Sensor-Driven Matchmaking for Social Game Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-player game matchmaking approaches often match players as strangers, neglecting social connections, which can lead to less optimal entertainment experiences due to the lack of social interaction and connection representation in social network environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using sensors to identify observers in proximity to players, leveraging recognition technologies such as skeletal, voice, and facial modeling, and GPS tracking to automatically populate or augment social network friend groups and match players with more closely connected remote participants, enhancing the entertainment experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If players are matched with strangers based on skill level or gaming style, then competitive balance is improved, but social connection and entertainment experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as an intermediary component that detects real-world social relationships and feeds this information to the matchmaking system. This mediator bridges the gap between competitive matching requirements and social connection goals, allowing the system to simultaneously consider both skill-based criteria and observed social relationships when forming matches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional manual or self-reported friend-list mechanisms with sensor-based automated detection systems. Instead of relying on players to manually input their social connections, the system uses sensors to automatically observe and identify real-world social relationships, thereby obtaining more authentic and dynamic social connection data for matchmaking purposes.
2Measurement precision
If sensor-based observer identification is implemented, then social connection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors multi-functional by having them perform both their traditional functions and additional social detection functions. For example, microphones used for game audio also detect conversations to identify social relationships, and cameras used for gameplay also capture facial expressions and interactions. This universal approach reduces the need for dedicated specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the computing device's own existing sensors and processing capabilities to perform social connection detection, rather than requiring external specialized equipment. The device leverages its inherent sensors, processor, and software to automatically identify observers and social relationships, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of matching a player of a multi-player game with a remote participant includes recognizing the player, automatically identifying an observer within a threshold proximity to the player, using an identity of the observer to find one or more candidates to play as the remote participant of the multi-player game, and when selecting the remote participant, choosing a candidate from the one or more candidates above a non-candidate if the candidate satisfies a matching criteria.