Attribute enhancement in virtual world environments
First Claim
1. A method of sponsorship in a computerized virtual world comprising:
- selecting one or more virtual objects;
making an arrangement for a real-world 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;
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; and
implementing by or on behalf of the real-world entity a presentation in the virtual world of a possible real-world benefit or real-world opportunity, which presentation includes communicating the identifier to a participant or player involved with the one or more virtual objects.
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.
133 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of sponsorship in a computerized virtual world comprising:
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selecting one or more virtual objects; making an arrangement for a real-world 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; 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; and implementing by or on behalf of the real-world entity a presentation in the virtual world of a possible real-world benefit or real-world opportunity, which presentation includes communicating the identifier to a participant or player involved with the one or more virtual objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of managing attributes in a virtual world, comprising:
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selecting a collection of virtual objects; confirming an arrangement wherein one or more designated virtual objects in the collection has a designated attribute characteristic that serves to uniquely distinguish the one or more designated virtual objects as compared to others in the collection; implementing a virtual world notification technique to help establish a recognizable association between a real-world entity and the one or more designated virtual objects; and communicating a possible real-world benefit or real-world opportunity by or on behalf of the real-world entity to a player or participant involved with the one or more designated virtual objects. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system for managing virtual world objects, comprising;
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computer apparatus configured for dynamic management of virtual objects in a virtual world environment; 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; wherein said computer apparatus is configured to implement a presentation in the virtual world of a possible real-world benefit or real-world opportunity, which presentation includes communicating the identifier to a participant or player involved with the specified object; and a program module operably coupled with the computer apparatus, and wherein said program module has a communication link with said data record means to coordinate the dynamic management of the specified virtual object and its related identifier. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. 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 establishing a virtual world environment; confirming an identifier incorporated in the virtual world environment, which identifier is a contributory factor for communicating a recognizable association between a real-world entity and a designated virtual object, causing the designated virtual object to have a particular attribute profile that serves as a distinguishable feature as compared to another virtual object, implementing a presentation in the virtual world of a possible real-world benefit or real-world opportunity, which presentation includes communicating the identifier to a participant or player involved with the designated virtual object, coordinating the management of the 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 transmission type medium for encoding the program instructions. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification