Incorporating representational authenticity into virtual world interactions

BACKGROUND

p-0002The present invention relates to the field of virtual world computing and, more particularly, to incorporating representational authenticity into virtual world interactions.

p-0003Virtual world environments are a popular form of social networking applications that provide users with the ability to interact with others in a variety of settings. Users are allowed to create graphical virtual representations of themselves that they utilize to interact with the various elements of the virtual world environment, such as stores, games, and the virtual representations of other uses. Many virtual world environments provide users with a wide variety of graphical options to customize the appearance of their virtual representation, also referred to as an avatar.

p-0004However, the freedoms afforded users when creating avatars allows for misrepresentation. That is, the graphical appearance displayed by a user's avatar need not accurately reflect the user's actual appearance. The anonymity afforded by this dissociation between the user's virtual and actual appearance permits some users to conduct interactions within the virtual world under false pretenses. For example, cyber-predators have been known to create child-like avatars to interact with the avatars of real children.

p-0005Typical approaches to combat such misrepresentation have focused on user-entered information, such as birth date, when creating an account for the virtual world environment. However, this information is easily faked by the user. This is also true of approaches that require submission of a photograph to associate with the user account. Conventional virtual world environments are unable to validate and/or quantify the differences between a user's virtual and actual appearances.

BRIEF SUMMARY

p-0006One aspect of the present invention can include a system that incorporates representational authenticity into virtual world interactions. Such a system can include user representational authenticity data and a virtual world computing system. The user representational authenticity data can be used to describe the physical characteristics of a human user. The physical characteristics can be quantified utilizing standardized measurement techniques. The virtual world computing system can be configured to adjudicate the conduction of interactions performed by a virtual representation of the human user within the virtual world environment utilizing the user representational authenticity data.

p-0007Another aspect of the present invention can include a method that utilizes representational authenticity data when handling virtual world interactions. Such a method can begin with the identification of an interaction of a virtual representation of a human user within a virtual world environment that utilizes representational authenticity requirements, which can be based upon user representational authenticity data. The user representational authenticity data can describe quantifiable physical characteristics of the human user. The interaction can be conducted with the virtual representation of another human user and/or a distinct location of the virtual world environment. The user representational authenticity data associated with the human user can then be accessed from a user profile. It can then be determined if the user representational authenticity data satisfies the representational authenticity requirement. When the representational authenticity requirements are satisfied, the interaction of the virtual representation of the human user within the virtual world environment can be permitted.

p-0008Yet another aspect of the present invention can include a virtual world environment that utilizes representational authenticity data when handling virtual world interactions. The virtual world environment can include user representational authenticity data, a virtual world computing system, and a representational authenticity handler. The user representational authenticity data can describe physical characteristics of a human user that can be quantified utilizing standardized measurement techniques. The virtual world computing system can be configured to present a virtual world environment in which a virtual representation of the human user interacts with the virtual representation of other human users and/or the virtual world environment. The representational authenticity handler can be configured to utilize the user representational authenticity data to determine which interactions the virtual representation of the human user is allowed to perform within the virtual world environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a system that incorporates representational authenticity into interactions performed by virtual representations in a virtual world environment in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a collection of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that can be used for the configuration of user-level representation-based interaction rules in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an illustration of a user interface for a virtual world environment that utilizes representation authenticity in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart of a method that describes the use of user representational authenticity data in virtual world interactions in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

p-0013The present invention discloses a solution that incorporates user representational authenticity into virtual interactions. Representational authenticity can define how closely a user's virtual representation in the virtual world corresponds to the user's actual appearance. A user's representational authenticity can be represented by corresponding user representational authenticity data, which can be collected and validated by a third-party agency and/or by automated mechanisms. When the user attempts to perform various interactions within the virtual world environment, a representational authenticity handler can utilize the user representational authenticity data to determine how the interaction should proceed. That is, the interactions that a user attempts to perform can be allowed, modified, and/or rejected based upon the values of their user representational authenticity data. The conditions that define how interactions should be handled can be defined as representation-based interaction rules at the user-level and/or world-level.

p-0014The present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

p-0015Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to the Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

p-0016Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory, a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD. Other computer-readable medium can include a transmission media, such as those supporting the Internet, an intranet, a personal area network (PAN), or a magnetic storage device. Transmission media can include an electrical connection having one or more wires, an optical fiber, an optical storage device, and a defined segment of the electromagnet spectrum through which digitally encoded content is wirelessly conveyed using a carrier wave.

p-0017Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium can even include paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, for instance, via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

p-0018Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

p-0019A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.

p-0020Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.

p-0021Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

p-0022The present invention is described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

p-0023These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

p-0024The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a system <b>100</b> that incorporates representational authenticity into interactions <b>125</b> performed by virtual representations <b>120</b> in a virtual world environment <b>150</b> in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. As used herein, the term “representational authenticity” is used to refer to how truthfully the user <b>105</b> represents themselves with their virtual representation <b>120</b> within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>.

p-0026In system <b>100</b>, the user <b>105</b> can utilize a virtual representation <b>120</b> of themselves, also referred to as an avatar, to perform interactions <b>125</b> within the virtual world environment <b>150</b> using a virtual world interface <b>115</b>. SECOND LIFE is one example of a virtual world interface. Other examples of interface <b>115</b> can include, but are not limited to interfaces of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), GAIA ONLINE, WEEWORLD, FRENZOO, MEEZ, and the like. The client device <b>110</b> can represent a variety of electronic computing devices capable of running the virtual world interface <b>115</b> and communicating with the virtual world environment <b>150</b> over the network <b>185</b>. Computing device <b>110</b> can include a processor, non-volatile memory, volatile memory, and bus, as well as network adaptors and input/output peripherals. The virtual world interface <b>115</b> can be a software application configured to provide the user <b>105</b> with the means to perform various functions within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>.

p-0027As is typical in a virtual world environment <b>150</b>, the virtual world interface <b>115</b> can allow a virtual representation <b>120</b> of the human user <b>105</b> to interact with other elements presented within the virtual world. The virtual representation <b>120</b> can be a graphical figure created and controlled by the user <b>105</b> within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>. For example, the user <b>105</b> can use their virtual representation <b>120</b> to sit at a virtual table in a virtual library to read a virtual book.

p-0028The virtual world interactions <b>125</b> can represent the operations and/or actions that occur within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>. These interactions <b>125</b> can occur between virtual representations <b>120</b> and/or elements of the virtual world environment <b>150</b>, such as a sign or chair. Unlike a conventional virtual world environment <b>150</b>, the interactions <b>125</b> of system <b>100</b> can include one or more representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b>.

p-0029A representational authenticity requirement <b>127</b> can represent a condition that can influence how the interaction <b>125</b> is performed based upon its evaluation. Representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b> can be captured within the virtual world environment <b>150</b> as representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> and <b>175</b>. The representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> and <b>175</b> can be configured at either the world or user level, respectively. For example, a user <b>105</b> can utilize the virtual world interface <b>115</b> to create a user-level representation-based interaction rule <b>175</b> to ignore chat requests from other users <b>105</b> who do not meet specific representational authenticity conditions.

p-0030It should be emphasized that not all interactions <b>125</b> conducted within the virtual world environment <b>150</b> are required to have representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b>. For example, entry to a virtual library may not have representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b>; all users <b>105</b> can enter the library. However, the children's reading area of the library can have representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b> based on age; only users <b>105</b> who meet the age requirement can enter the children's reading area.

p-0031Evaluation of the representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b> and, therefore, the representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> and <b>175</b> can utilize user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> associated with the users <b>105</b> involved in the interaction <b>125</b>. The user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can represent data elements that quantify certain physical characteristics of the user <b>105</b>. Examples of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can include, but are not limited to, height, weight, eye color, date of birth, body measurements, hair color, tattoos, body-piercings, and the like.

p-0032The user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be captured in the data store <b>140</b> of a data collection agency <b>130</b>. The data collection agency <b>130</b> can be a third-party organization contracted by the corporate entity controlling the virtual world environment <b>150</b> to collect and verify user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>. Collection of the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can utilize standardized measurement techniques and can require the user <b>105</b> to present themselves, in-person, at the data collection agency <b>130</b> with additional official identification documents.

p-0033In one embodiment, the agency <b>130</b> can be entirely automated, such as when a photo submitted by a user is automatically compared using video analysis techniques to characteristics of the avatar. Further authentication can occur, such as by IP location tracking a user to ensure that a named user or a user having asserted characteristics is actually geographically located at a residence in which the device <b>110</b> is located. Any authentication technique can be utilized, where authentication information used by agency <b>130</b> can remain confidential.

p-0034It should be emphasized that the embodiment of the present invention differs from the data collection and/or usage practices of current virtual world environments <b>150</b> due to the validation of the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> by the data collection agency <b>130</b>. That is, because the user <b>105</b> is required to submit themselves and identification documents to the data collection agency <b>130</b>, the collected user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be determined to have a higher level of trust than similar data elements collected by more anonymous methods, such as a generic Web page.

p-0035For example, a user <b>105</b> can be required to provide a copy of their birth certificate and photo identification to verify their age. Thus, a parent can feel more confident that their child <b>105</b> will only be exposed to other users <b>105</b> in the children's area of the library who have been verified as children, regardless of the graphical appearance of their virtual representation <b>120</b>.

p-0036Additionally, the type and/or amount of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> collected for a user <b>105</b> can be graduated. For example, a user <b>105</b> can elect to have data elements categorized as “Basic”, such as height and weight, whereas additional data elements, such as body fat percentage and MYERS-BRIGG personality profile, can be collected for a user <b>105</b> purchasing an “Advanced” collection package. It should be noted that the actual collection of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> is not a focus for this embodiment of the present invention.

p-0037The various levels of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> collected can affect the user's <b>105</b> ability to interact within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>. That is, a user <b>105</b> missing certain detailed user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be automatically discounted by the user-level representation-based interaction rules <b>175</b> of other users <b>105</b>. For example, because User Bob <b>105</b> did not opt to have his body fat percentage measured, User Jane's <b>105</b> user-level representation-based interaction rule <b>175</b> for ignoring others whose body fat percentage is greater than 40% will automatically reject User Bob's <b>105</b> chat requests.

p-0038Additionally, the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be used as the basis for creating the user's <b>105</b> virtual representation <b>120</b> within the virtual world environment <b>150</b>. The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can include an option that can apply the values of the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> to the user's <b>105</b> existing virtual representation <b>120</b>. For example, the height of the virtual representation <b>120</b> within the virtual world environment <b>150</b> can be adjusted to match the actual height of the user <b>105</b>.

p-0039The data store <b>140</b> containing the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be associated with a data server <b>135</b> of the data collection agency <b>130</b>. The user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be electronically transmitted to the virtual world environment <b>150</b> from the data server <b>135</b> of the data collection agency <b>130</b> utilizing standard electronic communication protocols. The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can store the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> within the user profile data <b>165</b> associated with the user <b>105</b>.

p-0040The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can represent the hardware and software components necessary to simulate a virtual world in which users <b>105</b> can participate via various interactions <b>125</b>. The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can include a variety of such standard components, such as servers (not shown), in various configurations. It should be noted that it is assumed that the virtual world environment <b>150</b> contains such standard components to support operation of the virtual world, and, that such standard components are configured in such a manner to interface with the components of the embodiment of the present invention.

p-0041In addition to the standard components, the virtual world environment <b>150</b> can include a representational authenticity handler <b>155</b> and a data store <b>160</b> that can contain user profile data <b>165</b> and world-level representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b>. The representational authenticity handler <b>155</b> can represent a software application configured to manage the execution of interactions <b>125</b> having representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b>. The representational authenticity handler <b>155</b> can utilize the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> for the user <b>105</b> to evaluate the representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b> for the interaction <b>125</b> and, based on the evaluation, determine how the interaction <b>125</b> should be conducted.

p-0042Building upon the previous examples, the interaction <b>125</b> for entering the children's reading area of the library can have a representational authenticity requirement <b>127</b> requiring a maximum age of twelve to enter. The representational authenticity handler <b>155</b> can check the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> for all users <b>105</b> attempting to enter the children's reading area. The virtual representation <b>120</b> of users <b>105</b> determined to be older than twelve based on the age contained in their user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be denied access to the children's reading area

p-0043Additionally, the representational authenticity handler <b>155</b> can utilize a preset algorithm upon the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> to calculate a user representational authenticity score <b>180</b>. The user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> can numerically quantify the degree of representational authenticity between the user's <b>105</b> collected user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> and their virtual representation <b>120</b>.

p-0044For example, users <b>105</b> who do not desire to apply representational authenticity concepts to their virtual representation <b>120</b> and, therefore, have no user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>, would have a user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> of zero or “unknown”. Thus, users <b>105</b> interacting with such a user <b>105</b> would be aware that the presented virtual representation <b>120</b> may bear no resemblance to the actual user <b>105</b>.

p-0045The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can be configured to allow a user's <b>105</b> user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> to be displayed to other users <b>105</b>. Additionally, the user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> can be utilized as a representational authenticity requirement <b>127</b> for representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> and <b>175</b>.

p-0046The world-level representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> can represent representational authenticity requirements <b>127</b> defined for elements of the virtual world. The age representational authenticity requirement <b>127</b> for the children's reading area of the library can be an example of a world-level representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> because this rule is applied to all users <b>105</b> who attempt to interact with this specific element of the virtual world. Creation and/or modification of world-level representation-based interaction rules <b>170</b> can be limited to administrators of the virtual world environment <b>150</b>.

p-0047The user profile data <b>165</b> can correspond to the data kept by the virtual world environment <b>150</b> that is specific to a user <b>105</b>. In addition to containing standard user configuration data, the user profile data <b>165</b> can also store the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>, the user-level representation-based interaction rules <b>175</b>, and the user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> of the user <b>105</b>.

p-0048The user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> can be a copy of the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> collected by the data collection agency <b>130</b>. The user profile data <b>165</b> for a user <b>105</b> can include multiple sets of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>, with each set of user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> representing a separate data collection session. That is, a user <b>105</b> can have user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> collected over time that can document their physical changes in appearance.

p-0049For example, members of a weight loss support group in the virtual world can sign-up to have their user representational authenticity data <b>145</b> collected every two months so the group members can see changes in each other's virtual representations <b>120</b>. The virtual world environment <b>150</b> can include options that can be configured to allow users <b>105</b> to see a visual progression of the changes captured in the user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>.

p-0050The user-level representation-based interaction rules <b>175</b> can represent user-configurable options allowed within the virtual world environment <b>150</b> for the use and/or presentation of a user's <b>105</b> user representational authenticity data <b>145</b>. The user representational authenticity score <b>180</b> stored in the user profile data <b>165</b> can correspond to the value calculated by the representational authenticity handler <b>155</b>.

p-0051Network <b>185</b> can include any hardware/software/and firmware necessary to convey data encoded within carrier waves. Data can be contained within analog or digital signals and conveyed though data or voice channels. Network <b>185</b> can include local components and data pathways necessary for communications to be exchanged among computing device components and between integrated device components and peripheral devices. Network <b>185</b> can also include network equipment, such as routers, data lines, hubs, and intermediary servers which together form a data network, such as the Internet. Network <b>185</b> can also include circuit-based communication components and mobile communication components, such as telephony switches, modems, cellular communication towers, and the like. Network <b>185</b> can include line based and/or wireless communication pathways.

p-0052As used herein, presented data stores <b>140</b> and <b>160</b> can be a physical or virtual storage space configured to store digital information. Data stores <b>140</b> and <b>160</b> can be physically implemented within any type of hardware including, but not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a digitally encoded plastic memory, a holographic memory, or any other recording medium. Data stores <b>140</b> and <b>160</b> can be a stand-alone storage unit as well as a storage unit formed from a plurality of physical devices. Additionally, information can be stored within data stores <b>140</b> and <b>160</b> in a variety of manners. For example, information can be stored within a database structure or can be stored within one or more files of a file storage system, where each file may or may not be indexed for information searching purposes. Further, data stores <b>140</b> and/or <b>160</b> can utilize one or more encryption mechanisms to protect stored information from unauthorized access.

p-0053<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a collection <b>200</b> of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) <b>205</b> and <b>250</b> that can be used for the configuration of user-level representation-based interaction rules in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. GUIs <b>205</b> and <b>250</b> can be utilized within the context of system <b>100</b> or any other system that incorporates the use of representational authenticity for the conduction of interactions within a virtual world environment.

p-0054It is important to note that the GUIs <b>205</b> and <b>250</b> of collection <b>200</b> are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to present a comprehensive implementation of this aspect of the present invention.

p-0055GUIs <b>205</b> and <b>250</b> of collection <b>200</b> can represent views of the virtual world interface <b>115</b> that can allow user-configuration of the user-level representation-based interaction rules <b>175</b> of system <b>100</b>. As shown in this example, GUI <b>205</b> illustrates the avatar tab <b>210</b> of the interface where a user can define rules <b>215</b> representing the user's preferences for displaying their virtual representation <b>215</b> or avatar.

p-0056Each rule <b>215</b> shown in GUI <b>205</b> can be thought of as a graphical representation of a conditional statement of the general format “if these authenticity requirements <b>225</b> are met, display this virtual representation <b>220</b>”. The virtual representations <b>220</b> can be created by the user and/or created by the virtual world environment based upon the user's collected user representational authenticity data.

p-0057The authenticity requirements <b>225</b> can represent the user-defined conditions for presenting the corresponding virtual representation <b>220</b> in the virtual world environment. The authenticity requirements <b>225</b> can utilize known elements and/or properties of user representational authenticity data, such as height, age, and user representational authenticity score. Additionally, the GUI <b>205</b> can be configured to allow the use of BOOLEAN logic when defining authenticity requirements <b>225</b>.

p-0058In this example, rule ‘1’ <b>215</b> can be interpreted as stating that other users in the virtual world environment who have an authenticity score less than or equal to thirty OR an authenticity score having a value of “Not Available” will view the user as a male barbarian avatar <b>220</b>. Rule ‘2’ <b>215</b> can allow other users whose authenticity score is greater than thirty AND less than or equal to seventy to view the user as a female avatar carrying ice skates <b>220</b>.

p-0059Thus, a user can tailor the appearance of their avatar <b>220</b> based upon the level of representation authenticity of other users. This can allow a user to present a more accurate virtual representation <b>220</b> of themselves in situations where other users are presenting themselves at a comparable level of authenticity. Additionally, this means of configuration can also the user to present a more anonymous or guarded virtual representation <b>220</b> to those having little or an unknown level of representation authenticity.

p-0060Additionally, the avatar tab <b>210</b> of GUI <b>205</b> can include action commands <b>230</b> to allow the user to perform specified actions, such as adding or editing a rule <b>215</b>. The action commands <b>230</b> can be presented to the user for selection in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, GUI buttons, context menu items, pop-up windows, menu commands, and the like.

p-0061GUI <b>250</b> can illustrate the general tab <b>255</b> of the interface where a user can configure options <b>260</b> representing the user's preferences regarding for the general handling of their user representational authenticity data. As shown in this example, the options <b>260</b> presented in GUI <b>250</b> have been configured to provide other users with authenticity data on an “On Demand” basis with a data level of basic and its currency. The user's authenticity score is always shown to other users. Additionally, the user wishes to always request the authenticity data of other users as well as ignoring other users who have authenticity scores less than or equal to twenty.

p-0062The general tab <b>255</b> of GUI <b>250</b> can also include a save button <b>265</b> for capturing changes to the options <b>260</b> as well as a cancel button <b>270</b> for undoing unsaved changes to the options <b>260</b>.

p-0063<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an illustration of a user interface <b>300</b> for a virtual world environment that utilizes representation authenticity in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The user interface <b>300</b> can be utilized within the context of system <b>100</b> and/or in conjunction with the GUIs <b>205</b> and <b>250</b> of collection <b>200</b>.

p-0064The virtual world user interface <b>300</b> can provide the user <b>305</b> with the functionalities for participating in the presented graphical virtual world, such as the navigation buttons <b>335</b> for moving through the virtual world. The user <b>305</b> can interact with the avatars <b>310</b> of other users <b>305</b> and or virtual world locations <b>315</b>, such as the coffee house shown in this example.

p-0065In addition to the basic presentation of the virtual world, the user interface <b>300</b> can be configured to present elements specific to the use of user representational authenticity data. As shown in this example, each avatar <b>310</b> shown in the user interface <b>300</b> can have the value for their user representational authenticity score <b>330</b> presented in a bubble floating above their head.

p-0066It should be noted that the presentation of a user's <b>305</b> user representational authenticity score <b>330</b> can vary based upon the implementation within the virtual world environment and/or the preferences defined by a user's <b>305</b> user-level representation-based interaction rules.

p-0067The virtual world location <b>315</b> can include a visual indicator <b>320</b> that can denote the existence of entry requirements <b>325</b> for the location <b>315</b>. The entry requirements <b>325</b> can correspond to one or more world-level representation-based interaction rules defined for the virtual world location <b>315</b>. The user <b>305</b> can then perform an action to access the entry requirements <b>325</b>.

p-0068In this example, a star is used as the visual indicator <b>320</b> and hovering over the star <b>320</b> with the mouse pointer presents a list of the entry requirements <b>325</b>. Only users <b>305</b> whose user representational authenticity data indicates an age greater than or equal to eighteen and whose calculated user representational authenticity score <b>330</b> is greater than or equal to forty-five are allowed to enter the coffee house <b>315</b>. It can then be logically follow that the avatars <b>310</b> already inside the coffee house <b>315</b> meet the entry requirements <b>325</b>.

p-0069Further, the barbarian avatar <b>310</b> with a user representational authenticity score <b>330</b> of sixteen cannot gain entry to the coffee house <b>315</b>. The gray avatar <b>310</b> with the user representational authenticity score <b>330</b> of seventy-four, however, can only gain entry if they have been verified to eighteen years of age or older.

p-0070<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart of a method <b>400</b> that describes the use of user representational authenticity data in virtual world interactions in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method <b>400</b> can be performed in the context of system <b>100</b> and/or utilizing the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) <b>205</b>, <b>250</b>, and <b>300</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>.

p-0071Method <b>400</b> can begin with step <b>405</b> where the virtual world environment can receive user representational authenticity data. The received user representational authenticity data can be stored in the user profile for the associated user in step <b>410</b>. In step <b>415</b>, a user representational authenticity score can be calculated for the virtual representation of the user. Step <b>415</b> can be automatically performed by the representational authenticity handler of the virtual world environment.

p-0072The virtual representation of the user can be optionally adjusted to conform to the user representational authenticity data in step <b>420</b>. In step <b>425</b>, the occurrence of an interaction having representational authenticity requirements can be detected.

p-0073The necessary user representational authenticity data can be interrogated in step <b>430</b>. In step <b>435</b>, it can be determined if the representational authenticity requirements have been satisfied. When the representational authenticity requirements have been satisfied, the interaction can be permitted to continue in step <b>440</b>.

p-0074When the representational authenticity requirements have not been satisfied, step <b>445</b> can execute where continuation of the interaction can stopped. The user can be optionally presented with an interaction rejection notice in step <b>450</b>.

p-0075The diagrams in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref> illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

p-0076The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

p-0077The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.