ITEM CUSTOMIZATION AND WEBSITE CUSTOMIZATION

• US 20100162137A1
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ganz
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Ganz, Howard, Borst, Karl Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,255,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/757
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Customized item that is usable on both a website as an item in a virtual world, and outside the website as a tangible item in the real world is provided and described. One single customization is used to create both items. The item can be the same in the virtual world as it is in the virtual world, or can be different in the virtual world.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

registering an item in a user account;

presenting a user interface to users that allows customizing said item to create a customized item based on said item registered in said user account;

storing customization information indicative of the customized item in said user account; and

based on item information in said user account including said customization information, creating a tangible version of the customized item based on said customization information.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising presenting a virtual version of the customized item on a website as a virtual customized item with which one can interact on the website.

3. A method as in claim 2, further comprising creating said virtual customized item on said website.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said customization information comprises a first code and a second code.

5. A method as in claim 2, wherein said item is an item of clothing of a type wherein said virtual customized item can be worn by an avatar on the website.

6. A method as in claim 2, wherein said item is a room furnishing, and said virtual customized item is a decoration for a virtual room on the website.

7. A method as in claim 4, wherein said first code causes said virtual customized item to be shown on said website when entered into said website.

8. A method as in claim 4, wherein said second code permits creating said tangible version of the customized item.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein said second code permits purchase of said tangible version of the customized item.

10. A method as in claim 4, wherein said first code is provided directly to said website and automatically causes said virtual customized item to be created on said website.

11. A method as in claim 10, further comprising an obscenity filter which limits the customizing based on detecting at least one of proscribed content and obscenity.

12. A method as in claim 2, wherein said virtual customized item and said tangible version have precisely the same look.

13. A method as in claim 2, wherein said virtual customized item and said tangible version have a different look but are based on the same customization information.

14. A method as in claim 2, further comprising virtually caring for the virtual customized item for by a user.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said virtually caring for the virtual customized item changes a parameter in said user account that is associated with said virtual customized item.

16. A method as in claim 15, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the virtual customized item.

17. A method as in claim 15, further comprising virtually training said virtual customized item by said user.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said virtual customized item.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that allow interacting with the virtual customized item.

20. A method as in claim 15, wherein said virtual customized item is registered based on a code that is associated with a tangible product that is purchased by the user.

21. A system, comprising:

a server computer that creates a user interface on a website, that accepts a code to register an item, and based on said registering, that stores information indicative of an avatar in a user account, wherein said avatar is indicative of said item, and said registering allows a user to enter customization information, said customization information including information that customizes said item; and

an interface part that produces outputs to create a customized version of said item based on said customization information to produce a tangible version of said item based on said customization information.

22. A system as in claim 21, wherein said computer further comprises an obscenity filter which limits the customization information based on detecting at least one of obscenity and proscribed content.

23. A system as in claim 21, wherein said website creates a virtual representation of said item on said website.

24. A system as in claim 21, further comprising a remote device that creates said tangible version.

25. A system as in claim 21, wherein said item is an item of clothing of a type wherein a virtual representation of said item can be worn by a character on said website.

26. A system as in claim 21, wherein said item is a room furnishing, and a virtual representation of said item is used to decorate a virtual room on said website.

27. A system as in claim 21, wherein said information is a first code which, when entered into the website, causes a virtual version of said customized item to be shown on said website.

28. A system as in claim 21, wherein said outputs include a second code which is redeemed to obtain said tangible version of said item.

29. A system as in claim 21, wherein said outputs include a first code which is entered into the website to cause a virtual version of said item to be shown on said website, and a second code is redeemed to create said tangible version of said item.

30. A system as in claim 21, further comprising another website, said other website accepting a character code to obtain a virtual character on said other website, and wherein said virtual character interacts with a virtual version of said item.

31. A system as in claim 21, further comprising another website which receives directly said information and automatically causes a virtual version of said item to be created on said other website.

32. A system as in claim 21, wherein a virtual version of said item and said tangible version have precisely the same look.

33. A system as in claim 21, wherein a virtual version of said item and said tangible version have a different look but are based on the same customization information.

34. A system as in claim 21, wherein said server computer produces another user interface portion that controls virtually caring for said avatar by the user.

35. A system as in claim 34, wherein said virtually caring for changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

36. A system as in claim 35, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the avatar.

37. A system as in claim 21, wherein said server computer produces another user interface portion that controls virtually training by a user.

38. A system as in claim 37, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

39. A system as in claim 38, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that control interacting with the avatar.

40. A method, comprising:

customizing a virtual item representing an avatar on a computer using a user interface;

providing first information that controls customizing a virtual item representing a virtual customized item that is separate from said avatar and usable with said avatar, said virtual item being viewable over a network based on said computer; and

providing second information that controls obtaining a tangible item representing said virtual customized item based on said customizing, the tangible item and the virtual item based on said customizing.

41. A method as in claim 40, further comprising entering a character code into a website to obtain a virtual character on the website, and wherein said virtual character interacts with the virtual item.

42. A method as in claim 41, wherein said item is an item of clothing of a type where said virtual item can be worn by an avatar on the website.

43. A method as in claim 41, wherein said item is a room decoration, and said virtual item is used to decorate a virtual room on the website.

44. A method as in claim 40, wherein said first information is a code which, when entered into a website, causes said virtual item representing said customized item to be shown on said website.

45. A method as in claim 40, wherein said second information is a code which is redeemed to obtain said tangible item.

46. A method as in claim 40, wherein said first information is a first code which can be entered into a website to cause a virtual representation of said customized item to be shown on said website, and said second information is a second code that is redeemed to create said tangible item.

47. A method as in claim 46, wherein said first and second codes are redeemed on the same website.

48. A method as in claim 46, wherein said virtual item and said tangible item have the same look.

49. A method as in claim 40, wherein said virtual item and said tangible item have a different look but are based on the same customization information.

50. A method as in claim 40, further comprising limiting the customizing based on an obscenity filter.

51. A method as in claim 40, further comprising virtually caring for the virtual customized item for by a user.

52. A method as in claim 51, wherein said virtually caring for the virtual customized item changes a parameter in a user account associated with said virtual customized item.

53. A method as in claim 52, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the virtual customized item.

54. A method as in claim 40, further comprising virtually training said virtual customized item by a user.

55. A method as in claim 54, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in a user account associated with said virtual customized item.

56. A method as in claim 55, wherein said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that allow interacting with the virtual customized item.

57. A method as in claim 40, wherein said virtual customized item is registered based on a code that is associated with a tangible product that is purchased by a user.

58. A method, comprising:

on a first website, presenting a user interface to a user that controls selection of a user'"'"'s customized avatar, where there are a number of different avatar characters, and a first user'"'"'s customized avatar for a first character is different from a second user'"'"'s customized avatar for said first character;

controlling customization of an item to create a virtual customized item on said first website;

storing customization information indicative of the customized item with the user'"'"'s customized avatar; and

using said customization information on a second website separate from the first website to create a tangible version of the customized item.

59. A method as in claim 58, further comprising creating said tangible version from the customization information.

60. A method as in claim 59, further comprising creating an intangible version of said customized item from said customization information.

61. A method as in claim 60, wherein said intangible version of said customized item is different from said tangible version of said customized item, but is based on the same customization information.

62. A method as in claim 58, wherein said item is an item of clothing that includes information indicative of said customization information.

63. A method as in claim 58, wherein said customization information includes a code which is redeemed to obtain said tangible version of the customized item.

64. A method as in claim 58, wherein said presenting comprises using a pull down menu which displays a plurality of the user'"'"'s customized avatars as part of said pull down menu.

65. A method as in claim 58, further comprising interacting with said customized avatar to change a characteristic of said customized avatar through said interacting.

66. A method as in claim 65, wherein said interacting comprises virtually caring for the virtual customized item for by a user.

67. A method as in claim 66, wherein said virtually caring for changes a parameter in a user account associated with said virtual customized item.

68. A method as in claim 67, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the virtual customized item.

69. A method as in claim 68, wherein said interacting comprises virtually training said virtual customized item by said user.

70. A method as in claim 69, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said virtual customized item.

71. A method as in claim 70, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that allow interacting with the virtual customized item.

72. A method as in claim 66, wherein said virtual customized item is registered based on a code that is associated with a tangible product that is purchased by a user.

73. A system, comprising:

a server computer that presents a first user interface to users which controls registering an avatar based on a code entered into a website, where the code represents a specific avatar that is different than another avatar, and wherein said server computer includes information about multiple customized avatars associated with a user account, where there are a number of different avatar characters, and a first user'"'"'s customized avatar for a first character is different from a second user'"'"'s customized avatar for said first character;

said server computer recognizing a selection of one of said multiple customized avatars, and forming customizing information that defines customization of an item and that produces customization information indicative of the customized item with the at least one of the first user'"'"'s and second user'"'"'s customized avatar, said customization information allowing creating a tangible version of the customized item.

74. A system as in claim 73, further comprising a device that controls creating said tangible version from the customization information.

75. A system as in claim 73, wherein said server computer further creates an intangible version of said customized item from said customization information.

76. A system as in claim 75, wherein said intangible version of said customized item is different from said tangible version of said customized item, but is based on the same customization information.

77. A system as in claim 73, further comprising a different website than that hosted by said server computer, said different website controlling customization of said avatar that is displayed by said server computer.

78. A system as in claim 73, wherein said user interface shows a pull-down menu which displays a plurality of the user'"'"'s customized avatars as part of said pull-down menu.

79. A system as in claim 77, wherein said different website allows interaction with said avatar.

80. A system as in claim 73, wherein said server computer produces a second user interface that controls interacting with said customized avatar to change a characteristic of said customized avatar through said interacting.

81. A system as in claim 80, wherein said interacting comprises virtually caring for said customized avatar by the user.

82. A system as in claim 81, wherein said virtually caring for said customized avatar changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

83. A system as in claim 82, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the avatar.

84. A system as in claim 81, wherein said server computer produces a third user interface for said interacting that controls virtually training by a user.

85. A system as in claim 84, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

86. A system as in claim 85, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that control interacting with the avatar.

87. A system, comprising:

a first website that controls storage of avatars, and customization of said avatars that are stored as customized avatars; and

a second website, separate from said first website, that controls selection from a plurality of the user'"'"'s customized avatars from said first website;

said second website recognizing a selection of one of said customized avatars, and forming customizing information that defines customization of an item and produces a customized item and customization information indicative of the item that includes the user'"'"'s customized avatar, said customization information utilized to create a tangible version of the customized item.

88. A system as in claim 87, further comprising a device that controls creating said tangible version from the customization information.

89. A system as in claim 87, wherein said second website creates an intangible version of said customized item from said customization information.

90. A system as in claim 89, wherein said intangible version of said customized item is different from said tangible version of said customized item, but is based on the same customization information.

91. A system as in claim 87, wherein said first website stores information about said avatars associated with a user account, and allows retrieving information about said avatars by entry of a username and password for said user account.

92. A system as in claim 91, wherein said first website controls retrieving one of said customized avatars based on said user name and password, and controls further customization of said avatar, and controls restoring said avatar after said further customization.

93. A system as in claim 91, wherein said first website controls interacting with said customized avatars based on said user name and password.

94. A system as in claim 93, wherein said first website controls interacting with said customized avatars by playing a game with at least one of said customized avatars.

95. A system as in claim 87, wherein said second website controls said selection using a pull-down menu which shows said plural avatars and controls selection among said plural avatars.

96. A system as in claim 87, wherein said second website controls said selection using a code.

97. A system as in claim 87, wherein said first website stores avatars that have a resemblance to a tangible item.

98. A system as in claim 91, wherein said first website produces a user interface that controls interacting with said customized avatar to change a characteristic of said customized avatar through said interacting.

99. A system as in claim 98, wherein said interacting comprises virtually caring for said avatar by the user.

100. A system as in claim 97, wherein said virtually caring for changes a parameter in a user account associated with said avatar.

101. A system as in claim 100, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the avatar.

102. A system as in claim 98, wherein said first website produces another user interface that controls virtually training by a user.

103. A system as in claim 101, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

104. A system as in claim 103, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that control interacting with the avatar.

105. A system, comprising:

a first website, that allows storing information indicative of plural different avatars, and also controls interacting with the plural avatars, said interacting including customizing at least one of said avatars; and

a second website, that includes information indicative of plural different avatars including at least some of said avatars stored on said first website, and also allows customizing said avatars to create customized avatars, using a same kind of customization used on said first website, and said second website also allowing creating a tangible version of the customized avatars.

106. A system as in claim 105, wherein said customizing on both said first and second website includes same customization options.

107. A system as in claim 106, wherein said customizing on both said first and second websites allows selecting all of the same kinds of clothing as customization options.

108. A system as in claim 106, wherein said customizing on both said first and second websites allows selecting among all same kinds of hats.

109. A system as in claim 106, wherein said customizing on both said first and second website allows selecting among all same kinds of glasses.

110. A system as in claim 105, wherein said avatar on said first website is associated with a user name and said customized avatar is stored in an account associated with said user name.

111. A system as in claim 110, wherein said first website produces a user interface that controls interacting with said customized avatar to change a characteristic of said customized avatar through said interacting.

112. A system as in claim 111, wherein said user interface controls virtually caring for said avatar by a user.

113. A system as in claim 112, wherein said virtually caring for changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

114. A system as in claim 113, wherein said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the avatar.

115. A system as in claim 113, wherein said user interface controls virtually trained said avatar by said user.

116. A system as in claim 115, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in said user account associated with said avatar.

117. A system as in claim 116, wherein said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that allow interacting with the avatar.

118. A system as in claim 111, wherein said avatar is registered based on a code that is associated with a tangible product that is purchased by a user.

119. A method, comprising:

controlling customization of a generic avatar on a first website to create a first customized avatar;

controlling the customized avatar in a first way to carry out a first function on the first website;

controlling customization of the generic avatar on a second website to create a second customized avatar; and

using the second customized avatar in a second way on the second website, where the second way is different than the first way.

120. A method as in claim 119, wherein said using the first customized avatar in the first way comprises interacting with said first customized avatar to change a characteristic of said customized avatar through said interacting with the first customized avatar, and wherein said using the second customized avatar in the second way comprises forming a customized item based on the second avatar.

121. A method as in claim 119, wherein said interacting comprises virtually caring for the virtual customized item for by a user.

122. A method as in claim 121, wherein said virtually caring for changes a parameter in a user account associated with said virtual customized item.

123. A method as in claim 122, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing health, happiness and hunger of a virtual persona of the virtual customized item.

124. A method as in claim 119, wherein said interacting comprises virtually training said virtual customized item by a user.

125. A method as in claim 124, wherein said virtually training changes a parameter in a user account associated with said virtual customized item.

126. A method as in claim 125, where said parameter includes multiple parameters representing skills, attributes and talents that allow interacting with the virtual customized item.

127. A method as in claim 120, wherein said virtual customized item is registered based on a code that is associated with a tangible product that is purchased by a user.

128. A method, comprising:

on a website, accepting a code to register an item, and based on said registering, storing information indicative of an avatar, said avatar indicative of said item;

presenting a user interface to users that controls customizing an item to create a customized item based on said item in a user account, and which also controls interacting with said avatar to change a characteristic of said avatar through said interacting;

storing customization information indicative of the customized item in said user account; and

based on said information in said user account including said customization information, creating a virtual version of the customized item on the website as a virtual customized item with which one can interact on the website, and providing second information that creates a tangible version of the customized item, said second information also being based on said customization information.

129. A system, comprising:

a website that controls storage of avatars, and customization of said avatars that are stored as customized avatars,

said website controls interacting with said customized avatars by playing a game with at least one of said customized avatars; and

a customized item making component, interacting with said website, that controls selection from a plurality of the user'"'"'s customized avatars from said website, and allows making a customized item based on a customized avatar, said customized item including a user-definable part,

said customized item making component including an examining process component that examines said user-definable part prior to making said part, and determines if said user-definable part satisfies a predetermined criteria; and

said customized item making component creating said item only if said user definable part has a specified relationship with said predetermined criteria.

130. A system as in claim 129, wherein said predetermined criteria includes profanity.

131. A system as in claim 129, wherein said predetermined criteria includes copyrighted items.

132. A system as in claim 129, wherein said predetermined criteria includes trademarks.

133. A system as in claim 129, wherein said predetermined criteria includes logos.

134. A system as in claim 129, wherein said website creates an intangible version of said customized item and allows interacting with said intangible version on said website.

135. A system as in claim 134, wherein said intangible version of said customized item is an image of said customized item in a picture frame.

136. A system as in claim 129, wherein said website stores information about said avatars associated with a user account, and allows retrieving information about said avatars by entry of a username and password for said user account.

137. A system as in claim 129, wherein said customized item making component is on a different website than said website.

138. A system as in claim 129, wherein said customized avatars are customized for skills, attributes and talents that control interacting with the avatar.

139. A system as in claim 129, wherein said customized item is a customized t-shirt.