Using avatars to communicate real-time information
First Claim
1. A computer program product tangibly embodied in an computer readable medium, the computer program product including an avatar that is configured to display multiple animations in an instant messaging communication session between two users and instructions that, when executed, perform operations comprising:
- access information identifying an event or a subject visually represented by the avatar;
receive information related to events related to the event or the subject visually represented by the avatar; and
configure an appearance of the avatar in response to the received information.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An avatar may be used to convey information independent of information conveyed directly in a text message sent during an instant messaging communications session between two users. The information may be communicated using a change in the avatar appearance (including animating the avatar) as a communication conduit. For example, information identifying an event or a subject visually represented by an avatar may be accessed. Information may be received that is related to the event or the subject visually represented by the avatar, and an appearance of the avatar may be configured in response to the received information.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A computer program product tangibly embodied in an computer readable medium, the computer program product including an avatar that is configured to display multiple animations in an instant messaging communication session between two users and instructions that, when executed, perform operations comprising:
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access information identifying an event or a subject visually represented by the avatar;
receive information related to events related to the event or the subject visually represented by the avatar; and
configure an appearance of the avatar in response to the received information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, performed at least partially on a computer, for modifying an avatar, the method comprising:
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accessing information identifying an event or a subject visually represented by an avatar, the avatar being configured to display multiple animations in an instant messaging communication session between two users and being associated with one of the two users;
receiving information related to events related to the event or the subject visually represented by the avatar; and
configuring an appearance of the avatar in response to the received information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for modifying an avatar, the system comprising:
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means for accessing information identifying an event or a subject visually represented by an avatar, the avatar being configured to display multiple animations in an instant messaging communication session between two users and being associated with one of the two users;
means for receiving information related to events related to the event or the subject visually represented by the avatar; and
means configuring an appearance of the avatar in response to the received information.
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Specification