System for facilitating in-person interaction between multi-user virtual environment users whose avatars have interacted virtually

Described is a system for facilitating in-person interaction between multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) users. The system facilitates in-person interaction between the users if they have interacted virtually in MMVE via their respective avatars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to Massively Multi-user Virtual Environment (“MMVE”) systems, and more specifically to systems that allow users of an MMVE system to interact with each other within the MMVE.

2. Related Art

With the growth of modern telecommunication systems, more and more people are communicating and interacting with other people via large communication networks such as, for example, the Internet. These interactions include emailing, texting, audio and video conferencing, blogging, posting information on websites, hosting websites, online gaming, interacting in virtual worlds, etc.

In the example of a virtual world, a virtual world is a virtual community (also referred to as an “online community”) that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which multiple users can interact with one another and use and create objects. Presently, these modern virtual worlds are interactive virtual environments, where users may enter into these virtual environments and take the form of an avatar or synthespian that is visible to other users in a given virtual environment. In general, an avatar is a graphical representation of a user on a computer network. The avatar allows a corresponding user to explore and interact with the simulated environment (i.e., scene) and with the avatars of other users.

A virtual world is the basis of a multi-user virtual environment (“MUVE”) that allows multiple users to interact with each other in the virtual world. A massively multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) is generally known as a MUVE that is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. In order implement a virtual world, a powerful server, or bank of servers, is utilized to generate and/or host the virtual world. Additionally, a program, or an interface, is needed that allows users to create some short of identity that they can use when they log into the virtual world via the server or servers.

Examples of MMVEs include massively multi-player online games (“MMOGs”) such as, for example, GemStone®, Air Warrior®, Neverwinter Nights®, The Realm Online, Meridian 59, Ultima Online®, Underlight, EverQuest®, Eve Online®, Final Fantasy®, World of Warcraft®, The Sims®, etc. Other examples of MMVEs may also include non-game virtual environments for education or business, such as Second Life®, and Red Light Center®, etc. As such, in general, a MMVE is a computer-based simulated virtual environment that provides real-time human interactions among a large numbers of concurrent users.

As an example, inFIG. 1, a system diagram of an example of an implementation of a known MMVE system100is shown. The known MMVE system100may include a server102(or bank of servers) in signal communication with a communication network such as, for example, the Internet104via signal path106. The server102(or servers) generates and/or hosts the MMVE, which may be a MMOG.

A plurality of users108,110, and112may access the MMVE on the server102via the Internet104. The plurality of users108,110, and112may access the Internet104via online devices114,116, and118, which may be in signal communication with the Internet104via signal paths120,122, and124, respectively. Each online device114,116, and118may be a personal computer (both portable and non-portable), a computer tablet (such as, for example, an iPad®, Andriod® based tablet, or Microsoft® based tablet), a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), or smartphone (such as, for example, an iPhone®, Andriod® based smartphone, or Microsoft® based smartphone), game console (such as, for example, PSP®, Playstation® 3, Xbox® 360, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, and Wii®) or any other equivalent device capable of accessing the Internet104. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that while only three users108,110, and112and online devices114,116, and118are shown inFIG. 1, the known MMVE system100may support thousands of users with corresponding thousands of online devices.

As MMVEs become more common place in society, a growing number of users will utilize MMVEs for activities such as, for example, gaming, business, education, entertainment, and social interaction. The resulting users that utilize these MMVEs may see an ever growing percentage of their working and/or personal time spent in virtual environments where they will interact with other users via these online systems without actually physical interacting with these other users.

Unfortunately, most people have strong psychological needs to interact with other people in both social and/or business settings. As such, for many users of MMVEs there is a need to bridge the virtual world to the actual physical world by facilitating users of an MMVE to actually physically interact.

SUMMARY

Described is a system for facilitating in-person interaction between a first user and a second user of a massively multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) where the first user utilizes a first user avatar and the second user utilizes a second user avatar. The system may include an input module, a comparator in signal communication with the input module, a determination module in signal communication with both the input module and comparator, and an output module in signal communication with the determination module. The input module is configured to receive a first identification criteria corresponding to the first user and a second identification criteria corresponding to the second user and create a first user data signal and a second user data signal corresponding to the first identification criteria and a second identification criteria, respectively. The comparator is configured to receive the first user data signal and a second user data signal, compare the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria, determine if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a predetermined condition, and create a comparator signal that represents the result of the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria. The determination module is configured to create a query signal where the query signal includes a query to both the first user and the second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. The output module is configured to transmit the query signal to both the first user and a second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

The input module is also configured to receive a response to the query signal from both the first user and second user. The determination module is also configured to determine whether the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. Moreover, the output module is also configured to transmit contact information to both the first user and second user if both the first user and second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

In operation, the system performs a method that includes determining a first identification criteria corresponding to the first user, determining a second identification criteria corresponding to the second user, comparing the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria, and determining if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a predetermined condition. The method also includes transmitting a query to both the first user and a second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction, receiving a response to query from both the first user and second user, determining whether the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction, and transmitting contact information to both the first user and second user if both the first user and second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described is a system for facilitating in-person interaction between a first user and a second user of a massively multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) where the first user utilizes a first user avatar and the second user utilizes a second user avatar. The system may include an input module, a comparator in signal communication with the input module, a determination module in signal communication with both the input module and comparator, and an output module in signal communication with the determination module. The input module may be configured to receive a first identification criteria corresponding to the first user and a second identification criteria corresponding to the second user and create a first user data signal and a second user data signal corresponding to the first identification criteria and a second identification criteria, respectively. The comparator may be configured to receive the first user data signal and a second user data signal, compare the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria, determine if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a predetermined condition, and create a comparator signal that represents the result of the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria. The determination module may be configured to create a query signal where the query signal includes a query to both the first user and the second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. The output module may be configured to transmit the query signal to both the first user and a second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

The input module may be also configured to receive a response to the query signal from both the first user and second user. The determination module may be also configured to determine whether the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. Moreover, the output module may be also configured to transmit contact information to both the first user and second user if both the first user and second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

In operation, the system performs a method that may include determining a first identification criteria corresponding to the first user, determining a second identification criteria corresponding to the second user, comparing the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria, and determining if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a predetermined condition. The method may also include transmitting a query to both the first user and a second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction, receiving a response to query from both the first user and second user, determining whether the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction, and transmitting contact information to both the first user and second user if both the first user and second user have an interest for an in-person interaction.

Turning toFIG. 2, a system diagram of an example of an implementation of system200for facilitating in-person interaction between MMVE users202and204is shown in accordance with the invention. The system200may be located within a server206, or bank of servers (not shown) or in signal communication with server206. The first user202and second user204may access server206via a computer network such as, for example, the Internet208. In this example, the server206may be in signal communication with the Internet208via signal path210. The first user202may utilize a first online device212that is in signal communication with the Internet208via signal path214. Similarly, the second user204may utilize a second online device216that is in signal communication with the Internet208via signal path218. The first online device212may include a first online device display220and the second online device216may include a second online device display222. The first user202and first online device212may be located at a first user location224and the second user204and second online device216may be located at a second user location226.

It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices of the telepresence system are described as being in signal communication with each other, where signal communication refers to any type of communication and/or connection between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and/or device to pass and/or receive signals and/or information from another circuit, component, module, and/or device. The communication and/or connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows signals and/or information to pass from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may be physical such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, attached and/or electromagnetic or mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or other similar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components where communication information is passed from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another in varying digital formats without passing through a direct electromagnetic connection.

It is additionally appreciated by those skilled in the art that while only two users are shown inFIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6and described through most of this disclosure, this has been done for the convenience of describing the invention with the understanding that the invention functions and is completely applicable to multiple users and their corresponding avatars (i.e., a third user, fourth user, fifth user and corresponding third, fourth, firth avatar as so forth). The number of users and avatars being limited by the limitation of the MMVE and corresponding hardware running/hosting the MMVE. Throughout this specification the description may equally be viewed as a first user202and at least second user204.

In this example, the server206(or servers) generates and/or hosts the MMVE, which may be a MMOG. The first user202and second user204may access the MMVE on the server206via the Internet208. The first user202and second user204may access the Internet208via the first online device212and second online device216via signal paths214and218, respectively. Each online device212or216may be a personal computer (both portable and non-portable), a computer tablet (such as, for example, an iPad®, Andriod® based tablet, or Microsoft® based tablet), a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), or smartphone (such as, for example, an iPhone®, Andriod® based smartphone, or Microsoft® based smartphone), game console (such as, for example, PSP®, Playstation® 3, Xbox® 360, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, and Wii®) or any other equivalent device capable of accessing the Internet208. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that while only two users202and204and online devices212and216are shown inFIG. 2, the MMVE may support thousands of users with corresponding thousands of online devices.

As an example of operation, the first user202may log on to the MMVE on the server206via the first online device212. The first user202may accomplish this by logging on to a website or other online portal (not shown) hosted by the server206that appears on the first online device display220. Similarly, the second user204may log on to the MMVE on the server206via the second online device216. The second user204may accomplish this by logging on to a website or other online portal (not shown) hosted by the server206that appears on the second online device display222. Once the first online device212is logged on to the server206, the first online device212communicates with the sever206sending and receiving data signals back and forth to the server206via signal path214, Internet208, and signal path210. These data signals allow the first user202to interact in the MMVE on the server206. Similarly, once the second online device216is logged on to the server206, the second online device216communicates with the sever206sending and receiving data signals back and forth to the server206via signal path218, Internet208, and signal path210. These data signals allow the second user204to interact in the MMVE on the server206.

Specifically, once the first user202logs on to the MMVE on the server206with the first online device212, the first online device212may send a first user initialization signal227to the server206via signal path214, Internet208, and signal path210. The first user initialization signal227may include information such as first identification criteria about the first user202and the first online device212. This first identification criteria may include first user202preferences for use in the MMVE, performance, capabilities, software information, and other technical information about the first online device212and first online device display220, and information about the first user location224. Once the system200in the server206receives the first user initialization signal227, the system200determines the first identification criteria for the first user202.

Similarly, once the second user204logs on to the MMVE on the server206with the second online device216, the second online device216may send a second user initialization signal228to the server206via signal path218, Internet208, and signal path210. The second user initialization signal228may include information such as second identification criteria about the second user204and the second online device216. This second identification criteria may include second user204preferences for use in the MMVE, performance, capabilities, software information, and other technical information about the second online device216and second online device display222, and information about the second user location226. Once the system200in the server206receives the second user initialization signal228, the system200determines the second identification criteria for the second user204.

The first identification criteria and second identification criteria may both include preferences that are pre-determined by the first user202and second user204, respectively. These pre-determined preferences may include user preferences related to politics, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, race, academics, interests, location of other users, and other social preferences.

Alternatively, the first user initialization signal227and second user initialization signal228may only include logon, initialization, and location information for the first user202and second user204, respectively. In this example, the first user202and second user204have already logged on to the system200previously and have initialized accounts on the system200. This initialization included providing the system200with identification criteria including the pre-determined preferences for the respective user. The pre-determined preferences may have been stored in a memory (not shown) corresponding to the system200. Once the first user202and second user204log into the server206, the system200recognizes the respective users202and204and access their corresponding pre-determined preferences from the memory.

Once the system200determines the first identification criteria for the first user202and the second identification criteria for the second user204, the system200then compares the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria and determines if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a pre-determined condition. The pre-determined condition may be that both the first user202and second user204are located within a pre-determined distance of each other, share a common political view, religion, common interest, ethnicity, have a common interest in gender and/or age, etc.

If the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies the pre-determined condition, the system200may allow the first user202and second user204to interact with each other virtually within a simulated environment (i.e., scene) of the MMVE. The first user202may utilize a first avatar (not shown) and the second user204may utilize a second avatar (not shown). As such, the first user202may interact with second user204in a scene via the first avatar and second avatar, respectfully.

Additionally, the first identification criteria and second identification criteria may include system200provided information that corresponds to the first user202and second user204. An example of this system200provided information may include information regarding the governmental laws or regulations related to each user. For example, if either the first user202, second user204, or both are minors, the system200may include age identification that may limit or enable access to certain parts of the MMVE. Moreover, if first user202, second user204, or both are located in geographic locations that have certain legal restrictions either by governmental laws or regulations, or commercial limitations such as, trademark, copyright, patent, or contractual limitations, the system200may limit access to MMVE functions or scenes that properly comply with this limitations.

This approach helps segregate the users of the MMVE to reduce the computational loads in running the MMVE for the server206or servers. Generally, as the number of concurrent users increases, the information that must be tracked and generated by the server206(or servers) increases geometrically. The positions of each avatar with respect to any particular portion of the scene, and with respect to other avatars, must be calculated and displayed to the different users. At some point, the computational load becomes excessive.

Segregation of the MMVE is an example of an approach to help resolve this difficulty. In this example, some MMVE's divide users into two or more groups. When the number of avatars present at a given scene meets a selected value, the MMVE generates an identical duplicate of the scene. Subsequent avatars begin to populate the duplicate of the scene so generated. The process is repeated as needed, depending on the number of concurrent users who desire to enter each scene. However, known segregation techniques only segregate based on the numbers of users in a given scene and do not take into account the preferences or locations of the users. The system200does take into account the preferences or locations of the users.

As an example, the system200may include a scene generator (not shown) that generates a scene for the first user202and second user204based on the first identification criteria, second identification criteria, and the determination of whether the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a pre-determined condition. The generated scene from the scene generator may include the first avatar of the first user202, second avatar of the second user204, or both based on the determination of whether the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies the pre-determined condition.

If the pre-determined condition is not satisfied, the scene generator may generate a first scene that includes the first avatar and second scene that includes the second avatar. As mentioned above regarding segregation, the first scene and second scene are identical duplicate scenes but in the first scene there will not be an avatar for the second user204and in the second scene there will not be an avatar for the first user202. The first scene would be transmitted to the first online device212via signal path210, Internet208, and signal path214and the second scene would be transmitted to the second online device216via signal path210, Internet208, and signal path218. The first scene would them be displayed on the first online device display220and the second scene would be displayed on the second online device display222. As a result, the first user202would see the first scene with his/her first avatar and possibly other avatars corresponding to different users, however, the first user202would not see the second avatar corresponding to the second user204. Similarly, the second user204would see the second scene with his/her second avatar and possibly other avatars corresponding to different users, however, the second user202would not see the first avatar corresponding to the first user202. As such, the first user202and second user204will not be able to virtually interact in the scene.

An example of this situation may be where a first user202has selected a specific scene but does not want to interact with people who have a specific political view such as, a fascist (which is a preference in his/her identification criteria). In this example, if the second user204has selected the same scene but has also identified himself/herself as a fascist in his/her identification criteria, the system200would filter requests such that the first avatar of the first user202and second avatar of the second user204would be inserted into different but identical copies of the mutually selected scene. This filtering would be limited to excluding the second user204from being inserted into the same copy of the mutually selected scene in which the first user202has been inserted and would not affect the population of the scene selected by the first user202with avatars from other users that are not identified as fascists. The first user202would then be capable of interacting virtually with these other users via their respective avatars.

If, instead, the pre-determined condition is satisfied, the scene generator may generate a scene that includes both the first avatar and second avatar within the scene. This scene would be transmitted to both the first online device212and second online device216via signal paths201, the Internet208and signal paths214and218, respectively. The scene would then be displayed on the first online device display220and second online device display222. In this example, the first user202and second user204may interact virtually with each other via their respective first user avatar and second user avatar.

Another example may be based on the respective locations of the users202and204. This example may be independent of or in combination with the previous example. In this example, if the first user202and second user204have a first user location224and second user location226that are within the same geographic area or areas that are sufficiently close to each other as either pre-determined by the system200or the users202and204themselves, the scene generator may generate a scene that includes both the first avatar and second avatar within the scene.

In this example, if first user location224and second user location226are not within the same geographic area or areas that are sufficiently close to each other as pre-determined by the system200of the users202and204, the scene generator may generate two different identical scenes (a first scene and a second scene) where the first scene corresponds to the first avatar and the second scene corresponds to the second avatar. In this situation, the first avatar of the first user202will not be capable of interacting with the second avatar of the second user204.

The system200may determine the location of the first user224and location of the second user226via numerous known techniques that may include using the Internet Protocol address of the first online device212and the second online device216, utilizing GPS or other location information provided by the first online device212and the second online device216to the system200, utilizing techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,172, titled “System and process for limiting distribution of information on a communication network based on geographic location,” issued Nov. 28, 2000, or other known location techniques.

InFIGS. 3 through 6, show different screen shots of scenes generated by the scene generator of the system200in accordance with the invention. InFIG. 3, a screen shot of an example of an implementation of a scene300including a bar302, some bottles304and two avatars of different users306and308is shown. The first user202and second user204are not shown in the scene. InFIG. 4, a screen shot of an example of an implementation of a new scene400including the bar402, bottles404, and two avatars of different users306and308is shown. The difference between the scene300and scene400is that in scene400ofFIG. 4, a first avatar406is shown with a glass408. In the example shown inFIG. 4, it is appreciated that first user202entered the scene400before the second user204attempted to enter the scene400. If the pre-determined condition described above is not satisfied when the second user204attempts to enter scene400, the scene generator will not allow the second user204to enter the scene400. As such, the scene400is limited to first avatar406and the two avatars of different users306and308. As a result, inFIG. 5, the second avatar500is shown in a duplicate identical copy of scene400. InFIG. 5, a screen shot of an example of an implementation of a scene502including a bar504, some bottles506and two avatars of different users508and510is shown. The two avatars508and510are of two different users than the avatars306and308. The difference between the scene502and scene400ofFIG. 4is that in scene502, ofFIG. 5, the second avatar500of the second user204is shown with a glass512. In this example, the first avatar406is not capable of virtually interacting with the second avatar500. As such, the system206would transmit the scene400to the first online device212, which would be displayed on the first online device220, and transmit the scene502to the second online device216, which would be displayed on the second online device display222.

Turning toFIG. 6, a screen shot of an example of an implementation of another scene600including a bar602, some bottles604and two avatars of different users606and608is shown. The two avatars606and608may be the avatars306and308of the users shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the avatars508and510of the users shown inFIG. 5, or the avatars of different users. The difference between the scene600and scene400ofFIG. 4and scene502ofFIG. 5is that in scene600, ofFIG. 6, both the first avatar610of first user202and second avatar612of second user204are shown in the same scene600with corresponding glasses614and616. In this example, the system206would transmit the scene600to both the first online device212, which would be displayed on the first online device220, and the second online device216, which would be displayed on the second online device display222.

Once the common scene600has been generated by the scene generator, the first user202and second user204will have the ability to interact virtually via their respective avatars (i.e., via the first avatar610and second avatar612, respectively).

As another example, the scene generator may also act to either preclude the generation of a certain scene or to modify an existing scene, both of which will prevent an avatar-to-avatar interaction, user-to-user interaction, and/or user-to-system interaction. In this example, if first user202and second user204desire to direct their respective avatars to go to a virtual casino in the MMVE with purpose of gambling real money, if either the first under202or second user204are not in a physical real world location where such gaming is lawfully allowed, the system200may be configured to not allow any user, which is located in geographic location were this activity is illegal, to enter and/or interact with a scene that allows gambling real money. In furtherance of this example, the system200may modify the scene for the user that is not allowed to gamble real money to a new hybrid scene that allows the user that may legally gamble to virtually gamble for real money in the scene while only allowing the user that cannot legally gamble to only gamble for fun and not money. In this example, the scene generator allows, limits, or modifies how one or more users and/or their avatars may interact with each other and/or the system200in general based on the user's geographic locations and applications of applicable governmental laws or regulations.

In another example, if first user202and second user204desire to direct their respective avatars to go to a virtual cinema in the MMVE with purpose of viewing a motion picture, if either the first under202or second user204are not in a physical real world location where the movie have been released, the system200may be configured to not allow any user, which is located in geographic location were the movie has not been released, to enter and/or interact with a scene that allows viewing of the movie. Turning back toFIG. 2, once the first avatar610and second avatar612interact virtually, a determination module in the system200will note that the first user202and second user204have interacted virtually via their respective avatars610and612. The system200will then send a query signal229to both the first online device212and second device216that will query the first user202and the second user204as to whether they would be interested in receiving information that would facilitate a potential in-person interaction between the first user202and second user204. In response to the query, the first user202will send a response via a first response signal230and the second user204will send a response via a second response signal232. The first response signal230is sent from the first online device212to the system200via signal paths214, Internet208and signal path210. Similarly, the second response signal232is sent from the second online device216to the system200via signal paths218, Internet208and signal path210. The system200receives the first response signal230and second response signal232and, in response, determines whether the first user202and the second user204have an interest for an in-person interaction. If the system200determines that the first user202and the second user204have an interest for an in-person interaction, the system200transmits contact information to both the first online device212of the first user202and second online device216of the second user204.

This contact information may include names and addresses of locations suitable for in-person meetings, including without limitation restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theaters, concert halls, parks, beaches, shopping centers, health clubs, sports stadiums, etc. Additionally, the system200may allow persons or entities, such as businesses (generally referred to as advertisers), to register with the system200in a way that allows the system200to provide the first user202and/or second user204with advertisements, discount coupons (virtual or downloadable) or other premiums to motivate them to patronize one or more of the registered business establishments identified by the system200.

In regards to advertisement, the system200may enable advertisers to focus their advertising efforts to users whose physical location, virtual location (i.e., location of the user's avatar within the MMVE), and/or preferences are compatible with the advertiser's desired advertising. In general, the system200enables or limits communications (such as advertising or other content transmission) to the user, directly and/or via one or more avatars in the MMVE, based on the physical location(s), virtual location(s) (e.g., location(s) of a user's and/or another's avatar in the MMVE), and/or preferences of the user.

Additionally, the system200may be configured to allow “groupon-like” advertisement. In this example, the system200is configured to allow an advertiser to send advertisement to a group of users if the corresponding there is a pre-determined threshold number of avatars within a specified virtual location and/or a pre-determined threshold number of users within a specified geographical location. Both the pre-determined threshold number of avatars and pre-determined threshold number of users may be defined by the advertiser. Moreover, in this example, the offer related to the advertisement sent by the advertiser may be limited and, therefore, not valid unless a threshold number of users, via their corresponding avatars, accepts the offer.

In another example of advertising, if a shoe store with a single location in a city purchases (from the provider and/or operator of the MMVE) advertising on a pay per click basis, the advertising will appear in the MMVE in virtual “proximity” to a user's avatar (for example, on a virtual billboard or on the clothing of an avatar in the MMVE scene that includes the user's avatar) and/or on the online device of a user. The system200may be configured limit the advertising to users that are physically close in proximity to the shoe store so that the shoe store does not have to pay for advertising clicks that are not likely to result in sales because the user engaging the advertising is located far from the shoe store (e.g., in another city or country). This shore store and/or system200may set a pre-determined threshold distance to trigger the transmission of advertising to a potential user. That pre-determined threshold may be, for example, 10 kilometers.

In a further example of advertising, the system200may be configured to provide to a plurality of users who are communicating with each other via their respective avatars in the MMVE an advertisement, such as a coupon, to purchase goods or services at an establishment that is within predetermined distance from all of the subject users. For example, the system may be configured to provide to a two users who are conversing in a virtual concert hall lobby after a concert an electronic discount coupon and invitation to come to a Starbucks® bistro that is within a predetermined threshold distance from both users' physical locations to continue their conversation. The distance threshold may be, for example, 2 kilometers from each of the users. The system200may also be configured to use other demographic data previously obtained to determine the type of advertising communication to present to the users. For example, continuing the example above, the system could be configured only to present the advertisement and invitation to come to the Starbucks® bistro if the users have registered within the MMVE as “single”, “interested in new relationships”, “coffee drinker”, etc.

These advertisements may be shown directly on the display of the online device of the user and/or virtually in scene of the MMVE. As an example, when the criteria is met for the avatars, a virtual billboard (or other similar virtual object) might appear in the virtual world scene in which the avatars are interacting with. Alternatively, or in combination, an advertisement and/or message may be sent directly to the user via the online device. This advertisement and/or message may appear as a pop-up window on the display of the online device, via a text message, via an email message, or other computer-related communication means.

Advertisements or other content may be displayed to a user via a virtual billboard (or other virtual object), or via other digital communication means (e.g., via the user's phone) based upon where the user's avatar is located in the MMVE, the type of activity the user or avatar is engaged in the MMVE, the user's MMVE personal profile, and/or a combination of some or all of the foregoing. For example, if the user's avatar is in a virtual furniture store, an advertisement for a real furniture store, or for another virtual furniture store may be displayed to the user via a virtual billboard or other virtual object in the MMVE or otherwise transmitted to the user.

In another example, the first user202and second user204may be members of a common organization, for example a social organization as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/998,679, titled “Remote Dating Method,” filed Nov. 30, 2007. In this example, the first user202and second user204may be placed in contact with each other using procedures similar to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/998,679. Once the contact information is provided to the first user202and second user204according to the foregoing procedures, the two users202and204may then meet in-person at a desired location.

Turning toFIG. 7, a system diagram of an example of an implementation of the system700shown inFIG. 2is shown in accordance with the invention. The system700may include an input module702, comparator704, determination module706, and output module708. The input module702is in signal communication with the comparator704and the determination module706via signal path710. The determination module706may be in signal communication with the comparator704and the output module708via signal paths712and714, respectively.

The system700may also include a scene generator716, controller718, and memory720. The scene generator may be in signal communication with the input module702, comparator704and determination module706via signal paths710,722, and712, respectively. The controller718may be in signal communication with the input module702, comparator704, scene generator716, determination module706, and output module708via signal path724. The controller718may be also in signal communication with the memory720via signal path726.

In this example, the input module702is configured to receive the first user initialization signal227that includes the first identification criteria corresponding to the first user202and the second user initialization signal228that includes the second identification criteria corresponding to the second user204and create a first user data signal703and a second user data signal705corresponding to the first identification criteria and a second identification criteria, respectively. The input module702is also configured to send the first user data signal703and a second user data signal705to the comparator704.

The comparator704is configured to receive the first user data signal703and a second user data signal705from the input module and compare the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria. The comparator704is also configured to determine if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a predetermined condition, and, in response, create a comparator signal707that represents the result of the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria.

The scene generator716is configured to create a scene in the system700for the first avatar of the first user202, second avatar of the second user204, or both in response to receiving the comparator signal707from the comparator704. The scene generator716is also configured to create a scene signal709that is passed to the determination module706via signal path712.

The determination module706is configured to receive the scene signal709from the scene generator716and, in response, determine if the has been any virtual interaction between the first avatar of the first user202and second avatar of the second user204. If there has been has been any virtual interaction between the first avatar of the first user202and second avatar of the second user204, the determination module706is configured to create a query signal711that includes a query to both the first user and the second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. The determination module706is also configured to send the query signal711to the output module708, via signal path714, and the output module708is configured to transmit the query signal711to both the first user202and a second user204to determine if both the first user202and the second user204have an interest for an in-person interaction.

In this example, the input module702is also configured to receive a response to the query signal (i.e., first response signal230and second response signal232) from both the first user202and second user204. This response is passed from the input module702to the determination module706via signal path710. The determination module706is also configured to determine whether the first user202and the second user204have an interest for an in-person interaction. If the determination module706determines that the first user202and the second user204have an interest for an in-person interaction, the determination module706is configured to send an in-person interaction signal713to the controller718, via signal path724, requesting that contact information be sent to both first user202and second user204.

The controller718is configured to receive the in-person interaction signal713and, in response, access contact information715for both first user202and second user204from the memory720via signal path726. The controller718is also configured to send this contact information715to the output module via signal path724. The output module708is also configured to receive the contact information715from the controller718and, in response, transmit contact information715to both the first user and second user if both the first user and second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. The controller718may be a processor, microprocessor, digital signal processor (“DSP”), application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) or other similar device.

InFIG. 8, a flowchart800of an example of an implementation of a method performed by the system700is shown in accordance with the invention. The process starts802and, in step804, the system determines a first identification criteria corresponding to the first user202. Similarly, in step806, the system determines a second identification criteria corresponding to the second user204. The system then compares the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria in step808. In decision step810, if the comparison of the first identification criteria to the second identification criteria satisfies a pre-determined condition, in step812, a scene is generated that includes the first avatar of the first user202and the second avatar of the second user204. If the pre-determined condition is not met, two duplicate identical scenes are generated, one for the first avatar of the first user202and the second one for the second avatar of the second user204. In this situation the first user and second user will not be able to interact virtually so the process ends814.

Returning to step812, the process continues to decision step816. If the first avatar and second avatar virtually interact, the system, in step818, transmits a query to both the first user and a second user to determine if both the first user and the second user have an interest for an in-person interaction. If the first avatar and second avatar do not virtually interact, the system continued to monitor the actions of the first avatar and second avatar in the generated scene to determine if they interact at a later time.

When the first user202and second user204receive the query from the system, they will decide if they want any in-person interaction with each other. Then they both send responses to the system. The system receives the responses to the query from both the first user202and second user204in step820. In decision step822, if the response to the query is that both the first user202and second user204desire in-person interaction, the system, in step824, transmits contact information to both the first user202and second user204to facilitate in-person interaction. The process then ends826. If, instead, the response to the query, in decision step822, is that one of the first user202and second user204does not desire in-person interaction, the avatars continue to interact with each other but the system will not transmit contact information to either the first user202or the second user204. The process then ends826.

Although the previous description only illustrates particular examples of various implementations, the invention is not limited to the foregoing illustrative examples. A person skilled in the art is aware that the invention as defined by the appended claims can be applied in various further implementations and modifications. In particular, a combination of the various features of the described implementations is possible, as far as these features are not in contradiction with each other. Accordingly, the foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.