# US 11,443,472 B2 · Time-dependent client inactivity indicia in a multi-user animation environment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,443,472 B2 - Document ID: US11443472B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/223,204 - Filed: 2021-04-06 - Published: 2021-07-22 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-30 - Assignees: Pfaqutruma Research LLC - Applicants: Pfaqutruma Research LLC - Inventors: Brian Mark Shuster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11443472B2 ## CPC - G06T 13/40: of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings - A63F 13/12 - A63F 13/30: Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers - A63F 13/50: Controlling the output signals based on the game progress - A63F 13/52: involving aspects of the displayed game scene - G06F 3/04815: Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional [3D], e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object - G06F 3/04845: for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour - G06T 17/00: Three-dimensional [3D] modelling for computer graphics - G06T 19/003: {Navigation within 3D models or images} - G06T 19/006: {Mixed reality (object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00)} - A63F 2300/5553: user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar - A63F 2300/638: according to the timing of operation or a time limit - A63F 2300/6653: for altering the visibility of an object, e.g. preventing the occlusion of an object, partially hiding an object - G06T 2210/36: Level of detail - G06T 2210/62: Semi-transparency - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: locating an avatar within a space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a user to act within the space; monitoring the input commands to determine a period of time the user is inactive, wherein the period of time is determined based on cessation of i) input commands corresponding to movement of the avatar within the space and ii) input commands that do not correspond to movement of the avatar within the space; in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a first threshold criterion, adjusting an appearance of the avatar in a first manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the input commands that do not correspond to movement of the avatar within the space include chat commands. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the first manner includes displaying the avatar performing a waiting action. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the first manner includes ceasing to display a badge associated with the avatar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the first manner includes non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes continuously adjusting the appearance of the avatar based on a length of the period of time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a second threshold criterion, adjusting the appearance of the avatar in a second manner different than the first manner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the first manner includes repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar and adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the second manner includes non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes increasing a transparency of the avatar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes removing the avatar from the space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes relocating the avatar in the space. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes continuing to repetitively adjust the appearance of the avatar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising, in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a third threshold criterion, adjusting the appearance of the avatar in a third manner different than the first manner and the second manner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the first manner includes displaying the avatar performing a waiting action, adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the second manner includes increasing a transparency of the avatar, and adjusting the appearance of the avatar in the third manner includes removing the avatar from the space or relocating the avatar in the space. ### Claim 15 A device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors to: locate an avatar within a space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a user to act within the space; monitor the input commands to determine a period of time the user is inactive, wherein the period of time is determined based on cessation of i) input commands corresponding to movement of the avatar within the space and ii) input commands that do not correspond to movement of the avatar within the space; in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a first threshold criterion, adjust an appearance of the avatar in a first manner. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the input commands that do not correspond to movement of the avatar within the space include chat commands. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further to, in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a second threshold criterion, adjust the appearance of the avatar in a second manner different than the first manner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are to adjust the appearance of the avatar in the first manner by repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar and to adjust the appearance of the avatar in the second manner by non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein non-repetitively adjusting the appearance of the avatar includes continuing to repetitively adjust the appearance of the avatar. ### Claim 20 A non-transitory computer memory including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform operations comprising: locating an avatar within a space, the avatar being responsive to input commands from a user to act within the space; monitoring the input commands to determine a period of time the user is inactive, wherein the period of time is determined based on cessation of i) input commands corresponding to movement of the avatar within the space and ii) input commands that do not correspond to movement of the avatar within the space; in accordance with a determination that the period of time satisfies a first threshold criterion, adjusting an appearance of the avatar in a first manner.