Patent ID: 8117551
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A63F,G06F,G06N

Abstract:
1. A computer method for providing user contact data in a virtual environment, comprising the steps of: through a computer, representing users by respective avatars displayed in a subject computer based virtual environment; and for each avatar, automatically computer generating and displaying in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects, the automatic generating and displaying being free of user instantiation of the virtual contact objects in the subject virtual environment by the user represented by the avatar, the respective trail of virtual contact objects being associated with the user represented by the avatar and being a visual indication of presence of the user in the subject virtual environment, each virtual contact object in the respective trail storing and providing user contact data of the user being represented by the avatar, the user contact data being different from location data of the avatar and wherein each virtual contact object is able to be taken, copied and shared by any other user as representative of user contact information of the user represented by the avatar.