Systems and methods for authenticating an avatar
Systems and methods for authenticating an avatar are provided. This system is useful with an avatar having an identifier, virtual environments, and a user who uses the avatar in the virtual environments. Transoms are generated, each with a unique identifier configured to exist in a specific location, and registered with an identity provider. The transom initiates a request. An offer is conveyed that includes the transom identifier, the location and the avatar identifier. The avatar is then authenticated by a shared secret. The identity provider then responds to the offer with avatar identification information, including reputation information. Reputation information is for the avatar and the user, and is compiled from external avatar data sources by using a trust matrix. An avatar gallery is generated by linking each avatar owned by each user to the account and compiling avatar profiles from the account, and the reputation information. The avatar profiles are searchable, and include micro formats.
1. A method for authenticating an avatar for identity, useful in conjunction with an avatar, at least one virtual environment, and an end user, wherein the end user utilizes the avatar within at least one of the at least one virtual environment, the method for authenticating an avatar for identity comprising:
generating at least one transom, wherein each transom includes a unique transom identifier and is configured to exist in a specific location within the at least one virtual environment;
registering the at least one transom with an identity provider;
initiating an authentication request through the at least one transom wherein the authentication request includes an authentication request type;
acquiring an avatar identifier for the avatar;
conveying an offer, wherein the offer includes the unique transom identifier, the specific location the transom exists and the avatar identifier;
determining if the avatar has been previously authenticated, and if the avatar has been previously authenticated, then authenticating the avatar;
if the avatar has not been previously authenticated, then redirecting the end user to a user agent, wherein the redirecting includes generating a nonce;
generating an account, for the end user, with the identity provider;
logging the end user into the account;
comparing the generated nonce with the offer; and
authenticating the avatar, wherein the authentication utilizes a shared secret; and responding to the offer with avatar identification information.
2. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the identification information includes end user reputation.
3. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 2 , wherein the end user reputation includes a plurality of reputation scores.
4. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 3 , wherein the end user reputation is compiled from at least one external avatar data source.
5. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 4 , wherein each transom is managed by a relying party.
6. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 4 , wherein the end user reputation compiled from at least one external avatar data sources utilizes a trust matrix, wherein the trust matrix generates a trust rating for the end user by analyzing relationships between the end user and the relying party through at least one intermediate party.
7. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one external avatar data source compiles reputation information on the avatar.
8. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one external avatar data source compiles reputation information on the end user.
9. The method for authenticating an avatar, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the redirecting the end user to the user agent includes in-world redirection if the virtual environment supports user agent protocol, else redirecting the end user out of world.
10. An avatar authentication system, useful in conjunction with an avatar, at least one virtual environment, and an end user, wherein the end user utilizes the avatar within at least one of the at least one virtual environment, the avatar authentication system comprising:
at least one processor;
memory coupled to the at least one processor;
at least one transom configured to exist in a specific location within the at least one virtual environment, and configured to request the identity of the avatar, wherein the at least one transom is managed by a relying party, wherein each transom includes a unique transom identifier, and wherein each transom is enabled to provide a first share of a shared secret;
a user agent executed by the processor and configured to couple to the end user and the relying party, wherein the user agent is configured to provide a second share of the shared secret; and
an identity provider configured to couple to the at least one transom and the user agent, and wherein the identity provider is configured to provide identity for the end user when the request from the at least one transom includes a valid first share and a valid second share of the shared secret;
the at least one processor configured to:
determine if the avatar has been previously authenticated, and if the avatar has been previously authenticated, then authenticate the avatar;
if the avatar has not been previously authenticated, then redirect the end user to a user agent, wherein the redirecting includes generating a nonce;
generate an account, for the end user, with the identity provider;
log the end user into the account;
compare the generated nonce with the offer; and
authenticate the avatar.
11. The avatar authentication system of claim 10 , wherein the identity for the end user includes reputation information.
12. The avatar authentication system of claim 11 , wherein the reputation information includes a plurality of reputation scores.
13. The avatar authentication system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one external avatar data source configured to compiled the reputation information.
14. The avatar authentication system of claim 13 , wherein the reputation information utilizes a trust matrix, wherein the trust matrix generates a trust rating for the end user by analyzing relationships between the end user and the relying party through at least one intermediate party.
15. The avatar authentication system of claim 11 , wherein the reputation information includes reputation of the avatar and reputation of the end user.
16. A method for generating an avatar gallery, useful in conjunction with an avatar authentication system, at least one avatar, at least one virtual environment, and at least one end user, wherein the end user utilizes the avatar within at least one of the at least one virtual environment, the method for generating an avatar gallery comprising:
generating an account for each of the at least one end user;
linking each of the at least one avatar owned by each end user to the account;
receiving avatar reputation information compiled from at least one external avatar data source for each of the at least one avatar owned by each end user;
compiling user reputation information from at least one external avatar data source by utilizing a trust matrix, wherein the trust matrix generates a trust rating for the end user by analyzing relationships between the end user and a relying party through at least one intermediate party;
receiving the user reputation information for each end user including a plurality of reputation scores; and
compiling avatar profiles, wherein compiling the avatar profiles includes the account, the avatar reputation information and the user reputation information.
17. The method for generating an avatar gallery, as recited in claim 16 , wherein the compiled avatar profiles are searchable.
18. The method for generating an avatar gallery, as recited in claim 16 , wherein the compiled avatar profiles include micro formats.