It is an object of this invention to provide a graphic display apparatus that reduces the amount of CG data transferred from a server through a network and that allows three-dimensional characters displayed at a terminal to move smoothly. It is another object of this invention to provide an AV synchronous reproduction apparatus that can synchronize an image with a score the tempo of which is changed during reproduction. According to this invention, when a server instructs a terminal to graphically display three-dimensional characters, the terminal provides a plurality of motion patterns. The server then transmits scenario data to the terminal, and the terminal operates based on the scenario data to switch scenes for graphical displays. The terminal switches the scenes for graphical displays with a timing for a home position which is common or substantially common to a motion pattern being executed and a motion pattern to be executed next.

An electronic entertainment system for creating a video sequence by executing video game camera behavior based upon a video game sound file includes a memory configured to store an action event/camera behavior (AE/CB) database, game software such as an action generator module, and one or more sound files. In addition, the system includes a sound processing unit coupled to the memory for processing a selected sound file, and a processor coupled to the memory and the sound processing unit. The processor randomly selects an AE pointer and a CB pointer from the AE/CB database. Upon selection of the CB pointer and the AE pointer, the action generator executes camera behavior corresponding to the selected CB pointer to view an action event corresponding to the selected AE pointer.

An animating system converts a text-based document into a sequence of animating pictures for helping a user to understand better and faster. First, the system provides interfaces for a user to build various object models, specify default rules for these object models, and construct the references for meanings and actions. Second, the system will analyze the document, extract desired information, identify various objects, and organize information. Then the system will create objects from corresponding object models and provide interfaces to modify default values and default rules and define specific values and specific rules. Further, the system will identify the meanings of words and phrases. Furthermore, the system will identify, interpolate, synchronize, and dispatch events. Finally, the system provides interface for the user to track events and particular objects.

One of prepared types of agent characteristics types is set to an agent, and parameters used in agent operation are set for values associated with the set agent characteristic type, thereby causing the agent to operate according to the agent characteristic type. An agent script base contains a plurality of operation descriptions. In response to a command from the user, parameters used in the execution of the command are set for the above values. The parameters are preferably kept in a table. Then, one of the operation descriptions associated with the command is executed referring to the table. Setting a user's characteristic type causes the set agent characteristic type to be changed to one associated with the user's characteristic type.

A chat system, method and computer program product for delivering a message between a sender and a recipient in a three-dimensional (3D) multi-user environment, wherein the 3D multi-user environment maintains respective digital representations of the sender and the recipient, uses a recipient interface to receive a message, map the message to a texture to generate a textured message, and render the textured message in the 3D multi-user environment so as to permit the recipient to visually ascertain the location of the digital representation of the sender in the 3D world. Received messages are mantained as two-dimensional elements on a recipient viewport.