instant message transmit leg system 1605 and host computer system 1610.Illustrate, in process 300, the avatars of instant message side can be selected respectively and presented by isolated/off-line device, and other aspects of the online role of instant message transmit leg can be by in non-client/hosted environment remote equipment as, for example, the final user of lan server service or the terminal device of host services obtain and upgrade.

Figure 17 shows communication system 1700, and this system comprises instant message transmit leg system 1605, instant message host computer system 1610, communication link 1615 and instant message take over party system 1620.System 1700 has illustrated to be used among Figure 16 by the instant message transmit leg avatars to be carried out flash demo and may realize with other of the communication system 1600 of self-expression.

Opposite with the description of instant message host computer system 1610 among Figure 16, instant message host computer system 1610 comprises that log server 1770 is used for can being inserted by the instant message transmit leg and send communication between other elements of instant message sender system 1605 and instant message host computer system 1610.Instant message host computer system 1610 also comprises instant message service provider 1790.It is mutual with its to want to be linked into instant message host computer system 1610 and promotion, instant message transmit leg system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620 can comprise communication software, such as for example, online service provider client application and/or instant message client are used.

In one implementation, instant message transmit leg system 1605 is created to the connection of log server 1770 so that visit instant message host computer system 1610 and start the instant message task.Order will server 1770 representational authentication and passwords by affirmation instant message transmit leg judge whether that specific instant message transmit leg is authorized to visit instant message host computer system 1610.If the instant message transmit leg is authorized to visit instant message host computer system 1610, log server 1770 will deserve to be called at the screen name of instant message sender usually and use hashing technique to discern specific instant message service provider 1790 to use in instant message host computer system 1610 in the task of instant message sender.Internet protocol (" the IP ") address that log server 1770 provides instant message service provider 1790 for instant message transmit leg (for example, instant message transmit leg system 1605), the key of encrypting for instant message transmit leg system 1605, and interrupt connecting.Instant message transmit leg system 1605 just uses the IP address to come to be created in the specific instant message service 1790 connection by communication link 1615, and uses the key of encrypting to get access to the visit of server of instant message 1790.As representative, instant message transmit leg system 1605 will create open TCP connection will for instant message service provider 1790.Instant message take over party system 1620 is created to the connection of instant message host computer system 1610 in a similar fashion.

In one implementation, instant message host computer system 1610 also comprises the user profile server (not shown) that links to each other with the database (not shown) that is used for storing a large number of users summary data.This user profile server can be used to input, regains, and editor, operation, or other are to the processing of user profile data.In one implementation, the summary data of instant message transmit leg comprises, for example, and the screen title of instant message transmit leg, buddy list, the interest of appointment, and geographic position.The summary data of instant message transmit leg also can comprise by the selected self-expression clauses and subclauses of instant message transmit leg.The instant message transmit leg also can use the instant message client of installing on immediate news systems 1705 should be used for importing, and editor and/or deletion summary data are come with user's general introduction service provider mutual.

Because the data of instant message transmit leg are stored in the instant message host computer system 1610, the instant message transmit leg just must not enter once more in incident or upgrade and be similar to the instant message transmit leg and use new or different instant message transmit leg system 1605 to visit this information of instant message host computer system 1610.Thereby, when instant message sender is visited instant message host computer system 1610, server of instant message just can be notified the user profile server to come to regain the summary data of instant message transmit leg from database and provide, for example, the self-expression clauses and subclauses of instant message transmit leg and buddy list are given server of instant message.As optional mode, the user profile data can be kept in the instant message transmit leg system 1605 in this locality.

Figure 18 shows and can express the another one example communication system 1800 of switched communication between the user who is used for self-expression in present graphical.Communication system 1800 comprises instant message transmit leg system 1605, instant message host computer system 1610, communication link 1615 and instant message take over party system 1620.

Host computer system 1610 is included in the server of instant message software 1832 that sends communication between instant message transmit leg system 1605 and the instant message take over party system 1620.Server of instant message software 1832 can use user profile data 1834.User profile data 1834 comprise the indication by the selected self-expression clauses and subclauses of instant message transmit leg.User profile data 1834 also comprise the contact 1834a between avatars model and the user's (for example, instant message transmit leg).User profile data 1834 can be stored in, and for example, in the data acquisition of database or another type, can expand programming language (XML) file as one group.In some implementations, some part of user profile data 1834 can be stored in the database and other parts as avatars model and user's the 1834a that gets in touch, can be stored in the XML file.

A kind of realization of user profile data 1834 sees the following form.In this example, the user profile data comprise screen name and claim the user that uses with unique identification user profile data, are used to be registered to the password of instant message service, with the user-dependent avatars and the online role that can select.As shown in table 1, the user can have multiple online role, and each all is associated with identical or different avatars.

The screen title	Password	Avatars	Online role
				Robert_Appleby	5846％JYNG	Clam	Work
Robert_Appleby	5846％JYNG	Starfish	Arbitrarily
				Susan_Merit	6748#474V	Dolphin
Bill_Smith	JHG7868$0	Starfish	Arbitrarily
				Bill_Smith	JHG7868$0	Starfish	Family
Greg_Jone	85775$#59	Frog

Table 1

Host computer system 1610 also comprises avatars model repository 1835, has wherein stored the definition that can be used in the avatars in the instant message service.In this realization, the definition of avatars comprises the avatars model file, and avatars is expressed introduction and the wallpaper file that file is used to store control avatars animation.Like this, avatars model repository 1835 just comprises avatars model file 1836, and avatars is expressed file 1837 and avatars wallpaper file 1838.

Avatars model file 1836 has defined outward appearance and the animation that is included in each avatars in the avatars model repository 1835.Each avatars model file 1836 has defined the grid that is used for presenting avatars, texture, illumination, sound, and animation.The mesh definition of model file the profile of avatars, and texture has defined the image that covers on the grid.Grid can be expressed as to have comprised and can carry out geometry deformation in a large number so that its display graphics is expressed the polygonal linear structure that provides dummy activity.In one implementation, the illumination information of avatars model file is to describe light source the form of the light of the effect of avatars mapping to be existed.The avatars model file also comprises multiple animation definition.Each animation definien has defined the specific animation that can play to this avatars.For example, each animation definien can define one or more kind form-orders and be marked with the grid that avatars is transmitted in the variation of describing demonstration, and shows the change of the camera scenography that is used for the display graphics expression.

When instant message user's present graphical expresses self-expression, may wish very that definition has multiple animation, comprises that the avatars of FA Facial Animation provides more available animations to be used for user's self-expression.In addition, may thirst for very much FA Facial Animation to use a large amount of mixing shapes, this shape can allow avatars can seem to have more expressive force when presenting.Mix shape definition can do animation avatars part and, generally speaking, the mixing shape that definition is used for animation model is many more, the image that presents from the animation model tool expressive force more that will seem.

Various data management techniques can be used for the realization of avatars model file.In some implementations, the information of definition avatars can store into and a plurality ofly can be aligned to hierarchy, in the avatars file in the bibliographic structure.In this case, the contact between user and the avatars can produce by the contact between the root file in user and the avatars model file catalogue.

In one implementation, the avatars model file can comprise the possible outward appearance of the institute of avatars, comprises different features and accessories that customization can be used.In this case, the user expresses preferably including of outward appearance for graphical user display graphics is expressed the indication of which part of model and sign or can be set to other indications of indicating this feature or accessories whether will show to each optional external appearance characteristic or accessories.Illustrate, can dispose the avatars model and show sunglasses, reading spectacles, bob or long hair.When the user disposes avatars and has on sunglasses and hold long hair, just open sunglasses feature and long hair feature, close the feature of reading spectacles and bob, and avatars describing afterwards just shows that this avatars has long hair and sunglasses.

Avatars model repository 1835 also comprises avatars expression file 1837.Each avatars is expressed file 1837 and has all been defined the trigger that causes the avatars animation.For example, each avatars is expressed file 1837 can define the text trigger, just causes animation when text trigger is identified in instant message, as the front about described in Fig. 3 and 4.Avatars express file also can the outer traffic indicator of file and the animation when specific band external indicator is detected, play between contact.The example that the part avatars is expressed file is as described in the following table 2.

The animation kind	? Trigger	The out-of-band communication indicator
			Smile	?：)?：-)?Nice
Leave	?bye?brb?cu?gtg?cul?bbl?gg?b4n?ttyl?ttfn	The indication of shutting down computer
			Sleeping	?zzz?tired?sleepy?snooze	Time between 1a.m. and 5a.m.
Water clothes		November 1 to the date between March 1
			Rain		The weather that rains
Snow		Snowy weather

Table 2

In some implementations, be specific trigger or the indirect contact of judging between specific animation and the specific animation identifier of out-of-band communication indicator.For example, specific trigger or out-of-band communication indicator can be relevant, as shown in table 2 with one type animation (for example smile, leave, or fall asleep).One type animation also can be associated with the specific animation identifier in being included in special pattern expression model file, and is as shown in table 3 below.In this case, will recognize the animation of the type, judge the animation identifier that is associated with the animation of institute identification types based on specific trigger or out-of-band communication indicator playing animation, and the animation discerned by the animation identifier of broadcast.Also can use other computer animation and programming technique.For example, each avatars can use the identical animation identifier that is used for specific animation kind and not comprise the avatars title that is presented at table.As optional or other mode, the contact between animation kind and the animation identifier can be respectively each avatars storage.

The animation kind	The animation identifier	The avatars title
			Smile	1304505	DOLPHIN
Smile	5858483	FROG
			Leave	4848484	DOLPHIN

Table 3

Avatars is expressed file 1837 and is also comprised and be used for defining the information that avatars responds the mode of other avatars animations.In one implementation, avatars expression file comprises paired animation identifier.The animation that an identification in the every pair of animation identifier is one type, when the animation of the type plays to an avatars, the animation that triggering is discerned by the another one animation identifier of this centering in other avatars just.In this manner, avatars is expressed file and can be defined as response plays to instant message take over party avatars to the animation of playing the instant message sender avatar animation.In some implementations, avatars is expressed file 1837 can comprise the XML file, and this document has to the element of the animation definition text trigger of each corresponding avatars and is used to define the animation that response sees from other users and the element of the animation of playing.

Avatars model repository 1835 also comprises the avatars wallpaper file 1838 of the wallpaper that the definition avatars is described above it.Wallpaper can define as the avatars model file by the file structure of using identical or different kind.For example, the avatars model file may be defined as the animation model file, this document generates and can play by the animation software of use from the New York Viewpoint company of New York, yet the wallpaper file can be the form of MacromediaFlash file, and this document generates and can play by the animation software of use from the Mecromedia company of California San Francisico.When wallpaper comprises the animate object that is triggered by instant message, during the animation of out-of-band communication indicator or avatars, avatars wallpaper file 1838 also can comprise one or more trigger that is associated with the wallpaper animation.

In instant message transmit leg system 1605 and the instant message take over party system 1620 each all comprises and can use 1807 or 1827 by the instant messaging of communication link 1615 and instant message host computer system 1610 exchange instant messages.Instant messaging uses 1807 also can submit into instant message client to 1827.

In instant message transmit leg system 1605 and the instant message take over party system 1620 each all also comprises avatars data 1808 and 1828.Avatars data 1808 or 1828 comprise avatars model file 1808a or 1828a, avatars is expressed file 1808b or 1828b and avatars wallpaper file 1808c and 1828c and is used for the avatars that can be presented respectively by instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620.Avatars data 1808 and 1828 can be stored in the longer-term storage storehouse, in the short-term storage storehouse, or use long-term and the short-term storage storehouse combines and stores.When avatars data 1808 and 1828 all or some are when being stored in the longer-term storage storehouse, it is just useful to get in touch a target date, these date avatars data 1808 and 1828 all or some will be by deletion from instant message transmit leg system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620 respectively.In this manner, resided in instant message sender system 1605 or 1620 after time and inferring of predetermined period no longer needs when data, the avatars data can remove from instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620.This can help to reduce the quantity of the storage space that is used for instant message in instant message sender system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620.

In one implementation, avatars data 1808 or 1828 are respectively installed in instant message transmit leg system 1605 or the instant message take over party system 1620, simultaneously instant message client software are installed in instant message transmit leg system 1605 or the instant message take over party system 1620.In another is realized, avatars model repository 1835 from instant message host computer system 1610 transmits avatars data 1808 or 1828 in instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620 respectively, also having during another realizes, avatars data 1808 or 1828 from copy out with the irrelevant source of instant message and respectively in instant message sender system 1605 or 1620 storages of instant message take over party system with avatars as instant message.In also having another realization, avatars data 1808 or 1828 are sent to instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620 respectively, also subsidiary transfer immediate news instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620.The avatars data that send with instant message are corresponding to the instant message transmit leg that sends message.

Avatars is expressed file 1808b or 1828b is used for judging when will present avatars respectively in instant message transmit leg system 1605 or instant message take over party system 1620.Present avatars, one among the avatars model file 1808a will be presented in the two dimension demonstration of immediate news systems 1605 or 1620 by avatars model player 1809 or 1829 respectively.In one implementation, avatars model player 1809 or 1829 is animation players of Viewpoint company.Especially, immediate news systems 1605 or 1620 invocation of procedure avatars model player 1809 or 1829 and identification be included in animation among among avatars model file 1808a or the 1828a one.Generally speaking, animation is discerned by the animation identifier in the avatars model file.Avatars model player 1809 or 1829 is expressed model file and is play the animation that identifies with regard to access graphics.

A plurality of under many circumstances animations can be play based on single trigger or out-of-band communication indicator.This can, for example, when an avatars is made a response to the animation that carries out the another one avatars of flash demo based on the text trigger, take place, as the front about described in Fig. 6.

In system 1800, four animations can start respectively based on the text trigger in the instant message.The instant message transmit leg of showing the self-expression avatars uses instant message transmit leg system 1605 to send text message to the instant message take over party who uses instant message take over party system 1620.The instant message take over party also shows the avatars of self-expression.The display of instant message transmit leg system 1605 shows the instant message user interface, and as the user interface among Fig. 1 100, the display of instant message take over party system 1620 also is like this.Like this, just all show the avatars of transmit leg in instant message sender system 1605 and instant message take over party system 1620, take over party's avatars also is like this.The instant message that sends from instant message transmit leg system comprises the text trigger, the sender avatar in this trigger initiation instant message transmit leg system 1605 and the animation of the sender avatar in the instant message take over party system 1620.The animation of response sender avatar, take over party's avatars also carries out flash demo, as the front about described in Fig. 6.The animation that take over party's avatars is reacted is presented in the instant message transmit leg system 1605 and take over party's avatars all can take place when being presented in the instant message take over party system 1620 at take over party's avatars.

In some implementations, allow one or more trigger or the out-of-band communication indicators of instant message user customization to be used for the avatars animation, be shown to the wallpaper of avatars, be used for the animate object on the wallpaper is carried out the outward appearance of trigger or the out-of-band communication indicator and the avatars of flash demo.In one implementation, make the avatars model file, express the copy of file or wallpaper file and user's modification is stored in the avatars model file, express in the copy of file or wallpaper file.Having comprised the copy of revising will be associated with the user.As optional or other mode, only change-----in other words, different----between the avatars after revising avatars before and having made modification-be stored.In some implementations, the different editions of same avatars can be stored and be relevant with the user.This can make the user can revise avatars, uses one period of avatars of having revised, and transfers the previous release that use does not comprise the avatars of modification then to.

In some implementations, the avatars that can therefrom select of user can be limited by the instant message service provider.This can be called as the realization of closing or the realization of locking.In a kind of like this realization, with closing of each avatars interior avatars relevant animation or trigger being set can be pre-configured.In the realization that some are closed, the user can customize the animation and/or the trigger of selected avatars.For example, the user can comprise the animation of favorite video clipping as avatars, and this video clipping appears playing afterwards in certain particular text trigger in by the message that the user sent and avatars can be configured to.In the realization that another one is closed, the user also is under an embargo and adds animation to avatars.

In some implementations, this block graphics that the user can therefrom select is expressed and be can't help instant message service provider restriction, and the user can use certain avatars and the avatars that do not use the instant message service provider to be provided.This can be called as the open realization or the realization of release.For example, avatars available in instant messenger service can use the animation software that is provided by the instant message service provider by the user, used computer animation software, or create avatars and create with the Software tool that the third party of one or more instant message service compatibilities provides by special use.

In some implementations, can use the combination of closing realization and open realization.For example, the instant message service provider can limit that minor user expresses the selection of being done to the one group of predetermined pattern that is provided by server of instant message provider and the user that allows to grow up uses certain avatars and do not use available avatars from the instant message service provider.

In some implementations, the avatars that the user therefrom selects can limit based on user's feature, for example the age.Shown in following table 4 and the avatars that uses the demonstration among Fig. 8 only as an example, can limit the age and use set of diagrams shape to express the user below 10 years old.The user that can limit between 10 to 18 years old uses another block graphics to express, and wherein some is identical with the optional avatars of the user below 10 years old.18 years old or age, bigger user can select from any available avatars of instant message provider service.

Age of user	The avatars title
		Less than 10 years old	Sheep, cow, dolphin, happiness, starfish, dragon, Polly
10 to 18 years old	Sheep, cow, dolphin, happiness, starfish, dragon, Polly, robot, frog, T_Rex, parrot, boxing glove, snake, monster, parrot
		18 years old or more than	Sheep, cow, dolphin, happiness, starfish, dragon, Polly, robot, frog, t_Rex, parrot, boxing glove, snake, monster, parrot, lip, pirate's skull

Table 4

Typical instant messaging program allows the instant message transmit leg by variety of way and the other side's real-time Communication for Power.For example, a lot of instant messaging programs allow the instant message transmit legs to send texts as instant message, transmit file and by audio communication.The instant messaging examples of applications comprises AIM (the instant courier of America Online), and AOL (America Online) buddy list and instant message are by AOL, the Yahoo trustworthy historical record, and a lot of client communications that MSN trustworthy historical record and ICQ provide are used an aspect in the many aspects.Though above-mentioned discussion is mainly used about instant message, also to pay close attention to the realization that other are used for providing in platform and online application identity function.For example, can application technology and idea to expressing user to transmit news to computer system or computing equipment as information assistant's animated graphs, weather and other information.

In the relevant literary composition of immediate news systems the description of summary technology and concept, promptly use the instant message host computer system to advance instant messaging between instant message transmit leg and the instant message take over party.Also paid close attention to the realization of other instant message, as the directly instant message service of exchange instant message between instant message sender system and instant message take over party system.

For example, though in the instant message related article, provided above example, can also use other communication systems with like attribute.For example, during multiple individual character can be used in the chatroom or e-mail communicates by letter.User interface also can be browsable interface, the interface that can listen, tangibly interface, or these combination.

Within other the scope that is implemented in following claims.

Claims (163)

1. graphic user interface that is configured to present on display device comprises:

The transmit leg part is used to show the sender avatar that can show a plurality of animations;

Message constitutes the zone, is used for showing being included in the text that sends to take over party's message from transmit leg; With

A plurality of communication controlers, at least one communication controler operationally receives such indication, promptly constitutes the indication that the message that shows in the zone will send to described take over party from described transmit leg in described message;

Wherein, described sender avatar is carried out flash demo in response to relating to the trigger that sends to described take over party's message content from described transmit leg.

2. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein the sender display of instant message comprises:

Take over party's part, in response to relating to the trigger that sends to described take over party's message content from described transmit leg, demonstration can show take over party's avatars of a plurality of animations;

The message history zone is used to be presented at the content of the multiple messages that sends between described transmit leg and the described take over party and the identification identity relevant with described take over party.

3. according to the graphic user interface of claim 2, wherein, take over party's avatars is carried out flash demo in response to the animation of sender avatar.

4. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said graphic user interface comprises the contact list demonstration that is used to show potential take over party.

5. according to the graphic user interface of claim 4, wherein said contact list shows whether each potential take over party of indication can be used for receiving message.

6. according to the graphic user interface of claim 4, wherein said potential take over party is divided into a plurality of groups, and is associated with the indication of group's identity.

7. according to the graphic user interface of claim 4, the potential take over party who wherein is presented on the contact list is associated with potential take over party's avatars, and further comprises:

Show with contact list that potential take over party's identity is associated on potential take over party's avatars; With

In response to the animation of the potential take over party's avatars that is presented at other places, the potential take over party's avatars on the contact list is carried out flash demo.

8. according to the graphic user interface of claim 7, wherein the animation of the potential take over party's avatars on the contact list comprises the animation that is similar to the potential take over party's avatars animation that is presented at other places substantially.

9. according to the graphic user interface of claim 7, wherein the animation of the potential take over party's avatars on the contact list comprises the animation that is different from the potential take over party's avatars animation that is presented at other places.

10. according to the graphic user interface of claim 7, wherein the animation of the potential take over party's avatars on the contact list comprises the animation of the animation of representing the potential take over party's avatars that is presented at other places.

11. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein graphic user interface is used for the instant messaging session.

12. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein trigger comprises the part of Message-text.

13. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein trigger comprises the whole of Message-text.

14. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein the outward appearance of sender avatar or animation are used to indicate the environmental baseline that is associated with transmit leg.

15. according to the graphic user interface in the claim 1, wherein the outward appearance of sender avatar or animation are used to indicate the personal characteristics that is associated with transmit leg.

16. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein the outward appearance of sender avatar or animation are used to indicate the emotional state that is associated with transmit leg.

17. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein the outward appearance of sender avatar or animation are used to indicate the setting feature that is associated with transmit leg.

18. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein the outward appearance of sender avatar or animation are used to indicate the activity that is associated with transmit leg.

19. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein in response to the passage of the schedule time amount sender avatar is carried out flash demo, wherein during described schedule time amount, transmit leg does not have pass-along message to arrive the take over party.

20. graphic user interface according to claim 1, wherein sender avatar is carried out flash demo in response to the passage of schedule time amount, wherein during described schedule time amount, the computing equipment that transmit leg not have use transmit leg and take over party signal post in communication session to use.

21. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein comprise the animation of outburst as the avatars animation of communications conduit, this animation relates to outside the occupied normal display space of avatars display graphics expresses.

22., wherein sender avatar is carried out flash demo is used for speech communication with generation sound according to the graphic user interface of claim 1.

23. according to the graphic user interface of claim 1-22, wherein graphic user interface generates by the computer program product.

24. an equipment that is used to generate the graphic user interface that is configured to present on display device, described equipment comprise the processor that links to each other with one or more output precisions with one or more input modules, wherein processor is configured to:

Generate the transmit leg part, be used to show the sender avatar that can show a plurality of animations;

Generate message and constitute the zone, be used for showing being included in the text that sends to take over party's message from transmit leg;

Generate a plurality of communication controlers, at least one communication controler operationally receives such indication, promptly indicates the message that shows in message formation zone to send to the take over party from transmit leg;

Wherein, sender avatar is carried out flash demo in response to relating to the trigger that sends to take over party's message content from transmit leg.

25. a communication means, described method comprises:

Utilization can be carried out the avatars of flash demo, relates to first user in first user and the second user's communications session with graphical representation;

Pass-along message between described first user and described second user, described message passes on explicit information to give described second user from described first user; With

The variation of using avatars outward appearance or avatars animation is as communications conduit, for described second user transmits the band external information,

Wherein out-of-band communication comprises the environment that relates to described first user and be different from the communication of institute's information conveyed in the message that sends between described first user and described second user.

26. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said communication session is the instant messaging session.

27. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said avatars comprises FA Facial Animation, described FA Facial Animation does not comprise the body with ear or leg.

28. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said avatars comprises the FA Facial Animation that comprises neck, but does not comprise the body with ear or leg.

29. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information of indication and the described first user-dependent environmental baseline.

30. according to the method for claim 29, wherein said environmental baseline comprises the environmental baseline of the weather that relates near place, the geographic position generation of described first user.

31. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information of indication and the described first user-dependent personal characteristics.

32. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information of indication and the described first user-dependent emotional state.

33. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information of the indication and the described first user-dependent setting feature.

34. according to the method for claim 33, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature of time in one day that relates to described first user.

35. according to the method for claim 33, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that relates to the time in 1 year.

36. according to the method for claim 35, wherein the time comprises vacation in 1 year.

37. according to the method for claim 35, wherein the time comprises season in 1 year, wherein is meant in spring, summer, autumn or winter season.

38. according to the method for claim 33, wherein said setting feature comprises with work relevant feature is set.

39. according to the method for claim 33, wherein said setting feature comprises with amusement relevant feature is set.

40. according to the method for claim 39, wherein said amusement setting comprises that the seabeach is provided with or the torrid zone is provided with.

41. according to the method for claim 39, wherein said amusement setting comprises the winter sports setting.

42. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information of the mood that relates to described first user.

43. according to the method for claim 42, wherein said first user's mood comprises happiness, a kind of in sadness or the anger.

44. according to the method for claim 25, wherein said band external information comprises the information relevant with described first user's activity.

45. according to the method for claim 44, wherein with described band outside message be passed to the substantially the same moment of described second user from described first user, finish described activity by described first user.

46. according to the method for claim 45, described activity comprise work or listen to the music in a kind of.

47. according to the method for claim 29, wherein said band external information comprises passes on described first user to close the information of the sound relevant with avatars.

48. the method according to claim 25 also comprises:

Based on the information of transmitting from described first user to described second user's message, the animation that triggers avatars is to transmit the band external information to described second user from described first user.

49. according to the method for claim 48, wherein said trigger comprises the part of text.

50. according to the method for claim 48, wherein said trigger comprises the whole of Message-text.

51. according to the method for claim 48, wherein said trigger comprises the audio-frequency unit of message.

52. according to the method for claim 48, wherein said trigger comprises the passage of scheduled volume time, wherein at described scheduled volume time durations, described first user is not to described second user's pass-along message.

53. method according to claim 48, wherein said trigger comprises the passage of schedule time amount, wherein at described scheduled volume time durations, described first user does not use at first user described in the communication session and the employed computing equipment of described second telex network.

54., wherein comprise the facial expression of described avatars as the avatars animation of communications conduit according to the method for claim 25.

55. according to the method for claim 25, wherein the avatars animation as communications conduit comprises gesture of being made by the hand of described avatars or the gesture of being made by the arm of described avatars.

56. according to the method for claim 25, wherein the avatars animation as communications conduit comprises moving of described avatars body.

57. according to the method for claim 25, wherein the avatars animation as communications conduit comprises the sound that is sent by described avatars.

58. according to the method for claim 57, wherein at least some in these sound comprise the voice based on described first user's voice.

59. according to the method for claim 25, wherein the avatars animation as communications conduit comprises the animation that relates to the outburst that display graphics is expressed outside the normal display space that is occupied by described avatars.

60. according to the method for claim 59, the animation of wherein said outburst comprises the folded described avatars that contracts.

61. according to the method for claim 59, the animation of wherein said outburst comprises adjusts size to described avatars.

62. according to the method for claim 59, the animation of wherein said outburst comprises reorientates described avatars.

63. the method according to claim 25 further comprises:

Provide for described first user to have the animation of selecting in advance that is associated a plurality of pre-configured avatars and

Make described first user can select specific avatars with the described user of representative in communication session.

64., further comprise described first user is linked together lastingly with the avatars of selecting, with described first user of representative in the subsequent communications session according to the method for claim 63.

65., further comprise making described first user can revise the outward appearance of avatars according to the method for claim 63.

66., the outward appearance of the described first user's modification avatars is comprised according to the method for claim 65:

Make described first user can use slider bar to indicate specific modification to the special characteristic of described avatars.

67., the outward appearance of the described first user's modification avatars is comprised according to the method for claim 65:

Make described first user can revise the outward appearance of avatars to reflect described first user's feature.

68. according to the method for claim 67, wherein said first user's feature comprises in age, sex, hair color, eye color or the facial characteristics.

69. according to the method for claim 65, the outward appearance of the described first user's modification avatars is comprised make described first user can be by increasing, the accessories that change or deletion show with avatars be revised the outward appearance of avatars.

70. according to the method for claim 69, wherein said accessories comprise glasses, sunglasses, a kind of in cap or the earrings.

71., further comprise the trigger that described first user can be revised be used to the animation that causes described avatars according to the method for claim 25.

72. according to the method for claim 71, wherein said trigger comprises being included in from described first user and sends to text described second user's the message.

73., further comprise described avatars carried out flash demo to be used as supplementary, so that convey a message to described first user according to the method for claim 25.

74., comprise that further the use that makes described avatars is by an application beyond the communications applications according to the method for claim 25.

75. according to the method for claim 74, wherein making the use to described avatars is to comprise by an application beyond the communications applications:

Described avatars is used in online magazine.

76., further comprise with the form that is similar to the trade card substantially showing describing to described avatars according to the method for claim 25.

77., wherein the trade card of described avatars is described to comprise according to the method for claim 76:

Comprise with the trade card of the described avatars of described first user's correlated characteristic and describe.

78., wherein finish described process by the computer program that is configured to communicate by letter and be indexed in computer-readable media or the transmitting signal according to the method for claim 25-77.

79. an equipment that is used to communicate by letter, described equipment comprise the processor that links to each other with one or more input-output apparatus with memory device, wherein said processor configuration is used for:

Utilization can be carried out the avatars of flash demo, in relating to first user and the second user's communications session with graphical representation first user;

Pass-along message between described first user and described second user, described message is transmitted explicit information from described first user and is given described second user; With

The variation of using avatars outward appearance or avatars animation is transmitted the band external information to described second user as communications conduit;

Wherein out-of-band communication comprises the environment that relates to described first user and be different from the communication of the information of being transmitted in the message that sends between described first user and described second user.

80. one kind is used for sending the computer implemented method that communication session is realized a plurality of online roles of perception at instant message, described method comprises:

At least two directed identity of message in the identification communication environment; With

Make user's first role can show in these identity first, and make same user's second role show in these identity second simultaneously,

Wherein,

Described first and second roles all comprise the avatars that can carry out flash demo and

Described first role is different with described second role.

81. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein said first role is different from second role makes described first role call and the different avatars of described second avatars that the role calls.

82. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein:

Described first role calls first avatars,

Described second role calls second graph and expresses,

It is same avatars that described first avatars and described second graph are expressed, and

The animation relevant with described first avatars is different with the animation of being correlated with described second graph expression.

83. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein:

Described first role calls first avatars,

Described second role calls second graph and expresses,

It is same avatars that described first avatars and described second graph are expressed, and

The outward appearance relevant with described first avatars is different with the outward appearance of being correlated with described second graph expression.

84. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein at least one avatars comprises the avatars related with multiple acoustic phase.

85. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein at least one avatars comprises can become the avatars of cartoon role based on the Message-text that is sent in the instant messaging session.

86. 0 method according to Claim 8, wherein at least one avatars comprises and can carry out flash demo to send the avatars of out-of-band communication.

87. 0 method further comprises described first role is associated with first group of identity according to Claim 8, thereby described first role is illustrated in the communication session with the member of described first group of identity.

88. 7 method further comprises described second role is associated with second group of identity according to Claim 8, thereby described second role is illustrated in the communication session with the member of described second group of identity.

89. 0 method according to Claim 8, further comprise the role is associated with in these identity first, and different role is related with the identity faciation relevant with described first identity, wherein show first first role in these identity to comprise the merging of the different role of closing with first relevant role in these identity with described identity faciation.

90. 9 method according to Claim 8, wherein with these identity in first relevant role covered the degree that the different role of closing with described identity faciation is conflicted to existence.

91. the method for 0-90 according to Claim 8, wherein by configuration be used for instant messaging communication session realize to a plurality of online roles' perception and be included in computer-readable media or transmitting signal in computer program finish described process.

92. one kind is used for realizing that at instant messaging communication session described equipment comprises the processor that links to each other with one or more input-output apparatus with memory device to the equipment of a plurality of online roles' perception, wherein said processor is configured to:

At least two directed identity of message in the identification communication environment; With

Make user's first role can show in these identity first, and make same user's second role show in these identity second simultaneously,

Wherein,

Described first and second roles all comprise the avatars that can carry out flash demo and

Described first role is different with described second role.

93. according to the equipment of claim 92, wherein said first role is different from second role, makes described first role call the different avatars of avatars that is called with described second role.

94. according to the equipment of claim 92, wherein:

Described first role calls first avatars,

Described second role calls second graph and expresses,

It is same avatars that described first avatars and described second graph are expressed, and

The animation relevant with described first avatars is different with the animation of being correlated with described second graph expression.

95. according to the equipment of claim 92, wherein

Described first role calls first avatars,

Described second role calls second graph and expresses,

It is same avatars that described first avatars and described second graph are expressed, and

The outward appearance relevant with described first avatars is different with the outward appearance of being correlated with described second graph expression.

96. according to the equipment of claim 92, wherein comprise can be based on the text of the message that sends in the instant messaging session and become the avatars of cartoon role at least one avatars.

97. according to the equipment of claim 92, wherein at least one avatars comprises and can carry out flash demo to send the avatars of out-of-band communication.

98. a computer implemented method that is used for realizing at instant messaging communication session a plurality of online roles' perception, described method comprises:

On instant message acceptance method, system, present the instant message using user interface, described instant message user application circle is used to relate to the instant messaging session of at least one potential instant message take over party and single potential instant message transmit leg;

Transmission comprises text message and role's message, described role is from a plurality of may role select relevant with the instant message transmit leg, to be shown by potential instant message take over party when showing described text message, selected role comprises the set of one or more self-expression clauses and subclauses and can carry out the sender avatar of flash demo; With

When presenting other parts of message, in potential instant message take over party system, present selected role.

99. according to the method for claim 98, wherein said transmit leg role be selected from a plurality of possibility roles relevant with the instant message transmit leg by the instant message transmit leg.

100., wherein before communication starts, present described role by potential instant message transmit leg according to the method for claim 98.

101., wherein after communication starts, present described role by potential instant message transmit leg according to the method for claim 98.

102. according to the method for claim 98, wherein said self-expression clauses and subclauses comprise one or more in wallpaper, emotion icons and the sound.

103., further comprise the one or more roles of definition according to the method for claim 98.

104. the method according to claim 103 further comprises:

In the instant messaging session that relates to the first potential instant message take over party, distribute first role to the described first potential instant message take over party, so that described first role is hereafter called automatically and shows; With

In the instant messaging session that relates to the second potential instant message take over party, distribute the potential instant message take over party of second role to the second, so that described second role is hereafter called automatically and shows, wherein said second role is different from described first role to small part.

105. the method according to claim 104 further comprises:

In the member's who relates to first crowd of potential instant message take over party instant messaging session, distribute first role to described first crowd of potential instant message take over party, so that described first role is hereafter called automatically and shows; With

In the instant messaging session that relates to the second potential instant message take over party, distribute second role to the described second potential instant message take over party, so that described second role is hereafter called automatically and shows, wherein said second role is different from described first role to small part.

106., further comprise one that bans use of among a plurality of roles according to the method for claim 98.

107., wherein ban use of one among a plurality of roles to comprise according to the method for claim 98:

Ban use of based on one among a plurality of roles of instant message take over party.

108. according to the method for claim 98, wherein:

Among described a plurality of role one comprise the work role that is associated in the appearance of instant message sender related work occasion with the instant message transmit leg and

One among described a plurality of role comprises the family role that is associated with the appearance at home of instant message transmit leg,

Described method also comprises:

Determine that the instant message transmit leg is at home or in the workplace;

In response to definite instant message transmit leg is at home, selects described family role to be used for the instant messaging session; With

In response to definite instant message transmit leg is in the workplace, selects described work role to be used for the instant messaging session.

109., further comprise by potential instant message take over party and select the role that will show based on the time in one day according to the method for claim 98.

110., further comprise by potential instant message take over party and select the role that will show over based on the sky in the week according to the method for claim 98.

111., further comprise the group based on the potential instant message take over party relevant, the role that selection will show with potential instant message take over party by potential instant message take over party according to the method for claim 98.

112. according to the method for claim 98, wherein at least some can be transparent to the instant message transmit leg in the role characteristic.

113., wherein sender avatar is carried out flash demo to send out-of-band communication to potential instant message take over party from the instant message transmit leg according to the method for claim 98.

114. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises the communication of the environmental baseline that indication is relevant with the instant message transmit leg.

115. according to the method for claim 114, wherein said environmental baseline comprises the environmental baseline that relates near the weather that the geographic position takes place instant message sender.

116. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises the communication of the personal characteristics that indication is relevant with the instant message transmit leg.

117. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises the communication of the emotional state that indication is relevant with the instant message transmit leg.

118. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises the communication of the setting feature that indication is relevant with the instant message transmit leg.

119. according to the method for claim 118, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that relates to the time in the instant message transmit leg one day.

120. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that relates to the time in 1 year.

121. according to the method for claim 120, wherein the time comprises vacation in 1 year.

122. according to the method for claim 120, wherein the time comprises season in 1 year, wherein be the spring season, summer, in autumn or winter one.

123. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that is associated with work setting.

124. according to the method for claim 113, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that is associated with the amusement setting.

125. according to the method for claim 124, wherein the amusement setting comprises that the seabeach is provided with or the torrid zone is provided with.

126. according to the method for claim 125, wherein said amusement setting comprises the winter sports setting.

127. according to the method for claim 98-126, wherein by be configured in instant messaging communication session, to realize a plurality of online roles' perception and be embedded into computer-readable media or transmitting signal in computer program finish described process.

128. an equipment of realizing a plurality of online roles' perception in instant messaging communication session, described equipment comprises the processor that links to each other with one or more input-output apparatus with memory device, and wherein said processor is arranged to:

On instant message acceptance method, system, present the instant message using user interface, described instant message using user interface is used to relate to the instant messaging session of at least one potential instant message take over party and single potential instant message transmit leg;

Transmission comprises text message and role's message, described role is from a plurality of may role select relevant with the instant message transmit leg, to be shown by potential instant message take over party when showing described text message, selected role comprises the set of one or more self-expression clauses and subclauses and can carry out the sender avatar of flash demo; With

When presenting other parts of message, in potential instant message take over party system, present selected role.

129. a computer implemented method that is used to use avatars communication, described method comprises:

Use can be carried out the avatars of flash demo with the figure representative of consumer, and wherein said avatars is associated with a plurality of features of the outward appearance of the feature templates of a plurality of animations and the described avatars individual character of representative performance.

130. according to the method for claim 129, wherein avatars is associated with the description of the described avatars individual character of identification.

131. according to the method for claim 129, the individual character of wherein said avatars comprise described user personality at least some features unique at least some features.

132. the method according to claim 129 also comprises:

Utilization can be carried out the second graph expression of flash demo and represent second user with figure, and wherein said second graph is expressed with a plurality of animations and represented a plurality of features of the outward appearance of the feature templates that shows second graph expression individual character to be associated,

Wherein:

Described second graph express individual character comprise the described first avatars individual character at least some features unique at least some features and

Communication information sends between described first user and described second user.

133., wherein finish described process by the computing machine that is configured to use avatars communication and embedding to record in computer-readable media or the transmitting signal according to the method for claim 73-75.

134. an equipment that is used to use avatars communication, described equipment comprises the processor that links to each other with one or more input-output apparatus with memory device, and wherein said processor configuration is used for:

Use can be carried out the avatars of flash demo with the figure representative of consumer, and wherein said avatars is associated with a plurality of features of the outward appearance of the feature templates of a plurality of animations and representative performance avatars individual character.

135. an equipment that is used to use avatars communication, described equipment comprises:

Use can be carried out the device of the avatars of flash demo with the figure representative of consumer, and wherein said avatars is associated with a plurality of features of the outward appearance of the feature templates of a plurality of animations and the described avatars individual character of representative performance.

136. one kind is used for the animation of expressing based on the second graph that perceives, and first avatars is carried out the computer implemented method of flash demo, described method comprises:

Use can be carried out first avatars of flash demo, represents first user with figure;

Use can be carried out the second graph expression of flash demo, represents second user with figure, and wherein communication information sends between described first user and described second user;

Receive the indication of the flash demo of described first avatars; With

Response and based on the indication of the described flash demo that receives is expressed described second graph and to be carried out flash demo.

137. according to the method for claim 136, the indication that wherein receives flash demo comprises the indication of any kind animation that receives described first avatars.

138. according to the method for claim 136, the indication that wherein receives flash demo comprises the indication of specific animation in the multiple possibility animation that receives described first avatars.

139. according to the method for claim 136, further comprise response and the flash demo of expressing, described first avatars carried out flash demo based on described second graph.

140. according to the method for claim 136, wherein said first avatars responds the specific part of the message that sends between described first user and described second user and carries out flash demo.

141. according to the method for claim 140, wherein said first avatars responds the specific part from described first user to message that described second user sends and carries out flash demo.

142. according to the method for claim 140, the response of wherein said first avatars send to from described second user described first user message specific part and carry out flash demo.

143. according to the method for claim 136, wherein said first avatars carries out flash demo to send out-of-band communication to described second user from described first user.

144. according to the method for claim 143, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises indication and the communicating by letter of the described first user-dependent environmental baseline.

145. according to the method for claim 144, wherein said environmental baseline comprises the environmental baseline that relates near the weather that the geographic position takes place described first user.

146. according to the method for claim 143, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises indication and the communicating by letter of the described first user-dependent personal characteristics.

147. according to the method for claim 143, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises indication and the communicating by letter of the described first user-dependent emotional state.

148. according to the method for claim 143, wherein said out-of-band communication comprises indication and the communicating by letter of the described first user-dependent setting feature.

149. according to the method for claim 148, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that relates to the time in first user one day.

150. according to the method for claim 147, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that relates to the time in 1 year.

151. according to the method for claim 150, wherein the time comprises vacation in 1 year.

152. according to the method for claim 150, wherein the time comprises season in 1 year, wherein be the spring season, summer, in autumn or winter one.

153. according to the method for claim 147, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that is associated with work setting.

154. according to the method for claim 147, wherein said setting feature comprises the feature that is associated with the amusement setting.

155. according to the method for claim 154, wherein said amusement setting comprises that the seabeach is provided with or the torrid zone is provided with.

156. according to the method for claim 154, wherein said amusement setting comprises the winter sports setting.

157. according to the method for claim 136-156, wherein by be configured to that based on perceiving animation that second graph expresses first avatars carried out flash demo and be embedded into computer-readable media or transmitting signal in computer program finish described process.

158. a device that first avatars is carried out flash demo based on perceiving animation that second graph expresses, described device comprises the processor that links to each other with one or more input-output apparatus with memory device, and wherein said processor is arranged to:

Utilization can be carried out first avatars of flash demo and represent first user with figure;

Utilization can be carried out the second graph expression of flash demo and represent second user with figure, and wherein communication information sends between described first user and described second user;

Receive the indication of the animation of described first avatars; With

Response and based on the indication of the described flash demo that receives is expressed second graph and to be carried out flash demo.

159. according to the device of claim 158, wherein said processor is arranged to the indication of any kind animation that receives described first avatars.

160. according to the device of claim 158, wherein said processor is arranged to the indication of specific animation in the multiple possibility animation that receives described first avatars.

161. according to the device of claim 158, the animation that wherein said processor also is arranged to response and expresses based on described second graph carries out flash demo to described first avatars.

162. according to the method for claim 158, wherein processor also is arranged to the specific part of response message that sends between described first user and described second user and described first avatars is carried out flash demo.

163. according to the method for claim 158, wherein processor also is arranged to described first avatars is carried out flash demo, to send out-of-band communication to described second user from described first user.

Images