Patent ID: 8388442
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring for avatar mimicking within a virtual environment, comprising: providing a virtual environment for a first avatar and a second avatar, wherein the first avatar has a first identity including a first name and a first appearance; receiving user input of a proposed identity for the second avatar, the proposed identity including a proposed name and a proposed appearance, wherein the proposed name is different from the first name, wherein the proposed appearance is different from the first appearance; determining, by operation of one or more computer processors, a similarity score based on a similarity of the first appearance and the proposed appearance, wherein the similarity of the first appearance and the proposed appearance is based on a comparison of an attribute of the first appearance and the proposed appearance, wherein the similarity score is representative of a uniqueness of the first appearance and the proposed appearance; outputting an indication of the similarity score for display; and upon determining, based on the similarity score exceeding a threshold, that the proposed identity closely resembles the first identity, denying acceptance of the proposed identity to ensure a minimum specified difference in identity of the second avatar relative to the first avatar, wherein the threshold is altered based on the first identity.