WO2014074018A1 - System for media interaction in online games - Google Patents

Abstract

This utility model relates to systems for the exchange of data in various formats among multiple network users, and more particularly to systems for the exchange of data among multiple participants in online games, said systems comprising a player interface unit connected to a game control unit, which is connected to a game startup unit. According to the present utility model, the game startup unit is connected to a unit for monitoring players and player numbers and to a unit for configuring and building a 2D/3D interface, as well as being connected to the game control unit, which is connected in turn to a unit for managing media interaction scenarios, said unit containing parameters for the realization of media interaction scenarios, wherein the game control unit is additionally connected to a unit for managing the procedure of a game and to a unit for managing media interaction, the unit for managing the procedure of a game being connected to the player interface unit, which transmits signals to the unit for managing media interaction. The technical result is an increase in the functional capabilities of intra-game communication among participants in an online game.

Description

 The system of media interaction in online games.

The utility model relates to systems for exchanging data of various formats between multiple network participants, in particular, to systems for exchanging data between multiple participants in online games.

The level of technology.

 The source RU 2391700 C2, G06F 15/16, 06/10/2010, which discloses a method and system that allows users to create a social network that provides access to other users, is known. Providing access to such networks through visual presentation, the system presents content available for access to other network members. Access is sometimes provided through the dissemination of metadata or other uniquely identifying distinctive features associated with the social network to all or at least some other network members. The invention provides a system and method for visually presenting a social network so that the user has the ability to activate control tasks and elements. This action includes various operations that are carried out taking into account the actions of the group in the network. Among other things, after creating a social group, other users can access and / or receive notifications regarding group actions and perform other social interactions, such as joining an interactive session or working together on shared data files. This gives a clear impression of user operations that are available for group actions, thereby creating. ease of use of group space.

 The disadvantage of this solution is the limited functionality for exchanging media data between network users.

Source US 7278921 B1, A63F 9/24, 10/09/2007 discloses a method for searching for participants in an online game to implement a text messaging function by sending a request for a communication session between a first and second user, and performing a communication session between users when the second user confirms their readiness . The disadvantages of this solution are the inability to transmit a different data format, except for text messages, the complexity of the interaction between users for data exchange, the lack of automatic provision of information about users who are ready to implement a data exchange session.

The known source is US 2010304806 A1, A63F 13/00, 02/02/2010 (prototype), which discloses a method for exchanging text messages between participants in an online game using the game interface.

The disadvantages of this solution are the lack of the ability to transmit a different data format in addition to text messages, and the limited functionality of the exchange of media data within the control interface.

Thus, it is necessary to implement a system to automatically provide users with the ability to exchange media data representing video, audio or text data, regardless of binding to a specific interface.

Disclosure of a utility model.

Challenge to be addressed, ^this' utility model is to provide regulation and forms of organization of the text, audio and video interaction in accordance with the needs of the players, the logic and rules of a game.

The technical result is the expansion of the functionality of the exchange of media data between participants in an online game due to the automatic configuration of the user interface based on the parameters of the media interaction scenario when performing an online game.

The system of games of a social network is focused not only on providing groups of network customers with collective games, but also on maintaining interactive communication between them during the game using modern means of media interaction (in particular, text, audio and video interaction).

Communication and game interaction is provided as system-wide means of a social network (such components as “chat”, means of sending and receiving text messages, others defined as general means social network), as well as special means of text, audio and video interaction, created specifically for gaming components and interfaces.

The main way when creating systems for supporting multiple games is to create a game interface in each program, which leads to repeated programming of the same or similar functions, i.e. to excess costs.

In order to maintain media interaction in various games and on various bases, the principle of configuring the media interaction interface is used.

To this end, a unified media interaction management system based on media interaction scenarios has been created. Media interaction scenarios are described for each game based on the rules of each game, using the formal scripting language, and make up a bank of media interaction scenarios for games.

The media interaction management system provides uniform principles for organizing media interaction for a wide variety of computer games that make up the bank of social network games.

The system for managing games and media interactions in them is built on the basis that games can be launched

1) through a web browser from the web page of the system;

 2) using the command line;

 3) as a standalone application.

The game management system, as well as the implementation of games, can be called from all currently known and promising computing devices, including mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, etc., running Android, Windows Mobile, etc.

The implementation of the control subsystem and games supports both 2D and 3D interfaces created within the system and implemented taking into account the GPU architectures of nVidia and AMD ATI with support for HTML5, WebGL, Flash. The implementation of the game and media interaction management functions is carried out in the following blocks:

1) Block initiating games.

 2) Game control unit.

 3) Block for configuring and building a 2D / 3D interface.

 4) Media interaction script management unit.

 5) Media interaction control unit.

 6) Block control of players and their numbers.

 7) Game procedure control unit.

 8) Player interface block.

 The computer game initiation unit 1 reads and analyzes the formalized recording of the media interaction script through Block 4.

Block 4 provides storage and management of media interaction scenarios.

The script contains a sequence of formalized entries. Each record is a vector of the following values:

1) an indication of the version of the game;

 2) an indication (designation) of the stage of the game;

 3) the number of stage players,

 4) player number,

 5) troika of permissions: (permission / prohibition of video, permission / prohibition of audio, permission / prohibition of text messages),

 6) the number of the partner player to which the troika of permissions belongs.

Thus, if 4 players participate in option A of the game, and at stage N, players with numbers 1, 3, 4 have the right to communicate, and player with number 2 does not, the sequence of resolving triples looks like:

1, (yes, yes, yes), 3 - player 1 is allowed video, audio and text exchanges with player 3; 1, (yes, no, no), 4 - player 1 is allowed video sharing, audio sharing and text messaging is prohibited;

3, (no, no, yes), 4 - the player with number 3 is allowed to exchange only text messages.

There are short forms of indicating permissions / prohibitions:

2, no *, * - means the prohibition of all forms of communication ("no" with the star) to player number 2 with all players (the ' ^* ' symbol in place of the player’s number).

Brief presentation forms are based on variants of interaction schemes (Fig. 1).

After analyzing the scenario record using Block 4 and comparing it with the control information of Block 2, the option and stage of the game are determined. On the basis of the variant and stage of the game, Block 1 transmits control information about the possibilities and options for media interaction to Interface configuration block 3, which, in turn, generates, in block 8, the site page, the video broadcast components of its own image, reception, in block 8 images from a partner with a specific number, audio transmission components of their own sound stream and receiving a sound stream from a player with a certain number, components of transmitting own messages and receiving messages about the player with a certain number. Information about the generated components of the media interaction is transmitted to the Media Interaction Management Unit 5. Block 5 monitors the correctness of information flows of media interaction and control actions in case of violations in the implementation of media interaction of one kind or another. In addition, Block 5 carries out a reaction to events from media component controls (buttons for turning on / off the sound, image, sending messages or displaying messages from other players).

Each next step of the game is fixed by Block 2 from the point of view of the variant and stage of the game.

Changing the variant or stage of the game leads to Block 4 for a description of the media interaction scenario. The resulting sequence media interaction control vectors as instructions are transmitted to Block 3 to reconfigure the media interaction interface for this option and the game stage. At the same time, Block 2 prescribes to Block 5 a new media interaction control mode based on those components that were generated by Block 3.

Block 3 adds new interface components, excludes old (unnecessary at this stage of the game or prohibited) components, and controls for the components remaining in the interface are changed. Information about new components or new modes of functioning of existing components is transferred to Block 5 by Block 3. Block 5 performs the migration of controls for existing components, includes new controls for new interface components, excludes controls for components that were excluded from the interface by Block 3.

 To implement formalized forms for describing scenarios of media interactions, games were classified

 1) by the number of players;

 2) according to the rules of the game, according to which interaction between players (all or selectively) may be prohibited in any form.

 The number of players is important in determining the means of controlling media interaction: the presence of a single partner in the game does not introduce any additional requirements for interaction, except for the presence or absence of such means (presence or absence of video cameras, audio devices, desire to communicate), while a certain part Collective games require restrictions in communication (with partners or opponents).

 Initiation of media-information interaction in games, primary and secondary game components and media-interaction components is provided by the social network interface: you can select and use media interaction tools (“chat”), from the interface of which initiate the start of the game, and vice versa, call the game interface with which to initiate the launch of media interaction tools.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Fig. 1. - media connection diagrams. Fig. 2. - call media interaction from the game interface.

 Fig. 3. - initiating the game from the means of media interaction (“chat”).

Fig. 4. - playing field with integrated media interaction windows.

Fig. 5. - window of media interaction.

 Fig. 6. - option with one message set field.

 Fig. 7. - The structure of functional blocks and the scheme of their interaction.

Detailed Description of Drawings

 In fig. Figure 1 shows the types of media interactions provided by many players depending on the type of connection:

 1) one with many;

 2) many with many;

 3) one with one;

 4) all with everyone.

Each of the compounds can be either two-sided or one-sided.

 This connection mode is also determined by the game logic and is supported by the connection management interface.

 In order to determine this or that regime of the applied compounds of the game, the following varieties were classified and established:

 1) games with one partner;

 2) games with many partners, but with the permission of interaction between selective partners;

 3) games with media interaction without restrictions ("all with everyone");

4) team games, or games with permitted or prohibited interaction within groups of players.

 Games are also classified by interaction:

 1) games with mandatory media interaction (possibly with a select group of players);

 2) games with optional media interaction.

This feature is used in determining the media-interaction capabilities of a workstation of a client of a social network: the presence of a video camera or webcam, an audio device for recording and playing sound, such as, for example, a microphone, audio speakers, headphones, etc .; input capabilities textual information using input devices, such as, for example, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, touchpad, trackball, etc.

 If the game (the rules of the game, the game mode) requires a certain type of device to be mandatory, their absence is crucial for the participation of this participant in the game, and registered game participants receive a notification about the need to attract another player.

 The windows of media interaction (Fig. 2) can be either independent (in the form of many “chat” windows, Fig. 3), or integrated into the interface of the playing field (Fig. 4). Each window is a combination of fields for displaying video information, displaying and typing text messages, managing audio exchange, managing video, managing typing and displaying text information.

 Initiating a game from the interface of the media interaction component leads to:

 1) the appearance of a window with a playing field;

 2) a consistent invitation and selection of network clients - players who agreed to participate in the game, from the list of “chat” subscribers;

 3) the completion of the selection of players is indicated by pressing the special completion button, which leads to the start of the game;

 4) communication with players is carried out by switching between subscribers (contacts) in the "chat";

 5) in the chat interface there is an additional opportunity to open a new chat window for separate communication with the subscriber without switching.

 The presence of interaction windows, their placement, activity or passivity (inaccessibility) is determined by the rules of the game.

 Technical and / or organizational problems (lack of communication, poor connection, players leaving the game) are solved according to the rules of the game and the decision-making scheme in cases of critical situations determined by the social network controls.

 The media interaction window is shown in Fig. 5.

These windows can be integrated into the physical window of the playing field (as shown in Figure 4), and can also be placed as separate windows outside the playing field window. Each such window contains the avatar of the subscriber - the game partner, his information data, the video window from the partner’s camera, video image control buttons (stop / start the video image, mute the sound (mute), adjust the sound volume). The correspondence window contains the history of correspondence during the game, the message set window allows you to type and send messages to this partner. In addition, the dialed message can be sent to all partners in the game by pressing the special "Send to All" button.

 The media interaction configuration subsystem allows providing a mode of general messaging with all players through a single set and message display window, while media interaction windows contain only video image and audio exchange control components (Fig. 6).

 Exiting the partner’s game or losing contact with the partner extinguishes this window: special symbols and an indication of the reasons for extinguishing are placed in the window frame.

 If the exit from the game is critical from the point of view of continuing the game, then along with the termination of the game, the interaction windows are destroyed and all resources involved for the implementation of media exchange are released.

 In addition to the media exchange windows with partners in the game, the user can initiate the opening of a similar pop-up window with his own data to carry out checks and control actions with his own camera, his own microphone, to view his own avatar and data that will be displayed by the partners in the game.

 Description of the functional elements of the system.

 The functions of the Game Initiation Block include:

 1) receiving instructions of the called game;

 2) loading the game descriptor;

 3) transfer to the control unit of the control of players and their number for asynchronous waiting for the required number of players;

4) transfer of control to the configuration and interface building block, if the number of necessary players for the game has formed, to build the player’s interface; 5) after the interface is built, control is transferred to the Game Control Unit.

 The functions of the Control Unit for players and their number include:

 1) getting a game descriptor;

 2) asynchronous waiting based on the descriptor of the number of players required for the game;

 3) restoration of the required number of players in the event of their (players) withdrawal from the game (exit from the game can be carried out at the request of the player or due to loss of connection);

 4) control over the appearance of new players and adding them to the current game.

 The functions of the Configuration and Interface Building Block include:

1) obtaining a game descriptor, including a description of the structure of the game interface;

 2) the generation of the game interface for each user based on the game descriptor;

 the interface structure includes means for including windows of media interaction of all types: text, audio and video interaction; the interface includes means of requests for media interaction and media interaction management.

 The functions of the Media Interaction Script Management Block include:

 1) analysis of formal rules describing the possibilities of interaction between players;

 2) making decisions on the possibility or prohibition of one form or another of interaction between certain players.

 The functions of the Media Interaction Management Unit include:

1) acceptance of requests for the organization of in-game communication (receiving and forwarding messages, audio information, video streams);

 2) maintaining logical channels of interaction: response; connection breakdown; connection recovery procedures;

3) functions for managing text message logs, sound, video stream; 4) receiving signals from the player’s interface for managing message sending commands (audio, video, text), controlling the sound level, stopping and starting audio and video streams;

 5) the destruction of channels by media interaction in case of refusal of media interaction by the user through the Game Control Block, or at the initiative of the Game Control Block.

The functions of the Game Procedure Control Unit include:

1) loading the game procedure;

 2) interaction with the game procedure through the game log (game trace).

The functions of the Game Control Block include:

1) the implementation of control actions according to the scenario of interaction between players based on events recorded in the game log;

2) informing and implementing control and corrective actions in case of communication failures in the process of media interaction through the information interface between the Game Control Unit and the Interaction Control Unit;

3) synchronization of the actions of players according to the scenarios of the game and media interaction;

4) taking actions to correctly exit the player from the game, if possible, without prejudice to the remaining players;

5) initiating a reorganization of the interface of the current game in case of a change in the composition of players;

6) completion of the game.

In Fig. 7 shows the structure of functional blocks and the scheme of their interaction.

After a game is selected by the user of the system, through a game support interface external to the system, a unique game identifier is recorded, which is input to the Game Initiation Unit. Initiation block of games, the game descriptor is read from the database of the system, which informs network users about the initiation of the game and calls up the Control Unit for the players and their number, which waits for the number of players needed to start the game.

 Waiting for the required number of players is carried out for a limited time set in the system. If, after the time has passed, the required number of players has not joined the initiated game, then control returns to the Game Initiation Block with information about the expiration of the players' waiting time. The game initiation unit informs all the connected users about this situation, cancels the initiation of the game and deletes information about it from the external interface of the system.

 If in the process of waiting by the Control Unit for the players and their number, the number of players necessary to start the game is gained, then the Control Unit for the players and their number is returned to the Game Initiation Unit with the corresponding information. The control unit for the players and their number remains active in the background to receive new players and add them to the current game.

 After receiving information about joining the game with the number of players necessary for starting the game, the Game Initiation Unit calls up the Configuration and 2D / 3D Interface Building Unit to build an interface for each of the players, taking into account:

 - the number of players joining;

 - Media interaction capabilities described in the game descriptor; and equipped

 - game control;

 - media interaction management.

 Functional support for the interface built by the configuration and interface building block is carried out

- Game control unit for game control functions and maintaining the rules of interaction between players and

- A media control unit - an interaction that implements the functions of receiving and transmitting text messages, managing audio and video streams. After completing the construction of the interface, the Game Control Unit is activated by the Configuration and Interface Building Unit, which, in turn, launches the Game Procedure Control Unit to load the control procedure for the logic and rules of the game (game management procedure). The control unit of the game procedure organizes the creation and maintenance of the game log, and filling out the magazine is carried out mainly by the procedure for conducting the game when passing through the stages that change the state of the game.

The game control unit receives requests for creating media interactions. If media interaction is enabled, the Media Interaction Control Unit with the type of interaction is called up by the Game Control Unit.

The disruption of media interaction or the player’s exit from the game is controlled by the internal background procedures of the Game Control Block, which, in the event of a change in the composition of players, initiates the restructuring of the current game interface by calling the Configuration and Interface Building Block.

The completion of the game can be initiated by the game management procedure based on the logic of the game. The signal about the end of the game is sent to the interface block of each player and interactively after confirmation by the player or automatically (without confirmation) passes to the game control block. The game control unit carries out the internal procedure for destroying the player’s interface, stopping and unloading background procedures, destroying communication channels for exchanging text messages, audio and video streams by calling the Media Interaction Control Unit, and releasing other dynamically involved system resources.

Claims

The utility model formula. 1. A control system for media interaction in online games, comprising a player interface unit connected to a game control unit connected to a game initiation unit, characterized in that the game initiation unit is connected to a control unit for players and their number, a configuration and 2D / 3D interface, and is also connected to the game control unit, which in turn is connected to the media interaction script control unit, containing the media interaction script execution parameters, and the game control unit additionally coupled to a control procedure of the game, interaction with a media control unit, wherein the game procedure control unit is connected to the player interface unit which sends signals to the media interaction control unit. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the player interface unit transmits signals to the media interaction control unit using a video camera or webcam. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the player interface unit transmits signals to the media interaction control unit using input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchpad, trackball. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the player interface unit receives and transmits signals to the media interaction control unit using sound recording and reproducing devices, such as a microphone, audio speakers, headphones. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)