U.S. Pat. No. 8,659,623

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, computer program product, or a combination of the foregoing. 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 generally be referred to herein as a “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.

Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer usable or computer readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangible medium such as 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), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other tangible optical or magnetic storage device; or transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet. Note that the computer usable or computer readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the 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 usable or computer readable medium may be any medium that can contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, platform, apparatus, or device.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java, Perl, 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.

The present invention is 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.

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.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operations 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. Alternatively, computer program implemented steps or acts may be combined with operator or human implemented steps or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments according to the present invention enable an avatar in a virtual world to create a direct link between any two locations in the virtual world via a wormhole. The wormhole may be created at any time by an avatar and enables a portal between locations in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual world. As an avatar walks through the wormhole, the avatar may be automatically transported to another location in the virtual world. Moreover, an avatar may have the ability to define the life cycle and other characteristics of the wormhole such as, for example, how long the wormhole will last, criteria for which avatars may go through the wormhole, whether the wormhole is a one-way wormhole or a two-way wormhole, etc. These life cycle and other wormhole characteristics may be defined by policies created by the avatar for the wormhole.

In embodiments according to the present invention, an avatar in a virtual world may be controlled by a user to create a wormhole. For example, an avatar may be controlled to right click on a section of ground and be provided with an option to create a wormhole. A map may appear and the avatar may choose a wormhole destination thereby causing the wormhole to appear on the ground. Any other avatars that walk through the wormhole may be automatically transported to the chosen destination. Further, in embodiments according to the present invention, a wormhole may have a timer and be destroyed as soon as the creator of the wormhole walks through, or may be a permanent wormhole and be governed by parameters that the creator (e.g., avatar) sets upon creation of the wormhole. For example, the creator of the wormhole may define policy management criteria for the wormhole such as, for example, defining a criteria where the wormhole is only valid for specific identified avatars, a parameter where the wormhole is password protected, a wormhole policy where only avatars that are members of a specific group are allowed to enter, a time limit on the active life of the wormhole, etc. Moreover, a policy may be set for a wormhole where avatars attempting to enter the wormhole are scanned to identify any items that the avatar may be carrying that are not allowed or permitted at the destination of the wormhole. For example, if weapons are not permitted at the destination of the wormhole, the wormhole may scan an inventory of the avatar to determine if the avatar owns any weapons and if any of the weapons are missing from the avatar's inventory thus possibly being carried by the avatar. The avatar may then not be transported by the wormhole.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, one may create an advertising opportunity by creating a wormhole with a sign or other advertising material near a common place inviting avatars to step into the wormhole to be immediately transferred to a specific business or store. Further, wormholes may be created where several locations, for example, classrooms, demo stations, etc., each with a one way wormhole, could connect different points within a “tour”. Further, according to embodiments of the present invention, a wormhole may be created that takes on various shapes and appearances. For example, a wormhole may be created that visually represents a store front with doors, windows, etc. that transports an avatar directly to the store in the virtual world. In this regard, a server hosting the virtual store may check a capacity available at the store and notify a store owner when a capacity is reached allowing the store owner to create a wormhole that may automatically transport an avatar to a different store location (i.e., hosted on a different server) via another wormhole that appears to look like a store front of the store. Alternatively, the wormhole may have access to the different store fronts and capacity of each and automatically transport an avatar entering the wormhole to a destination store with available capacity.

FIG. 1shows a diagram of system for creating a three-dimensional virtual world wormhole according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The system100may include a server101and one or more workstations102where the server101and the one or more workstations102may be interconnected to a network103. Although one server101is shown, there may be multiple servers connected to the network103via a network interface and accessible by the one or more workstations102. The server101may host the virtual environment105and also contain a controller104and storage106. Therefore, a user at a workstation102may access the virtual environment105hosted on the server101and control an avatar in the virtual environment105to create a wormhole with associated policies in the virtual environment (world). Further, other users may use the one or more workstations102to control other avatars to enter the created wormhole. Therefore, a user at a workstation102coupled to the server101via the network interface may control the avatar in the virtual world105to select a location in the virtual world105, select a destination in the virtual world105, and create a wormhole at the location for automatic transport of the avatar from the location to the destination. The server101may include software or applications for running the hosted a 3D virtual world and creating a wormhole at a selected location in the 3D virtual world for automatic transport of an avatar from the selected location to a selected destination in the 3D virtual world.

FIG. 2shows a flowchart of a process for a three-dimensional virtual world wormhole according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In the process200, in block201, the location for a wormhole may be selected. In block202, a destination for the wormhole may be selected. In block203, desired policies for the wormhole may be defined. In block204, the wormhole may be created at the location for automatic transport of an avatar from the location to the destination and to operate in accordance with the defined policies.

FIG. 3shows a diagram of multiple wormholes connected to a single destination according to an example embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, more than one wormhole301,302may be created in a virtual world where each wormhole301,302is connected to the same destination. For example, a wormhole301may be created at one location in a virtual world whereby when an avatar enters the wormhole301, the avatar may be transported to a destination303. Similarly, a second avatar may enter a different second wormhole302at a different location in the virtual world and be transported to the same destination303. This embodiment may be advantageous for a retail establishment that establishes multiple wormholes throughout a virtual world where avatars entering any of the wormholes may be automatically transferred to a store front of the retail establishment.

FIG. 4shows a diagram of transporting avatars from a destination to their original entry point according to an example embodiment of the present invention. A first avatar may desire to leave a wormhole destination303and may be automatically transported back to a location301of the wormhole where the first avatar entered. Similarly, a second avatar at the wormhole destination303may desire to leave the destination and may be automatically transported back to a second location of a second wormhole302where the second avatar entered to get to the destination303. Therefore, according to embodiments of the present invention, an original source wormhole location for each avatar at a common destination of the source wormholes may be tracked in order to transport each avatar back to the avatar's original wormhole entry point. A management/policy system may be used to manage which avatars came from what location in order to know how to route each avatar back to the appropriate source location.

FIG. 5shows a flowchart of a process for a three-dimensional virtual world wormhole having multiple possible destinations according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In the process500, in block501, a location for a wormhole may be selected. In block502, possible destinations for the wormhole may be selected. In block503, desired policies for the wormhole may be defined. In block504, a wormhole may be created at the location for automatic transport of an avatar from the location to one of the possible destinations. The created wormhole is created to operate in accordance with the desired policies. In block505, an avatar may enter the wormhole. In block506, a capacity of each of the possible destinations of the wormhole may be checked. In block507, it may be determined if any of the possible destinations have available capacity and if not the process moves back to block506to continue checking the capacity of possible destinations. If a destination with available capacity is found, then in block508, the avatar may be automatically transported to the destination with the available capacity. Therefore, according to embodiments of the present invention, a wormhole may be created with multiple possible destinations where a system may perform load balancing to determine which of the possible destinations an avatar entering the wormhole may be transported to. Each possible destination may have a defined maximum avatar capacity. Therefore, an avatar entering the wormhole may only be transported to a destination with available capacity.

FIG. 6shows a flowchart of a process for defining policies for a created wormhole according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In the process600, in block601policies for a created wormhole may be defined. Any of many types of policies may be defined. For example, in block602a lifecycle of the wormhole may be defined, in block609a password for entering the wormhole may be defined, in block603which avatars are allowed to enter the wormhole may be defined, in block604a maximum number of avatars allowed in the wormhole may be defined, in block605whether the wormhole is a one-way or a two-way wormhole may be defined, in block606what group of avatars are allowed to enter the wormhole may be defined, in block607an age of avatars allowed in the wormhole may be defined, or in block608other wormhole policies may be defined, etc. The wormhole may only allowed avatars to enter the wormhole in accordance with the defined policies of the wormhole.

FIG. 7shows a diagram of wormhole shapes according to example embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, a wormhole may be created in any of various types of shapes, sizes and forms. For example, a wormhole may be created in a cylindrical shape701, as a store front with a store front logo or sign702, as a cloud703, as a doorway704, as a window705, as a gate706, as an elevator707, etc. Once an avatar enters the wormhole the avatar may then be automatically transported to a destination assigned to the wormhole.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of a process for a three-dimensional virtual world wormhole according to another example embodiment of the present invention. In the process800in block801a three-dimensional (3D) virtual world may be hosted. In block802a wormhole may be created at a selected location in the 3D virtual world for automatic transport of an avatar from the selected location to a selected destination in the 3D virtual world. The process800may be performed by or operate on a server.

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.

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.

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.