Virtual credit in simulated environments
First Claim
1. A method of credit arrangements comprising:
- providing a virtual credit arrangement in a simulated environment that enables a user to have a simulated credit transaction;
communicating feedback to the user regarding results of said simulated credit transaction; and
enabling the user to make remuneration with something of virtual value against a balance due or obligation owed in connection with said virtual credit arrangement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system provides for the use of credit arrangements in simulated environments. A user can participate in credit transactions involving purchases of virtual products, virtual services, and virtual items of value. Feedback is provided to the user regarding results of the credit transactions. In some embodiments multiple users can make simulated purchases or incur simulated credit obligations that are posted to virtual accounts, and the multiple users can also make simulated compensation against balances due or obligations owed for said virtual accounts. The user is also provided with an opportunity of engaging in real-world financial transactions related to the virtual credit arrangement. In some implementations of the system and method, multiple players at different locations can use virtual charge accounts and/or real world financial accounts in connection with arranging or resolving a virtual credit transaction.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A method of credit arrangements comprising:
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providing a virtual credit arrangement in a simulated environment that enables a user to have a simulated credit transaction;
communicating feedback to the user regarding results of said simulated credit transaction; and
enabling the user to make remuneration with something of virtual value against a balance due or obligation owed in connection with said virtual credit arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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4-5. -5. (canceled)
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8-9. -9. (canceled)
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12. The method of 11 that further includes periodically changing for said virtual credit arrangement one or more credit terms from the following group:
- interest rate, due date, grace period, penalties, credit limit, service charge, transferability, weekly fee, monthly fee, annual fee, automatic repayment, payment of other obligations, monetary advance, re-negotiated debt, and exchange value.
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15-16. -16. (canceled)
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21. A method of simulating charge card usage in a virtual world environment comprising:
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providing a virtual account to a user; and
enabling the user to make simulated purchases of goods and/or services and/or items of value that are charged to the virtual account, in which the user receives feedback regarding results of the simulated purchases. - View Dependent Claims (22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43)
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23-25. -25. (canceled)
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30-32. -32. (canceled)
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41. (canceled)
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44. A system for credit arrangements comprising:
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computerized apparatus including a memory and a processor for maintaining information regarding credit transactions in a virtual world environment involving a purchase by a user of one or more various virtual products and/or virtual services and/or virtual items;
a bi-directional user interface for exchanging informational messages between the user and the computer apparatus regarding credit terms associated with said purchase; and
wherein said credit transactions are capable of resolution by virtual-world compensation. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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48. (canceled)
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54. Apparatus for providing virtual credit in a simulated environment, comprising:
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computerized apparatus for storing and processing one or more virtual credit transactions involving products or services or items that are available in the simulated environment;
an interactive communication link with said computerized apparatus to enable a user to participate in said virtual credit transactions; and
an interface capable of operable connection to said interactive communication link and accessible to the user for transmitting informational inputs in connection with credit terms that include remuneration with something of virtual value against a balance due or other obligation resulting from said virtual credit transactions. - View Dependent Claims (55, 57, 58, 61, 62)
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56. (canceled)
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59-60. -60. (canceled)
Specification