SYSTEM FOR PERSONALIZING CONTENT PRESENTED IN AN AVATAR WAIT STATE

• US 20090124349A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sand, Anne R., Pickover, Clifford Alan, Hamilton, Rick Allen II, Dawson, Christopher James
• Granted Patent: US 9,908,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/24
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/88 Mini-games executed independently while main games are being loaded
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5593 involving scheduling aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6036 for offering a minigame in combination with a main game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game

Abstract

Customized wait state experiences are provided for an avatar in a virtual universe are provided by determining user alternative wait context preferences, selecting alternative wait state content objects accordingly, creating a wait state context in the virtual universe system using the alternative wait state content objects, and transporting the waiting avatar to the newly created wait state context for the duration of the wait. The custom context can include scenery, sounds, and even information streams and feeds. The avatar is optionally returned to the original context upon an event, such as a customer service representative, being available and ready to interact with the user. Artificial intelligence processes are optionally used to determine probable wait state context preferences for the user. Rewards may be given to the user for waiting, and for completing games or challenges.

Claims

1. An automated method for customizing a wait state experience for an avatar in a virtual universe comprising:

detecting that an avatar representing a user in a first context of a virtual universe system is entering a wait state for an event;

determining one or more user alternative wait context preferences;

selecting a plurality of alternative wait state content objects according to said preferences;

creating a wait state context in said virtual universe system containing said selected alternative wait state content objects; and

transporting said avatar to said wait state context such that said avatar may interact with said wait state content objects.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining preferences comprises accessing a stored preference profile.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining preferences comprises using artificial intelligence processes to determine probable wait state context preferences for said user.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising returning said avatar to said first context responsive to said event occurring.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said event comprises said avatar'"'"'s reaching an end of a queue for service.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said service comprises conferencing said avatar to an available customer service representative'"'"'s avatar.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further comprising providing said customer service representative with one or more information objects regarding said avatar'"'"'s activities in said wait state context.

8. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein a reward object is deposited to a user inventory responsive to returning to said first context upon detection of said event.

9. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said event comprises said avatar'"'"'s reaching an end of a queue, and wherein a position within said queue is advanced responsive to completion of a game or challenge.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alternative wait state content objects comprise environment and scenery objects.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alternative wait state content objects comprise an information stream object.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alternative wait state content objects comprise a game or challenge object.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alternative wait state content objects comprise a reward object deposited to a user inventory.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said reward object is deposited to said user inventory responsive to remaining in said wait state context for a predetermined period of time.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said reward object is deposited to said user inventory responsive to remaining in said wait state context for completion of a game or challenge object.

16. An article of manufacture for customizing a wait state experience for an avatar in a virtual universe comprising:

a computer readable medium suitable for encoding computer programs; and

one or more computer programs encoded by said medium and configured to cause a processor to perform the steps of;

(a) detecting that an avatar representing a user in a first context of a virtual universe system is entering a wait state for an event;

(b) determining one or more user alternative wait context preferences;

(c) selecting a plurality of alternative wait state content objects according to said preferences;

(d) creating a wait state context in said virtual universe system containing said selected alternative wait state content objects; and

(e) transporting said avatar to said wait state context such that said avatar may interact with said wait state content objects.

17. The article as set forth in claim 16 wherein said computer programs are further configured to return said avatar to said first context upon detection of said event occurring.

18. A system for customizing a wait state experience for an avatar in a virtual universe comprising:

a detector portion of a virtual universe system configured to detect that an avatar representing a user in a first context is entering a wait state for an event;

a wait state preference retriever configured to determine one or more user alternative wait context preferences;

an object selector portion of said virtual universe system configured to select a plurality of alternative wait state content objects according to said preferences;

a context creator portion of a virtual universe system configured to create a wait state context in said virtual universe system containing said selected alternative wait state content objects; and

an avatar transporter portion of a virtual universe system configured to transport said avatar to said wait state context such that said avatar may interact with said wait state content objects.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said transporter is further configured to return said avatar to said first context responsive to said detector detecting occurrence of said event.

20. The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said event comprises said avatar'"'"'s reaching an end of a queue for service.