Cross-Platform Digital Token Management for Social Gaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online games lack expanded functionality and user participation through digital tokens with cross-platform applicability and digital rights management, limiting social network connectivity and user engagement.

Innovation Solution

The system provides computer-implemented games that use standard and non-standard tokens, allowing for coordination with online social networks, enabling users to interact with registered friends and non-friends, and offering digital tokens with specified attributes and rights management, allowing for varied functionalities across different games.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital tokens are limited to single-game functions, then game-specific functionality is simplified, but cross-platform applicability and user engagement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-platform applicability of digital tokensVSAvoidtoken management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements digital tokens that can function across multiple game platforms and types. The token system allows a single token to be used in different games (e.g., trading card games, real-time strategy games) with game-specific attributes applied through mapping mechanisms. This enables cross-platform applicability while maintaining game-specific functionality through the universal token framework.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where game-specific attributes and functions are embedded within universal digital tokens. The token contains core identity and rights management information, while game-specific parameters are layered on top through mapping relationships. This nesting allows tokens to maintain both universal applicability and game-specific functionality without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If online games integrate social network functions, then user participation and engagement are enhanced, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser participation and engagementVSAvoidsocial network coordination system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer that bridges online games and social networks. This intermediary handles user authentication, friend list integration, and social interaction coordination without requiring direct complex communication between game systems and social network platforms. The intermediary simplifies the integration process while enabling enhanced user participation through social features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments social network functions into distinct modular components that can be independently integrated with different games. Social features such as friend invitations, profile sharing, and collaborative gameplay are divided into separate functional modules, reducing the overall system complexity while allowing flexible integration and enhancing user engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If digital tokens include digital rights management, then token security and ownership control are improved, but operational complexity and transaction processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoken security and ownership controlVSAvoidtransaction processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary digital rights management setup during token creation and initial distribution. Ownership credentials, security parameters, and usage rights are pre-configured and stored in the token structure before transactions occur. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time verification during each transaction, reducing processing time while maintaining security and ownership control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9511285B2Networked computer game systems and methods with social network functions
Publication Date: 2016.12.06 ELECTRONIC ARTS INC
  • US9511285B2 patent drawing
  • US9511285B2 patent drawing
  • US9511285B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing online games, including various means of providing computer-implemented games using standard and non-standard tokens, and that operate in coordination with an online social network. Examples of standard tokens may include tokens associated with each card of a standard 52 card deck, units in a real-time strategy game, and the like. Non-standard tokens may represent digital tokens with specified attributes and associated digital rights management for use by specified users, such as users purchasing rights to a particular non-standard token. Non-standard tokens may also include tokens with different functionality across a number of different computer-implemented games.