U.S. patent application number 15/165272 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for mapping transactions between the real world and a virtual world.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith.
Application Number | 20170178062 15/165272 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42826994 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170178062 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Bokor; Brian R. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
MAPPING TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THE REAL WORLD AND A VIRTUAL WORLD
Abstract
A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a
virtual world may include receiving information associated with a
real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller.
Information associated with a user is received at the VBO
controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a
decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a
VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world
item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not
to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO
light, which includes the information associated with the real
world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is
transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user
based on the user's information.
Inventors: |
Bokor; Brian R.; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Haggar; Peter F.; (Raleigh, NC) ; House;
Daniel E.; (Raleigh, NC) ; Nicol, II; William B.;
(Durham, NC) ; Smith; Andrew B.; (Morrisville,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160267431 A1 |
September 15, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
42826994 |
Appl. No.: |
15/165272 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12419324 |
Apr 7, 2009 |
9373137 |
|
|
15165272 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0643 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101; G06F 16/188 20190101;
G06F 16/955 20190101; G06Q 20/00 20130101; G06Q 30/0603
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20060101
G06Q010/08; G07F 17/32 20060101 G07F017/32; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A system for mapping transactions between a real world and a
virtual world, comprising: a processor; and a VBO controller
operable on the processor, wherein the VBO controller comprises at
least one module configured to perform a set of functions
comprising: receiving information associated with a first real
world item and a second real world item; receiving information
associated with a user; generating a VBO comprising the information
associated with the first real world item in response to a decision
by the user to buy first the real world item, wherein the VBO is at
least a virtual image of the first real world item; generating a
VBO light comprising the information associated with the second
real world item in response to a decision by the user not to buy
the second real world item and further in response to receiving a
decision at the VBO controller to store information associated with
the second real world item, wherein the VBO light is at least a
virtual image of the second real world item; transmitting one of
the VBO and the VBO light to a VBO inventory database associated
with the user based on the user's information; and displaying on a
graphical user interface of a display the virtual world of an
avatar's inventory associated with the user, wherein the graphical
user interface displays one of the VBO and the VBO light.
18.-20. (canceled)
21. A computer program product for mapping transactions between a
real world and a virtual world, the computer program product
comprising: a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
having computer usable program code embodied therewith , the
computer usable program code being executable by a device to cause
the device to perform a method comprising: receiving information
associated with a first real world item and a second real world
item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller on a computer
system; receiving information associated with a user at the VBO
controller; generating a VBO comprising the information associated
with the first real world item in response to a decision by the
user to buy the first real world item, wherein the VBO is at least
a virtual image of the first real world item; generating a VBO
light comprising the information associated with the second real
world item in response to a decision by the user not to buy the
second real world item and further in response to receiving a
decision at the VBO controller to store information associated with
the second real world item, wherein the VBO light is at least a
virtual image of the second real world item; transmitting one of
the VBO and the VBO light to an inventory associated with the user
based on the user's information; and displaying on a graphical user
interface of a display the virtual world of an avatar's inventory
associated with the user, wherein the graphical user interface
displays one of the VBO and the VBO light.
22-25 (canceled)
26. The system of claim 17, wherein receiving information
associated with the first and second real world items at the VBO
controller comprises receiving at the VBO controller the first and
second real world items information from one of a virtual world
store and a real world store sales, wherein the first and second
real world item information comprises information about the first
and second real world item needed to generate one of the VBO and
the VBO light.
27. The system of claim 17, wherein receiving information
associated with the user at the VBO controller comprises receiving
at the VBO controller the user's information from one of a
communications device associated with the user and a real world
store, wherein the user's information comprises information about
the user needed to transmit one of the VBO and VBO light to the
user's VBO inventory database.
28. The system of claim 28, wherein the user's information
comprises at least one of a name, an address, and an identification
number.
29. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of functions further
comprises providing access to information associated with one of
the VBO and the VBO light in the user's VBO inventory database.
30. The system of claim 17, wherein transmitting one of the VBO and
the VBO light to the VBO inventory database associated with the
user comprises transmitting one of the VBO and the VBO light to one
of: the virtual world of the avatar's inventory associated with the
user; a mobile inventory; and a communications device of the
user.
31. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of functions further
comprises: monitoring product and service information related to
the first and second real world items to determine if any new
updates exist; and updating in the user's VBO inventory database of
one of the VBO and the VBO light based on any new updates.
32. The system of claim 17, wherein receiving information
associated with the first and second real world items at the VBO
controller comprises receiving an identification (ID) of the first
or second real world item at the VBO controller.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein receiving the identification
(ID) of the first or second real world item at the VBO controller
comprises at least one of: receiving the item ID captured through
an image capturing device; receiving the item ID through the
Internet; and receiving the item ID from a communication device of
the user.
34. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of functions further
comprises determining the first or second real world item
information based on the item ID.
35. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein receiving
information associated with the first and second real world items
at the VBO controller comprises receiving at the VBO controller the
first and second real world items information from one of a virtual
world store and a real world store sales, wherein the first and
second real world item information comprises information about the
first and second real world item needed to generate one of the VBO
and the VBO light.
36. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein receiving
information associated with the user at the VBO controller
comprises receiving at the VBO controller the user's information
from one of a communications device associated with the user and a
real world store, wherein the user's information comprises
information about the user needed to transmit one of the VBO and
VBO light to the user's VBO inventory database.
37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the user's
information comprises at least one of a name, an address, and an
identification number.
38. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the set of
functions further comprises providing access to information
associated with one of the VBO and the VBO light in the user's VBO
inventory database.
39. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein transmitting
one of the VBO and the VBO light to the VBO inventory database
associated with the user comprises transmitting one of the VBO and
the VBO light to one of: the virtual world of the avatar's
inventory associated with the user; a mobile inventory; and a
communications device of the user.
40. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the set of
functions further comprises: monitoring product and service
information related to the first and second real world items to
determine if any new updates exist; and updating in the user's VBO
inventory database of one of the VBO and the VBO light based on any
new updates.
41. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein receiving
information associated with the first and second real world items
at the VBO controller comprises receiving an identification (ID) of
the first or second real world item at the VBO controller.
42. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein receiving the
identification (ID) of the first or second real world item at the
VBO controller comprises at least one of: receiving the item ID
captured through an image capturing device; receiving the item ID
through the Internet; and receiving the item ID from a
communication device of the user.
43. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the set of
functions further comprises determining the first or second real
world item information based on the item ID.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to virtual world
simulations of the real-world or real-life or a virtual world and
the like, and more particularly to a system and method for mapping
at least one real world item to a virtual world.
[0002] Computer simulations such as Second Life.TM. or similar
simulations present a virtual world which allows users or players
to be represented by characters known as avatars. Second Life is a
trademark of Linden Research, Inc. in the United States, other
countries or both. Second Life is an Internet-based virtual world
launched in 2003 by Linden Research, Inc. A downloadable client
program called the Second Life Viewer enables users, called
"Residents", to interact with others in the virtual world through
motional avatars. The virtual world basically simulates the real
world or environment. The users or residents via their avatar can
explore the virtual world, meet other users or residents,
socialize, participate in individual and group activities, create
and trade items (virtual property) and services from one
another.
[0003] Currently, there is no way to associate or map information
about a real world item to the user's avatar's virtual world
inventory or to another inventory associated with a user. This can
have significant drawbacks. For example, if the user wanted to
develop an inventory of real world items, the user must try to
emulate each item. Further, even if the user develops an inventory,
keeping the inventory updated and accessing information about each
real world item can be difficult, cumbersome and time
consuming.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual
world may include receiving information associated with a real
world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller.
Information associated with a user may be received at the VBO
controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a
decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller may
generate a VBO, which includes the information associated with the
real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a
decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller may
generate a VBO light, which includes the information associated
with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light
may be transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the
user based on the user's information.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a system for mapping transactions between a real world and a
virtual world may include a processor and a VBO controller operable
on the processor. The VBO controller may include at least one
module to receive information associated with a real world item and
a user. In response to a decision to buy the real world item, a VBO
may be generated including the information associated with the real
world item. In response to a decision not to buy the real world
item, a VBO light may be generated including the information
associated with the real world item. Either the VBO or the VBO
light may be transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated
with the user based on the user's information.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a computer readable storage medium may have computer usable program
code embodied therewith for mapping transactions between a real
world and a virtual world. The computer readable storage medium may
include computer usable program code configured to receive
information associated with a real world item at a virtual business
object (VBO) controller on a computer system. The computer readable
storage medium may also include computer usable program code
configured to receive information associated with a user at the VBO
controller. The computer readable storage medium may further
include computer usable program code configured to generate a VBO
including the information associated with the real world item in
response to a decision to buy the real world item. The computer
readable storage medium may yet further include computer usable
program code configured to generate a VBO light including the
information associated with real world item in response to a
decision not to buy the real world item. The computer readable
storage medium may still yet further include computer usable
program code configured to transmit either the VBO or the VBO light
to an inventory associated with the user based on the user's
information.
[0007] Other aspects and features of the present invention, as
defined solely by the claims, will become apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following
non-limited detailed description of the invention in conjunction
with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E (collectively FIG. 1) is a flow
chart of an example of a method for mapping transactions between
the real world and a virtual world in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a
system for mapping transactions between the real world and a
virtual world in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example of a method for mapping
transactions between the real world and a virtual world in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a
system for mapping transactions between the real world and a
virtual world in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The following detailed description of embodiments refers to
the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of
the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and
operations do not depart from the scope of the present
invention.
[0013] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer
program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the
form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software
embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,
etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that
may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or
"system." Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a
computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having
computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.
[0014] Any combination of one or more computer-readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, a device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. Note that the computer-readable storage medium could
even be paper or another suitable medium upon which a program is
printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for
instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then
compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner,
if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the context
of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any
medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in
connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device.
[0015] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer-usable program code embodied therein, for
example, in base band or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof, A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer-readable medium that can contain, store, communicate,
propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with
an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0016] Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.
[0017] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the
present invention may be written in an object oriented programming
language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the
computer program code for carrying out operations of the present
invention may also be written in conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages, or in functional programming
languages, such as Haskell, Standard Meta Language (SML) or similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the
user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone
software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a
remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In
the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the
user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0018] Aspects of the present invention are described below with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0019] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction
means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart
and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0020] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a
series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or
other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented
process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or
other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the
functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram
block or blocks.
[0021] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E (collectively FIG. 1)
illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 100 for mapping
transactions between the real world and a virtual world in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Turning
first to FIG. 1A, in blocks 102 and 104, a user accesses a real
world item using a communications device or in person,
respectively. The real world item may be any item which exists in
the real world, such as a piece of merchandise in a retail store,
an item for sale at another location, an object for rent, or any
other object in the real world. It should be understood that the
real world may be any location which is outside of the virtual
world such as reality, augmented reality and the like.
[0022] Nonetheless, in block 102, the real world item may be
accessed using a communications device via any protocol such a WAP,
MMS, and the like. The real world item may be accessed via any
manner such as via a website, e-mail, text messages, or any other
communications path. For example, a real world item may be accessed
by viewing information about the real world item over a store's
website using a computer.
[0023] In block 104, the real world item may be accessed in person
at a real world location, such as a real world store, a retail or
advertising booth, a trade show, or any other location in the real
world. For example, a digital camera may be viewed at a store in a
shopping mall.
[0024] In decision block 106, a determination is made as to whether
or not a buy decision has been received. If a buy decision has been
received, the method may continue to block 110, which is described
later with regard to FIG. 1B. If no buy decision has been received,
method 100 may continue to decision block 108.
[0025] In decision block 108, a determination is made as to whether
the user would like to store item information about the real world
item for later reference, access or use. If the user decides not to
store item information, then the method 100 may be terminated, as
shown in block 109. Conversely, if the user decides to store item
information, the method 100 may proceed to block 132, which is
described later with regard to FIG. 1C.
[0026] As previously described, if a buy decision has been received
in block 106, the method 100 may advance to block 110 in FIG. 1B.
In block 110, item information may be transmitted by a virtual
world store or real world store sales system to a virtual business
object controller. The item information received may be any
information associated with the real world item that is needed to
generate a virtual business object (VBO). For example, the item
information may be specific information associated with the item,
such as item identification, item classification and/or features,
information contained in the item's manual, sales receipt
information, post-sale information, warranty information, store
information or any other information associated with the item. The
item information may be obtained by the virtual world store or real
world store sales system by any manner, such as by capturing item
information at a scanner, a checkout counter or kiosk, inputting
the item information, and the like. In one embodiment, the item
information may be obtained through a virtual world store and
thereafter transmitted to the virtual business object controller.
It should be understood that the item information may be obtained
by any manner and transmitted to the VBO controller in any
manner.
[0027] In block 112, user information may be transmitted from a
communications device or real world store to a VBO controller. The
user information may be any information associated with the user,
such as the user name, address, user identifier or any other
information to identify the user. The user information may be
obtained in any manner such as the user inputting user information
into a logon screen, the user's IP address being logged, receiving
the user's cell phone number, receiving user information from the
user's credit card information, or any other information associated
with the user. The user information is captured by a
communication's device, real world store or any other device or
location which is capable of transmitting the user information to
the VBO controller. The communications device may be any device
such as a cell phone, a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA),
scanner at a real world store, kiosk at the real world store, real
world store computer system, or any other device which is capable
of transmitting user information to the VBO controller.
[0028] In block 114, the VBO 116 is generated. The VBO 116 may
include information associated with a purchased real world item,
such as item specifications and/or features, manuals, sales
receipt, post-sale information, warranty information, store
information, and any other information associated with the real
world item. The real world item VBO may be represented in the
virtual world as a virtual world object, such as a VBO. Such
virtual world representation allows the user's avatar to use the
real world item via the VBO in the virtual world similar to the
user being able to use the real world item in the real world. Thus,
the purchased real world item is mapped directly to the user's
avatar and/or an inventory associated with the user in the virtual
world.
[0029] In block 118, the VBO 116 is transmitted to the user's
communication device 122 and/or the user's avatar's virtual world
inventory 120. The VBO 116 may be transmitted by any entity to any
inventory associated with the user. For example, a retail store may
transmit the VBO 116 to the user's avatar's virtual world inventory
120, the user's communication device 122 and/or other location
associated with the user. The VBO 116 may be transmitted to the
user using the user identification information, which was
previously described with respect to block 112.
[0030] After receiving the VBO 116, the user's avatar's virtual
world inventory 120 and/or the communication's device 122 receives
the VBO 116 and indexes the VBO 116 accordingly for later reference
or access. As previously mentioned, the user's communication device
122 may be any communication device such as a cell phone, PDA,
laptop and the like, which has a mobile inventory resident on the
communication device 122 or accessible through the communications
device 122.
[0031] In block 130, access to the VBO 116 may be provided to the
user on demand. The user or other entity may access the VBO 116
through the user's avatar's virtual world inventory 120, the user's
communication device 122 and/or any other inventory or device.
Access to the VBO 116 may include retrieving any information
associated with the real world item, as previously described in
block 114, such as item specifications and/or features, manuals,
sales receipt, post-sale information, warranty information, store
information and/or any other real world item information.
[0032] In block 124, product and/or service information related to
the purchased real world item may be monitored to determine if any
new updates exist. New updates regarding the product and/or service
information of the real world item may include information such as
warranty information, updated specifications and/or features, edits
to product manuals, advertising opportunities, and the like. These
updates may be checked after the real world item has been purchased
so that the VBOs 116 in the user's inventory 120, 122 may be
continuously updated to have the latest information regarding each
respective purchased real world item.
[0033] In decision block 126, a determination may be made if any
new updates exist. If there are no new updates, the method 100 may
return back to block 124 to continuously monitor product and/or
service information related to the purchased real world item. If
new updates are determined to exist in block 126, the method 100
may proceed to block 128 where the VBO 116 is then updated in the
user's avatar's virtual world inventory 120, the user's
communications device 122, and/or any other inventory or
device.
[0034] As previously mentioned with regard to FIG. 1A, in decision
block 106, if the user decides not to buy the real world item, the
method may continue to decision block 108 of FIG. 1A where a
determination is made as to whether the user would like to store
item information about the real world item for later reference or
access. If so, the method may continue to block 132 of FIG. 1C.
[0035] In block 132 of FIG. 1C, identification (ID) of the real
world item is received by the VBO controller. The real world item
ID may be obtained in any manner. For example, the item ID may be
captured through a camera, smart phone, blue tooth, scanner or
other computing device. By way of another example, the item ID may
be received through a multi-media messaging service (MMS) message,
the Internet or other medium. In another embodiment, the retail
store system and/or the user's communication device transmits the
item ID to the VBO controller through a device which captures and
receives the item ID. It should be understood that the item ID may
be captured and transmitted to the VBO controller via any other
manner than those described above.
[0036] In block 134, the VBO controller may determine product
information based on the item ID of the real world item. In one
embodiment, the VBO controller may query real world item
information from a database of real world items 136. The database
of real world items 136 may be a repository having information
associated with a plurality of real world items. It should be
understood that the real world item information may be determined
from any other manner based on receiving the real world item ID.
For example, the VBO controller queries real world item information
from other databases, such as retail store databases or any other
database having information associated with the real world
items.
[0037] In block 138, the VBO controller may generate an object
containing information about the real world item which may be
referred to as"VBO Light" 140. The VBO light may be generated or
created by the VBO controller in response to receiving at the VBO
controller a decision by a user or prospective purchaser in block
106 not to buy the real world item. The information contained in
the VBO Light 140 may include any information regarding the real
world item such as the product name, specifications, and/or
features, price of the real world item, warranty options,
promotions, advertising, and any other information regarding the
real world item.
[0038] In block 142, at least one store may be associated with the
VBO Light 140. Any store may be associated with the VBO Light 140,
such as the store where the user viewed the real world item, the
store that has the item in stock, one or more stores closest in
proximity to the user, and/or any other store associated with the
real world item and/or user.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1D, in block 144, user ID information
may be received by the VBO controller. The user ID information may
include a number of the user's mobile communications device, the
user's name, the user's address and/or any other information
associated with the user. The user ID information may be
transmitted to the VBO controller by any device such as the user's
communication device, a device associated with a retail store
system, for example a cash register, scanner, checkout scanner or
the like, a virtual world system or similar device.
[0040] In decision block 146, a determination is made as to whether
the item ID was received from a store or other location where the
user has predefined customer settings. The predefined customer
settings may be any settings specifically associated with the
customer related to the creation and delivery of the VBO Light,
such as VBO Light storage information, VBO Light delivery settings,
specific information to associate with the VBO Light, and/or any
other settings specifically predefined by the customer. In block
148, if the item ID was received from a store where the user has
predefined customer settings, the predefined customer settings may
be retrieved from a customer database 150 or other location or
storage medium. If, however, no predefined customer settings exist
for the user, the method 100 may proceed to block 152.
[0041] In block 152, the VBO Light may be stored in the user's
avatar's virtual world inventory 156, user's mobile inventory 154
and/or other inventory or storage means associated with the user.
The user's avatar's virtual world inventory 156 and/or the user's
mobile inventory 154 may be similar to the user's avatar's virtual
world inventory 120 and the inventory associated with the user's
communications device 122, which were previously discussed with
respect to FIG. 1B. Nonetheless, the VBO controller transmits the
VBO Light to the user's inventory 154, 156 in accordance with the
customer's predefined settings, if any, as previously described in
148.
[0042] In block 158, after the VBO Light is stored in the user's
inventory 154, 156, product and/or service information related to
the real world item may be monitored to determine if any new
updates exist as illustrated in block 158. The product or service
information may relate to sales, inventory shortages, price
reductions, price increases or any other information related to the
real world item.
[0043] In block 160, a determination may be made as to whether any
new updates exist. If no new updates exist, then method 100 may
proceed back to block 158 to continuously monitor product and/or
service information related to the real world item. If new updates
are determined to exist in block 160, the method 100 may proceed to
block 162.
[0044] In block 162, one or more VBO Lights may be updated in the
user's mobile inventory 154, the user's avatar's virtual world
inventory 156 or any other inventory associated with the user.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 1 E, in block 164, if the user decides
to retrieve information associated with a previously viewed real
world item, the user may request to retrieve VBO Light information
associated with the real world item. The user may enter such
request in the user's communication device, via a computer or other
device which communicates with the user's avatar's virtual world
inventory, or via another device which is capable of determining
whether the requested VBO Light exists.
[0046] In block 166, a determination may be made as to whether the
requested VBO Light exists in an inventory associated with user. If
the VBO Light is determined to not exist in the user's inventory,
then an error message may be sent to the user indicating that the
VBO Light does not exist in the inventory, as illustrated in block
168. The method 100 may continue back to block 164 so the user can
request information associated with another VBO Light. If the
requested VBO Light does exist in the user's inventory, as
determined by decision block 166, then the method 100 may proceed
to block 170.
[0047] In block 170, the VBO Light may be retrieved from the user's
mobile inventory 172, the user's avatar's virtual world inventory
174 and/or other inventory associated with the user. The user's
mobile inventory 172 and/or the user's avatar's virtual world
inventory 174 may be similar to or the same as the user's
inventories 120, 122 and 154, 156, previously discussed with
respect to FIGS. 1B and 1C. The VBO Light may be retrieved from the
user's inventories via the VBO controller or other device for
presentation of the VBO Light information to the user.
[0048] In block 176, the VBO Light information may be presented to
the user. As previously mentioned, the VBO Light information may
relate to information associated with the real world item, such as
the item name, item specifications and features, item price,
warranty information associated with the item, and/or any other
information associated with the real world item. Thus, any of such
information may be presented to the user when requested. In one
embodiment, the user may request a portion or all of the VBO Light
information through a graphical user interface.
[0049] It should be understood that when retrieving and presenting
VBO Light information to the user, the user does not have to be
proximate to the real world item and may retrieve VBO Light
information at any location and at any time.
[0050] In decision block 178, the user may make a decision whether
or not to buy the real world item associated with the retrieved VBO
Light information. If the user does not decide to buy the real
world item, the method 100 may continue back to block 164 or
alternatively terminate. However, if the user does decide to buy
the real world item, the method 100 may continue to block 180 where
the VBO Light may be converted to a VBO. Converting the VBO Light
to a VBO may be a process similar to that previously described in
FIG. 1B starting at block 110.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a
system 200 for mapping transactions between the real world and a
virtual world in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The system 200 may include a VBO controller 202. As
described in more detail herein, the VBO controller may be module
stored on a computer system, server or other device and may be
operable on the computer system or server to perform the functions
as described herein. The VBO controller 202 may communicate with
one or more devices to receive VBO and/or VBO light information and
create a VBO and/or VBO Light. For example, the VBO controller 202
may communicate with user devices 204 and/or retail store devices
205 in creating a VBO and/or VBO Light. The user devices 204 may
include a cell phone, computer, smart phone, PDA, and may be used
to capture real world item information, such as item ID, item
features and the like, as previously discussed with regard to FIG.
1. The retail store devices 205 may include a check-out scanner,
price scanner or any other device which allows the retail store to
capture real world item information.
[0052] The VBO controller may communicate with the virtual world
inventory 206 to transmit and store the VBO and/or VBO Light into
the virtual world inventory 206 associated with the user, as
previously described in FIG. 1. The user's virtual world inventory
206 may, thus, include an inventory of VBO Lights, an inventory of
VBOs and/or other inventories. The VBO controller also communicates
with the virtual world inventory 206 to retrieve information
associated with a VBO and/or VBO Light to present to the user. The
virtual world inventory 206 may be similar to the user's avatar's
virtual world inventory 120, 156, 174, previously described in FIG.
1.
[0053] The VBO controller 202 may also communicate with retail
store databases 208. The retail store databases 208 may include an
item inventory database, an item information database, customer
specific information databases or any other database. The item
inventory database may relate to a store inventory having
information associated with the real world item. The item
information database may include various data associated with the
real world item, such as the UPC code, item label, photographs or
images of the item, or any other information which may be used to
determine the real world item information. The customer specific
databases may include customer relationship management (see CRM),
email, VIP card information, contact information, customer ID
and/or any other information specific to the customers of the
retail store. It should be understood that any other database which
is associated with a real world store may communicate with the VBO
controller 202 to receive information specific to the real world
item.
[0054] The VBO controller 202 may also communicate with a user
identification database 210. The VBO controller 202 may communicate
with the user identification database 210 to retrieve various
information about the user in order for the VBO controller 202 to
transmit and/or store a VBO and/or VBO Light in the user's
inventory. The user identification database 210 may include various
entries such as the user's name, cell phone number of the user,
customer ID of the user, user's e-mail address, user's logon
information or any other information which may be used to identify
a user.
[0055] The VBO controller 202 may also access certain processing
rules 212 in processing the VBO Light and/or VBO. The processing
rules 212 may include activation or deactivation rules, VBO rules,
VBO Light rules or any other rules which may define processing of
the VBO or VBO Light.
[0056] The VBO controller 202 also controls the virtual
representation 214 of VBO and VBO Light. The virtual representation
214 of the VBO and VBO Light may include how the VBO and VBO Light
information is presented to the user and how the VBO and VBO Light
is represented in the user's inventory and/or in the virtual
world.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example of a method 300 for
mapping transactions between the real world and a virtual world in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated, the VBO controller 302 receives input data 304 and
creates an output 306 based on the input data 304. The input data
304 may include any data associated with the user, real world item,
store associated with the real world item, and/or any other data
which may be used to create and transmit the VBO and/or VBO Light
to the user. The output 306 may be any customized VBO and/or VBO
Light, VBO list and the like. In creating the output 306 by the VBO
controller 302, item properties and/or extension points 308 may be
applied to the input data 304. The item properties and/or extension
points 308 may relate to: real world items that are available for
purchase, real world items which are available to the public, known
and available properties of the real world items, settings
pre-defined by the manufacturer or any other properties which may
be applied to the input data to create the output 306.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a
system 400 for mapping transactions between the real world and a
virtual world in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. The system 400 may include a module for a virtual world
mapping 402 operable on a communications device 404, or similar
device of a user 406 or client. Alternatively, or in addition to
the virtual world mapping module 402 on the user's communications
device 404 or client, the system 400 may include a server virtual
world mapping module 408 operable on a server 410 and accessible by
the user 406 or client 404 via a network 412. The methods 100, 300
may be embodied in or performed by the virtual world mapping module
402 and/or the server virtual world mapping module 408. In one
embodiment, the methods 100, 300 may be wholly performed by the
virtual world mapping module 402. In another embodiment of the
invention, the methods 100, 300 may be wholly performed by the
server virtual world mapping module 408. In a further embodiment of
the present invention, some of the features or functions of the
methods 100, 300 may be performed by the virtual world mapping
module 402 on the user's communications device 404 or client and
other features or functions of the methods 100, 300 may be
performed on the server virtual world mapping module 408.
[0059] A virtual world simulation system 414 may be operable on the
server 410 and may be accessible by a plurality of users 406 or
participants using an Internet browser on their respective
communications devices 404 or clients. The virtual world simulation
system 414 may be Second Life' or a similar virtual world system.
The virtual world mapping modules 402 and 408 may be part of the
virtual world simulation system 414 or may be separate applications
or modules that interface with the virtual world simulation system
414. The network 412 may be the Internet, a private network or
other network.
[0060] Each communications device 404 may be similar to the
exemplary communications device 404 and associated components
illustrated in FIG. 4. Examples of the communications device 404
may include a computer 405 or a mobile communications device 415,
such as a cellular phone, PDA, or other wireless devices.
[0061] The virtual world mapping module 402 and/or 408 may be a
self contained system with embedded logic, decision making, state
based operations and other functions that may operate in
conjunction with a virtual world simulation, such as Second
Life.TM.. The self contained system may allow businesses,
individuals, services, locations, and the like in the virtual world
to interact.
[0062] The virtual world mapping module 402 may be stored on a file
system 416 or memory of the communications device 404. The virtual
world mapping module 402 may be accessed from the file system 416
and run on a processor 418 associated with the communications
device 404.
[0063] The virtual world mapping module 402 may include a module to
capture and/or receive real world item information 420 (hereinafter
"item information module"). The item information module 420 allows
the user or real world store system to capture data or information
associated with the real world item, such as item ID, item features
and specifications, and the like. Such item information may be
captured by the communications device 404 or other means,
transmitted to the VBO controller 442, and transmitted to the item
information module 420 by the VBO controller 442. The item
information module 420 may be accessed or activated whenever the
user or other entity desires to capture information about the real
world item and may call other modules, such as a module to transmit
real world item information and/or user ID to the VBO controller
442, as described below.
[0064] The virtual world mapping module 402 may also include an
information transmission module 421 to transmit real world item
information and/or user ID to the VBO controller 442. The
information transmission module 421 may receive and transmit real
world information from the item information module 420 to a mobile
inventory 422 on the communications device 404 or to one or more
modules located on the server virtual world mapping module 408.
Additionally, the information transmission module 421 may transmit
other information to modules within the user's communications
device 404 and modules within the server virtual world mapping
module 408. For example, the information transmission module 421
may transmit the user ID information 423 from the user's
communications device 404 to the VBO controller 442 of the server
virtual world mapping module 408.
[0065] The virtual world mapping module 402 may also include a
mobile inventory 422. The mobile inventory 422 may include one or
more VBOs and/or VBO Lights that were previously created and/or
configured by the VBO controller 442. After the VBO controller 442
creates or generates a VBO and/or VBO Light, the VBO and/or VBO
Light may be stored on the communications device 404 at the mobile
inventory 422. The mobile inventory 422 may be activated or
accessed at any time by the user through the user's communications
device 404 to access and/or store at least one VBO and/or VBO
Light. The VBOs and VBO Lights may also be stored at a location or
database on the network 412, such for example a database 458.
[0066] The virtual world mapping module 402 may also store the user
ID information 423 on the communications device 404, including user
name, ID of a computer 405 or mobile device 415, user identifier
and/or other information to identify the user. The user's ID 423
may be stored on the communications device 404, server 410, system
460 associated with a retail store 461, or other device and may be
accessed at any time by the information transmission module 421 or
other module.
[0067] The user's communications device 404 may include a display
430 and a speaker 432 or speaker system. The display 430 may
present the virtual world, the user's avatar's inventory and the
mobile inventory 422 to the user 406, as described herein. Any GUIs
associated with the virtual world mapping, VBO and/or VBO Light may
also be presented on the display 430. The speaker 432 may present
any voice or other auditory signals or information to the user
406.
[0068] The user's communications device 404 may also include one or
more input devices, output devices or combination input and output
device, collectively I/O devices 434. The I/O devices 434 may
include a keyboard, computer pointing device, scanner, camera, or
similar means to control operation in the virtual world and capture
information related to the real world items, as described herein.
The I/O devices 434 may also include disk drives or devices for
reading computer media including computer-readable or
computer-operable instructions.
[0069] The server virtual world mapping module 408 may include the
VBO controller 442. As previously discussed in FIGS. 1-3, the VBO
controller 442 receives input data associated with a real world
item and creates and transmits a VBO and/or VBO Light to the user's
inventory. The VBO controller 442 interacts with the virtual world
mapping module 402 on the user's computer or communications device
404 to receive and/or transmit various information associated with
a VBO and/or VBO Light. The VBO controller 442 also interacts with
modules on the server virtual world mapping module 408. Various
modules may be included in the VBO controller 442, as is described
below.
[0070] The VBO controller 442 may include a module 444 to create
and deliver VBO and/or VBO Light ("VBO creation and delivery module
444"). The VBO creation and delivery module 444 may receive
information about a real world item and generate the VBO and/or VBO
Light based thereon. The VBO controller 442 may retrieve
information associated with the VBO and/or VBO Light from one or
more sources located on the server 410, such as the real world
items information database 454, or other sources, such as store
databases 458, a system 460 of a retail store 461, and/or other
locations. After creation of the VBO and/or VBO Light, the VBO
creation and delivery module 444 may transmit the VBO and/or VBO
Light to the mobile inventory 422 of the user's communications
device 404 and/or the user's avatar virtual world inventory located
in the avatar virtual world inventories 452. The VBO controller 442
may create and transmit the VBO and/or VBO Light according to
processing rules 448.
[0071] The VBO controller 442 may also include information
regarding the VBO and/or VBO Light 446. The VBO and/or VBO Light
information 446 may be created by the VBO controller 442 and stored
within the VBO controller 442, as previously discussed. The VBO
and/or VBO Light information 446 may be accessed by the module to
retrieve VBO and/or VBO Light information 424 upon request to
present real world item information to the user 406.
[0072] The VBO controller 442 may include processing rules 448. The
processing rules 448 may relate to rules for creating, delivering,
updating, and accessing the VBO and/or VBO Light. The VBO
controller 442 processes and manages the VBO and VBO Light in
accordance with the processing rules 448. The processing rules 448
may be predefined by the user 406 or other entity.
[0073] The VBO controller 442 may further include a module for
management of VBO and/or VBO Light data 450. The module for
management of VBO and/or VBO Light data 450 may perform various
operations, such as accessing and transmitting VBO and/or VBO Light
data to the user 406 via the communication device 404 or other
device, monitoring and updating information of the VBO and/or VBO
Light, and other like operations, as previously discussed.
[0074] The server virtual world mapping module 408 may also include
avatar virtual world inventories 452. The avatar virtual world
inventories 452 may include one or more avatar virtual world
inventories associated with one or more users 406. Each inventory
in the avatar virtual world inventories 452 may include one or more
VBOs and/or VBO Lights associated with each respective user
406.
[0075] The server virtual world mapping module 408 may include a
real world items information database 454. The real world items
information database 454 includes detailed information about one or
more real world items. The information about the real world items
may be received from one or more sources, including store databases
458, retail store system 460, and/or other sources associated with
the real world items.
[0076] The server virtual world mapping module 408 may further
include a user ID database 456. The user ID database 456 may
include information to identify one or more users 406. As
previously discussed, the user ID may include the user's name,
user's address, user identifier, IP address of the user, user logon
information, or any other information associated with the user. The
user ID database 456 may receive such information associated with
users 406 from the store database 458, retail store system 460,
and/or the user ID module 423 received from the communications
device 404 associated with the users 406.
[0077] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
[0078] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0079] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate
that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same
purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and
that the invention has other applications in other environments.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the present invention. The following claims are in no way
intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific
embodiments described herein.
* * * * *