Method and apparatus for predicting avatar movement in a virtual universe

1. A computer implemented method to offer to move an avatar in a virtual universe, the computer implemented method comprising:

a computer predicting a location selection to form a first prediction, wherein the first prediction is influenced by a first calculated likelihood of user selection;

the computer rendering a first viewport in a computer display based on the first prediction, the first viewport comprising:

a first user-control, wherein the first user-control is configured to show an image of the first viewport;

a first coordinate; and

a first attitude;

the computer calculating a teleportation rationale, wherein the teleportation rationale comprises a value that corresponds to a prediction relating to a calculated likelihood of a user selection;

the computer displaying indicia corresponding to the teleportation rationale proximate to the first user-control;

the computer rendering a second viewport based on a second prediction influenced by a second calculated likelihood of user selection, the computer rendering the second viewport comprising the computer rendering in the second viewport at least one object in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport, the second viewport comprising:

a second user-control rendered such that the second user-control is simultaneously viewable with the first user-control and rendered in an order relative to the first user-control according to the first calculated likelihood of user selection and the second calculated likelihood of user selection, wherein the second user-control is configured to show an image of the second viewport;

a second coordinate; and

a second attitude; and

the computer receiving an instruction from a user corresponding to the first user-control.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

the computer receiving at least one user preference; and

wherein the computer predicting is responsive to the computer receiving the at least one user preference.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:

the computer displaying an opt-out control proximate to the first user-control, wherein the at least one user preference is a user selection of the opt-out control.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the first user-control is one selected from the group consisting of a menu item, a button, and a tab.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a textual explanation.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a bar having a length corresponding to the second calculated likelihood of user selection.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a numeric text.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first calculated likelihood of user selection and the second calculated likelihood of user selection are based on at least two weights selected from the group of a biography weight; a user historical teleportation weight; and a popular among peer users weight.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

the computer removing the first viewport in response to a criterion being satisfied.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the criterion is a timeout expiring after the computer rendering the first viewport.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first prediction is based on a teleportation offset selected by a user.

12. A data processing system for offering to move an avatar in a virtual universe, the data processing system comprising:

a bus;

a storage device connected to the bus;

a processing unit connected to the bus;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to receive at least one user preference;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to predict a location selection to form a first prediction, responsive to receiving the at least one user preference, wherein the first prediction is influenced by a first calculated likelihood of user selection;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to render a first viewport in a computer display based on the first prediction, the first viewport comprising:

a first user-control, wherein the first user-control is configured to show an image of the first viewport;

a first coordinate; and

a first attitude;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to calculate a teleportation rationale, wherein the teleportation rationale comprises a value that corresponds to a prediction relating to a calculated likelihood of a user selection;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to display indicia corresponding to the teleportation rationale proximate to the first user-control;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to render a second viewport based on a second prediction influenced by a second calculated likelihood of user selection, the second viewport comprising:

a second user-control rendered such that the second user-control is simultaneously viewable with the first user-control and rendered in an order relative to the first user-control according to the first calculated likelihood of user selection and the second calculated likelihood of user selection, wherein the second user-control is configured to show an image of the second viewport;

a second coordinate; and

a second attitude;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to receive an instruction from a user corresponding to the first user-control; and

wherein the program instructions to render the second viewport render at least one object in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport.

13. The data processing system of claim 12 , wherein the first calculated likelihood of user selection and the second calculated likelihood of user selection are based on at least two weights selected from the group consisting of a biography weight; a user historical teleportation weight; and a popular among peer users weight.

14. The data processing system of claim 12 , further comprising program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to remove the first viewport in response to a criterion being satisfied.

15. The data processing system of claim 12 , wherein the first prediction is based on a teleportation offset selected by a user.

16. A computer program product for offering to move an avatar in a virtual universe, the computer program product comprising:

one or more computer readable tangible storage devices;

program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to predict a location selection to form a first prediction, wherein the first prediction is influenced by a first calculated likelihood of user selection;

program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to render a first viewport in a computer display based on the first prediction, the first viewport comprising:

a first user-control, wherein the first user-control is configured to show an image of the first viewport;

a first coordinate; and

a first attitude;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to calculate a teleportation rationale, wherein the teleportation rationale comprises a value that corresponds to a prediction relating to a calculated likelihood of a user selection;

program instructions, stored on the storage device for execution by the processing unit, to display indicia corresponding to the teleportation rationale proximate to the first user-control;

program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to render a second viewport based on a second prediction influenced by a second calculated likelihood of user selection, the second viewport comprising:

a second user-control rendered such that the second user-control is simultaneously viewable with the first user-control and rendered in an order relative to the first user-control according to the first calculated likelihood of user selection and the second calculated likelihood of user selection, wherein the second user-control is configured to show an image of the second viewport;

a second coordinate; and

a second attitude;

program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to receive an instruction from a user corresponding to the first user-control; and

wherein the program instructions to render the second viewport render at least one object in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport.