Abstract: A method for managing and operating one or more virtual world viewers in a virtual world may include generating a virtual world viewer feature on a computer system in response to a predetermined action by the user. The method may also include generating an option in the virtual world viewer feature for the user to either enter or select a different virtual world location from a current virtual world location of a user's avatar for locating a virtual world viewer for viewing the different virtual world location. The virtual world viewer may be generated on the computer system for the user to view the different virtual world location without the user's avatar leaving the current virtual world location.

Abstract: A method for managing a transaction in a virtual world may include generating a virtual business object (VBO), where the VBO may include a plurality of subcomponents that are each respectively related to a different aspect of the transaction associated with the virtual world object. Each subcomponent may include at least one attribute and each attribute may include information related to the subcomponent. Further, a set of enablement properties may be associated with each attribute and access to each attribute may be controlled in accordance with the set of enablement properties associated with each attribute.

Abstract: A method for avoiding non-intentional separation of avatars in a virtual world may include detecting a first avatar seeking to enter a first location and determining if a second avatar is related to the first avatar based on a first predetermined rule. The method may also include determining that the first and second avatars are seeking to enter the first location together. The method may further include determining whether to allow the first avatar and the second avatar to enter the first location based on a second predetermined rule.

Abstract: Generation of user and avatar specific content in a virtual world may include generating a local attribute object. The local attribute object may comprise attributes identifying at least one of the user's real world location and the user's avatar's virtual world location. Access to the local attribute object by virtual world operators may be controlled by the user and/or user's avatar. Specific content, based on the local attribute object, is presented to the user's avatar.

Abstract: Translating gestures made by one avatar to a second avatar in a virtual world by receiving an input from a first user representing an input gesture to be made by the first avatar to the second avatar. The input gesture is translated to generate at least one translated gesture for display. The translated gesture may be output for display as being made by the first avatar to the second avatar.

Abstract: Avatar cloning in a virtual world may include receiving an input indicating that a user desires to access a cloning feature and allowing a cloned avatar to be cloned from the user's avatar.

Abstract: A method 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 method 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.

Abstract: A method for allowing an alternative action in a virtual world may include permitting a user to request an original action for an avatar of the user in the virtual world. The method may also include receiving the request for the original action and storing the request in a queue in response to the original action being unavailable to the user's avatar. The method may additionally include determining if an alternative action is available for the user's avatar in response to the original action being unavailable to the user's avatar and presenting an interface to the user to permit the user to accept the alternative action in response to the alternative action being available.

Abstract: A method for contract formation and dispute resolution in a virtual world may include presenting a graphical user interface to permit formation of a contract. The method may also include permitting a set of contract terms to be defined. The method may further include providing a mechanism for review and acceptance of the set of contract terms and providing a mechanism to designate a contract as complete and to release a bond stored in a virtual contract object for virtual payment to a contractor in response an acceptance that the contract has been fulfilled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video game system for connecting to the Internet and allowing a user to transfer/receive data therefrom. The video game system includes a connector port for removably and electrically connecting a cartridge to the game console. The cartridge includes an application program stored therein, a modem and a telephone port for transferring data between the Internet and the video game system via a telephone line. A processor is electrically coupled to a system memory, the connector port and the I/O port. The processor is operative to (1) transfer the application program from the first cartridge to the system memory, execute the application program out of system memory and display an Internet graphical user interface (GUI) on the video display device and (2) execute Internet protocol programs to connect to the Internet and transfer data between the Internet and the video game system via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video game system which provides a user with text based Internet access. The video game system includes first and second connector ports for removably and electrically connecting the game console to first and second cartridges respectively. The first cartridge has a dialer/terminal application program stored therein while the second cartridge includes a modem and a telephone port for transferring data between the Internet and the video game system via a telephone line. A processor is electrically coupled to a system memory, the first and second connector ports and an input/output port. The processor is operative to transfer the application program from the first cartridge to the system memory and execute the application program out of system memory to connect to the Internet and transfer text data between the Internet and the video game system wherein the text data is displayed on a video display device as it is received from the Internet and as it is input from a control device.