Rule-based content filtering in a virtual universe
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for filtering content in a virtual universe (VU) by a computer apparatus, comprising:
- receiving a request, by said computer apparatus, for content exposure restrictions for an avatar in the VU, the content exposure restrictions being based on employment data associated with the avatar;
generating a set of rules, by said computer apparatus, that reflect the content exposure restrictions;
establishing, by said computer apparatus, a virtual shield around content according to the content exposure restrictions, the virtual shield restricting the avatar from approaching a distance, from the content, beyond a predetermined threshold;
tagging the avatar, by said computer apparatus, with at least one tag;
comparing, by said computer apparatus, an action attempted by the avatar to the set of rules;
determining, by said computer apparatus, whether the action will be allowed based on the set of rules and the at least one tag;
evaluating, by said computer apparatus, whether the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to a distance, from the content, beyond the predetermined threshold; and
preventing, by said computer apparatus, access by the avatar to the content when a result of the evaluation is that the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to the distance beyond the predetermined threshold.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that enables individuals or companies to allow an avatar'"'"'s transits and communications within a virtual universe. The system enables the selection of regions and/or content. Additionally, companies can use this system to prevent accidental communication of proprietary material. Also provided are a method and a computer readable medium containing a program product including the method to enable individuals or companies to allow an avatar'"'"'s transits and communications within a virtual universe.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for filtering content in a virtual universe (VU) by a computer apparatus, comprising:
-
receiving a request, by said computer apparatus, for content exposure restrictions for an avatar in the VU, the content exposure restrictions being based on employment data associated with the avatar; generating a set of rules, by said computer apparatus, that reflect the content exposure restrictions; establishing, by said computer apparatus, a virtual shield around content according to the content exposure restrictions, the virtual shield restricting the avatar from approaching a distance, from the content, beyond a predetermined threshold; tagging the avatar, by said computer apparatus, with at least one tag; comparing, by said computer apparatus, an action attempted by the avatar to the set of rules; determining, by said computer apparatus, whether the action will be allowed based on the set of rules and the at least one tag; evaluating, by said computer apparatus, whether the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to a distance, from the content, beyond the predetermined threshold; and preventing, by said computer apparatus, access by the avatar to the content when a result of the evaluation is that the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to the distance beyond the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A system for filtering content in a virtual universe (VU), comprising:
-
a processor; a request processing module for receiving a request for content exposure restrictions for an avatar in the VU, the content exposure restrictions being based on employment data associated with the avatar; a rules processing module for generating a set of rules that reflect the content exposure restrictions; a shield processing module for establishing a virtual shield around content according to the content exposure restrictions, the virtual shield restricting the avatar from approaching a distance, from the content, beyond a predetermined threshold; a tagging processing module for tagging the avatar with at least one tag; a comparison processing module for comparing an action attempted by the avatar to the set of rules; a decision processing module for;
determining whether the action will be allowed based on the set of rules and the at least one tag, and evaluating whether the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to a distance, from the content, beyond the predetermined threshold; anda content access processing module for preventing access by the avatar to the content when a result of the evaluation is that the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to the distance beyond the predetermined threshold, wherein said modules are components of said system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A computer readable storage device containing a program product for filtering content in a virtual universe (VU), the computer readable storage device comprising program code for causing a computer apparatus to perform the steps of:
-
receive a request for content exposure restrictions for an avatar in the VU, the content exposure restrictions being based on employment data associated with the avatar; generate a set of rules that reflect the content exposure restrictions; establish a virtual shield around content according to the content exposure restrictions, the virtual shield restricting the avatar from approaching a distance, from the content, beyond a predetermined threshold; tag the avatar with at least one tag; compare an action attempted by the avatar to the set of rules; determine whether the action will be allowed based on the set of rules and the at least one tag; evaluate whether the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to a distance, from the content, beyond the predetermined threshold; and prevent access by the avatar to the content when a result of the evaluation is that the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to the distance beyond the predetermined threshold; wherein said steps are executed by said computer apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for deploying a system for filtering content in a virtual universe (VU), comprising:
providing a computer apparatus infrastructure to; receive a request for content exposure restrictions for an avatar in the VU, the content exposure restrictions being based on employment data associated with the avatar; generate a set of rules that reflect the content exposure restrictions; establish a virtual shield around content according to the content exposure restrictions, the virtual shield restricting the avatar from approaching a distance, from the content, beyond a predetermined threshold; tag the avatar with at least one tag; compare an action attempted by the avatar to the set of rules; and determine whether the action will be allowed based on the set of rules and the at least one tag; evaluate whether the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to a distance, from the content, beyond the predetermined threshold; and prevent access by the avatar to the content when a result of the evaluation is that the action, if allowed, would bring the avatar to the distance beyond the predetermined threshold wherein said steps are executed by said computer apparatus infrastructure. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification