Frame Delta Serialization for Hierarchical Object Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-client/server environments for computer animation games, determining which objects and their associated data to serialize, and how to serialize them efficiently, is challenging, especially when performance and data integrity are paramount, due to the complexity of hierarchically defined objects and the need for smooth data transitions across a network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine changes between frames by collecting a 'frame delta' including an object identifier, field identifier, and value changes, which are then serialized and sent across the network, allowing clients to smoothly transition between data sets using a serialization manager and network protocols like TCP/IP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all objects and their associated data are serialized and transmitted across the network, then data integrity is maintained, but network traffic increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the changed data portions (frame deltas) from the complete object hierarchy, identifying and transmitting only the specific fields that have modified between frames rather than serializing entire objects. This selective extraction maintains data integrity for changed elements while significantly reducing network traffic volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the object hierarchy into hierarchical levels and further divides changes into specific field-level modifications. By segmenting the data transmission into hierarchical object structures with selective field inclusion, the system maintains structural integrity while transmitting only necessary changes, improving performance without sacrificing data completeness.
2Productivity
If only changed data is serialized and transmitted, then network traffic is reduced and performance improves, but the complexity of determining what changed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining frame deltas that pre-identify changed data between frames before network transmission. The system proactively tracks and marks modified fields in advance, so when serialization is needed, the changed portions are already identified and ready for efficient extraction and transmission, reducing the complexity of real-time change detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frame deltas as an intermediary structure between the game state and network transmission. This intermediary layer pre-processes and organizes changed data, serving as a mediator that simplifies the serialization process by providing a ready-made structure of changes rather than requiring complex analysis at transmission time.
3Reliability
If hierarchical object structures are serialized, then data organization and integrity are maintained, but the amount of data to be transmitted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary hierarchical portions by identifying changed fields within the object hierarchy and excluding unchanged parent and sibling objects from transmission. This selective extraction maintains hierarchical organization for changed elements while eliminating redundant data volume from unchanged portions of the hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hierarchical object structure into transmittable units based on change detection, where only modified fields and their necessary contextual hierarchy are serialized. This segmentation breaks down the complete hierarchy into minimal necessary segments, maintaining organizational structure while reducing overall data volume transmitted across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are directed to serialization of hierarchically defined objects for communication over a network. A change associated with an object, a field within the object, and the like, may be flagged. Such flagged changes between one game frame and another frame may be included into a frame delta of changes. The frame delta data may include an object identifier, field identifier, and a value associated with the change. The frame delta data may be serialized and sent across a network, employing any of a variety of network protocols.