Invitation Link for Multi-User Application Session Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinating multiplayer games and multi-user parties on current console and computer systems is cumbersome, requiring multiple steps and often necessitating all players to have the same game version, leading to inconvenience and potential session failures if the host experiences issues or if players lack the required game.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates and provides a unique link allowing users to invite others directly into a multi-user application session, enabling them to join without the need for the host to launch the game or possess the same version, with the link being creatable before or after the application is launched, and capable of launching the application on a different device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the host player launches the game and creates the multiplayer session, then the game session can be established, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple steps including searching for players by gaming IDs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of creating multiplayer sessionVSAvoidcomplexity of session creation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates and distributes invitation links before the host launches the game. Players receive these links in advance through various communication channels, allowing them to be ready to join without waiting for the host to complete complex setup procedures. When players select their links, the session is automatically created and they are launched into the game simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invitation link functionality is extracted from the traditional host-centric session creation process. Instead of requiring the host to manually search for and add each player by gaming ID, the system separates the invitation distribution (done beforehand via links) from the session creation (automatically triggered when players select their links), eliminating the complex manual coordination steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If all players must possess the same version of the game, then compatibility is ensured, but flexibility and accessibility are reduced as players cannot join if they lack the required game version

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame compatibilityVSAvoidflexibility of player participation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invitation link system creates a universal access mechanism that works regardless of whether players own the game or have matching versions. The link itself carries the necessary session identification and player information, allowing the system to accommodate different game versions and ownership states while maintaining session integrity through server-side validation and synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the host must search for and correctly identify players by gaming IDs, then accurate player matching is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of player identificationVSAvoidtime to coordinate multiplayer session

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the host to search for and verify each player's gaming ID, the system uses invitation links that contain embedded player identification information. Each link is a unique copy that automatically identifies the intended player, eliminating the time-consuming manual search and verification process while maintaining accurate player matching through the embedded link data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If players negotiate logistics using multiple communication channels, then coordination flexibility is maintained, but the number of steps and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of player coordinationVSAvoidnumber of coordination steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the invitation distribution and session creation functions into a unified link-based process. Players can receive invitations through any communication channel (email, messaging apps, social media), and selecting the link automatically completes both the acceptance and session joining steps, eliminating the need for separate coordination messages and reducing the overall number of steps despite maintaining communication flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11792273B2Invitation link for launching multi-user applications

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

The disclosed subject matter enables a user to construct a selectable link to invite others to launch directly into a same session of a multi-user application, such as a game or party. The inviting user may construct the link without ever launching the multi-user application. Subsequently, both the inviting and invited users may share the link with others using any conventional form of electronic communication.