Video Game Loadout Validation via Digital Signatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video game systems face challenges in accurately validating loadout and leaderboard data due to the risk of hacking and tampering, particularly with compromised client hardware, leading to inaccurate rankings and unfair gameplay.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where loadout data is transmitted from a client device to a server for validation, using a validation mechanism that compares the data to a database of known attributes and applies digital signatures to ensure authenticity, with flagged data stored for further analysis if invalid, allowing only validated data to be used in gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If loadout data is transmitted from client device to server for validation, then data authenticity is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential loadout data elements that require validation and transmits them to the server, rather than transmitting all possible data. This selective extraction approach maintains data authenticity verification while minimizing unnecessary network bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The validation mechanism performs preliminary checks on loadout data at the server side before the data is fully processed and used in gameplay. By validating data in advance, the system ensures authenticity without requiring repeated validation transmissions, thereby reducing overall bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If digital signatures are applied to loadout data, then data integrity is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Digital signatures are applied to loadout data in advance, before the data needs to be used in gameplay. This preliminary signing ensures data integrity is established upfront, allowing for faster processing during actual game sessions since the validation work has already been completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex, time-consuming manual validation processes with automated digital signature verification. This substitution uses cryptographic mechanisms that are computationally efficient and can verify data integrity rapidly, reducing processing time compared to traditional validation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If comprehensive validation checks are performed on all player data, then cheating detection is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecheating detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation system applies different levels of validation scrutiny to different types of data. Critical data elements such as loadout compositions and performance statistics receive comprehensive validation checks, while less critical data receives simpler validation. This differentiated approach maintains effective cheating detection while avoiding unnecessary complexity across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The validation process is segmented into multiple independent checks, each focusing on specific aspects of player data. Rather than implementing one complex monolithic validation system, the patent divides validation into separate modules that can be applied selectively, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive cheating detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If historical player information is stored on client device, then validation accuracy is improved, but memory consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidmemory consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores only the essential historical player information that is necessary for validation purposes, rather than storing all possible historical data. This selective extraction maintains validation accuracy by preserving critical validation references while minimizing memory consumption on client devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing complete historical player profiles locally, the system stores simplified copies or references to historical data that can be retrieved when needed. These compact representations maintain validation accuracy by providing sufficient historical context while occupying minimal memory space on client devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10463971B2System and method for validating video gaming data
Publication Date: 2019.11.05 ACTIVISION PUBLISHING INC
  • US10463971B2 patent drawing
  • US10463971B2 patent drawing
  • US10463971B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present specification describes systems and methods for filtering a video game user's match performance data or loadout data through validation mechanisms. For the performance data, the validated, signed performance data are written to a leaderboard service of the video gaming system. For the loadout data, the validated, signed performance loadout data are transmitted back to the client device and used when playing a game. Free computing and/or networking resources of the client game device are used as an intermediate between the client devices, validation services, and/or leaderboard services.