Patent ID: 8244805
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and a communication device external to the virtual universe, comprising: receiving a request to initiate a communication between a first resident that is on-line in the virtual universe and a second resident that is logged out of the virtual universe via the communication device; establishing a communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device in response to receiving the request, wherein the establishing of the communication link comprises using a policy table containing a plurality of preferred communication paths for contacting the second resident, wherein the plurality of preferred communication paths have been specified by the second resident as acceptable mediums for communication therewith, for each of the preferred communication paths, the policy table containing one of an individual avatar belonging to the second resident and a group avatar that the second resident is associated therewith, and any time constraint that designates a preferred time for contacting the individual avatar and the group avatar, wherein the individual avatar and the group avatar associated with each preferred communication path is used by the second resident to access the established communication link; providing data for generating a rendering of avatars designated for use by the first and second resident, while the second resident is logged out of the virtual universe, in a display associated with the communication device in response to establishing the communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device; and providing data for generating a rendering of another avatar designated for use by the second resident in the virtual universe in response to establishing the communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device, the providing of data for generating a rendering of the another avatar designated for use by the second resident in the virtual universe includes teleporting the another avatar designated for use by the second resident to a location in the virtual universe in which an avatar designated for use by the first resident is located.