Stream Sniping Prevention via Obfuscation and Access Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The rise of video game streaming has led to an increase in stream sniping, where viewers obtain private game information from streamers, allowing them to cheat or harass, as existing methods require manual detection and obstruction of this information, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An obfuscation component detects and obscures private game information using computer-based image recognition and metadata, allowing streamers to view this information while preventing viewers from doing so, and service-based measures block malicious users from joining the same game or performing certain actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual detection and obstruction of private game information is used, then stream sniping prevention is achieved, but time consumption and operational effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestream sniping preventionVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic detection and obstruction of private game information through automated components that monitor game streams and block sensitive data without requiring manual intervention. The obfuscation component automatically identifies private information and applies obfuscation techniques, while the service component automatically prevents malicious users from joining games, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while maintaining reliable stream sniping prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated detection and obstruction systems are implemented, then time efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional components: a detection component that identifies private game information, an obfuscation component that applies obfuscation techniques to detected information, and a service component that prevents malicious user actions. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific task, improving overall efficiency while managing complexity through modular design where each component can be developed and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If private game information is obscured from viewers, then streamer security is enhanced, but information accessibility for legitimate purposes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestreamer securityVSAvoidinformation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies obfuscation selectively to specific regions or elements within the game stream that contain private information, rather than obscuring the entire stream. The obfuscation component identifies and obfuscates only the necessary private game information (such as player locations, health status, or inventory) while leaving the rest of the game content accessible to viewers. This localized approach maintains streamer security by protecting critical information while preserving information accessibility for legitimate viewing purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10694252B1Service-based prevention of stream sniping
Publication Date: 2020.06.23 AMAZON TECH INC
  • US10694252B1 patent drawing
  • US10694252B1 patent drawing
  • US10694252B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques for stream sniping prevention are disclosed herein. A video game player may provide captured video of the video game for transmission to viewers. In some examples, an obfuscation component may detect, within the captured video, private game information regarding the player, for example using one or more non-visual detection techniques. The private game information may then be obfuscated in the video that is provided to the viewers, while still allowing the private game information to be displayed to the player. Also, in some examples, a user may issue a request associated with a video game, such as a request to join a video game, game server, and/or match. It may then be determined whether the user is currently receiving video of the video game from the player. If so, then the user may be blocked from joining the same video game, game server, and/or match as the player.