Video Game Overlay Annotates In-Game Elements for Remote Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gaming applications, video game players face challenges in processing real-time messages from remote users while playing, leading to distractions and decreased focus on the game.

Innovation Solution

A video game overlay system that automatically annotates video frames by identifying and highlighting in-game elements based on remote user inputs, using a video game model trained on element tags and game elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If remote users transmit messages during gameplay, then social interaction and collaboration are improved, but player distraction and focus on gameplay deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocial interactionVSAvoidplayer focus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the message display by identifying specific in-game elements (characters, objects, locations) and placing annotations only at those relevant locations on the gameplay screen. This segmentation allows players to see social interaction cues at specific points without distraction from unrelated messages elsewhere on the screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary processing layer that receives remote user messages, processes them through a video game model to identify relevant elements, and translates them into visual annotations. This intermediary converts text-based communication into visual cues that naturally integrate with the gameplay interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If messages are displayed along with gameplay, then remote user interaction is improved, but information processing load on player deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote user interactionVSAvoidinformation processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the most relevant information from remote user messages by using the video game model to identify key elements. Instead of displaying complete messages, it extracts and highlights only the specific in-game elements that need player attention, reducing information processing load while maintaining interaction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by placing annotations only at specific locations on the screen where identified in-game elements appear. Rather than uniformly distributing information, it concentrates visual cues at precise locations, making the information more impactful and easier to process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If automatic annotation system is implemented, then player distraction is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer focusVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal video game model that can be trained on different game types and elements. This multi-functional model handles various annotation tasks (identifying characters, objects, locations) using the same underlying architecture, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic annotation system serves itself by using the video game model to autonomously identify in-game elements and generate appropriate annotations without requiring manual configuration for each game type. The system adapts to different games through training rather than complex manual setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3790636B1Contextual in-game element recognition, annotation and interaction based on remote user input
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3790636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3790636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3790636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for annotating a video frame generated by a video game. A video game model that associates element tags with elements of the video game may be generated. The video game model may be applied by a video game overlay executing concurrently with the video game. The video game overlay may receive a remote user input from one or more remote devices over a network. The remote user input may be multiplexed and/or normalized, and subsequently parsed by applying the video game model to extract an element tag corresponding to the video game. By applying the video game model, an in-game element of the video game corresponding to the element tag may be identified in the video frame. Based on the identified element in the video frame of the video game, the video frame may be annotated and presented to the video game user.