Abstract: A user of a virtual universe system is provided with the option of deferring a response to an invitation for an avatar to be relocated (including relocation by performing a teleportation operation) by providing for selective storage of received invitations in a queue with a priority determined based on one or more rules which can preferably be developed by conversion from an invitation. Status of issuers of invitations can be monitored or the issuers polled and the current status can be displayed to a user to determine actions to be taken in manipulating priority in the queue. The user is also provided with the capability of editing priority of stored invitations including the ability to accept, reject or forward the invitation or convert the invitation to a landmark. Invitations having similarities may be grouped in accordance with any desired metadata contained in the invitation.

Abstract: According to a method of vehicular traffic management, a computer system receives, from devices distributed in a plurality of roadway segments of a physical roadway system, real-time traffic information individually describing vehicular traffic in each the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system determines from the real-time traffic information an advised speed for a particular roadway segment among the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system transmits, via a communication network, a speed advisory command specifying the advised speed to a device in the particular roadway segment for presentation.

Abstract: A user of a virtual universe system is provided with the option of deferring a response to an invitation for an avatar to be relocated (including relocation by performing a teleportation operation) by providing for selective storage of received invitations in a queue with a priority determined based on one or more rules which can preferably be developed by conversion from an invitation. Status of issuers of invitations can be monitored or the issuers polled and the current status can be displayed to a user to determine actions to be taken in manipulating priority in the queue. The user is also provided with the capability of editing priority of stored invitations including the ability to accept, reject or forward the invitation or convert the invitation to a landmark. Invitations having similarities may be grouped in accordance with any desired metadata contained in the invitation.

Abstract: An invention for communication integration between users of a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a communication integration interface tool that provides communication integration between users within the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a response component for identifying an object of interest in the virtual universe, the object of interest comprising at least one of the following: a first user, or an asset associated with the first user that is within the virtual universe, and generating a response from the object of interest in the virtual universe. The communication integration interface tool further includes a communication link component for establishing a communication link between a second user and at least at least one of the following: the first user, a representative of the first user, or a third user in the virtual universe associated with the asset based on the generated response.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating participants of events or activities of virtual environments, such as on-line games, digital or virtual worlds, and virtual universes are disclosed. One or more embodiments may comprise conducting an event, measuring event participation by the participant, and compensating the participant based upon the measured participation. Various embodiments may compensate the participant based upon the amount of time the participant spends at the event, while other embodiments may compensate the participant based upon amounts or types of activity of the participant while attending the event. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon such activity as chat activity, keyboard activity, and mouse activity. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon one or more referrals that the participant makes other participants.

Abstract: According to a method of vehicular traffic management, a computer system receives, from devices distributed in a plurality of roadway segments of a physical roadway system, real-time traffic information individually describing vehicular traffic in each the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system determines from the real-time traffic information an advised speed for a particular roadway segment among the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system transmits, via a communication network, a speed advisory command specifying the advised speed to a device in the particular roadway segment for presentation.

Abstract: A user of a virtual universe system is provided with the option of deferring a response to an invitation for an avatar to be relocated (including relocation by performing a (exportation operation) by providing for selective storage of received invitations in a queue with a priority determined based on one or more rules which can preferably be developed by conversion from an invitation. Status of issuers of invitations can be monitored or the issuers polled and the current status can be displayed to a user to determine actions to be taken in manipulating priority in the queue. The user is also provided with the capability of editing priority of stored invitations including the ability to accept, reject or forward the invitation or convert the invitation to a landmark. Invitations having similarities may be grouped in accordance with any desired metadata contained in the invitation.

Abstract: An invention for communication integration between users of a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a communication integration interface tool that provides communication integration between users within the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a response component for identifying an object of interest in the virtual universe, the object of interest comprising at least one of the following: a first user, or an asset associated with the first user that is within the virtual universe, and generating a response from the object of interest in the virtual universe. The communication integration interface tool further includes a communication link component for establishing a communication link between a second user and at least at least one of the following: the first user, a representative of the first user, or a third user in the virtual universe associated with the asset based on the generated response.

Abstract: An invention for discovery and transfer of assets in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an asset transfer utility, including an inventory component configured to display to a user within a virtual universe an inventory containing a plurality of assets owned by other users within the virtual universe, each of the plurality of assets listed anonymously. A search component is configured to search the inventory containing the plurality of assets. A selection component is configured to select a set of assets from the plurality of assets based on the search. A transfer component is configured to transfer the set of assets between the user and an owner of each of the set of assets.

Abstract: In some embodiments a method comprises receiving a virtual universe request, and determining properties of the virtual universe request. The method can also comprise determining a virtual universe firewall security policy, wherein the virtual universe firewall security policy identifies allowable properties associated with the virtual universe request. The method can also include comparing the properties of the virtual universe request to the properties of the virtual universe firewall security policy, and blocking the virtual universe request based on the comparison of the virtual universe request's properties to the virtual universe firewall security policy's allowable properties.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating participants of events or activities of virtual environments, such as on-line games, digital or virtual worlds, and virtual universes are disclosed. One or more embodiments may comprise conducting an event, measuring event participation by the participant, and compensating the participant based upon the measured participation. Various embodiments may compensate the participant based upon the amount of time the participant spends at the event, while other embodiments may compensate the participant based upon amounts or types of activity of the participant while attending the event. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon such activity as chat activity, keyboard activity, and mouse activity. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon one or more referrals that the participant makes other participants.