ROM Medium File Copy for Game Content Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of game software are limited to receiving additional content only through a content server, lacking a mechanism for alternative delivery of expanded scenarios, characters, and game enhancements.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes an auxiliary storage device and a media drive, where game software, patch files, and additional content files are copied from a ROM medium to the auxiliary storage device, allowing for independent activation and expansion of game content, with the system connected to a content server for further updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional content is delivered exclusively through a content server, then users can access updated content, but users cannot access additional content independently without server dependency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery methodVSAvoidsystem dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides game software into multiple groups (first group, second group, third group) with different access permissions. The first group is accessible without server authentication, while other groups require server verification. This segmentation enables partial independent access to content while maintaining server control for updated content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary copying of the first group of files (essential game content) to the auxiliary storage device before server authentication is required. This preliminary action allows users to access basic game functionality independently without immediate server dependency, while server-verified content remains protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If data is copied from ROM medium to auxiliary storage device, then game activation speed improves, but copying time for all content increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame activation speedVSAvoidcopying time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial copying by transferring only the first group of files (essential for game activation) to the auxiliary storage device, rather than copying all content. This partial action reduces copying time while still achieving fast game activation, as the critical path files are prioritized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary copying of essential game files to auxiliary storage before full game installation or server authentication. This preliminary action ensures that critical game components are ready for immediate execution, improving activation speed without requiring complete content transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If all game software is copied to auxiliary storage device, then access speed improves, but storage space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access speedVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments game content into multiple groups with different storage requirements. Only the first group (essential files) is copied to auxiliary storage for fast access, while other groups remain on the original medium or are streamed as needed. This segmentation optimizes the balance between access speed and storage consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different storage strategies to different parts of the game content. Critical files in the first group are stored locally in auxiliary storage for high-speed access, while less critical files in other groups are kept on external media or available on-demand. This local quality differentiation optimizes overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3663909B1Information processing device and file copy method
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3663909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663909B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3663909B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A ROM medium 44 in which a file constituting application software and an additional content file are recorded is mounted to a media drive 32. A recording processing section 100 copies the file recorded in the ROM medium 44 to an auxiliary storage device 2. After copying the additional content file to the auxiliary storage device 2, the recording processing section 100 copies the file constituting the application software to the auxiliary storage device 2. In the case where the additional content file downloaded from a content server is stored in the auxiliary storage device 2, the application software can utilize both the additional content file copied from the ROM medium 44 to the auxiliary storage device 2 and the additional content file downloaded from the content server into the auxiliary storage device 2.