Patent ID: 8127297
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for conserving resource consumption by a virtual universe comprising the steps of: each of a plurality of virtual objects of the virtual universe detecting an indication to reduce the resource consumption by one or more degrees of resource reduction required for a computing resource that supports the virtual universe; a first virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects selecting a resource conservation setting encoded in the first virtual object in response to said detecting the indication to reduce the resource consumption, wherein said resource conservation setting for the first virtual object indicates a displayable characteristic of the first virtual object; the first virtual object calling at least a portion of first instructions referenced by the resource conservation setting encoded in the first virtual object, the first virtual object calling the at least a portion of the first instructions according to the one or more degrees of resource reduction required for the computing resource in response to selecting the resource conservation setting encoded in the first virtual object, wherein execution of the at least a portion of the first instructions, when the first virtual object is rendered, reduces display quality for the displayable characteristic of the first virtual object to one or more first degrees of reduction that correspond to the one or more degrees of resource reduction required by the computing resource, and wherein execution of the at least a portion of the first instructions causes consumption of less of the computing resource for the displayable characteristic of the first virtual object than a current setting of the first virtual object for the displayable characteristic of the first virtual object; a second virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects selecting a resource conservation setting encoded in the second virtual object in response to said detecting the indication to reduce the resource consumption, wherein said resource conservation setting encoded in the second virtual object indicates a displayable characteristic of the second virtual object that is different from the displayable characteristic of the first virtual object; and the second virtual object calling at least a portion of second instructions referenced by the resource conservation setting encoded in the second virtual object, the second virtual object calling the at least a portion of the second instructions according to the one or more degrees of resource reduction required for the computing resource in response to selecting the resource setting encoded in the second virtual object, wherein execution of the at least a portion of the second instructions, when the second virtual object is rendered, reduces display quality for the displayable characteristic of the second virtual object to one or more second degrees of reduction that corresponds to the one or more degrees of resource reduction required by the computing resource, and wherein execution of the at least a portion of the second instructions causes consumption of less of the computing resource for the displayable characteristic of the second virtual object than a current setting of the second virtual object for the displayable characteristic of the second virtual object.