Detecting avatar following in a virtual environment
US8291327B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04815
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.