Game Apparatus Automatic Connection During Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems do not allow for seamless connection between game apparatuses during gameplay, limiting the element of surprise and increasing player effort in establishing connections, as players must manually search and request connections before starting a network game.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system with operation information acquisition, application processing, search, connection, and communication application execution means that enables automatic and unpermitted connections between game apparatuses of the same type during gameplay, allowing for unexpected interactions and reduced user operation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If players manually search for and request connections before starting a network game, then connection establishment is reliable and controlled, but the process is complex and requires multiple user operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment processVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic connection establishment without requiring user intervention. The game apparatus autonomously searches for other apparatuses, transmits connection requests, and manages communication sessions, freeing users from complex manual operations while maintaining reliable connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously searching for other game apparatuses and pre-establishing connection possibilities before gameplay begins. This allows connections to be ready when needed, reducing the operational burden on users during actual gameplay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If players establish connections before starting a network game, then connection stability is ensured, but connections cannot be established during gameplay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection timing flexibilityVSAvoidconnection establishment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically allows connection establishment at any point during gameplay, not just before game start. The connection management adapts to different game states, enabling seamless joining of players during active gameplay while maintaining system stability through structured connection protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If players confirm their intention to play before connecting, then connection purpose is clear, but the element of surprise is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay interaction varietyVSAvoidsurprise element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the traditional approach by allowing connections to be established without prior user confirmation. Instead of requiring players to explicitly indicate their intention to connect, the system enables automatic connection establishment, creating unexpected interactions and preserving the surprise element in multiplayer gaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If automatic connection establishment is implemented, then user operation complexity is reduced, but connection control and permission management becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment processVSAvoidconnection control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary connection management mechanism that mediates between automatic connection requests and actual connection establishment. This intermediary layer handles permission verification, connection approval, and session management, allowing automatic operation while maintaining proper control and security through structured protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2405626B1Information processing system, information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 NINTENDO CO LTD

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AI summary

An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.