Game Sharing Modes for Host-Guest Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for sharing content images, such as game images, between users lack versatility in sharing modes, failing to adequately meet the needs of both host and guest users, thereby limiting their usefulness and value.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that allows multiple users to share game images through a network, enabling three distinct sharing modes: share screen, assist play, and joint play, where the guest user can either view, assist, or actively participate in the game, respectively, using a management server and input/output devices like game controllers and cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a content image sharing system is implemented, then users can enjoy the same game image remotely, but the system lacks versatility in sharing modes and fails to meet diverse user needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharing modesVSAvoiduser needs satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between three distinct sharing modes (share screen mode, assist play mode, and joint play mode) based on user needs. Each mode enables different levels of guest user participation: viewing only, assisting the host, or active joint gameplay, thereby providing adaptability while ensuring reliable satisfaction of diverse user requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the participation parameter of the guest user across different sharing modes. In share screen mode, the guest has viewing rights only; in assist play mode, the guest can assist the host; in joint play mode, both users actively participate. This parameter change enables versatility in sharing modes while reliably meeting different user needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sharing modes are provided to satisfy host and guest user needs, then the usefulness and value of the system increase, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharing modesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sharing system is segmented into three distinct modes (share screen, assist play, joint play), each with clearly defined functions and user roles. This segmentation allows the system to provide versatile sharing options while managing complexity by separating different sharing scenarios into independent, well-defined segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a content image sharing system is implemented, then users can share game images through a network, but existing systems lack versatility in sharing modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharing modesVSAvoidusefulness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different user needs by providing three distinct sharing modes that can be selected based on the desired level of guest participation. This dynamic capability enhances both versatility and usefulness, as users can easily choose the appropriate mode for their specific situation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3185575B1Information processing device, control data transmission method and information processing system
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3185575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3185575B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3185575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A content execution unit 170a executes a game program, and a sharing processing unit 140a manages the control right of a content. A distribution processing unit 180 transmits content image data to a different information processing apparatus. The sharing processing unit 140a includes an information acquisition unit 142a acquiring operation information of a controller from the different information processing apparatus, an operation data provision unit 158 providing the acquired operation information to the game program, a control data acquisition unit 166 acquiring control data for a control target unit of the controller from the game program, and a control data provision unit 168 providing the control data to a controller of the different information processing apparatus.