Externalizing virtual object tags relating to virtual objects
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsPeter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, James W. Seaman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.
Claims20
A method of tagging a virtual object contained in a virtual world, the method comprising:
- tagging the virtual object with identifying information to generate a virtual object tag;
- and
- externalizing, by a processor, the virtual object tag outside of its virtual world so that the virtual object tag is locatable by a query generated within a virtual world different than the virtual world containing the virtual object,
- wherein the virtual world is associated with a plurality of virtual worlds, at least one virtual world having an avatar and another having a virtual store, the method further comprising the avatar communicating with the virtual store in the another virtual world.
A system comprising a central repository for receiving, storing and externalizing virtual object tags relating to virtual objects for sale, the system comprising:
- an externalizer configured to externalize a virtual object tag outside of its virtual world so that the virtual object tag is locatable by a query generated within a virtual world different than the virtual world containing the virtual object,
- wherein the virtual world is associated with a plurality of virtual worlds, at least one virtual world having an avatar and another having a virtual store, and wherein the avatar communicates with the virtual store in the another virtual world.
A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which when executed, enables a computer system to externalize virtual object tags relating to virtual objects, the computer instructions comprising:
- externalizing a virtual object tag outside of its virtual world so that the virtual object tag is locatable by a query generated within a virtual world different than the virtual world containing the virtual object,
- wherein the virtual world is associated with a plurality of virtual worlds, at least one virtual world having an avatar and another having a virtual store, the computer instructions further comprising the avatar communicating with the virtual store in the another virtual world.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.