Context determinants in virtual world environment

• US 20070118420A1
• Filed: 10/17/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward, Malamud, Mark, Lord, Robert, Levien, Royce, Rinaldo, John
• Application Number:
  US11/582,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20070118420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A virtual world patron can participate in various virtual world activities and transactions. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The virtual world patron may be a possible recipient of a real-world consequence or benefit based on a virtual world occurrence. In some instances confirmation of an awarded real-world benefit may be provided via a communication interconnection. Real-world profile data may be used in connection with promotional activities in a virtual world environment. A real-world consequence (e.g., benefit, opportunity) may be presented in a virtual world environment to one or more virtual world patrons having a nexus with a contextual category associated with the real-world consequence.

Claims

1-36. -36. (canceled)

37. A method of communicating with a virtual world patron, comprising:

establishing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating a real-world benefit to the virtual world patron;

incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data regarding the real-world benefit; and

identifying a contextual category in the virtual world environment as a technique for presenting the identifier legend to the virtual world patron.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said identifying the contextual category includes:

identifying a contextual category that includes an interactive feature involving the virtual world patron as a basis for triggering an offer or award of the real-world benefit to the virtual world patron.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein said establishing the identifier legend includes:

establishing the identifier legend that includes one or more identification indicia relating to the real-world benefit.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein said identifying the contextual category includes:

identifying a contextual category wherein the identifier legend includes a passive display or presentation as a basis for offering or awarding the real-world benefit to the virtual world patron.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein said incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data includes:

incorporating one or more prerequisites as a basis for awarding the real-world benefit to the virtual world patron.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said incorporating one or more prerequisites includes:

providing an indication of the virtual world patron'"'"'s progress toward completion of the one or more prerequisites.

43. The method of claim 37 wherein said incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data includes:

incorporating guidance information indicating directions for finding a particular VW contextual category associated with a RW benefit.

85. The method of claim 37 wherein said incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data regarding the real-world benefit includes:

incorporating informational data that includes a promotion or offer or award of the real-world benefit to the virtual world patron.

86. The method of claim 37 wherein said incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data regarding the real-world benefit includes:

incorporating informational data that identifies a real-world entity responsible for implementing the real-world benefit.

87. The method of claim 37 wherein said incorporating in the identifier legend certain informational data regarding the real-world benefit includes:

incorporating informational data that identifies a real-world product or a real-world service.

88. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

making the real-world benefit available to the virtual world patron who has a potential relationship with the contextual category in the virtual world environment.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein said making the real-world benefit available to the virtual world patron includes:

providing one or more of the following types of notification;

patron is awarded the real-world benefit, patron is qualified to obtain the real-world benefit, patron is selected as a candidate for the real-world benefit, real-world benefit can be redeemed on certain calendar day, real-world benefit can be redeemed during certain time-of-day period, real-world benefit can be obtained at designated location, real-world benefit conditional on further real-world activity, real-world benefit conditional of further virtual world activity, real-world benefit conditional upon status of group, real-world benefit requires group membership of patron, and patron required to provide real-world identity information.

90. The method of claim 88 wherein said making the real-world benefit available to the virtual world patron includes:

making availability of the virtual world benefit responsive to detecting one or more types of behavioral parameter involving the virtual world patron.

91. The method of claim 88 wherein said making the real-world benefit available to the virtual world patron includes:

making availability of the virtual world benefit responsive to detecting one or more types of character participation parameter involving the virtual world patron.

92. The method of claim 88 wherein said making the real-world benefit available to the virtual world patron includes:

communicating the identifier legend to one or more virtual world patrons by one or more of the following ways;

on item, at location, at entrance, at exit, on avatar, player inventory, status display, directional arrows, game map, game calendar, participation requirement, logon duration, at logon, at logoff, virtual world availability schedule, virtual world timetable, virtual world availability location, event listing, topical category, virtual world setting, virtual world activity, character communication, game inventory object, game element, quest goal, task description, achievement target, attribute level, skill level, and group membership benefit.

93. The method of claim 37 wherein said establishing the identifier legend includes:

associating the real-world benefit with the contextual category in the virtual world environment, wherein the identifier legend serves as an identifier for the contextual category and its related real-world benefit.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein said establishing the identifier legend further includes:

establishing the identifier legend using one or more of the following techniques that can be recognized by the virtual world patron;

word, symbol, abbreviation, logo, image, sound, display, slogan, personage, caricature, alteration, texture, overlay, alternate shape, addition of accessory, mobile object, dynamic presentation, random presentation, intermittent presentation, sequential presentation, passive presentation, and removal of component.

44. A communication system in a virtual world environment, comprising:

computer apparatus for presenting a legend in a virtual world environment, which legend serves as an identifier for a contextual category associated with a real-world consequence;

a program module configured to make the real-world consequence accessible to one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category; and

a data record listing informational data regarding the real-world consequence.

45. The communication system of claim 44 further comprising:

a detection device operably coupled with the program module to detect a participation activity regarding one or more of the following contextual parameters in the virtual world environment;

temporal participation parameter, subject matter participation parameter, character participation parameter.

46. The communication system of claim 44 wherein said program module includes:

program instructions that implement a promotion of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category.

47. The communication system of claim 44 wherein said program module includes:

program instructions that implement an offer of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category.

48. The communication system of claim 44 wherein said program module includes:

program instructions that implement an award of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category.

49. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to present an interactive legend to the one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category.

50. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to present a passive legend to the one or more virtual world participants who have a nexus with the contextual category.

51. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to present a legend that includes one or more of the following identification indicia related to the real-world consequence:

real-world entity responsible for implementing the real-world consequence, real-world product, real-world service, real-world premium, real-world group membership, real-world discount, prerequisite, progress status, directional information, and listing of available RW benefits.

52. The system of claim 44 further comprising:

a communication interconnection configured to process an awarded real-world consequence, wherein the communication interconnection incorporates one or more of the following techniques;

wireless transmission, cable, wired connection, telephonic transmission, email, virtual world storage media, virtual world database, virtual world website, mobile memory device, public database, shared database, hardcopy delivery, personal storage medium, public storage medium, encoded message, deferred transmission, aggregated transmission, store-and-forward transmission, cached transmission, point-to-point transmission, direct transmission, broadcast, and business data interchange.

53. The system of claim 44 wherein said data record includes:

an awarded real-world consequence encoded on one or more of the following types of records;

flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, optical/magnetic memory, disk, card, mobile device, database, volatile memory, permanent memory, local memory, remote memory, in-game inventory, character profile, in-game inventory, character profile, and patron profile.

73. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to use one or more of the following communication techniques to present the legend to the one or more virtual world participants:

word, symbol, abbreviation, logo, image, sound, display, slogan, personage, caricature, alteration, texture, overlay, alternate shape, addition of accessory, mobile object, dynamic presentation, random presentation, intermittent presentation, sequential presentation, passive presentation, and removal of component.

74. The system of claim 44 wherein said program module includes:

program instructions that implement communicating the legend in the virtual world environment by one or more of the following ways;

on item, at location, at entrance, at exit, on avatar, player inventory, status display, directional arrows, game map, game calendar, participation requirement, logon duration, at logon, at logoff, virtual world availability schedule, virtual world timetable, virtual world availability location, event listing, topical category, virtual world setting, virtual world activity, character communication, game inventory object, game element, quest goal, task description, achievement target, attribute level, skill level, and group membership benefit.

75. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to make the real-world consequence available to the one or more virtual world participants in response to detecting one or more types of behavioral parameter.

76. The system of claim 75 further comprising:

a detection module operably coupled with the program module to detect one or more of the following types of behavioral parameter involving the one or more virtual world participants;

continuous on-line time in virtual world, cumulative on-line time in virtual world, cumulative number of acquired virtual world objects, cumulative number of virtual world location visits, frequency of virtual world logon, continuous time at virtual world location, frequency of visits to virtual world location, continuous time at virtual world activity, frequency of participation in virtual world activity, continuous time at virtual world shop, frequency of virtual world purchases, accumulation of virtual world objects, frequency of virtual world acquisitions, accumulation of virtual world value symbols, accumulation of virtual world skills, accumulation of virtual world inventory, current activity, activity history, current item usage, item usage history, membership, membership application, item in possession, current task, task history, prospective task, goal, degree of success, and degree of qualification.

77. The system of claim 44 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to make the real-world consequence available to the one or more virtual world participants in response to detecting one or more types of character participation parameter.

78. The system of claim 77 further comprising:

a detection module operably coupled to the program module to detect one or more of the following types of character participation parameter involving the one or more virtual world participants;

speaking, conversation, writing, motion, running, walking, jumping, leaping, flying, gesture, touching, falling, pushing, pulling, rolling, dragging, carrying, lifting, dropping, placing, selecting, pointing, shooting, slinging, throwing, holding, eating, drinking, smelling, tasting, attendance, arrival, departure, transportation, battle, construction, destroying, quest, goal selection, goal completion, task selection, task completion, prospective action, behavior, competition, winning, losing, succeeding, failing, drawing (as in breaking even), surrendering, learning, listening, watching, wearing, acquiring, possession, usage, disposing of, owning, displaying, distributing, becoming a member, current membership, loss of membership, applying for membership, attaching, purchasing, bartering, trading, selling, redeeming, and traveling.

79. The system of claim 44 wherein said program module includes:

program instructions that implement incorporating one or more prerequisites as a basis for awarding the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world participants.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein said program module further includes:

program instructions that implement providing an indication of progress toward completion of the one or more prerequisites.

81. The system of claim 44 wherein said data record includes:

informational data that lists one or more contextual categories, and informational data that further specifies a possible real-world consequence associated with the one or more contextual categories.

82. The system of claim 81 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to allow the informational data in the data record to be accessible to the one or more virtual world participants.

83. The system of claim 44 wherein said data record includes:

informational data that lists one or more virtual world participants who have been awarded the real-world consequence.

84. The system of claim 83 wherein said computer apparatus is configured to allow the informational data in the data record to be accessible to the real-world entity responsible for implementing the real-world consequence.

54. A computer program product comprising:

a) program instructions configured to perform a process that associates information in a computer system, the process including

providing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating informational data regarding a real-world consequence,

identifying a contextual category in the virtual world environment, which contextual category is associated with the real-world consequence such that the identifier legend is presented to one or more virtual world patrons having a nexus with the contextual category; and

b) computer readable media for encoding the instructions.

55. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process further includes:

presenting the identifier legend using one or more of the following communication techniques that can be recognized by the one or more virtual world patrons;

word, symbol, abbreviation, logo, image, sound, display, slogan, personage, caricature, alteration, texture, overlay, alternate shape, addition of accessory, mobile object, dynamic presentation, random presentation, intermittent presentation, sequential presentation, passive presentation, and removal of component.

56. The computer program of claim 54 wherein said process further includes:

communicating the identifier legend to the one or more virtual world patrons by one or more of the following ways;

on item, at location, at entrance, at exit, on avatar, player inventory, status display, directional arrows, game map, game calendar, participation requirement, logon duration, at logon, at logoff, VW availability schedule, VW timetable, VW availability location, event listing, topical category, VW setting, VW activity, character communication, game inventory object, game element, quest goal, task description, achievement target, attribute level, skill level, and group membership benefit.

57. The computer program product of claim of claim 54 wherein said process is encoded on computer readable signal transmission media and/or storage media accessible to multiple virtual world patrons having logon capabilities at different locations.

58. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process is encoded on computer readable signal transmission media and/or storage media capable of functional operation on localized computer apparatus accessible to an individual virtual world patron.

59. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature providing the identifier legend further includes:

presenting in the virtual world environment the identifier legend that includes one or more identification indicia relating to the real-world consequence.

60. The computer program product of claim 59 wherein said process feature presenting in the virtual world environment the identifier legend includes:

providing identification indicia that includes guidance information indicating directions for finding a particular contextual category associated with a real-world consequence.

61. The computer program product of claim 59 wherein said process feature presenting in the virtual world environment the identifier legend includes:

presenting the identifier legend that includes one or more of the following identification indicia relating to the real-world consequence;

real-world entity responsible for implementing the real-world consequence, real-world product, real-world service, real-world premium, real-world group membership, real-world discount, prerequisite, progress status, directional information, and listing of available real-world benefits.

62. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process further comprises:

processing an awarded real-world consequence via a communication interconnection that incorporates one or more of the following techniques;

wireless transmission, cable, wired connection, telephonic transmission, email, virtual world storage media, virtual world database, virtual world website, mobile memory device, public database, shared database, hardcopy delivery, personal storage medium, public storage medium, encoded message, deferred transmission, aggregated transmission, store-and-forward transmission, cached transmission, point-to-point transmission, direct transmission, broadcast, and business data interchange.

63. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process further comprises:

encoding information regarding an awarded real-world consequence on one or more of the following types of records;

flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, optical/magnetic memory, disk, card, mobile device, database, volatile memory, permanent memory, local memory, remote memory, in-game inventory, character profile, in-game inventory, character profile, and patron profile.

64. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature identifying the contextual category in the virtual world environment includes:

identifying the contextual category that includes an interactive feature involving the one or more virtual world patrons as a basis for triggering an offer or award of the real-world consequence.

65. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature identifying the contextual category in the virtual world environment includes:

identifying the contextual category that includes a passive display or presentation as a basis for offering or awarding the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world patrons.

66. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process further comprises:

incorporating one or more prerequisites as a basis for awarding the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world patrons.

67. The computer program product of claim 66 wherein said incorporating one or more prerequisites includes:

providing an indication of the virtual world patron'"'"'s progress toward completion of the one or more prerequisites.

68. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature providing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating informational data regarding a real-world consequence includes:

implementing a promotion of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world patrons who have a nexus with the contextual category.

69. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature providing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating informational data regarding a real-world consequence includes:

implementing an offer of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world patrons who have a nexus with the contextual category.

70. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature providing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating informational data regarding a real-world consequence includes:

implementing an award of the real-world consequence to the one or more virtual world patrons who have a nexus with the contextual category.

71. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process feature providing an identifier legend for use in a virtual world environment for communicating informational data regarding a real-world consequence includes:

implementing a promotion or offer or award of the real-world consequence in response to detecting a type of behavioral parameter involving the one or more virtual world patrons.

72. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said process further includes:

providing one or more of the following types of notification to the one or more virtual world patrons regarding a possible real-world consequence;

patron is awarded the real-world consequence, patron is qualified to obtain the real-world consequence, patron is selected as a candidate for the real-world consequence, real-world consequence can be redeemed on certain calendar day, real-world consequence can be redeemed during certain time-of-day period, real-world consequence can be obtained at designated location, real-world consequence conditional on further real-world activity, real-world consequence conditional of further virtual world activity, real-world consequence conditional upon status of group, real-world consequence requires group membership of patron, and patron required to provide real-world identity information.