Using user profile information to determine an avatar and/or avatar characteristics
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for associating an avatar with a user identity, the method comprising:
- detecting a selection by a user, the selection being at least one of an avatar selection and a wallpaper selection for use in an instant messaging environment, wherein the selected avatar or wallpaper comprise one or more attributes;
inferring, using at least one processor, one or more user profile attributes for the user based on the detected user selection, wherein the inferred user profile attributes are not identical to the one or more attributes of the selected avatar or wallpaper;
storing the inferred user profile attributes in a user profile of the user, wherein the user profile is viewable by one or more other users within the instant messaging environment;
accessing stored attributes for multiple avatars that are potential candidates for selection by the user to represent the user in a communications session;
identifying a subset of less than all of the multiple avatars based on a comparison between the inferred user profile attributes located is the stored user profile and the accessed avatar attributes; and
presenting the identified subset of avatars for selection by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instant messaging user may be able to convey information about the user by displaying self-expression items in the instant message communications. Examples of self-expression items generally include non-animated icons, animated avatars, sounds, wallpaper, or objects associated with an avatar or wallpaper. A user may select an avatar, and one or more other types of self-expression items, from among many available avatars and other types of self-expression items. A user profile that provides information about the user (e.g., geographical location of the user, the user'"'"'s occupation, and various interests held by the user) may be used to identify a subset of the universe of available avatars and self-expression items to be presented to the user for selection.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for associating an avatar with a user identity, the method comprising:
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detecting a selection by a user, the selection being at least one of an avatar selection and a wallpaper selection for use in an instant messaging environment, wherein the selected avatar or wallpaper comprise one or more attributes; inferring, using at least one processor, one or more user profile attributes for the user based on the detected user selection, wherein the inferred user profile attributes are not identical to the one or more attributes of the selected avatar or wallpaper; storing the inferred user profile attributes in a user profile of the user, wherein the user profile is viewable by one or more other users within the instant messaging environment; accessing stored attributes for multiple avatars that are potential candidates for selection by the user to represent the user in a communications session; identifying a subset of less than all of the multiple avatars based on a comparison between the inferred user profile attributes located is the stored user profile and the accessed avatar attributes; and presenting the identified subset of avatars for selection by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method for associating an avatar with a user identity, the method comprising:
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detecting a selection by a user, the selection being at least one of an avatar selection and a wallpaper selection for use in an instant messaging environment, wherein the selected avatar or wallpaper comprise one or more attributes; inferring, using at least one processor, one or more user profile attributes for the user based on the detected user selection, wherein the inferred user profile attributes are not identical to the one or more attributes of the selected avatar or wallpaper; storing, the inferred user profile attributes in a user profile of the user, wherein the user profile is viewable by one or more other users within the instant messaging environment; accessing stored attributes for multiple avatars that are potential candidates for selection by the user to represent the user in a communications session; identifying a subset of less than all of the multiple avatars based on a comparison between the inferred user profile attributes located in the stored user profile and the accessed avatar attributes; and presenting the identified subset of avatars for selection by the user. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A communications system for associating user identities with avatars, the system comprising:
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a storage device storing attribute information for multiple avatars and wallpapers supported by the communications system; and one or more processors configured to; detect a selection by a user, the selection being at least one of an avatar selection and a wallpaper selection for use in an instant messaging environment, wherein the selected avatar or wallpaper comprise one or more attributes; infer one or more user profile attributes for the user based on the detected user selection, wherein the inferred user profile attributes are not identical to the one or more attributes of the selected avatar or wallpaper; store, in the storage device, the inferred user profile attributes in a user profile of the user, wherein the user profile is viewable by one or more other users within the instant messaging environment; access, from the storage device, attributes for multiple avatars that are potential candidates for selection by the user to represent the user in a communications session; identify a subset of less than all of the multiple avatars based on a comparison between the inferred user profile attributes located in the stored user profile and the accessed avatar attributes; and present the identified subset of avatars for selection by the user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification