SINGLE USER MULTIPLE PRESENCE IN MULTI-USER GAME

• US 20160074757A1
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Utherverse Gaming LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Utherverse Gaming LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shuster, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US14/946,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20160074757A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• 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 13/33 using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/70 Game security or game management aspects
• 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 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/535 for monitoring, e.g. of user parameters, terminal parameters, application parameters, network parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 : user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 : Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6054 : by generating automatically game commands to assist the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game

Abstract

A method for providing a single user multiple presence implementation may include providing access for a user identified by a user account to a virtual environment hosted by a computer. The method may further include generating multiple avatars for the user account to concurrently coexist and be operative within the virtual environment. The method may further include controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in response to input from the user. The method may further include communicating virtual environment data regarding more than one of the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by the user. An apparatus for performing the method may include a processor coupled to a memory holding encoded instructions for performing operations of the method on a computer configured as a network entity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a user with access to a virtual environment wherein the user'"'"'s account is associated with more than one avatar;

receiving one or more inputs from the user, wherein at least one of the inputs is the user'"'"'s voice;

analyzing a tone of the user'"'"'s voice; and

determining which of the more than one avatar to direct input data to based on the tone of the user'"'"'s voice.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input data directed to the avatar is voice input.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the input data directed to the avatar comprises one or more of a keyboard, a joystick, and a game controller.

4. A method comprising:

for a plurality of human operators numbering N, the plurality logged into a single user account in a virtual environment; and

a number of avatars numbering X associated with the user account, wherein N is less than X and at least one avatar not actively controlled by a human operator;

using an automatic control algorithm configured to cause the at least one avatar to appear to be actively controlled by a human operator;

monitoring the virtual environment for a triggering event; and

after occurrence of the triggering event, temporarily transferring control of an avatar associated with the triggering event to one of the human operators.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the triggering event is a question asked by a customer and directed to an avatar.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the avatar for which control is temporarily transferred engages in programmatic behaviors to reduce the perceived delay associated with a time between the occurrence of the triggering event and the active control of the avatar by one of the human operators.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmatic behaviors comprise foot shuffling by the avatar.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmatic behaviors comprise a statement by the avatar.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein avatars are not actuated so long as the avatars are in an area not occupied by human controlled avatars.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein more than one avatar is simultaneously controlled by using a multicast control input.

6. The method of clam 4, wherein the triggering event is a request for information by an avatar.

12. A method comprising:

for a plurality of human operators associated with a service entity;

at least two client entities;

one or more client user accounts uniquely associate with each client entity; and

at least one avatar in a virtual environment not being actively controlled by a human operator;

using an automatic control algorithm configured to cause the at least one avatar to appear to be actively controlled by a human operator;

monitoring the virtual environment for a triggering event;

after occurrence of the triggering event, temporarily transferring control of an avatar associated with the triggering event to one or the human operators; and

altering the one or the human operators as to which client user account the avatar is associated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the triggering event is a question asked by a customer and directed to an avatar.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the triggering event is a request for information by an avatar.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the avatar for which control is temporarily transferred engages in programmatic behaviors to reduce the perceived delay associated with a time between the occurrence of the triggering event and the active control of the avatar by one of the human operators.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the programmatic behaviors comprise a statement by the avatar.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein avatars are not actuated so long as they are in an area not occupied by human controlled avatars.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein more than one avatar is simultaneously controlled by using a multicast control input.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of avatars “

A”

is calculated by adding a non-zero number “

N”

to the number of human operators “

X”

(A=X+N).

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of avatars “

A”

is calculated by multiplying the number of human operators “

X”

by a non-zero number “

N”

plus one (A=X*(N+1)).