Virtual Entity Attribute Transfer via Hardware Persistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive software experiences lack a seamless method for transferring attributes between generations of virtual entities, limiting the dynamic behavior and evolution of virtual characters or objects based on both hardware and virtual attributes.

Innovation Solution

A system where data identifying hardware attributes from physical user devices, such as wearable devices or modular toys, is used to modify the behavior of virtual entities within the software experience, allowing these attributes to be transferred between generations of virtual entities associated with the same device, while virtual attributes are reset upon regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual entities are regenerated in interactive software experiences, then new virtual characters can be created, but their behavior and attributes are reset losing continuity from previous generations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebehavioral adaptabilityVSAvoidbehavioral consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by differentiating between hardware attributes (which persist across virtual entity generations) and virtual attributes (which reset). The system changes the persistence parameter of attributes based on their source: hardware attributes maintain continuity while virtual attributes are regenerated, enabling both adaptability and consistency where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments attributes into two distinct categories: hardware attributes derived from physical devices and virtual attributes from the software experience. This segmentation allows independent handling of each type—hardware attributes are preserved across generations while virtual attributes are reset, resolving the contradiction between continuity and renewal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If physical user device attributes are integrated with virtual entities, then seamless attribute transfer is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattribute transfer reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by transferring hardware attributes from physical user devices to virtual entities. The physical device attributes are copied into the virtual entity's hardware attribute store, enabling reliable attribute transfer without requiring complex integration mechanisms. The virtual entity simply reads from the hardware attribute store during initialization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hardware attribute store as an intermediary component between physical user devices and virtual entities. This intermediary simplifies the system architecture by providing a centralized storage mechanism that bridges the physical and virtual domains, reducing direct system complexity while maintaining transfer reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If hardware attributes are transferred between generations of virtual entities, then continuous evolution is achieved, but data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattribute persistenceVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having virtual entities automatically retrieve their hardware attributes from the hardware attribute store during initialization. The system performs self-service attribute transfer without requiring manual data management or complex provisioning processes, reducing operational complexity while ensuring attribute persistence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-storing hardware attributes in the hardware attribute store before virtual entities need them. Attributes are prepared in advance and made available for automatic retrieval, eliminating the need for real-time data management complexity during virtual entity generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10500497B2Transfer of attributes between generations of characters

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system in which attributes are transferred between generations of characters in an interactive software experience is described. In an embodiment, data identifying one or more hardware attributes for a virtual entity are determined based on a physical user device associated with that virtual entity. One or more virtual attributes for the virtual entity are accessed and one or more behaviors of the virtual entity within the interactive software experience are modified based on a combination of the hardware and virtual attributes.