Financial ventures based on virtual credit

• US 20060195377A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/069,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195377A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

A method and system provides for the use of credit arrangements in simulated environments. A user can participate in credit transactions involving purchases of virtual products, virtual services, and virtual items of value. Feedback is provided to the user regarding results of the credit transactions. In some embodiments multiple users can make simulated purchases or incur simulated credit obligations that are posted to virtual accounts, and the multiple users can also make simulated compensation against balances due or obligations owed for said virtual accounts. The user is also provided with an opportunity of engaging in real-world financial transactions related to the virtual credit arrangement. In some implementations of the system and method, multiple players at different locations can use virtual charge accounts and/or real world financial accounts in connection with arranging or resolving a virtual credit transaction. One aspect enables a credit entity to participate in a virtual world environment with publicity and advertising in order to seek potential customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment.

Claims

1. A method for promoting credit accounts comprising:

creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in a virtual world environment; and

enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek potential customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek potential customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing publicity in the virtual world environment by or on behalf of the selected real-world credit entity.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said allowing publicity in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing sponsorship of an event and/or an activity and/or a location in the virtual world environment by or on behalf of the selected real-world credit entity.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said allowing publicity in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing audio and/or visual and/or graphic and/or textual publicity relating to the selected real-world credit entity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek potential customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing a virtual credit service to be advertised in the virtual world environment by or on behalf of the selected real-world entity.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek potential customers in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing a real-world credit service to be advertised in the virtual world environment by or on behalf of the selected real-world entity.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek potential customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing the selected real-world credit entity to use the virtual world environment as a medium to offer a real-world credit account service to a prospective customer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment includes:

allowing the selected real-world credit entity to use the virtual world environment as a medium to offer a virtual world credit account service to a prospective customer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

charging a fee to the selected real-world entity as at least partial consideration for its participation in the virtual world environment.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

requiring the selected real-world entity to provide a free or discounted real-world advertisement for the virtual world environment as at least partial consideration for the selected real-world credit entity'"'"'s participation in the virtual world environment.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

providing an opportunity for the selected real-world credit entity to assume a character role while participating in the virtual world environment.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

enabling the selected real-world credit entity to issue a virtual credit card object that is capable of manipulation by a player in the virtual world environment.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

programming an activity or event in the virtual world environment that automatically benefits a virtual world credit service of the selected real-world entity.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

enabling the selected real-world credit entity to issue a special charge account capable of usage for both real-world credit transactions and simulated credit transactions in the virtual world environment.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

establishing a link that awards virtual world benefits based on the real-world credit transactions involving the special charge account.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in the virtual world environment includes:

authorizing the selected real-world credit entity to operate a storefront-type financial business in the virtual world environment.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating an opportunity for a selected real-world credit entity to participate in a virtual world environment includes:

authorizing a virtual world credit service of the selected real-world credit entity for purchases made from a virtual business of a third party player or third party owner in the virtual world environment.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the selected real-world credit entity to seek customers for credit transactions in the virtual world environment includes:

giving a new player in the virtual world environment access to informational materials related to the credit accounts of the selected real-world entity.

19. The method of claim 1 incorporated in one or more computer program products comprising a carrier medium having program instructions thereon.

20. A computer program product having one or more computer programs for executing a computer process, the computer process comprising:

enabling a selected credit entity to seek potential customers in a virtual world environment; and

providing an opportunity for the selected credit entity to offer a virtual world credit service based on a transaction that involves one or more of the potential parties.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said enabling a selected credit entity to seek potential customers that is embodied in said computer process includes:

allowing audio and/or visual and/or graphic and/or textual publicity in the virtual world environment related to the selected credit entity.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said enabling a selected credit entity to seek potential customers that is embodied in said computer process includes:

allowing sponsorship of an event and/or an activity and/or a location in the virtual world environment by or on behalf of the selected credit entity.

23. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said enabling a selected credit entity to seek potential customers that is embodied in said computer process includes:

authorizing the selected credit entity to operate a storefront-type financial business in the virtual world environment.

24. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said providing an opportunity for the selected credit entity to offer a virtual world credit service that is embodied in said computer process includes:

offering a virtual world credit service involving a virtual credit transaction between virtual world participants.

25. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said providing an opportunity for the selected credit entity to offer a virtual world credit service that is embodied in said computer process includes:

offering a virtual world credit service involving a virtual credit transaction between an owner or operator of the virtual world environment and one or more virtual world players.

26. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said providing an opportunity for the selected credit entity to offer a virtual world credit service that is embodied in said computer process includes:

offering a virtual world credit service involving a virtual credit transaction between a third party virtual business entity and one or more virtual world players.

27. A computerized system for creating a virtual world credit business, comprising:

an audio/visual virtual world accessible by one or more players through a user interface;

a credit entity with a capability of participating in the virtual world; and

a database storage device linked to the virtual world that keeps a record of virtual credit transactions involving the credit entity and the one or more players.

28. The computerized system of claim 27 wherein the credit entity has a capability of advertising a virtual world credit service by one or more of the following:

sponsoring an event and/or an activity and/or a location in the virtual world, providing audio and/or visual and/or graphic and/or textual publicity in the virtual world, programming an activity or event in the virtual world that automatically comes to the attention of one or more virtual world players, and assuming a character role in the virtual world.

29. The computerized system of claim 27 further comprising:

a virtual credit card object issued by the credit entity and capable of manipulation by a player in the virtual world.

30. The computerized system of claim 27 wherein the credit entity also operates a real-world credit business.

31. The computerized system of claim 27 wherein the credit entity is controlled and/or operated by a party that also controls and/or operates the virtual world.

32. The computerized system of claim 27 further comprising:

one or more non-player third party entities in the virtual world that participate in a credit transaction involving the credit entity.

33. The computerized system of claim 27 further comprising:

an owner or operator of the virtual world that participates in a credit transaction involving the credit entity.