Virtual Universe Credential Verification Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

In virtual universes, there is a lack of effective methods for user credential verification, which hinders confident business or social interactions among users regarding the authenticity of each other's real-world credentials.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for verifying user credentials in a virtual universe, where a verifier establishes a zone that indicates the credentials of a user's avatar upon specific actions, utilizing a computing device with a verifier and a zone establisher to display credential information, potentially through graphical or textual means, ensuring transparency and trust among users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user credential verification is implemented in virtual universes, then user trust and interaction safety are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser trustVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a verifier as an intermediary component that mediates between users and the credential verification system. The verifier handles credential validation and zone establishment, separating these functions from the core virtual universe operations. This intermediary approach enables credential verification without directly complicating the fundamental virtual universe architecture, thus improving user trust while managing system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If credential verification zones are established, then credential visibility and user confidence are improved, but computational resources and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecredential visibilityVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing verification zones before credential verification is needed. The verifier creates zones in advance that can display credential information when users interact with them. This preliminary zone establishment allows for efficient credential display during actual interactions, as the infrastructure is already in place, reducing the computational burden during real-time verification operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If real-time credential verification is implemented, then interaction safety is improved, but response time and processing speed requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction safetyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling users to initiate and complete credential verification processes independently through the virtual universe interface. Users can request verification, provide credentials, and view results without requiring manual intervention or complex processing workflows. This self-service approach streamlines the verification process, improving interaction safety while maintaining acceptable response times through automated verification workflows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8914854B2User credential verification indication in a virtual universe
Publication Date: 2014.12.16 KYNDRYL INC
  • US8914854B2 patent drawing
  • US8914854B2 patent drawing
  • US8914854B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, system and program product are provided that include verifying a credential of the user of a first avatar in the virtual universe; and establishing a zone that causes an indication of the credential of the user of the first avatar to appear in response to an action being taken relative to the zone.