Metadata for avatar generation in virtual environments
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- using an avatar generator process that is in execution on a first computer system associated with a first user, generating an avatar as a combination of at least two other avatars, the generated avatar having a simulated physical appearance that is defined in terms of a plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics, at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics having a user defined weighting value associated therewith;
generating a metadata file relating to the generated avatar, the metadata file including at least a unique identifier of each of the at least two other avatars and the user defined weighting value associated with the at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics;
transferring the metadata file via a network to a second computer system that is associated with a second user; and
,generating in dependence upon metadata of the metadata file the avatar locally with respect to the second computer system using an avatar generator process that is in execution thereon.
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Abstract
A method of provisioning avatars comprises receiving at a first computer system associated with a first user, a metadata file relating to an avatar of a second user. In particular, the metadata file comprises data for use with an avatar generator process that is in execution on the first computer system. Data is extracted from the metadata file, and is provided as input data to the avatar generator process, thereby generating locally to the first computer system the avatar of the second user. The avatar of the second user so generated is displayed to the first user within a virtual environment.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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using an avatar generator process that is in execution on a first computer system associated with a first user, generating an avatar as a combination of at least two other avatars, the generated avatar having a simulated physical appearance that is defined in terms of a plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics, at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics having a user defined weighting value associated therewith; generating a metadata file relating to the generated avatar, the metadata file including at least a unique identifier of each of the at least two other avatars and the user defined weighting value associated with the at least one of the plurality of predetermined inheritable characteristics; transferring the metadata file via a network to a second computer system that is associated with a second user; and
,generating in dependence upon metadata of the metadata file the avatar locally with respect to the second computer system using an avatar generator process that is in execution thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method comprising:
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receiving at a first computer system associated with a first user, a metadata file relating to an avatar of a second user, the metadata file comprising data for use with an avatar generator process that is in execution on the first computer system; extracting data from the metadata file; providing the extracted data as input data to the avatar generator process that is in execution on the first computer system, thereby generating locally to the first computer system the avatar of the second user; and
,displaying to the first user an aspect of the avatar of the second user within a virtual environment. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method comprising:
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receiving at a first computer system associated with a first user a metadata file relating to an avatar of a second other user, the metadata file for supporting the generation of the avatar of the second user upon the first computer system, the metadata file being other than the generated avatar of the second user; retrieving at least two avatars from a pool of avatars, each avatar retrieved in dependence upon a predetermined metadatum of the metadata file and having a different simulated physical appearance that is defined in terms of a plurality of inheritable characteristics; retrieving a weighting factor for defining a relative contribution of each of the at least two avatars to at least one of the plurality of inheritable characteristics of the avatar of the second user, the weighting factor being a predetermined metadatum of the metadata file; and
,generating locally to the first computer system the avatar of the second user, based on the plurality of inheritable characteristics of the at least two avatars and the weighting factor. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification