U.S. Pat. No. 8,352,326

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is an architectural block diagram showing an illustrative system100for implementing commerce between virtual worlds. A first user, designated as user A101, has adopted or created a first avatar105for interacting with a first virtual world, designated as virtual world A109. A second user, designated as user B103, has adopted or created a second avatar107for interacting with a second virtual world, designated as virtual world B111. Virtual world A109may be implemented using a first server or a first set of servers executing virtual world software and operatively coupled to a network113. Virtual world B111may be implemented using a second server or a second set of servers executing virtual world software and operatively coupled to the network113. Network113may represent a network such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, an Intranet, a distributed network, an optical network, a wireless network, a wired network, or any of various combinations thereof Virtual world A109and virtual world B111could be different virtual worlds or, alternatively, virtual world A109and virtual world B111may represent different instances of a given virtual world. In other words, the first virtual world may, but need not, represent a first instance of a virtual world with the second virtual world representing a second instance of the virtual world, wherein the first and second virtual worlds are both implemented on a given platform.

A clearance vault117is operatively coupled to network113. Clearance vault117may be implemented using a third server or a third set of servers executing clearance vault software capable of performing the method set forth inFIGS. 2A-2B, described hereinafter. Returning now toFIG. 1, clearance vault117is operatively coupled to a database in the form of an identity repository119. Identity repository119is used to store catalog information about goods and buyers and sellers. Clearance vault117interacts with at least one virtual world, such as virtual world A109or virtual world B111, over network113using open or private interfaces to obtain object details (e.g. 3D object definitions such as x3d or Collada) as well as metadata. Thus, clearance vault117interacts with at least one virtual world to obtain one or more details for an item to be listed in the searchable electronic catalog. A directory115, operatively coupled to clearance vault117, holds marketplace participant details of buyers and sellers including a federation of identity across multiple avatars105,107for multiple virtual worlds109,111.

Potential buyers, such as user A101or user B103, can select a good from an electronic catalog accessible from virtual world A109or virtual world B111and “test” the selected good in clearance vault117before virtual currency is exchanged for the good. Thus, an avatar105or107can try on an object like clothing or a gadget in a controlled environment, in the clearance vault117. Although an avatar105,107representation of a certain virtual world109or111, respectively, is used, at that time the selected good (i.e., the selected object) is not transferred into an inventory maintained by the buyer's virtual world109or111. One or more transformation services implemented by clearance vault117perform functions to turn an object represented in one 3D format into a different 3D format (e.g. x3d to Collada). Each of these transformations can be implemented as pluggable components. Transformations may also be performed for currency and digital rights. In certain situations, a loss of information may occur when the transformation is performed. For example, a target virtual world corresponding to the buyer may not support the fine-grained control that is supported by the originating world of the seller.

Since clearance vault117can be implemented with pluggable components, functions such as financial services and currency exchange can be delivered by external systems. For example, the charging of buyer (i.e, user A101) and the crediting of seller (i.e., user B103) can be implemented using an online service provided by PayPal™. All transactions are logged by clearance vault117and information for analysis of, for example, buying patterns can be performed on that historic data. Optionally, clearance vault117is operatively coupled to a customer loyalty program121for rewarding frequent purchasers of catalog items comprising goods or services.

FIGS. 2A and 2Btogether comprise a flowchart showing an illustrative method for implementing commerce between virtual worlds such as virtual world A109and virtual world B111(FIG. 1). The operational sequence ofFIG. 2commences at block200where a searchable electronic catalog is provided that includes one or more items each comprising a virtual good, a virtual service, a real good, or a real service. At block202, an object representation is stored for each of the items. Each of the stored object representations is associated with metadata comprising any of digital rights metadata, ownership metadata, identity metadata, payment method metadata, or currency detail metadata (block204). A set of transformation algorithms are established that are customized through a rule set (block206). The set of transformation algorithms include a first algorithm for transforming 3-dimensional (3-D) object format representations, a second algorithm for transforming digital rights, a third algorithm for transforming currency, and a fourth algorithm for transforming identity.

Next, a request is received specifying a copying, modifying, or reselling of an item selected from the items in the searchable catalog (block208). The copying, modifying, or reselling of the item from a first virtual world to a second virtual world is implemented using the set of transformation algorithms (block210). An exchange of virtual currency is implemented between the first virtual world and the second virtual world using the set of transformation algorithms (block212).

FIG. 3is a first interaction diagram showing the manner in which the method ofFIGS. 2A and 2Bmay be performed using the system ofFIG. 1. User A101(FIGS. 1 and 3) of virtual world A109(FIGS. 1 and 3) offers a good to the clearance vault117(FIGS. 1 and 3) at block301(FIG. 3). Next, clearance vault117sends a request to virtual world A109for one or more details regarding the offered good, and a response is received from virtual world A109that includes the requested details (block303). Clearance vault117then incorporates the offered good into an electronic catalog. Next, at block305, user B103browses the electronic catalog. User B103tries the good at block307, and an indication is received by clearance vault117that user B103intends to purchase the good (block309). Clearance vault117transfers the good out of user A101inventory (block311), and then charges user B103for the good (block313). Clearance vault117credits user A101for the good at block315, and transfers the good into user B103inventory (block317).

FIG. 4is a second interaction diagram showing the manner in which the method ofFIGS. 2A and 2Bmay be performed using the system ofFIG. 1in conjunction with an external financial service409capable of implementing billing functions, such as PayPal™ or a credit card. At block401, clearance vault117(FIGS. 1 and 4) transfers a good out of inventory for user B103(FIG. 1). Next, at block403(FIG. 4), clearance vault117(FIGS. 1 and 4) transmits a request to financial service409(FIG. 4) instructing financial service409to charge user A101(FIG. 1) for the good that was transferred out of inventory. At block405(FIG. 4), clearance vault117(FIGS. 1 and 4) transmits a request to financial service409(FIG. 4) instructing financial service409to credit user B103(FIG. 1) for the good that was transferred out of inventory. At block407(FIG. 4), clearance vault117(FIGS. 1 and 4) transfers the good out of the inventory of user B103(FIG. 1) and into the inventory of user A101.

FIG. 5is a data flow diagram showing an illustrative data flow for performing a mapping transformation. A virtual world A object representation format501is transformed into a virtual world B object representation format503. Virtual world A digital rights505are transformed into virtual world B digital rights507. Virtual world A currency509is transformed into virtual world B currency511. A virtual world A identity513is transformed into a virtual world B identity519. These transformations are performed in conjunction with blocks206and210ofFIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 6is a data flow diagram showing an illustrative loss that may occur when one of the mapping transformations ofFIG. 5is executed, wherein virtual world A digital rights505(FIGS. 5 and 6) are transformed into virtual world B digital rights506(FIGS. 5 and 6). In virtual world A109(FIG. 1), virtual world A digital rights505(FIG. 6) are set forth in a first data structure601that includes owner rights and group rights. The owner rights include modify, move, copy, and resell wherein these rights pertain to items in the electronic catalog or stored in an owner inventory or both. The group rights include modify, move, copy, and resell. However, in virtual world B111(FIG. 1), virtual world B digital rights507(FIG. 6) are set forth in a second data structure603that only includes owner rights, wherein the owner rights only include modify, copy, and resell.

FIG. 7is a block diagram setting forth an exemplary computer program product or hardware product for implementing commerce between virtual worlds. It is to be clearly understood thatFIG. 7is illustrative in nature, as other systems, devices, or apparatuses not shown inFIG. 7may also be used to implement embodiments of the invention. A data processing system3100includes an input device3110, a central processing unit (“CPU”)3120, memory3130, a display3140, and an interface device3150. The input device3110may include a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, or a similar device. The CPU3120may include dedicated coprocessors and memory devices. The memory3130may include RAM, ROM, databases, or disk devices. The display3140may include a computer screen, terminal device, a hardcopy producing output device such as a printer or plotter, or a similar device. The interface device3150may include a connection or interface to a network3103such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

Optionally, the data processing system3100may be linked to other data processing systems over the network3103. These other data processing systems may, but need not, include an application for implementing commerce between virtual worlds. Of course, the data processing system3100may contain additional software and hardware, a description of which is not necessary for understanding the invention.

The data processing system3100has stored therein data representing sequences of instructions which, when executed, cause the method described in connection withFIGS. 2A and 2Bto be performed. Thus, the data processing system3100includes computer executable programmed instructions for directing the system3100to implement any of the embodiments of the present invention. The programmed instructions may be embodied in at least one hardware, firmware, or software module3170resident in the memory3130of the data processing system3100. Alternatively or additionally, the programmed instructions may be embodied on a computer readable medium (such as a CD disk, floppy disk, or USB-readable semiconductor storage device) which may be used for transporting the programmed instructions to the memory3130of the data processing system3100. Alternatively or additionally, the programmed instructions may be embedded in a computer-readable, signal or signal-bearing medium that is uploaded to the network3103by a vendor or supplier of the programmed instructions, and this signal or signal-bearing medium may be downloaded through an interface3150to the data processing system3100from the network3103by end users or potential buyers.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments may be provided in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The exemplary embodiments can also be provided in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can also be provided in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments execute specific microprocessor machine instructions. The computer program code could be implemented using electronic logic circuits or a microchip.

The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately. Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described. Therefore, while the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.