MANAGING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR BEHAVIOR RATINGS
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- determining that a behavior rating of an avatar should be updated;
determining a behavior score that corresponds to a behavior scale;
updating the behavior rating of the avatar based, at least in part, on the behavior score; and
restricting the avatar from entering behavior rating restricted areas based on the behavior rating of the avatar within the virtual universe.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inappropriate behavior, such as harassment, expletive laden communications, violence or sexually explicit behavior in a virtual universe (VU) can lead to negative experiences for VU users. Younger users of a VU can be more susceptible to inappropriate behavior than adult users. A VU system can monitor behavior and associate behavior ratings with avatars within the VU to respond to avatar/user behavior. A system can determine behavior ratings based upon avatar interactions, user complaints or complements about an avatar, actions within the VU, etc. The system can subject poorly behaving avatars to various penalties (e.g., restriction from certain areas, account termination, etc.). The system can also reward avatars that exhibit good behavior (e.g., allowing access to bonus areas or content, awarding points that can be used as VU currency, etc.). Penalizing inappropriate behavior and rewarding positive behavior can increase safety of minors in the VU, and increase user experience overall.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining that a behavior rating of an avatar should be updated; determining a behavior score that corresponds to a behavior scale; updating the behavior rating of the avatar based, at least in part, on the behavior score; and restricting the avatar from entering behavior rating restricted areas based on the behavior rating of the avatar within the virtual universe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. One or more machine-readable media having stored therein a program product, which when executed by a set of one or more processor units causes the set of one or more processor units to perform operations that comprise:
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determining that a behavior rating of an avatar should be updated; determining a behavior score that corresponds to a behavior scale; updating the behavior rating of the avatar based, at least in part, on the behavior score; and restricting the avatar from entering behavior rating restricted areas based on the behavior rating of the avatar within the virtual universe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus comprising:
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a set of one or more processing units; a network interface; and a virtual universe avatar behavior rating management unit operable to, determine that a behavior rating of an avatar should be updated; determine a behavior score that corresponds to a behavior scale; update the behavior rating of the avatar based, at least in part, on the behavior score; and restrict the avatar from entering behavior rating restricted areas based on the behavior rating of the avatar within the virtual universe. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification