SELECTIVE DISTRIBUTION OF OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE

• US 20100251337A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pickover, Clifford Alan, O'Connell, Brian Marshall, Walker, Keith Raymond, Hamilton, Rick Allen II, Amsterdam, Jeffrey David
• Application Number:
  US12/413,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20100251337A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

A method, product, and system are directed to selective distribution of a virtual universe in a virtual universe. In one embodiment, permission is granted to access the virtual universe, whereby a user navigates to a region. Metadata is detected in a user'"'"'s profile. A virtual universe object is detected in the region. The virtual universe object includes a tag, which includes one or more fields. The tag and the metadata are compared. A level of similarity is detected between the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile. Responsive to detecting the level of similarity between the fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile, the virtual universe object is presented to the user. Either an acceptance or a rejection of the virtual universe object is received. Responsive to receiving an acceptance, the virtual universe object is included in the user'"'"'s inventory.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for distributing virtual universe objects in a virtual universe application, the computer implemented method comprising:

granting permission to access the virtual universe application;

detecting metadata in a user'"'"'s profile;

detecting a virtual universe object in the region, wherein the virtual universe object includes a tag, wherein the tag comprises one or more fields;

comparing the metadata and the tag to form a comparison;

detecting a level of similarity between the one or more fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile;

responsive to detecting the level of similarity between the fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile, presenting the virtual universe object to the user;

receiving either an acceptance or rejection of the virtual universe object; and

responsive to receiving the acceptance, including the virtual universe object in a user'"'"'s inventory.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a trigger condition for providing a user with the virtual universe object, wherein the trigger condition comprises movement of the user within the region of the virtual universe.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user moves from one region to another through teleportation.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein a text similarity algorithm is used to detect the level of similarity between the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile and the tag.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the tag includes a content rating wherein the content rating is a numeric value that indicates the usefulness and the appeal of the virtual universe object.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the tag includes a quality rating, wherein the quality rating is a rating that utilizes the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings to provide further information to the user about the content and age appropriateness of the virtual universe object.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the virtual universe objects within the virtual universe application comprise documents, tools, and applications.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein an application comprises a rendering of the application within the virtual universe application.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user inventory is included within the user'"'"'s profile, wherein the user inventory stores the virtual universe objects in a number of categories included within the user inventory.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

checking an identifier specific to the user for authentication purposes.

11. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for distributing virtual universe objects in a virtual universe application, the computer program product comprising:

computer useable program code for granting permission to access the virtual universe application;

computer useable program code for detecting metadata in a user'"'"'s profile;

computer useable program code for detecting a virtual universe object in the region, wherein the virtual universe object includes a tag, wherein the tag comprises one or more fields;

computer usable program code for comparing the metadata and the tag to form a comparison;

computer useable program code for detecting a level of similarity between the one or more fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile;

computer useable program code for responsive to detecting the level of similarity between the fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile, presenting the virtual universe object to the user;

computer useable program code for receiving either an acceptance or rejection of the virtual universe object; and

computer useable program code for responsive to receiving the acceptance, including the virtual universe object in a user'"'"'s inventory.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting a trigger condition for providing the user with the virtual universe object, wherein the trigger condition comprises movement of the user within the region of the virtual universe application.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the user moves from one region to another through teleportation.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein a text similarity algorithm is used to detect the level of similarity between the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile and the tag.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the tag includes a content rating, wherein the content rating is a numeric value that indicates the usefulness and the appeal of the virtual universe object.

16. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the tag includes a quality rating, wherein the quality rating is a rating that utilizes the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings to provide further information to the user about the content and age appropriateness of the virtual universe object.

17. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the virtual universe objects within the virtual universe application comprise documents, tools, and applications.

18. A data processing system for distributing virtual universe objects in a virtual universe application, the data processing system comprising:

a bus system;

a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes computer useable program code; and

a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the computer useable program code to grant permission to access the virtual universe application;

to detect a virtual universe object in the region, wherein the virtual universe object includes a tag, wherein the tag comprises one or more fields;

to compare the metadata and the tag to form a comparison;

to detect a level of similarity between the one or more fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile;

to present the virtual universe object to the user responsive to detecting the level of similarity between the fields included with the tag and the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile;

to receive either an acceptance or rejection of the virtual universe object; and

to include the virtual universe object in a user'"'"'s inventory responsive to receiving an acceptance.

19. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein a text similarity algorithm is used to detect the level of similarity between the metadata in the user'"'"'s profile and the tag.

20. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the tag includes a content rating, wherein the content rating is a numeric value that indicates the usefulness and the appeal of the virtual universe object.