Brian P O'Connell

US Patent:

7783646, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Jul 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/174726

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707751, 707740, 705 10, 705 12, 705 141, 705 26

Abstract:

A system, a method, and a computer readable media for identifying and rating a VU object in a virtual universe are provided. The method includes displaying first and second VU objects in a region of the virtual universe on a display device at a first time for a first user. The method further includes identifying the second VU object which modifies a view of the first VU object. The method further includes inputting first rating information associated with the second VU object that identifies a user perception of the second VU object. The method further includes inputting user view preference information indicating rating information for selecting VU objects to be displayed in the region of the virtual universe to the first user. The method further includes displaying the first VU object in the region of the virtual universe on the display device for the first user at a second time after the first time, while not displaying the second VU object based on both the first rating information associated with the second VU object, and the rating information of the user view preference information.

US Patent:

7792801, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Oct 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/871490

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

707655, 707803, 715757

Abstract:

Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item.

US Patent:

7895278, Feb 22, 2011

Filed:

Jan 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/013525

Inventors:

Jenny S. Li - Danbury CT, US
Brian Marshall O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Keith Raymond Walker - Austin TX, US
Susan Marie Williams - Hopewell Junction NY, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709206, 709224

Abstract:

An initial distribution list is dynamically modified using criteria determined from the current entries in the list. After an originator generates a distribution list and prior to submission of the message to entries on the generated list, the method of the present invention examines the entries in the created distribution list. From this list, the invention identifies features of the entries. From these features, the method generates criteria that can be used to generate additional entries that may be included in the list. In one approach, the generated criteria are presented to the user for review and approval. If the originator approves the criteria, the generated list is modified to add additional entries to the distribution based on the generated criteria. If the originator rejects the criteria, the initially generated list is submitted and the message is sent to the entries on the initial list.

US Patent:

8056121, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Oct 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/924769

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 9/32
H04L 9/00
G06F 7/04

US Classification:

726 4, 726 5, 726 6, 726 7, 726 27, 726 28, 713182, 713183, 713184, 713185

Abstract:

A protection mechanism(s) for a virtual universe account maintains integrity of the virtual universe account as well as the virtual universe. An avatar associated with a virtual universe account may be misappropriated and/or used inappropriately by a non-comporting user against the wishes or without the knowledge of the virtual universe account owner. A non-comporting user (i. e. , a user not authorized to use the virtual universe account, an authorized user who misuses a virtual universe account, etc. ) can use an avatar to perform potentially damaging and/or damaging activities in the virtual universe (e. g. , destroy property, impact reputation associated with the virtual universe account, reduce value of the virtual universe account, etc. ) Embodiments of the inventive subject matter detect when a user misappropriates and/or misuses a virtual universe account (i. e. , detects a non-comporting user), and attempts to restore state of the virtual universe prior to the misuse and/or misappropriation.

US Patent:

8214335, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793417

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707655, 707803, 715757

Abstract:

Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item.

US Patent:

8244805, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Jun 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/144776

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
H04N 7/14
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

709204, 709205, 709206, 709207, 709227, 709228, 348 141

Abstract:

An approach that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and an external source is described. In one embodiment, there is a real-time communication integration interface tool that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and a communication device external to the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a communication request component configured to receive 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. A communication link component is configured to establish a communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device in response to receiving the request.

US Patent:

8442946, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Mar 29, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/433593

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Activision Publishing, Inc. - Santa Monica CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707655, 707803, 715757

Abstract:

Described herein are examples of a virtual universe wish list as well as its control and use. Some embodiments are directed to determining a selection of an object in a virtual universe that is a desired by a user, which user is represented by a first avatar. Some embodiments are further directed to designating the object as a desired item in a wish list for the first avatar. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. Some embodiments are further directed to determining a second avatar in the virtual universe that possesses an instance of the virtual object. Some embodiments are further directed to generating an advertisement to obtain the instance of the virtual object from the second avatar on behalf of the first avatar.

US Patent:

8458352, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

May 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/120625

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709231, 709 23, 709217

Abstract:

Business transactions are becoming more prevalent in virtual universes. Functionality can be implemented within a VU to allow syndication of data feeds to subscribers outside the VU. Feeds collect and serve data from one or more VU objects and locations based on changes made to the VU either by the VU itself, or by avatars in the VU. A location in a virtual universe can be an area defined by at least three coordinates, as an example. Data feeds from a VU can be used to create a VU application with and/or using the data feeds, to derive data from the data feeds, to monitor use of objects or space and billing for such use based on the data feeds, etc.