Game Input System Using Physical Activity Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-player video games are limited by the connectivity range of video game controllers, leading to users being constrained to a specific locale, resulting in physical inactivity and dissatisfaction due to repetitive in-game tasks, and a lack of alternative methods to unlock items or modify game aspects without spending in-game or real-world currency.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that allows users to input data from physical activities, such as heart rate or distance traveled, to modify virtual game environments, enabling alternative input methods and unlocking game items without completing difficult tasks or spending currency, by integrating fitness tracking devices with video game consoles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users play multi-player video games using video game controllers, then users can complete achievements or challenges within the video game, but users are constrained to a specific locale corresponding to the connectivity range of the controller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives activity data from fitness tracking devices and transmits it to the video game console. This mediator enables the connection between the physical activity tracking system and the video game system, allowing users to play games while engaged in physical activities anywhere within network range, thus resolving the locale constraint issue.
2Productivity
If users complete repetitive in-game tasks to unlock items, then users can obtain game items or modify game aspects, but users experience dissatisfaction and physical inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gameplay interaction (controlling in-game characters to complete tasks) with a physical activity-based input system. Fitness tracking devices measure real-world physical activities such as running, cycling, or swimming, and convert these into game inputs or item unlocking conditions. This substitution allows users to unlock items through physical exertion rather than repetitive in-game tasks, improving both productivity and user satisfaction.
3Productivity
If users spend in-game or real-world currency to unlock items, then users can obtain game items without completing difficult tasks, but users incur additional costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter for item acquisition from currency-based to physical activity-based. Instead of requiring users to spend in-game or real-world currency, the system measures physical activities through fitness tracking devices and uses these measurements to unlock items or modify game aspects. This parameter change allows users to acquire items through physical exertion, eliminating the need for additional currency expenditure while maintaining a fair and engaging acquisition mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store one or more criteria associated with a video game; an executing unit configured to execute the video game; an input unit configured to receive activity data, where the activity data is data associated with physical activity of a user who is not directly playing the video game; and a processing unit configured to modify one or more aspects of a virtual environment within the executed video game when the received activity data satisfies one or more of the criteria.