Cross-Platform Game Application Distribution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional online match games require game machines to have the same platform, limiting the ability for stationary and portable game machines with different platforms to efficiently play together.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that allows game machines with different platforms to execute applications in affiliation by using an information acquirer to identify necessary applications, a determiner to check for availability, and a download processing section to acquire and install missing applications automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If game machines with different platforms (stationary and portable) attempt to play online match games together, then platform compatibility and user accessibility are improved, but application availability and system complexity worsen because each platform has different operating systems and hardware architectures requiring different application versions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal application distribution mechanism where one game machine can serve multiple functions: acting as both a player and an application source. The application distribution unit enables any game machine to distribute applications to others, creating a multi-functional system that works across different platforms without requiring separate application stores or installation mechanisms for each platform type.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit acts as an intermediary that enables direct peer-to-peer application sharing between game machines. Instead of requiring a centralized server or platform-specific store, the communication unit facilitates direct transmission of application data between machines, mediating the interaction and enabling cross-platform compatibility through a unified communication protocol.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual application installation is required for cross-platform play, then application control and installation precision are improved, but ease of operation and user convenience worsen because users must manually transfer and install applications between different game machines
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting which applications are needed before gameplay begins. The application distribution unit proactively identifies missing applications and initiates transfer and installation processes automatically, so that when users start playing, all necessary applications are already in place, eliminating manual intervention and reducing preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The game machines perform self-service by automatically managing their own application requirements. When a machine needs an application for cross-platform play, it automatically requests, receives, and installs the application without user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually transfer files or navigate installation processes across different platforms.
3Productivity
If applications are shared between game machines with different platforms, then resource utilization and productivity are improved, but data transmission and application distribution complexity increase due to different file formats and system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the application distribution functionality into the existing communication infrastructure of game machines. Rather than creating separate file transfer protocols or conversion mechanisms, the invention combines application sharing with the standard communication unit already present in each machine, unifying data transmission and application distribution into a single integrated process that handles different platforms through a common interface.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
An information acquirer 214 acquires identification information to identify an application to be activated in a portable game machine from a stationary game machine. A determiner 216 determines whether or not the portable game machine has the application identified by the identification information. If the portable game machine has the application, an application activator 218 activates the application. On the other hand, if the portable game machine does not have the application, a download processing section 224 acquires the application from the stationary game machine.