Attribute enhancement in virtual world environments
First Claim
1. A method of sponsorship in a virtual world comprising:
- selecting one or more virtual objects;
making an arrangement for a RW entity to have a recognizable association with the one or more virtual objects;
providing an identifier incorporated in the virtual world, which identifier is a contributory factor for communicating the recognizable association; and
establishing an attribute guideline for the one or more virtual objects, which attribute guideline includes a particular attribute characteristic that serves as a special distinguishable feature as compared to another virtual object in the virtual world.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 including transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The virtual world patron may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world activities and transactions. Designated virtual objects with special distinguishable attributes may be sponsored by a real-world entity. Some virtual world communication techniques may be used to help establish a recognizable association between the real-world entity and the designated virtual objects.
137 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A method of sponsorship in a virtual world comprising:
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selecting one or more virtual objects;
making an arrangement for a RW entity to have a recognizable association with the one or more virtual objects;
providing an identifier incorporated in the virtual world, which identifier is a contributory factor for communicating the recognizable association; and
establishing an attribute guideline for the one or more virtual objects, which attribute guideline includes a particular attribute characteristic that serves as a special distinguishable feature as compared to another virtual object in the virtual world. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30)
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15. (canceled)
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26. (canceled)
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29. (canceled)
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31-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A system for providing a sponsorship arrangement regarding virtual world objects, comprising:
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data record means for keeping track of one or more arrangements involving a specified virtual object associated with a real-world entity, which specified virtual object has a particular attribute profile that serves as a recognizable distinguishable feature as compared to other virtual objects in the virtual world environment;
wherein said data record means includes informational data regarding an identifier for use in connection with the specified virtual object, which identifier is a contributory factor for communicating to a virtual world participant a sponsorship of the specified virtual object by the real-world entity; and
a program module having a communication link with said data record means to coordinate management of the specified virtual object and its related identifier. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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40. A computer program product comprising:
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a) program instructions configured to perform a process that associates information in a computer system, the process including maintaining an informational data record for a sponsorship arrangement regarding a virtual identifier incorporated in the virtual world environment, which virtual identifier is a contributory factor for communicating a recognizable association between a real-world entity and a designated virtual object having a particular attribute profile that serves as a distinguishable feature as compared to another virtual object, coordinating management of the virtual identifier and the designated virtual object in the virtual world environment; and
b) a computer readable signal-bearing media including a storage medium and/or a communication medium for encoding the program instructions. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification