U.S. patent application number 14/946519 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-17 for single user multiple presence in multi-user game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gary S. SHUSTER. Invention is credited to Gary S. SHUSTER.
Application Number | 20160074757 14/946519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46020136 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160074757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHUSTER; Gary S. |
March 17, 2016 |
SINGLE USER MULTIPLE PRESENCE IN MULTI-USER GAME
Abstract
A method for providing a single user multiple presence
implementation may include providing access for a user identified
by a user account to a virtual environment hosted by a computer.
The method may further include generating multiple avatars for the
user account to concurrently coexist and be operative within the
virtual environment. The method may further include controlling the
multiple avatars at least partly in response to input from the
user. The method may further include communicating virtual
environment data regarding more than one of the multiple avatars to
at least one client operated by the user. An apparatus for
performing the method may include a processor coupled to a memory
holding encoded instructions for performing operations of the
method on a computer configured as a network entity.
Inventors: |
SHUSTER; Gary S.; (Fresno,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHUSTER; Gary S. |
Fresno |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46020136 |
Appl. No.: |
14/946519 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13291972 |
Nov 8, 2011 |
9192860 |
|
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14946519 |
|
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61411143 |
Nov 8, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/35 20140902;
A63F 13/825 20140902; A63F 13/79 20140902; A63F 2300/532 20130101;
A63F 13/45 20140902; A63F 13/70 20140901; A63F 13/33 20140902; A63F
2300/5553 20130101; A63F 13/40 20140902; A63F 2300/572 20130101;
A63F 13/98 20140902; A63F 13/55 20140902; A63F 13/58 20140902; A63F
2300/6054 20130101; A63F 13/215 20140902; A63F 13/71 20140902; A63F
13/52 20140902; A63F 2300/535 20130101; A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F
13/42 20140902; A63F 13/20 20140902; A63F 13/50 20140902 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/79 20060101
A63F013/79; A63F 13/33 20060101 A63F013/33; A63F 13/42 20060101
A63F013/42; A63F 13/825 20060101 A63F013/825; A63F 13/215 20060101
A63F013/215; A63F 13/98 20060101 A63F013/98 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a user with access to a virtual
environment wherein the user's account is associated with more than
one avatar; receiving one or more inputs from the user, wherein at
least one of the inputs is the user's voice; analyzing a tone of
the user's voice; and determining which of the more than one avatar
to direct input data to based on the tone of the user's voice.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input data directed to the
avatar is voice input.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the input data directed to the
avatar comprises one or more of a keyboard, a joystick, and a game
controller.
4. A method comprising: for a plurality of human operators
numbering N, the plurality logged into a single user account in a
virtual environment; and a number of avatars numbering X associated
with the user account, wherein N is less than X and at least one
avatar not actively controlled by a human operator; using an
automatic control algorithm configured to cause the at least one
avatar to appear to be actively controlled by a human operator;
monitoring the virtual environment for a triggering event; and
after occurrence of the triggering event, temporarily transferring
control of an avatar associated with the triggering event to one of
the human operators.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the triggering event is a
question asked by a customer and directed to an avatar.
6. The method of clam 4, wherein the triggering event is a request
for information by an avatar.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the avatar for which control is
temporarily transferred engages in programmatic behaviors to reduce
the perceived delay associated with a time between the occurrence
of the triggering event and the active control of the avatar by one
of the human operators.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmatic behaviors
comprise foot shuffling by the avatar.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmatic behaviors
comprise a statement by the avatar.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein avatars are not actuated so long
as the avatars are in an area not occupied by human controlled
avatars.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein more than one avatar is
simultaneously controlled by using a multicast control input.
12. A method comprising: for a plurality of human operators
associated with a service entity; at least two client entities; one
or more client user accounts uniquely associate with each client
entity; and at least one avatar in a virtual environment not being
actively controlled by a human operator; using an automatic control
algorithm configured to cause the at least one avatar to appear to
be actively controlled by a human operator; monitoring the virtual
environment for a triggering event; after occurrence of the
triggering event, temporarily transferring control of an avatar
associated with the triggering event to one or the human operators;
and altering the one or the human operators as to which client user
account the avatar is associated.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the triggering event is a
question asked by a customer and directed to an avatar.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the triggering event is a
request for information by an avatar.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the avatar for which control is
temporarily transferred engages in programmatic behaviors to reduce
the perceived delay associated with a time between the occurrence
of the triggering event and the active control of the avatar by one
of the human operators.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the programmatic behaviors
comprise a statement by the avatar.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein avatars are not actuated so
long as they are in an area not occupied by human controlled
avatars.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein more than one avatar is
simultaneously controlled by using a multicast control input.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of avatars "A" is
calculated by adding a non-zero number "N" to the number of human
operators "X" (A=X+N).
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of avatars "A" is
calculated by multiplying the number of human operators "X" by a
non-zero number "N" plus one (A=X*(N+1)).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/291,972, filed Nov. 8, 2011 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,192,860, to be
issued Nov. 24, 2015), which claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/411,143, filed Nov. 8, 2010, which
applications are specifically incorporated herein, in their
entirety, by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0003] This application relates to methods and systems for online
multi-user virtual reality games, including social networking sites
using a virtual reality environment, multi-user sandbox games, and
similar applications.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Virtual environments, such as those operated on the
Utherverse.TM. or Second Life, attempt to model the virtual
environment after that of the real world. Just like in the physical
world, a single person is represented by a single representative
element, such as an avatar.
[0006] While representation of a single person by a single avatar
is desirable for most end-user interaction with a virtual
environment, such a limitation prevents recognition of efficiencies
that are only possible within a virtual environment.
SUMMARY
[0007] A virtual reality environment is disclosed, wherein a single
user may experience multiple presences (i.e., control multiple
avatars and experience avatar feedback) within a single virtual
reality environment. In an aspect, a method for providing a single
user multiple presence implementation may include providing access
for a user identified by a user account to a virtual environment
hosted by a computer. The method may further include generating
multiple avatars for the user account to concurrently coexist and
be operative within the virtual environment. The method may further
include controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in
response to input from the user. The method may further include
communicating virtual environment data regarding more than one of
the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by the user.
"Regarding more than one of the multiple avatars" means that the
data relates an avatar experience, such as, for example, a rendered
scene from a viewpoint controlled as least partly by position or
orientation of the avatar in the virtual environment, chat or audio
data with other users interacting with the avatar, or other
avatar/environment data, for at least two independent avatars
controlled by the single user.
[0008] In an aspect, communicating virtual environment data may
further include providing data for display on the at least one
client of separate visual representations of at least some portion
of the virtual environment for the multiple avatars. In a related
aspect, the method may include configuring the virtual environment
data to cause a different one of the avatars to be displayed in
different associated windows on the at least one client. The method
may further include configuring the virtual environment data to
cause an appearance of each different one of the avatars associated
with a different window to be altered for other users of the
virtual environment in response to a focus state of its associated
window. The method may further include configuring the virtual
environment data to cause an appearance of each different one of
the avatars associated with a different window to be altered for
other users of the virtual environment in response to a size of its
associated window.
[0009] In another aspect, controlling the multiple avatars may
further include selectively controlling less than all of the
avatars at any one time, in response to selection input from the
user. In a related aspect, controlling the multiple avatars may
include providing a multicast control input to more than one of the
avatars. In an aspect, user accounts may be configured
hierarchically; for example, the user account may be a master
account and at least one of the avatars may correspond to a
sub-account to the master account.
[0010] In another aspect, communicating virtual environment data
may further include communication of data for a first one of the
avatars to a different client device than for a second one of the
avatars. In the alternative, or in addition, communicating virtual
environment data may include communication of data for a first one
of the avatars for display on a different display device than for a
second one of the avatars, regardless of whether each of the
display devices are driven by the same computer. For further
example, communicating virtual environment data may further include
communication of data for a first one of the avatars using a
different communication modality than for a second one of the
avatars.
[0011] In another aspect a virtual environment includes a method
for permitting a single account holder to simultaneously maintain
multiple points of presence. The elements within the virtual world
that are representative of the account holder may be configured to
interact with other users of the virtual environment without direct
control by the account holder. Upon occurrence of a triggering
event for any particular element, control over the elements is
transferred to the account holder, who may then interact with other
users of the virtual environment. Account holders may engage in
commerce within a virtual world by simultaneously staffing at least
one venue while maintaining a presence elsewhere in the virtual
world, or by simultaneously staffing and monitoring multiple
venues. Multiple venues may be staffed by clerks who are dispatched
to virtual venues upon demand, allowing virtual venues to be
staffed full time without the use of a full time worker.
[0012] More detailed aspects of the foregoing method, and related
methods, are described in more detail in the detailed description
that follows.
[0013] In related aspects, an apparatus for implementing a single
user, multiple presence functionality in an online multi-user game
may be provided for performing any of the methods and aspects of
the methods summarized above or described in more detail below. An
apparatus may include, for example, a processor coupled to a
memory, wherein the memory holds instructions for execution by the
processor to cause the apparatus to perform operations as described
above. Certain aspects of such apparatus (e.g., hardware aspects)
may be exemplified by equipment such as a network interface for
remote communications and a dedicated graphics processor for
processing image data from a remote client using an algorithm as
described herein. Similarly, an article of manufacture may be
provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium holding encoded instructions, which when executed by a
processor, may cause a computer configured as an identity
verification apparatus to perform the methods and aspects of the
methods as summarized above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present technology, in accordance with one or more
various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the
following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of
illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments
of the technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the
reader's understanding of the technology and shall not be
considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the
technology.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system for
performing one or more methods as described herein related to
single user, multiple presence in a virtual reality
environment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system for
performing one or more methods as described herein related to
single user, multiple presence in a virtual reality
environment.
[0017] FIGS. 3-6 are flow charts showing an example of a method for
providing a single user multiple presence functionality in a
virtual environment, and certain additional operations or aspects
of the method.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an
apparatus for performing a methodology according to FIGS. 3-6.
[0019] FIGS. 8-10 are flow charts showing an example of a method
for monitoring to detect a triggering event in a virtual
environment such as may be useful in connection with a single user
multiple presence implementation, and certain additional operations
or aspects of the method.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an
apparatus for performing a methodology according to FIGS. 8-10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating aspects of a method for
automatic control of an avatar in a single user multiple presence
implementation.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating aspects of a method for
transferring control of an avatar in a single user multiple
presence implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present disclosure directed to a virtual environment
where a single user account is represented by more than one avatar
or other indicia of virtual environment presence.
[0024] It should be understood in this discussion that certain
terms are used for convenience, but that the scope of the
technologies is not to be limited by the common definition of such
terms. The following terms are used herein: "Avatar" typically
refers to a person-like representation of a user within a virtual
world. As used herein, the term additionally includes any element
of a virtual world that represents a user. "Operator" or "user"
means a person, a related group of people, one or more computer
processes, or a combination of one or more persons and one or more
computer processes, which (solely or in concert) control a user
account. A "user account" means an account for access to a virtual
world, including an account that corresponds to one or more virtual
representatives of that account. A user account may also include an
account associated with the operation of a business or other entity
within a virtual world. It should also be understood that the
display of each avatar may (and normally does) include an avatar
located in a different part of the virtual world than other
avatars, often sufficiently virtually distant that the
commonly-controlled avatars cannot see or hear each other. The term
"single user, multiple presence" does not limit an implementation
to a single user; instead, it means that any given user of an
multi-user game may control multiple presences or instances of one
or more avatars in the modeled environment.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of single user,
multiple presence virtual reality universe system 100 such as may
be used to perform methods described herein. System 100 may
comprise, for example, a computer 101 including at least a
processor or CPU 102 and a memory 104 for holding data and program
instructions. When executed by the CPU 102, the program
instructions may cause the computer 101 to perform one or more
method and operations as disclosed herein. The computer 101 may
further comprise or be connected to a display device 106 for
providing a graphical or text display of software output, and a
user input device 110, for example a keyboard, mouse, keyboard,
microphone, touchscreen, touchpad, or some combination of these or
similar input devices. The computer 101 may be in communication
with a Wide Area Network (WAN) 112, for example, the Internet, via
a network interface component 108.
[0026] The computer 101 may receive data including user input from
a client component 116, which may be in communication with the
computer 101 via the WAN 112. A client component may include
hardware elements similar to computer 101, but in a form factor for
client use. The computer 101 may provide output to the client 116
in response to user input. Generally, the computer 101 may host
multiple clients, for example the second client 114, which may be
configured similarly to the first client. The output may include a
virtual world interface for accessing a virtual model of a place,
including operating an avatar within the model, editing the model
or objects contain in the model, or otherwise interacting with the
virtual model. The model may be a three-dimensional (3-D) model, or
a quasi-3-D model resembling a 3-D model in some respects, but
limited by retaining essential characteristics of a two-dimensional
model, sometime referred to as a 2-D world. In a separate aspect,
the output may include video data for display on one or more
surfaces, using a flat panel device, projector or other display
technology, at each of the client 116 and second client 114.
[0027] The present technologies provide a means for a single user
to be present in multiple locations simultaneously within a virtual
world. A single entity may also use a plurality of X operators to
control a larger number, X+N, or X * (1+N), of avatars within a
virtual environment. Means is provided for an avatar that is not
actively managed by an operator to appear, to third parties, as if
it is being actively managed. Avatars present in unoccupied areas
of the virtual environment are not actuated until the occurrence of
a triggering event. The passive status of such avatars may be
communicated to the operator of the virtual world, thereby avoiding
expenditure of resources to maintain areas that are occupied only
by uncontrolled avatars.
[0028] The system 200 shown in FIG. 9 may include the above means
as one or more algorithms for performing operations of the methods
described herein, stored in a memory of a virtual world server 202,
which may be accessed via a wide area network or other
communications network or combination of networks by multiple
clients 204 (one of many shown). A client 204 may comprise a single
device or multiple devices linked via a user account; for example,
a personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, notepad
computer, smart phone, gaming device, or any combination of two or
more of the foregoing devices controlled by a single user and
connecting to the server 202 using a single user account. The
client 204 may receive user input from one or more user input
devices, for example, a keyboard, mouse or other pointing device,
touchscreen, microphone, camera array (e.g., Microsoft.TM.
Kinect.TM. or similar device), or other input device.
[0029] For the purposes of illustration, one application of these
technologies would be for a person to sign into a virtual world.
Once signed in, the user may activate a window 208 monitoring an
avatar 214 that represents the user, which window may be displayed
on a display device connected to the client and generated using an
interface application operating on the client provided with virtual
world data from the WV server 202. The user may then activate a
second window 210 monitoring a second avatar 212 that also
represents the user. The second avatar, for example, may staff a
virtual shop 218, while the first avatar moves about the virtual
world, optionally interacting with avatars controlled by other
users such as avatar 216 and various objects modeled in the virtual
world. When customers visit the shop 218, the user's attention may
be directed to the second avatar 216, optionally by providing a
signal from the server 202 such as an audible alert signal or
visible signal, such as a flashing icon for output at the client
204. When other users 216 seek to interact with the first avatar
214, the user's attention may similarly be directed to the first
avatar, optionally using an alert signal from the server 202 to the
client 204. The avatar the user is actively interacting with may be
displayed in a different manner than the avatar not being actively
interacted with, as by having the inactive avatar grayed out.
[0030] In an aspect, the client 204 and/or virtual world server 202
may allocate avatar control input from the input devices 205 to a
selected one of the multiple presence avatars 214, 212. For
example, all input may be directed to an avatar selected by the
user using a selection command, until the user selects a different
avatar. In the alternative, or in addition, input from different
input devices may be allocated to different avatars; for example,
keyboard input may be allocated for control of a first avatar and
joystick/game controller input to a second avatar. In a further
alternative, or in addition, input may be designated for a
particular avatar based on the input value; for example, based on a
keystroke sequence such as "ALT" or "CTRL" with one or more other
keys, based on keys in a region of a keyboard, based on tone of
voice, or other factors.
[0031] In another embodiment involving online commerce, a staff of
`N` number of employees may all logged into a user account. To
better monitor productivity or secure the account, the primary user
account may have sub-accounts for each human operator. A number of
avatars, `N+X` (where `X` may be zero or greater), may be deployed
throughout the virtual world in places where other people may wish
to interact with avatars representing the user account. In an
embodiment, a computer process may animate the avatars using an
automatic control algorithm configured to cause the avatars to
appear to be actively controlled by a person, and transfers control
to a person upon the occurrence of a triggering event. For example,
a large retailer may desire to deploy 1,000 storefronts throughout
a virtual world. They may hire 50 employees to staff the 1,000
storefronts. While the avatars in all of the storefronts may engage
in certain rudimentary behavior under computer control, when a
customer directs a question to an avatar, control of that avatar is
passed to the human operator. The human operator interacts with the
customer, passing control back to a computer process when
appropriate. Another example may be a political campaign that
deploys campaign worker avatars throughout a virtual world. Each
worker avatar may sport a shirt bearing a campaign logo. In such a
case, each human volunteer may control several avatars, actively
engaging with each only when it meets their needs, such as when
another avatar asks for further information from a specific avatar
controlled by a worker.
[0032] In this way, a single human may be simultaneously present in
a plurality of places within a virtual world. The nature of
remotely controlled avatars is such that people within a virtual
world are never sure that the human behind the avatar is paying
attention to the game, users of virtual worlds have become
accustomed to delays in responding to interaction, or even to being
ignored. To other users, a delay caused by a human trying to
control multiple avatars at once, or in computer control over
multiple avatars being transferred back and forth to human
operators, would be effectively indistinguishable from delays
caused by distractions normally associated with one-to-one
operations of avatars by humans. Use of computer assisted
interactions, such as an automatic "just a sec" reply, or automated
foot shuffling, may further reduce the perceived delays.
[0033] The control of multiple avatars by a single operator or user
need not be limited to a single control interface. For example, an
operator may have ten windows, each of which displays a different
avatar in a different part of the world, only one of said windows
being visible. The remaining nine windows may be minimized along
the bottom of the computer screen. Open the occurrence of a set
event, the other window or windows may flash to indicate that they
need attention. Alternatively, multiple windows may be displayed in
a "picture in picture" or "picture beside picture" setting. The
display of multiple windows on multiple monitors is also
contemplated. The display of multiple data output places may be
such that data about one avatar is displayed on a computer window,
another on a cellular phone, another via textual description of the
environment on an SMS device, and another via a trigger-actuated
pop-up window. In one implementation, the server may cause two
windows to appear, a display window and a summary window. The
display window displays the current avatar being actively
interacted with. The summary window may display a plurality of
windows into the environments for other avatars, which windows may
be scaled to fit in a tiled arrangement filling the summary window.
By clicking or otherwise selecting any of the scaled windows, the
virtual world interface may cause the selected window to be
displayed in the display window and to contain the operational
avatar.
[0034] In one implementation, an indication may be displayed in
output from the server 202 for rendering the virtual world, in
response to the avatar being controlled by a non-human operator.
For example, the appearance or shading of the avatar may be
altered, or an icon indicating that the avatar is under automatic
control may be shown near the avatar. In the alternative, or in
addition, a separate indication may be displayed in the output for
rendering the virtual world, in response to the avatar being
controlled by a human operator.
[0035] In another aspect, the server 2020 may enable third party
avatars to be transported to the location of another avatar
associated with the user account. Thus, for example, if a `player
l` is simultaneously present in a classroom through `avatar 1 a`
and in the streets through `avatar 1b,` player 1's `avatar 1b`
might approach a `player 2,` ask the avatar to join `player 1` in
class, and upon consent from `player 2,"player 2's `avatar might be
transported to the location of `avatar 1a.` Alternatively, player
2's avatar might be duplicated (or a new avatar created) and placed
in the same place as `avatar 1a.`
[0036] The N:N+X ratio of operators to controlled avatars allows
avatars from multiple user accounts to be controlled by a single
operator. For example, entities `Company A` and `Company B` may
each require 10 stores to be staffed in a virtual world
environment. A third entity `Company C` may provide multiple human
operators, for example, 5 operators, to be shared concurrently
between `Company A` and `Company B.` The virtual world server may
model multiple avatars, for example 20 avatars, one shopkeeper
avatar in each of `Company A` and `Company B's stores modeled in
the virtual world. When an avatar for a potential customer enters
any virtual store, the virtual world server may transfer control of
the shopkeeper avatar, for example from an automatic control
process, to a selected one of Company C's operators. The server 202
or a downstream client node controlled by Company C may select an
available one of the operators using a random, quasi-random,
sequential, or predetermined assignment algorithm. The virtual
world server may further transmit an alert indication to alert the
selected operator about the transfer of control. The selected
operator may then control the shopkeeper avatar, interacts with the
customer, and when activity in the shop has ceased, the operator
may then cede control back to automatic control algorithm and be
available to control a different shopkeeper algorithm.
[0037] It should be understood that when an avatar does not appear
in the filed of view of any user of the virtual world and is
therefore not visible to anybody, and the avatar is being
controlled automatically, the avatar need not be displayed, nor
computer resources wasted on maintenance of the avatar. This may
frequently be the case when a shopkeeper avatar is placed in a
virtual shop that experiences periods of time without avatars from
users present in the shop. Under these conditions, the
automatically controlled avatar may be in a suspended state, or
even created on the fly as needed in response to some event in the
virtual world, for example, when an avatar for a prospective
customer enters a store.
[0038] It should also be noted that when an automatic control
algorithm controlling an avatar is discussed herein, such automatic
control should be integrated in hybrid automatic/human process for
control of an avatar. Each avatar may cycle between periods of
automatic control and periods of human control. For example, a
plurality of windows may be displayed to each human operator. Each
window may correspond to an avatar or similar interactive point of
presence within a virtual world. The computer process may provide
certain indicia of activity to the avatar, for example walking
along a set or calculated path, giving greetings, nodding,
following customers with their eyes, or otherwise. When the human
operator monitoring the windows at a client node desires, and
provides input indicating the desire and/or upon the occurrence of
a trigger event, the virtual world server and connecter client may
cause a monitoring window to become active. For example, the client
interface may cause the monitoring window to be transferred to, or
duplicated on, a larger window configured for active control of the
avatar. The operator is then able to take over the active control
of the avatar.
[0039] A substantial improvement over the art is the ability for a
single operator to be present in multiple places at once within a
virtual world. Just as coffee "Baristas" have enjoyed enhanced
productivity by making multiple customers` drinks simultaneously,
so too can virtual world inhabitants substantially enhance their
productivity and enjoyment by simultaneously enjoying a presence in
multiple places within the same virtual world.
[0040] In view of exemplary systems shown and described herein,
methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the
disclosed subject matter, will be better appreciated with reference
to various flow charts. For purposes of simplicity of explanation,
methodologies are shown and described as a series of acts in
blocks, but the claimed subject matter is not limited by the number
or order of blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders
and/or at substantially the same time with other blocks from what
is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated
blocks may be required to implement methodologies described herein.
It is to be appreciated that functionality associated with blocks
may be implemented by software, hardware, a combination thereof or
any other suitable means (e.g., device, system, process, or
component). Additionally, it should be further appreciated that
methodologies disclosed throughout this specification are capable
of being stored as encoded instructions and/or data on
non-transitory computer-readable medium to facilitate transporting
and transferring such methodologies to various devices.
[0041] As used in this application, the terms "component",
"module", "system", and the like are intended to refer to a
computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware
and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a
component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on
a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of
execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration,
both an application running on a server and the server can be a
component. One or more components may reside within a process
and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one
computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
[0042] A server for a virtual world environment may perform a
method 300 for providing a single user multiple presence experience
for one or more users, as shown in FIG. 3. The method 300 may
include, at 302, providing access for a user identified by a user
account to a virtual environment hosted by a computer. For example,
a server computer may provide access for a remote client operated
by a user, via a secure session in which the server hosts a
multi-user virtual world environment. The method may further
include, at 304, generating multiple avatars for the user account
to concurrently coexist and be operative within the virtual
environment. This may include combined human and automatic control
of one or more avatars, and allocating control inputs from a single
client to multiple avatars while concurrently modeling avatar
action in the virtual world. The method 300 may further include, at
306, controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in response
to input from the user. Two or more avatars may be controlled
concurrently by the server in response to user input, or control by
be toggled between automatic and human control such that the number
of human-controlled avatars is limited to a set number, for
example, one or more, with remaining ones of the two or more
avatars under automatic control. The method 300 may further include
the server, at 308, communicating virtual environment data
regarding more than one of the multiple avatars to at least one
client operated by the user. The client device may process the
virtual world data from the server and provide an audio-video
output using one or more windows of a graphical user interface
displayed in a display device.
[0043] FIGS. 4-6 show further optional operations or aspects 400,
500 or 600 that may be performed by the server in conjunction with
the method 300, or in some cases independently of said method. The
operations shown in FIGS. 4-6 are not required to perform the
method 300.
[0044] The operations are independently performed and not mutually
exclusive. Therefore any one of such operations may be performed
regardless of whether another downstream or independent upstream
operation is performed. If the method 300 includes at least one
operation of FIGS. 4-6, then the method 300 may terminate after the
at least one operation, without necessarily having to include any
subsequent downstream operation(s) that may be illustrated.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the method 300 may include one or more
of the additional operations 400. In an aspect of the method,
communicating virtual environment data 308 may further include, at
402, providing data for display on the at least one client of
separate visual representations of at least some portion of the
virtual environment for the multiple avatars. For example, data for
display of separate viewpoints in separate windows may be provided
to the client. In such cases, the method 300 may further include,
at 404, configuring the virtual environment data to cause a
different one of the avatars to be displayed in different
associated windows on the at least one client. In addition, the
method 300 may further include, at 406, configuring the virtual
environment data to cause an appearance of each different one of
the avatars associated with a different window to be altered for
other users of the virtual environment in response to a focus state
of its associated window. The focus state may change with time in
response to user selection or input. For example, an active focus
enabling active human control of the avatar may be represented by a
first appearance of the avatar or icon placed near the avatar,
while an inactive window focus in which human control is not
enabled may be represented by a second appearance of the avatar or
a different icon. The other users may view these different
appearances or icons on corresponding different clients, and
thereby be informed as to whether a particular avatar is under
human control by another user at any particular time. In the
alternative, or in addition, the method 300 may similarly include,
at 408, configuring the virtual environment data to cause an
appearance of each different one of the avatars associated with a
different window to be altered for other users of the virtual
environment in response to a size of its associated window.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the method 300 may include one or more
of the additional operations 500. In an aspect, the method 300 may
include, at 502, controlling the multiple avatars by selectively
controlling less than all of the avatars at any one time by human
control, in response to selection input from the user. Remaining
ones of the avatars may be controlled using an automatic control
algorithm when not under human control. In an alternative, or in
addition, the method 300 may further include, at 504, the
controlling the multiple avatars by providing a multicast control
input to more than one of the avatars. In this aspect, a control
signal from the client or from an automatic control algorithm may
be used to control two or more avatars in a parallel fashion, and
in this sense the control signal may be "multicast" to control
multiple avatars. Of course, avatars by nature are modeled objects
within a modeled environment, and thus, are not capable of
autonomously receiving command signals. Nonetheless, multiple
avatars may appear to act as though receiving the same command
signals when caused via an virtual world modeling engine to respond
to the same input. Such "multicasting" may be of the greatest
utility when used with automatic control signals, but is not
limited to such signals.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the method 300 may include one or more
of the additional operations 600. In an aspect of the method, the
user account may be configured as a master account, and at least
one of the avatars may be assigned to a sub-account of the master
account, to enable receiving input from multiple different
operators operating different clients, but under the same user
account. For example, in such embodiments the method 300 may
include, at 602, communicating virtual environment data further
comprises communication of data for a first one of the avatars to a
different client device than for a second one of the avatars. In
addition, the method 300 may further include communicating virtual
environment data for a first one of the avatars for display on a
different display device than for a second one of the avatars,
regardless of whether each of the display devices are driven by the
same computer. For example, two or more client devices may be
associated with the same user account, optionally with sub-accounts
used to track activities at the separate clients under an aggregate
master account. The different client may be operated by different
operators, or by the same operator. In another aspect, the method
300 may include, at 606, communicating virtual environment data for
a first one of the avatars using a different communication modality
than for a second one of the avatars under control of the same
client. For example, the server may transmit text chat data to the
client for a first one of the avatars, and voice chat data for a
second one of the avatars. For further example, the server may
transmit packet data over a wide area network to a router and on to
the client for a first one of the avatars, while sending packet
data through a wireless communications network and base station to
a wireless receiver in a smart phone for a second one of the
avatars. Using different modes may assist the end user in
distinguishing between data received for the different avatars and
avoid end user confusion between avatars. In the foregoing example,
data received "for an avatar" should be understood as virtual world
data, including chat data, that is provided to the like in response
to avatar operations and interactions in the virtual world
environment, including interactions with other avatars.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 7, there is provided an exemplary
apparatus 700 that may be configured virtual world server operating
a virtual world hosting application, or as a processor or similar
device for use within the virtual world server, for controlling
traffic so as to provide singe user multiple presence functionality
within a multi user virtual world environment. The apparatus 700
may include functional blocks that can represent functions
implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g.,
firmware).
[0049] In one embodiment, the apparatus 700 may include an
electrical component or module 712 for providing access for a user
identified by a user account to a virtual environment hosted by a
computer. For example, the electrical component 712 may include at
least one control processor coupled to network interface or the
like and one or more memory components with instructions for
setting up an secure session to a virtual world engine using a user
account database. The electrical component 712 may be, or may
include, a means for providing access for a user identified by a
user account to a virtual environment hosted by a computer. Said
means may be or may include the at least one control processor
operating an algorithm. The algorithm may operate in an application
to perform detailed operations for providing access to a user, for
example as described in connection with FIG. 1 above or as known in
the art. Said means may include other aspects, such as the hardware
and software components illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7 for
providing access to a virtual world session.
[0050] The apparatus 700 may include an electrical component 714
for generating multiple avatars for the user account to
concurrently coexist and be operative within the virtual
environment. For example, the electrical component 714 may include
at least one control processor coupled to a memory holding
instructions for hosting a virtual world environment, in which two
or more avatars are assigned to a single user account and allocated
control input according to more detailed algorithms described
herein, and modeled according to allocated control input. The
electrical component 714 may be, or may include, a means for
generating multiple avatars for the user account to concurrently
coexist and be operative within the virtual environment. Said means
may be or may include the at least one control processor operating
an algorithm. The algorithm may operate in a processor of host
server to generate multiple avatars, for example by modeling 3-D or
2-D objects and articulating animated bodies, optionally modeled
using a physics engine, in which certain avatar actions and
interactions are reserved for control using input from a client
logged into the virtual world session via a specified user account,
including an algorithm for generating and tracking multiple avatars
under control of an input stream associated with a single user
account. Said means may include other aspects for generating
multiple avatars, such as the hardware and software components
illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7 for generating multiple avatars
concurrently controlled by a single user.
[0051] The apparatus 700 may include an electrical component 716
for controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in response to
input from the user. For example, the electrical component 716 may
include at least one control processor coupled to a memory holding
instructions for controlling the multiple avatars at least partly
in response to input from the user according to more detailed
algorithms described herein, and modeling the avatars according to
allocated control input. The electrical component 716 may be, or
may include, a means for controlling the multiple avatars at least
partly in response to input from the user. Said means may be or may
include the at least one control processor operating an algorithm.
The algorithm may operate in a processor of host server to control
multiple avatars in response to an input stream for a single user
account, for example by receiving packet data at a network
interface in a session initiated under a user account, decoding and
providing the decoded data as control input to a virtual world
modeling process, allocating user control input in the data from a
single user to multiple avatars, and modeling avatar actions in the
environment in response to the allocated control input. Said means
may include other aspects for generating multiple avatars, such as
the hardware and software components illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7
for controlling the multiple avatars at least partly in response to
input from the user.
[0052] The apparatus 700 may include an electrical component 718
for communicating virtual environment data regarding more than one
of the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by the
user. For example, the electrical component 718 may include at
least one control processor coupled to a memory holding
instructions for providing virtual environment data to a client or
clients according to more detailed algorithms described herein. The
electrical component 718 may be, or may include, a means for
communicating virtual environment data regarding more than one of
the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by the user.
Said means may be or may include the at least one control processor
operating an algorithm. The algorithm may operate in a processor of
host server to communicate virtual environment data regarding more
than one of the multiple avatars to at least one client operated by
the user, for example by encoding virtual world data using an
application interface to prepare a client data stream, packetizing
the client data stream and transmitting the packetized stream to a
network address for one or more clients designated for a user
account. Said means may include other aspects for generating
multiple avatars, such as the hardware and software components
illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 7 for communicating virtual
environment data.
[0053] The apparatus 700 may include similar electrical components
for performing any or all of the additional operations 400, 500 or
600 described in connection with FIGS. 4-6, which for illustrative
simplicity are not shown in FIG. 7.
[0054] In related aspects, the apparatus 700 may optionally include
a processor component 702 having at least one processor, in the
case of the apparatus 700 configured as a virtual world hosting
component and optionally incorporated into a network server. The
processor 702 may be in operative communication with the components
712-718 or similar components via a bus 710 or similar
communication coupling. The processor 702 may effect initiation and
scheduling of the processes or functions performed by electrical
components 712-718. The processor 702 may encompass the components
712-718, in whole or in part. In the alternative, the processor 702
may be separate from the components 712-718, which may include one
or more separate processors.
[0055] In further related aspects, the apparatus 700 may include a
network interface component 708, for communicating with multiple
clients over a network. The apparatus 700 may include an
input/output port 708 for receiving input for administrative
control of the virtual world host process and providing a
monitoring output for administrative purposes. The apparatus 700
may include a component for storing information, such as, for
example, a memory device/component 704. The computer readable
medium or the memory component 704 may be operatively coupled to
the other components of the apparatus 700 via the bus 710 or the
like. The memory component 704 may be adapted to store computer
readable instructions and data for performing the activity of the
components 712-718, and subcomponents thereof, or the processor
702, or the additional aspects 400, 500 or 600, or the methods
disclosed herein. The memory component 704 may retain instructions
for executing functions associated with the components 712-718.
While shown as being external to the memory 704, it is to be
understood that the components 712-718 can exist within the memory
704.
[0056] In another aspect, a server for a virtual world environment
may perform a method 800 for providing a single user multiple
presence experience for one or more users, as shown in FIG. 8. The
method 800 may include, at 802, providing access for a person
identified by a user account to a virtual environment hosted by a
computer via at least one client. This may be done in a manner
similarly to corresponding operation 302 of method 300. It should
be appreciated that the virtual environment may include a 3-D or
2-D modeled virtual world in which aspects of method 300 are also
practiced, for example the allocation of control data for a single
user account to two or more avatars in the environment. As
described in examples above, a single user may thus control
multiple shopkeeper avatars or the like to increase opportunities
for personal interactions with other users via respective avatars.
Accordingly, the method 800 may include, at 804, monitoring the
virtual environment to detect a triggering event defined for that
user account for at least one location in the virtual environment.
For example, if multiple shopkeeper avatars are being controlled
under a single master account, the server may monitor respective
virtual shops in which the shopkeeper avatars are located. A
triggering event may include, to continue the example, another
avatar entering a shop in which the avatar is located, or otherwise
indicating interest in some product or service being offered. The
present technology, however, is not limited to virtual shop keeping
applications.
[0057] In an optional aspect, the method 800 may include, at 806,
providing an indicator within the virtual environment indicating
that monitoring is being performed to detect the triggering event
in the at least one location. For example, a modeled environment in
the shop may be provided with an object that responds when the
triggering event is detected. This object may be visible to a
client operating an avatar in the modeled environment. For example,
summary windows displaying monitored environments are described
herein above. Such summary windows are an example of an indication
that monitoring is being performed. Instead of windows, icons
and/or text messages may be provided to a client. Such indications
may generally enable a user responsible for controlling multiple
avatars on an as-needed basis to track the status of different
monitored environments at a glance. The indications may be provided
only to clients designated for the avatar being monitored, or may
also be provided to clients entering a monitored space. The method
800 may further include, at 808, generating a signal for
transmission to a client operated by the person, indicating that
the triggering event has been detected. For example, when a
customer avatar is modeled as entering the virtual store under the
control of another user, a virtual bell in the store may ring or a
light may flash. The server may transmit an instruction to the
clients having an avatar present in the virtual store to output a
bell tone, or display a message on the client, or alter the
appearance of the modeled virtual store interior with a flashing
light, etc. In an aspect, the indicator may be provided only to the
client operating one of the avatars, for example a shopkeeper
avatar in a virtual store, and not to clients operating other
avatars entering the modeled store.
[0058] FIGS. 9-10 show further optional operations or aspects 900
or 1000 that may be performed by the server in conjunction with the
method 800, or in some cases independently of said method. The
operations shown in FIGS. 9-10 are not required to perform the
method 800. The operations are independently performed and not
mutually exclusive. Therefore any one of such operations may be
performed regardless of whether another downstream or independent
upstream operation is performed. If the method 300 includes at
least one operation of FIGS. 9-10, then the method 800 may
terminate after the at least one operation, without necessarily
having to include any subsequent downstream operation(s) that may
be illustrated.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows additional operations 900 that may be performed
in conjunction with the method 800. The method 800 may further
include, at 902, causing a rendered appearance of the indicator in
the virtual environment to be altered in response to detection of
the triggering event. For example, as mentioned above a light may
be caused to flash, etc. The method 800 may further include, at
904, causing a rendered appearance of the indicator in the virtual
environment to be altered a second time in response at least one
of: (a) expiration of a timer initiated in response to detection of
the triggering event; or (b) detection of a second event defined as
terminating the triggering event. For example, an avatar controlled
by another user may leave the monitored area to terminate the
triggering event. In an aspect, the method 800 may include, at 906
defining the triggering event in relation to an avatar located in
the virtual environment. For example, the virtual world server may
operate an algorithm that determines when an avatar operated by
another user has moved within a defined proximity to a monitored
avatar. In an alternative, the method 800 may include, at 908,
defining the triggering event by presence of an avatar operated by
another user within a defined proximity of the indicator, where the
indicator is a modeled object in the virtual world environment. For
example, the method 800 may include, at 910, providing the
indicator configured as a mobile element within the virtual
environment, including as an avatar or other modeled movable
object.
[0060] FIG. 10 shows additional operations 1000 that may be
performed in conjunction with the method 800. The method 800 may
further include, at 1002, actuating at least one avatar for control
by the person in response to detecting the triggering event,
wherein actuating comprises switching from fully automatic control
of the avatar to semi-automatic control responsive to input from
the person. For example, after the client device has been provided
with an alter signal and the server detects that a user at the
client has selected the avatar for control, the server may
discontinue an automatic control stream for the avatar, or some
portion thereof, and include control input from the client for
modeling avatar actions in the virtual environment. The method may
further include, at 1004, confirming whether a user that causes a
triggering event to occur desires to interact with the at least one
avatar, as a condition precedent to actuating the at least one
avatar. For example, prior to providing an alert to a prospective
controlling client, the server may execute an automatic sequence
testing whether or not the user causing a triggering event desires
to interact. For further example, for a shop keeper avatar, the
server may cause the shop keeper avatar to approach the triggering
avatar ask, "may I help you please?" and wait for a response. The
server may consider the user desire to interact confirmed only if
receiving a response to the automatic action.
[0061] With reference to FIG. 11, there is provided an exemplary
apparatus 1100 that may be configured virtual world server
operating a virtual world hosting application, or as a processor or
similar device for use within the virtual world server, for
controlling traffic so as to provide singe user multiple presence
functionality within a multi user virtual world environment. The
apparatus 1100 may include functional blocks that can represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware).
[0062] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1100 may include an
electrical component or module 1112 for providing access for a
person identified by a user account to a virtual environment hosted
by a computer via at least one client. For example, the electrical
component 1112 may include at least one control processor coupled
to network interface or the like and one or more memory components
with instructions for setting up an secure session to a virtual
world engine using a user account database. The electrical
component 1112 may be, or may include, a means for providing access
for a user identified by a user account to a virtual environment
hosted by a computer. Said means may be or may include the at least
one control processor operating an algorithm. The algorithm may
operate in an application to perform detailed operations for
providing access to a user, for example as described in connection
with FIG. 1 above or as known in the art. Said means may include
other aspects, such as the hardware and software components
illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 11 for providing access to a virtual
world session.
[0063] The apparatus 1100 may include an electrical component 1114
for monitoring the virtual environment to detect a triggering event
defined for that user account for at least one location in the
virtual environment. For example, the electrical component 1114 may
include at least one control processor coupled to a memory holding
instructions for hosting a virtual world environment, modeling and
tracking actions of avatars in the virtual world environment, and
detecting when an action or state of an avatar meeds a condition
defined as a triggering event. The electrical component 1114 may
be, or may include, a means for monitoring the virtual environment
to detect a triggering event defined for that user account for at
least one location in the virtual environment. Said means may be or
may include the at least one control processor operating an
algorithm. The algorithm may operate in a processor of host server
to track actions or states of avatars in the virtual world
environment and detect when an avatar action or state meets a
predetermined condition for a defined triggering event. Said means
may include other aspects for monitoring a virtual environment,
such as the hardware and software components illustrated in FIGS.
1-2 and 11 for generating multiple avatars concurrently controlled
by a single user and monitoring a virtual world environment for
such avatars and other avatars.
[0064] The apparatus 1100 may include an electrical component 1116
for providing an indicator within the virtual environment
indicating that monitoring is being performed to detect the
triggering event in the at least one location. For example, the
electrical component 1116 may include at least one control
processor coupled to a memory holding instructions for providing
the indicator as a modeled object, icon, text or overlaid object
for a monitored space.
[0065] The electrical component 1116 may be, or may include, a
means for providing a monitoring indicator. Said means may be or
may include the at least one control processor operating an
algorithm. The algorithm may operate in a processor of host server
to determine if and when a view to be rendered to a client includes
a monitored space, determining a current status of each monitored
space and providing current status data to a selected client for
whom the space is being monitored. Said means may include other
aspects for monitoring spaces, such as the hardware and software
components illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 11 for monitoring spaces
and providing an indication to a client.
[0066] The apparatus 1100 may include an electrical component 1118
for generating a signal for transmission to a client operated by
the person, indicating that the triggering event has been detected.
For example, the electrical component 1118 may include at least one
control processor coupled to a memory holding instructions for
generating an signal according to more detailed algorithms
described herein. The electrical component 1118 may be, or may
include, a means for generating a signal for transmission to a
client operated by the person, indicating that the triggering event
has been detected. Said means may be or may include the at least
one control processor operating an algorithm. The algorithm may
operate in a processor of host server to provide a signal via a
client interface displaying the virtual world in one or more
separate windows, and configuring the signal to obtain a desired
output at the client. Said means may include other aspects for
communicating an alert signal, such as the hardware and software
components illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 11 for communicating
virtual environment data and related signals.
[0067] The apparatus 1100 may include similar electrical components
for performing any or all of the additional operations 900 or 1000
described in connection with FIGS. 9-10, which for illustrative
simplicity are not shown in FIG. 11.
[0068] In related aspects, the apparatus 1100 may optionally
include a processor component 1102 having at least one processor,
in the case of the apparatus 1100 configured as a virtual world
hosting component and optionally incorporated into a network
server. The processor 1102 may be in operative communication with
the components 1112-1118 or similar components via a bus 1110 or
similar communication coupling. The processor 1102 may effect
initiation and scheduling of the processes or functions performed
by electrical components 1112-1118. The processor 1102 may
encompass the components 1112-1118, in whole or in part. In the
alternative, the processor 1102 may be separate from the components
1112-1118, which may include one or more separate processors.
[0069] In further related aspects, the apparatus 1100 may include a
network interface component 1108, for communicating with multiple
clients over a network. The apparatus 1100 may include an
input/output port 1108 for receiving input for administrative
control of the virtual world host process and providing a
monitoring output for administrative purposes. The apparatus 1100
may include a component for storing information, such as, for
example, a memory device/component 1104. The computer readable
medium or the memory component 1104 may be operatively coupled to
the other components of the apparatus 1100 via the bus 1110 or the
like. The memory component 1104 may be adapted to store computer
readable instructions and data for performing the activity of the
components 1112-1118, and subcomponents thereof, or the processor
1102, or the additional aspects 400, 500 or 600, or the methods
disclosed herein. The memory component 1104 may retain instructions
for executing functions associated with the components 1112-1118.
While shown as being external to the memory 1104, it is to be
understood that the components 1112-1118 can exist within the
memory 1104.
[0070] In another aspect, a virtual world server as shown and
described elsewhere herein may perform an method 1200 that controls
one or more of multiple avatars partly according to an automatic
control scheme, as shown in FIG. 12. The method 1200 may include,
at 1202, providing access for a user identified by a user account
to a virtual environment hosted by a computer via at least one
client. The method 1200 may include, at 1204, generating multiple
avatars for the user account to coexist within the virtual
environment. The method 1200 may include, at 1206, controlling the
multiple avatars at least partly in response to input from the
user, wherein at times at least one of the avatars is controlled
using an automatic control scheme exclusive of input from the user.
The method 1200 may include, at 1208, transferring control over the
at least one of avatars from the automatic control scheme to the
user in response to detecting a defined event in the virtual
environment. The method 1200 may be used in conjunction with
aspects of the methods 300 and 800 discussed above, for example to
enhance a virtual shop keeper application. In an aspect of method
1200, the user may be assigned a status as an operator of a virtual
store. In another aspect, the method 1200 may further include
confirming that the user desires to assume control of the at least
one avatar, prior to the transferring of the control.
[0071] In another aspect, a virtual world server as shown and
described elsewhere herein may perform a method 1300 that transfers
control of one or more of multiple avatars in response to a
triggering event, as shown in FIG. 13. The method 1200 may be used
in conjunction with aspects of the methods 300, 800 and 1200
discussed above, for example to enhance a virtual shop keeper
application. The method 1300 may include, at 1302, providing a
first user access to a first user account for a hosted virtual
world environment. The method 1300 may include, at 1304, providing
a second user access to a second user account for the hosted
virtual world environment. The method 1300 may include, at 1306,
modeling simultaneous presence of at least one virtual
representative of the first user account, and at least one virtual
representative of the second user account, within the virtual
environment. The at least one virtual representative of the first
and second user accounts may be, or may include, respective avatars
or respective sets of multiple avatars. The method 1300 may
include, at 1308, monitoring the virtual representatives of the
first and second user accounts for occurrence of one or more
triggering events.
[0072] In an aspect, the method 1300 may include, at 1310,
transferring active control over the virtual representatives of the
first and second user accounts to an operating entity in response
to the one or more triggering events, wherein the operating entity
is selected from one of the first user, the second user, or one or
more persons, computers, or software processes. For example,
control may be transferred from the first user to the second user,
from the second user to the first user, from the first or second
user to an automatic control process, or from the automatic control
process to the first or second user. Various example of triggering
events are described herein above. For further example, in
embodiments where multiple users operate under a master account to
be responsible for a shared group of avatars, a triggering event
may occur when one user becomes involved in more than a threshold
number of active control sessions for multiple avatars. When a
certain limit has been reached, avatar control may be passed to
another user in the group or to an automatic control process.
[0073] According to further, more detailed aspects of a method
1300, the operating entity may employ fewer control means than the
number of virtual representatives that the operating entity is
permitted to exert control over. For example, a control means may
include a certain number of designated operators in a defined
group, which number of operators may be fewer in number than a
number of avatars controlled by the operator group.
[0074] In another aspect, the operating entity may monitor at least
one virtual representative of both the first and second user
accounts, and exerts control over such monitored virtual
representative in response to an attempt by a user of the virtual
world to interact with such virtual representative. In another
aspect of the method 1300, wherein control of at least one of such
virtual representatives is exerted by a second control means
different than any one of the first user, the second user or the
operating entity, the virtual world server may enable the second
control means to control the virtual representatives while causing
the virtual representatives to appear to the users observing the
virtual representatives as if the virtual representatives are being
controlled by one of the first user, the second user, or the
operating entity. For example, the virtual world server may enable
a virtual representative controlled by the operating entity to
behave in a manner that makes the virtual representative appear to
those interacting with the virtual representative as if the virtual
representative of a user account is controlled by the user for the
user account to which the virtual representative belongs. The
server may enable such appearances, for example, by concealing the
transfer of control. Such transfers should generally be performed
with the consent of the user or entity that controls the virtual
representatives subject to such transfers of control, and may be
used to enable surrogate avatar representation within a corporate
group or the like. Such transfers may also be implemented according
to the rules of a game being played within a virtual world
environment, as a feature or aspect of the game.
[0075] Various aspects are presented herein in terms of systems
that may include a number of components, modules, and the like. It
is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may
include additional components, modules, etc. and/or may not include
all of the components, modules, etc. discussed in connection with
the figures. A combination of these approaches may also be used.
The various aspects disclosed herein can be performed on electrical
devices including devices that utilize touch screen display
technologies and/or mouse-and-keyboard type interfaces. Examples of
such devices include computers (desktop and mobile), smart phones,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other electronic devices
both wired and wireless.
[0076] In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks,
modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects
disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general
purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0077] Furthermore, the one or more versions may be implemented as
a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a
computer to implement the disclosed aspects. A non-transitory
computer readable medium may include but is not limited to magnetic
storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . .
. ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk
(DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card,
stick). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many
modifications may be made to this configuration without departing
from the scope of the disclosed aspects.
[0078] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in
hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a
combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,
flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers,
hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of
computer-readable storage medium known in the art. A non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium may be coupled to the processor
such the processor can read information from, and write information
to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may
be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium
may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In
the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as
discrete components in a user terminal.
[0079] The previous description of the disclosed aspects is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
[0080] Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited
to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
[0081] In view of the exemplary systems described supra,
methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the
disclosed subject matter have been described with reference to
several flow diagrams. While for purposes of simplicity of
explanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series
of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed
subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some
blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not
all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the
methodologies described herein.
[0082] The foregoing embodiments merely exemplify various apparatus
and systems for single user, multiple presence in a virtual reality
environment. The present technology is not limited by these
examples.
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