Predatory Behavior Detection and Alert in Virtual Worlds Based on Spatial and Temporal Criteria
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- initiating a search for at least one avatar following a target avatar within a virtual world;
as a result of the search, identifying one or more avatars suspected of following the target avatar based on predetermined criteria;
determining one or more characteristics of movements of the identified one or more avatars within the virtual world; and
identifying, based on the determined one or more characteristics, at least one of the one or more avatars that is following the target avatar, the target user being under the control of a user of and the one or more avatars being under the control of respective other users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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initiating a search for at least one avatar following a target avatar within a virtual world; as a result of the search, identifying one or more avatars suspected of following the target avatar based on predetermined criteria; determining one or more characteristics of movements of the identified one or more avatars within the virtual world; and identifying, based on the determined one or more characteristics, at least one of the one or more avatars that is following the target avatar, the target user being under the control of a user of and the one or more avatars being under the control of respective other users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program, which when executed on a processor performs an operation, the operation comprising:
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initiating a search for at least one avatar following a target avatar within a virtual world; as a result of the search, identifying one or more avatars suspected of following the target avatar based on predetermined criteria; determining one or more characteristics of movements of the identified one or more avatars within the virtual world; and identifying, based on the determined one or more characteristics, at least one of the one or more avatars that is following the target avatar, the target user being under the control of a user of and the one or more avatars being under the control of respective other users. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory containing a program, which when executed by the processor is configured to perform an operation, the operation comprising the steps of; initiating a search for at least one avatar following a target avatar within a virtual world; as a result of the search, identifying one or more avatars suspected of following the target avatar based on predetermined criteria; determining one or more characteristics of movements of the identified one or more avatars within the virtual world; and identifying, based on the determined one or more characteristics, at least one of the one or more avatars that is following the target avatar, the target user being under the control of a user of and the one or more avatars being under the control of respective other users. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification