Virtual Space Avatar Transformation for Stalking Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual space interaction services face challenges in managing nuisance behaviors, such as stalking, by other users, which can lead to user discomfort and reduced engagement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where users can set blocking settings to alter the appearance, voice, and behavior of nuisance avatar objects, and optionally using dummy objects to distract and mislead the nuisance user, thereby reducing the identifiability of the targeted avatar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to interact freely with other users in a virtual space, then user engagement and social interaction are enhanced, but nuisance behaviors such as stalking and harassment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that mediates between users in the virtual space. This system detects nuisance behaviors and intervenes by altering the appearance of avatar objects, thereby protecting targeted users while maintaining the overall interactive environment. The intermediary mechanism allows continued interaction while filtering out harmful behaviors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies visual transformation by changing the appearance characteristics of avatar objects. When nuisance behavior is detected, the system alters the color, shape, or other visual properties of the offending avatar, making it difficult for other users to recognize or track the problematic user, thus reducing stalking and harassment while preserving interaction capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the appearance of avatar objects is altered to prevent recognition, then nuisance behaviors are reduced, but user identifiability and personalization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively altering the appearance of avatar objects only in specific contexts or for specific users. The system can change appearance properties locally for the offending avatar while leaving other avatars unchanged, or apply different transformation levels to different parts of the avatar, thereby maintaining some level of user identifiability while preventing recognition by problematic users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic appearance alteration where the avatar's visual properties change based on real-time behavior detection. The system can switch between different appearance states dynamically - normal state for regular interaction and altered state when nuisance behavior is detected - allowing user identifiability to be preserved when needed while preventing recognition when harmful behaviors occur.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dummy objects are introduced to distract nuisance users, then stalking behavior is reduced, but virtual space complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating dummy objects that replicate the visual appearance or functional characteristics of real avatar objects. These copied objects serve as decoys to distract and mislead nuisance users, drawing their attention away from the actual targeted avatar. The copying mechanism allows the system to create believable distractors without requiring entirely new object designs, thus managing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A program for causing a computer to function as a setting reflection unit which changes, for a virtual space which allows a character corresponding to a user to appear, an identifiability of a first character for a user operating a second character without changing the identifiability of the first character for a user operating a character other than the second character, based on predetermined setting which is performed for the second character by a user operating the first character.