LINKING TOKEN DETECTION AT A SINGLE COMPUTING PLATFORM WITH A USER IDENTIFICATION TO EFFECTUATE MODIFICATIONS IN VIRTUAL SPACE INSTANCES PRESENTED VIA MULTIPLE COMPUTING PLATFORMS

• US 20150033317A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: NELSON, Robert, VIGNOCCHI, John G., BUNKER, Jeffrey, LEAVITT, Troy, LOWE, Robert, BLACKBURN, John, SHEN, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,922,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2147 Locking files

Abstract

Token detection at a single computing platform may be linked with a user identification to unlock content and/or effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, in accordance with one or more implementations. Exemplary implementations may enhance consistency in a user'"'"'s experiences of a virtual space across multiple computing platforms.

Claims

1. A system configured to link token detection at a single computing platform with a user identification to effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, the system comprising

one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:

a user module configured to manage user identifications associated with users of the system, the user identifications including a first user identification associated with a first user;

a space module configured to implement instances of a virtual space to determine views of the virtual space, the instances of the virtual space including a first instance and a second instance, both the first instance and the second instance being associated with the first user identification, the first instance being configured for presentation via a first computing platform, the second instance being configured for presentation via a second computing platform;

a token detection module configured to detect tokens based on signals received from a token reader, the token reader being communicatively coupled with the first computing platform, a given token being a standalone physical object, the tokens including a first token, the first token being detectable based on a first signal conveying information associated with the first token;

a user ID linking module configured to associate detection of individual tokens with individual user identifications, detection of the first token being associated with the first user identification responsive to the first signal being received from the token reader communicatively coupled with the first computing platform; and

a space modification module configured to effectuate modifications in the virtual space responsive to individual tokens being detected, the modifications including a first modification configured to be made responsive to the association between the detection of the first token and the first user identification, the first modification being observable in both the first instance via the first computing platform and the second instance via the second computing platform, the first modification including one or more of (1) a modification to a first character, (2) a modification to a first virtual item, or (3) a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instances of the virtual space further include a third instance associated with the first user identification, the third instance being configured for presentation via a third computing platform, and wherein the first modification is observable in the third instance via the third computing platform.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first computing platform is a stationary computing platform and the second computing platform is a mobile computing platform.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first token is configured to depict one or both of the first character or the first virtual item.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the modification to the first character includes a modification to one or more of a behavior of the first character, an ability of the first character, an appearance of the first character, or a relationship of the first character.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the modification to the first virtual item includes a modification to one or more of a function of the first virtual item, an effectiveness of the first virtual item, or an appearance of the first virtual item.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a virtual item repository module configured to provide a virtual item repository within the virtual space, the virtual item repository being configured to provide access by a plurality of characters to a plurality of virtual items, the plurality of characters including the first character and the plurality of virtual items including the first virtual item.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more aspects include objectives associated with the virtual space, a given objective being a purpose or goal that efforts or actions within the virtual space are intended to attain or accomplish.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more aspects include an environment of the virtual space, the environment being an aggregate of surroundings and conditions of the virtual space.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more aspects include a theme of the virtual space, the theme of the virtual space being a unifying subject associated with the virtual space.

11. A computer-implemented method to link token detection at a single computing platform with a user identification to effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, the method being performed by one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the method comprising

managing user identifications associated with users of the system, the user identifications including a first user identification associated with a first user;

implementing instances of a virtual space to determine views of the virtual space, the instances of the virtual space including a first instance and a second instance, both the first instance and the second instance being associated with the first user identification, the first instance being configured for presentation via a first computing platform, the second instance being configured for presentation via a second computing platform;

detecting tokens based on signals received from a token reader, the token reader being communicatively coupled with the first computing platform, a given token being a standalone physical object, the tokens including a first token, the first token being detectable based on a first signal conveying information associated with the first token;

associating detection of individual tokens with individual user identifications, detection of the first token being associated with the first user identification responsive to the first signal being received from the token reader communicatively coupled with the first computing platform; and

effectuating modifications in the virtual space responsive to individual tokens being detected, the modifications including a first modification configured to be made responsive to the association between the detection of the first token and the first user identification, the first modification being observable in both the first instance via the first computing platform and the second instance via the second computing platform, the first modification including one or more of (1) a modification to a first character, (2) a modification to a first virtual item, or (3) a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the instances of the virtual space further include a third instance associated with the first user identification, the third instance being configured for presentation via a third computing platform, and wherein the first modification is observable in the third instance via the third computing platform.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first computing platform is a stationary computing platform and the second computing platform is a mobile computing platform.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first token is configured to depict one or both of the first character or the first virtual item.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the modification to the first character includes a modification to one or more of a behavior of the first character, an ability of the first character, an appearance of the first character, or a relationship of the first character.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the modification to the first virtual item includes a modification to one or more of a function of the first virtual item, an effectiveness of the first virtual item, or an appearance of the first virtual item.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a virtual item repository within the virtual space, the virtual item repository being configured to provide access by a plurality of characters to a plurality of virtual items, the plurality of characters including the first character and the plurality of virtual items including the first virtual item.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aspects include objectives associated with the virtual space, a given objective being a purpose or goal that efforts or actions within the virtual space are intended to attain or accomplish.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aspects include an environment of the virtual space, the environment being an aggregate of surroundings and conditions of the virtual space.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aspects include a theme of the virtual space, the theme of the virtual space being a unifying subject associated with the virtual space.