Tracking of Shared Inventory in a Virtual Universe
First Claim
1. A method for tracking shared inventory in a virtual universe, the method comprising:
- receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner;
determining and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared inventory items;
tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of users;
receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items; and
performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for tracking shared inventory in a virtual universe are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner. Embodiments may also include determining and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared inventory items and tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of the users. Embodiments may also include receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items and performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items. In further embodiments, performing the requested action may include recalling the borrowed shared inventory item and returning it to an item owner associated with the borrowed shared inventory item.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for tracking shared inventory in a virtual universe, the method comprising:
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receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner; determining and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared inventory items; tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of users; receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items; and performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. 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 the computer to perform a series of operations for:
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receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner; determining, and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared, inventory items; tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of users; receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items; and performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A data processing system having a machine-accessible medium storing a plurality of program modules, the system comprising:
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a virtual universe simulator interface module to facilitate communication to and from a virtual universe simulator and to receive indications that users have borrowed shared inventory items and indications of usage of borrowed shared inventory items by users; a user interface module to facilitate communication to and from a client computer system of a user and to receive queries requesting performance of actions relating to shared inventory items; and a shared inventory monitor to track borrowed shared inventory items in a virtual universe, the shared inventory monitor comprising; an inventory tracking module to track usage of borrowed shared inventory items by borrowing users; a metadata update module to determine and store metadata associated with borrowing of shared inventory items; and a query handler module to receive and process queries requesting performance of actions relating to shared inventory items and to perform requested actions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification