VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE ACCESSIBLE TO WIDGETIZED AVATARS

• US 20130325647A1
• Filed: 05/09/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fuhu Holdings, Inc
• Inventors: Fujioka, Robb
• Application Number:
  US13/891,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20130325647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• 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 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

A system for creating and providing clothing and accessories for avatars, including within a virtual marketplace is disclosed. The system includes computer programming resident on at least one networked server, wherein the computer programming provides a creation tool and an online marketplace having at least one virtual storefront. A user access to the online marketplace includes a user-directed, computer programmable avatar, and further includes a computing device communicatively connected to the at least one networked server.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for designing one or more virtual items for association with one or more avatars, the steps comprising:

providing a networked server;

providing a computer networked to said networked server;

wherein said computer has a display;

wherein said server is comprised of a software-based creation tool and a software-based online marketplace;

accessing by a user, using said computer, said software-based creation tool and said software-based online marketplace;

displaying one or more avatars on said display, the one or more avatars comprising a virtual likeness of said user;

displaying an item and a background, wherein said item and said background are associated with said one or more avatar;

incorporating, at a direction of a said user, one or more media with at least one of the item and the background;

previewing the incorporation by said user;

accepting the incorporation by said user; and

executing the incorporation based on the acceptance by the user;

wherein said item is obtained in said online marketplace;

wherein said display of said avatar is presented as a virtual trading card;

wherein said virtual trading card comprises one or more sides;

wherein said user is designated as a novice or an expert;

wherein said designation as said novice or said expert provides said user with different options within said online marketplace.

2. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the item includes at least one article of virtual clothing.

3. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the item includes at least one virtual accessory.

4. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the background is selected from the group of backgrounds consisting of:

a solid color and a pattern.

5. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein said one or more media is incorporated with the background.

6. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

saving said accepted incorporation to an avatar profile.

7. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

publishing said accepted incorporation to a user defined location.

8. The computer-based method of claim 7, wherein the user defined location comprises a virtual storefront.

9. The computer-based method of claim 7, wherein the user defined location comprises a profile of an avatar.

10. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the one or more media is visually limited to the item.

11. The computer-based method of claim 10, wherein the one or more media is cropped within the item

12. A computer-based method for designing one or more items for association with an avatar, the steps comprising:

providing a networked server;

providing a computer networked to said networked server;

wherein said computer has a display;

wherein said server is comprised of a software-based creation tool and a software-based online marketplace;

accessing by a user, using said computer, said software-based creation tool and said software-based online marketplace;

displaying an avatar, the avatar comprising a virtual likeness of a said user;

displaying an item associated with the avatar;

incorporating, at a direction of a user, one or more media in association with the item;

previewing the incorporation;

accepting the incorporation by said user;

executing the incorporation based on the acceptance by the user;

wherein the item is stored in association with an avatar associated profile and is selected by the user for association with the avatar after acceptance;

wherein said item is obtained in said online marketplace;

wherein said display of said avatar is presented on a virtual trading card;

wherein said virtual trading card has one or more sides;

wherein said user is designated as a novice or an expert;

wherein said designation as said novice or said expert provides said user with different options within said marketplace.

13. The computer-based method of claim 12, wherein the item includes at least one article of virtual clothing.

14. The computer-based method of claim 12, wherein the item includes at least one virtual accessory.

15. The computer-based method of claim 12, further comprising the step of publishing the accepted incorporation to a user defined location.

16. The computer-based method of claim 15, wherein the user defined location includes at least one virtual storefront.

17. The computer-based method of claim 15, wherein the user defined location includes a profile of said avatar.

18. The computer-based method tool of claim 12, wherein the one or more media is visually limited to the one item.

19. The computer-based method of claim 18, wherein the one or more media is cropped within the item.