Communication using avatars
OwnerMichael Kinsella, John McGuireinventors
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Abstract
A messaging method is described in which avatars, representative of attributes of users and individuals, are used for capturing information and/or selecting users or individuals. In one embodiment, an avatar is rendered in response to attributes input by a user, and a matching and retrieval selects records from a database. Avatars are rendered in accordance with the attributes in the records. The user selects an avatar, and is able to communicate anonymously with the individual. Methods and systems for capturing data using avatars and selecting individuals using avatars are also described.
Claims46
A method of messaging comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a database of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- receiving at least one input attribute from a user;
- retrieving at least one record from the database in accordance with at least one input attribute;
- identifying an individual corresponding to each selected record;
- rendering at least one avatar using attributes comprised in the at least one selected record;
- selecting a rendered avatar;
- and
- sending a message to the identified individual.
A method of messaging comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a database of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- receiving at least one input attribute from a user;
- —rendering an avatar responsive to the input attributes;
- —retrieving at least one record from the database in accordance with at least one input attribute;
- and
- identifying an individual corresponding to each retrieved record;
- —sending a message to the identified individual.
A system for messaging comprising:
- a storage means for storing a plurality of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- an avatar rendering and selection means for rendering an avatar using attributes stored in the storage means, and selecting a rendered avatar;
- and
- a messaging means, for identifying an individual corresponding to the selected rendered avatar, and sending a message to the identified individual.
A method of capturing attributes of individuals comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a database of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of an individual;
- receiving at least one input attribute from a user;
- and
- rendering an avatar, responsive to said input attributes.
A system for capturing attributes of individuals comprising:
- a storage means for storing a database of a plurality of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- and
- a character engine means for receiving input attributes of an individual and rendering an avatar, responsive to said input attributes.
A method of selecting individuals comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a database of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- receiving at least one input attribute from a user;
- retrieving at least one record from the database in accordance with at least one input attribute;
- rendering at least one avatar using attributes comprised in the at least one selected record;
- and
- selecting a rendered avatar.
A system of selecting individuals comprising:
- a storage means for storing a plurality of records, each record comprising attributes of an individual and an identifier of said individual;
- and
- an avatar rendering and selection means for rendering an avatar using attributes stored in the storage means, and selecting a rendered avatar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.