METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY UPDATING AVATAR TO INDICATE USER'S STATUS

• US 20090300525A1
• Filed: 05/27/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: JOLLIFF, Maria Elena Romera, WILLKIE, Chad Andrew, CHUNG, Tia, LEAZENBY, Scott Alan, YEE, Jadine Naomi, BROWN, Gregory James, JOHNSGARD, Todd Jeffrey, HUANG, Joseph Jyh-Huei, YAMAKAWA, Devender, HORODEZKY, Samuel Jacob, KERGER, Kameron, JALOTA, Ankur
• Application Number:
  US12/127,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20090300525A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/352 involving special game server arrangements, e.g. regional servers connected to a national server or a plurality of servers managing partitions of the game world
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

A cellular or wireless mobile device includes a one or more sensors and a processor configured with software to receive data from the one or more sensors, calendar data and device settings, compare sensor, calendar, device settings data, and an authorization level of a requesting user to avatar selection criteria, and select an avatar based upon the comparison. By correlating sensor data, calendar data and device settings to a user'"'"'s current status, the avatar selection criteria enables a processor to automatically select an avatar that reflects the user'"'"'s current status. Others then can be informed of the user'"'"'s current status by accessing the user'"'"'s avatar.

Claims

1. A method for automatically updating an avatar to indicate a mobile device user'"'"'s status, comprising:

polling sensors connected to the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data to the avatar selection criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing calendar data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of calendar data with avatar selection criteria.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing an authorization level of a second user to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the second user with avatar selection criteria.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of polling sensors, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display are performed in response to a request for an avatar received from a server.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of polling sensors, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display are performed in response to a request for an avatar received from another computing device, and further comprising transmitting the selected avatar to the other computing device for display.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the server requests an avatar from the mobile device only when a request for the avatar is received by the server.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an identifier of the selected avatar to a server; and

recalling an avatar file from the server'"'"'s memory using the identifier.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the sensor data to a server, wherein the steps of comparing the sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison are performed on the server.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising inserting the selected avatar into a webpage hosted by the server.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting calendar data to the server;

comparing calendar data to avatar selection criteria at the server; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of calendar data with avatar selection criteria performed at the server.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting mobile device settings to the server;

comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria at the server; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria performed at the server.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the sensor data to another computing device, wherein the steps of comparing the sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison are performed on the other computing device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting calendar data to the other computing device;

comparing calendar data to avatar selection criteria at the other computing device; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of calendar data with avatar selection criteria performed at the other computing device.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting mobile device settings to the other computing device;

comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria at the other computing device; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria performed at the other computing device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising;

obtaining an authorization level of the other computing device;

comparing the authorization level of the other computing device to avatar selection criteria at the other computing device; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the other computing device with avatar selection criteria performed at the other computing device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of polling sensors connected to the user'"'"'s mobile device comprises obtaining data from at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a global positioning sensor, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, and a noise sensor.

18. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a transceiver coupled to the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

at least one sensor configured to measure a selected parameter from the group consisting of a global positioning sensor, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, and a noise sensor, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving sensor data from the at least one sensor;

comparing the sensor data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data to the avatar selection criteria.

19. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

comparing calendar to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of calendar data with avatar selection criteria.

20. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

21. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising:

comparing an authorization level of a second user to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the second user with avatar selection criteria.

22. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform the steps of receiving sensor data, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display in response to a request for an avatar received from a server.

23. The mobile device of claim 18 wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform the steps of receiving sensor data, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display in response to a request for an avatar received from another computing device.

24. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting an identifier of the selected avatar to the server via the transceiver.

25. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting the selected avatar to the server via the transceiver.

26. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps further comprising transmitting the selected avatar to the other computing device via the transceiver.

27. The mobile device of claim 18, further comprising a short range wireless transceiver configured to receive sensor data from an external sensor and provide the sensor data to the processor.

28. A mobile device, comprising:

means for sensing a parameter indicative of a user'"'"'s status;

means for comparing the sensed parameter to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison.

29. The mobile device of claim 28, further comprising:

means for comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

30. The mobile device of claim 28, further comprising:

means for comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

31. The mobile device of claim 28, further comprising:

means for comparing an authorization level of a second user to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the second user with avatar selection criteria.

32. The mobile device of claim 28, further comprising means for transmitting the selected avatar to a server.

33. The mobile device of claim 28, further comprising means for receiving sensor data from a sensor external to the mobile device.

34. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving sensor data from at least one sensor coupled to the processor;

comparing the sensor data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data to the avatar selection criteria.

35. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

comparing calendar to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of calendar data with avatar selection criteria

36. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

comparing mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

37. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

comparing an authorization level of a second user to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the second user with avatar selection criteria.

38. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to the perform steps of receiving sensor data, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display in response to a request for an avatar received from a server.

39. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to the perform steps of receiving sensor data, comparing sensor data to avatar selection criteria and selecting an avatar for display in response to a request for an avatar received from another computing device.

40. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising transmitting an identifier of the selected avatar to a server.

41. The tangible storage medium of claim 34, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising transmitting the selected avatar to a server.

42. A server configured to host a user'"'"'s social webpage and receive and transmit data via a network, comprising:

a server memory having stored thereon the user'"'"'s social webpage; and

a server processor coupled to the server memory, wherein the server processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving sensor data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the received sensor data to avatar selection criteria;

selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data with avatar selection criteria; and

including the selected avatar into the user'"'"'s social webpage stored in the server memory.

43. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:

receiving calendar data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the calendar data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the calendar data with avatar selection criteria.

44. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:

receiving mobile device settings from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

45. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:

receiving authorization level data from a second user'"'"'s computing device;

comparing the authorization level data of the second user'"'"'s computing device to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the second user'"'"'s computing device with avatar selection criteria.

46. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:

receiving a parameter value table from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing values in the parameter value table to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the parameter value table with avatar selection criteria.

47. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:

requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data.

48. The server of claim 42, wherein the server processor is further configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data in response to receiving a request for the user'"'"'s avatar.

49. A server, comprising:

means for receiving sensor data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

means for comparing the received sensor data to avatar selection criteria;

means for selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data with avatar selection criteria; and

means for including the selected avatar into the user'"'"'s social webpage stored in the server memory.

50. The server of claim 49, further comprising:

means for receiving calendar data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

means for comparing the calendar data to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the calendar data with avatar selection criteria.

51. The server of claim 49, further comprising:

means for receiving mobile device settings from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

means for comparing the mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

52. The server of claim 49, further comprising:

means for receiving authorization level data from a requesting user'"'"'s computing device;

means for comparing the authorization level data of the requesting user'"'"'s computing device to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the requesting user'"'"'s computing device with avatar selection criteria.

53. The server of claim 49, further comprising means for receiving a parameter value table from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

means for comparing values in the parameter value table to avatar selection criteria; and

means for selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the parameter value table with avatar selection criteria.

54. The server of claim 49, further comprising means for requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data.

55. The server of claim 49, further comprising means for requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data in response to receiving a request for the user'"'"'s avatar.

56. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon server-executable software instructions configured to cause the server to perform steps comprising:

receiving sensor data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the received sensor data to avatar selection criteria;

selecting an avatar for display based upon the comparison of the sensor data with avatar selection criteria; and

including the selected avatar into the user'"'"'s social webpage stored in the server memory.

57. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving calendar data from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the calendar data to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the calendar data with avatar selection criteria.

58. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving mobile device settings from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing the mobile device settings to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the mobile device settings with avatar selection criteria.

59. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving authorization level data from a requesting user'"'"'s computing device;

comparing the authorization level data of the requesting user'"'"'s computing device to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the authorization level of the requesting user'"'"'s computing device with avatar selection criteria.

60. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a parameter value table from the user'"'"'s mobile device;

comparing values in the parameter value table to avatar selection criteria; and

selecting the avatar for display further based upon the comparison of the parameter value table with avatar selection criteria.

61. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data.

62. The tangible storage medium of claim 56, wherein the stored server-executable software instructions are configured to cause the server to perform further steps comprising requesting the user'"'"'s mobile device to transmit sensor data in response to receiving a request for the user'"'"'s avatar.