| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080274805 | ATTRIBUTE BUILDING FOR CHARACTERS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - Systems and method provided herein involve a mechanism that allows users to have more input and influence in customizing their virtual characters' profile by developing their attributes. By developing and improving attributes of their characters, the social value of their characters can be increased within the virtual environment. Additional attributes that can be developed include, but are not limited to, strength, speed, agility, intelligence, creativity, style, streets-smart, safety-awareness, grooming, cooking, and manners. Jobs, tasks, classes, sessions, and the like, as well as competitions can be created that emphasize one or more attributes to facilitate encouraging users to have their characters learn, master, and test such new skills. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080274806 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE - There is provided a character development and exchange system for a virtual environment and related method. A character, such as an animal, human or human-like figure, doll, or other animated or cartoon-like object can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. As desired, the characters can be securely traded among users, whereby a traded character is given a new code to transfer all control of the character to the new owner. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080274811 | CHARACTER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT - There is provided a character training and development system for a virtual environment and related method. A character, such as an animal, human or human-like figure, doll, or other animated or cartoon-like object can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills, to add new skills, and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275789 | CHARACTER TRADING METHOD - There is provided a character training and development system for a virtual environment and related method. A character can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills, to add new skills, and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. In addition, the characters can be traded among users for a price based on their skills. Fees can be charged for each trade. Traded characters are given a new code to transfer all control of the character to the new owner. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090029768 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090029772 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION MARKETING - A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090063271 | PET OF THE MONTH EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME REWARDS - A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090063282 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090118009 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090131164 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method, system and toy that provides a product that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the product. The product has a registration code associated with it. Data associated with the product is electronically stored in the product using an electronic storage medium. A user is registered on the website by associating the user with a user ID. The user ID is associated with the virtual replica of the product by utilizing the registration code. Access is granted to one or more features on the website in connection with the virtual replica of the product subsequent to input and validation of the registration code via the user ID without requiring additional entry of the registration code. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132267 | TRANSFER OF REWARDS BETWEEN WEBSITES - A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132357 | TRANSFER OF REWARDS FROM A CENTRAL WEBSITE TO OTHER WEBSITES - A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132656 | TRANSFER OF ITEMS BETWEEN SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES - A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090204420 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method for providing a virtual world presentation includes registering a first product on a computer system; registering a user on the computer system and associating that user with a user ID; responsive to registering the first product, displaying a virtual representation of the first product on the computer system; associating the virtual representation of the first product with the user ID; registering a second product on the computer system; and responsive to registering the second product, generating specialized content on the computer system. The specialized content is also associated with the user ID and may include a virtual representation of the second product. Accessing the computer system using the user ID provides access to both the virtual representation of the first product and the specialized content on the computer system. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204908 | FRIENDS LIST MANAGEMENT - A method and system of managing a user's friends in a virtual environment are presented. The method includes interacting a virtual character with a plurality of additional virtual characters in response to commands input from the user entered via the user computer. A subset of the additional users, the additional virtual characters, or a combination of the additional users and the additional virtual characters are designated as friends of the user in the virtual environment, and the friends are added to a list of friends associated with the user. The friends on the list displayed to the user can be ranked in an order based at least in part on the interacting of the virtual character controlled by the user with the plurality of additional virtual characters in the virtual environment. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090240659 | SOCIAL NETWORKING IN A NON-PERSONALIZED ENVIRONMENT - A social networking website allows users to interact socially without revealing any information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090248544 | REVERSE PRODUCT PURCHASE IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A reverse purchase system allows purchasing an item on a website and receiving a virtual version of that item substantially immediately. Subsequent to receiving that virtual version, the user later receives the real version either in the mail or through redemption of a coupon. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090307609 | SOCIAL NETWORKING IN A NON-PERSONALIZED ENVIRONMENT - A social networking website allowing users to interact socially without revealing any personal information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world. Different templates for the personalizable portion of the website can be selected, some of which are restricted. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100100447 | TOY SYSTEM AND EXTRAVAGANZA PLANNER - A customer may obtain an authorization which allows accessing a website that has prestored templates which are each associated with use by the customer. The authorization may be obtained by purchasing products. The prestored templates each represent an event that can be hosted at a place of business. The templates each include activities that can be hosted, days when the activities can be hosted, and times for the activities. The customer can select activities by the customer, and automatically produce pages and form an Internet webpage which advertises the activities based on said templates and information about the customer. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100107214 | TEMPORARY USER ACCOUNT FOR A VIRTUAL WORLD WEBSITE - A computer system and method are provided that facilitate permitting temporary access to a website or other computer application in which temporary access is given to a generic virtual character and its corresponding user. Temporary access is made available through a temporary user account that is set up by the user. The temporary user account is active for a limited time and allows the user to learn about the website, for instance, via the generic virtual character. The generic virtual character has limited access to the website and in particular to various activities or areas on the website. Unlike temporary user account holders, users who have purchased a real world item and have created premium user accounts have full access to the website via their corresponding premium virtual characters. In addition, the system and method prevent at least some interaction between the generic virtual characters and the premium virtual characters. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100161443 | PURCHASES USING UNIQUE CODES - An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the website without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162137 | ITEM CUSTOMIZATION AND WEBSITE CUSTOMIZATION - Customized item that is usable on both a website as an item in a virtual world, and outside the website as a tangible item in the real world is provided and described. One single customization is used to create both items. The item can be the same in the virtual world as it is in the virtual world, or can be different in the virtual world. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100325182 | DOWNLOADABLE MULTIMEDIA WITH ACCESS CODES - Multimedia items are legally downloaded with a code usable on another website. The codes can be used once or a set number of times in order to encourage legal downloading of multimedia through positive incentives such as bonus content (e.g., codes); however the multimedia items themselves can be viewed or accessed multiple times. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110029409 | PURCHASES USING UNIQUE CODES - An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the web site without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110087967 | SOCIAL NETWORKING IN A NON-PERSONALIZED ENVIRONMENT - A social networking website allows users to interact socially without revealing any information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110092128 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method, system and toy that provides a product that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the product. The product has a registration code associated with it. Data associated with the product is electronically stored in the product using an electronic storage medium. A user is registered on the website by associating the user with a user ID. The user ID is associated with the virtual replica of the product by utilizing the registration code. Access is granted to one or more features on the website in connection with the virtual replica of the product subsequent to input and validation of the registration code via the user ID without requiring additional entry of the registration code. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110113112 | MULTIPLE-LAYER CHAT FILTER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110126115 | PET OF THE MONTH WITH MUSIC PLAYER - A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110161093 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, and registers the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110167267 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - Provided are a method and computer system for providing a virtual world. The computer system includes a virtual product interface system, which includes a server system with an encrypted part, a non-encrypted part, and a computer-readable memory for storing an encryption key. The server system includes a network connection and sends the encryption key over the network connection addressed to a client via a secured protocol. The non-encrypted part of the server system sends multimedia information addressed to the client over the network via a non-secure protocol. The encrypted part controls adopting a virtual product by receiving a code that is indicative of a virtual product to be virtually adopted by a user and confirming the code. A communication indicative of a specific product that has been registered is carried out using the encryption key, and communication indicative of the multimedia information is carried out unencrypted, without using the encryption key. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110167481 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - A method and computer system for providing a virtual world are disclosed. First and second registration codes, which are different and are obtained from purchasing items are used to access different portions of a website. Subsequent to accessing the portions of the website using the registration codes, a first image and a second image are accessed to be viewed, each by using a user identification name and a password without reentering the first and second registration codes. A name is to be selected for each of the images after using the registration codes. After entering the user identification name, the first and second images are to be interacted with to bring about changes to the first and second images, and the changes are based on the interacting. An invitation is to be extended to at least one friend on the website, the at least one friend to view at least one of the first and second images in a virtual room owned by and customizable by the user. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110167485 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - Provided are a method and computer system that provide a virtual world. A server of the computer system includes a storage subsystem that stores two or more items of different personalized information about multiple different users, including different user identifications and passwords associated with the user identifications respectively representing the users. The server computer system is programmed to accept login credentials including a user identification and password and validate the login credentials. The server computer system is also programmed to control formation of a first user account and storage of the first user identification and first password. The storage subsystem stores information about registration codes that have not yet been entered. Further, the server computer system is programmed to accept entry of one or more of the registration codes that have not yet been entered and, based on entry of the registration codes, to associate stored information indicative of the one registration code with the first user identification. | 07-07-2011 |
