Game Board Input Validation Algorithm for Cross-Device Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing algorithms for user interfaces in computer games that reliably translate user interactions across diverse hardware devices and resources, ensuring user engagement and valid subsequent interactions, is challenging due to varying hardware resources and input mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and device that display a game board arrangement with game objects, determining initial and subsequent selections based on user input, executing an algorithm to validate sequences, and updating the game board by eliminating valid sequences, with features like direction change and anchor objects, to ensure valid user interactions across different devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If algorithms are designed to translate user interaction through touch screen or other interface to actual interaction with the application, then user engagement is improved, but reliability and consistency across diverse hardware devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidtranslation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal input processing system that handles multiple input mechanisms (touch screen, keyboard, mouse, game controller) through a single standardized algorithmic framework. The system translates diverse input types into unified game board interactions, ensuring consistent behavior across different hardware platforms while maintaining user engagement through familiar interaction patterns for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer between the user interface and the game logic. This intermediary system converts various input formats into standardized game board coordinates and actions, acting as a mediator that ensures reliable translation regardless of the input device used, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and translation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of devices with varying hardware resources is increased to provide broader access, then adaptability is improved, but algorithm complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts algorithmic parameters based on detected hardware capabilities rather than redesigning the core algorithm for each device. The system modifies resolution scaling, input sensitivity, and rendering details dynamically according to device resources, maintaining adaptability across diverse hardware while keeping the base algorithm simple and consistent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a universal algorithmic core that handles game logic consistently across all devices, with a separate adaptation layer that adjusts presentation and input handling. This universal approach reduces overall complexity by separating device-specific adaptations from the core game mechanics, allowing the same algorithm to serve multiple device types effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If validation algorithms are made more stringent to ensure valid user interactions, then reliability is improved, but user engagement deteriorates due to disengagement from invalid inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction validityVSAvoiduser engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary validation that provides real-time feedback to users about the validity of their selections before final processing. The system highlights valid game objects and shows potential match sequences as users interact with the board, allowing users to correct invalid inputs before submission, thereby maintaining both reliability and user engagement through constructive guidance rather than rejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms during the selection process, where the system communicates to users whether their current selection path is valid and guides them toward valid moves. This feedback loop maintains reliability by ensuring only valid interactions are processed while keeping users engaged through clear, actionable guidance that prevents frustration from repeated invalid inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9561427B2Control algorithms and methods for a game board arrangement
Publication Date: 2017.02.07 KING COM
  • US9561427B2 patent drawing
  • US9561427B2 patent drawing
  • US9561427B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and device for controlling a user interface displaying a game board, comprising, via at least one processor, displaying a game board arrangement having a plurality of game objects each having one or more characteristics, information on said game board arrangement and the game objects being stored in memory, determining an initial selection of a first game object based on user input and the stored information, determining a subsequent input selection of a second game object based on user input and the stored information determining the validity of the subsequent selection as being valid defined by said first and second game objects based on a first direction of the sequence with respect to the game board arrangement, the length of the sequence and if the first and second game object have at least one same characteristic, updating said game board arrangement information.