Keith Mark Walker

US Patent:

20080204450, Aug 28, 2008

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/679449

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Rick A. Hamilton - Charlottesville VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06T 15/00

US Classification:

345419

Abstract:

A system, method and program product for providing a virtual universe in which unsolicited advertisements are embodied in automated avatars. A system is provided that includes: a registration system for introducing an advertisement avatar into the virtual universe; a targeting system for targeting a user avatar for delivery of advertising content by the advertisement avatar; a movement system for defining how the advertisement avatar is to move within the virtual universe; and an advertisement delivery system for defining how the advertisement avatar is to deliver the advertising content to the user avatar.

US Patent:

20090282075, Nov 12, 2009

Filed:

May 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/115706

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

7071041, 707E17009

Abstract:

A system and a method for use in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying offering avatars that may send unsolicited advertisements to receiving avatars is described. The system and method further may allow receiving avatars to reject offerings from such offering avatars. The system and method may utilize reputations of the offering avatars. Receiving avatars may identify spam to the VU system that may record spam information about the identified offering avatar for future processing and may for make the spam information available to other avatars for their use.

US Patent:

20100162403, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/342943

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 21/00

US Classification:

726 26

Abstract:

A system and method in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatars' multimedia characteristics may have a table that stores multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars. It further may have an analysis unit that compares the multimedia characteristics of avatars against the multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon the similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score. Multimedia characteristics include graphics, audio, movement, interactivity, voice, etc.

US Patent:

20100162404, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343125

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 21/00

US Classification:

726 26

Abstract:

A virtual universe system has a system and method for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatar's behavior characteristics through the use of Turing tests. The system may provide a Turing test unit for performing Turing tests and an analysis unit that compares the behavior characteristics of new or newly changed avatars against the behavior characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score.

US Patent:

20100306853, Dec 2, 2010

Filed:

May 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/473817

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Bethesda MD, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 21/00
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

726 26, 715757

Abstract:

The system monitors activities, movements, and other behavior patterns necessary to determine whether an avatar is a spam advertisement. A storing mechanism stores a “black list” and a black list score consisting of a list of spam avatar identifications (UUIDs) matching avatars that have been flagged as confirmed or suspected spam advertisers. Another mechanism allows the owner to redraw or otherwise re-render a distinguishing mark or other audible signature when an avatar has been detected as being a spam advertiser. Yet another mechanism signals to the owner an offending avatar that they have been added to the black list or had a report filed against them, and a reason as to why (the methods used to identify them). Another mechanism allows for a black listed avatar to be removed from the black list, and scores to be decreased and for the virtual universe and users to utilize the black list and score.