Virtual Proximity Tracking for Online Gaming Friend Suggestions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online gaming platforms lack the ability to track virtual proximity and time spent between players in virtual geography, hindering the facilitation of friendship suggestions between players.
Innovation Solution
A method and platform that track the proximity and time spent by players in a virtual environment, using a matrix coordinate system to determine proximity based on predefined areas, and issue friend suggestions based on repeated proximity events and total time spent together, with a potential delay to allow natural friendship development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system tracks player proximity and time spent together to generate friend suggestions, then player engagement and friendship formation are improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes proximity thresholds and tracking parameters before gameplay begins. Player avatars are continuously monitored against predefined proximity criteria, and proximity events are pre-recorded with timestamps. This preliminary setup allows the system to generate friend suggestions without complex real-time calculations during gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that collects proximity data from the game environment, processes it against predefined criteria, and generates friend suggestions. This intermediary system separates the tracking function from the game logic, reducing overall system complexity while enabling sophisticated friendship recommendations.
2Measurement precision
If the system monitors player proximity in real-time to identify friendship opportunities, then recommendation accuracy is improved, but computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of proximity measurement from continuous real-time tracking to event-based detection. Instead of constantly calculating distances between all player pairs, the system only processes proximity events when players enter or exit predefined proximity zones. This parameter change maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing computational energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by monitoring only the specific parameter of spatial proximity rather than all possible interaction parameters between players. The system tracks only whether players are within proximity thresholds, not their complete movement trajectories or detailed interaction patterns, reducing computational load while maintaining sufficient accuracy for friend suggestions.
3Speed
If the system issues friend suggestions immediately after proximity events, then response time is improved, but suggestion quality decreases due to premature recommendations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary accumulation of proximity events and time spent together before generating friend suggestions. Instead of issuing suggestions immediately after single proximity events, the system waits until predefined thresholds are met (e.g., multiple proximity events or minimum total time). This preliminary accumulation ensures suggestion reliability while maintaining reasonable response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors whether suggested friends are actually formed and uses this information to refine future suggestions. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from previous suggestions' outcomes, improving reliability over time while maintaining efficient suggestion issuance rates.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes steps of admitting a first player and a second player to play an on-line video game implemented in a virtual environment, establishing a definition of proximity for any two objects or avatars in the virtual environment, tracking location in the video game for each player avatar or object controlled by a player, noting an event each time the two players are in proximity, as defined by the proximity definition, recording time period that the two players are in proximity for each event, and issuing to one or both players a Friend suggestion for the other player, based on proximity events and time in proximity.