Patent ID: 8280966

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of controlling access to information in a virtual computing environment comprising: specifying, on a first computer system, a first avatar in the virtual computing environment representative of a first user, the first avatar having a first personal space defined by a volume of space unique to and surrounding the first avatar; specifying, on the first computer system, a second avatar in the virtual computing environment representative of a second user, the second avatar having a second personal space defined by a volume of space unique to and surrounding the second avatar; moving the first personal space, under control of the first user on a second computer system, to encompass a first virtual object in the virtual computing environment, wherein the first virtual object is associated with data on a third computer system, and wherein the second computer system stores a credential necessary for accessing said data by the first user on the third computer system; moving the second personal space, under control of the second user on a fourth computer system, to encompass the first virtual object in the virtual computing environment; sending a message from the first computer system to the second computer system when the first virtual object is encompassed within both the first and second personal spaces; accessing, in response to said message, said data associated with the first virtual object from the third computer system using the credential stored on the second computer system; and sending said data associated with the first virtual object from the third computer system to the fourth computer system for use by the second user.