Patent ID: 8516380
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method to maintain user privacy by abstracting communications in a virtual world, comprising: receiving a communication sent from a first user conversing with a second user represented by respective avatars at a location in a virtual world, wherein the communication includes sensitive information; identifying a third user having an avatar present in the same location, wherein the third user is not an intended recipient of the communication; determining that the third user's avatar is within a virtual hearing range for observing the communication between the first user and the second user, wherein the third user's avatar observes the communication between the first user and the second user when the third user's avatar is within the virtual hearing range, wherein the virtual hearing range is determined based on a maximum predefined distance in the virtual world; determining, based on predetermined trust criteria, a level of trust for the third user relative to the first user and the second user; preventing the sensitive information from being disclosed to the third user, by abstracting the communication based on the determined level of trust; and presenting the abstracted communication to the third user.