PATENT APPLICATION TEMPLATE, SOCIAL NETWORK
Simulated space module xx may be configured to host one or more virtual environments for users of client computing devices xx. As used herein, a “virtual environment” may include a virtual space, social network, one or more interactive, online community, and/or other virtual environments.
A simulated space may comprise a simulated space that is accessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing devices xx) that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulated space may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned within the topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In some instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In other instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. The topography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface features of a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a ground surface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instance executed by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous.
The above description of the manner in which views of the virtual space are determined by simulated space module xx is not intended to be limiting. The simulated space module xx may be configured to express the virtual space in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual places within the virtual space are contemplated.
Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by Simulated space module xx xx, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual space and/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group of objects) present in the virtual space that represents an individual user. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it is associated. The user controlled element(s) may move through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The user controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/or customized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” of virtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character or other user controlled element, and/or other items) within the virtual space.
The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space by controlling one or more of the available user controlled elements in the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/or commands input by the users through client computing devices xx. The users may interact with each other through communications exchanged within the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more of textual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications, and/or other communications. Communications may be received and entered by the users via their respective client computing devices xx. Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users through server xx (e.g., through Simulated space module xx).
Interactive, electronic social media may include one or more of a social network, a virtual space, a micro-blogging service, a blog service (or host), a browser-based game, a multi-player mobile game, a file (e.g., image file, video file, and/or other files) sharing service, a messaging service, a message board, a forum, and/or other electronically distributed media that are scalable and enable interaction between the users. Some non-limiting specific examples of interactive, electronic social media may include the micro-blogging service provided by Twitter™, the social network provided by Facebook™, and/or other interactive electronic social media.
PURPOSE:
A decent amount of applications are currently being written for social media and games that may be used in virtual space. This template may be modified so inventors can quickly recite a social network, and can focus their time on describing their invention.
PATENT ATTORNEY – COMMENTS:
1) When drafting a patent application, inventors should not start from scratch. Inventors should look for patent applications in similar fields as theirs that are well written. The inventors should then copy and paste the system elements and descriptions of their modules in their patent application. This should save applicants time so they do not have to re-invent the wheel. Obviously if your patent application is directed towards totally new technology that does not build upon anything else, this method cannot be used.