COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING PRESENCE VISUALIZATIONS OF AVATORS AS PERSISTABLE VIRTUAL CONTACT OBJECTS
First Claim
1. A computer method for providing user contact data in a virtual environment, comprising the steps of:
- representing users by respective avatars displayed in a subject virtual environment; and
for each avatar, displaying in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.
42 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer method for providing user contact data in a virtual environment, comprising the steps of:
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representing users by respective avatars displayed in a subject virtual environment; and for each avatar, displaying in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Computer apparatus providing user contact data in a virtual environment, comprising:
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a plurality of avatars representing respective users in a subject virtual environment; and for each avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects displayed in proximity to the avatar, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system providing user contact data in a virtual environment, comprising:
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avatar means for representing users by respective avatars displayed in a subject virtual environment; and display means, for each avatar, the display means displaying in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence, including activeness, of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes:
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representing users by respective avatars displayed in a subject virtual environment; and for each avatar, displaying in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user.
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Specification