Database-Driven Degree of Separation Game Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current degree of separation games lack a structured electronic implementation, finite celebrity choices, intuitive media guidance, and the ability to play against others electronically, relying heavily on mental effort and obscure media knowledge.

Innovation Solution

An interactive media application that uses a database to identify source and destination celebrities, providing users with candidates separated by one degree of separation, allowing for bookmarking media assets and enabling multiple users to play either individually or in competition to connect celebrities in the fewest degrees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If degree of separation games are played mentally or with limited electronic versions, then players can access the game without extensive media knowledge, but the game lacks structured electronic implementation and finite celebrity choices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of playing the gameVSAvoidlack of structured electronic implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mental gameplay and simple electronic versions with a comprehensive database-driven electronic system that automatically manages celebrity selections, relationship verification, and game state tracking, eliminating the need for manual tracking while providing structured implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves multiple functions within a single electronic platform: it provides finite celebrity choices from a database, verifies relationships automatically, tracks game state, and enables both single-player and multi-player modes, consolidating what would otherwise require separate manual processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If extensive media knowledge is required to play degree of separation games, then more accurate celebrity connections can be identified, but the game becomes inaccessible to players without obscure movie knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of celebrity connection identificationVSAvoidaccessibility to players without media knowledge

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The database system automatically verifies relationships and identifies valid celebrity connections without requiring players to possess extensive media knowledge, allowing the system to serve itself in validating the accuracy of connections while keeping the interface simple for players

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between the player and the extensive media knowledge required, where the database stores celebrity information and relationship data, allowing players to query connections without needing to memorize or know obscure movie details

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If unlimited celebrity choices are provided in degree of separation games, then players have more flexibility in selecting celebrities, but the game lacks finite choices and becomes difficult to manage electronically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in celebrity selectionVSAvoiddifficulty of electronic implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vast universe of celebrities into a managed database with finite, predefined choices, organizing them into categories and relationships that can be efficiently queried and presented to players, providing flexibility within structured boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If degree of separation games are played individually, then players can focus on finding connections, but the game lacks the ability to play against others electronically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of individual gameplayVSAvoidability to play against others

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to support multiple game modes including single-player and multi-player electronic competition, allowing the same core functionality to serve both individual and competitive gameplay needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8753185B1Systems and methods for implementing a degree of separation game in an interactive media application

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 ROVI PRODUCT CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate.