Graphical Contact-Generating Events in Virtual Metaverse

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Solution Overview

Problem

In virtualized metaverses, users face challenges in connecting with other users who share similar interests, especially when users have different movement patterns and viewing angles within the virtual environment.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that allows users to graphically define contact-generating events within a virtual environment, enabling the detection of virtualized avatars triggering these events and transmitting contact-initiating prompts to peer users based on predefined criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users rely on random encounters and passive interactions in the virtual environment, then the system maintains simple interaction mechanics, but users cannot effectively connect with others who share similar interests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect with users sharing similar interestsVSAvoidinteraction system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when avatars are in close proximity and pre-processing potential contact opportunities. The system proactively identifies and prepares contact prompts before users would naturally initiate interaction, thus enabling interest-based connections without requiring complex user-side interaction mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that acts as a bridge between users. Instead of requiring direct complex user-to-user interaction protocols, the system mediates by detecting proximity, determining interest compatibility, and automatically presenting contact opportunities, thereby simplifying the user experience while enabling sophisticated matching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the system monitors and detects all avatar interactions in real-time to enable precise contact opportunities, then contact accuracy improves, but computational resources and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of contact-generating eventsVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by focusing detection resources on specific local conditions that generate contacts. Rather than globally monitoring all avatar movements uniformly, the system selectively monitors for proximity events and contact-generating behaviors in relevant local areas, achieving precise detection while reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes by detecting specific threshold conditions (such as proximity distance thresholds, interaction duration thresholds) that trigger contact opportunities. By monitoring for changes in these parameters rather than continuous state tracking, the system achieves accurate detection with reduced computational overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the system proactively presents contact opportunities to users, then peer-engagement increases, but users may experience information overload or unwanted interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeer-engagement rateVSAvoiduser experience degradation from interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring user responses to contact prompts and using this information to adjust future prompt delivery. The system learns from user acceptance or rejection patterns to optimize timing, frequency, and targeting of contact opportunities, thereby increasing engagement while minimizing disruptive interruptions based on individual user preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by selectively presenting contact opportunities only when specific criteria are met (proximity, interest alignment, user availability indicators). Rather than overwhelming users with all possible contacts, the system presents a curated subset of high-probability meaningful connections, increasing engagement quality while reducing interruption burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250054231A1Graphically defining contact-generating events in a virtualized metaverse

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Computer-implemented peer-engagement through graphical definition of contact-generating events in a virtualized metaverse includes visually presenting to a user, on an interactive interface, a multi-dimensional scene of a virtual environment. The user provides input to graphically define one or more contact-generating events within the multi-dimensional scene, which events are detected as being triggered by one or more virtualized avatars in the multi-dimensional scene. According to the triggering of the events and other predefined contact-engaging criteria, a contact-initiating prompt may be transmitted to a peer user associated with the one or more virtualized avatars in the multi-dimensional scene.