Patents by Inventor Brian R. Bokor
Brian R. Bokor has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11972086Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
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Publication number: 20200084133Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
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Patent number: 10284454Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
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Patent number: 10176450Abstract: A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual world may include receiving information associated with a real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller. Information associated with a user is received at the VBO controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO light, which includes the information associated with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user based on the user's information.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
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Patent number: 9927868Abstract: A system for perspective based tagging and visualization of avatars in a virtual world may include determining if another avatar has moved within a predetermined proximity range of a user's avatar in a virtual world. The system may also include allowing the user to tag the other avatar with information in response to the other avatar being within the predetermined proximity range of the user's avatar.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
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Publication number: 20170178062Abstract: A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual world may include receiving information associated with a real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller. Information associated with a user is received at the VBO controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO light, which includes the information associated with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user based on the user's information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
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Patent number: 9586149Abstract: Collaborative virtual business object (VBO) social sharing that may include generating a VBO responsive to an avatar performing a transaction, and providing access to the VBO to other avatars desiring access. Access to the VBO may be provided by registering information regarding accessing the VBO in an inventory of the avatar, registering information regarding accessing the VBO in a centralized registry, allowing some portions of the VBO to be searchable, or uploading a modified copy of the VBO to a centralized VBO data upload facility. Portions of the VBO may be identified as private or public and access provided to only the public portions. An apparatus for collaborative virtual business object (VBO) social sharing may include an interface configured to access virtual world and a processor configured to generate a VBO responsive to a transaction in the virtual world and provide access to the VBO.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Christopher J. Dawson
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Patent number: 9568993Abstract: A method for automated avatar mood effects in a virtual world may include detecting occurrence of a mood changing condition relatable to a user's avatar. The method may also include determining an avatar mood effect from a plurality of predefined avatar mood effects to be applied to the user's avatar in the virtual world based on the detected mood changing condition. The method may further include automatically applying the avatar mood effect to the user's avatar in the virtual world in response to detecting occurrence of the mood changing condition and determining an applicable avatar mood effect based on the detected mood changing condition and presenting the automatically applied avatar mood effect in association with the user's avatar in the virtual world.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Steven K. Speicher
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Publication number: 20160267431Abstract: A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual world may include receiving information associated with a real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller. Information associated with a user is received at the VBO controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO light, which includes the information associated with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user based on the user's information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew S. Smith
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Publication number: 20160164769Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.Inventors: Peter F. HAGGAR, Brian R. BOKOR, Daniel E. HOUSE, William B. NICOL, II, Andrew B. SMITH, Luis J. OSTDIEK
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Patent number: 9323856Abstract: Mapping of a universal resource locator (URL) to a virtual world location may include receiving a URL for access to an entity, accessing a mapping of the URL to coordinates of a location of the entity in a virtual world, and providing access to the entity in the virtual world. A device that may include a network interface, the network interface being configured to receive a URL and provide access to a virtual world, and a memory, the memory containing at least one mapping of a URL to coordinates in the virtual world.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Peter F. Haggar, Andrew B. Smith
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Publication number: 20160034028Abstract: A system for perspective based tagging and visualization of avatars in a virtual world may include determining if another avatar has moved within a predetermined proximity range of a user's avatar in a virtual world. The system may also include allowing the user to tag the other avatar with information in response to the other avatar being within the predetermined proximity range of the user's avatar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
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Patent number: 9230237Abstract: A method for amending a contract in a virtual world may include presenting an online chat option in response to another user's avatar coming within a predetermined proximity range of an avatar of the user and in response to the other user's avatar and the user's avatar having previously entered into a contract in the virtual world. The method may also include recording the online chat between the users to define an amendment to the contract in response to the online chat option being selected. The method may further include appending the amendment to contracting terms in a contract object in response to acceptance of the amendment by the users.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, Andrew B. Smith
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Patent number: 9152914Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
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Patent number: 9054862Abstract: Access control key management in a virtual world that includes generating a key for access to a virtual space, a service, an event, or an item in a virtual world, assigning one or more parameters to the key, providing the key to an avatar in the virtual world, and accessing the virtual space, the service, or the item by the avatar using the key in accordance with the one or more parameters. The one or more parameters may include a type parameter, a frequency parameter, a duration parameter, or a value parameter. The avatar may be denied access if the duration parameter has expired and may be allowed access while the duration parameter has not expired. The one or more parameters may be determined responsive to rules associated with the virtual space, the service, the event or the item.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith
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Patent number: 8756530Abstract: Generation and synchronization of offline three-dimensional (3D) virtual world content that include hosting 3D virtual world content, providing access to a portion of the 3D virtual world content, allowing storing offline of a copy of the accessed portion of the 3D virtual world content, and receiving changes made in the stored offline copy of the accessed portion of the 3D virtual world content and synchronizing the received changes with the hosted 3D virtual world content. The accessed portion of the 3D virtual world content may be recreated offline using a rendering engine on a processing device offline from the hosted 3D virtual world.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William B. Nicol, II, Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Daniel E. House, Peter F. Haggar
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Patent number: 8726352Abstract: A system and method for access control key administration in a virtual world that includes identifying an action to be performed on a key provided to a user controlling an avatar in a virtual world. The key provides the avatar access to a virtual space, a service, or an item in the virtual world. The action is applied to the key. The action is applied to the key to modify one or more access parameters on the key. The action applied to the key may be, for example, an update action, a revalidate action, or a remove action.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Daniel E. House
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Patent number: 8659623Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) virtual world wormhole includes hosting a 3D virtual world, and creating a wormhole at a selected location in the 3D virtual world for automatic transport of an avatar from the selected location to a selected destination in the 3D virtual world. Policies may be defined for the wormhole where the wormhole operates in accordance with the defined policies. An avatar may be automatically transported from the location to any one of a plurality of destinations based on a current capacity of each of the plurality of destinations.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wiliam B. Nicol, II, Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Daniel E. House, Peter F. Haggar
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Patent number: 8606628Abstract: Providing traceability in a Virtual Business Object (VBO) may include generating a VBO comprising components and actions that may be performed using the VBO, attaching traceability information regarding an avatar to the VBO and providing the VBO to the avatar. Also, a network entity configured to access a virtual world environment may include a network interface configured to provide access to the virtual world environment and a controller configured to perform a transaction with an avatar in the virtual world environment, generate a Virtual Business Object (VBO) related to the transaction, attach traceability information regarding the avatar to the VBO, and provide the VBO to the avatar.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew B. Smith, Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Christopher J. Dawson
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Publication number: 20120124189Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: PETER F. HAGGAR, BRIAN R. BOKOR, DANIEL E. HOUSE, WILLIAM B. NICOL, II, ANDREW B. SMITH, LUIS J. OSTDIEK