U.S. Pat. No. 9,884,258

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may be found in a method and system for automatic sharing of engaging gameplay moments from a mobile device. In various embodiments of the disclosure, a communication device that enables wired and/or wireless communication and gaming is provided. The communication device includes an operating system platform that automatically detects the occurrence of one or more gameplay moments for a corresponding game. For one or more users, the operating system platform may be operable to monitor the game to detect of the occurrence of the one or more gameplay moments. In this regard, the operating system platform may be operable to detect whether a gameplay event corresponding to the one or more gameplay moments is engaging. The operating system platform may be operable to determine whether to share information related to the one or more gameplay moments with one or more social networking destinations.

The monitoring may include, for example, monitoring one or more of frequency of corresponding user interactions, achievements unlocked, high scores, multiplayer matches, voice interaction, and biometric and/or physiological information for the one or more users. The corresponding user interactions include frequency of touching a touchscreen display, frequency of touching one or more controlling keys for said game, and a corresponding pressure associated with said user interaction. The biometric and/or physiological information for the one or more users may include fingerprint data, retina scan data, facial expression, blood pressure data, pulse data, and perspiration data.

The operating system platform204may be operable to compare data associated with the one or more gameplay moments against baseline data to determine whether one or more corresponding thresholds have been satisfied. Video corresponding to a specified time period associated with occurrence of a gameplay event corresponding to the one or more gameplay moments may be captured and stored. It may be determined whether to share the information with the one or more social networking destinations based on whether one or more corresponding players of the game allows sharing of the information. In this regard, information related to the one or more gameplay moments may be posted to the one or more social networking destinations for the one or more corresponding players, if the one or more corresponding players has given permission to share the information.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an example system for providing automatic sharing of engaging gameplay moments from a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a plurality of mobile devices102a. . .102n, a web-connected television103, a service provider104, the Internet106, a plurality of social destinations108, a cloud110and a video server112. The plurality of mobile devices102a. . .102nmay be collectively referenced as mobile devices102.

Each of the mobile devices102may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide communication and to engage in the playing of games. The mobile devices102may receive communication services from the service provider104. Each of the mobile devices102may include an operating system platform that includes integrated capability to automatically share engaging gameplay moments. In this regard, the operating system platform is operable to monitor and detect when engaging gameplay moments occur. In instances when it is determined that engaging gameplay moments have occurred, the operating system platform may determine whether or not to share the engaging gameplay moments with one or more of the social destinations108. The mobile devices102may include Smartphones, tablets, and other similar type of handheld communication devices. In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, the capability of the mobile devices102to monitor, detect and share gameplay moments is a platform level feature that is built into the operating system platform and is not an application that runs on the operating system.

The web-connected television103may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive traditional television services as well as communicate via the Internet106and engage in the playing of single player and multiplayer games. In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, the web-connected television103may include an operating system platform that includes integrated capability to automatically share engaging gameplay moments. In this regard, similar to the mobile devices102, the operating system platform is enabled to monitor and detect the occurrence of engaging gameplay moments. Whenever such engaging gameplay moments occur, the operating system platform may determine whether or not the engaging gameplay moments should be shared with one or more of the social destinations108. In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, capability of the web-connected television103to monitor, detect and share gameplay moments is a platform level feature that is built into the operating system platform and is not an application that runs on the operating system.

The service provider104may include suitable device and interfaces that may be operable to provide Internet based services to various communication devices. In this regard, the service provider104may provide services to the various communication devices using a wired and/or a wireless communication medium. For example, the service provider104may provide Internet services to each of the mobile devices102and the web-connected television103. The service provider104may include a cellular, satellite, cable or DSL service provider.

The Internet106may include suitable devices and interfaces that enable interconnectivity and communication amongst a network of computers, communication devices and servers. The service provider104may be operable to provide service to the Internet106for each of the mobile devices102, and the web-connected television103. The Internet106and the Cloud110may host one or more application servers and/or game servers that may enable users of the mobile devices102and the web-connected television to play single player as well as multiplayer games.

Each of the plurality of social destinations108may include Internet based services that enable a plurality of users to interact personally with each other. In this regard, each of the plurality of social destination may enable the sharing and exchange of personal information, which may include voice, video, data, and text. In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the plurality of social destinations may possess the capability to share one or more postings of engaging gameplay moments.

The Cloud110may host one or more game servers that may enable users of the mobile devices102and the web-connected television to play single player as well as multiplayer games. The cloud110may host the video server112. The Cloud110may be accessible to the mobile devices102and the web-connected television103via the Internet106.

The video server112may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to serve and/or store video game related information. For example, the video server112may be operable to store video corresponding to engaging gameplay moments. The video server112may be located in the Cloud110.

In operation, the operating system platform within the mobile devices102and the web-connected television103are operable to automatically monitor and detect when engaging gameplay moments occur. The operating system platform within the mobile devices102and the web-connected television103are operable to capture video related to the engaging gameplay moments and store the captured video in the video server112within the Cloud110. In instances when an engaging gameplay moment is detected, the operating system platform may determine whether the detected engaging gameplay moments should be shared with one or more of the social destinations108. In instances where it is determined that the detected gameplay moments should be shared with one or more of the social destinations108, the captured video and other corresponding metadata information may be communicated to the social destination. In this regard, other players or users of the social destinations may consume and interact with the stored gameplay moment.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating automatic sharing of engaging gameplay moments from an operating system platform within a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a communication device202, a video server230and a plurality of social destinations240. The communication device202include and operating system (OS) platform204, a processor208, memory210, display212and keypad controller214. The OS platform204includes a gameplay monitor206. The communication device202may also include a microphone, speaker and a camera, which are collectively referenced as devices218.

The communication device202may include suitable logic circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicate utilizing one or more wired and/or wireless technologies. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the communication device202may communicate wirelessly utilizing 802.11 a/b/g/n/e, 802.16, 3G, 4G, and Bluetooth. In another example embodiment of the disclosure, the communication device202may communicate using wired technology such as Ethernet. The communication device202may include a Smartphone, a tablet, or a web-connected TV. Notwithstanding, the communication device202may include an OS platform204that possesses the capability to automatically detect gameplay moments and share these detected moments whenever it is permissible to do so.

The OS platform204may include suitable logic, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to control operation of the communication device. For example, the OS platform204may enable a user to interact with communication device202and to run or execute applications.

The gameplay monitor206is built in as part of the OS platform204and may include suitable logic, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to automatically monitor and detect gameplay moments. The gameplay monitor206is not an application that runs on the operating system platform204, but instead, is integrated as part of the operating system platform204. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the gameplay monitor206may monitor information or variables such as the frequency of touches and pressure on keypad or other game control device, achievements unlocked, high scores, multiplayer matches, and voice chat information. The gameplay monitor206may also be operable to monitor biometric and/or physiological characteristics of a player, for example facial expression of the player pulse rate, sweating in the face or palms, and other similar types of information. During the monitoring, the gameplay monitor may be operable to continuously store video of gameplay, and discard the video after a specified period of time, for example, 10 seconds. In instances when the gameplay monitor206detects a gameplay moment, a 12-second video clip, for example, may be captured. The example 12-second video clip may include 10 seconds leading up to the corresponding trigger event for the gameplay moment, as well as an additional 2 seconds post-trigger-event video. It should be noted that the lengths of the video captured may vary without limiting the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the pre-engagement/trigger time may be greater than or less than 10 seconds and the post-engagement/trigger time may be greater than or less than 2 seconds.

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, the gameplay monitor206may be operable to utilize, for example, a Bayesian algorithm, seeded by test data set across the example variables, and adaptive over time, to monitor gameplay moments. The engagement of specific gameplay moments may be detected by checking these monitored variables against a threshold. In an example embodiment of the disclosure, the unlocking of an achievement may be utilized as a baseline measure for triggering the occurrence of a gameplay moment. In this regard, the gameplay monitor206may be operable to encode the resulting captured video and communicate the encoded captured video to the video server230.

The processor208may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to execute code or otherwise control operation of the communication device202. For example, the processor208may be operable to control the OS platform204, the gameplay monitor206, the memory210, the display212, and the keypad/controller214. In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor208may be operable to handle operations of the gameplay monitor206, which may be utilized to detect gameplay moments.

The memory210may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to store operating and temporary data for the communication device202. For example, the memory may be enabled to store configuration and operating data for the communication device202. The memory210may be operable to store OS platform information and data as well as data utilized by the gameplay monitor206for detecting gameplay moments. The memory210may be operable to store captured gameplay video for the gameplay monitor206. Additionally, the memory210may store corresponding encoded captured video prior to it being communicated to the video server230.

The display212may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to display a user interface that enables a user to interact with the communication device202. For example, the display212may be utilized to configure the communication device202as well as provide user interaction when playing a game. In this regard, the display212may provide visual and/or touch interaction for the communication device202. The display212may include LED, LCD or variants thereof.

The keypad controller214may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to control and manipulate the communication device202. In this regard, the keypad controller214may be utilized to control applications such as games, which may be running on the communication device202. The keypad controller214may include a physical set of keys or buttons, and/or a software generated set of keys.

The transceiver216may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to handle wired and/or wireless communication for the communication device202. For example, the transceiver216may be operable to handle wireless technologies such as 802.11 a/b/g/n/e, 802.16, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth and wired technologies such as Ethernet.

The communication device202may also include a microphone, speaker and a camera, which are collectively referenced as devices218. The microphone and camera218may be operable to capture video and/or corresponding audio that may be associated with a gameplay that is monitored and/or detected by the gameplay monitor206. The speaker may be utilized to play audio. In instances where the communication device202is a Smartphone, the microphone, speaker and/or camera218may be integrated as part of the smartphone. In instances where the communication device202is a web-connected television103, one or more of the microphone, the speaker and the camera218may be a peripheral device that may be coupled to the web-connected television103. For example, the microphone and speaker may be integrated in the web-connected television103and the camera may be an externally coupled device.

The video server230may include suitable logic circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to run a master gameplay monitor232that corresponds to the gameplay monitor206, which is part of the OS platform204. Since the video server230may include more processing resources than the communication device202, the master gameplay monitor232, which runs on the video server230, may include a more sophisticated and advanced algorithm than the gameplay monitor206. In this regard, the master gameplay monitor232running on the video server230may be operable to utilize, for example, a more advanced Bayesian algorithm, seeded by test data set across at least the example variables, and adaptive over time, to monitor and detect gameplay moments.

The gameplay monitor206may be operable to communicate or pass information to the master gameplay monitor232running on the video server230. The master gameplay monitor232running on the video server230may be operable to utilize the received information and generate updated information or data, which may be communicated to the gameplay monitor206, which is part of the OS platform204. The gameplay monitor206may utilize the updated information or data to monitor and detect gameplay moments. Once the gameplay monitor206detects a triggered gameplay moment, an automatically generated caption of the game title and time the event was generated or triggered as well as any corresponding available metadata, such as achievement name may be embedded in the corresponding video. The gameplay monitor206may be operable to store the resulting video and the embedded information, as well as any other information related to the player and the game, in the video server230. Game and player recommendations may consume and utilize this stored information as recommendation for other users and game enthusiasts. The game and player recommendations may be handled by the video server230. Additionally, in instances when a particular event is triggered by a new player who is connected to the originating player, the new player is notified that the originating player also triggered the same event and had a similar experience. In this regard, the corresponding notification may include an audio and/or visual alert.

The social destinations240may include a plurality of example social websites such as Google+240a, Facebook240b, Twitter240c, MySpace240dand LinkedIn240e. One or more of the social destinations240may be utilized to share posts of the detected gameplay moments. There may be a provision which may allow a player to block or otherwise prevent information from being shared with one or more of the social destinations240. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may determine whether or not the post should be shared with one or more of the social destinations240prior to posting. The posts may appear in a delineated section of one or more of the social destinations240so that any user of the social destination can consume game activity. In some embodiments of the disclosure, restrictions may be placed on which users or the types of users that may be allowed to view and/or otherwise consume the post.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of pre-coded events may be utilized to establish the occurrence of achievements. Once the gameplay monitor206detects the occurrence of one or more of the plurality of pre-coded events, then corresponding video and metadata may be captured, encoded and stored to the video server230. Permissible postings may them be made to one or more of the social destinations240.

In operation the gameplay monitor206may be operable to monitor a plurality of gameplay variables in order to detect whether a gameplay moment has engaged. The monitoring may occur on a continuous basis and is an adaptive process. In this regard, the gameplay monitor206may be operable to periodically or aperiodically send gameplay information to the master gameplay monitor232. The master gameplay monitor232may be operable to communicate updated information to the gameplay monitor206, the latter of which may utilized the updated information to monitor for engaging gameplay moments. The monitored variables may be compared to corresponding threshold variables in order to determine whether a gameplay moment has engaged. In instances where a gameplay moment has been engaged, then the corresponding video and associated metadata information may be posted to a social media destination whenever it is permissible to do so.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating example steps for automatic sharing of engaging gameplay moments from an operating system platform within a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown an example step302in which an achievement is unlocked. In step304, an engagement threshold may be checked. In step306, assuming the engagement threshold has been met and an engaging gameplay moment has been detected, a video snapshot and corresponding metadata may be captured. In step308, the captured video and corresponding information associated with the metadata may be shared with a social media site if it is permissible to do so. In step310, the post and/or metadata may be utilized as input to recommendations, which may be handled by the video server230.

In step312, consumption of the posting may occur. This may include contextual and well as social consumption. In step314, other users may be notified that this user has also unlocked a similar achievement. In step316, when a friend or enthusiast visits a destination, they can view all social activity that is automatically shared including achievements, scores and the corresponding video.

FIG. 4is a flow chart illustrating example steps for monitoring and detecting engaging gameplay moments from an operating system platform within a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 4, in step402, a player may initiate gameplay on a communication device202. In step404, the gameplay monitor206monitors gameplay variables to detect gameplay moments and capture video. In step406, the gameplay monitor206may communicate gameplay information with the master gameplay monitor232. In step408, the gameplay monitor206periodically or aperiodically receives updates from the master gameplay monitor232and adapts monitoring of gameplay based on the updates from the master gameplay monitor232.

In step410, it may be determined whether one or more of the monitored gameplay variables has hit an engagement threshold. If one or more of the monitored gameplay variables has hit an engagement threshold, then in step412, video for 10 seconds prior to engagement and 2 seconds after engagement may be stored along with corresponding embedded metadata information. In step414, a post may be shared with one or more social destinations if permissible.

Returning to step410, if one or more of the monitored gameplay variables has not hit an engagement threshold, then in step416, the captured video from step404may be discarded. Control then passes to step404, where the gameplay monitor206continues to monitor gameplay variables to detect gameplay moments and capture video.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, in a communication device202including an operating system platform204, which is operable to provide wired and/or wireless communication, and gaming, automatically detecting by the operating system platform204, occurrence of one or more gameplay moments for a corresponding game. For one or more users, the operating system platform204may be operable to monitor the game to detect of the occurrence of the one or more gameplay moments. In this regard, the operating system platform204may be operable to detect whether a gameplay event corresponding to the one or more gameplay moments is engaging. The operating system platform204may be operable to determine whether to share information related to the one or more gameplay moments with one or more social networking destinations.

The monitoring may include, monitoring one or more of frequency of corresponding user interactions, achievements unlocked, high scores, multiplayer matches, voice interaction, and biometric and/or physiological information for the one or more users. The corresponding user interactions include frequency of touching a touchscreen display, frequency of touching one or more controlling keys for said game, and a corresponding pressure associated with said user interaction. The biometric and/or physiological information for the one or more users may include fingerprint data, retina scan data, facial expression, blood pressure data, pulse data, and perspiration data.

The operating system platform204may be operable to compare data associated with the one or more gameplay moments against baseline data to determine whether one or more corresponding thresholds have been satisfied. Video corresponding to a specified time period associated with occurrence of a gameplay event corresponding to the one or more gameplay moments may be captured and stored. It may be determined whether to share the information with the one or more social networking destinations based on whether one or more corresponding players of the game allows sharing of the information. In this regard, information related to the one or more gameplay moments may be posted to the one or more social networking destinations for the one or more corresponding players, if the one or more corresponding players has given permission to share the information.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for automatic sharing of engaging gameplay moments from a mobile device.

Accordingly, the present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present disclosure may also be embedded in a computer program product, which includes all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.