Method to Invite Users to a Virtual World Using Instant Messaging
First Claim
1. A computer-implementable method for initiating a session in a virtual world, comprising:
- providing a registry for an instant messaging system (IMS), the registry comprising a plurality of IMS user identifiers and a plurality of virtual world user identifiers;
indexing the IMS user identifier of a user to a virtual world identifier of the user;
enabling generation of an invitation as a result of an IMS session to participate in a session in a virtual world, the invitation being generated by a first IMS user and comprising the IMS user identifier of the first user, the name of the virtual world, and the virtual world identifier of the first user;
delivering the invitation to a second IMS user for acceptance as a result of the IMS session;
enabling acceptance of the invitation, the acceptance logging the first and second IMS users into a virtual world session in the virtual world.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for initiating a session in a virtual world. An instant messaging system (IMS) comprises a registry of IMS user identifiers cross-referenced to their corresponding virtual world user identifiers. A first IMS user implements a virtual world invitation module as a result of an IMS session to invite a second IMS user to participate in a virtual world session. The first IMS user selects the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, followed by selection of a target virtual world and a virtual world identifier. Once completed, the invitation is sent the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, who receives the invitation and signifies their acceptance or declination. If accepted, the cross-referenced virtual world user identifiers of the first and second IMS users are used to log them into the agreed-upon virtual world venue and initiate a virtual world session.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implementable method for initiating a session in a virtual world, comprising:
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providing a registry for an instant messaging system (IMS), the registry comprising a plurality of IMS user identifiers and a plurality of virtual world user identifiers; indexing the IMS user identifier of a user to a virtual world identifier of the user; enabling generation of an invitation as a result of an IMS session to participate in a session in a virtual world, the invitation being generated by a first IMS user and comprising the IMS user identifier of the first user, the name of the virtual world, and the virtual world identifier of the first user; delivering the invitation to a second IMS user for acceptance as a result of the IMS session; enabling acceptance of the invitation, the acceptance logging the first and second IMS users into a virtual world session in the virtual world. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a processor; a data bus coupled to the processor; and a computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, the computer-usable medium being coupled to the data bus, the computer program code for initiating a session in a virtual world and comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured for; providing a registry for an instant messaging system (IMS), the registry comprising a plurality of IMS user identifiers and a plurality of virtual world user identifiers; indexing the IMS user identifier of a user to a virtual world identifier of the user; enabling generation of an invitation as a result of an IMS session to participate in a session in a virtual world, the invitation being generated by a first IMS user and comprising the IMS user identifier of the first user, the name of the virtual world, and the virtual world identifier of the first user; delivering the invitation to a second IMS user for acceptance during the IMS session; enabling acceptance of the invitation, the acceptance logging the first and second IMS users into a virtual world session in the virtual world. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:
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providing a registry for an instant messaging system (IMS), the registry comprising a plurality of IMS user identifiers and a plurality of virtual world user identifiers; indexing the IMS user identifier of a user to a virtual world identifier of the user; enabling generation of an invitation as a result of an IMS session to participate in a session in a virtual world, the invitation being generated by a first IMS user and comprising the IMS user identifier of the first user, the name of the virtual world, and the virtual world identifier of the first user; delivering the invitation to a second IMS user for acceptance during the IMS session; enabling acceptance of the invitation, the acceptance logging the first and second IMS users into a virtual world session in the virtual world. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification