Game Object Synchronization via Predictive Action Skipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiplayer gaming scenarios, communication delays often lead to synchronization issues between information processing apparatuses, resulting in discrepancies in action timing and outcomes between connected devices.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces a mechanism where the second information processing apparatus can skip portions of an action performed by the first object based on predetermined conditions, such as the start of a predetermined action, to reduce the impact of communication delays and enhance synchronization, including predictive controls to maintain natural action sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second information processing apparatus waits for complete object information from the first apparatus, then action synchronization is maintained, but the time to complete actions increases due to communication delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaction synchronizationVSAvoidaction completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second information processing apparatus performs preliminary actions by predicting the state of the first object at the time the action should be completed, rather than waiting for complete object information. This allows the apparatus to advance the timing of action completion and reduce the impact of communication delays while maintaining synchronization through subsequent correction based on actual results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the second information processing apparatus skips portions of action to reduce delay impact, then action completion time decreases, but the naturalness of action sequences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaction completion timeVSAvoidaction naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting object states and advancing action timing, then corrects these preliminary actions based on actual communication results. This two-stage approach allows skipping of delayed portions while maintaining naturalness through correction, resolving the contradiction between speed and naturalness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The second information processing apparatus corrects preliminary actions based on feedback from actual communication results. This feedback mechanism ensures that while actions are advanced in timing, their naturalness is preserved by adjusting based on real object states received from the first apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the second information processing apparatus advances action timing to compensate for delays, then synchronization is improved, but the accuracy of action timing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesynchronizationVSAvoidaction timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions with predicted timing to compensate for communication delays, then corrects these actions based on actual object information received. This approach improves synchronization by advancing timing while maintaining accuracy through correction based on real data from the first apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Actual object information from the first apparatus serves as feedback to correct the timing and state of preliminary actions performed by the second apparatus. This feedback loop ensures that synchronization is improved through timing advancement while accuracy is maintained through correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10569168B2Information processing system, apparatus, method, and storage medium storing program to address game delay between apparatuses

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

A non-limiting example of a first information processing apparatus controls a first object in a virtual space according to an input by a user of the first information processing apparatus, and sends object information about the first object to a second information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus receives the object information from the first information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus controls a second object in the virtual space according to an input by a user of the second information processing apparatus, and controls the first object on the basis of the object information. The second information processing apparatus causes a display device to display an image containing at least the first object. The second information processing apparatus, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, skips a portion of an action that is performed by the first object on the basis of the object information.