System And Method For Providing Adjustable Attenuation Of Location-Based Communication In An Online Game

Abstract

A system and method for presenting location-based communication in an online game relative to a player from a communication source is provided. A communication to a recipient from within a simulated three-dimensional environment of an online game is accepted. A source co-located with the recipient of the communication is determined. An apparent proximity and direction of the source relative to the recipient is evaluated. A recipient specific adjustor to the communication is applied. Presentation of the communication is modified by the apparent proximity and direction of the source to the recipient in the display based on the adjustor applied.

1 . A system for providing attenuation of location-based communication in an online game, comprising:
 a user device, comprising:
 a communication module configured to accept a communication to a recipient in a display from within a simulated environment of an online game; 
 a communication proximity module to evaluate an apparent proximity and direction of the communication relative to the recipient; and 
 an adjustor module to apply recipient specific adjustors to modify presentation of the communication by the apparent proximity and direction to the recipient in the display. 
   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an attenuation module to set an initial attenuation state for the communication; and   an attenuation display module to modify the display of the communication based on the initial attenuation state.   
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a source module to determine a source of the communication;   a location module to determine a location in the simulated environment of the recipient and the source;   a source proximity module to determine an apparent proximity and direction of the source location to the recipient location; and   a source display module to provide the communication in the display to denote the apparent proximity and direction of the source to the recipient.   
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an orientation module to determine an orientation of the recipient; and   an orientation display module to modify display of the communication based on the orientation of the recipient relative to the source.   
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recipient specific adjustor is selected from the group comprising shared characteristics, message content, collaborative filtering, receiver interest, and broad user control. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication is one of a text message and a sound. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein evaluating proximity and direction of the communication, further comprises determining one of distance, height, angle, and environment of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein modifying presentation of the communication is selected from the group comprising font, font size, color, location, and brightness to associate a position of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       9 . A method for providing attenuation of location-based communication in an online game, comprising:
 accepting a communication to a recipient in a display from within a simulated environment of an online game;   evaluating an apparent proximity and direction of the communication relative to the recipient; and   applying recipient specific adjustors to modify presentation of the communication by the apparent proximity and direction to the recipient in the display.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 setting an initial attenuation state for the communication; and   modifying the display of the communication based on the initial attenuation state.   
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining a source of the communication;   determining a location in the simulated environment of the recipient and the source;   determining an apparent proximity and direction of the source location to the recipient location; and   providing the communication in the display to denote the apparent proximity and direction of the source to the recipient.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining an orientation of the recipient; and   modifying display of the communication based on the orientation of the recipient relative to the source.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the recipient specific adjustor is selected from the group comprising shared characteristics, message content, collaborative filtering, receiver interest, and broad user control. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the communication is one of a text message and a sound. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein evaluating proximity and direction of the communication, further comprises determining one of distance, height, angle, and environment of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein modifying presentation of the communication is selected from the group comprising font, font size, color, location, and brightness to associate a position of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       17 . A system for presenting location-based communication in an online game relative to a player from a communication source, comprising:
 a user device, comprising:
 a communication module configured to accept a communication to a recipient from within a simulated three-dimensional environment of an online game; 
 a source module to determine a source co-located with the recipient of the communication; 
 a source proximity module to evaluate an apparent proximity and direction of the source relative to the recipient; 
 an adjustor module to apply a recipient specific adjustor to the communication, and 
 a display module to modify presentation of the communication by the apparent proximity and direction of the source to the recipient in the display based on the adjustor applied. 
   
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein the recipient specific adjustor is selected from the group comprising shared characteristics, message content, collaborative filtering, receiver interest, and broad user control. 
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein modifying presentation of the communication is selected from the group comprising font, font size, color, location, and brightness to associate a position of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein evaluating proximity and direction of the communication, further comprises determining one of distance, height, angle, and environment of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       21 . A method for presenting location-based communication in an online game relative to a player from a communication source, comprising:
 accepting a communication to a recipient from within a simulated three-dimensional environment of an online game;   determining a source co-located with the recipient of the communication;   evaluating an apparent proximity and direction of the source relative to the recipient;   applying a recipient specific adjustor to the communication; and   modifying presentation of the communication by the apparent proximity and direction of the source to the recipient in the display based on the adjustor applied.   
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the recipient specific adjustor is selected from the group comprising shared characteristics, message content, collaborative filtering, receiver interest, and broad user control. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein modifying presentation of the communication is selected from the group comprising font, font size, color, location, and brightness to associate a position of the communication relative to the recipient. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein evaluating proximity and direction of the communication, further comprises determining one of distance, height, angle, and environment of the communication relative to the recipient.