API for Geographic Data in Computer Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer game developers face challenges in creating realistic and varied geographic representations due to the time-consuming and costly process of collecting detailed geographic data, which diverts resources from other aspects of game development and limits game scenarios to specific locales, and also requires adapting games for different hardware platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a map database to provide geographic data for computer games, including a game engine and application programming interface to access and present geographic features such as roads and points of interest, allowing for realistic and varied game scenarios across different platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If computer game developers collect detailed geographic data to represent real world places, then the realism and accuracy of geographic representations is improved, but the time and cost required for data collection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing map data from commercial sources (such as Google Maps, Bing Maps, or other navigation services) as copies of real-world geographic information. Instead of collecting primary geographic data themselves, game developers obtain pre-existing accurate map data that represents roads, buildings, and geographic features, thereby achieving high accuracy without the time-consuming collection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer by using third-party map data services and APIs. These external services act as mediators that provide processed and validated geographic data, allowing game developers to access accurate geographic representations without performing the data collection themselves
2Manufacturing precision
If computer game developers collect detailed geographic data for specific locales, then the realism of geographic representations is improved, but the variety of locales available in the game is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal approach by using a single external map data service that provides geographic information for multiple different locales and regions. The same API infrastructure can retrieve map data for various cities, countries, and geographic areas, allowing the game to feature diverse locales without requiring separate data collection efforts for each
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables locale variety by changing the geographic parameters (coordinates, region codes, or location identifiers) requested from the map data service. By adjusting these parameters, the system can retrieve map data for different locales while using the same underlying data collection framework and processing pipeline
3Adaptability or versatility
If computer game developers collect geographic data for multiple different locales, then the variety of game scenarios is improved, but the expense and resource requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal map data API that serves multiple purposes: providing geographic data for different locales, supporting various game scenarios, and working across different hardware platforms. This single multi-functional service replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate data collection projects, reducing overall resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple localized data collection operations into a single centralized API call structure. By combining requests for different geographic data into unified operations through the map service, the system reduces redundant resource expenditure and consolidates development efforts
4Adaptability or versatility
If computer games are adapted for different hardware platforms, then the platform compatibility is improved, but the development complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal map data API that operates consistently across different hardware platforms including PC, console, and mobile devices. The API provides platform-independent access to geographic data through standardized interfaces, allowing the same codebase to function on multiple platforms without requiring platform-specific data collection or processing logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces platform-specific geographic data handling mechanisms with a unified web-based API interface. Instead of implementing separate data collection and processing systems for each platform, the system substitutes mechanical platform-specific operations with a universal network-based communication layer that abstracts away hardware differences
Data Source
AI summary
A computer game depicts or represents actual or imaginary geographic locales as part of the play scenarios of the games. The computer game uses a map database that contains data that represent geographic features, such as roads, in a locale. A game engine program presents a game play scenario to a user via a user interface of the game. An application programming interface program accepts requests for data from the game engine program, accesses data from the map database, and provides the data in a suitable format to the game engine program for use in presenting the game scenario to the user.