Granted Patent B2

US 8,566,111 · App. 12/221,446 · Granted Oct 22, 2013

Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung (Bellevue, WA); Royce A. Levien (Lexington, MA); Robert W. Lord (Seattle, WA); Mark A. Malamud (Seattle, WA); John D. Rinaldo, Jr. (Bellevue, WA)

Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC

Abstract

Claims (88)

1. A method comprising:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party; and

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having one or more components to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual world object includes one or more of a composite virtual world character, a virtual world character name, a virtual world character trait, a character attribute, a composite avatar, a virtual world skill, a virtual world key, an access right, a value token, a virtual world currency, an experience point, a level access, a virtual world property, a virtual world real property, a virtual world personal property, an email account, a password, a key, a location, a site, a history, a log, an activity log, a chat log, a message, a message log, a list, a companion list, a contact list, an address list, an item, a modified item, an item component, a disguise, a clothing, a clothing component, an accessory, a weapon, a tool, a vehicle, a magical power, a decoration, an inventory, a store credit, a virtual world charge account, a virtual world role, a virtual world position, and a group membership.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having two or more inseparable components to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having two or more independent components to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having multiple units to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

confirming the occurrence of the condition.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of multiple components of a composite virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a certain component of a composite virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on (i) the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming that transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object is not inconsistent with an aspect or attribute or element of the virtual world object.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on (i) the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming that the recipient has a required aspect or attribute or element necessary for receiving the particular property right.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on (i) the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming that the recipient has one or more of the following required aspects or attributes or elements necessary for receiving the particular property right: a level access, an experience token, a skill level, an enabling state, a capability, a related virtual world right, a related characteristic, a related character trait, a related character ability, a stated belief, a stated intention, a correlated personality, a designated mood, a certain emotional trait, a particular possession, a correlated item, a compatible object, prior conduct, a group membership, a non-group membership, a citizenship, a non-citizenship, subject to a restriction, subject to supervisory authority, subject to a rating scheme, subject to a law, subject to a regulation, commitment to future conduct, third party oversight, a currently active character, and currently a participant in virtual world.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

permanently transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

temporarily transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving via a real world communication an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

receiving via a virtual world communication an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining a record regarding the authorization.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining a record regarding the authorization that is accessible in a virtual world environment.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining a record regarding the authorization that is accessible in a real world environment.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining a record regarding the authorization that is accessible to one or more of the following: an owner of a virtual world environment, an operator of a virtual world environment, the donor party, a party selected by the donor party, an agent of the donor party, the recipient, a party selected by the recipient, an approved real world representative of the donor party, an approved virtual world representative of the donor party, an approved representative of the recipient, a secondary beneficiary, a contingent beneficiary, a joint beneficiary, a parent of the recipient who is a minor, a guardian of the recipient who is a minor, an officer of the recipient, and an officer of the recipient that is a group.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on (i) the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) receiving something of virtual world or real world value from or on behalf of the donor party.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recipient is one or more of the following: a real world person, a real world person under eighteen years of age, a real world person over eighteen years of age, a real world family, a real world group, a real world organization, a real world entity, real world third party, a virtual world character, a virtual world group, a virtual world player, a virtual world participant, a virtual world owner, a virtual world operator, a virtual world third party, a virtual group at a virtual world location or setting, a real world group in a particular real world location, a real world group in a particular real world region, an active participant at a particular real world time, an active participant at a particular virtual world time, and another virtual world character of the donor party.

23. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transferring the particular property right to an escrow agent prior to transferring the particular property right to the recipient.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

transferring to the recipient, using a processor, the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on (i) the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) receiving something of virtual world or real world value from or on behalf of the recipient.

25. A computerized system comprising:

one or more computer programs on non-transitory media having encoded instructions for creating a virtual world environment;

a first database record identifying a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object of the virtual world environment, the particular property right being transferrable to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition selected by or on behalf of a donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party; and

a module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

26. The system of claim 25 , further comprising:

a module configured to confirm the occurrence of the condition.

27. The system of claim 25 , further comprising:

a module configured to receive authorization by or on behalf of the donor party to transfer the particular property right.

28. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on (i) confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) receiving something of value from or on behalf of the recipient as consideration for transferring the particular property right.

29. The system of claim 25 , further comprising:

a module configured to receive something of value as consideration for authorizing transfer of the particular property right to the recipient.

30. The system of claim 25 , further comprising:

a module configured to provide notice for receiving an adverse claim relating to the particular property right.

31. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on (i) confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming an absence of one or more adverse claims or defects.

32. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on (i) confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming that transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object is not inconsistent with an aspect or attribute or element of the virtual world object.

33. The system of claim 25 , wherein the first database record identifying a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object of the virtual world environment, the particular property right being transferrable to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition selected by or on behalf of a donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a first database record identifying a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having two or more inseparable components, the particular property right being transferrable to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition selected by or on behalf of a donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

34. The system of claim 25 , wherein the first database record identifying a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object of the virtual world environment, the particular property right being transferrable to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition selected by or on behalf of a donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a first database record identifying a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object having two or more independent components, the particular property right being transferrable to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition selected by or on behalf of a donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

35. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate permanent transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

36. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate temporary transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

37. The system of claim 25 , further comprising:

a record of an adverse claim made in response to a notification of a pending disposition of the particular property right.

38. The system of claim 25 , wherein the module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party comprises:

a module configured to facilitate transfer of the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object to the recipient based at least in part on (i) confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) confirming one or more of the following: the recipient having an attribute, the recipient not having an attribute, the recipient having a certain item, the recipient not having a certain item, the recipient having a related item, the recipient having a right to acquire a related item, the recipient having a right to inherit a related item, age of the recipient, education of the recipient, marital status of the recipient, acceptance by the recipient, timely acceptance by the recipient, inspection by the recipient, the recipient being alive, and approval of a third party.

39. The system of claim 25 , wherein the first database record is accessible in the virtual world environment to one or more of the following: an owner of the virtual world environment, an operator of the virtual world environment, the donor party, a party elected by the donor party, an agent of the donor party, the recipient, a party selected the recipient, an approved representative of the donor party, an approved representative of the recipient, a secondary beneficiary, a contingent beneficiary, a joint beneficiary, a parent of the recipient who is a minor, a guardian of the recipient who is a minor, an officer of the recipient, and an officer of the recipient that is a group.

40. The system of claim 25 , wherein the virtual world object includes one or more of a virtual world character, a virtual world character name, a virtual world character trait, a virtual world character attribute, a composite avatar, a virtual world skill, a virtual world key, an access right, a value token, a virtual world currency, an experience point, a level access, a virtual world property, a virtual world real property, a virtual world personal property, an email account, a password, a key, a location, a site, a history, a log, an activity log, a chat log, a message, a message log, a list, a companion list, a contact list, an address list, an item, a modified item, an item component, a disguise, a clothing, a clothing component, an accessory, a weapon, a tool, a vehicle, a magical power, a decoration, an inventory, a store credit, a virtual world charge account, a virtual world role, a virtual world position, and a group membership.

41. A system comprising:

a processor; and

memory bearing one or more instructions that direct the processor to facilitate operations including (i) receiving an authorization by or on behalf of a donor party for making a transfer of a particular property right with respect to a virtual world object to a recipient based on an occurrence of a condition, the condition being selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party and (ii) transferring to the recipient the particular property right with respect to the virtual world object based at least in part on the authorization and confirming the occurrence of the condition selected by or on behalf of the donor party from a list that includes both a virtual world death of a virtual world character associated with the donor party and a real world death of the donor party.

42. The system of claim 41 , wherein the operations further include:

providing a virtual world environment.

43. The system of claim 41 , wherein the operations further include:

making a record of the authorization.

44. The system of claim 41 , wherein the operations further include:

sending a notification of a preliminary requirement prior to transferring to the recipient the particular property right.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (32)