Virtual entity on a network

Abstract

An electronic communication device carries character-specific data, and an avatar common to multiple characters, for representing a character on the device, and a character sharing unit for using the interconnectivity of the device to allow sharing of the character over a network. The character is one that can be developed through use over time, and the sharing of the characters creates a user community.

1 . An electronic device carrying computing functionality, display functionality, and interconnectivity functionality for transmitting data over a network, the device comprising: 
 dynamic data, and static data, said dynamic and static data being combinable to represent a character on said device, and a character sharing unit for using said interconnectivity functionality to allow said character to be shared with other devices over said network.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to send said dynamic data to other devices to carry out said sharing, said static data being assumed to be present on said other devices.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said dynamic data for sending includes a pointer for identification of an avatar from a group of avatars.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to use text messaging to carry out said sharing.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein avatars are located on said other devices and said text messaging carries said dynamic data including a pointer to an avatar associated with a respective pet.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a presence control unit for controlling said character sharing unit to ensure that said character has a unified presence on said network.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said presence control unit is configured to prevent presence of said character at said device when said character has been sent to another device.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said presence control unit is configured to reinstate presence of said character at said device if said character does not return from said another device after a predetermined time.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said presence control unit is configured to reinstate presence of said character at said device when said character returns from said other device by acceptance of said character specific data as modified by said other device.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said presence control unit is configured to allow said character to appear on an originating device and on said other device but to allow modifying of said character specific data only on said other device.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said presence control unit is configured to allow said character to appear on an originating device and on said other device but to allow modifying of said character specific data only on said originating device.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to place a signature on a text message carrying said character specific data to render said text message recognizable as comprising character specific data for operating said character on said other device.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to place binary data in said text message.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to scan incoming text messages for signatures indicative of character data content.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said character sharing unit is configured to carry out said scanning prior to a respective text message being sent to client applications.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said character specific information comprises emotion parameter data for an emotion engine, said emotion engine being configured to provide emotion-based behavior for said character.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said emotion engine is configured to evolve said emotion parameter data slowly over time, thereby to provide development of said emotion-based behavior for said character.  
   
   
       18 . A system comprising a plurality of mobile communication devices, each device having computing, display and communication functionality, and comprising: 
 an engine for operating characters, the characters having personal behavior and an avatar, and    an exchange unit for allowing said characters to be exchanged with other mobile devices so as to operate with the same personal behavior and appearance thereon, thereby to provide a community environment for operating said characters.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each mobile device has a similar set of avatars and a behavior engine to provide behavior according to behavior parameters, such that said being exchanged is accomplishable for a given character by indicating which avatar is to be used and providing respective behavior parameters.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said exchange unit is configured to indicate which avatar is to be used and to provide said behavior parameters by inclusion in a text message.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said exchange unit is configured to mark said text message with a signature.  
   
   
       22 . A method of exchanging characters over a mobile telephony network between a plurality of mobile devices, comprising: 
 providing at each of said plurality of mobile devices a behavior engine for providing character-specific behavior according to character-specific behavior parameters;    providing at each of said plurality of mobile devices static data for display of respective characters, and    exchanging a given character between mobile devices by sending respective character-specific behavior parameters and identifying relevant static data.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising selecting some of said behavior parameters as development traits that develop more slowly than other parameters to provide stable development of respective characters.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising selecting maximum values for respective parameters, thereby to define a character type, and whereby a new character type can be added by defining a new set of maximum values.  
   
   
       25 . A system for interaction between limited resource devices, each device comprising a local copy of a common user client, the devices being configured to exchange at least one text message to communicate parameter data for said commonly held user client.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein said limited resource devices are cellular communication devices.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein said text message comprises text encoded binary data.  
   
   
       28 . A system for interaction between limited resource devices, wherein the limited resource devices are configured with a client for exchange of text-encoded binary data, for direct contact between said limited resource devices.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the limited resource device is a cellular telephony device.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said client for exchange of text-encoded binary data is configured to form said text encoded binary data into a text message with an identifying header, and to recognize incoming messages having such a header.  
   
   
       31 . A method of electronic competition comprising: 
 developing attributes through a first electronic character, setting a competitive task for said electronic character to perform with at least one other electronic character having corresponding attributes within a first virtual environment; and    within said first virtual environment selecting a winner of said competitive task from said first and said at least one other characters via assessment of a development level of said attributes.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said first virtual environment is within a first cellular communication device and wherein said at least one other electronic character is transmitted to said cellular telephony device.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said attributes comprise at least one of the group consisting of a trait, and an emotion.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said attribute is affected by being selected or not selected as a winner.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said transmitting comprises sending by text messaging.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said text messaging comprises making use of the short messaging service (SMS).  
   
   
       37 . A method of communicating binary information between client applications on mobile devices comprising: 
 formulating said binary information into at least one text message at a client application on a first mobile device, said text message being formulated for reading by a corresponding client application on a recipient mobile device; adding to said text message a human readable header to appear on recipient mobile devices not equipped with a corresponding client application; and sending said text message to a recipient.