Patent ID: 9345970
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: A63F,C04B

Claim Text:
1. A method of operation of a server, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a signal from a first entertainment device indicating that a user of the first entertainment device in data communication with a first one of a plurality of substantially similar instances of an on-line virtual environment has performed a predetermined action; determining, by the one or more processors, the availability of a second entertainment device, and if that device is available: switching the second entertainment device from a second instance of the plurality of substantially similar instances of the on-line virtual environment to the first instance of the on-line virtual environment, in response to the received signal from the first entertainment device; transmitting a signal to the first entertainment device indicating that one or more software controlled avatars should change mode to represent one or more additional users; and transferring, by the one or more processors, control of a previously software controlled avatar within the first instance of the on-line virtual environment to the second entertainment device.