Augmented Reality and Messaging

Abstract

The various implementations described herein include methods, systems, and devices for Augmented Reality (AR) based messaging. In one aspect, a method includes processing a user request to create and place an avatar (e.g., a virtual representation of a user) at a user-specified location. In another aspect, a system manages placement of avatars at various geo locations, allows users to interact with avatars, and manages avatar-avatar interactions with or without user controls. In yet another aspect, a device is provided allowing a user to create, manage, and view avatar-based tags. Additionally, various user interfaces are provided to support the user to create, manage, and view avatars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by an electronic device, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
 receiving a request from a first user to place a first avatar of the first user at a first specific location in a physical environment, wherein the first avatar is configured to perform a first virtual action;   in response to receiving the request from the first user, associating the first avatar with the first virtual action and the first specific location; and   upon detecting that a second user is proximate to the first specific location:
 sending operational information for the first avatar to a second device, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the second device to enable first interactions of the second user with the first avatar, including causing the first avatar to perform the first virtual action; 
 receiving, from the second device, first session information regarding the second user's first interactions with the first avatar; and 
 updating online status of the first user, first avatar and/or the second user to reflect the first session information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the first virtual action comprises one of performing a gift exchange operation between the first user and the second user, displaying marketing information associated with the first user, and exchanging payments between the first user and the second user. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the second user's first interactions with the first avatar causes the first avatar to perform the first virtual action subject to constraints associated with the physical environment. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for associating the first avatar with a resource, and wherein performing the first virtual action comprises presenting the resource to the second user and enabling second interactions of the second user with the first avatar, including accepting or rejecting the resource. 
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 receiving, from the second device, second session information regarding the second user's second interactions with the first avatar;   in response to receiving the second session information:
 determining, based on the second session information, if the second user's second interactions with the first avatar corresponds to the second user accepting the resource; 
 in accordance with a determination that the second user accepted the resource, updating a resource table with the information that the resource has been accepted by the second user. 
   
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 receiving a request from a third user to place a second avatar of the third user at a second specific location in a physical environment, wherein the second avatar is configured to perform a second virtual action;   in response to receiving the request from the third user, associating the second avatar with the second virtual action and the second specific location; and   upon detecting that the second specific location is proximate to the first specific location:
 sending operational information for the first avatar and the second avatar to a third device used by the third user, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the third device to cause the third device to display the first avatar and the second avatar, cause the first avatar to perform the first virtual action and the second avatar to perform the second virtual action, and display a result of the first virtual action and a result of the second virtual action. 
   
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 6 , wherein the operational information causes the first avatar to perform the first virtual action and the second avatar to perform the second virtual action subject to constraints associated with the physical environment. 
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 6 , wherein the first virtual action is an action that relates to the second avatar and the second virtual action is an action that relates to the first avatar. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device, comprising:
 one or more processors;   memory; and   one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 receiving a request from a first user to place a custom image on a matrix barcode associated with an online resource; 
 in response to receiving the request from the first user:
 obtaining the custom image from the first user; 
 obtaining an image of the matrix barcode; 
 creating a tag by overlaying the custom image onto the image of the matrix barcode; 
 associating the tag with an avatar corresponding to the custom image; and 
 creating a digital downloadable format of the tag for the first user, wherein the digital downloadable format is associated with the online resource. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 receiving a request from a second user to scan the tag;   in response to receiving the request:
 receiving scanner information corresponding to the tag from a first electronic device used by the second user; 
 retrieving the avatar associated with the tag using the scanner information; and 
 causing a second electronic device used by the second user to display the avatar. 
   
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
 associating the avatar with a first action;   receiving a request from the second user to interact with the avatar in the tag; and   in response to receiving the request from the second user, sending operational information for the first avatar to the first electronic device, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the first electronic device to enable interactions of the second user with the avatar, including causing the avatar to perform the first action.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the first action comprises one of playing an audio or a video file, displaying an animation sequence, and displaying product or company information corresponding to the online resource. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , further comprising causing the second electronic device used by the second user to scan the tag. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein obtaining the custom image from the first user comprises:
 receiving a request from the first user to create a custom image;   in response to receiving the request:
 retrieving a first image from an image database; 
 receiving an input from the first user to select one or more customizations to apply to the first image; and 
 in response to receiving the input, applying the one or more customizations to the first image thereby producing the custom image. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request from a first user to place a first avatar of the first user at a first specific location in a physical environment, wherein the first avatar is configured to perform a first virtual action;   in response to receiving the request from the first user, associating the first avatar with the first virtual action and the first specific location; and   upon detecting that a second user is proximate to the first specific location:
 sending operational information for the first avatar to a second device, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the second device to enable first interactions of the second user with the first avatar, including causing the first avatar to perform the first virtual action; 
 receiving, from the second device, first session information regarding the second user's first interactions with the first avatar; and 
 updating online status of the first user, first avatar and/or the second user to reflect the first session information. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first virtual action comprises one of performing a gift exchange operation between the first user and the second user, displaying marketing information associated with the first user, and exchanging payments between the first user and the second user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second user's first interactions with the first avatar causes the first avatar to perform the first virtual action subject to constraints associated with the physical environment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: associating the first avatar with a resource, and wherein performing the first virtual action comprises presenting the resource to the second user and enabling second interactions of the second user with the first avatar, including accepting or rejecting the resource. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the second device, second session information regarding the second user's second interactions with the first avatar;   in response to receiving the second session information:
 determining, based on the second session information, if the second user's second interactions with the first avatar corresponds to the second user accepting the resource; 
 in accordance with a determination that the second user accepted the resource, updating a resource table with the information that the resource has been accepted by the second user. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from a third user to place a second avatar of the third user at a second specific location in a physical environment, wherein the second avatar is configured to perform a second virtual action;   in response to receiving the request from the third user, associating the second avatar with the second virtual action and the second specific location; and   upon detecting that the second specific location is proximate to the first specific location:
 sending operational information for the first avatar and the second avatar to a third device used by the third user, wherein the operational information is configured when executed on the third device to cause the third device to display the first avatar and the second avatar, cause the first avatar to perform the first virtual action and the second avatar to perform the second virtual action, and display a result of the first virtual action and a result of the second virtual action.