Virtual Object Self-Service Customization via Encoded Values

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual worlds require virtual retail vendors to create and stock numerous variations of inventory items, leading to significant resource consumption and costs due to the need for multiple versions of each product with different colors, styles, and options, resulting in inefficient use of shop space and system resources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for mass customization of virtual objects in a virtual world computing environment, where customization requests are encoded into a single value, allowing virtual objects to instantiate and customize themselves based on user preferences, reducing the need for multiple versions and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate versions of each inventory item are created to provide customization options, then customer choice and product variety are improved, but system resource consumption and storage space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct varietyVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single base virtual object is designed to serve multiple customization purposes through parameter modification. The object contains customizable components that can be adjusted via encoded values to produce different variations (colors, styles, configurations), eliminating the need for separate inventory items for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Customization is achieved by modifying parameters of a base object rather than creating separate objects. An encoded value containing customization data is passed to the object, which then adjusts its properties (color, style, configuration) based on these parameters, reducing inventory storage requirements while maintaining product variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If multiple versions of virtual products are stocked in advance, then immediate customer fulfillment is improved, but virtual shop space occupation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer fulfillment timeVSAvoidvirtual shop space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base virtual object is prepared in advance with all necessary customization routines and capabilities embedded. When a customer requests a customized item, the pre-prepared object is instantiated with specific parameter values, enabling immediate fulfillment without requiring pre-stocked variants to occupy shop space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate versions of each product are manually created, then product customization options are improved, but time spent building products worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidproduct creation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual object contains embedded routines that automatically apply customization based on encoded parameter values. When instantiated, the object self-configures its properties (color, style, dimensions) without requiring manual creation or modification, dramatically reducing the time and labor needed to produce customized items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a large inventory of customized items is maintained, then customer selection variety is improved, but system resource costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory optionsVSAvoidsystem resource costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single base object with embedded customization routines serves the function of multiple specialized objects. By encoding different customization parameters and applying them during instantiation, the system achieves the same effect as maintaining a large inventory while consuming minimal system resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8185450B2Method and system for self-service manufacture and sale of customized virtual goods

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 ACTIVISION PUBLISHING INC

AI summary

A computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to receive first customization request data and second customization request data for a virtual object to be purchased by a user in a virtual world computing environment. Further, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to encode the first customization request data and the second customization request data into a value. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to invoke an instantiation of the virtual object such that the virtual object has a customizable component.