Standardized Controller Framework for Multi-Player Gaming Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-player gaming on media player devices faces challenges such as large game application file sizes, time-consuming downloads, and confusion over separate downloads for main games and controller applications, making spontaneous multi-player gaming inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A standardized controller framework is provided, allowing users to initiate and join multi-player game sessions using a customizable controller interface that can be accessed via a shortlink or message, enabling users without the game application to participate by using a standardized controller configuration across multiple games.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each player downloads the full game application file, then all players can play the game independently, but the download time and data consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame playabilityVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the game application into two parts: a core game file that remains on the host device, and a smaller remote play application that players download. This segmentation allows players to join game sessions without downloading the entire game, reducing download time while maintaining full game playability through remote connection to the host device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a media player device as an intermediary that hosts the game application and manages remote connections. Players connect to this intermediary device rather than running the full game locally, eliminating the need for each player to download the complete game file while still enabling independent gameplay through the intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If players download separate controller applications for each game, then game-specific control functionality is achieved, but the complexity and number of downloads increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidnumber of applications
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal remote play application that can control multiple different games through a single interface. This controller application is designed to work with various game types and can adapt to different game-specific control needs, eliminating the requirement for separate controller applications for each game while maintaining game-specific control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the controller functionality into a single remote play application that combines general remote access capabilities with game-specific control features. This unified application consolidates what would otherwise be separate downloads into one package, reducing complexity while providing comprehensive control across multiple games.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a standardized controller framework is implemented, then cross-game compatibility is improved, but customization options for game-specific controls may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-game compatibilityVSAvoidgame-specific control customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic controller framework that adapts its interface based on the active game. The standardized controller provides consistent cross-game compatibility through a uniform interface, while the system dynamically adjusts control mappings and options to accommodate game-specific requirements, allowing customization without sacrificing standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by maintaining a standardized controller interface for general use across all games, while allowing game-specific customizations in particular contexts. The controller framework provides uniform functionality by default, but enables localized adjustments for specific game types or control preferences, balancing standardization with customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3610933B1Methods and systems for facilitating participation in a game session
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3610933B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3610933B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3610933B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A method performed at an electronic device includes: executing an application; establishing a session between the executing application, a remote server associated with the application, and a media device that transmits output from the session to an output device, wherein the output from the session includes output from the executing application; and presenting to users of one or more second electronic devices on which the application is not executing and/or installed a session identifier associated with the session, wherein the session identifier facilitates joining of the session by the second electronic devices and identifies a controller configuration implementable on each of the one or more second electronic devices for enabling the users of the one or more second electronic devices to interact with the session.