WO2008120988A2

WO2008120988A2 - Method for setting up a virtual network of contacts

Info

Publication number: WO2008120988A2
Application number: PCT/NL2008/050183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michiel Anton Marinus Arens; Andries Van Vugt; Yannick Mathieu Van Der Aa
Original assignee: ZAPPSPACE BV
Current assignee: ZAPPSPACE BV
Priority date: 2007-04-02
Filing date: 2008-04-02
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-02
Also published as: WO2008120988A3; NL2000569C2

Abstract

Method for setting up a virtual network of contacts for the purpose of establishing contacts between users, comprising the steps of providing a network with a central server accessible via the network and at least one client and providing an electronic database on the central server, and storing in the database an identification data list with identification data of users for the purpose of logging onto the network of contacts and storing in the database a virtual space list with at least one first virtual space and storing in the database a link from at least one identification datum to the at least one virtual space and to at least one avatar in at least the first virtual space controllable by a first user, and providing managing means with which the first user can provide at least a second avatar of a second a user access to the first space.

Description

Method for setting up a virtual network of contacts

The present invention relates to a method for setting up a virtual network of contacts.

Contact networks are being created in large numbers at the moment and are becoming increasingly popular. They are generally based on or accessible via the internet, and have the purpose of enabling information exchange between friends or making new contacts. It is also the case here that users set up a personal web page on which they provide information about themselves or their activities, such as texts or photos or media fragments. Visitors to such pages can view the page and for instance leave messages in a guest book or blog, or obtain contact data such as an e-mail address or an MSN account name of the owner of the page so as to enter into contact with him or her in this way. Actual communication then takes place via regular channels such as e-mail and MSN. The option is often also provided of building up a list including friends or contacts. The number of friends or contacts included in such a list ranks here as a status symbol: the more there are, the higher the status.

US 6219 045 describes an architecture- for a three-dimensional graphic virtual world comprising virtual spaces for multiple users who can interact. This is particularly understood to mean chatting. The users are represented in the virtual spaces by their avatars. There can be a plurality of these virtual spaces, which can be mutually connected. There is a primitives database comprising components for the purpose of constructing a space.

The Japanese patent application JP 2001 160021 describes a communication system in a virtual space.

A drawback of the known contact networks is that little or no direct interaction takes place between different users of the networks.

Interaction between users of networks is known from for instance different computer games. Playing of the computer game is per se the most important motivation of users here, wherein a player can optionally co-operate with other players. This option adds social aspects to the playing of the game. The social aspects substantially comprise communication via different techniques, such as voice over IP and various forms of chat.

Interaction between users of networks is further known from websites in which a virtual space is emulated. A user can here control a virtual character (avatar) in a virtual space and enter into interaction with avatars controlled by other users. Such interaction comprises for instance of holding a conversation or negotiating the purchase of a product.

A drawback of the known computer games and websites in which a virtual space is emulated is that a user is bound to an overall concept and/or the look and feel of this virtual world. As a result the user has less, or even no, influence on the other users with which he/she has interaction in the virtual space, or the number of users with which he/she has interaction.

A further drawback of existing computer games and websites in which a virtual space is emulated is that the concept of this world predominates. In a computer game such as Warcraft all interaction takes place within a fantasy theme; in the virtual world of SecondLife all interaction is subject to the economy within the virtual world and a theme of construction and self-expression. Although a user can acquire a unique space in SecondLife to which only friends may be admitted, this area is still located in the overall virtual world of SecondLife with all the associated standards and values, whereby the space lacks personal character.

In the known computer games interaction between users generally further takes place within the context of the game: a player meets other players within the game environment with the joint objective of achieving successes. The form of contact, the context and possible interaction are however imposed by the game. If the players wish to use another form of contact for the interaction with other users, they must play in another game environment.

The present invention has for its object to provide a virtual contact network which does not have the above stated and other drawbacks. The present invention provides for this purpose a method according to claim 1.

The method comprises of providing an electronic database accommodated at a central server which is accessible from a client via a network. The network can here comprise for instance the internet, an intranet, a mobile network, a console or any other suitable network. The client is a device suitable for the chosen network, for instance a personal computer, mobile phone, a personal digital assistant or a console.

According to the present invention the database is preferably adapted for storage therein of an identification data list with identification data of users for logging onto the contact network. The identification data can comprise a username and, if desired, a password linked thereto for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use of a username by third parties.

A virtual space template list is preferably stored in the database. The virtual space template list comprises templates of standard spaces on the basis of which a space can be created. On the basis of one determined template a plurality of substantially identical spaces can herein be generated which are each managed by one user. Each created space is stored in a virtual list of spaces and in the central database is stored a link which indicates which user manages a determined space. A space can be managed by a maximum of one user, although one user manages at least one space. The spaces can be two or three-dimensional and be a representation corresponding with an optionally fictitious real space. The term space is not limited to a virtual room, but can comprise a plurality of rooms, or a virtual open air location such as a park or wood. There is a large number of different spaces through which it is as it were possible to "zap", each with its own atmosphere, interaction options and theme, for the purpose of providing a user at any given moment with the option of entering a space matching his/her mood or the wishes of a particular moment.

In addition to creating spaces on the basis of template, in a further embodiment the invention also provides separate elements for creating a space, such as walls, furniture, trees or plants and other attributes and, in yet another embodiment, a programming environment in which (experienced) users can define and create spaces without making use of templates or separate elements created by the environment. The spaces created in this way can, if desired, serve as templates for creating further spaces and, in an advantageous embodiment, also be made available to other users for this purpose.

The present invention is distinguished here relative to existing computer games and virtual worlds in that a user can select the type of environment in which interaction takes place and also which other users he/she invites for this purpose.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a virtual contact network wherein a user can make a choice of users with whom he/she is located in a virtual space.

A user who manages a virtual space can provide other users with access thereto and can preferably personalize the space. Personalization comprises of modifying characteristics of the space, for instance a colour thereof, or a sound which is reproduced in a virtual space or an attribute located in a virtual space or an avatar controlled in a space.

A user has available for this purpose an avatar which he/she can control at least in the one space managed by him/her, and - when he/she has obtained access thereto - also in spaces of other users. The avatar is a figure by which the user is identifiable. The avatar is preferably an animated virtual character with a two or three-dimensional design. A user has at least one but possibly a plurality of avatars.

The plurality of avatars can herein be linked to different manifestations of the user. A first avatar can for instance be a business manifestation of the user which is only visible to a selection of the circle of friends of the user, for instance other users managed by his/her actual colleagues. This selection from the circle of friends can then for instance meet the avatar on a virtual golf course or at a virtual office within the network of friends.

A second avatar can for instance represent a private manifestation of the user which is visible to other users managed by his/her actual friends. This selection from the circle of friends can then for instance meet the avatar in a virtual game environment or in a virtual cafέ within the network of friends.

A first user managing a space has available means for providing or refusing a second avatar controlled by a second user access to this space. When a second avatar has access to the space of a first user, the first and the second user can interact in the first space. The precise nature of the interaction depends on the template on which the space is based. The space can be provided with a game facility, wherein the first and the second user play with each other together or against each other in the game. The space can also show or play a media fragment to which all visitors to the space can listen simultaneously. Users can further communicate with each other in the space: via different methods of communication: VOIP, text chatting, keyboard commands and other methods of communication.

Also stored in the central database for each username in the database is a list which includes usernames coupled to the username, thus forming a list of contacts. The usemame of the second user is preferably added to the list of contacts of the first username when the first user provides the second avatar with access to the first virtual space. In other words: when a user admits another user to his/her virtual space, this other user is added to the list of contacts. The reverse can preferably also be the case: when a user is admitted to a space, the manager of this space is added to his/her list of contacts; in other words the usemame of the first user is added to the list of contacts of the second username when the first user provides the second avatar with access to the first virtual space. This provides the advantage that the list of contacts grows automatically without users having to add each other, whereby their social network and status increase quickly.

A user may already have met dozens of other users after having visited spaces for a short time. The user can hereby immediately draw on the contacts made during a subsequent ZappSpace session. In addition, users can preferably also add each other manually by adding a username of the second user to a list coupled to the first username when the first user selects the username of the second user in the list of usernames. The user can display the list of contacts with usernames coupled to his/her username on a display device of, or coupled to his/her client. Preferably also stored in the database is an list of accessible virtual spaces which includes for each usemame the virtual spaces to which the avatar coupled to the usemame has access. The user can consult this list or display it on a display device of, or connected to his/her client in order to be able to make a choice of which space he/she wishes to enter.

There is preferably also a search engine with which a user can search at least the list of usernames and the list of virtual spaces. A search can be made here according to a usemame, a characteristic (theme) of a virtual space, a characteristic of a game facility in the space or a number of avatars admitted to the space. A user can indicate here whether a virtual space coupled to his/her usemame may be displayed in search results.

A virtual space template can comprise an interactive game environment. Examples of such games are:

A game in which the space comprises a playing field in which game attributes such as balls, pawns or posts are present The players may here themselves determine which game they are going to play. Such a space can here also comprise stands for or with spectators, with computer-controlled spectators or, conversely, spectators consisting of other players.

A user managing this space can him/herself order and arrange the objects lying on the playing field, and here for instance make a goal from the posts, set out a route with cones, make a tower from the balls and so on. The manager can further define rules for the game created by him/her: football, volleyball, attacking other players with the cones.

Another possible game comprises a show, similar to a television game, in which the users participate as team members. They must give correct answers to questions from the computer-controlled game host. The virtual aspect of this form of game provides the option of giving such a game a much more dramatic twist than a game in the real world, and thereby making it more exciting. Examples hereof are players who, after giving wrong answers to a number of questions, fall through a hatch in the floor and land among lions, or a game host bombarded with Lingo balls by the players or fights which can take place between rival teams.

Yet another possible game comprises a computer-controlled pinball machine through which players run in the form of gnomes and can play a diversity of games, such as cooperating in order to cause a giant operator of the pinball machine to score as few points as possible and to bring the game to a safe conclusion as quickly as possible or, conversely, compete against each other and attempt to bring about the destruction of another user as quickly as possible with a pinball that races around. Score lists of such games can be kept in the database and can be consulted by users or optionally displayed in a virtual space. Such lists can in addition be exported to external publication locations such as websites, and thereby refer to the virtual contact network according to the present invention.

A template for a virtual space can be provided by an advertiser, such as a trademark holder, who can store characteristics of his mark therein or can provide an interactive game environment related to his mark. It is possible here to envisage a space filled with a drink, such as a soft drink or an alcoholic drink, in which players can swim.

The present invention preferably also provides the option of linking a template and the characteristics associated therewith with the brand values of a product of an advertiser. A unique template can in this way be formed in which users can experience a brand and possible related products.

During the operation of a contact network according to the present invention a payment may be required for managing a space, such as a payment linked to a determined period of time or a payment related to the number of users stored in a list of contacts. Virtual spaces based on a template of an advertiser can for instance be sponsored here, whereby it becomes attractive to a user to create and manage just such spaces.

In addition, the present invention provides a set of functions available to external parties. An external party can hereby access virtual spaces based on a template and link the spaces to their own software, their own website, or for instance their own database. A beverages manufacturer such as a beer brewer can for instance sponsor a beer diving space template, after which users can use this template to create their own beer diving space. The beverages manufacturer uses the set of functions in order to for instance retrieve scores achieved by users in the space and to subsequently store them for instance in a database or to show top scores on their website. The possible applications of this set of functions are much broader. A computer and software manufacturer can integrate spaces in software for digital music players. Complex data (such as PDF documents) can be exchanged via a space and an external application, and behaviours inside the space can be read, for instance which type of beer bottle is picked up most by people or which is smashed most, and so on.

The device according to the present invention further provides the option of recording data about the activities taking place in a virtual space, such as demographics and statistics which are important to an advertiser.

Such statistics can relate to the virtual space sponsored by the advertiser and can be viewed by an advertiser of a virtual space template. The statistics can comprise characteristics of behaviour, type of contacts, other spaces visited and similar information.

During the operation of a contact network according to the present invention a payment may be required for managing a space, such as for instance a payment linked to a determined period of time or a payment related to the maximum number of users which can be stored in the list of contacts. Virtual spaces based on a template of an advertiser can for instance be provided here more cheaply or free of charge, whereby it becomes attractive to a user to create and manage precisely such spaces.

The device according to the present invention thus provides the option of advertising brand values by providing a virtual space template in which, in contrast to conventional advertising options, advertising does not take place via a billboard but via a complete space integrally disseminating the values of a brand, particularly by coupling the gameplay and interaction options taking place in such a space to the brand values: playing pinball in a SEGA space, juggling with balls in the Lingo space, having sex in the Playboy space, and so on. A space based on the template is linked via a user to the contact network and is entered in each case by a select company of contacts of the user. In this way the advertiser is given the opportunity to indirectly promote their product. He/she makes a template available which can be downloaded by users. The user then invites his/her own contacts thereto, whereby these contacts come into contact with the brand values of the advertiser via their shared acquaintance and not directly via the advertiser. Such an approach has been found to be especially effective.

A further field of application of the present invention is the simulation of business processes within virtual spaces. An example of a business process which can be emulated is one in which post arrives, which must be checked in by a secretary, then taken to the correct department and subsequently processed.

Within the present invention different process steps are shown as elements in a tree structure. These elements are translated to virtual spaces, elements for placing in the spaces or (optionally automated) users. When all elements have been defined, a user can simulate the process. The space created can be made available on an intranet of a company, and then used by staff as training.

The present invention provides the advantage that a user can control a virtual character (avatar) in a virtual space, wherein the interaction with other users can take place within one shared environment in which only a selection of users can manifest themselves. If users wish to meet like-minded people, they can go to a virtual space where there is the greatest chance of actually meeting such people.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figures la-c show schematically how an existing user makes connection with a contact network. Figure 2 shows how an existing user makes contact with a new user.

Figure 3 shows the progress of interaction between various users within a space.

Figure 4 shows an existing user completing a financial transaction.

Figure 5 shows an overview of all relations within a device according to the present invention. Figure Ia shows how an existing first user 10 makes contact with a contact network according to the present invention. The figure shows a user 10 who makes contact via a connection 20, such as an internet connection, with a computer system 30 accommodating a central database 40. Verification means 50 comprising a username and password have to be entered in order to be able to make connection. Central server 30 comprises a search engine with which database 40 can be searched. In addition to usernames and passwords, the database comprises templates for virtual spaces as well as virtual spaces created on the basis of these templates. The database also comprises links between usernames and virtual spaces in order to indicate which virtual spaces a user manages. By means of entering a query in the search engine the first user 10 can receive a display 60 of a search result which is associated with the query and which shows virtual spaces which meet the entered search criteria. It is then possible - for instance by selecting a link - to seek contact from the search result with a second user 70 who manages a virtual space from the search result. First user 10 can then ask second user 70 for permission to enter the virtual space. Second user 70 is presented with this request 71, and can accept or refuse it.

Figure Ib shows how the space associated with display 60 of the search result is checked in the central database on central server 30 as to whether it does indeed belong to second user 70, after which a copy of the template is placed on a computer system 80 of first user 10. The placing of such a copy is done by means of a so-called peer-to-peer download from a computer system 80 of second user 70 to the computer system (not shown) of the first user.

For this purpose the following steps are taken, within the contact network according to the present invention, of:

- verifying rights of the users;

- authorizing a session; - checking the content on the computer systems of the first and the second user;

- checking the internet and the peer-to-peer connections;

- installing content 72 on the computer systems of the first and the second user;

- setting up an interactive session between the first user and the second user. Figure Ic shows an interactive session established between a first user 10 and a second user 70. Second user 70 has given first user 10 access to a virtual space managed by him/her. The space is based on a template, wherein the second user can determine at all times that another available template is retrieved. Second user 70 can limit access for other users to a space managed by him/her to those moments at which he/she has provided him/herself with access to this space, and can at all times terminate previously provided access of users to a determined space. In addition to a first user 10, second user 70 can give a plurality of third and further users 90 access to a space managed by him/her.

Figure 2 shows how an existing user makes contact with a new user. The figure shows an existing user 110 who sends an invitation 130 via internet 120 to a new user 140. Invitation 130 can be an e-mail or other message, such as a message via regular letter post, for instance a business card or a sticker. The invitation can comprise a hyperlink with which data from the sender can be retrieved in order to provide the new user with a first contact for his/her list of contacts, or comprise a hyperlink which can provide direct access to a space of the sender.

As soon as new user 140 follows the hyperlink, he/she is given the opportunity to download and install software required for use of contact network 150 and to create a username and password and to create an avatar for use on contact network 150. The required software can comprise software to show avatars, to manage spaces and to control an avatar within a space. When the central server determines within the contact network according to the present invention that one of the PCs connected to the network is lacking required software, the option is provided for downloading thereof, for instance as a background process.

Figure 3 shows the course of interaction between various users inside a space. Users 200 have formed a peer-to-peer network 210 with their PCs 211-215. Activated on PC 211 is an application with which at least one virtual space can be formed in the contact network. The manager of the virtual space, who can per se manage a plurality of virtual spaces, has provided the other users 200 with access to the virtual space. He/she can enable and disable the space for other users at all times. When he/she enables the space for at least one user, he/she and the at least one user can control their avatars in the at least one space.

In addition to a pear-to-peer network, the PCs are further connected via internet 220 to centra! server 230. Via this connection new visitors are logged on, data are stored and checks are carried out. All actions and behaviours of users are logged and stored. In this embodiment however, no link is made between a profile of a user and a log. During a template verification a check is made whether a user is managing a template and whether all users have available the correct software for the purpose of displaying the spaces used and the avatars displayed therein, attributes and bots. If the manager of the space has indicated that his/her space may be found via the search engine on the central server, the number of users in the space and other information relevant for the search engine is transmitted to the central server. In addition, errors in the application and behaviours of the users are logged.

Figure 4 shows an existing user completing a financial transaction. For this purpose the user makes a secure connection 410 with a shop 420 formed in central database 440 on central server 450. The user wishes to purchase for instance a template for a virtual space or a determined number of contact slots or a number of objects. When user 400 begins a transaction procedure via his/her own secure personal account page, an authorization check is first of all performed. Unlock keys 430 are then created and/or the profile data of user 400 are modified. The keys or an update of the profile are subsequently sent to the personal page of user 400. User 400 now has purchased objects and templates at his/her disposal.

Figure 5 shows an overview of all relations within a device 500 according to the present invention. The figure shows a group of existing users 510 of the contact network, a peer-to-peer network 520 formed by their mutually connected PCs, and a peer-to-peer host 530. Further shown is an online community 540 which via a search engine 550 can make use of a central server 560 to which peer-to-peer network 520 is also linked.

Further linked to central server 560 is a shop 570 which can be accessed by the group of existing users 510 and via which add-ons 571, templates 572 and components 573 can be purchased for use on virtual network SOO. The central server is further linked to external brands and products 590 via an external API 580.

Claims

1. Method for setting up a virtual network of contacts for the purpose of establishing contacts between users, comprising the steps of: - providing a network with a central server accessible via the network and at least one client; providing an electronic database on the central server; storing in the database an identification data list with identification data of users for the purpose of logging onto the network of contacts; - storing in the database a virtual space template list with at least one virtual space template for the purpose of generating a virtual space on the basis of the at least one virtual space template; storing in the database a virtual space list with at least one first virtual space; - storing in the database a link from at least one identification datum to the at least one virtual space and to at least one avatar in at least the first virtual space controllable by a first user; providing managing means with which the first user can provide at least a second avatar of a second a user access to the first space by storing the virtual space in the accessible virtual spaces list for the username of the second user.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising of: storing in the database for each username a list of contacts comprising usernames of contacts coupled to the username.

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein storing in the database for each username a list of contacts comprising usernames of contacts coupled to the username takes place separately per avatar coupled to the username.

4. Method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising of:

- adding the username of a second user to the list of contacts of the first username when a first user provides the second avatar with access to the first virtual space.

5. Method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising of:

- adding the username of the first user to the list of contacts of the second usematne when the first user provides the second avatar with access to the first virtual space.

6. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 3-5, further comprising of:

- adding a usemame of the second user to a list coupled to the first username when the first user selects the username of the second user in the list of usernames.

7. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- storing in the database for each username an accessible virtual spaces list with virtual spaces to which the avatar coupled to the usemame has access.

8. Method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising of: - modifying by the first user of at least one of the group of: i. a colour of a virtual space; ii. a sound which is reproduced in a virtual space; iii. an attribute located in a virtual space, iv. an avatar.

9. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- a user searching the list of usemames by means of a search engine.

10. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of: - a user searching the list of virtual spaces by means of a search engine.

11. Method as claimed in claim 10, comprising of:

- searching according to: v. a username; a characteristic (theme) of a virtual space; vi. a characteristic of a game facility in the space, vii. a number of avatars admitted to the space.

12. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of: - displaying on a display device the list of contacts with second usemames coupled to a first username.

13. Method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising of: - indicating per coupled username whether a user coupled to the usemame is logged on.

14. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- the user indicating whether a virtual space coupled to his/her username may be displayed in search results.

15. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- accessing the electronic database via at least one of the group of: the internet, an intranet, a mobile network, a console.

16. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- providing an interactive game environment in at least one virtual space template.

17. Method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising of: - storing in the database a score list of points scored within the interactive game environment.

18. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of:

- providing to a user an overview of at least one of the group of: viii. the list of contacts of the user; ix. the virtual spaces to which the avatar coupled to the username has access.

19. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising of verifying whether a space shown in a search result rightfully belongs to a user managing said space.

20. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of requiring a payment for managing a space, from the group of: - a payment coupled to a determined period of time;

- a payment related to a number of users stored in a list of contacts.

21. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of storing brand values of a product or service in a template.

22. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising of coupling to a template an interactive game environment related to brand values.

23. Device for setting up a virtual network of contacts, comprising a computer network adapted to perform the method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

24. Computer program comprising instructions for performing the method as claimed in any of the claims 1-22.

25. Carrier comprising a computer program as claimed in claim 24.