Browser Game Input Mapping and Area Expansion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Browser-based games are limited by the generic browser platform, restricting game features due to keyboard or mouse inputs and a constrained user interface, often compromised by surrounding advertising and hardware independence, which hinders immersive gaming experiences.

Innovation Solution

The system allows for alternative control devices and enhanced interfaces by mapping native inputs from standard devices like keyboards and mice to alternate devices such as game controllers or cameras, expanding the game area within web pages and providing input conversion modules to translate inputs from various devices, enabling more immersive gameplay experiences across different hardware platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If browser-based games use standard keyboard or mouse inputs, then the games can be played on any web browser without additional software, but the control functionality is limited and less ideal for certain game types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidinput device requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (input mapping system) that translates inputs from various alternate devices into native browser-compatible commands. This mediator enables complex control functionality without requiring the browser itself to become more complex, resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and maintained device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal input translation layer that works across multiple device types (game controllers, cameras, touchscreens) and game genres. This multi-functional approach allows a single browser-based game platform to accommodate diverse control schemes without requiring separate implementations for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the game area is surrounded by advertising and web features, then developers can generate revenue to support the games, but the playing area becomes small and compromises the user interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverevenue generationVSAvoidgame playing area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the web page layout into distinct functional zones, separating the revenue-generating advertising areas from the game playing area. This segmentation allows both objectives to coexist by allocating specific spatial regions for different purposes, preventing advertising from encroaching on the game area while maintaining revenue streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different quality standards to different regions of the web page: the game area receives enhanced focus with optimized sizing and positioning, while advertising areas maintain their revenue-generating presence. This local differentiation allows the game area to be sufficiently large for good UX while preserving advertising space for productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If browser-based games are designed for a generic platform, then they can run on many types of computers and hardware architectures, but game features are constrained by limited browser functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware compatibilityVSAvoidgame feature capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that bridges the gap between limited browser functionality and advanced game features. This mediator translates complex control inputs from alternate devices into simple browser-compatible commands, enabling sophisticated game features while maintaining compatibility with generic browser platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system substitutes the mechanical input limitations of standard keyboards and mice with alternative input mechanisms (game controllers, cameras, touchscreens) that provide richer gameplay capabilities. This substitution maintains hardware compatibility while overcoming functional constraints through alternate input methodologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2311539B1Playing browser based games with alternative controls and interfaces
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SONY COMP ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
  • EP2311539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2311539B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2311539B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer programs for playing browser based game with alternative controls and interfaces are presented. In one method, a definition of native inputs defined for the game is received. The native inputs are originated in a native device and are capable of causing actions in the game. Further, the method detects an alternate device that does not have all the native inputs. The native inputs are mapped from the native device to alternate inputs from the alternate device. The inputs generated with the alternate device are translated to corresponding native inputs according to the mapping and causing the corresponding actions in the game. In another method, a game area inside a web page is identified for playing the game. The game area is expanded by increasing the size of the game area while decreasing the size of other elements in the web page.