U.S. Pat. No. 11,103,794

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks such as but not limited to computer simulation networks such as computer game networks as well as standalone computer simulation systems. A system herein may include server and client components, connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices including game consoles such as Sony PlayStation® or a game console made by Microsoft or Nintendo or other manufacturers of virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, portable televisions (e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, Linux operating systems, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple Computer or Google. These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access websites hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. Also, an operating environment according to present principles may be used to execute one or more computer game programs.

Servers and/or gateways may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or, a client and server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game console such as a Sony PlayStation®, a personal computer, etc.

Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community such as an online social website to network members.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.

A processor may be any conventional general-purpose single- or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers and shift registers.

Software modules described by way of the flow charts and user interfaces herein can include various sub-routines, procedures, etc. Without limiting the disclosure, logic stated to be executed by a particular module can be redistributed to other software modules and/or combined together in a single module and/or made available in a shareable library.

Present principles described herein can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof; hence, illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in terms of their functionality.

Further to what has been alluded to above, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described below can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor can be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of computing devices.

The functions and methods described below, when implemented in software, can be written in an appropriate language such as but not limited to Java, C# or C++, and can be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable thumb drives, etc. A connection may establish a computer-readable medium. Such connections can include, as examples, hard-wired cables including fiber optics and coaxial wires and digital subscriber line (DSL) and twisted pair wires. Such connections may include wireless communication connections including infrared and radio.

Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

“A system having at least one of A, B, and C” (likewise “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” and “a system having at least one of A, B, C”) includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.

Now specifically referring toFIG. 1, an example system10is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices mentioned above and described further below in accordance with present principles. The first of the example devices included in the system10is a consumer electronics (CE) device such as an audio video device (AVD)12such as but not limited to an Internet-enabled TV with a TV tuner (equivalently, set top box controlling a TV). However, the AVD12alternatively may be an appliance or household item, e.g. computerized Internet enabled refrigerator, washer, or dryer. The AVD12alternatively may also be a computerized Internet enabled (“smart”) telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computerized device such as e.g. computerized Internet-enabled watch, a computerized Internet-enabled bracelet, other computerized Internet-enabled devices, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, computerized Internet-enabled head phones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device such as an implantable skin device, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVD12is configured to undertake present principles (e.g. communicate with other CE devices to undertake present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or operations described herein).

Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVD12can be established by some or all of the components shown inFIG. 1. For example, the AVD12can include one or more displays14that may be implemented by a high definition or ultra-high definition “4K” or higher flat screen and that may be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the display. The AVD12may include one or more speakers16for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device18such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the AVD12to control the AVD12. The example AVD12may also include one or more network interfaces20for communication over at least one network22such as the Internet, an WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors24including. A graphics processor24A may also be included. Thus, the interface20may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, such as but not limited to a mesh network transceiver. It is to be understood that the processor24controls the AVD12to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the AVD12described herein such as e.g. controlling the display14to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface20may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the AVD12may also include one or more input ports26such as, e.g., a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port or a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVD12for presentation of audio from the AVD12to a user through the headphones. For example, the input port26may be connected via wire or wirelessly to a cable or satellite source26aof audio video content. Thus, the source26amay be, e.g., a separate or integrated set top box, or a satellite receiver. Or, the source26amay be a game console or disk player containing content that might be regarded by a user as a favorite for channel assignation purposes described further below. The source26awhen implemented as a game console may include some or all of the components described below in relation to the CE device44.

The AVD12may further include one or more computer memories28such as disk-based or solid state storage that are not transitory signals, in some cases embodied in the chassis of the AVD as standalone devices or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player either internal or external to the chassis of the AVD for playing back AV programs or as removable memory media. Also in some embodiments, the AVD12can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter30that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite or cellphone tower and provide the information to the processor24and/or determine an altitude at which the AVD12is disposed in conjunction with the processor24. However, it is to be understood that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the AVD12in e.g. all three dimensions.

Continuing the description of the AVD12, in some embodiments the AVD12may include one or more cameras32that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the AVD12and controllable by the processor24to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the AVD12may be a Bluetooth transceiver34and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element36for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

Further still, the AVD12may include one or more auxiliary sensors37(e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command, etc.) providing input to the processor24. The AVD12may include an over-the-air TV broadcast port38for receiving OTA TV broadcasts providing input to the processor24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVD12may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver42such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the AVD12.

Still referring toFIG. 1, in addition to the AVD12, the system10may include one or more other CE device types. In one example, a first CE device44may be used to send computer game audio and video to the AVD12via commands sent directly to the AVD12and/or through the below-described server while a second CE device46may include similar components as the first CE device44. In the example shown, the second CE device46may be configured as a VR headset worn by a player47as shown. In the example shown, only two CE devices44,46are shown, it being understood that fewer or greater devices may be used. For example, principles below discuss multiple players47with respective headsets communicating with each other during play of a computer game sourced by a game console to one or more AVD12.

In the example shown, to illustrate present principles all three devices12,44,46are assumed to be members of an entertainment network in, e.g., a home, or at least to be present in proximity to each other in a location such as a house. However, present principles are not limited to a particular location, illustrated by dashed lines48, unless explicitly claimed otherwise.

The example non-limiting first CE device44may be established by any one of the above-mentioned devices, for example, a portable wireless laptop computer or notebook computer or game controller, and accordingly may have one or more of the components described below. The first CE device44may be a remote control (RC) for, e.g., issuing AV play and pause commands to the AVD12, or it may be a more sophisticated device such as a tablet computer, a game controller communicating via wired or wireless link with the AVD12and/or a game console, a personal computer, a wireless telephone, etc.

Accordingly, the first CE device44may include one or more displays50that may be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the display. The first CE device44may include one or more speakers52for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device54such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the first CE device44to control the device44. The example first CE device44may also include one or more network interfaces56for communication over the network22under control of one or more CE device processors58. A graphics processor58A may also be included. Thus, the interface56may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, including mesh network interfaces. It is to be understood that the processor58controls the first CE device44to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the first CE device44described herein such as e.g. controlling the display50to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface56may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the first CE device44may also include one or more input ports60such as, e.g., a HDMI port or a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the first CE device44for presentation of audio from the first CE device44to a user through the headphones. The first CE device44may further include one or more tangible computer readable storage medium62such as disk-based or solid-state storage. Also in some embodiments, the first CE device44can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter64that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite and/or cell tower, using triangulation, and provide the information to the CE device processor58and/or determine an altitude at which the first CE device44is disposed in conjunction with the CE device processor58. However, it is to be understood that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the first CE device44in e.g. all three dimensions.

Continuing the description of the first CE device44, in some embodiments the first CE device44may include one or more cameras66that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the first CE device44and controllable by the CE device processor58to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the first CE device44may be a Bluetooth transceiver68and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element70for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

Further still, the first CE device44may include one or more auxiliary sensors72(e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command), etc.) providing input to the CE device processor58. The first CE device44may include still other sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors74(e.g. barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors76providing input to the CE device processor58. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that in some embodiments the first CE device44may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver78such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the first CE device44. The CE device44may communicate with the AVD12through any of the above-described communication modes and related components.

The second CE device46may include some or all of the components shown for the CE device44. Either one or both CE devices may be powered by one or more batteries.

Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server80, it includes at least one server processor82, at least one tangible computer readable storage medium84such as disk-based or solid state storage, and at least one network interface86that, under control of the server processor82, allows for communication with the other devices ofFIG. 1over the network22, and indeed may facilitate communication between servers and client devices in accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface86may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, Wi-Fi transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the server80may be an Internet server or an entire server “farm”, and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that the devices of the system10may access a “cloud” environment via the server80in example embodiments for, e.g., network gaming applications. Or, the server80may be implemented by one or more game consoles or other computers in the same room as the other devices shown inFIG. 1or nearby.

The methods herein may be implemented as software instructions executed by a processor, suitably configured application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) modules, or any other convenient manner as would be appreciated by those skilled in those art. Where employed, the software instructions may be embodied in a non-transitory device such as a CD ROM or Flash drive. The software code instructions may alternatively be embodied in a transitory arrangement such as a radio or optical signal, or via a download over the internet.

Now referring toFIG. 2, two (or more) computer simulation players200are shown playing a computer simulation such as but not limited to a computer game or e-sport by manipulating respective simulation controllers202to control a simulation sourced by a simulation console204and/or Internet server206for audio-video display of the simulation on one or more displays208. In the example shown, a virtual arena210is shown as part of the simulation being presented on the display208.

Additionally, one or more spectators212(only a single spectator shown for clarity) may observe the simulation being presented on the display208without being a player of the simulation. The spectator212may observe the simulation because the simulation can be provided to a display associated with the spectator, such as a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD)214and/or a display216of a computing device such as a tablet computer, smart phone, etc. The HMD214and/or display216may include cameras to image the face of the spectator212to provide information both for gaze tracking information and emotional state of the spectator212.

In the example shown, the virtual arena210is presented on the display216along with an indication218of where in the virtual arena210the spectator212is emulated to be located. The device hosting the display216may include any of the appropriate components discussed above in relation toFIG. 1, including a camera or other imaging device220and a microphone222.

Now referring toFIG. 3, logic is shown that may be executed by one or more of the processors described herein. Typically, the logic ofFIG. 3is executed by server such as the server206shown inFIG. 2.

Commencing at block300, one or more devices of one or more spectators of a computer simulation, such as the HMD214or display device216shown inFIG. 2, is identified, typically when the device registers or logs in or otherwise communicatively connects to the system to spectate the computer simulation being played by players such as the players200shown inFIG. 2. As will be developed more fully below, at block302the system receives from a spectator device an indication of an error in the computer simulation being spectated. At block304the indication may be propagated to a computer network and specifically to a computer associated with a developer of the computer simulation.

Assuming the error was a legitimate error, the developer can generate a corrected version of the computer simulation, which may be received at block306. The corrected version may be presented on one or more computer simulation playback devices at block308, e.g., by downloading the corrected version to an end user. The reporting spectator may be awarded for reporting the error at block310.

FIG. 4illustrates further. As shown, the spectator display216can present a computer simulation400for spectating by a person viewing the display216, without being able to control the computer simulation in the manner of the players200shown inFIG. 2. The display216may present a user interface (UI) that includes a tool executed by the spectator device to indicate a display region and input comments on the computer simulation. In the example shown, the tool includes a paint rod or pencil or brush402that is movable by means of, e.g., a drag-and-drop device as indicated at404to circle or otherwise indicate a region406of the display as shown. InFIG. 4, the spectator has circled a hat408being worn by a simulation character410.

The tool may further include a selector412to allow the spectator to insert a comment pertaining to the display region indicated by the rod402, which the spectator has done as indicated at414inFIG. 4, indicating that the color of the hat408is an incorrect color, perhaps because it was initially depicted in the simulation as being a different color. In any case, a send selector416may be provided to send the coordinates of the region406and the comment414to the server.

The comment may be input using text or voice. In general, the tool may be implemented by text and/or voice input.

FIG. 5illustrates additional server logic. Commencing at block500, the indication of an error from, e.g.,FIG. 4is received, along with identifying information of the reporting spectator device. The error information is provided to the developer of the computer simulation, e.g., to a server or other computer associated therewith, at block502.

A corrected version of the computer simulation that omits or otherwise corrects the error reported at block500is received from the developer at block504. The corrected simulation may be posted or otherwise made available for, e.g., download by end users at block506. Proceeding to block508, the corrected version is downloaded to a requesting user. At block510the spectator who reported the error is granted an award.

FIG. 6illustrate further. A UI600may be presented on the spectator display216in response to the spectator reporting an error using, e.g., the UI ofFIG. 4. The UI600inFIG. 6may include a message602acknowledging the error report and an advisory604indicating that the spectator may be awarded for the report.

In some embodiments, the spectator may be awarded as soon as the spectator sends the error report. However, in the embodiment further illustrated byFIG. 7, a UI700is presented on the spectator display216only after the developer has received the error report and acknowledged its correctness. In further embodiments, a developer may only acknowledge correctness of a spectator reported error only when they have received numerous matching (significantly similar) error reports from other spectators. In referring to the example shown inFIG. 4, many different spectators may report that the hat406is the wrong color and state the correct color for the simulation character410. In this way, the developer can ensure that they are only checking error reports from commonly reported errors, thus ensuring they are not responding to false or malicious error reports. In addition, it should be understood that a developer may use the frequency of matching error repots as an indicator of the priority of the error, thus providing the developer with a way to selectively decide on the order of which errors to address and award in sequence.

After a developer has processed the error report, a message702can be presented indicating to the spectators that the error report was found to be useful. One or more selectors may then be provided to enable the spectator to accept an award. In the non-limiting example shown, the spectator may select a first selector704to be awarded game points to be used during play of a computer simulation. The spectator alternatively may select a second selector706to be awarded system currency that can be applied to the purchase of an item such as a new computer simulation.

FIG. 8illustrates a UI800that may be presented on a spectator or player display, indicating, at802, that a corrected version of the simulation that precipitated the error report is available. A selector804may be provided to enable the user to download the corrected version, in the non-limiting example shown, for free.

It will be appreciated that whilst present principals have been described with reference to some example embodiments, these are not intended to be limiting, and that various alternative arrangements may be used to implement the subject matter claimed herein.