Virtual universe account protection
US8056121B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/306
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.