Matchmaking System with Related User Presentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional matchmaking systems face difficulties in allowing users to select a suitable matching range from a large number of options and may not facilitate gameplay with specific user conditions, such as playing with someone from the same school or district, due to wide matching ranges and lack of awareness about matching ranges.

Innovation Solution

A matching system that includes a server and information processing apparatuses connected over a network, featuring a related user presenting section, matching range identification section, and matching processing section, which aids users in selecting a matching range by presenting related users and allowing matchmaking within identified ranges associated with those users, including options like near field communication users, past matches, and user-defined groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of matching ranges is increased to provide more specific matchmaking options, then the ability to match with specific users (e.g., same school, district) is improved, but the difficulty of selecting a suitable matching range increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematchmaking specificityVSAvoidmatching range selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that automatically performs matchmaking based on user profiles and preferences. Instead of requiring users to manually select from numerous matching ranges, the server mediates the process by automatically identifying and connecting compatible users, thus resolving the contradiction between providing specific matching options and maintaining ease of selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service matchmaking where users define their preferences and the system automatically performs the matching process. Users don't need to manually navigate through multiple matching ranges; instead, the system serves itself by automatically connecting compatible users based on predefined criteria, reducing the selection burden while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the matching range is made wide to increase the number of potential matches, then the probability of finding a match is improved, but the ability to match with users satisfying specific conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematchmaking efficiencyVSAvoidmatching condition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the matching process into multiple independent criteria (user profiles, preferences, conditions) that can be evaluated separately. By dividing the matching criteria into discrete segments, the system can efficiently search wide ranges while maintaining precise control over specific matching conditions, resolving the contradiction between broad coverage and condition accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different levels of filtering precision to different aspects of matchmaking. While the overall matching range remains wide to ensure productivity, specific local criteria (such as school, district, or other user-defined conditions) are applied with high precision to ensure accurate matching. This allows the system to maintain both broad coverage and condition-specific accuracy simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2591833B1Matching system, information processing apparatus, server, matching method, and matching program
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2591833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2591833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2591833B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A game system (100), which is an example of a matching system, includes a game server (500) and a plurality of game devices (300) that are connected to the game server (500) over a network. The game system (100) includes a related player presenting section (331) for presenting, to a participating player who is attempting to join a game and for whom matchmaking is to be performed in any of matching rooms that are matching ranges, a related player related to the participating player, a matching room identification section (54) for identifying a matching room that is associated with the related player presented by the related player presenting section (331), and a matching processing section (55) for performing matchmaking in the matching room identified by the matching room identification section (54).