Patent ID: 8103959

Claim:
A computer-implemented method in a data processing system for exchanging gestures in a virtual world application between a first avatar corresponding to a first user of said virtual world application and a second avatar corresponding to a second user of said virtual world application, the computer-implemented method comprising: determining whether said first avatar has a gesture exchange function enabled; in response to a determination that said first avatar has a gesture exchange function enabled, displaying a plurality of words communicated by said first user to said second user during said communication session; identifying a keyword among said plurality of words corresponding to a gesture in a user inventory of said first avatar; displaying a user-selectable indication to said second user to indicate that said gesture corresponding to said keyword is available for exchange; in response to said second user selecting said user-selectable indication with an input device, determining whether said second user would like to see a demonstration of said gesture corresponding to said keyword; in response to a determination that said second user would like to see said demonstration, demonstrating said gesture to said second user; determining whether said second user would like receive a copy of said gesture from said first user; in response to a determination that said second user would like to receive said copy of said gesture from said first user, saving said copy of said gesture in a user inventory of said second user; and in response to a determination that said first avatar does not have said gesture exchange function enabled, displaying said plurality of words communicated by said first user to said second user during said communication session.