U.S. Pat. No. 12,257,510

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As already mentioned above, it should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” (replaceable by “includes/including”) when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Generally, the terms “provision of a computer game” and “provision of a computer gaming service” are used interchangeably herein. Both terms are meant to encompass any service that enables a user to play a game and/or perform other actions associated with a game (e.g., updating or inspecting score tables, selecting avatars or other characteristics of a game, storing the progress of a gaming session for later use, storing personal game settings, etc.). A service section of a computer game may refer to any suitable part or function of a game (e.g., a level of the game, a task of the game, a particular avatar or item used in the game, etc.).

Also generally, rendering used when providing a game or a service section may refer to any user interface output expression (e.g., graphics, sound, haptics, etc.). The terms “high-resolution rendering” and “low-resolution rendering” may be defined in relation to each other; high-resolution rendering having a resolution that is higher than that of low-resolution rendering. Further, high-resolution rendering may refer to a default resolution rendering according to some embodiments.

As already mentioned, it is common that computer software for provision of a computer gaming service is not stored long term on a gaming device configure to provide the gaming service. Instead, the computer software for provision of the computer gaming service may be available for downloading from one or more remote storing devices.

Advantages of such an approach includes relaxed requirements regarding the storing capacity of the gaming device as well as increased probability that a latest version of the computer software is used when the gaming service is provided (e.g., when the game is played).

A problem with the approach is that it typically takes some time to download the computer software for provision of a computer gaming service, and hence that waiting time may arise before provision of the gaming service begins, which results in poor user experience.

Some embodiments presented herein may be particularly relevant for games for which large amounts of computer software (inherently taking relatively long time to download in entirety) is needed for provision of the game.

Some embodiments may be particularly relevant in the context of a gaming device used in a vehicle during a journey of the vehicle. For example, if the gaming device is associated with a shared vehicle (e.g., of a car pool, a car fleet) it may not be preferable to await a complete download of the computer software needed for provision of a game.

Another problem with the approach is that there may be excess downloading. Some of the computer software that is downloaded and stored short term (e.g., during a gaming session, during provision of a service section, during a journey, etc.) on the gaming device may never be used before it is discarded (e.g., when the gaming session is over, when the service section is completed, when the journey is over, etc.). On the other hand, if downloading of some parts of the computer software is put off until it is needed for rendering, there is a risk that stalling occurs during the provision of the gaming service, which results in poor user experience.

In the following, embodiments will be described where alternative approaches are provided for downloading of computer software for provision of a computer gaming service.

FIG.1schematically illustrates an example vehicle100according to some embodiments. The example vehicle100is associated with (e.g., comprises, is connected to, is connectable to) a gaming device110and a navigation system (e.g., a navigation device)120. In some embodiments, the gaming device and the navigation system are embodied as separate apparatuses as illustrated inFIG.1. In some embodiments, the gaming device and the navigation system may be comprised in a single apparatus. In some embodiments, the gaming device and/or the navigation system may each be distributed over two or more apparatuses (e.g., several gaming consoles).

FIG.2schematically illustrates an example gaming system according to some embodiments. The example gaming system comprises a gaming device210(e.g., the gaming device110ofFIG.1) associated with a vehicle200(e.g., the vehicle100ofFIG.1) and one or more remote storing devices220. The gaming device210is configured to provide computer games, and computer software for the computer games is available for downloading from the one or more remote storing devices220.

For example, downloading of an extent of the computer software may be performed before and/or during a journey of the vehicle. The journey is schematically illustrated as a route250having a beginning (starting point)251and an end (destination)252. The downloading may be achieved via one or more wireless access points201,202,203(e.g., base stations of a cellular communication system), each serving part of the route.

The one or more wireless access points201,202,203may be operatively connected (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless connections211) to a network290(e.g., the Internet or another network service or cloud-based service). The one or more remote storing devices220are also operatively connected to the network290(e.g., via one or more wired or wireless connections221). There may also be one or more monitoring servers230operatively connected to the network290(e.g., via one or more wired or wireless connections231).

FIG.3Aschematically illustrates example computer software300for a computer game according to some embodiments. The example computer software300comprises several computer software parts310,320,330,340. The computer software part320comprises sub-parts321,322,323, the computer software part330comprises sub-parts331,332,333, and the computer software part340comprises sub-parts341,342,343.

For example, the computer software part310may be computer software for a game engine and each of the computer software parts320,330,340may be computer software for a level of the game; wherein the sub-parts321,331,341represent level content, the sub-parts322,332,342represent assets (e.g., graphics, sound, haptics, etc.) for low-resolution rendering of the level, and the sub-parts323,333,343represent assets (e.g., graphics, sound, haptics, etc.) for high-resolution rendering of the level.

FIG.3Bschematically illustrates example downloading progress of computer software for a computer game, as well as example playing (or gaming) progress of the computer game, according to some embodiments.

The computer software for the game comprises different software parts391,392,393,394, . . . ,398,399(compare with the software parts320,330,340ofFIG.3A), which may each correspond to a service section (e.g., a level) of the game.

The markers371and372represent two different downloading progressions. Marker371represents a situation where the software parts391and392have been downloaded but software parts393,394, . . . ,398, and399have not yet been downloaded. Marker372represents a situation where the software parts391,392,393,394, . . . , and398, have been downloaded but software part399has not yet been downloaded.

The markers381and382schematically represent two different playing progressions. Marker381represents a situation where the player (user) has not progressed far within the service section (e.g., level) provisioned by software part392, while marker382represents a situation where the player has progressed farther within the service section provisioned by software part392. For example, marker381may represent a situation where the player has recently entered the service section provisioned by software part392, while marker382may represent a situation where the player has almost completed the service section provisioned by software part392.

FIG.4illustrates an example method400according to some embodiments. The example method400may, for example, be performed by any of the gaming devices110ofFIG.1and210ofFIG.2, or by controlling circuitry associated with (e.g., operatively connectable—or connected—to) the any of the gaming devices110and210.

In any case, the example method400is for a gaming device of a vehicle, wherein the gaming device is configured to provide computer games, and wherein computer software (e.g., the computer software300ofFIG.3A) for the computer games is available for downloading from one or more remote storing devices (e.g., the remote storing devices220ofFIG.2).

In step410, time information of a journey is acquired. The journey may be an ongoing journey or a future journey. The time information may, for example, comprise one or more of a total duration of the journey, a remaining duration of the journey, a starting time of the journey, an ending time of the journey, etc. The time information may comprise actual time information (e.g., a starting time of an ongoing journey) and/or estimated time information (e.g., a planned starting time of a future journey, an estimated remaining duration of an ongoing journey, etc.). In typical scenarios, the time information may be acquired (received) from a navigation system of the vehicle (e.g., the navigation system120ofFIG.1).

In step420, an indication of a selected computer game for the journey is acquired. Acquiring the indication of the selected computer game may, for example, comprise detecting—via a user interface of the gaming device—a user input indicative of the selection of the computer game, or receiving—from a communication device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet)—a signal indicative of the selection of the computer game. For example, a user may select the computer game for a future journey via a communication device before gaining physical access to the vehicle.

It should be noted that steps410and420may be performed in the order illustrated inFIG.1, in an order opposite to that illustrated inFIG.1, or partly or fully in parallel.

In step430, a remaining time period to a specific point in time associated with the journey is determined—based on the time information of the journey. For an ongoing journey, the specific point in time associated with the journey may, for example, be an estimated time of arrival at a destination of the journey. For a future journey, the specific point in time associated with the journey may, for example, be a planned starting time of the journey and/or an estimated time of arrival at a destination of the journey.

It should be noted that although step430is typically performed after step410, it may be performed before, after, or partly or fully in parallel to step420.

In step440, it is determined—based on the remaining time period to the specific point in time associated with the journey—an extent of the computer software for the selected computer game for downloading.

The determined extent of the computer software may, for example, be defined by one or more of a resolution for rendering of the selected computer game, one more service sections of the selected computer game, and a functionality of the selected computer game. For example, the determined extent of the computer software may comprise the sub-parts331and333of software part330ofFIG.3A(if the software part330represents a second level of the game; defining the extent as software for providing the second level content using high-resolution rendering).

In some embodiments, the example method may further comprise downloading the determined extent of the computer software.

FIG.5illustrates an example method500according to some embodiments. The example method500may, for example, be performed by any of the gaming devices110ofFIG.1and210ofFIG.2, or by controlling circuitry associated with (e.g., operatively connectable—or connected—to) the any of the gaming devices110and210. The method500may be seen as an example of the method400ofFIG.4and is particularly suitable for an ongoing journey.

In any case, the example method500is for a gaming device of a vehicle, wherein the gaming device is configured to provide computer games, and wherein computer software (e.g., the computer software300ofFIG.3A) for the computer games is available for downloading from one or more remote storing devices (e.g., the remote storing devices220ofFIG.2).

In step505(compare with step420ofFIG.4), an indication of a selected computer game for the journey is acquired, for example, by detecting—via a user interface of the gaming device—a user input indicative of the selection of the computer game.

In steps510and515, computer software required for provisioning of an initial service section of the selected computer game using low resolution rendering is downloaded. For example, step510may comprise downloading of a game engine (compare with part310ofFIG.3A) and possibly personal game settings and step515may comprise downloading of content and assets for low-resolution rendering of a first level of the game (compare with sub-parts321and322ofFIG.3A).

Steps510and515may be realized as two separate steps as illustrated inFIG.5, or as a single step.

Then, provisioning of the initial service section is initiated in step520. For example, the first level of the game may be initiated using low-resolution rendering.

In step525it is predicted, during provisioning of the current service section using low resolution rendering, whether provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed.

When it is predicted that provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed (Y-path out of Step525), there is probably no use in downloading computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering (compare with sub-part323ofFIG.3A) since the current service section will be finalized by the time it can be provided using high-resolution rendering. Therefore, computer software required for provisioning of a further service section is downloaded instead in step530. Thereby, the probability of stalling the game when the current service section is finalized is lowered (and excess downloading for high-resolution rendering of the current service section is avoided). By letting step530comprise computer software required for provisioning of a further service section using low-resolution rendering, the probability of stalling the game when the current service section is finalized is lowered even further.

Generally, the further service section may be a next needed service section, the computer software of which has not yet downloaded. Thus, the further service section may be directly subsequent to the currently provisioned service section, or the further service section may be a service section needed further in the future.FIG.3Billustrates this, wherein the computer software part392corresponds to the current service section and the computer software part393corresponds to the subsequent service section. If the downloading progress is as represented by marker371, the further service section coincides with the subsequent service section; both corresponding to computer software part393. If the downloading progress is as represented by marker372, the further service section corresponds to computer software part399.

When it is predicted that provisioning of the current service section will not be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed (N-path out of Step525), computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering is downloaded in step535.

When the computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering has been downloaded, the provision of the game is switched from low-resolution rendering to high-resolution rendering in step540.

In step542, time information of the journey is acquired and a remaining time period to a specific point in time associated with the journey is determined based on the time information of the journey (compare with steps410and430ofFIG.4). In a typical scenario, the time information is acquired from a navigation system (e.g., the navigation system120ofFIG.1) of the vehicle and the specific point in time associated with the journey is an estimated time of arrival at a destination of the journey. Then, step542may simply comprise receiving an estimated remaining duration of the journey from the navigation system.

In step545(compare with step440ofFIG.4), it is predicted whether provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed. This may be achieved by comparing the estimated remaining duration of the journey to an estimated time to finalize the current and all other downloaded—but not yet finalized—service sections.

When it is predicted that provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will not be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed (N-path out of Step545), there is probably no use in downloading more computer software since the already downloaded service sections will not be finalized during the estimated remaining duration of the journey. Therefore, downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the selected computer game is paused or stopped instead in step550. Thereby, excess downloading is avoided.

If downloading is paused in step550, steps542and545may be repeated iteratively and downloading may be re-commenced if it is predicted that provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed. This may occur, for example, if the estimated remaining duration of the journey is decreased and/or if the game progresses fasted than expected.

When it is predicted that provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed (Y-path out of Step545), it is determined to download computer software required for provisioning of a further service section of the selected computer game.

The further service section can be downloaded for high-resolution rendering or low-resolution rendering. In step555, it is predicted whether provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of a subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed.

When it is predicted that provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of a subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed (Y-path out of step555), the computer software required for provisioning of the subsequent service section is downloaded for low-resolution rendering instead in step560. Thereby, the probability of stalling the game when the current service section is finalized is lowered. Then, downloading of the computer software required for provisioning of the subsequent service section for high-resolution rendering may be started (also in step560, possibly continued in step535). If the current service section is indeed finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering is completed, the provision of the game is switched to low-resolution rendering in step570, and the method returns to step525.

When it is predicted that provisioning of the current service section will not be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of a subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed (N-path out of step555), computer software required for provisioning of the further service section using high-resolution rendering is downloaded in step565, and the method returns to step542. This may happen if the computer software required for provisioning of the subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering is already downloaded (compare, for example, with downloading progress of marker372ofFIG.3B), or if the computer software required for provisioning of the subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering is not downloaded (compare, for example, with downloading progress of marker371ofFIG.3B) but will probably be so by the time the current service section is finalized.

It should be noted that in various embodiments one or more of the steps of the method500may be omitted or considered optional. To exemplify, steps515and520may be omitted when the current download speed is above a threshold value and/or when computer software for provision of the first service section of the game is not very extensive (e.g., has a size which is less than a threshold value). Alternatively or additionally, steps525,530and/or steps555,560,570may be omitted (e.g., so that the game is always provided using high-resolution rendering once high-resolution rendering has started).

Generally, the predictions of steps525,545and555may be performed based on one or more of:Route information for the ongoing journey provided by a navigation system. The information may comprise the time information referred to earlier and/or spatial information of the route.A gaming progress within the current service section and/or within one or more previous service sections (using the current gaming session and/or a previous gaming session), wherein gaming progress may be defined via how much time is spent in total on a service section and/or a progression speed within a service section.A downloading speed, which may differ at different times during a journey. For example, the downloading speed may be statistically monitored (e.g., by the one or more monitoring servers230ofFIG.2) such that a prediction of upcoming downloading speeds may be achieved for the planned route of the journey.

For example, predicting (step525) whether provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of the current service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed and/or predicting (step555) whether provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of computer software required for provisioning of a subsequent service section using high-resolution rendering can be completed may typically comprise comparing a predicted downloading time for the computer software (which is predicted using the downloading speed and the size of the relevant computer software) with an estimated time until the current service section is finalized (which is estimated based on the gaming progress). For example, it may be determined that provisioning of the current service section will be finalized before downloading of the respective computer software can be completed when the predicted downloading time for the computer software is longer than the estimated time until the current service section is finalized.

For example, predicting (step545) whether provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed may typically comprise comparing an estimated time until all downloaded service sections are finalized (which is estimated based on the gaming progress) with an estimated remaining time of the journey (which is estimated based on the route information). For example, it may be determined that provisioning of all service sections that can be provided by already downloaded computer software using high-resolution rendering will be finalized before the ongoing journey of the vehicle is completed when the estimated time until all downloaded service sections are finalized is shorter than the estimated remaining time of the journey.

Generally, an estimated time until the current service section is finalized may be determined as an average time spent on the current service section during previous gaming sessions minus time already spent on the current service section during the current gaming session, or as an average time spent on the current service section during previous gaming sessions multiplied by a ratio of the time already spent on the current service section during the current gaming session to the average time spent on the current service section during previous gaming sessions to reach the current progress.

Also generally, an estimated time until all downloaded service sections are finalized may be determined as the estimated time until the current service section is finalized plus an average time spent on other downloaded service sections during previous gaming sessions.

Furthermore, the predicted downloading speed can be used to determine whether or not to prioritize high-resolution rendering (e.g., when the downloading speed is low, there may be a bias towards low-resolution rendering to avoid stalling the game). For example, steps525,530and/or steps555,560,570may be omitted when the downloading speed is high, while they may be used when the downloading speed is low.

FIG.6schematically illustrates an example apparatus610according to some embodiments. The example apparatus601may, for example, be (or be comprised in) any of the gaming devices110ofFIG.1and210ofFIG.2. Alternatively or additionally, the example apparatus601may, for example, be configured to perform (or cause performance of) steps of one or more of the method400ofFIG.4and the method500ofFIG.5.

In any case, the example apparatus is for a gaming device of a vehicle, wherein the gaming device is configured to provide computer games, and wherein computer software (e.g., the computer software300ofFIG.3A) for the computer games is available for downloading from one or more remote storing devices (e.g., the remote storing devices220ofFIG.2).

For provision of a computer game, the example apparatus610may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a game provisioner (GP; e.g., game provisioning circuitry)630configured to provision the computer game.

For downloading of computer software, the example apparatus610may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a receiver (illustrated as part of a transceiver TX/RX; e.g., transceiving circuitry)640configured to receive computer software downloads.

The example apparatus610comprises a controller (CNTR; e.g., a control unit or controlling circuitry)600.

The controller is configured to cause acquisition of time information of a journey (compare with step410ofFIG.4and step542ofFIG.5). To this end, the controller600may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a navigation system (NAV; e.g., navigation circuitry)650configured to provide the time information as exemplified above in connection withFIGS.4and5.

The controller is also configured to cause acquisition of an indication of a selected computer game for the journey (compare with step420ofFIG.4and step505ofFIG.5). To this end, the controller600may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a user interface (I/O; e.g., interface circuitry)620and/or a receiver (illustrated as part of a transceiver TX/RX; e.g., transceiving circuitry)640configured to provide as exemplified above in connection withFIGS.4and5.

The controller is also configured to cause determination, based on the time information of the journey, of a remaining time period to a specific point in time associated with the journey (compare with step430ofFIG.4and step542ofFIG.5). To this end, the controller600may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a determiner (DET; e.g., determination circuitry)601configured to determine the remaining time period to a specific point in time associated with the journey as exemplified above in connection withFIGS.4and5.

The controller is also configured to cause determination, based on the remaining time period to the specific point in time associated with the journey, of an extent of the computer software for the selected computer game for downloading (compare with step440ofFIG.4and steps545,555,525ofFIG.5). To this end, the controller600may comprise or be otherwise associated with (e.g., operatively connected, or connectable, to) a determiner (DET; e.g., determination circuitry)602configured to determine the extent of the computer software for the selected computer game for downloading as exemplified above in connection withFIGS.4and5.

The determiners601and602may be embodied as separate determiners as illustrated inFIG.6, or they may be embodied as a single determiner.

The controller may be further configured to cause downloading of the determined extent of the computer software for the selected computer game via the transceiver640.

Generally, when an apparatus is referred to herein, it is to be understood as a physical product; e.g., a device. The physical product may comprise one or more parts, such as, for example, controlling circuitry in the form of one or more controllers, one or more processors, or the like.

The described embodiments and their equivalents may be realized in software or hardware or a combination thereof. The embodiments may be performed by general purpose circuitry. Examples of general purpose circuitry include digital signal processors (DSP), central processing units (CPU), co-processor units, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and other programmable hardware. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments may be performed by specialized circuitry, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The general purpose circuitry and/or the specialized circuitry may, for example, be associated with or comprised in an apparatus such as a gaming device or a wireless communication device.

Embodiments may appear within an electronic apparatus (such as a gaming device or a wireless communication device) comprising arrangements, circuitry, and/or logic according to any of the embodiments described herein. Alternatively or additionally, an electronic apparatus (such as a gaming device or a wireless communication device) may be configured to perform methods according to any of the embodiments described herein.

According to some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable medium such as, for example an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a plug-in card, an embedded drive or a read only memory (ROM).FIG.7illustrates an example computer readable medium in the form of a compact disc (CD) ROM700. The computer readable medium carries (has stored thereon) a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data processor (PROC; e.g., data processing circuitry or a data processing unit)720, which may, for example, be comprised in a gaming device or a wireless communication device710. When loaded into the data processor, the computer program may be stored in a memory (MEM)730associated with or comprised in the data processor. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the data processor, cause execution of method steps according to, for example, any of the methods illustrated inFIGS.4and5, or otherwise described herein.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used.

Reference has been made herein to various embodiments. However, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the claims.

For example, the method embodiments described herein discloses example methods through steps being performed in a certain order. However, it is recognized that these sequences of events may take place in another order without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel even though they have been described as being performed in sequence. Thus, the steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step.

In the same manner, it should be noted that in the description of embodiments, the partition of functional blocks into particular units is by no means intended as limiting. Contrarily, these partitions are merely examples. Functional blocks described herein as one unit may be split into two or more units. Furthermore, functional blocks described herein as being implemented as two or more units may be merged into fewer (e.g. a single) unit.

Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever suitable. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa.

Hence, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are merely examples brought forward for illustrative purposes, and that all variations that fall within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.