Pattern detection of avatars in a virtual environment
AssigneeDisney Enterprises, Inc.
InventorKevin Yockey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques are described for detecting script-controlled avatars in a virtual environment engaging in certain pattern formation behaviors. In particular, a virtual environment server may select a group of avatars and determine a pattern formed by the selected group. The virtual environment system may further search for a match of the pattern from a library of prohibited words or symbols. In the event the pattern formed by the selected avatars matches one of the prohibited patterns, some form of remedial action may be performed to disrupt the pattern.
Claims19
A computer-implemented method to limit display of prohibited patterns in a virtual environment, comprising:
- determining that a group of avatars are controlled by an automated computer program code, and not controlled by a user, based on predetermined attributes of the group of avatars;
- determining that the automated computer program code, and not the user, has issued commands that cause the group of avatars to be disposed in a formation in the virtual environment in a manner that visually matches a prohibited pattern when viewed from an aerial perspective, by;
- creating a map containing coordinates of each of the group of avatars creating the formation;
- and matching a threshold number of the coordinates of the map to a predefined set of coordinates of the prohibited pattern,
- wherein the prohibited pattern defines a formation of avatars that resembles at least one of:
- (i) a prohibited word, (ii) a prohibited symbol, and (iii) a prohibited shape;
- and performing a remedial action to disrupt the current disposition of the group of avatars, thereby limiting display of prohibited patterns in the virtual environment.
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program, which, when executed by a processor performs an operation to limit display of prohibited patterns in a virtual environment, the operation comprising:
- determining that a group of avatars are controlled by an automated computer program code, and not controlled by a user, based on predetermined attributes of the group of avatars;
- determining that the automated computer program code, and not the user, has issued commands that cause the group of avatars to be disposed in a formation in the virtual environment in a manner that visually matches a prohibited pattern when viewed from an aerial perspective, by:
- creating a map containing coordinates of each of the group of avatars creating the formation;
- and matching a threshold number of the coordinates of the map to a predefined set of coordinates of the prohibited pattern, wherein the prohibited pattern defines a formation of avatars that resembles at least one of:
- (i) a prohibited word, (ii) a prohibited symbol, and (iii) a prohibited shape;
- and performing a remedial action to disrupt the current disposition of the group of avatars, thereby limiting display of prohibited patterns in the virtual environment.
A system, comprising:
- a processor;
- and a memory, wherein the memory includes an application program configured to perform an operation to limit display of prohibited patterns in a virtual environment, the operation comprising:
- determining that a group of avatars are controlled by an automated computer program code, and not controlled by a user, based on predetermined attributes of the group of avatars;
- determining that the automated computer program code, and not the user, has issued commands that cause the group of avatars to be disposed in a formation in the virtual environment in a manner that visually matches a prohibited pattern when viewed from an predefined aerial perspective, by:
- creating a map containing coordinates of each of the group of avatars creating the formation;
- and
- matching a threshold number of the coordinates of the map to a predefined set of coordinates of the prohibited pattern, wherein the prohibited pattern defines a formation of avatars that resembles at least one of:
- (i) a prohibited word, (ii) a prohibited symbol, and (iii) a prohibited shape;
- and
- performing a remedial action to disrupt the current disposition of the group of avatars, thereby limiting display of prohibited patterns in the virtual environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.